*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 am a simple party planner. I usually plan my kids birthday parties and my preschool graduation parties. I am very organized so that helps with the stress. I love looking at Pinterest to get all the food craft ideas and I do try a few. It is fun to be creative and being able to keep it simple.
I so wish I could be all cute with party planning but wasn’t given that gift. Hopefully this book will help me out!
I usually go the simple route. I usually am good with getting the food and dessert together but I am not good with the decorations.
I like to have a party that is super planned as to the games and food but as for decorations, I am terrible. I figure most of the kids don’t bother to notice anyway.
i love to plan parties and i just picked up sweet designs at the library~ would love to have a copy of my own~ i would share it with my daughter who also loves to plan parties~
Love the food preparation, but am lacking on the presentation.
Sometimes I do better than others…if I am inspired! I always try to do best with the food though, then at least I will have that going for me!
I spend days planning and preparing whatever food i can make ahead, but then i spend too much on the food and end up having nothing left to spend on decorations. I’m thinking I ought to change this since decorations are reusable and food is not!
I do not really have parties anymore. But I am pretty simple. A creative wannabe…
I’m in the middle. I always go all out on food, but not always on the decorations. Some parties ‘deserve’ a full on treatment, others do not. haha
I keep it simple, but always end up with way too much food! Just bought a house we have room to entertain in, bring on the ideas!
I absolutely love colorful presentations – tablescape (simple but eye-popping) and great food. I am an “in-between” party planner and do best if I can execute an idea I have seen. I’m not too original and my problem is stressing out about it, so this book looks like something I would love to own!
Like others, I can make awesome food…but I’m bad with decorations. I need this!
I like to go all out with food and decorations. For my sons first birthday I made a happy birthday banner and decorated the house for the jungle theme. So much fun!
As much as I say I like to keep it simple, that’s just a front. My nature is to go “all out,” I’m just not creative or skilled enough to do it!
I go all out on the cake but the buck stops there. I too envy those adorable parties and wonder how they get it all done. Maybe someday I’ll be an adorable party thrower! I do throw a fun halloween party though
I love to plan the food, but am not huge on decorations. Only on major holidays do I really like to decorate – that and birthdays of course.
I go over board on the food and desserts but not much on decor other other then balloons maybe at a Birthday party bash!
I’m always more worried about making sure everything is clean and Tidy and the food is made then I seem to run out of time and energy for much more!
Would love to win this book for some tips on making it all come together !
I guess I am kind of both. I go all out with lots of food, but don’t decorate much. I like to experiment with new recipies. But it is simply planned.
Okay, I think I go all out with food. I love doing everything homemade and making my favorite delicious things (which usually consist of 90% Mel’s Recipes….).
BUT I usually don’t leave myself enough time to focus on the decor or even wiping the sweat from my brow. I need balance. I need this book.
I have aspirations of being a great party planner, I actually have one coming up I need to get busy on! This book could rock my summer:)
I would like to go all out, however, often find I don’t have the time with two little ones. I am making a homemade pinata for my son’t 4th birthday party next week…that will likely be the extent of the decorations!!!
Love to plan a party! Just gave a garden party for my mom! She has passed on her love for people, entertaining , and being creative.
I used to just go all-out with food and nothing with decoration. But since I’ve been on Pinterest and addicted to blogs, I’ve learned lots of ways to decorate on the cheap.
I love doing impromtu get-togethers with everyone bringing something. It’s always fun to see what kinds of foods we will be having for dinner that night. Sometimes we are dessert heavy and other times it’s a good mixture of all courses. As far as decorating, I don’t! If the house is presentable, the tablecloth is clean and there is a good supply of sturdy paper plates and napkins, who needs more? Maybe Amy’s book can help me bring parties to the next level. This old dog is ready to learn a few new tricks!
I get great visions in my head and plan the food and decorations, but it never turns out the way I hoped and planned. The food just doesn’t look the way I hoped and the decorations are never to be found with the theme that I planned for, so then I have to make my own (which don’t always look the greatest). I so need this book to help me! Please keep me in mind.
I’m definitely simple, simple, simple when it comes to party planning. I’m kinda like you with the cupcakes and cardboard, cardboard being optional. I should definitely plan better, but you know what they say about the best laid plans.
I keep it really simple (decorations, not the food).
I would love this book for a good friend of mine. She goes all out and is in the beginning stages of planning a baby shower for her pregnant daughter. She’s going to be a grandma…CRAZY!! She’d be so excited to have a book like this.
I have four kids so I am simple.=) But I do love some cute ideas! bellesbazaar-heather.blogspot.com
I really love planning and preparing the food but I’m not so good at the extra stuff. Maybe this book would help me out.
