Frozen treats, what’s your Favorite? (“f”)
By admin | July 19, 2010
It’s Frickin’ hot outside and nothing tastes better right now than a Frozen treat..and the latest trend is the “ice pop” or as I grew up in ATL, we call it popsicle.
Weddings are also Featuring this trend by serving these up at more inFormal weddings or those with an old-Fashioned theme. Wedding Cake Pops and Wedding Pie Pops are fast becoming a new dessert trend at wedding celebrations..brides and grooms can offer this as as wedding Favor in addition to the traditional Frosted wedding cake…doesn’t have to be an ice pop to be a “pop”.
Takes me back to the days when something as simple as a cherry snow-cone served in a paper cup or a Frozen slurpie from the 7-11 store could replace a Frown with a smile.
Remember that great song by Michael Frank’s “Popsicle Toes”? Ok, it’s pretty Funny that now that I am Forty-something, I didn’t Forget how I used to luv Michael Frank!
Here he is in ATL singing it at the Civic Center back in 2008:
And eco-Friendly..the brand Popsicle has announced for every tweet of #SlowtheMelt on twitter from now until August 15th, $1 will be donated to Fund global climate change research.
Ever had a “coke-Float”, that was my Favorite Fourth-grade, after school home-made treat.
Frankly, I am a Fan of Fudgesicles over the popsicles unless it’s really Fruity-tooty, sounds Fabulous to me! I’m sure bride’s Fiances will enjoy having a “pop” whether iced or not!
hmm…hmmm “Popsicle toes, I always Froze”….
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Engaging, Educational and Entertaining = Exciting!
By admin | July 10, 2010
We are about to launch the new RehearsalDinnerGuide.com website which is so exciting (another “e”!). The new site promises to deliver engaging, educational and entertaining content. My partner and myself have spent months pulling it all together with our programmer and we finally agreed on the color scheme on Friday…for one who loves color, it was not an easy feat as I didn’t want to look like so many bridal sites… This is a wonderful time to be in the online bridal industry, never a dull moment and my right side of the brain is kickin’ in!
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Great DIY Centerpieces for your Rehearsal Dinner
By admin | July 7, 2010
Real Simple http://bit.ly/9hhhem
Here are some great centerpieces for your Rehearsal Dinner…you want to put most of your floral budget into the big day and don’t want to spend too much so these are all do it yourself, fun and cost next to nothing other than a little bit of time and lots of creativity. I really like the Fall pumpkin used as a centerpiece and using the left over pumpkin meat for cupcakes perhaps displayed in a hotel hospitality room for guests to enjoy. Photos of destinations where yu 2 have travelled can also be used. Floating candles always add that romantic light, come in a zillion colors and can be used the next day to dress the cocktail reception and afterwards placed in guest bathrooms for the extra touch.
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Cooking with the Seasons
By admin | June 28, 2010
A restaurant, Norman’s 180, has opened recently in Miami by the uber chef, Norman Aikens. He has an awesome website and thought I’d share something he shares: monthly posts of which foods are currently in season. Have to say that with July right around the corner, the in-season tomatoes, avocados and mangoes sound to die for… not to mention it’s National Ice Cream Month!
COOKING WITH THE SEASONS
JANUARY: Florida Citrus gearing up. White Grapefruits, Melogold Citrus, Cara Cara Navel Oranges, Minneola Tangelos, Local Eggplants, Maine Lobsters are very strong now, Spiny Lobster, Crabs, Oysters, Moro Blood Oranges, Chanterelles, Black Truffles, varieties of Pears, Tangerines, Delta Crayfish, Pomegranates, Pomelo, Tangelos
FEBRUARY: Local Strawberries, Last of the Black Truffles, Heirloom Tomatoes, Blood Oranges, Pomelo, Guavas, Moro Blood Oranges, Oroblanco
MARCH: Tiny Bay Scallops, Local Strawberries, Sapodillas, Rhubarb, and Soft-Shell Crabs.
APRIL: Florida Tomato Month. Soft Shell Crabs, Morels, Jaboticaba, Sapodillas, Ramps, Artichokes
MAY: End of Stone Crabs 5.15. Louisiana Crawfish, Porcinis Possible, Monstera Deliciosa, White Sapotes, Florida Blueberries, Cherries, Apricots, Plums, Nectarines, Copper River Salmon
JUNE: Peaches, Melons, Sea Scallops, Ipswich Clams, Champagne Grapes, Mamey Sapote, Summer Truffles, Lychees, Guavas, Longans, some Backyard Mangos really kick in late June!
