Colin Cowie Chic: The Guide to Life As It Should Be [Hardcover]

Colin Cowie (Author)

Book Description

Release date: December 31, 2007

A handbook for living well in the twenty-first century

From legendary lifestyle expert Colin Cowie comes the last word in living a gracious, sensuous life on any budget. Colin draws back the curtain on his own chic, passionate, 120-miles-per-hour life, revealing how to create and entertain in an inviting home, garner respect in the workplace, and travel with ease and comfort. No matter how or where you live, or whatever your personal style may be, Colin Cowie Chic will place you on the fast track to experiencing life to the fullest.

This immensely practical handbook offers step-by-step instructions on everything from workplace etiquette to the art of no-sweat, fuss-free travel. Colin also takes the guesswork out of navigating today’s social situations with the kind of charm and confidence that will get you invited back anywhere you want!

The invaluable details he shares include:

Home:
Essential comforts for every room
Kitchen decorating ideas
Storage and organization shortcuts
Know-how for being or hosting a guest

Entertaining:
A wine-and-cheese primer
Options for stunning table settings
A no-fail hangover cure

Travel:
Unbeatable jet-lag remedies
Road-trip guidelines
A must-have packing list

Work:
Tips for motivating employees and coworkers
Desk etiquette for the office

And much more!

Packed with detailed lists, gorgeous photographs, and helpful illustrations, this is the only guidebook you’ll ever need to live a beautiful, elegant life (as you should!).

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

COLIN COWIE’s renowned parties have made him a favorite of Oprah Winfrey, countless celebrities, heads of state, and royalty—and secured his place as one of the most sought-after event planners in the world. He appears regularly on The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Early Show and is a frequent contributor to O, the Oprah Magazine. He has been featured frequently on Entertainment Tonight, and in USA Today, the New York Times, Brides, and People on etiquette, home design, entertaining, and other aspects of living well. Born in Zambia and raised in South Africa, Colin now resides in New York.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Potter Style; First Edition edition (December 31, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307341798
• ISBN-13: 978-0307341792
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 1 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #566,023 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Colin Cowie's renowned parties have made him a favorite of Oprah Winfrey, Jerry Seinfeld, John Travolta, heads of state and royalty, and many others-and secured his place as one of the most sought-after wedding planners in the world. He appears regularly on The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Early Show and is a frequent contributor to O Magazine, Brides, and People. Born in Zambia and raised in South Africa, he now resides in New York. Colin Cowie Lifestyle, his event-planning, interior-design, and lifestyle company, is based in Los Angeles and New York. Please visit him online at www.colincowie.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A small book with BIG ideas! February 13, 2008

By Peter Lopez

Format:Hardcover

This small book is packed with a million ways to literally make your life better. It feels more like book about good values than anything else. Colin constantly reminds us about considering other people's feelings. His definition of style is fantastic: Self respect, which leads to respect of others and their respect of you. That is why every other idea he comes up works so well and so well together. They aren't coming from garish desire to impress or cause envy, they come from a desire to please and make your guests, as well as yourself, comfortable and happy. I don't mean to overextend my point, but it's a rare thing to read a book about napkins, shoes, table clothes and invitations that comes from such an earnest place. THANKS Colin.

Secondly, the book has so many useful tips, guides, practices, drawings, photographs, etc... that literally show you step by step how to get your personal organization setup as well as how to host a party that you can actually have fun at!! It's not an impossible Martha Stewart like scenario, that no one can actually do, it's honest and has real nuts and bolts advice to help all of us live "life as it should be".

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars visually unappealing January 3, 2008

By Anne

Format:Hardcover

The content is good, but the layout and photographs are very disappointing. It's also a very small book, which I could not tell by seeing it online. It looks like the publisher was trying to save money by using mostly small, black and white photographs with a brown sepia tone. I found it hard to believe the Colin Cowie I see on TV actually signed-off on this book. There are several nice full color photos, but mostly small, poorly shot black and white. Again, the content is good, but be sure to "Look Inside" before you buy.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A very talented mind :-) February 4, 2008

By Little Miss Cutey

Format:Hardcover

I suppose for the decorating portion of the book it's easy to create these looks for your home etc when you have money to spend. Of course, you don't always need to spend a lot of money, but it definately helps. I picked this up because I've seen Colin on Oprah and The Early Show heaps of times and his taste is always impecable. He is so talented and creative.
This book is full of wonderful ideas that can either be reproduced or similarily recreated. There are ideas about everything from organising clothing to how to be a good house guest and everything in between. He's got fantastic ideas and reading this makes me want to live my best life possible. I have no problem recommending this to almost everyone who wants to change things up a little or travel well or even how to get over a hangover. Interesting and great little book. It encompases a lot of topics and information.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Celebrate Everyday January 7, 2008

By D. Squibbs

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I had advanced ordered this book, and was not disappointed! Colin reminds us to "Celebrate" each day, not just the special occassions or special things. And I needed to be reminded of that. I believe there are some things in life we can't control, so having things that we can control (things in order, clean etc) helps make the "stresses" easier to deal with. This is definitely a re-read for me! Thanks Colin.

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Nothing more than common sense April 27, 2008

By WestCoastBecky

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Amazon product review was obviously written by a marketing professional who probably works for Mr. Cowie. Cover to cover, this book is nothing more than common sense. The "must-have packing list" is the same as every other packing list you'd read on a travel website or put together yourself from simple logic. The "unbeatable cure for jet lag"? Sleeping pills. The tips on how to treat your guests, co-workers, concierge, etc. are nothing more than saying to treat them the way you'd like to be treated. The "ideas" are completely underwhelming.

If you are complete oaf with no friends and you're not sure why, then this book might shed some light and get you to go clean your bathroom and start being more polite to people. Otherwise, how-to guides by Martha Stewart or Miss Manners are much more helpful and entertaining than this book. I know Colin Cowie is very talented and I expected so much more.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars useful AND fabulous! February 5, 2008

By George DeMark

Format:Hardcover

What's the new etiquette for the 21st century? How do you fold a napkin, organize a brunch, make up a guest room--live your life? Someone gave me Colin Cowie Chic for a present and I have to say i was completely bowled over. This book is amazing. It's like a little black book of style (except it's brown, and made to look like a chic little wallet) It's kind of the ultimate guide to living well in a world that's moving so quickly that most of us don't know anymore the difference between a finger bowl and a goldfish bowl. Highly recommended -- (especially the idea that we owe it to ourselves to set the table for as many meals as possible -- because we deserve it). Bravo -- 5 stars all the way.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars gotta to have it!!! February 5, 2008

By Prudence Solomon

Format:Hardcover

Without question the most useful, practical, sexy and smart book to date. For anyone struggling to organize their lives - this fuss free book takes you to the heart of the matter with style and glamour! Colin Cowie is beyond chic!!!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Über Fabulous!! February 5, 2008

By David Lazazzera

Format:Hardcover

A Fantastic guide written by a Fabulous author who has taught me thru his writings that you don't have to be a millionaire to live a "chic" lifestyle. The need comes from within and the tools on how to perfect "chic" are all here. Before owning one of Colin's books, I lived in a tiny NYC over stuffed one bedroom apartment. His books and website videos have taught me how to organize my apartment and my life and how to "turn drab into fab". I still live in the same apartment, but it is now a stylish NYC one bedroom with plenty of space to host a fabulous buffet style dinner party for 10 to 15 guests; which I do regularly. Even my ice cubes now have sex appeal...thanks to Colin! "Chic" is my guide to living the life that I want; everyday! I recommend it to anyone who wants to improve their lifestyle and...to be Chic!

An admirer