photography courtesy of StyleSheet

Case in point: see above photo captured by StyleSheet. The Big Read has just begun, and in celebration of its kick-off, I have 25 copies of Fahrenheit 451 to give away. Enter here to win.

Codie Young reads Fahrenheit 451 backstage at Fashion Week (photography courtesy of Nordstrom)

If you haven’t yet heard about The Big Read, let me quickly give you this formal description:

In 2013, something unexpected is going to happen in Dallas. We are going to engage the city to read a book together.
 It’s called The Big Read Dallas, and thanks to the Friends of the Dallas Public Library, D Magazine, D Academy, and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, we will spend a month talking about Ray Bradbury’s provocative Fahrenheit 451. Get ready for an excellent adventure.

In summary, we’re trying to get the city to read a book together, and the star of the show is Fahrenheit 451. This all kicks off today. We’ve had our own limited edition version of the book made and I’ve got 25 copies to give away today. As you may know, a good book is a hot accessory (see photo above), and you need a copy of this very on-trend story. To win, enter here. Twenty ShopTalk readers will be drawn at random.

Just me and Martha.

Today I interviewed Martha Stewart, who, you may have heard, was in town signing her books at Williams-Sonoma at NorthPark. Take a look at what the famous homemaker has to say about entertaining, weddings, and loving breakfast. Then go buy her six-pound book.

Due to a shortage of time, my interview was shared with an NBC Guy.

NBC Guy: Okay we’re good and uh, it’s just easier if you look at Bailey.

Martha Stewart: Yeah, okay.

NBC Guy: First, tell me about the book.

MS: Well I need a book. Can I have a book please?

Bailey Powell: I have a book.

MS: So I’m here today to sign books at William Sonoma, and it’s my new book called Martha’s Entertaining: A Year of Celebrations. It’s hefty- six plus pounds (laughs). It’s a book about my own personal style of entertaining and it’s our 75^th book at the company, so it’s a big deal.

NBC Guy: What do you think about Dallas in general? I mean there is a lot of entertaining here in Dallas.

MS: Well, I think the people here in Dallas have a history of entertaining, a long history- very gracious, beautiful homes, wonderful facility with their guests, so I enjoy coming here. I love to see what they’re up to.

NBC Guy: That’s literally all I had. Bailey if you have anything…

BP: Okay! I saw your bridal shower feature for your friend Hannah with the Maine-inspired theme. I was wondering if you had any unconventional Dallas ideas for a bridal shower.

MS: Oh! Well I’d have to think about it. I’ve never catered a wedding here but I do come to  some giant weddings. I think Dallas throws big fetes. You know, 600 is small for some people. I remember the last wedding I came to there were so many food stations, foods from everywhere. There were over 800 people or something. Who knows 800 people?

BP: You do!

MS: (laughs) I think in Dallas they do.

BP: If you had one piece of advice for the Dallas bride what would it be?

MS: It’s very difficult to give one piece of advice. Just get organized. It’s all about organization and it’s also about not being a bridezilla.

BP: What is something that you always wish people would ask you?

MS: I mean, I have a program called “Ask Martha”. I don’t presuppose anything specific. You know, what’s my favorite recipe, what I like the best in food, those are the kinds of questions I get mostly.

BP: What’s your favorite recipe in the book?

MS: In this book… I think it’s the dessert that’s the baked plum with vanilla ice cream with a beautiful puff pastry Gustav on top. It’s a nice recipe.

BP: What’s your favorite event? Do you have a favorite one in the book?

MS: I like all the parties but I love breakfasts. I love the burgundy dinner. It was de-licious and the wines were great.

NBC Guy: I guess the last thing I have for you is to finish this sentence: I love doing what I do because _____________.

MS: Oh okay. I love entertaining because it brings together a lot of elements that are good living. It’s cooking, it’s in your table, it’s inviting friends, having great conversation, and that’s what entertaining is all about.

The D team is offering yo momma a year’s subscription to D Home for $12.

(It’s about 60 percent off the cover price, so it’ll a pretty good deal.) Giftees will get the 2010 Design Book with that purchase, too. This is a perfect and inexpensive Mom’s Day gift that keeps giving. Plus, you can grab another subscription for your mom-in-law (or, ahem, yourself) for $10. Score. (<– click for offer)

*Update: I was just told gift bags are first-come, first served basis.