Pretty Fun: Creating and Celebrating a Lifetime of Tradition

     The novel “Pretty Fun: Creating and Celebrating a Lifetime of Tradition” was written by Kate Hudson. Mrs. Hudson is the creator of the gym-clothing line Fabletics, known as a fashion icon, and an actress. In the past, she has been nominated for 38 different awards, and won 18 of them. She is the daughter of Bill Hudson and Goldie Hawn, whom of which is the famous American actress, producer, dancer, and singer, being in approximately 36 movies. Hudson is a 41 year old daughter, entrepreneur, and mother of two boys, Ryder Russell and Bingham Hawn Bellamy. (Un-numbered pages, final two pages of book, “About the Author,” 2017)

 

Hudson has been nominated for a few People’s Choice Awards (2 of which she won), won a Golden Globe and nominated for the Academy Award for ‘Best Supporting Actress,’ named one of the 50’ Most Beautiful People in the World by People’s Magazine, and wrote two books – “Pretty Fun” and “Pretty Happy,” about her thoughts and secrets for staying fit and being happy. Both books are The New York Times bestsellers (IMDb-Oscars, 2021)

 

Her words on the novel: “What lies at the heart of this book, and what makes this project such a special one to me, are the lessons I learned from a very early age about the importance of gathering, marking events big and small, and enjoying the company of the people who matter to you most.” (Kate Hudson, 2017, p.1)

     This novel is a bit of a compilation of foods, drinks, décor, and advice on almost everything you can think of when it comes to throwing a party! It relates to food ways on the aesthetic side of things, food identity, consumption, and taste. The book was published on October 31st, 2017. Hudson’s book is all about fun, how to live a fun and healthy lifestyle, how to schedule, throw, run a party, and what to make for any kind of party. Despite the four years it’s been out, I believe this novel is still very relevant and absolutely attention grabbing. People would for sure be able to understand and relate to her book. It uses so many different and beautiful pictures of her, the delicious food and beverages, and cute little drawing-like photos of the different small fixtures and prompts she talks about, such as flowers (Part 1: Pretty Happy, p.16-17), writing materials (Part 1: Pretty Happy, p.21), a diagram of different reasons/moods/themes/time of day to celebrate (Part 1: Pretty Happy, p.22), a diagram of  “Keeping Track of Expenses” (Part 1: Pretty Happy, p.33), holiday décor (Part 2: Pretty Excited, p.60), and so much more!

     Hudson’s novel seems to be more intended for women and mothers, but mainly women in general. The intended audience are more than likely women who are twenty one and older, some likely have children, and these women are the ones who throw all of the holiday get-togethers at their house, or at least make something to bring to a party. A few examples include: how to properly set a table, and what centerpieces to use for certain occasions. (Part 2: Pretty Excited, “What’s Your Tablescape?,” p.101-109), it gives moms details about what types of things to ask and look for when planning her child’s birthday and even “How To Win Cool-Mom Points,” whether it be food, activities, or plain ole’ conversations. (Part 2: Pretty Excited, “All-the-Kids Birthday Party,” p.173-179) For these women, most of the recipes are laid out nicely, thoroughly, and they seem simple enough for a woman, who may not cook that often, to learn and cook. There are also some adult alcoholic drink recipes in this book, Including: “Dark & Lively” or “Hot & Stormy,” both of which are two different versions of Hudson’s dark rum drink “Dark and Stormy.” (Part 2: Pretty Excited, p.144-145) and her own version of a margarita-lemonade mashup, “The Hudson Pucker.” (Part 2: Pretty Excited, p.163)

 

     Kate explains everything very well in the book, she doesn’t really expect you to know it all, and therefore, she has everything written out for you. The backstory for the meal or drink, how to prepare it, the cups and ingredients needed, and how many servings it makes is all provided. The items needed for each dish, whether it be the ingredients or the utensils she used, seem as easy to get as going to your

local grocery store. Like ground beef (80% lean & 20% fat), brioche hamburger buns or slider buns, erbs, an egg, and vegetable or Canola oil for her “Pretty Damn Good Burger.” (Part 2: Pretty Excited, p.165) All of which you can run to Kroger or Marsh, grab & go. Everything is very modern, some even new, and very fun. Like Hudson’s “Winning Molten Chocolate Cookies” that she uses as an example of what to make for a bake-off. (Part 2: Pretty Excited, p.54-55) As said above, I believe most of the ‘equipment’ required is very accessible.

     As said before, the book seems to be targeted towards women because, back then it was the women who would make all the food, plan the parties, set the table, and get her children involved in such activities. However, besides “All-the-Kids Birthday Party,” (Part 2: Pretty Excited, p.173-179) when it talks about getting your children involved and how to make conversation with them, the book doesn’t specify what the exact audience is and who is supposed to make these ‘things’ happen. But, Hudson’s book does link different cultures, like Mexican tradition with her Día de los Muertos alcoholic beverage “Grapefruit-Jalapeno Mezcal Punch” and dish, the “Burrito Bowl Bar” (Part 2: Pretty Excited, p.221 & 223,) and some with her own twist. When it comes to her own family traditions or other people’s cultures and traditions, Hudson pays homage to the ethnicities and history of the recipes she includes in her book, like her “Baked Mini-Meatballs” (Part 2: Pretty Excited, p.230.)

 

References:

• Hudson, Kate. & Holtzman, Rachel. (2017) Pretty Fun: Creating and Celebrating a Lifetime of Tradition. HarperCollins: ISBN
• IMDbTV, Oscars. (2021). Kate Hudson Awards. Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005028/awards