JULY: National Ice Cream Month in the USA; Many varieties of Mangoes, Lobster Mushrooms, all kinds of Tomatoes, Longans and Lychees continue, Sugar Snap Peas, Mamey Sapote and Florida Avocados
AUGUST: Local Mangoes, Local Avacadoes, Sugar Apples, Figs, Chanterelles, Valencian Oranges, Rainier Cherries
SEPTEMBER: Sugar Apples, Various Figs, some Tomatoes, Cactus Pears
OCTOBER: Baby Squash, Pomegranates, Wild Chanterelles, Matsutakes, Stone Crab Season starts, and Dungeness Crabs begin.
NOVEMBER: Teena’s Farms Poblanos, Satsuma Mandarin Oranges, Tomatoes, Heirlooms, and Beans; Stone Crabs going strong, Black Truffles, Florida White Corn, Diver Scallops, Nantucket Bay Scallops, Dates, Various squashes like Delicata and Kabocha
DECEMBER :Florida White Corn, Clementine Tangerines, Black Truffles, White Truffles possible, Porcinis, Pears, Minneola Orange, Temple Oranges, Ugli Fruit, Clementines, Blood Oranges, Satsumas, Tangerine, Fuyu and Hachiya Persimmons, Pomegranates, Quince. Spanish Mackerel start running locally
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Beachboys, Birthdays and …
By admin | June 20, 2010
It’s such a sultry, hot and sunny Sunday that really reminds you that the “surf” is up and if a beach was nearby, that’s where I would be hanging! But for those not so fortunate to spend Sundays at the beach, turn on some Beach Boys music, grab a beach ball and just enjoy being…
Today is Brian Wilson’s 68th Birthday too, and the Beach Boys heard their 1st song on the radio in ’61, the year I was born.
What’s your favorite Beach Boy song? Would your guests at your wedding dance if the d.j. played “Surfin”? Maybe more likely it’d be your parents burning up the wedding dance floor to “Fun, Fun, Fun” or “Wouldn’t it be Nice”…my favorite, “Good Vibrations”, here you go:
http://muzetunes.com/playback.mp3?c=vZAqLK77Hhm3S9Faqx1-aTCCnzwmtS_2WfgAwpBtQ2g=&f=I
Happy Birthday Brian!
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Adidas and Groomsmen Shoes
By admin | June 20, 2010
Have you been watching the World Cup? I am really starting to get it…why this sport is so popular and global..well the vazuzula’s at 1st were annoying , they are now part of the total experience which is something we’ll never forget about this particular World Cup.
Adidas is a major sponsor with signage placed strategically all over the stadium. It reminded me back in my consulting days of the groomsmen all wearing matching tennis shoes while dressed in tuxedos. Sometimes they were in the colors of the bridesmaid’s bouquets…nothing like tying in the guys shoes to the overall color scheme of the big day!
Now you can create your very own “worldcup shoe” by going online to www.adidas.com.
Makes me wonder how Adidas beat out Nike for the World Cup limelight? Kind of nice to hear about this classic footwear that has been around since German Adi Dassler created the athletic shoe back in the 1920′s. Great story at www.adidas.com about the birth of the brand and how in less than 20 years Adidas became the world’s leading sports shoe manufacturer.
Heck, if I were a guy, give me adidas any day over dress shoes. Something about the name is cool too..a-di-das.
Did you know that during the Nazi regime, Adidas was assigned to make war weaponry such as bazookas but after one year it was determined that he should stick with shoes. Thus Adidas developed army training shoes…goes to show that it’s best to always stick with what one does best, even during wartime.
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Hello, welcome to the RDG Blog
By admin | June 3, 2010
The RDG blog has a new concept..one that will provide me with a much needed guideline weekly. Beginning in June, each week the blog will be correlated to the next letter in the alphabet..starting with “a”, the first blog is inspired by the World Cup and the sports shoe on those swift running feet, the ubiquitous Adidas. Although I might rather write about the stokes aster in full bloom in my garden, I know guys would rather read about a sports topic and content is key to blogging, right?!? With 26 letters in the alphabet and 26 weeks in 1/2 a year, I believe this will work out nicely.
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REHEARSAL DINNERS FOR A NEW DECADE
By admin | January 12, 2010
I have so many ideas to start the new year with on this blog….and then read in this month’s Food and Wine the “big taste trend of 2010: food that’s FUN, INTENSELY PERSONAL AND COMPLETELY DELICIOUS.
And I thought…That’s exactly what a wedding celebration’s food should be all about!
The good news is that for the rehearsal dinner you don’t have that “Etiquette” thing going on that imposes “rules”. The jury is still out on whether or not you MUST invite all the out of town guests or the significant other to your 1st cousin, etc., etc.. Some engaged couples are even having their RD 2 nights before the big day vs. just after the ceremony rehearsal at the church. We all agree that the less rules, the more FUN can be had by all!
