After her highly-anticipated book on entertaining hit the shelves, Kate Middleton's sister Pippa faced mixed reviews. But the Berkshire beauty has proved herself a good sport, taking criticism on the chin and writing a funny magazine column in response. Pippa, who donned a striking purple dress to promote Celebrate: A Year of British Festivities For Families and Friends in the Netherlands, joked she would write a bestseller next and call it Bottoms Up, in reference to the fuss caused by her derriere at the royal wedding last year.
The 29-year-old showcases her wicked sense of humour the guest column for The Spectator, in which she recognises her party planning tome has been called out for featuring basic advice in places. "I have been much teased for my book," she admits. "Lots of journalists are saying that my advice is glaringly obvious. A spoof Twitter account called @pippatips offers such pearls as 'enjoy a glass of water by getting a clean glass and pouring in water from a tap or bottle'." While the glossy brunette acknowledges the complaints, she stresses that she had to "cover the basics". She explains: "If I were to write a cookery book, for instance, I would be compelled to say that, to make an omelette, you have to break at least one egg. Actually, that’s not a bad idea. Or maybe I should write a sequel and call it Bottoms Up?
Now that could be a bestseller." She continues with the self-parody when she gives her "excruciatingly self-evident" tips, inspired by @pippatips, for an office Christmas party. "1: Choose, if you can, a Christmas-themed menu. A turkey, for example, can be perfect for large gatherings.
"2: Don't not invite any members of staff, as this can cause offence. "3: Keep speeches brief and cheerful: Christmas is not a time to talk about redundancies." As well as talking about her book, Pippa also gives a glimpse of what Christmas is like in the Middleton household, revealing her father Michael loves to surprise the family by wearing fancy dress. "He buys a new costume each year and typically gets a bit carried away – a couple of Christmases ago, he appeared in an inflatable sumo outfit, she says. "It's endearing, really, and only quite embarrassing. "Pippa predicts that the festive season will be "blissfully calm". She makes no reference to big sister Kate's pregnancy or morning sickness. The budding author went to visit the Duchess in hospital with her brother James when their sister was admitted to receive treatment for hypermesis gravidarum. Speaking of what's in store for next year, sporty Pippa reveals she has signed herself up for a 150-mile running, cycling and kayaking triathlon in New Zealand in February called the Coast to Coast race. "It may sound dauntingly hearty," she says, "but really it's just good fun, plus it provides some routine, discipline and fitness."