Stunning tablescapes, beautiful buffets, dazzling desserts and to die for florals, are all come to mind when we hear the word: entertaining or party or hostess. We've all seen the pictures, in magazines, on TV and blogs. It's all so lovely, so elegant and so impressive. But unless you're Martha or an event planner, it's also probably perfectly unattainable.
We drive ourselves crazy aspiring to perfection, and in the process decide it's just not worth it.We all have our list of excuses... I don't have nice dishes, the carpet is dirty, I'm not a good cook, I'm just too busy. It's all just too intimidating right? But what being a Hip Hostess really means is opening our hearts and our homes and making a connection with all the family and friends we cherish.
Enter my dear friend, and real life Hip Hostess,
Sandy Coughlin.
"The Reluctant Entertainer"
Don't you just adore the cover? It's a perfect reflection of Sandy's understated elegance!
Taking "complicated and stressful" out of entertaining, her book guides us through all the elements of hostessing with inviting photos and recipes for serving up simple dishes, tips on easy meal planning, fun ways to engage your guests, even how to stock your pantry! All the while keeping it gracious and simple. Like I said...real life at home entertaining for real women.
Now for The Giveaway:
One of our lucky readers will be receiving a copy of "The Reluctant Entertainer" along with the pretty pink apron Sandy is wearing above. Our Pink Sorbet Aprons have been discontinued but we've saved the very last one just for this perfect hostess giveaway!
Here's how to enter:
- Leave a comment telling us why you would like to win. Are you a Reluctant Entertainer or do you know someone who is?
- For extra entries: Tweet this Giveaway on Twitter including @TheHipHostess and/or post on your blog and please leave a separate comment telling us you did.
- Giveaway ends Friday August 20th
- Be sure to include an email address if it's not on your profile.
Now if you just can't wait to get your hands on this Sandy's book no worries, you can buy it and even get a signed copy HERE.
Good Luck Ladies!
61 comments:
I'd love to win! I just moved into a new house and all of my friends want to come visit- this book would be perfect for me to put together a soirée!
I love Sandy's blog and hope to get to read her book. Entertaining can be so stressful and I love her attitude towards it. The focus isn't all about me but about the guests and I love that.
I tweeted about the giveaway and also on Facebook.
I love throwing parties, but the stress of it limits me to only once a year. I'd love this book and I adore your aprons. I hope to win; then maybe I'd throw more than one party a year!
karic_99@yahoo.com
I've never entered a giveaway before but this one is too good to pass up! I'm pregnant with our 5th child and really looking for ideas to simplify our entertaining. Oh, and I've been eyeing up that cute apron since I bought my first Hip Hostess apron a couple of years ago!
I would love to win. I come from a large family and well I know that I need to have people over but haven't because I really sometimes don't even know where to begin.
I am such a fan of The Reluctant Entertainer!
I absolutely love to entertain and thanks to Sandy's blog, have become much more comfortable with it.
Of course, everything is easier when wearing a Hip Hostess Apron! I own a demi ala mode and would love to add to my collection!
Thanks for the chance!
Ugh, I'm terrible at entertaining. My husband is a chef, so if he cooks, we're fine. But when I try to come up with a cohesive meal, I end up with mismatched dishes that don't belong together. And I am incapable of cooking more than two (fine, one) thing at once! What a great contest!
I want to win so I can be inspired and get motivated to do some entertaining myself. I always think it's too hard or I'm not creative enough, but Sandy makes it easy to want to try!!
I love to have parties and entertain and drive myself crazy trying to remember every little detail. thank you for this giveaway
I'd love to win! I have a friend in mind for whom this would be a perfect gift!
My hubbie and I are real foodies who love to make others happy with our cooking. We want to host some get togethers for our church family and need some fun ideas. Our home is small and don't have lots of table space so simple plans will help us get good ideas. This book would help us get out of the anxiety rut and your aprons make any gal a beautiful hostess.
I would love to win because I have no clue what I'm doing when I throw a party. I need help!
hewella1 at gmail dot com
I am a totally reluctant entertainer! I worry about everything....is my house clean enough, will they notice the stain on the carpet or that tiny piece of ripped wallpaper? Is wallpaper "out" now? What will I serve? What will we talk about??
It's endless!
Love the apron :-)
Congrats on a fabulous book Sandy!!
I just went to order the pink sorbet apron..and its discontinued! argh. I selected a black and white number, but pink is my color, so it would be heavenly to have both!
What a great idea for a book! I would love to win because I'm planning my little girl's 3rd Birthday Party. I could really use some tips about planning ahead. My schedule is hectic, so the more prep I do before, the more relaxed I'll be when our family arrives! Plus, that apron is to die for!! : )
Anne
anne@flourboxbakery.com
I just tweeted about the contest from my twitter account - flourboxbakery
Thanks!
I learned so much from her blog already and I hope someday to be able to read her book!
I really have been inspired again to entertain! Sandy's blog has been like a mentoring program. It's been a few years away from entertaining by me...and gradually, I'm gaining ground to try again and again.
Thank you for a chance to have another GREAT read!
I am trying to overcome being a reluctant entertainer! I have never felt I had the gift of hospitality,but am finding out,I may not really know the definition of hospitality. I would LOVE to win this book :)
Thanks for the chance!
I would love to win! I am terrified of entertaining. I just saw this book the other day and today found this blog. I will definitly be reading it lots from now on.
