colin cowie

Editor's note: Get excited! Our favorite party guru, Colin Cowie, is back. This time he's here to help us handle the holidays. The event planner extraordinaire is a fan of buffets, especially for large food celebrations like Thanksgiving. Below he shares his recipes for the perfect turkey day buffet.

A Thanksgiving buffet allows each guest to help themselves to what they like, skip what they don't favor, and go back for seconds and thirds should they wish. You can place serving platters in the warming drawer until ready to be used (if you don't have a warming drawer, set the oven to 200°F and place the platters inside for 5-10 minutes). After a leisurely dinner, clear the buffet and set it for dessert — an apple tarte tatin, coffee, and cognac. And remember, the best part about Thanksgiving is enjoying the leftovers the following day!

Get Colin's recipes for roast turkey, haricot verts, baked apples, and warm spiced cider after the break.

Neiman Marcus released their gift catalog on Tuesday and boy were the things listed on there truly extravagant. Make your pickings among items like a $1.5 million "glass creation from artist Dale Chihuly for the bottom of a swimming pool," $15,000 gingerbread playhouse, and a $125,000 private party organized by celebrity event planner, Colin Cowie. If you're looking to spend less, you can still feel like a baller with the $100 tweezer blinged out with crystals or a $95 scented candle featured on the catalogs. These Neiman gifts may not be realistic, but what's the most extravagant gift you've received?

All of us have a dream job we're secretly harboring. Maybe you're one of the lucky ones who are already living it or maybe you're still dreaming about it. Readers recently shared their dream jobs, which inspired this new Savvy series: In His or Her Shoes.

Life is definitely a party for Colin Cowie. Style guru Cowie is a man of many hats — those of which include interior designer, celebrity event planner, author, and guest writer for YumSugar! Readers neonbee, n00dledancer, and lov3tina said their dream job was to be an interior designer or party planner, so sit back, relax, and read all about Cowie's exciting life!

SavvySugar: What makes your job a dream job?

Colin Cowie: There is nothing more thrilling, rewarding, or fabulous than making people happy. And to think I get paid well to spend other people's money making other people happy — I can't imagine anything better.

SS: What other dream jobs did you want to do?

CC: I never set out doing what I'm doing now. One step led to another and the dream has come to life. But if I couldn't be doing what I'm doing now I'd definitely be a doctor. I have always been fascinated with medicine, and I think I have the right bedside manner. Other than that, if I had the voice, I would have been a rockstar with a stainless steel guitar!

To find out how Cowie started out his dream job and more, read on!

Editor's note: The following is a guest post written by Colin Cowie, wedding planner and lifestyle guru. Here Colin touches on the importance of the aisle at your wedding ceremony.

The white aisle runner rolled out just before the ceremony begins is an elegant statement, and when rolled by attendants as the music plays, lends an element of drama to the commencement of your ceremony. There are other options that make a personal statement as well; some of my favorite ideas embellish the rolled-out aisle runner, and others are a complete departure. Which one is right for you is a personal choice. It all depends on the overall look and feel of your ceremony and the level of formality that fits.

For Colin's elaborate aisle advice, keep reading.

Editor's note: The following is a guest post written by Colin Cowie, wedding planner and lifestyle guru. Today Colin discusses wedding dinner options.

Not every wedding dinner needs to be served with guests seated at round tables of ten or twelve. Consider buffet-style or a combination of buffet-style and sit down. No one says it has to be one or the other. In fact, the combination actually works well; if you have the first course served and the plates are cleared table by table, guests can make their way to the buffet for their next course; naturally minimizing any possible food lines.

To see what else he has to say about buffets, keep reading.

Editor's note: The following is a guest post written by Colin Cowie, wedding planner and lifestyle guru. This week Colin teaches us how to cut back on the wedding budget.

Every wedding has the same basic elements; it's how all the elements are utilized that can mean the difference in breaking the bank or staying within your means.

• Let's start with invitations and think out of the box. Check out the online site Cocodot for great invitation ideas that not only save time and money, but save the planet as well. We live in an electronic world, so why not take advantage of it and send invitations electronically? You may need to have a few invitations printed for grandparents and relatives who are not tech-savvy, but if you count more than 40 family and friends who don't check email regularly I'd be surprised.

To see the rest of Cowie's helpful money-saving hints, keep reading.

Editor's note: The following is a guest post written by Colin Cowie, wedding planner and lifestyle guru. This week Colin tackles the sometimes difficult subject of toasting.

We've all been there before, when the toasts and speeches seem like an endless ode to childhood memories, vacations long past, or inside jokes no one, other than a select few, are able to relate to, or for that matter really care about. There’s an art to speaking in front of a crowd and the best way to get comfortable and say what needs to be said succinctly is by practicing in front of a mirror until you're ready to practice in front of a friend.

For Colin's tips on giving the perfect toast, read more.

Editor's note: The following is a guest post written by Colin Cowie, wedding planner and lifestyle guru. This week, Colin reminds us that the end of the party should not be forgotten.

So many months of planning and it’s almost over, and they’ve paid off. You're finally married, everyone is happy, and it was a night you’ll remember forever. With every party, you need a carefully thought out beginning, middle and end. And the one final detail: how should it all end, needs some thought. Should you slip away quietly while everyone is still on the dance floor? Absolutely not! Wouldn’t you rather make a statement and end on a high? Absolutely! ! And that doesn’t mean the same thing to everyone. But to end on a high, sending everyone home thinking, I could have stayed longer and danced all night, wanting more, is the secret to a great party.

For Colin's tips on how to end your wedding, keep reading.

Editor's note: The following is a guest post written by Colin Cowie, wedding planner and lifestyle guru. This week Colin suggests a favor that's edible.

I've always been a big believer that the money you spend on your wedding should go towards making the best experience possible for you and your guests. Spend your money on upgrading the chicken stuffed-a-la-something to your favorite chicken dish or offer a premium bar or get that DJ you've always loved.

And, if there's money left over, don't forget the party favor. Not the terrible tchotchke you've been given that went right in the trash. Instead, make it edible. I love the idea of ending the night with a bag of homemade cookies for your guests.

Getting married amongst olive groves? Give your guests bottles of olive oil and red wine vinegar. Thinking about something timely? How about a December 31 wedding? Bagels with some delicious cream cheese will soothe the hangover.

Did you have edible favors at your wedding? Share your experience with us! To get more of Colin's wonderful wedding recommendations, sign up for his newsletter, Colin Cowie Wedding Notes.

Source

The following is a guest post written by Colin Cowie, wedding planner and lifestyle guru. This week Colin teaches us all about the signature cocktail.

“Shaken, not stirred." Those are the famous lines uttered by James Bond when ordering his signature martini. It can, without a doubt, be credited as the grandaddy of what we now call the “signature cocktail." I guess we’ve all just become a little more specific as to what we like, how we like it, and when we want it. No longer is that special drink reserved for an evening out with a skilled bartender crafting it to your liking. Years ago it was the apple martini — still in vogue I might add. Then it was all about the Black Russian, then the White Russian, and of course, with all the designer vodkas on the market, many other drinks. Now your “signature cocktail” is just that: it’s all about you and is absolutely anything you want it to be.

For Colin's tips on crafting the perfect signature cocktail, keep reading.