February Newsletter

Things to Celebrate
· Super Bowl Sunday 2/1
· Groundhog Day 2/2
· Lincoln’s Birthday 2/12
· Valentine’s Day 2/14
· Washington’s Birthday 2/22
· Ash Wednesday 2/25

Things to Read
Wicked
Stephen Schwartz

The 5 Things a Millionaire
Taught me
Richard Paul Evans

The Fabulous Girls Guide to Decorum
Kim Izzo

Things to Do
Winchester Mystery House Candlelight Tour 2/13

Jan’s Art Studio
http://www.jansartstudios.com/

Mission Coffee
www.fremontcoffee.com/mcrc.htm

Broadway West Theatre
http://www.broadwaywest.org/

Things to See
Shinn Historic Park and Arboretum

Historic Niles

Up Coming Wedding/Party Fairs
2/22 11am Walnut Creek Marriott

Celebrating In February
Celebrating doesn’t have to mean a huge ordeal or lots of money! To Celebrate is to observe or commemorate. Make it simple and sweet. What does each day mean to you?

Super bowl: An all American past-time with family, friends and food!

Groundhog Day: The day I know when Spring is coming! Check out the history of this great day here.

Lincoln’s Birthday: Read a brief history of our 16th President and learn why we honor him.
Valentines Day: Hmmm Chocolate, Champagne, Fancy Dinners and Heart Shaped I luv u’s. Why is this day so Important?

Washington’s Birthday: Our 1st President. It is amazing to know how much he accomplished at such a young age. Makes me wonder about our children and their accomplishments.

Ash Wednesday: The first day of Lent in the Roman Catholic Calendar. This day is the beginning of the season of preparation to receive Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.

What do you plan to celebrate this month and how do you plan to celebrate it?

2009 Wedding Trends
The Colors: Slate (or Gray) and Royal Purple. I know it sounds gloomy but try these color variations side by side. Pull out a box of colored markers and see what happens!

The Cakes: Or Should I say CUP cakes!

The Flowers: Beautiful organic combinations but with LOTS of color!

The Venue: Afordable and out of the ordinary – Farms, B&B’s, and Historic Parks.

These are just the trends. You and your Fiance’s personal style will be the true tell of YOUR wedding “Trend”. Just remember that whether BIG or quaint, your day is all about your love for one another and that makes it special in itself!

Thank You Notes Do's and Dont's

Do...
Send as soon as possible:

• Birthdays, holidays, informal events - within a week


• Weddings - technically you have 1 year but I would suggest within 1 month of returning from the honeymoon.


• Business - within 3 business days


• A friends help - Within a week


• Job Interview - as soon as you get home or next business day

Just a few examples.

Formal or Informal?

• Job Interview: Formal


• Wedding: Formal


• Birthday (depending on who's birthday it is): Informal (if it is your bosses birthday - best to go formal)


• Dinner Party/Friendly thank you: informal

If this is a thank you for a formal event then please use proper formal thank you etiquette.

On all Thank You's Be sure to include:

• What you are thankful for (the toaster from your wedding)

NEVER!!! (Ever, Ever!)

• Pre-write your thank you's and hand them out as the guest leave!
• Type your thank you's (unless of course you have a medical problem that dictates otherwise)
• Lie about loving a gift! (simply state "thank you for the thoughtful gift of "Blank")
• Use ruled school paper, find a stationary that suits you and your personality - or have some made with your family name.

Here are a few I love:

http://www.tinyprints.com/

http://www.finestationery.com/

http://www.thestationerystudio.com/

http://www.designhergals.com/

http://www.papergirl.net/

Hope this helps with the basics -- I could go on forever! If in doubt there are hundred (and I mean HUNDREDS) of articles and books to choose from on the subject of thank you notes. You can find both classic and contemporary spins on the subject.

Happy Thanking!

Start a Dinner Club

Start a dinner club. Pick a day every month (mine is the 3rd Sunday of the month). It is such a great idea - it is always nice to get together with the girls and what better way then over food and drinks?

Pick a theme, ie., Spanish, the grill, pic-nic foods, etc. one theme per month.

Remember that you don't have to be a great cook -- but you do have to have fun!!

** Side note -- at the end of the year a recipe book with pictures of your friends from your club makes a great Christmas Gift! **