Simple Gatherings is a book by Melissa Michaels.It aims to help you arrange simple get-togethers without worrying about being perfect.Welcoming guests into our homes take time effort and heart .When we are too scared, inviting guests take a back seat.
What is the Book about?
It tells you why it’s important to open your home and heart to receiving guests.It helps you plan on a budget.
It gives you have fun decorating, to make any party unique without stressing about it.
It inspires you to break the traditional party invites and go for your own style.Afraid of hosting a dinner party?Host a dessert party.Don’t want to cook?Make it a potluck or add a unique touch to the food delivered!
Melissa gives ideas for children’s parties, tea parties, dinner parties and everything in between.
Through the different chapters in the book Melissa gives us tips to plan the menu, gifts, decorate the home, arrange entertainment and even gives tips on the conversation.
She explores the mind and soul behind the fear of hosting parties.Makes you look inside about why you fear it.
[bctt tweet=”Only when you know your weaknesses can you rise above” username=”misra_amrita”]
Her sensible and matter of fact approach to the overwhelming task of planning a party,makes this book a delightful read.
What did I love?
The step by step guide to planning, organizing, decorating which doesn’t involve a million dollars and 100 people.She gives simple DIY tips and menus to make any occasion shine.
Who will it help?
- It helped me and it will help you if you shiver at the thought of arranging a party and mommy duties (plus life goes on as it is).
- It is for you, if you love to party and arrange them.It will be your handy checklist.
- It will help you if you love parties and hate arranging them.The book will break down the mammoth tasks into sizeable chunks and make it less of a challenge.
- It is for the busy mom and new wife, the professional, SAHM or WAHM.It is for you me and all mompreneurs who love to welcome guests into your home and heart but don’t want to lose your head over it.
When it comes to theinspiredroom I have a lot to say.It is my favorite home decor blog because it’s real.It’s not about the perfect Pinterest pictures, it’s about feelings.I learned homemaking skills step by step reading Melissa’s books and blog.
In 2014 when I started writing I was gifted Melissa’s first book Love the home have.It was beautiful and made me realize life rarely gives you perfect everthing .
When I was feeling sad about shifting 6 homes in 4 years Melissa gave me a chance to find my home.
She showed me the way to love the home I had.
Now I absolutely adore home and garden blogs and magazines.Before I started writing Melissa’s was one of the few blogs I read.But in India, the weather and dust make decorating like the inspired room(her blog )difficult.Guess what I did?I applied the principles.Her ideas of what makes a house a home are timeless.
Having an almost clean home is my goal.Just like her.With children in the home its difficult to do more than that
Then in 2016 when I was in between everything, struggles inside and outside I got a chance to read her book Make room for what you love.Your inner world does reflect your outer world.
Getting rid of clutter at home makes me more focused.I published two books and my blog is finally finding its feet.Its also three years old.It is time to learn new stuff right?
That’s probably whySimple Gatherings: 50 Ways to Inspire Connection (Inspired Ideas) right on time.My daughter is five and now we can almost see the sofa (the books have found shelves).Though I love socializing with my friends and family.But the amount of organizing and cooking makes me feel faint.
Reading Melissa’s book I am starting to feel brave again.I am a reluctant cook.So maybe I will cook some and arrange for home delivery for the rest.
In between works just fine.Christmas is just around the corner= so planning a Christmas Eve party is what I want to use the book for.
Melissa said, “shop your home first”. So I will probably be looking through the cupboards and boxes before I go shopping.
Give the planters a fresh coat of paint?Or should I get these lovely metallic planters?Loads of fairy lights for the balcony garden.I love how the fairy lights are used as part of the decor.Its a little bit of magic!
I will cook the mains and get the rest delivered.Or should I go for a catered party?Not a big party.Only family. I love the catering by Savourites(they are the people who manage 6 Ballygunj Place Kolkata)
And I really want those gelato cakes from Mamma Mia!
Do you love giving parties.Check the book out,its the best guide you can have.
Book Blurb Simple Gatherings:
You don’t have to have impressive culinary skills, a perfect house, a large budget, or elaborate decorations to host a festive gathering. That’s the heart of Simple Gatherings by Melissa Michaels, creator of the popular blog The Inspired Room.
