Want to throw an A-list party without spending heaps of time and money? "In Style: Parties", the complete guide to easy, elegant entertaining, is the one-stop guide to making every event stylish and personal, and it proves once and for all that entertaining at home can be easy, fabulous, and fun. Organized in three sections, the book includes: the basics of party preparation, including what to serve and how to create the perfect atmosphere; complete party guides for every occasion, from dinner parties for 8 to cocktail parties for 30; and a listing of the top resources for food, drink, and decor, from artisanal cheeses and exotic chocolates to flowers and flat wear. The book begins with the basics section, which arms readers with the essentials of party planning. In thorough yet accessible detail, this section provides tips on how to plan a menu, stock a bar, set a table, serve cocktails, and feed a crowd, efficiently and with finesse. Also covered are tips on invitations, decorations, and music, which set the tone for a special occasion. The heart of the book is twenty of the most popular party guides published in "In Style" magazine over the last five years. Playful themes, fresh and simple recipes, sexy drinks, elegant decor, handy timetables, and a non-stuffy approach make it easy to stay on top of all the little details. Readers can follow the guides closely, mix up elements from different guides to suit their unique vision, or simply use them as inspiration. With its elegant illustrations and vibrant images of celebrity-studded evens, colourful drinks, luscious foods, and sophisticated decor, "In Style: Parties" put the fun of parties first.
Browse our Bookshelf Favorites store for big savings on popular fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
46 of 47 people found the following review helpful
Instyle's latest book "InStyle Parties (The Complete Guide to Easy, Elegant Entertaining), is a step by step guide to hosting your best party!
The 192 page hardcover, coffee table sized book (10x9x1/2)describes in detail the invitations, decor and menu for a variety of parties ranging from a backyard luau to a mediterranean dinner. Other parties include super bowl, afternoon spa, baby shower, birthday dinner, thanksgiving dinner and more. The super bowl party for example suggests a buffet menu that includes chili with turkey and white beans, sugar and spice pecans, tortilla chips with bean dip and an ice cream sundae dessert bar. Make the invites by writing on card stock glued on mini football pennants and decorate with mini plastic football players and goalposts. The book tells you exactly what to do from week to week to prepare for the party.
It also suggests modifications for each party. Don't feel like fixing food? Order a platter of preassembled gourmet deli sandwiches.
There are a lot of cute, novel ideas in the book. The holiday cocktail party has you crushing candy canes in martini glasses. Oscar night suggests sending invites in film canisters. The baby shower party would have you decorating with tea lights in baby food jars and serving goodies in silver baby cups with baby spoons.
The book serves as a launching pad for ideas. The spa party suggests you consider splurging on Swarovski crystal studded spa invites..well I am not likely to do that..but using this idea I might buy some crystals at a craft store and doctor up a another cute invite. The book does give some "over the top" ideas for parties but it also gives substitutes. It all depends on your budget and desire.
The book also includes chapters with some great basic information; how to stock a bar, the decor, the table, the food and the invitations. The table section for example, details tableware. linens, setting the table, serving styles, seating and extra help.
Choc o' bloc with full color photographs of different parties and interspersed with the occasional picture of a celeb noshing on this or that, Instyle Parties is a super resource and sure to make your next event even more special!
Lee Mellott
The 192 page hardcover, coffee table sized book (10x9x1/2)describes in detail the invitations, decor and menu for a variety of parties ranging from a backyard luau to a mediterranean dinner. Other parties include super bowl, afternoon spa, baby shower, birthday dinner, thanksgiving dinner and more. The super bowl party for example suggests a buffet menu that includes chili with turkey and white beans, sugar and spice pecans, tortilla chips with bean dip and an ice cream sundae dessert bar. Make the invites by writing on card stock glued on mini football pennants and decorate with mini plastic football players and goalposts. The book tells you exactly what to do from week to week to prepare for the party.
It also suggests modifications for each party. Don't feel like fixing food? Order a platter of preassembled gourmet deli sandwiches.
There are a lot of cute, novel ideas in the book. The holiday cocktail party has you crushing candy canes in martini glasses. Oscar night suggests sending invites in film canisters. The baby shower party would have you decorating with tea lights in baby food jars and serving goodies in silver baby cups with baby spoons.
The book serves as a launching pad for ideas. The spa party suggests you consider splurging on Swarovski crystal studded spa invites..well I am not likely to do that..but using this idea I might buy some crystals at a craft store and doctor up a another cute invite. The book does give some "over the top" ideas for parties but it also gives substitutes. It all depends on your budget and desire.
The book also includes chapters with some great basic information; how to stock a bar, the decor, the table, the food and the invitations. The table section for example, details tableware. linens, setting the table, serving styles, seating and extra help.
Choc o' bloc with full color photographs of different parties and interspersed with the occasional picture of a celeb noshing on this or that, Instyle Parties is a super resource and sure to make your next event even more special!
