Secrets To Entertaining Fearlessly

Colin Cowie On Misconceptions To Put Aside, And Ways To Forge Ahead

(CBS)  Don't worry about creating the perfect party. Just create great memories.

With those basic concepts, says party planner for the stars Colin Cowie, you can entertain fearlessly.

In part two of his three-part Early Show series, "Early Entertaining Extravaganza" Thursday, Cowie discussed factors that might keep people from throwing the party they'd like to -- and how to do just that.

In his new book, "Colin Cowie Chic: The Guide to Life As It Should Be," the style guru teaches a thing or two about fearless entertaining.

He stresses that, although we've been led to believe we have to create the perfect entertaining experience -- making everything from scratch -- it's simply not possible with the hectic lives most of us lead. He cites cost, time, and ability as the three main elements causing many of us to shy away from entertaining. But, Cowie says, "The truth is that it has nothing to do with spending lots of money or impressing people, but (is) about creating memories and moments that your friends and family will cherish."

Some Cowie Secrets to Elegant Entertaining:

An invitation for an informal occasion is easy: Either call, send a fax with fun graphics or e-mail with a picture attached.

Add a thread of style -- starting with the invitation and ending with the dessert -- whether that's with a distinctive color scheme or theme.

If you set a mood, relax and enjoy your guests will too

Avoid overly ambitious menus. Choose recipes that enable you to do as much preparation in advance.

Use the best possible ingredients allowing you to do as little to them as possible.

It's irrelevant who makes the food and where it comes from. You can serve store-bought, take-out, etc.

Set the tone by making the first course simple, yet spectacular by choosing a dish that is visual as well as delicious. Add vivid garnishes to layer flavors and textures. For example, adding chopped chives with a dollop of nonfat yogurt to a bland brown soup.

Plan your table setting. A simple basic white table setting can be dressed up for day or evening with a few items.

[ttran10]

the vase tube was from cb2.com

[ttran10]

where did colin cowie get the beaded runner?

[tennischic83]

Did you ever find out where the beaded table runner was from?

Where did Colin say we could buy the tulip vase? I am talking about the one that was several tubes and would hold a dozen tulips? I thought he said CBT, but I can''t find that anywhere. Thank you.