This first release in her new Inspired Ideas series overflows with engaging photos, doable tips, and plenty of friendly motivation as Melissa shares how to:
- Discover your style—Easy Breezy, Nervous Nester, Perfectionist, or Social Butterfly
- Create personalized shortcuts, checklists, and sanity-savers
- Turn to hassle-free recipes, housecleaning and decorating tips
- Make others feel welcome and included
- Plan gatherings big or small: outdoor, indoor, guest-of-honor, kid-friendly, and more
Be inspired to let go of the stress so you can celebrate family, friends, and a new tradition of hosting simple yet memorable gatherings!
About the Author
Melissa Michaels is the creator of The Inspired Room, the Better Homes and Gardens Readers’ Choice Decorating Blog winner in 2014, and is the author of Love the Home You Have. With creative, simple ideas and a friendly style, she inspires nearly half a million women each month to love their homes and lives. Melissa is a regular contributor at (in) courage.me and is frequently featured in top publications and web communities. She and her husband live in Washington where they planted a church in 2009.
Genre:
Nonfiction, Crafts, Home & Lifestyle
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What a wonderful review, Amrita. Nice thought – “Love the home you have”.
I get so nervous when planning a party… I still can’t manage more than a couple of friends. It freaks me out. I guess this is the kind of book i should read. Loved the title of thw book????
Really?Me too !Trying to get rid of the worries.
My mom would love her books then. Will definitely get them for her. 🙂
Oh yes.Do that
Ooooo now this sounds like one fantastic read! I will definitely be giving it a read over the winter!
I am always nervous when I entertain people in my home. This looks like a nice book.
This looks like a very interesting book! I can’t wait to read it!
Thanks for the detailed review, Sure to read it.
Looks likes this book Simple Gatherings is informative in terms of planning, organizing, decorating. Nice review, I will add this to my collection of wishlist books.
This book sounds really good. However, I am not a fan of hosting gatherings at my home. xD
So many friends know Melissa and says this book is great. I have read the other one and really need to order this one.
I know the absolute perfect person to gift this to. Thank you.
Wow.. I need this book for sure… I usually feel worried when any sudden guest come to my home.
Let me go through this book. I think I badly need the tips. & Where can i find her book Make room for what you love ?
Follow the link in my post here https://healthwealthbridge.com/make-room-for-what-you-lovebook-summary/
This seems to be great book and so useful for all the mums and women like us who are always in the look of ideas to hold gatherings.
The cover of the book is so beautiful & this book sounds really amazing
Oh I really need this book. You mind sharing it? I am very poor at hosting people at home. 🙁
The book looks interesting read for us. I too love to throw parties and organize gatherings. It’s gonna be helpful.
I would like to learn more about her diy tips and menus!
Wow… Have to read this book….and this review is really interesting
This does sound like a fabulous book. I personally don’t like having guests in my home, but I do occasionally. I’m not the best cook, so I really have nothing to offer, ha. So normally I just do snacks and we play games.
I’m sure, I need this book..I love arranging get together and really need ideas for decor, party and yet keeping it in budget!
Wow! This is really a interesting book to read.
Looks like a good read. Nicely reviewed!
It seems like that something which every women should have. Sounds interesting and very useful book. I also thinks a lot before hosting any party or any friends gethering. But i think this book can help me alot . Will read this.
Yes it’s a very handy book.
Love the idea of holding a dessert party. And this books have so many workable idea. Review sounds worth reading
Do read the book.
I love hosting parties as well. Did not know a book cab help me to be more organised … I am sure this is worth reading
Thanks Poornima
I am so tempted to give this a read… Looks really interesting
This is something that I MUST have .. thanks a lot for sharing
Wow I haven’t read any, time to I guess
You have given detailed review about the book, without revealing its magic. It’s a must read I feel, as I get stressed up from the moment I hear guest is going to be there
Will read this book for sure. I too feel torn between clean house and decorated house. My puck alwsts is cleaner neat house. Have to read this to understand how I put my thoughts in action in my hoyse without worrying about cleanliness
Wow….I think I need to quickly get my hand on this book. We socialize a lot and people usually drop in for dinners and I am sure this book will prove handy to me.Thanks for the suggestion and the review Amrita 🙂
I have been curious about the author and these books ever since i saw you singing praises on instagram. A good review of a book which is obviously a good add to the collection. Now i wish we were close by, & i could attend your x’mas eve party 🙂
i do enjoy the glimpses of your inspired home & balcony garden which you share.looking forward to seeing more 🙂
I love Melissa’s books.They are wise and helpful.