Oprah's Books
Books Seen on the Show
Style, Manners and Occasions
By Kate Spade
From the show Inside the Homes of Top Designers

'Style, Manners and Occasions' by Kate Spade From The Publisher:
Perfect as a set or fun on their own, Style, Manners, and Occasions, three books by Kate Spade are beautifully illustrated.

A few lucky women have been born with style—think Diana Vreeland and Jacqueline Onassis—but for most of us, style is something that comes with time and experience. In this upbeat and engaging book, designer Kate Spade talks about the many people and experiences that have inspired her. In the pages of Style, accessories, which are the backbone of her wardrobe, are given full treatment, including shoes, handbags, hats, gloves, and jewelry; and a portfolio of Kate's personal favorites from her own closet is showcased. Style in the office, evening style, even ideas for style when you travel and when you play are all featured here.

As liberated as we've become in our dress and in our lifestyles, good manners are still essential. Whether you're in Boston or in Phoenix, whether you're a record producer or a dog groomer, the same quandaries can occur: Who goes through a revolving door first, a man or a woman? When is it polite to correct someone's mispronunciation of your name? And what if you can't see over the head of the person who has just sat in front of you at the movies? In Manners, Kate Spade shares her ideas about etiquette in lighthearted but down-to-earth terms. A "Manners Miscellany" concludes the book, casting a wide net over topics such as air kissing and "we must do lunch" to competitive parking, rain checks, and re-gifting. Manners is an unpretentious guide to navigating the social shoals of modern life.

In Occasions, designer Kate Spade invites you into her world of easy, festive entertaining, where the emphasis is not on "the perfect meal" but on having "the perfect time." It's a world where laughter and conversation at dinner parties are encouraged and where spilled red wine on the couch is no reason to stop the music. Any occasion begins with preparation, and at the outset Kate describes such basic components as lighting (votive candles are a must); table linens, flatware, and glassware; flowers (trimmed short and tightly massed); even bedding for overnight or weekend guests. Party shopping lists, hors d'oeuvres and cocktail favorites, and dinner party menus are all included. An "Alphabet of Special Events," from baby showers to tailgate picnics, is both anecdotal and useful for would-be hostesses everywhere. As Kate says, "Making your guests feel at home is truly an art and it's one worth cultivating."