Oooo.... love the Pink Sorbet and was sad when the fabric was discontinued. It's totally me, as my daughter would say ;)
Love Sandy's blog, too.
Her tips, hints and encouragements have helped me be less of a reluctant entertainer.
Peace.
I would love to win! My husband and I love to have people over and would love the tips!
Oh I am definitely the reluctant hostess! ITs even harder when my mom-in-law is AWESOME at throwing these parties and having EVERY detail match. I just don't have the time or energy to match her skills.
Sandy's blog was one of the first blogs I followed on a regular basis. I love to entertain and love Sandy's laid-back approach.
I would love to win - I love Sandy's blog! I'm working on my hostessing skills - thanks for hosting this great givewaway!
Reluctant for sure! Nervous, anxious, panic...I have it all.
Would love to win! I am a work in progress when it comes to hostessing.
I have two friends who just need a little nudge in the right direction. I've already bought a copy to put away as a Christmas gift for one of them and would love to surprise the other with some real help. She wants to entertain but just doesn't know where to start.
Love your book. (I have a copy of my own as well.)
Cynthia
I am a RE, and have been eyeing this book for sometime, it would be the perfect housewarming win as we are hosting a part for our new neighbours in September.
Off to tweet about it, good luck to the winner!
housewifebliss@googlemail.com
Great giveaway! I'd love to win! We recently updated our kitchen and have been thinking of having a big dinner party for our friends. I could use all the help and advice I can get!
Would love this book and one of your lovely aprons!!
I am putting this giveaway on my sidebar!!
I tweeted @lovethedecor today 8/16/2010
Not sure if my comments went through
I have your contest on my side bar
She is a doll and has great info
Would be an honor to own this amazing book!
I did a class with my MOPS group called the Home Experience. Shortly after that I found the RE website. I have been challenged to start entertaining in my home. It is something I am working on diligently. I know things will never be perfect (the way I want them to be:), but I am definitely working on this! Thanks!
i love having people over and just never know where to start and get all worked up and then never do anything, this will be the HELP i need!
Wow, what a fabulous giveaway! I have heard a lot of great buzz about this book. I would love to get my hands on it! I have been told I am a great hostess but everyone needs a little help and new tips to stay at the top of their game! Keeping my fingers crossed!!
Just tweeted too!
@lilylemontree.com
I would love to win this because, while I love to bake and decorate, I am a reluctant entertainer. I get too stressed out and I end up not enjoying myself. I have read her website, it's just what I need!
Wow, congrats on the book! This was the very topic of my audition for Oprah's OWN show...that so many people are hesitant to entertain bc they feel it's just too difficult or time consuming, etc. Love it! It doesn't have to be stressful! Can't wait to see your ideas, & I love your aprons too!
What a great idea for a giveaway! Let's face it. I'm the poster girl for a reluctant entertainer. Help wanted!
Gorgeous book cover and, as always, yummy apron.
You've been tweeted by @elengrey!
This book would be so handy, and a great way to include the Mr so he can see how simple (and fun) gracious hosting can be! He tends to groan and complain when the thought comes up :P
Tweeted yesterday and today! @lovethedecor
Blogged about you here http://lovethedecor.blogspot.com/2010/08/if-you-love-to-entertain.html
I reall ywant this book and cute apron can you tell : )
I would love love love to win this, not only am I a reluctant hostess, but unforunately my two older daughters are the same. It would be nice to share the book and maybe the apron with them we all could use a few tips.
Wow this looks so fun and interesting.I love entertaining.Im always looking for new ideas and fun things.I love to have everything look like it came out of a book, LOL Almost.Please count me in!~~Becky
I am a huge fan of Reluctant Entertainer! I am in my early twenties and have been married only a few years. Even though I have been around good food and cooking most of my life Im now realizing entertaining for a group is a real skill. You must pick things that you can prep so you dont have to stay in the kitchen the whole time. How impt. appetizers seem to be.. list goes on and on right!! Would love you book!!
Oh, I just facebooked and tweeted about this great giveaway!
I love entertaining, but always get so stressed that my family wants to be no where near me. I cannot wait to read this book and use the tips enclosed! The apron is adorable too, thank you for the giveaway!
Love Sandy's site and love reading about her dinner parties ~ With fall around the corner, it brings our family back indoors and settling into routines. Would love to have this cookbook to help with some dinner ideas. And of course I love the pretty apron. Thanks for your generous giveaway!
I'd love to feel more confident about opening our home to entertaining!
I'd love to win this book! My friend blogged about it at www.boughanfire.com and the topic really resonated, since I don't feel I have the gift of hospitality and tend to put off having people over because of clutter and untidiness. Maybe the truths taught in this book will help me relax a bit... Thanks for the opportunity...
On twitter
@The Hip Hostess Hesitant or Hip? Which kind of Hostess are you? Last day to enter ~A Real Hip Hostess Giveaway~ http://tiny.cc/8tou7
Tweeted for you today!! have a great weekend!
I am actually a wishful hostess. Military spouse with only a handful of acquaintances and a Soldier who is rarely home. Would love to have parties/get-togethers more often. Maybe an apron will help that happen. Crossing fingers.
tehlia@tehlia.com
That apron is adorable!!
Tweeting!
I would be so thrilled to win! The pink apron is darling :-) I have 5 young children and entertaining is a challenge but we try regularly. I would like to try to learn some new tips to make things go smoother and be inspired.
Thanks for the chance!
Kariann
stellar@nycap.rr.com
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