Rating: 
Summary: Yikes!
Review: Another Martha wannabe, but without the taste. Or the respect for her readers.
Instead it's page after page of weird-for-the-sake-of-weird design elements and forced cutesyness.
Personally, I found nothing in this book I could use. Basically, it pretty much begins and ends at sticking sequins, beads, glitter, feathers etc. on every object and surface in the dining room, including the dishes and flatware. Apparently, Ms. Porter has never met a guest who objected to getting feathers in his food. I can only assume she has a wide acquaintance among six-year-old girls.
So, if YOU are a six-year-old girl, and your parents let you play with hot glue guns, you may enjoy this book. Adults may wish to look elsewhere.
Rating: 
Summary: Inspirational, Yet Lacking In Balance
Review: At first read, I was delighted with this book in that kid-at-Christmas way. It is very inspiring, filled with lush photos that will draw you in and ideas to inspire your own creative gatherings. However, my only scruple with it is that it seems very separate from the reality that I and countless other people here on earth are experiencing on a daily basis. Hearing the phrase "dream with your eyes open" is certainly poetic and original, but how can that be related in practical terms to things like: a frustrating daily commute, or turning one's dreams into one's daily reality? I'd like to hear more about what Tracy feels and more examples from her own life experiences vs. her ideas on how I should be living my life. The back leaf mentions Tracy and her husband John "staying open to every delight, whim, and fancy" in the world of business. Huh?! Is the reader to believe that they've created a multi-million dollar company only through adhering to this philosophy? I am an optimist with my feet on the ground, who practices living life in the balance between rose-colored glasses and the nitty gritty. In future writings, I'd like to hear more about other facets of life from this talented artist.
Rating: 
Summary: THIS COULD INSPIRE YOUR LIFE
Review: I loved this book and have reåd it three times already but barely scratched the surface. If you are creatively inclined, it will spark many ideas for other areas in your life. It is one of those books that will inspire ideas for everything from kids projects to song titles to ideas for romantic evenings. By reading this book, I have already made a list of really affordable and creative x-mas gifts for my family and friends and it is June! What a fun and inspiring read!
Rating:
Summary: THIS COULD INSPIRE YOUR LIFE
Review: I loved this book and have reåd it three times already but barely scratched the surface. If you are creatively inclined, it will spark many ideas for other areas in your life. It is one of those books that will inspire ideas for everything from kids projects to song titles to ideas for romantic evenings. By reading this book, I have already made a list of really affordable and creative x-mas gifts for my family and friends and it is June! What a fun and inspiring read!
Rating: 
Summary: Delightful Good Time
Review: I was very pleased with what Ms. Porter has to offer with this book. Her ideas are thought provoking and fun. This is a book that will launch many good evenings in my home. The projects are very do-able and do not require extensive shopping to be accomplished for the seasoned entertaining host. I was glad I bought it.
Rating:
Summary: Go ahead and challenge yourself!
Review: Ms. Porter is, in my opinion, the most creative, truly inspirational artist/designer/celebrity out there today. If you buy this book, thinking it will be a continuation of Dreams From Home, you might be in for a surprise. Whether you find that to be a pleasant one, or not, depends on whether you want more of a coffee table book, or a hands on, go out there and get glittered foufala manual. Of course, any chance to see Tracy's handiwork (and those of her totally cool friends, I suspect) is a treat, and I would die for the chance to go play at her house and studio. This book is more of a guide, giving you a detailed "package" of stuff you can find at any craft store, art supply store, thrift shops, etc. etc. Remember, Tracy lives way the heck out there and if she can find stuff, virtually anyone can. Keep your eyes open and use this book as she intended: to inspire you to do it yourself! Go out there, make your world beautiful and have a blast doing it. Think outside of what's "expected" and don't be afraid. Once you start, you'll be addicted, too...maybe it's glitter on the brain? :)
Rating:
Summary: Some inspiration
Review: There are some good ideas in here for being prepared for entertaining. I also like the idea of trying to decorate and entertain with a vision that is "outside of the box". But, let's face it. Most of us do not have a life like Tracy Porter and her husband....not the money, not the resources, etc. It was fun to look anyhow. We can all wish.
Rating:
Summary: Get Your Inspiration Here!
Review: Tracy Porter seems like a delightful, slightly flaky, kind of artsy post-Yuppie, but her style and writing are infectious. I found myself thinking a lot freer about being ME, decorating and entertaining with things I love, not necessarily what's in. (love plays a big part in her life) Not a step-by-step how-to book; more an inspiration manual. Beautiful, fun pictures, quirky layout and typography, the sort of book you will pour over again and again. This was my first exposure to Tracy's work, and I'm certainly a fan!
Rating:
Summary: Mixing Fantasy with Practicality
Review: Tracy Porter's Inspired Gatherings provides a visual feast of color, pattern, and texture. The book seems primarily intended to stimulate readers to incorporate their passions and fantasies into everyday life, and offers only a moderate amount of specific, new project ideas for the experienced hostess or artist. Emphasis is placed on Porter's "collage" style of mixing layer upon layer of treasured or whimsical items to create tablesettings and to wrap gifts. Readers who enjoyed seeing the unusual and spirited gatherings featured in Porter's earlier book, Dreams From Home, which included a cozy dinner party in a silo and a fanciful "tea and tartlette" little girls' party, may be disappointed; this book focuses heavily on Tracy's philosophy, sources of inspiration, and preparation strategy, rather than on many, multi-page layouts of actual gatherings. Surprisingly, a reference list of sources is not provided. But for all who love lush, beautiful, things, Porter gives permission to indulge! It is all about mixing a little dreaminess with practicality, and celebrating loved ones.
Rating:
Summary: I prefer this book to "Dreams from Home"
Review: While I thoroughly enjoyed "Dreams..." I prefer Inspired Gatherings enough to give the gift of this book. I thought that many of the ideas were much more stealable than in the previous book which has a much more 'I did this!' air to it. (not meaning to imply it puts on airs but merely that it is a book about the unusual art project that is her house) I enjoyed the lists of fairly simple items she keeps on hand to glam things up. I was able to assemble many of them from around the house into one box that I kept nearby last Christmas to beautify packages. I was frequently asked to bring along the box o' glitz when packages would be wrapped. I used snow-like glitter with such abandon that we bought the huge tub for next year at the year end clearance. All in all I thought the book was a total hit and am thoroughly pleased with myself for buying it.
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