I only do birthday parties for my girls and I am not a great planner. I do good to get the cake decorated before midnight the night before the party! This year for my daughters third birthday I made a teapot cake with teacups. That is the most extravagant I have ever gotten with a party. She loved it, so that is all that matters
I always have grand ideas but end up keeping it simple, mostly because I run out of time!
I rock the food (most important part of the party, right?) but that is all I can do. My skills at making things look cute are horrible. This was always OK when we lived in the tiniest of houses and rarely had many people over but now we have a house where I can entertain and REALLY need some help.
I wouldn’t know where to begin to plan a party.
We started throwing an annual “Curry Fest” every year! Everyone can just bring curry and we have pita bread, and everyone is happy! Super easy, super fun. But I definitely am not a decorator! Love your give away that YOU sponsored! you rock!
I love to go all out with the food and decor, balloons, banters, flowers, glitter, party themes. But I do try to keep it all on a budget, so I do most decorations and food myself.
I love to throw parties! But I’m very simple. Would love to learn some things though!!!
Simple, with a few special touches. Nothing over the top, that’s forsure.
I love entertaining, and this book would be perfect for giving me some new inspiration!
I’m a pretty simple party planner. We don’t have a lot of money for all the cute dishes and decorations (although, I love that stuff!) and I’m stressed enough with keeping a clean house with three kids and bringing the food together that the decor is the first thing to go. I would love some easy tips and this book sounds great!
I try to avoid being in charge of parties at all cost! Since there are always a few that seem unavoidable (kids birthdays and such), I really need help!
I am a reluctant party planner. However, when I do plan a party I always feel like I have to get my Martha on and do it up good.
I love big party where they’ve gone all out, but I’m just too tired and cheap to spend time and money throwing a huge deal. Mine are always simple with plenty of good food, but minimal decorations. That’s how I roll.
I love to make lots of good food, but my presentation is a bit pathetic!
I do it all myself. I have several well received recipes and some nice dishes, but I am not good at the extra touch that makes things look put together! And, I can’t say that the effect is as sophisticated as I might like!
I am so not a party planner but I would love to be! The book sounds like its just what I need.
I imagine myself to be a great party planner. In reality, not so great! I need help! I love to get together with family. With about 50 in my immediate family and the same in my husbands a get together is no small event. I have a get together planned for my 19 year old son in a few months and both sides of the family will be attending. Help!
I’m terrible at party planning!!!
I like to make lists upon lists upon lists…but actual party day I like to just go with the flow. I feel so much better having many details planned out and anything done ahead of time, but the actual party I like to stay laid back. Alos, my number one part tip: music! You have to have good music.
I love to bake the food but after getting the house and kitchen cleaned up, I don’t have the energy to get creative with the decorations. Creativity isn’t my strong suit. I need the help!
I’m kind of in the middle…I go all out sometimes and other times it’s pretty low key. I’d LOVE to be able to plan awesome parties EVERYTIME though… pick me!!!
I love to host parties and never met a theme I didn’t like! My new “thing” is to move my dining room table in front of this one wall that I decorate accordingly: I stuck candy canes to it at Christmas and felt shamrocks to it for our St. Patrick’s Day party. I don’t just want this book, I NEED it.
I am a go all out girl! If you are going to do something, do it with flare. With an 11 year old and a 6 year old I have planned 17 completely different, but with mad style birthday parties complete with costumes, hanging decorations, and handmade invitations. I enjoy throwing baby showers and bridal showers. Here about the new book you have used as a muse makes me interested in getting some fresh new ideas for my next gathering.
Thanks for this site! The Chicken Pillows and Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole are two of our favorites!
Usually I stress, sweat and freak out whenever I entertain …. hence it does not happen that often. I love GOING to parties mind you, but would love to learn more to reduce the stress factor for sure!
Really, we’re lucky to have a party, let alone a decorated one. I, however, am trying to put that former self behind me and become the super mom/party planning committee chair that I know lurks somewhere keep within me
I can handle the food for a party but that’s as far as I go! Sounds like a great book!
What a fun giveaway! I love hosting and planning parties, but don’t have tons of experience yet. I would love to do more. Entertaining is so much fun and I would love this book!
I am usually all in with the food but not with the decorations. Pinterest has helped that recently and so my daughter’s 1st birthday was complete with some simple, cute decorations, too!
I am a simple, simple, simple party planner!! I love throwing a party but hate it to be over the top!
i love the idea of planning for parties, but always fall short!
I love to think about party ideas! But what usually happens, is I plan tons of details and have all sorts of ideas, but when it comes down to it, I eliminate a lot and try to keep it simple. This would be such a fun book!
Very, very simple. It’s all about the friends and food. I don’t want to waste time on meaningless stuff.
I am a terrible party planner! I can plan food ok, but as far as making things cute and pretty I’m terrible.
I tend to go all out with the food, but then fall way short on the presentation. Hmmm, maybe if I made 1 less dish, I would have time to devote to the decorations & presentation. Love your blog and the yummy goodness you share with us!
