Occasions

by Kate Spade

Every occasion calls out for something extra, whether it's flowers you set on the table, foods to honor a special gathering, or the selection of music. For both hostess and guest, consideration of those around you is among the most important qualities for any enjoyable occasion. A smile and sense of humor are also essential, and before the canapés and night lighting a good hostess is ultimately defined by a welcoming and gracious demeanor.
In Occasions, designer Kate Spade invites you into her world of easy, festive entertaining, where the emphasis is not on "the perfect meal" but on having "the perfect time." It's a world where laughter and conversation at dinner parties are encouraged and where spilled red wine on the couch is no reason to stop the music. As Kate says, "Making your guests feel at home is truly an art and it's one worth cultivating."
Any occasion begins with preparation, and at the outset Kate describes such basic components as lighting (votive candles are a must); table linens, flatware, and glassware; flowers (trimmed short and tightly massed); even bedding for overnight or weekend guests. Party shopping lists, hors d'oeuvres and cocktail favorites, and dinner party menus are all included. An "Alphabet of Special Events," from baby showers to tailgate picnics, is both anecdotal and useful for would-be hostesses everywhere.
Whether you entertain a lot or a little, and whether your style is casual or formal, Occasions, with more than 230 charming watercolor illustrations, is a handy and fresh approach to the subject, a book to be treasured today and over the years. Above all, at any gathering "hospitality makes for infectious fun."

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Lifestyle, Food, Coffee Table Books, Fashion, Reference

112 pages, Hardcover

First published March 30, 2004

Reviews

[Christine (Tina) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cocktails section on this book redeemed it, in my estimation. I feel like the rest is advice given via other lifestyle gurus.

[Kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Also cute. Listen I'll read anything by Kate Spade ok? haha

[Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

"sending flowers before the party is the sign of a truly thoughtful guest." (page 1)
"To invite a person to your house is to take charge of his happiness as long as he is beneath your roof." - Brillat-Savarin (page 10)
Clever idea - use adjectives instead of guests' names for place cards (page 44)

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

The weakest of the three Kate Spade books. I much preferred "Style" and "Manners". Perhaps it's because I'm not overly fond of formal dinner parties. I liked the section on traditional wedding anniversary gifts though(ie first year=paper). Her ideas were original and witty.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best of the three books. She has some wonderful ideas for parties and she inspired me to go out looking for vintage linens and serving pieces. I would love to be in attendance at one of her parties... they all sound so lovely and fun.

[RH Walters · Rating 2 out of 5]

All the fun of entertaining without the stress of actually doing it. Nothing groundbreaking here, but I did buy Willie Nelson's excellent Teatro album at her suggestion and might try ironing my sheets one day.

[Sara-Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely self-indulgent and highly impractical at times (how much money do you think I have, Ms. Spade? And how much time, exactly??) but includes enough useful information to redeem itself enough to earn the label "pretty good." A guilty pleasure of sorts.

[Ashley Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I want to own this book - a lot of good ideas. I'm ready to party!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lovely gift from RB is a friend. Ideal for thumbing through on a pleasureable afternoon. Dreamy ideas.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful go-to guide on how to be a gracious hostess with the mostess, from advice on menus for certain party themes to music choices to set the mood! Entirely too rad.

[Carie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Describe this book in one word: essential. Must own.

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do like Kate Spade, but I don't think I was in the right mood when I read this.

[Relyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one, but perhaps not as much as the first two. Still, a nice read and a great set when taken all three together.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

A nice book if you are rich and throw fancy parties....Other than that not very helpful. Style is my favorite of the three by Kate Spade.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute! She's built her own empire with handbags, etc. Maybe she'll write something else sometime.

[Gina Hummer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love her! Her set of books would make a great gift for a new home owner.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about what to do for different occasions.

[Cheryle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I probably won't actually throw many of the parties described in her book, but the art of being gracious in any situation is certainly an important one to learn.

[Karyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book. I liked it.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, as I did Manners by Kate Spade. Again, I know most of the stuff in the book, given my age and experience but I still thought it was a good read and I did learn things.

[Lisa Springsteel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one in a series of books by Kate Spade.

[jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute, quick Scribd read for vacation, but definitely kind of lightweight. There are sections that are sample menus without recipes, or just, like, lists of things that relate to parties.

[YT · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is terrible and pretentious, even though she tries to play it down sometimes, I mean sending a CASE (not one bottle) a case of wine to a host when invited to a dinner??? She mentions names of people like I’m supposed to know “Mary”, her best friend. I checked the cater she recommends and I’ll have to win the lottery to hire it… what a ridiculous book she wrote for herself.

[Kayla Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is such a cute, fun, little book. It covers all of the details from planning to decorating to hosting to serving to enjoying all types of celebrations for any occasion and includes cute illustrations throughout. This would make a great gift book for anyone who likes to entertain!

[Bari Dzomba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dumb but funny. Gave it an extra star because the poor woman is dead.

[Christine55416 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming, accessible book. Like Martha Stewart's cooler, younger sister's hints you might actually use

[Reader2007 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Spade has some delightful ideas.

[Sheryl]

Delightfully civil, elegant