I encourage you to make this evening FUN, INTENSELY PERSONAL AND COMPLETELY DELICIOUS….and plan it with gusto and excitement. The rehearsal dinner can be compared to the appetizer to your entrée….if you start the wedding weekend off with a bang, it will set the tone of your wedding and great memories will linger for a very long time.
After the drudgeries of 2009, who couldn’t use a little FUN??? While planning the most important celebration of your life, throw in the element of surprise, do something a little “crazy” (but in good taste, please), get creative and WOW your guests.
So here’s to 2010…a year that promises, bright, new beginnings loaded with TONS OF FUN!
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DIY BUFFET BARS
By admin | November 4, 2009
DIY BUFFET BARS
It’s no secret how a candy bar with all it’s color and sugary treats has been quite the rage at so many weddings.
How about an interactive station at the rehearsal dinner to stir up conversation and comradarie when many are meeting for the 1st time?
Below are some seasonal ideas:
FALL
A sinfully good Caramel Apple Toppings Bar:
First dip apple in caramel and then choose from the following sweet and savory topppings:
Tropical Twist: Toasted Shredded Coconut and Chopped Macadamia Nuts
Asian Fusion: Diced Crystallized Ginger and Toasted Sesame Seeds
Cheddar Crunch: Crushed Cheese Crackers
Ball Park Blend: Salted Peanuts and Caramel Popcorn
Cookies and Cream: Crushed Oreo Cookies Drizzled with melted White Chocolate
Health Nut: Chopped Walnuts with Dried Cranberries
WINTER
Nothing says “winter” like a Hot Drink Spiced with Liquor or Liqueur:
Snowplow: A coffee cocktail spiked with rum and topped with whipped cream
Gunner: Irish whiskey, Irish cream and kahlúa boost this hot coffee drink
Café Brulot: Brandy, orange curacao, rum, cinnamon and French roast coffee make this drink a tasty treat
Hot Passion: The passion is released with Le Grande Passion liqueur, hot coffee and, the bonus, Crème de Grand Marnier
Nutty Irishman: No nuts in this drink, just liqueur, Irish cream, coffee and whipped cream
SPRING
This is a time when you start thinking “healthy” after months of hibernating from the cold. Bountiful spring vegetables abound. We like the idea of a risotto station where the guest can select from several wonderful toppings:
Exotic Mushroom Risotto: Offer a diverse selection include chanterelles, Portobello, oyster, shiitake
Spring Vegetable Risotto: Add asparagus, spring peas, carrots, radishes, green onion
Seafood Risotto: Toss in crabmeat, shrimp, mussels, lobster
Cheese and Nuts: Mix risotto with Brie and Almonds
SUMMER
Whip up a fun, festive, and spicy Taco Bar with several type of salsas:
Fish Tacos: Deep-fried tilapia with poblano tartar sauce
Veggie: Jalapeno refried beans, queso blanco, roasted tomatillo salsa
Carnita: Pork with cilantro, onions, salsa
Fried Chicken: Strips of fried chicken breast, lime jalapeno mayonnaise, lettuce and tomatoes
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PROBLEM: HOW TO PERSONALIZE YOUR WEDDING?
By admin | September 24, 2009
PROBLEM: HOW TO PERSONALIZE YOUR WEDDING?
SOLUTION: TAKE A PERSONALITY QUIZ!
Personality quizzes abound everywhere! I turn on the internet these days and many are
on my favorite sites so it has left an impression on me and made me wonder, why all the rage all of a sudden?
It used to be that the book “Color my Parachute” was the means of learning your personality traits, what you are most suited for, etc.
Besides being kind of fun to learn how you score on these “tests”, I believe they actually can be used to help you in your wedding planning.
Here are some of my favorites:
*What flower represents you?
Use this to determine the flowers in your bridal bouquets
*Get your Hippie Name
If you are a “love child” and have dreamed of being at Woodstock, have fun by using this on your save the date
*What are the initials of the person you will marry?
Use these to inspire you to use monograms which is the ideal way to personalize your wedding day
*What alcohol are you?
Serve it during your cocktail reception as your signature drink
*What will the name of your 1st child be?
You have time for this hopefully but could be fun to do together!
*What 2009 song are you?
Let this be your 1st Dance as long as its danceable and she likes it too!
In the world of wedding planning, it’s all about making the wedding day reflecting the personalities of the bride and groom.
Perhaps these tests will give engaged couples some insight and ideas for personalizing their special day…I had a groom that once gave all his groomsmen tie-dye shirts since he was a huge Grateful Dead fan. I bet he’d love to do the Get your Hippie Name Quiz!
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