Occasions

Rating:
Summary: Occasions - surprises and disasters.
Review: Full of watercolor illustrations, Occasions is an anecdotal book that will give you some basic fun tips on flowers, surprises and disasters, the art of the toast, weekend activities in the country and special events - from BBQ's to weddings. It's an interesting book to have if you are looking for short tips and you understand the jokes, but it won't
help you in planning and organizing a serious occasion.

Rating:
Summary: Re-hashed Work
Review: I agree with the other reviewer. I bought all of the books in this series and am shocked at how much of the advice has been taken from previous authors on these topics. She is copying classics like Emily Post and simply re-wording the text. Except for the cute drawings, this series is a waste of money. If you want to know how to do things "correctly", read Letitia Baldridge's "The New Manners For the '90's". It covers everything and is written by a woman with the education and experience to know of which she speaks! Not someone who using her fashion connections to flood the magazines and talk shows with her "discovery" of this information.

Rating:
Summary: Kate - You need to stick to handbags!
Review: I anxiously awaited the release of this book, as well as the other two in the series. What a disappointment! There is nothing in this book that is new or exciting. Kate offers the same old, tired suggestions that you can find in any book on entertaining. The watercolor illustrations are cute but that's about it. This book has no substance and reads more like a children's book then anything else. For $20 these books are overpriced, as is anything with the Kate Spade name on it. Don't waste your hard-earned money so she and her yuppy husband can laugh all the way to the bank, or their "summer home" in the Hamptons! :-(

Rating:
Summary: Hmmm
Review: I bought this book as a gag gift for a friend, assuming that it would be full of cutsie little ideas for parties... maybe a few recipes and quotes and bits of ettiquette.

I read it on the way home, and was bored to tears. There's nothing I love more than entertaining and pretending to be sophisticated, but this book was niether. It told me almost nothing that even barely related to reality, and that which was complete common sense that any 5 year old could tell you about having friends over.

I ended up returning the book. It wasn't even worth it as a gag gift.

Rating:
Summary: Obviously $20 doesn't mean much to Kate Spade.....
Review: Or she would have spared me (and other buyers) from paying for her advice, information, opinions, and knowledge on her version of "entertaining". Most of the information is irrelevant - unless you have your own caterer, florist, maid, bellman, limo driver, party organizer and an unlimited amount of cash. Dispensing advice on how to entertain using caterers and servers is hardly applicable to most of us who do not entertain in a posh Manhattan apartment. The section on "Weekend activities in the Country..." is perfect insight in to how contrived and artificial the life of Kate and Andy must be.

Although one might try and find the book humorous - in order to justify its ridiculous overpricing. The real joke is on me the purchaser of the book as I was the one duped and the Spades are laughing all the way to the bank.

Rating:
Summary: YES!
Review: This book is wonderful. After watching Oprah and reading about these books in Style Magazine, I decided to see what the hype was about! This particular book helped me organize a great Happy 40th birthday for my mother and her friends. After the success of my party, I went ahead and bought the other two books as well. These books have great suggestions and look great on the coffee table! I would recommend buying all three books, they are excellent!

Rating:
Summary: Re-hashed Work
Review: When I first heard that Kate Spade was delving into the world of book publishing I was skeptical and I was correct. After reading this installment and the other 2 in the series, "Manners" and "Style" I have come to the conclusion that Kate should stick to what she knows, designing handbags and accessories. While the illustrations are quite charming the book lacks substance. These books would be better titled "Kate and Andy's Favorite Things" or better yet "How to be the Perfect WASP Wannabe". It's all a bit too contrived for me. My advice would be to save your money and buy a handbag instead.

Rating:
Summary: Kate (and Andy) on Occasions
Review: When I first heard that Kate Spade was delving into the world of book publishing I was skeptical and I was correct. After reading this installment and the other 2 in the series, "Manners" and "Style" I have come to the conclusion that Kate should stick to what she knows, designing handbags and accessories. While the illustrations are quite charming the book lacks substance. These books would be better titled "Kate and Andy's Favorite Things" or better yet "How to be the Perfect WASP Wannabe". It's all a bit too contrived for me. My advice would be to save your money and buy a handbag instead.

Rating:
Summary: Kate (and Andy) on Occasions
Review: When I first heard that Kate Spade was delving into the world of book publishing I was skeptical and I was correct. After reading this installment and the other 2 in the series, "Manners" and "Style" I have come to the conclusion that Kate should stick to what she knows, designing handbags and accessories. While the illustrations are quite charming the book lacks substance. These books would be better titled "Kate and Andy's Favorite Things" or better yet "How to be the Perfect WASP Wannabe". It's all a bit too contrived for me. My advice would be to save your money and buy a handbag instead.