Customer Reviews

Pad Parties: The Guide to Ultra-Entertaining

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

 

 

I loved Pad, I mean LOVED Pad - the crazy interiors, the cool design projects you could do yourself, and on the most basic level the ideas and inspiration on every page. So naturally I was thrilled to find a sequel - but sadly this follow up is pretty disapointing.

For starters it's more cookbook than an interior design book, and although there is inspiration to be found many of the projects are not things you are likely to try and do yourself. I very much miss the aspect of seeing into other people's homes (that was such a wonderful feature of Pad). But most of all I was quite annoyed about a Fish lamp project which is this cruel construction that involves a glass bowl, a candle and some live gold fish as a hanging lamp. Potentially boiled gold fish trapped in a tiny swimming space seems to me as very unpleasant and cruel, it's quite disturbing to think someone might make this.

Should you buy it? It's up to you but you could do better than Pad Parties.

This well-designed guide to the PAD retro/sleazo, classy/trashy entertaining aesthetic is loaded with tips, recipes, projects, lovely photos, and Maranian's distinctive wit, but it lacks the component of voyeurism that made the first PAD so special. My favorite sections in the first book, the pages I keep going back to, are the PAD Profiles of fabulously creative people in their weird and wonderful homes. Regardless of whether I truly dug their style or not, it was an inspiring kick to read (and see) about their lives and how they achieved their decorating effects, and it was another kick to later recognize their names mentioned in the context of their beyond-PAD professions. It would have been great to see photos of PAD Parties in progress, and to have PAD hosts give descriptions of parties they've thrown. Of course, it may have been difficult to achieve such photos without having them appear to be staged for the purpose of the book--but at least it would have allowed us more glimpses into super-cool homes and lives.

Are you looking to give your social gatherings a little bit more funk? Wouldn't you like cultivate a reputation as an interesting, unique, and gracious host? Let PAD Parties be your guide!

Seriously, since I got this book, I've had to wrangle it out of people's hands. Anyone who visits takes an instant fancy to it. But the truth is, it's best to keep this little guidebook all to yourself. No need to give away your party secrets!

I looked for this book after reading PAD, and it's the perfect follow-up. This volume includes plenty of unexpected additions -- the recipes rock, and you won't find them anywhere else. The craft ideas are on par with Maranian's most inspiring from PAD, and as before, the pictures are mesmerizing and the writing can't be beat. And after all, god, who wouldn't want a light-up punch bowl? (Aside from that, I was pretty amazed at what can be done with a candle & a couple of goldfish. It's actually much less torturous than it sounds: you'd just have to see the Goldfish Globule Candlelight Lantern to know what it's all about.)

PAD guides its reader through decoration; PAD Parties shows the reader what to do once the place is decorated. It's different from PAD in that it assumes you've already established your residence, so the book begins immediately with party preparations. It's a comprehensive guide, instructing its reader on everything from food to gift ideas to tending bar to manners (and these are still much more important than one might think!). PAD Parties is an inspirational guide for the experienced host and the novice alike -- there's something here for everyone.

If you liked the charm and sophistication of PAD, it's all here. This is the grown-up edition of PAD part one. Use these ideas, and your party can't go wrong. Your life is just waiting to begin!

Fun book with such cute ideas. This is my second "pad" book purchase. This first one I received as a gift nearly 10 years ago, and still love it. There is nothing like a good ol' retro cocktail party, so when I saw the guide to pad parties I went for it! It has some really cute ideas. I admit this book is not for everyone. However, if you are a lover of artsy, creative, vintage, or just looking for something different to inspire you, this is the one.

As a big fan of PAD, I was very excited to read it's follow-up. However, I put it off for a very long time mostly due to all of the blah reviews it received here at Amazon. But recently I found the book at my local library and decided to read it for the first time.

And well, I liked it.

Yes, it is true that a large portion of the book is recipes, but what is wrong with that? I can see how many fans of the first book would be put off for the lack of more DIY projects in this one, but I can still say I would recommend this book. It still has plenty to offer for those who are fans of 1950's bachelor pad culture. Sure, the more hard-core fans of tiki and space-age pad times may find some of it old hat, but it is still a solid read.

Plus, I have been looking forever to find instructions on how to build book shelves out of bamboo.

I ordered this book because I was throwing a big party and thought I could get a little advice. I was dissapointed because I felt the book really tailored to a specific audience that wasn't exactly my style. Some of the projects were really neat, but I didn't have time to make them, and I wouldn't really know what to do with them after I'd made them and they weren't specifically my style (like the Tiki Bar). There was some good side notes though on technical aspects of good party throwing like "What makes a good hostess?" etc. that I found interesting and useful, but on a whole, I would have rather bought another book.

an ultimately groovy book about really cool ways to spruce up a party or an entire place. The design of the book is cool with great layouts and stylish colors. While the price is a bit steep, this makes for a great gift or coffee table accessory.

Party on!