When I was in college, I often threw fun, no-fuss parties. After graduation, entertaining grew more time-consuming….and more expensive. I would spend hours in the kitchen making recipes from Martha Stewart and Bon Appetit, worry about my wine selection, and completely stress myself out in an attempt to throw the perfect party. As a result, I started to hate throwing parties. After working all week, who wants to spend an entire Saturday getting ready for a party? It just isn’t worth the effort.
I’m thankful that my friend Martie Duncan changed my party perspective. Martie is one of those people who makes entertaining look effortless. As a wedding and party expert, she’s helped plan everything from celebrity weddings to casual football tailgates. Martie doesn’t believe that throwing a great party requires a big budget or a lot of time. Unlike Martha Stewart, Martie is all about simplicity. With a few shortcuts and the right advance planning, a hostess can throw a fabulous party with minimal work.
Now…the rest of us can benefit from Martie’s planning expertise. Check out her new feature on MSN.com for tips on saving money and time while throwing a fun and memorable party. Her first article is on Throwing a Great Mardi Gras Party, and I can’t wait to try some of the recipes.
