Recipes for Parties

With Memorial Day fast approaching and the school term coming to an end, I am counting the days until summer. For me, summer is all about fun, friends, family, travel and entertaining. With that in mind, should you need even the slightest spark of entertaining inspiration in the coming months, you must get yourself a copy of Recipes for Parties. Fashion executive Michael Leva (Creative Director for J. Jill) and textile designer Nancy Parker know what it takes to entertain with style in a short amount of time.

Michael and Nancy are both ‘home cooks’ determined that every party can and should be both effortless and utterly fabulous. I especially love the “Cheats” section with helpful hints for those pressed for time. The Moroccan rooftop buffet with a recipe for doctoring up store bought olives and a Tomato Salad with Preserved Lemons and Chive Blossoms sounds so yummy.

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting Michael in New York. Amy Fine Collins and Wendy Goodman hosted Michael’s book launch at Bergdorf Goodman, followed by a fun and lively dinner. Once you meet Michael in person, it is easy to see his fun-loving nature stamped in the pages of this book.

If you need further evidence, click on Tory Burch’s blog for more tips and Michael's favorite recipe—his mom’s fettuccine with minted tomato sauce.

Famed photographer Pieter Estersohn is responsible for the beautiful imagery.