Customer Reviews

Fete Accompli!: The Ultimate Guide To Creative Entertaining

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I waited anxiously to get my copy of this book after reading the great reviews, only to be very dissapointed. I felt like I was reading the entertainment section of People magazine. There are some fun ideas, but very unrealistic. Let's face it, I'm not going to "hire a construction worker to build levels into an open space and turn each one into a lounge...", or rent out a private airport runway. Sounds like fun, but very unrealistic.

And the food! Doughnuts stacked for a birthday cake? McDonald's hamburgers cut into quarters served with take-out fries in martini glasses? Cheez Wiz on Triscuits? Mini Twinkies? Rice Krispie Treats with add-ins? Perhaps the celebs think that it's trendy, but do they actually even eat at these parties? I know that my guests do, and they'd think that I'd completely lost my mind if I served anything like this. And they'd all be sure to eat before they left their houses next time. (The cocktails are equally as bad -- Bubbling for Apples -- bobbing for apples in a vat of champagne, Candy Flavored Martini Bar with Gummy Bears and Jolly Ranchers for garnish.)

I do have to say that there are a few helpful tips on flower and candle arranging, and invitations that I will be happy to have, but honestly, that's it. I agree with a previous reviewer, a great book for sorority girls on a large budget.

I will also be returning this book. I am an event planner and I'm always looking for new ideas. There is nothing in this book for me. If you plan events for sororities, you may be able to use it. And the photos of celebrities, what's that about?

If you can afford to implement the ideas in this book you don't need to buy the book you need to hire a party planner. I was not impressed with the party photos of "important" people. I returned the book immediately.

This book does not deliver any new ideas or hints on how to entertain. What I find very disappointing is the book's styling; most photos are black and white, small and not very good. You can't even see the decoration suggestions very well and to me they look very loveless. All in all the book looks very old-fashioned in a kind of nineteen-sixties look - but not in a nice retro way... Another negative point is that there are just a few recipes - and they are not very original. The only good thing in the book is the resource guide in the back.

Somebody obviosly wanted to pad the reviews to make this appealing. All of the "good" reviews appeared over a 3 day period. After people actually started buying the book the reviews go way down. Buyer beware.......

Don't get me wrong -- this is a great book to have around if you can get it at a discount (It's a little too fluffy to justify paying full-price). I don't have such an issue with suggesting doughnuts and McDonald's as another reviewer has (it worked with the party themes)but the authors do come off as low on creativity. One problem Harrison and Schriftman seem to have is tailoring their book to people entertaining at home. Their etiquette advice is detrimental to most people's social lives. Yes, it's their job to "work the door" at their clients' events and keep out crashers...but the VIP Bouncer role doesn't work at friendly social gatherings. Some of the "celebrity quotes" are a bit disturbing: When asked about their biggest party complaint, Michael Kors is quoted as saying, "VIP rooms that are filled with non-VIPs"...which says it all.

It does have good ideas about music and decor, along with good recipes from top restaurants and great vendor contacts. I see it for what it is -- a good event planning guide for people organizing public events like charity functions.

I am an event planner who is always looking for new inspirations, and I found this book to be one of the worst event planning books I have ever purchased. Here are the lowpoints..to summarize: poorly written; non-descript black and white photos; useless celebrity namedropping; tired suggestions for invites, florals & decor; shameless self promotion; "chic tips" that are FAR from chic. My recommendation? Continue your search for an event resource book, there are plenty out there that have proven to be much more useful than this one!

I was VERY pleased with this book! Not only is a great looking book to have sitting on a table, but it's fun to look through, has beautiful pictures and really explains and gives good insight on how to entertain for your next party.

This book is great to have on a coffee table beacuse its very entertaining for you guests. I LOVED IT SOO MUCH!! and have read it over and over again

Loved this book so much, haven't even finished reading it and I want to use all of Elizabeth's and Lara's party tips! No wonder I throw such bad parties -- I had no clue before I dove into Fete Accompli! Looking forward to being the first girl on the block to throw a mani-pedi party!