Happy Hour with Expert Shawn Rabideau

Celebrations.com Expert Shawn Rabideau recently hosted a Happy Hour event at the exclusive Culinary Loft in honor of the launch of 1800Flowers.com's new Happy Hour Collection.

A few lucky Celebrations staffers got a pass for the afternoon to check out the event.

Being pretty hard-to-impress guests it says something about how blown away we were with the set up of the Culinary Loft and the new Happy Hour Collection.

The Culinary Loft is known for playing host to some high profile and successful product launches and media events. With such a successful track record we were ready for a great looking party and we weren't disappointed.

These fab floral designs inspired by some of the more popular cocktails out there are great for celebrations of any sort. In fact, they may or may not have just made it necessary for a girl's night party in the very near future.

We wanted to give you a peek inside the big event since it was so much fun and really inspiring. Check out the video above to catch a glimpse inside the exclusive event.

Here are the entertaining tips Shawn shared with everyone - they're in the video, too!

These Rabido's and Rabidon't's are going to make entertiaing oh, so much easier this summer! Trust us!

Rabido's

Have pre-made batches of Sangria ready to go in your fridge.

Save on stress and time - Look for sales in the grocery store for summer items such as chips, dips, brats, hots and even beer.

Serve one specialty cocktail, beer, and red or white wine. It makes entertaining easy and there's sure to be something for everyone!

Decorate your patio with potted herbs such as rosemary, thyme, basil, chervil, parsley sage and chives. They are decorative, fragrant and perfect ingredients for summer cooking.

Entertain responsibly - ask who the Designated Drivers are before the party starts and have a special mock-tail for them.

Rabidon't's

Don't run out of ice. If you have the space keep bags of pre-made ice at the ready in your freezer.

Don’t come up short on entertaining inventory. Invest in acrylic glassware, cocktail plates, serving bowls and platters.

When grilling don't use forks because they'll pierce the meat and you'll lose all those flavorful juices.

Don’t get fussy with food. Keep it simple, cubes of melon wrapped in prosciutto make for a quick and tasty summer treat.

Don’t let your patio be drab, dress it up with inexpensive throw pillows that can be used year after year.

The Happy Hour Collection

Cocktails are a fun way to celebrate any occasion with friends. Ladies in particular love to shake up a signature drink for any reason! Here's a peek at the new floral concoctions from 1-800-Flowers.com and recipes to the actual drinks here on Celebrations.

Pair them all together for a really fun girl's night, birthday celebration or to toast a friend who's achieved something great!

Apple Martini Recipe                  Blue Hawaiian Cocktail Recipe

Sangria Punch                                 Strawberry Margarita

For more information about the Culinary Loft please visit www.culinaryloft.com/.