The Occasional Affair: A Practical Plan for Summer Parties

Colorful, creative, elegant or laid-back, you can tap your inner élan and practice the fine art of entertaining. Too often, what seems daunting, difficult, pricey or painstaking becomes an event just waiting for your imagination and talent to bring it to life. With a little thought and a lot of heart, you can throw the unforgettable fete, one designed to celebrate your loved ones or honor more casual guests.

Fun and festive, The Occasional Affair walks you through the details of twelve different parties guaranteed to delight your guests – without leaving you broke and exhausted. Whether a simple Christmas celebration or a unique Fourth of July gathering, The Occasional Affair both tantalizes and instructs with elegant-but-easy menus, savory recipes, clear timelines, detailed shopping lists and planning hints. Its pages offer time-honored tricks and tips, cost-saving cues, and bits of history and background – plus alternate ideas that let you tailor a party to your own unique personality and style. This beautifully crafted book offers the practicality and inspiration you need to create and enjoy your own extraordinary gathering.

Maury Ankrum Maury Ankrum has been active in the party planning and entertainment industry for more than a decade, organizing hundreds of parties, hosting charitable functions, and coordinating corporate events. In The Occasional Affair, she shares her creativity, techniques, secret sources, and tips for transforming parties into truly memorable events.