*Since I will be away from my computer for the next few days, I decided to pick the winners early, because, I just KNEW you would all be on the edge of your seat until I announced the winners and I didn’t want anyone to have a miserable weekend. I’m nice like that. I’ve contacted the winners (#127 Kristi H., #159 Jennifer R., and #719 Jenny). Congratulations!
I’m not going to lie: I can make a mean cupcake. And I can even pipe a swirl that is pretty darn cute. But in honor of staying honest, I have to confess that beyond that, I’m a terrible party planner. I envy those gifted folks who can put together a party table that is filled with decorations, food, and a real, live tablecloth – and all of it coordinated in the cutest of ways. I’m lucky to get the cupcakes or cake slapped onto a cardboard round and transported from here to there before one of my kids’ gouges a taste with their pudgy, smudgy fingers.
A week or so ago, I saw Amy Atlas’ new Sweet Designs book highlighted on several blogs and decided I had to get my hands on a copy. I ordered. It arrived. And my life and party planning skills are officially changed for the better.
Seriously, this book assures me I can be a party planning rock star. And trust you me, I will become just that if it kills me. All because every single step, decoration, idea, and recipe is laid out in the book. The level of detail is astounding. Granted, some of the ideas/tablescapes are completely over-the-top but my new party planning motto is go big or go home and this book proves that is the way to live your party planning life. I cannot wait to put the brilliant ideas in this book to use. I just have to find the perfect occasion now (oh, and the time…you know…cause having a new baby and four other rugrats running around isn’t enough on my plate right now – ha!).
In honor of my bursting love for this book, I’m giving away THREE copies to THREE lucky winners. Simply leave a comment on THIS post and tell me what kind of party planner you are. Do you go all out, including hot gluing miniature flags onto drinking straws? Or do you stay simple, simple, simple? Spill the beans. And enter to win a copy of this book that will make all your friends jealous of your mad party planning skills.
Winners will be announced tomorrow. Or maybe Friday. Depending on my mood. Love ya!
Pssst: Giveaway sponsored by Mel’s Kitchen Cafe (a.k.a. me). Amy Atlas and her book have no idea who I am and they don’t realize that not only am I envious of the party planning ideas, but I desperately want Amy Atlas’ hair. Peace out.
I have great ideas, but they just never turn out the way I want them. What a great book! That is very nice of you to do. Hope you are doing well with that precious baby girl!!
I try to keep it as simple as possible, but I would love to create ones that look fabulous someday…maybe when I’m not so concerned about cost.
very simple!!
I plan food to death & follow-through pretty well, but I can’t do decorations beyond tying balloons to a railing. I do pretty good with games/entertainment though. The worst thing about party planning for me is cleaning the house.
I put my focus on the food. I love to make all sorts of new recipes, but am usually exhausted by the end. I wish I was one of those people whose parties had good food AND looked pretty. I am just not!
I’m not the best party planner. I usually have big ideas but never really follow through or should I say, know how to follow through. I want to be an entertainer, I really do, I just lack some of the necessary skills to do so:) thanks for the chance to win this book. It could make our family have so much more fun and I could be a “cool” mom.
I have ZERO skills in the party planning department…Even if I’m throwing a birthday party for my kids It’s easier to go somewhere else where all the planning and decorating is done and I just have to bring a cake. IF i actually have a party, there is NO decorations (unless it’s a few baloons and streamers for the store) and I’m lucky if I even have serving dishes that aren’t paper!
I do a few decorations, but try to keep it simple so I don’t stress out and can have fun!
Hi Mel,
I am fly by the seat of your pants last minute party planner – I usually have a few good recipes that I have gleaned from the internet and then I add as I go along. I am in the midst of planning my son’s grad party – doing a green and white theme – school colors and a few ideas from the web. Would love this book!
This looks like a great book! I love entertaining and hosting parties! A must at my parties is great food!
I’m pretty simple with the decorations, but all out with the food
thanks!
I try to go all out when I can and when I have the time. Christmas I always go all out and when I host my Easter Brunch I really go all out for the egg hunt gift bags food craft table cookie or cupcake decorations. Love to throw parties!!!
Thanks,
Andrea
Decorations. Name tags on all the food so people are not asking what it is. I have cute ceramic tiles and write on them. I even label the sweet tea!
I love to cook so the food is always pretty darn good. My planning/decorating skills have improved little by little…but I do LOVE a good theme! For a recent baby shower I got the Mom baby bath-time goodies, a bottle of champagne, and breast milk alcohol test strips. She had back-to-back pregnancies and her husband was deployed to Afghanistan for much of both so they are ready to celebrate–after baby, of course=”bubbly for Momma and bubbly for baby!!!” Congrats on your sweet baby girl!
