We had a lovely rainy day yesterday! The first one in about 4-5 weeks. So I had a wonderful cozy day at home and had a chance to go through some books that I’ve been keeping for just such a day. I was sent “Party Basics For New Nesters” by Maria McBride when I had my other blog, but I never got around to reviewing it.
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This is a fabulous book filled with really easy to do projects to make any party a success AND the pictures are just gorgeous! She has a whole section on party basics. Everything from invitations to what floral tools you need to make arrangements, cute ideas for personalizing votives, recipes for classic cocktails,and pantry basics for entertaining. Really great if you’re new to entertaining.
This is one of her autumn decorating projects that uses orange masking tape! The book is organized by event. She covers Lunar New Year, Cinco De Mayo, Earth Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving and more. I’m going to be doing one of the projects from her book next week.
Maria has some great party planning advice and cute, very easy to do projects! It’s written in a very friendly style that’s easy to read and the directions are easy to follow. This is a very helpful book if you’re a new nester or if you’ve always wanted to entertain but didn’t know where to start.
Carla says
October 9, 2008 at 1:58 pmhow handy! Thank you for the review!
Fran says
October 9, 2008 at 3:07 pmI love that idea of using the orange masking tape…..hmmmmm…..that just got my decorating thoughts going! Unfortunately, I will have to put it off until I get finished cleaning.
Thanks for always inspiring me!
Fran
Half of the Style Sisters says
October 9, 2008 at 3:15 pmOrange masking tape! What a great idea. I love creative uses for tape. Thanks for sharing the idea and the book!
glorv1 says
October 9, 2008 at 3:19 pmHi Manuela, you always have such great hints. I too like the idea of the orange masking tape. Have a great Friday.
Suzann @ Lavender and Roses says
October 9, 2008 at 3:39 pmThanks for the review! I’ll have to look for that book.
Penny @ Lavender Hill Studio says
October 9, 2008 at 5:09 pmI’m going to Barnes and Noble on Sunday…I will check it out!
Hugs
P
Paula says
October 9, 2008 at 6:23 pmDear Manuela,
Thank your for sharing the book review. Your home is so beautiful! That is a perfect spot for reading!
Love, Paula
Lady Katherine says
October 9, 2008 at 8:27 pmLove the post, Is the lamp a black toile? I loved it and the pillow.
Rosemary says
October 9, 2008 at 8:43 pmHi Manuela,
So glad you are back. I didn’t know. You should have told me. Glad I found you. I am going to go and add you back to my favorite blog list.
Yay!
Rosemary
~Tara says
October 9, 2008 at 8:49 pmThanks Manuela for telling us about this book! I love to entertain and am always looking for ways to do it better, or classier, or easier!! Sounds like this is the book for me!
~Tara says
October 9, 2008 at 9:05 pmforgot to mention that i posted about your book review and linked back to you
Rue says
October 9, 2008 at 9:20 pmHi Manuela 🙂
I’m so sorry for not coming by in such a long time. We were hit by Ike, then it was one thing after another. I did miss you though 🙂
That book sounds great! I loved the pumpkins in your last post and your dining room looks gorgeous!! You really are one of the most talented bloggers I’ve ever read.
hugs,
rue
bj says
October 9, 2008 at 10:39 pmNice book to have.
I love your use of the old coffee pot sitting on books…I never would have thought of it..Now, I gotta look for a neat coffee pot..only problem..I am running out of places to sit anything, store anything, hide anything, stuff anything……….:O(
I have two different sizes of the old corning ware coffee pots..white with blue flowers and they are up in a cabinet wherre NOBODY sees them…where to put them..more shelves???????o dear…
love, bj
Julie says
October 9, 2008 at 11:49 pmSo happy to have discovered your blog! I love your pumpkin topiaries. I’m partial to the white pumpkins as well when decorated indoors. Thanks for the inspiration.
Julie
Kathleen Grace says
October 10, 2008 at 12:00 amSounds good! I'll have to see if I can get it at the library:>)
ShabbyInTheCity says
October 10, 2008 at 1:25 amWe got that rare rain too!
I got to read a magazine 🙂
Mary Englebreit’s Home Companion, my favorite.
diXymiss says
October 10, 2008 at 7:11 pmWhat an inviting spot to spend a rainy afternoon, with a pot of tea and a stack of fun reading material (wistful sigh).
Oopsie, had to delete a duplicate comment.