Happy New Year

I just want to take a moment to wish all of you a 2014 filled with health, happiness and prosperity! 

 Have a great 2014!

Rabido for successful wedding planning, Communicate!

As I mentioned in a blog post a couple of weeks ago, the Holidays are a big time for engagements.  So I thought this would be an appropriate time to share my top Rabido for any newly engaged couple...Communicate!

A perfect example is a bride and groom I worked with who wanted the quintessential New York City fairy tale wedding with two hundred people in a landmark venue like the St. Regis or the Pierre.  When we started discussing details with the couple such as preliminary budget, timeframe for planning and other details necessary to plan their big day the couple literally shut down.  The reason?  They hadn’t communicated or laid out their expectations with each other.  They were merely going off of what they should do rather than what they wanted.  In the end they happily decided on a wedding with fifty people in a quaint restaurant without the fanfare of a white wedding dress, grand entrances, and caviar.  By communicating and discussing their actual expectations and desires, they were able to distinguish between  what they were told they should have by friends and family as opposed to what they truly wanted their wedding to be.

So, the first step of planning your wedding should be communication.  Talk to your fiancée and get all of the important questions out of the way such as the size, style, and vision of your wedding.  This will help you convey the sense about what kind of wedding you want to have and open the discussion to your partner’s wishes and ideas as well.  

Happy planning to all of the newly engaged couples and...

Cheers

Rabidos and Rabidon'ts for Holiday cards and invitations

This morning I had so much fun on The Better Show talking about the Rabido's and Rabidon'ts for sending out Christmas and Holiday cards this season.  You can see a clip from the show by clicking on this link:  Shawn on Better TV

So many people love to send out photo cards.  There are plenty of great sites like FineStationery.com or Celebrations.com that you can use to produce your cards, but there are a few do's and don'ts when sending your photo cards.

Rabido - When making a photo card, be sure all the subjects in the picture are on different levels.  This will create depth and the varying height will make the photo more exciting!

Rabidon't - Don't force anyone into strange poses or positions!  You want everyone to look natural.  When they do, everyone in the photos will look fabulous!

Rabido - While you don't want everyone in the same sweater (no ugly sweaters here), you do want everyone to coordinate.  So make sure you choose a base color that coordinates.  And have fun!  Use ski hats or scarves as accents.

Rabidon't - While it's okay to dress up your pets (come on, it makes them look that much cuter) it's not okay for people to play dress up for your holiday card.  Save that for Halloween!

Rabido - Use props!  Have fun!  Spell out your family name with giant letters, or spell out words like "JOY", "NOEL".

Rabidon't - We all have them, but don't use your phone to take your holiday photo!  Use a good camera or get a friend to take the picture for.  No selfies here!

Rabido - Do make sure you have good natural light!  Using natural light will literally make your photos shine!

Rabidon't - Don't stress if you don't have time to mail your cards!  There are plenty of sites where you can upload your image, create your greeting and email it to your friends.  And some are even free like Celebrations.com.  Although I would use this method as a last resort, it's not necessarily a Rabidon't because no one should stress over sending holiday cards. The holidays can be stressful enough!

Rabido - Get the kids involved!  If photo cards aren't your thing, get the kids to create cards.  There are plenty of DIY kits you can purchase.  Have your kids put the cards together with stickers, strings, ribbons and decals and then have the family sign and send.  It's a great way to personalize your cards.

Rabidon't - Don't stress this holiday season!  If you don't have time to send your cards wishing your family and friends a Joyous Holiday Season, then send them a card in January wishing them a Healthy and Prosperous 2014!  I'll bet you might even get a few good after Christmas sales too!

Rabido - Do look for the Shawn Rabideau Stationery line Christmas cards and all on sale now at www.FineStationery.com.  Simply type Shawn Rabideau Christmas in the search field on the site and you'll find all my current designs.

Until next time!

Cheers!

It is not too late to order your Holiday cards

Christmas is rapidly approaching but it is not to late to order your Holiday cards from the Shawn Rabideau Stationery collection.  You can see all of the fun designs below.  So visit one of these great local retailers or go on line to www.finestationery.com to place your order.

The great thing about my line is that you can customize them for different uses.  Just pick your favorite design and it can be the invitation to your holiday party or your annual greeting to family and friends.  

Have a great Holiday Season and 

Cheers!

Time for a few quick and easy party recipes

Now that Thanksgiving is over, and everyone is into full swing planning Holiday parties, I thought it would be a good time to share a few quick and easy recipes for your Holiday entertaining. These are some of my go to recipes when I am strapped for time.  I hope you enjoy them.

Black bean dip

One night Michael and I were craving Mexican food, however, we only wanted a snack.  I rummaged through our cabinet and found a can of black beans and a bag of Tortilla chips.  When I opened the fridge and pulled out some sour cream the black bean dip was born.

8oz can black beans, drained and rinsed

½ cup sour cream

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp salt

½ tsp ground black pepper

¼ tsp cumin

¼ tsp chili powder

Bag of your favorite tortilla chips

In a blender or food processor combine all ingredients (except the tortilla chips!) until smooth and creamy.  Season to taste.  Next place black bean mixture into a bowl and serve with your favorite chips.  This can be made several days in advance and kept in the refrigerator. Serves 10

Pesto veggie dip

Our friends Roger and Brad were having a last minute party that Michael and I were invited to.  I always like to bring something homemade to share.  I decided a pesto dip would be the quickest thing to make.   I had homemade pesto in the freezer that I made from the basil in my garden and a container of sour cream in the fridge.   I quickly combined the two and violà!  Another fabulous dip was born.

4 oz jar of your favorite (or homemade) pesto

8 oz container of sour cream

Assorted veggies for dipping

Clean, wash and towel dry your favorite veggies and arrange in bowls or serving vessels.  Combine pesto and sour cream, season with salt and pepper and serve.  This also can be made several days in advance and kept in refrigerator.  Serves 10.

Super fast stuffed olives

I was entertaining at the Eleventh Hour and decided to make stuffed olives with Gorgonzola cheese.  When the guests arrived they finished the olives within minutes.

16 oz can large or jumbo black pitted olives

8 oz of your favorite goat cheese, feta, blue cheese or gorgonzola cheese (room temperature)

First drain olives, place on towel, and pat dry.  Fill each olive with your favorite cheese, plate and serve.

Pesto on Crostini with Tomato and Mozzarella

We had a welcome clambake for out of town guests.  The following day we had leftover bread, pesto in the freezer, and tomatoes with mozzarella from the caprese salad.  While everybody was napping I whipped together this hearty last minute treat using what I had.

1 French baguette

2 tbsp olive oil

½ cup pesto

Pint of cherry tomatoes

8oz ball fresh mozzarella

Heat oven 350 degrees

Wash and drain tomatoes then slice each into ½ slices, place on paper towel, dash with salt and let drain.  Replace paper towel until all liquid from tomatoes is absorbed.  Slice baguette into ½ inch slices.  Place bread onto a sheet pan and lightly drizzle with olive oil. Place in 350-degree oven about five to eight minutes or until golden brown.  Next, slice mozzarella into ½ inch slices and then into ½ to ¾ inch squares and set aside.  Take your favorite pesto and spread a thin layer onto the crostini.  Place the mozzarella and then the tomato slice.  Place layered appetizer on a serving tray.  This may be made twenty minutes prior to your guest’s arrival.  Serves 15.

Happy Holidays and ...

Cheers!