When you think Martha Stewart, what comes to mind?

For me, it’s probably a perfectly folded linens closet, a late summer soiree, or perhaps a garden overwhelmed with wildflowers (some of which you’ll find in a vase by your nightstand in the guest room later). It’s a book club, or a crafting circle.

It’s equal parts class and curating an effortless vibe. It’s handwritten thank-you notes on monogrammed stationery, and a perfectly wrapped hostess gift when someone invites you to stay for a night. It’s intentional. It’s personal. It’s inviting.

So imagine my excitement when Martha Stewart herself declared it a “Martha Girl Summer” on Instagram. From there, the trend has taken off, with more than +3000% increase in searches for “Martha Stewart Aesthetic” on Pinterest. One user argued that it’s not a “Martha Girl Summer,” as “Martha is a way of life,” and we can’t help but agree.

How to Add A Little Martha to Your Summer

While she may very well be the first true influencer, you don’t have to have a huge following to be more like Martha. Here are a few ideas for ways you can add a Martha spin to your summer, and well into fall as well.

• Host a Shrimp Boil: This can be easily done by hiring a company to boil the shrimp for you. They’ll likely want a headcount, and you’ll want to make sure you have a clean (and covered) surface for them to dump the seafood on. Also, consider offering a non-shellfish alternative for those who may have seafood allergies!
• Pick your own flower bouquets: This can be done at many local farms. We recommend typing “pick your own flowers” into Google and reading the reviews before heading out! Once you’ve returned home with your bounty, arrange them into cute bouquets for every room!
• Get rid of your college plates & silverware: They’ve served their time. Unless they’re timeless (like your grandmother’s silver collection), they can go. Invest in some genuine, classic stoneware pieces instead, and consider pairing them with silverware that complements your aesthetic.
• Create a guest room basket: Assemble a basket to store essentials for your guests. I have things like a small hairdryer, face wipes, under-eye masks, electrolyte powders, hair ties, eye masks, earplugs, and other small items in mine, with room for towels left over. You can also include something local, such as a small snack or a magazine about things to do in town. I also always ensure there’s a stocked guest bathroom (with extra towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, shampoo and conditioner, and tampons). These small touches mean the world to my guests!

• Learn to fold a perfect towel: Watch this YouTube for practice!
• Order your own personalized stationery: You never know how much the added little touches go. We love this set from Mark & Graham, which comes complete with matching envelopes!
• Join a book club: Make some new friends, while absorbing some books and trading ideas you might not have had otherwise.
• Learn a new signature recipe: One that you can always count on to please a crowd, no matter what. Here are 10 by Martha, herself!

Finally, we recommend taking up a new hobby that will occupy your mind and hands. Needlepoint projects (like the one in the photo above from the Adored By Alex blog) are all the rage right now, as is gardening (if you have space). The best part of both of these hobbies is that they can help you to create gifts for others!

It’s also speculated that Martha’s infamous glorious aging is as much a result of the hobbies she pursues as it is of any skincare regimen.

From Martha Girl Summer to Martha Girl Way of Life

While you can do most of the things above whenever you please, we also have some ideas for those looking to make the Martha Stewart aesthetic a longer-term goal.

1. Curate your chaos: Martha doesn’t do clutter. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have collections. Start with a drawer and go through it methodically, organizing what you want to keep while donating what you don’t (or trashing anything not worth saving). Label things with pretty labels. Save the recipes you currently have on sticky notes into a virtual folder and also into a tin with all your recipe cards. Slowly, but surely, make your way through your kitchen, closet, and the rest of your home!
2. Always have a signature scent: We can’t claim to know what Martha Stewart smells like, but we have several contenders for what could be her signature scent. (Something earthy, but also gourmand, perhaps? Or maybe something like sugar and sea salt? Or is she all florals?) Regardless, focus on one fresh scent (at least for the season) and make it your own. Incorporate it into the detergent you use to wash your clothes, if possible. Alternatively, add a few drops of your fragrance oil to a diffuser. No matter what you do, own it.
3. Become the go-to expert on ONE subject: Maybe it’s sailing. Perhaps you’re an avid hiker. Maybe you know everything there ever was to know about gin. Whatever it is, focus on one of your passions and go all in. Become the person people seek out when they want to know more about XYZ!
4. Prioritize friendships: Martha Stewart is known for her friendship with rapper Snoop Dogg. While Snoop was a guest on her show in 2008, the iconic duo became best friends in 2015, when they roasted another comedy legend on an episode of Comedy Central’s Roast. What makes them work so well? It’s part “having fun,” and part intentionality on both sides to maintain their friendship, no matter how busy their schedules.

Fo shizzle, y’all.