Entertaining Reads: entertaining simple + A Giveaway

Today's post is the next installment in my Entertaining Reads series! The featured book in this edition is entertaining simple by the ultra talented entertaining guru, Matthew Mead. And thanks to the Wiley publishing group, 3 lucky readers will receive a copy of this wonderful new book!

Anyone interested in entertaining should familiarize themselves with Matthew Mead and his massive portfolio of party tips and inspiration. His newest book, entertaining simple, is a great way to do just that! It starts by laying out everything you could need in your entertaining pantry as well as unique ways to organize it all. Next, Matthew Mead showcases a ton of ideas (all with lovely photos) for individual party elements - place cards, napkin rings and general tabletop inspiration. Lastly, entertaining simple provides a bunch of party menus with delicious recipes for several occasions. This a great book, packed with entertaining inspiration fit for the novice host or the expert hostess.

To purchase entertaining simple head over to Amazon. For more information or inspiration from Matthew Mead check out his main site or his page on Facebook (where you can become his Facebook fan).

**READER GIVEAWAY**

Now, I mentioned that I get to giveaway 3 copies of this great new book! Entering to win is very simple and each reader has 2 opportunities to win:

1) Head over to the Tastefully Entertaining page on Facebook and post a comment about something that no good party is without.

2) Post a comment on today's post (11/24) about a tip or trick that makes entertaining more simple.

To double your chance of winning leave a comment on both pages. Each reader can enter once on the Tastefully Entertaining page on Facebook and once on the Tastefully Entertaining blog, for a total of 2 entries. Please be sure to include your email address so I can contact you if you're a winner. Entries will be accepted up until 7:00 pm Eastern on Friday, November 28th. Winners will be selected by a random drawing and will be announced on Monday, December 1st.

My Interview in Stationery Trends!

The Fall 2008 issue of Stationery Trends magazine has just come out. Inside, you'll find an article about brides and blogs in which I was interviewed about Tastefully Entertaining! You'll also see scaled-down inspiration boards from 2 of my previous posts. It was a lot of fun being interviewed and I'm thrilled to be a part in this great new magazine for the stationery industry! Be sure to check out the Stationery Trends web site to preview other articles from their Fall 2008 issue.

Thanks so much Stationery Trends! I'm honored to be included! :)

Entertaining Reads: Katie Brown Celebrates + A Giveaway!

I am so excited for today's post! I'm unveiling a brand new series on Tastefully Entertaining entitled Entertaining Reads. I will be keeping an eye out for new entertaining books so I can recommend them to you as part of this series. But not only am I launching this fun new feature, I also get to giveaway copies of today's book! Thanks so much to the Hachette Book Group for generously providing copies of Katie Brown Celebrates for 5 lucky readers!


The moment I received my copy of Katie Brown Celebrates I was extremely excited to peak inside. Katie Brown is well known in the world of entertaining - a show on PBS, a column in The New York Times, several other books as well as being featured in many national magazines are just a few of her claims to fame. This most recent book, however, is a must read for anyone interested in entertaining. Filled with inspiration for hosting parties for every time of year, this book shines through easy table setting and decor ideas (materials list and instructions are included), appetizing recipes that don't require a pantry full of ingredients and simple but creative concepts for enjoyable events. Within just the first few pages, she features a New Year's party with a stunning and unique DIY centerpiece and an ingeniously easy and adorable favor idea, both of which I cannot wait to try out. And that is just the beginning of 12 party concepts, each meticulously planned out with invitation ideas, decor inspiration, craft guides, favors, party games, recipes and more. Trust me, this is a book you won't want to miss!

To purchase Katie Brown Celebrates head over to Amazon. They have copies in stock now for $19.80 (plus it qualifies for free super saver shipping!)

**READER GIVEAWAY**

Now, I mentioned that I get to giveaway 5 copies of this lovely new book! Entering to win is very simple and every reader has 2 opportunities to win:

1) Head over to the Tastefully Entertaining page on Facebook and post a comment on The Wall about an event you've always dreamed of hosting.

2) Post a comment on today's post (10/16) about the best party or wedding you've ever attended.

To double your chance of winning leave a comment on both pages. Each reader can enter once on the Tastefully Entertaining page on Facebook and once on the Tastefully Entertaining blog, for a total of 2 entries. Please be sure to include your email address so I can contact you if you're a winner. Entries will be accepted up until 7:00 pm Eastern on Monday, October 20th. Winners will be selected by a random drawing.

Tastefully Entertaining on Facebook!

Tastefully Entertaining is now on Facebook! This is a site all about you - use the discussion board to share ideas, ask questions and get help for your entertaining dilemmas. Post photos of your own parties and be inspired by the photos posted by others. Or browse through the Tastefully Entertaining flickr photo stream for even more ideas! Use the wall to leave comments or questions for each other or for me. It is my hope that together we can create an inspirational community filled with people who love to entertain!

Check out the Tastefully Entertaining page on Facebook here!

Tastefully Entertaining in Stationery Trends Magazine

Kati, of The Finer Things, just let me know that Tastefully Entertaining was mentioned in the Summer 2008 issue of Stationery Trends magazine!

The article entitled "To Blog or Not to Blog?" featured interviews with 3 great blogs: Creature Comforts, The Finer Things and One Good Bumblebee. In addition, they listed several "can't miss" blogs and were gracious enough to include Tastefully Entertaining. Thanks Stationery Trends - I'm honored!

Stationery Trends is a definite must for stationery lovers. Packed with trends, stationer info and tons of inspiration - be sure to check it out!

My 100th Post!

Today marks an important anniversary for Tastefully Entertaining - my 100th post!! To celebrate, I thought it'd be fun to take a look back and feature some of my favorite event inspiration boards from the last few months. So, check them out and let me know which is your favorite, whether it's an event featured below or a different one entirely!

Thanks for reading Tastefully Entertaining! Here's to the next 100!

Deep Burgundy & Bright Blue Wedding

Black & Pink Cameo Wedding

Pink & Green Shower (Baby or Bridal)
Birthday Dinner in Black

Initial Baby Shower

Bold Brown Floral Wedding

Please click through the title links above each image to see the sourcing and more information on the elements included.

Tastefully Entertaining in The Nest magazine

I found out yesterday that Tastefully Entertaining was included in a list of favorite blogs in The Nest magazine! I'm included alongside three other amazing blogs under the Entertaining category- At Home with Kim Vallee, Hostess with the Mostess and Not Martha. These three blogs are such an inspiration and I am honored to be listed alongside them!

[image via At Home with Kim Vallee]

Thanks to Kim Vallee who let me know about this exciting news and to The Nest for including Tastefully Entertaining among their favorites!