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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Throwing a Great Party

Part One

By Julia Rosien

At her own parties at home, Cambria doesn't spend money on decorating. For a last-minute July 4th barbecue, she scoured her house looking for decorations. She used an old blue sheet from the garage, some flags, a package of stars and clear bowls and vases to create the ultimate buffet table. "By the time it was over, I had created a table no one wanted to disturb," she jokes.

Sachs and Cambria met virtually on an Internet message board. Cambria often answered people's questions about party dilemmas, sharing her resources and ideas for solutions. On occasion, Sachs, already an author of many party books, also answered people's questions. "I knew Patty by reputation and through several of her books that I owned," says Cambria.

Cambria received an e-mail from the illustrious Sachs saying, "Who are you, and why haven't you written a book?" The two started corresponding on a regular basis. They soon learned they shared the same ideas on parties and had similar writing styles. Within a short time they began co-writing articles, feeding off each other's creativity. "More often than not, we had more ideas than places to write them," says Cambria.

When Macmillan approached Sachs about writing a manual on all the elements needed to put a successful party together, she accepted contingent on Cambria co-writing it with her. Cambria jumped at the chance.

Along with their book, Cambria and Sachs created a full-service Web site that shares planning ideas in a free newsletter. "The best stuff is rarely available from local party stores. We've worked hard to find people who make the high-end products you see in magazines," says Cambria.