I love to go all out but need resources to find good ideas since I’m not all that creative on my own. I have a Cricut that I use to decorate and love to go off of themes.
I go all out for food and thanks to pinterest I see great ideas for decorations, but somehow they don’t make it to the party.
I’d rank my self at 6.5! I’m pretty good at the food, but lack in the decorating department. This book could help me.
I like to find a perfect balance between simple and just enough decor to look cute! I’ve thinking a lot more lately about the presentation of things, it’s fun! This book looks amazing!!
I go for it all…..planning a theme, decorating, baking. It’s tons of fun. Thanks for the chance to win!!
I always have grand ideas, but when it really comes down to it, I keep it simple.
I’m a mix… I used to be all about the simplicity, but lately I’ve been going ALL OUT for parties, including using massive amounts of paper chains and balloons as decorations. I am embracing my crafty side and am very interested in this book!
Don’t know if I can officially even say I’ve thrown a party on my own. The ones I HAVE been a part of, there was always someone else who loved to take care of all the deco-details. My idea of party decorations is “Hey look at this yummy food I made in this cool bowl I have, that I’ve used for every party!” Who buys table cloths anymore? Not that I haven’t admired them, but my thought is “Is paying this money really worth it? Or should I use the money for…shampoo!..or more food!” Husbands eat a lot…
simple, but usually way to much food. not much decor.
A dusting of powdered sugar…
I have 4 kids aged four and under. None have yet had anything more than simple cupcake/cake and ice cream parties. Every year I say “next year I’ll do it right” and each year I fail to execute. It won’t be long before they’re old enough to realize how much I suck.
I would have to say I fall between the two…Have always had the food thing going, but have just started with more decorations. This book looks great!
I could definitely use help with decorating! I usually kind of go all-out on the food, but need help with the decor….
I love a party! I enjoy sending friends, family and guests home with parting gifts and deserts. Depending the on crowd, we could have wine/cheese to Bocce Ball, Frisbee & Croquet.
I like to think I’m a good party planner, but I get bogged down in the details, so in the end I end, I focus more on food, less on decorations.
My party planning skills are nil. I’m a decent cook, a more than decent baker, but I don’t take the time to pretty anything up. If my house is clean-ish, I have dishes that match somewhat, and the food turns out well, it’s a success in my book. I’d like to do better…
I pretty much buy napkins, birthday banner and tablecloth to match with the theme and cake. I have probably gone all out once for a cheerleading party for my daughter with favors and concession stand but otherwise it is simple , food sometimes is complicated- hot dog bar, taco bar etc.
I’m an inbetween planner, guess it depends on how I am feeling. I like to try and impress but like to do it easily!
Thanks (in part) to your recipes Mel, my son’s superhero birthday party a few months ago was a huge hit and tons of fun to put together. My husband hates throwing parties so the few times I get to do it I try to go all in. You can see the details from me superhero party here: http://furloughedtime.blogspot.com/2012/04/superhero-party.html
P.S., Mel the chocolate cake recipe was to DIE for!
I love to go all out! I figure if I’m doing it then there is no need to hold back!
I like cute and simple and I’m always looking for new ideas!!
I go all out for food – prepare way too much and pack most of it up for our guests to take home. Not much on decorating though. Just don’t know what to do or have the time to do it.
I keep it pretty simple when it comes to party planning because I’m really cheap. I pick a theme choose my coordinting colors and do the best with what I have. The best part is making all the desserts, of course!
I keep it simple when it comes to party planning, but, this may have more to do with my dismal abilities than actual party-look desires.
I love writing lists of ideas weeks in advance but when it comes to executing the plan I often fall way short! I end up throwing things together and stressing out needlessly. Oh well!
I really enjoy planning birthday parties for children, but when it comes to adult parties, I get too stressed out!!
I do love to plan a party with a theme, but not obnoxiously. I’m usually a simple kind of gal!
I love how many people are in the “focus on the food and still behind schedule when guests show up” category. It makes me feel better about my own typical hostess self. Always falling short of what I intend/plan. Not that anyone who comes knows any better, but it still bothers me. My dream is to have our entire main floor as a cooking hangout, where whoever is home can pitch in and enjoy food prep together – that way the sous chef isn’t left out of the action. My other dream is to master beautiful presentation. Because doesn’t everything taste just a little better when it looks pretty? This book looks fantastic.
I usually am simply ( but it never seems that way from my view) and I add one element of “all out” to surprise people !
It depends on who is willing to help me. If I am on my own it is pretty simple, mostly fresh flowers, but if family will help we come up with some pretty fun ideas.
