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Every occasion calls out for something extra, whether it's flowers you set on the table, foods to honor a special gathering, or the selection of music. For both hostess and guest, consideration of those around you is among the most important qualities for any enjoyable occasion. A smile and sense of humor are also essential, and before the canapés and night lighting a good hostess is ultimately defined by a welcoming and gracious demeanor.
In Occasions, designer Kate Spade invites you into her world of easy, festive entertaining, where the emphasis is not on "the perfect meal" but on having "the perfect time." It's a world where laughter and conversation at dinner parties are encouraged and where spilled red wine on the couch is no reason to stop the music. As Kate says, "Making your guests feel at home is truly an art and it's one worth cultivating."
Any occasion begins with preparation, and at the outset Kate describes such basic components as lighting (votive candles are a must); table linens, flatware, and glassware; flowers (trimmed short and tightly massed); even bedding for overnight or weekend guests. Party shopping lists, hors d'oeuvres and cocktail favorites, and dinner party menus are all included. An "Alphabet of Special Events," from baby showers to tailgate picnics, is both anecdotal and useful for would-be hostesses everywhere.
Whether you entertain a lot or a little, and whether your style is casual or formal, Occasions, with more than 230 charming watercolor illustrations, is a handy and fresh approach to the subject, a book to be treasured today and over the years. Above all, at any gathering "hospitality makes for infectious fun."
| Have You Ever Wondered ...? | 4 | |
| Introduction | 10 | |
| Section 1 | The Mise-en-Scene | 13 |
| Decorating the Room | ||
| Shopping for Antiques | ||
| Flowers | ||
| Lighting | ||
| Linens | ||
| The Well-Stocked Cupboard | ||
| Party Shopping Lists | ||
| Music | ||
| Seating | ||
| When the Out-of-Doors Beckons | ||
| Invitations | ||
| Dressing the Part | ||
| The Good Hostess | ||
| The Good Guest | ||
| Surprises and Disasters | ||
| Section 2 | Tried 'n True Party Standards | 59 |
| Cocktail Parties | ||
| Pre-Party Preparations | ||
| Mixed Drinks | ||
| Shake, Stir, Pour, and Serve | ||
| The Perfect Martini | ||
| Champagne and Cognac | ||
| Wine is Divine | ||
| Beer is a Beverage Too | ||
| Hors d'Oeuvres | ||
| A la Carte, A Table, and Catering | ||
| Dinner Parties | ||
| Dinner Party Checklist | ||
| Special Dinner Parties | ||
| The Art of the Toast | ||
| Dinner Party Trivia | ||
| Weekend Parties | ||
| For the Ideal Guest Room | ||
| Weekend Activities in the Country | ||
| Section 3 | An Alphabet of Special Events | 91 |
| Anniversary Gifts | ||
| The After-Party Party | ||
| Barbecues | ||
| Birthdays | ||
| Brunches (and Lunches) | ||
| Farewell Dinners | ||
| Holidays | ||
| New Home | ||
| Pienies | ||
| Showers | ||
| Tailgate | ||
| Tea | ||
| Theme Parties | ||
| The Un-Occasion | ||
| Weddings | ||
| Thank You | 108 | |
| Select Bibliography | 110 |
royaltygirl
Posted January 12, 2011
I love this book! I own it in hardcover and nookbook. The illustrations are lovely on the nookcolor!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 29, 2005
I thought this book had some great suggestions -- not all of them are for me (like ironing sheets), but I thought the ideas were very fun. I enjoy Kate Spade's classic, timeless elegance from her handbags to her books. At any rate, the book is beautiful and gives a myraid of ideas for entertaining.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 20, 2013
I really enjoyed Kate Spade's ideas and inspiration about entertaing with style. She has such great passion about everything she does and this will be a treasured book for yourself or will make a great gift.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 11, 2004
For the remaining 99.9% of us who like to entertain and who don't have their own florist, chef, maid, and bellman - it contains a lot of meaningless and impertinent suggestions. 'For the guest room... freshly ironed white sheets....cloth napkins over paper any day of the week...whenever I'm having a party, I explain to a caterer that I think the food should be filling....' $20.00 retail is entirely too much even if you do find her advice humorous...
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 17, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
Every occasion calls out for something extra, whether it's flowers you set on the table, foods to honor a special gathering, or the selection of music. For both hostess and guest, consideration of those around you is among the most important qualities for any enjoyable occasion. A smile and sense of humor are also essential, and before the canapés and night lighting a good hostess is ultimately defined by a welcoming and gracious demeanor.
In Occasions, designer Kate Spade ...