Secrets To Entertaining Fearlessly
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.
How to Create a Wardrobe for Your Dining Room
Cowie takes a table very simply set, and by accessorizing it, shows how to take it from a day look to an elegant evening one with just a few elements.
START WITH BASIC ALL-WHITE TABLE SETTING: Invest in basic white dinnerware as a foundation to use alone or to easily incorporate other colors and elements. Clear glass items, whether decorative or glassware. Also, work with white dishes, creating a neutral palate.
Cowis showed white dinner plates, a white salad plate (or bowl), clear glassware, beaded runner, clear glass orbs, clear glass candles, vases and lanterns, and a dozen white tulips.
FOR A DAY LOOK: To accessorize your table, choose some accent pieces in a color you like, such as napkins, water glasses, or votive candles. These items can easily be added to your basic white table setting, giving it a splash of color.
Cowie added amethyst (purple) glassware, votives and napkins, and switched out white salad bowl for an amethyst bowl)
FOR AN EVENING LOOK: Select additional table accessories in a second complimentary color that can also be used alone with your basic white dishes or layered with your other accent color.
He added lime green water glass and green votives. You could also switch out purple for lime green-colored napkins. You could use actual limes as place cards by writing names of guests on the fruit with a sharpie.
PLACECARDS: They're often misinterpreted as a sense of formality, but are very helpful in preventing confusion or awkwardness among guests. A good host should always try to relieve their guests of making decisions, whether they concern food or seating.
TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY FINGER BOWLS: Instead of ultra-formal finger bowls, provide your guests with a wet, lemon-doused napkins or hand towels warmed in a microwave in plastic, or chilled from the refrigerator or freezer. Roll the napkins tightly and serve them on a tray or beside each plate. It's a refreshing touch your guests will appreciate.
Use your sideboard not only to store wardrobe elements for your table, but as a buffet station, keeping you close to your guests, instead of stuck in the kitchen.
As an example, Cowie showed wite wine in an ice bucket, a decanter of red wine, salad bowl with stack of salad plates, pitcher of gazpacho soup, and a baguette.