Lee Mellott
26 of 27 people found the following review helpful
I can't imagine someone getting married or starting out in an apartment or house and NOT having a copy of "In Style Parties" on their shelf. If you are looking for a housewarming present or a bridal gift, this is something you really should consider.
"In Style Parties" contains basic instructions for hosting anything from a baby shower to a cocktail party, Thankgiving Day feast or a Mediterranean-inspired evening. The chapters give day-by-day schedules (what to do three weeks, two weeks, day of, etc), full menus, shopping lists, what dishes you need. Simpler versions of each party are given to make it easy if you are short on time, funds or ambition.
One chapter includes how to stock a basic liquor shelf and how to make some popular cocktails like cosmopolitans, margaritas and martinis (hint, pour the vermouth over the ice in the shaker, then pour it out; the perfect dry martini.)
The food looked simple yet elegant and the photography makes you want to dive in and write those invitations. If you are uncomfortable entertaining and want to get started, this is for you. Highly recommended
"In Style Parties" contains basic instructions for hosting anything from a baby shower to a cocktail party, Thankgiving Day feast or a Mediterranean-inspired evening. The chapters give day-by-day schedules (what to do three weeks, two weeks, day of, etc), full menus, shopping lists, what dishes you need. Simpler versions of each party are given to make it easy if you are short on time, funds or ambition.
One chapter includes how to stock a basic liquor shelf and how to make some popular cocktails like cosmopolitans, margaritas and martinis (hint, pour the vermouth over the ice in the shaker, then pour it out; the perfect dry martini.)
The food looked simple yet elegant and the photography makes you want to dive in and write those invitations. If you are uncomfortable entertaining and want to get started, this is for you. Highly recommended
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
This book is loaded with help and ideas, and will save even the most clueless host/hostess. You get tips for setting up your bar, decorations, and invitations. You get information about wines and beers. But the best part are the individual party ideas. There are cocktail parties and dinner parties. Holiday parties and unique theme parties. Each party comes with a schedule for planning ahead, so you don't have to do any mad scrambling around the day of the party. Each party comes with a unique "signature drink", so you can cut costs by just offering a signature drink, wine, and beer. There are recipies for each party and shortcut ideas if you don't have time or don't want to cook. There are also music ideas and decor ideas, in good detail, to really help you. No other entertaining book I've ever seen includes help with so many aspects of your party so well. And unlike most entertaining books, there's a resource section so you know where you can actually find the items featured in the parties (food, decor, etc.), so you don't see something you love but can't copy. (There is one problem, however, I've found some of their resources only sell wholesale and won't sell to you unless you have a reseller ID, which is really disappointing. They should have only included retail resources anyone can use.) Everyone who either entertains or likes to daydream about it should have this book - the ideas are unique and fabulous. I bought this book because I needed an idea for our wedding rehearsal dinner. Within 20 minutes of looking through the book I had a brilliant idea (there is no "rehearsal dinner", but I found a perfect theme party to use). I have many party and entertaining books, and this one is definitely my favorite. I love it.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
In Style Parties
Just a book with fluff and not much else. I was sorry I bought it and gave it away as I didn't find much reason to keep it.
Published 2 months ago by M. Lovin
5.0 out of 5 stars
WONDERFUL
I love this book and couldn't stop reading it! It was perfectly packaged and in great condition! I love this and can't wait to buy more party books.
Published 2 months ago by Alisha Noel Bynum
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Ideas and Wonderful Recipes!
I purchased this book for a friend who is getting married in a few months. For her bridal shower we each had to bring a cookbook for the bride - this was by far the most popular... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Lisa
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love the book
I am a long-time subscriber to InStyle magazine and one of my favorite sections is the party theme article at the end. Read more
Published on January 9, 2010 by Marilyn Henderson
5.0 out of 5 stars
The bibly for classy ntertaining!
In Style are really the experts! This easy to use book, all in one entertaining is easy to read and get the tips to organize your party and make it great. Read more
Published on June 14, 2009 by KJ
5.0 out of 5 stars
INSTYLE PARTIES
I have several entertainment cookbooks and this one has all of the information in one book. Love the table decorating suggestions and menus not complicated. Very pleased. Read more
Published on March 25, 2009 by D. Connor
4.0 out of 5 stars
good book
i like this book a lot. it gives you theme party ideas with out being cheesey. very chic and classic ideas.
Published on February 28, 2009 by L. Kopecky
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great ideas, but if you read InStyle you might not need it!
I love InStyle and I particularly enjoyed the party planning section - I'm so bummed that they no longer have this! Read more
Published on February 28, 2009 by Ibizahippie
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must-Have!
As a professional event planner, I completely support the motto embraced in "InStyle Parties" that "entertaining should be, simply put, entertaining. Read more
Published on November 4, 2008 by Bess Devenow
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beautifully photographed, fun party themes
Beautiful color photos and brightly colored text immediately caught my eye. I was pleased that the vast majority of photos are of the food and the decor. Read more
Published on October 18, 2008 by S. D. Fischer
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
