A Screaming Blast

Monkee's of Mount Pleasant Verified independent store

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Home & Gifts are final sale. Gardner, founder of Houses & Parties, marks occasions with events known for their unabashed style, wit, and whimsy. Here she invites the reader to cras h twenty of her parties, from weddings to intimate dinners at home, finding fabulous inspiration at every turn. A swirl of elegantly offbeat parties and lush tablescapes, where ceramic snails creep under flower petals and chandelier girls covered in Swarovski crystals beckon guests to the dance floor: Gardner’s infectious irreverence shines in her glamorous approach to entertaining, where even the mundane is made delicious. This book—like her parties—is a decadent feast for the eyes, with a foreword by Sofia Coppola and photography that captures the surprise and delight of Gardner’s hyperbolic entertaining style. From a brass band leading guests to dinner along the tracks of the Napa Valley Wine Train to a pink-poodle-themed holiday party with a bountiful buffet of retro desserts, the pages burst with entertainments, heavy pours, and flattering light as all the elements combine in a perfectly orchestrated yet seemingly effortless way that makes it impossible for guests not to have a screaming blast! Readers will be inspired by Gardner’s over-the-top parties and mischievous winks. In a nostalgic and personal tone, she opines on the role of a good host and a good guest, why every party needs a Pied Piper, and how to create wonder for guests. Each chapter features gorgeous parties that illustrate the joy found in entertaining, in a writing style that is accessible and funny, filled with memories of childhood parties, grown-up parties, and the desire to somehow merge the two. A chapter on the anatomy of a successful party and a list of resources present practical information. It’s not a how-to, but more a why-not. Show more