I am a great party planner but I tend to go over board! LOTS of food and LOTS of left-overs!! I love planning parties!
We always like to try one or two new dishes during a party or gathering. We usually go all out with food and drinks, decorating isn’t quite like Martha Stewart, but simple. We love hosting gatherings always fun to get friends together.
I love to plan parties! My girls always get fun themed and coordinated birthdays. I am always looking for inspiration! This book looks awesome!
Um…I pretty much don’t plan parties…but that’s because I’m not so good at it!
I go All out……not only at home, but also for all of our church parties and potlucks!!! My philosophy is: the more food and decorations, the more fun!!!!!
I like the idea of planning parties, but the work to put into it…at this phase in my life, it just ain’t happening. I don’t get enough reward out of doing it I guess. Maybe I just need some inspiration!
I’m a “wanna be” party planner, I try and have high hopes but it never comes out quite as well put together as I hope.
I tend to get carried away and take on more than I can reasonably handle. I have managed to serve some great food before, but I am horrible at the decorating end of things. And I could definitely use some help in the planning department. I try, but it seems like I always forget an important detail…
I do try….need ideas!
I love to throw a party, but I stress out with wanting everything to be perfect. Decorations only happen on Thanksgiving and Christmas. What a great book to help out those of us who need help with our decorations!
I like to go big, but sometimes it just doesn’t happen. Parties are so fun, though, and I’d love to see her ideas!!
Simple Simple Simple!
Here’s what I know about parties… no matter how much energy or effort I put into it — be it a little or a lot – I’m constantly reminded it was never about whether my plates match my napkins, if the frozen drinks have the perfect straws, or even if the extra bling I’ve hot-glued to every surface until my fingertips have melted off are even noticed. It’s about the people who are there and the sheer feeling of “togetherness” in the room. Everyone is so thrilled and happy to just be there.
But the truth is, many of us are so manic 99.8% of the time, that we don’t know how to turn off that busy-bee effort… even for the fun stuff. I go for simple, and simple turns into “Well, simple plus this…ok, and maybe just this, too… oh!! and I couldn’t do without this…and how adorable would THAT be?!?!”
Parties are about the people who are there, to be sure. But you know what? For the hostess, sometimes it’s also about that little extra something (or two or three…) that also adds a bit of “wow” into the fun.
Even it means I’m minus a few fingertips.
I love to entertain, and generally focus on the food. I getting better with the decorations, but you can’t eat those, so food still ends up being the highlight. Thanks for the giveaway!
Love having friends over, love entertaining. I have a great country setting for it but I struggle to get that nice finished look I see in the magazines. In a small town you are always going to potlucks, and fun gatherings. People and food just go together out here. I would love to get some great ideas on putting it all together for a nice presentation.
I go simple because I stress too much. My brain freezes and any cute and creative ideas become nonexistent.
I love to entertain. I usually keep it simple for little get togethers, but love to go all out for showers, birthdays, & holidays. I would love a copy of Amy’s book to tap into her creative & beautiful part planning skills! Thanks!
I’m probably somewhere in the middle, though I do like to go big on the food… I love good food!!
I have a friend who helps me with the real party planning. I usually do the food and she does all the extra printables. We really just have a lot of fun watching all of our guests have fun.
Since I’ve become “old”, and feel old as well, parties are a thing of the past. Maybe with a little help from Amy I could rekindle that old party feeling but not sure. I sure would love to know how to make a high-domed cupcake, though. It’s the one thing I’ve never been able to accomplish.
I make sure to have yummy food, but other than that, I’m simple (and cheap) to the core–get it from my mom! Thanks!
I am a terrible party planner, but my sister is awesome. I always ask her for advice. I could use this book to plan a party and my sister would be left wondering how I did it.
I’m pretty basic for birthday parties – and I don’t do any other kind
I could really use this book!
I have parties for baptisms and birthdays, otherwise I have “get-togethers”, which, in my mind are more informal! My parties are themed, tying the invitation and cake together – usually both homemade by me, but I stink at decorating. We’ve been using the same “Happy Birthday” banner for five years…I need help!
Simple Simple SIMPLE I don’t go too crazy in any way shape or form. My husband thinks I get to stressed if I go all out… but if I had a book that helped me with all of it… maybe I could go a little plum crazy once in a while!
My parties tend to involve a clean house and food on the table. Ideas would be fun!
I love to bake and when it comes to party planning I know what food I’m going to have but the rest of it stresses me out and I procrastinate to the last minute and then none of it turns out how I envision it. This book sounds fabulous!
I’d say I fall somewhere in the middle. I like to host parties and enjoy the planning, but I could always use some tips with making things pretty.
