Book Review: Gemma’s Party Style

Let’s Party!

I love to entertain. Since I first moved out on my own, I’ve loved having people over. The idea of gathering everyone over for something to eat, some kind of activity whether a birthday celebration or a just a night of board games is my idea of a good time.

When it comes to food, I am a pretty decent cook. I can lay out a delicious spread whether a full meal or several different appetizers or bites. But when it comes to doing something on a theme, well I need some help with the non-food items.

I received a promotional copy of Gemma Lynn Touchstone’s Party Style: Kids Parties from Baby to Sweet 16 in return for an honest review, whether glowing, gushing or otherwise. If you’ve wanted to throw a fabulous party but have no idea where to even start, Gemma’s book comes with a quiz to help you learn your style.  Unless you’re like me and have more than one style, then good luck! One of the things I loved most, as simple as this will sound, is the checklist to help me stay organized while planning my party. I am a list maker on paper, I don’t do so great electronically, call me old fashioned, but paper and pen are perfect. I think it’s the act of crossing something off, a sense of completion. I can take this template she gave and build my own checklist that fits the party I am throwing.

Gemma’s book was so much more than just cake decorating ideas. I can’t tell you how many party books I have looked at and they turn out to mostly be ways to make cakes look fancy. Don’t get me wrong, I need those books too, I have absolutely NO skills with cake decorating. It’s why there are no cakes or cupcakes that are nicely and fancifully frosted on my site. But her book is loaded with things outside the cutesy foods namely favors, decor, activities, and more. Elizabeth is now 5 and each year for her birthday she’s had a character party. While Gemma’s book has plenty of ideas for throwing your kid the best character party ever, she adds that touch of elegance you just can’t find on the party aisle of your box discount store, she goes so much deeper than that. She has ideas for a full out camping party, a fancy tea party, dress up party and so much more. I was fully mesmerized by the Prima Ballerina party. I wanted to throw myself my own ballerina party.Which is another thing, her subtitle is “Baby to Sweet 16”, but the ideas in the book are really versatile. Many of these ideas could work for garden parties, adult themed birthday parties, just a plain ole “I want to throw a themed party” party. The “Happy Birthday” Banner can be changed to say Congratulations, Bon Voyage, Good Riddance, anything really.  (By Good Riddance I mean a quirky retirement party not a funeral, but make it work however you see fit.) Thinking outside the birthday box, this book really could be your party style bible. Thanks Gemma for giving me the opportunity to preview your book before its release date. I’ve been helping my friend plan her daughter’s 4th birthday party later this month. It’s an art themed party with colorful food…there just happens to be a section in the book that inspired me!

Check out Gemma’s Blog Gemma’s Party Style

You can buy her book at Amazon. In the interest of full disclosure, if you click this link and buy the book, I will earn a penny or two. But every little bit helps keep The Complete Savorist publishing more things you’ve come to love and your price is the same whether you click this link or go to Amazon yourself.

All photos courtesy of Party Style and are under such copyright protection

Thank you for sharing!