Colin Cowie Chic: The Guide to Life As It Should Be (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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!).

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: Clarkson Potter (December 31, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307341798
• ISBN-13: 978-0307341792
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #284,914 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Peter Lopez "P.Lo" (NYC, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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".

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars visually unappealing, January 3, 2008

By	Anne - See all my reviews

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.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Heather R. Brown - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.