Thanks for a fun giveaway!
Love to have parties. I think I keep it pretty simple especially with decorations. I could use a lot of help there…
I go totally over the top with decorations, costumes, and games for the kids, but I’m lacking in the food dept.
I’m in the middle. I have dreams of going all out, but never have the time/ambition of quite getting there.
I love to plan parties and invite others over. I basically plan around the food, when good food is planned I know everything else will fall into place! Horray for food!
I only wish I had even some decorating skills! Im great at delegating all those things to other people!
Try as. I may I have no skills in decorating !
I secretly want to be an amazing party planner! But much like you I do pretty good on the cake and it quickly fizzles from there. Most often our parties end up being a cookout with a few simple, if any, decorations. Would love some ideas and insperation. Thanks!
I love pretty tables and pretty food, but I am more in the simple category too. I know what looks good, but I am not good at knowing where to start. I am a good behind the scenes person for the cleaning etc.
Thanks for the chance to win. I would love to have this book.
I go all out on the food but need major help in the decorating department!
I love to decorate and have a great looking food table. Could always use some new ideas!
It sounds like I’m alot like you. I can bake and cook and even plan games for kids, but it’s hard for me to put it all together into an amazing party.
Depends on the mood, I have gone all out (ONCE) but usually I’m a simple simple gal. It was for my little twin boys’ first birthday, unlike you I was not so lucky on my 4th try with getting a girl!
I love to go all out, but usually run out of time before I get it all together…or I come up with fabulous ideas after the party’s over. But the food’s always good!
I absolutely love parties, but alas, I always seem to be the one that ends up helping with the preparations, not the one coming up with great ideas. I could really use some help. Any party really needs some attention to detail and the rewards of enjoyment, happiness, and maybe some accolades from the guests, makes it all worth while, especially when celebrating a special occasion; a holiday, a birthday, etc.
I too am a mother to four boys and a baby girl (LOVE IT!!! : ) and I am not sure where to find the time to even THINK about yummy food and cute decor coming together at the same time in the same place. For now — simple, simple, simple is our speed. Maybe if someone else planned it and provided step by step instructions, our celebrations would move up a notch or two in the cute/fun department.
I am all about the food! I love coming up with the food and goodie ideas but the rest leaves me a little overwhelmed.
I usually make simple but yummy food and a show-stopping dessert and by the time I’m done with that, there is no time for decorations.
I love to entertain with a lot of food and a neat and different theme. I love to use pretty dishes.
I do pretty good on lots of great food, but display, decoration, all the cute stuff I really need some help. I would love the book!!! I can totally relate, I have 5 BOYS!!!
I think I fall somewhere in the middle. I always bake a lot of desserts and I have grand ideas for decorating but I usually fall short on time. I would love this book, as I am planning my nephew’s Christening party. Thanks so much, and congratulations on your baby girl. ( I had three sons and then my daughter so I know exactly how it feels when you finally have your daughter:-)
I go all out to an extent, but I am not good at decorating. I can make yummy recipes but the presentation sometimes leaves a lot to be desired!
I fall into the “great intentions, but no time to execute” catagory. love having people over, but mainly focus on food and just a little decor. I’d love to ramp it up a bit!
I like my parties to be a casual affair and therefore the planning is very laid back.
If I will be having more than the usual suspects over then I’ll put a bit more effort to allow for conversational pieces, but other than that… No fuss!
I tend to go all out on the food when having a party mainly because I am not very artsy, so I don’t feel like I have the skills and know-how to put together beautiful decorations. Perhaps this book could help me fill the missing void!
I am in the middle with party planning. I do mostly my little boys birthday parties, but so desperately want to do a cool adult fall party on my carport and have grand ideas for the decorating and food! Some day…I will be brave enough to do so
I usually stay simple with snack finger foods and go crazy on yummy treats and some super cute decorations that I assemble with my supplies from the dollar store and clearance aisle!
I am secretly envious of people who throw great parties! I tend to make way too much food (not necessarily a bad thing), and then I agonize over invitations, decorations, activities, etc. I would love a little inspiration for party throwing, especially going into the summertime. Thanks for your awesome page!
I am not a good party planner, especially in the decorations arena. My one year old’s birthday party decorations consisted of a homemade birthday sign and three balloons. Good thing she won’t remember my lack of effort…
My party food is always good, but as far as presentation and decoration, I tend to think too big and end up without enough time to get everything–or anything– looking the way I planned it in my head. My kitchen is small, and everyone always ends up in there with me as I do last minute things, which makes me feel disorganized and rushed. I’m ready to step it up a notch or two!