I keep it simple.
I usually go over the top with the food, and I pay attention to presentation and visual appeal, but hot-gluing flags onto straws….not so much. I could REALLY use this book. It is already on my wish list. Thanks so much for the review and the giveaway!
I’m a simple king of gal. Love good food though!!
I love to plan parties, but I always feel like I fall short on the decorating end. I hope I win!!
Amy
I don’t even attempt to make cupcakes or a cake…. I just opt for root beer floats! It’s enough for me to just try to have all the food ready and house clean. Forget about decorations!
Love entertaining, but we keep it as SIMPLE as possible. And I mean simple down to a red solo cup for almost all beverages – kid & adult.
I am a TERRIBLE party planner. I LOVE to have people over, and people tell me my food tastes terrific….but my presentation is horrible. I would love to get better!
Okay, I can churn out excellent food for a party, but decorations? invitations? entertainment? I am lost! Having three teenagers, I have made it a goal to improve (majorly!) my party skills!
I can plan a menu. I’ll even put out plates and sometimes forks. That’s about it. Thanks!
I love entertaining! I always go all out on the food & really want to do the same with decorations, but don’t always have the time or know exactly how to do it in a cost-effective way!
My husband is the party initiator…and I help by making the food. If we get the house cleaned up in time, that’s usually enough decorating for us!
But I have dreams of making things even more spectacular!
I am not a party planner, my husband is better than I am. I can make food but is never any sort of cute arrangement or decorations along with it. I would prefer it to look like I didn’t try than I did and look terrible. I don’t like terrible.
I am like you Mel, except without even the skill to make and decorate a mean cupcake. I like to try though!
I love going all out for a great party!
I love to set up a “table scape” on our kitchen island and across a counter. In the spring, I cover a side counter and the island counter with red gingham tablecloths and then set up a miniature, snap-together white picket fence for a backdrop. Along the fence, I string sometimes faux and sometimes real ivy and sunflowers. In front of that, I add dishes and plates nestled into rustic looking wood or metal plant holders. I strew around the scene seed packets and gardening implements. I even have a mini wheelbarrow that I line and use for utensils or carrots and celery. Fun stuff! Would love this book for more ideas.
I am a simple kind of a girl. If there are any decorations at all, they are minimal and only include matching plates/napkins and maybe some sort of centerpiece that is something that I happen to have that somehow slightly fits the “theme.” My focus is always on the food!
Simple!! love doing the food but the rest doesn’t get done!! I love having time to just visit with people.
I love to cook for my family. Simple but delicious recipes are my favorite! I absolutely love to prepare things to share with other people and I always volunteer to bring the dessert and the salad! I would love to have this book for helpful tips and new and exciting recipes! Thank you for spreading the word!
I’m definitely a simple thrifty party planner. I always seem to be doing it on a budget so any help I can get would be a great benefit.
I confess, I have NO party planning skills. So far the “craziest” thing I’ve done for my boys is decorate their cake with their favorite character. I try to make up for it with great food, but that only gets you so far
Help!
I try to make sure everything looks nice, but it’s in no way coordinated or decorated. I tend to focus completely on the food, making sure each dish compliments the whole, that I tend to feel cheap about decorating! (In other news: she DOES have great hair!)
I am REALLY good with the food, but that’s about it. I’ll put the food on nice platters and that’s about the extent of my decorating. I just threw my husband a mean barbecue birthday party and the menu was killer! But we ate it on a bare table…with mismatched paper plates and plastic cups…
Simple is definitely the way I go. Life is more fun that way!
Party planning involves cleaning the house and making food. I love to go to parties where people are creative and go all out. My creativity does not go very far I suppose!
I like to keep it simple and I insist on food design mostly when planning a party. Balloons, postcards, etc are not my style, (yet!).
I try but I know that I am not very good at the whole party planning thing!!
I am all about simple but would like to go big if I only knew how!
My mom is such a great party planner, and I am still waiting for those genes to pass to me. My biggest concern is that the food is good, so unfortunately the decorations, and well, everything else, fall by the wayside. I would LOVE this book!
I like to go all out with the food but I never do much with decorating…but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t love to decorate I just don’t know where to start!
I can definitely hold my own in the cooking department (love it!) but am not creative at all. I really need help in the decoration department (and those cute little touches).
I could use some serious help in the decorating department. I try to keep it simple for the kids, but I would love some more ideas. Great giveaway! Thanks!
I LOVE to go all out when I have the energy, but have learned to keep it simple sometimes to be able to enjoy it a little more
I go all out for food, but not so much for decorations. I want to get better on the decorations
I usually try to stay simple, but for my daughter’s 16th birthday, I went all out! I could definitely have used this book and would love to win it!
I am all about the food. I wish I was better at the decorating part, but as long as the food is good, that’s all that matters.