Friday Favorites

Happy Friday, lovelies!

I've been on a quest for more "me" in my life...and all of these things just spoke to me this week. Here are five of my favorites...what new finds or loves do you have this week? Happy weekend!

Xo,

Brandi

1. Julep Wedding Nails. Loving these shades for a big day | 2. Just feeling a little smitten with this gold pattern by Saffron Avenue | 3. These monogram cups are perfect for the cup of joe in the morning...Soirette Stephanie actually bought me one last year for my baby shower and it has become my favorite cup since | 4. Loving the newest patterns and palettes from Plum Pretty Sugar for BHLDN | These candles from Anthropologie are equal parts cheery and chic.

Beauty Post | Holiday Party

Here at Soiree, we are getting super antsy for our upcoming Holiday Open House Event this Friday. Check it out, we will be pulling out all the glitz and glam (and a little champagne), and we can't wait to unveil our new beauty concierge service. We hope you will join us!

invitation design by Paperie + Pen

As we prepare, I've been honing in on all my favorite beauty tricks to go with my dress and heels. What am I loving this season? Lipstick! Here's one of the many "how to's" I stumbled upon. 

 source

How does that saying go? "Life's short, buy the lipstick." I'll definitely be taking this advice and trying out some different colors just in time for our little party!

Enjoy!

Lifestyle | Halloween Hostess

With this ghoulish holiday fast approaching there has been much planning involved with the Halloween festivities. My family's annual pumpkin carving contest is being hosted at my house this year. I find myself looking for easy ideas that I can fit into my busy schedule that will make this fun tradition memorable. In my search, I came across some crafty ideas for you that may help in planning your Halloween Holiday Party!

1. These cookies are super cute and, not to mention, a super easy treat for your guests! Witch Hat Cookies
2. My sister's favorite Halloween candies are witch's teeth, aka candy corn. What a cool trick for an old treat!:) Candy Corn Drink
3. Along with your lit Jack-O-Lanterns, you can stick this fun idea out on your stoop to add to the glowing ambiance! Glitter Glow Lights
4. Every year we struggle with what to give the lucky winner of the carving contest. This cute idea is quick, easy, and could be for the boys or the girls! Halloween Gift Mug

Happy Party Planning!

Inspiration | Praying for the fall weather!

Well it is that time of year yet again and as I sit here pining for the cooler weather I am inspired! Here are some fun new ideas for a fall wedding or even party! Stay tuned for more fall inspired posts as the season progresses!

Escort Table | Escort Cards | Bouquet | Centerpiece 

Best regards from the girl yearning for Fall!

Sunday Soiree | Blood Orange

Not only are these images from White on Rice Couple vibrant and lovely but these blood orange bars with a brown butter crust look delicious! What better way to celebrate the end of cold winter months and the start of sunny spring days than with these fresh, sweet, festive treats. I see them pairing nicely with a cup of coffee, good book, and a leisurely Sunday.

Cheers!

Sunday Soiree | Spring Rolls

Spring is in the air and I couldn't be more welcoming of it! I'm ready for sunshine, fresh food and less bundling up. I've always loved fresh spring rolls and lately I've started whipping them up at home. They make a delicious light dinner or an easy lunch. The tutorial for these pretty little rolls can be found here.

Happy Spring!!

Sunday Soiree | Garlic

                                                             Broccoli, Hearty Greens, Garlic Clove, Green Beans

The star of today's Sunday Soiree, as you may have guessed, is garlic! It's long been a kitchen staple for it's flavor packing punch but what you may not know is that it's also chock full of health benefits.

There are numerous articles written about the benefits of eating garlic, especially in it's raw state. Most of the research agrees on a few main garlic promoting points: it aides in cancer prevention, lowers risk of heart disease, aides in detoxification, has cholesterol-lowering effects, and some even say aides in weight loss.
(Here's a few articles to check out if you want to read more: HuffPost Healthy Living and Livestrong)

Some articles suggested boiling garlic and drinking the water...or eating a raw clove of garlic a day...I decided to do a little recipe research and came up with some tasty alternatives! All three of these revolve around healthful greens cooked in garlic, so you'll be getting double the benefits. This Sunday, treat your body to some delicious, healthy cooking and enjoy some of those garlic benefits!

Sunday Soiree | The Crostini

With the holiday season upon us it's easy to keep the festivities rolling. Between ugly sweater parties, cookie swaps and after work cocktails it can feel like everyday is an indulgence. I find myself leaning towards lighter cooking at home in an attempt to keep a little balance. I am especially loving all these crostini recipes, they are the perfect mix of healthy and light without sacrificing taste and flavor.

Recipe Links: Parmesan Brussels Sprouts, Sweet Potato and Feta, Kale and White Bean

Perfect as appetizers at your next holiday gathering or just a light Sunday dinner. So please, pour yourself a glass of wine and savor some of these crunchy bites....'tis the season after all!

Sunday Soiree | 2 Must Have Books For The Newlywed, Stylish Hostess, and Foodie

Good morning lovelies! Are you doing what I often do...sitting in my pajamas, coffee cup in hand, cyber shopping? If you're looking for last-minute Christmas ideas (just over 2 weeks until the big day!) for a foodie, newlywed, or someone who loves to entertain, take a look at these two books. Buy both or choose one that would fit your stylish recipient best; both have rave reviews and are sure to please the palate.

#1: Bite By Bite: 100 Stylish Little Plates You Can Make For Any Party, by Peter Callahan

Caterer to the stars Peter Callahan is known for his stylish parties, raving weddings and more, and now he has brought his culinary creations he's famous for to the rest of the world through this must-have book.

#2: Mrs. Lilien's Cocktail Swatchbook

Have you discovered the quirky blog known as Mrs. Lilien? If you haven't, as soon as you order this book you must go read her online compilation of pure style. The equally colorful swatchbook (in all it's fan-out convenience) was launched this year in May, and I haven't heard the end of it since. In fact, I think I may be purchasing one of these for myself too- use it as a hostess gift, stocking stuffer, or a little treat for yourself to wow your guests at the next get together.

So there you have it, two great ideas for the entertainer in your life. Have a fabulous Sunday!

Xo,

Weekend Notes

What are your plans this holiday weekend? It's going to be a frosty one in Boise, so we'll probably cozy up with some Christmas movies, popcorn, and a fluffy blanket at least one of the nights. The last of our decorating happens this weekend too- Hubs is hanging the lights on the house and then we're officially done and ready to go. Whatever you're planning hope you enjoy the weekend, and maybe take some time out for some hot cocoa like this couple did during their winter engagement session. Happy weekend!

Some other links you may have missed from the week:

- I rolled out my 2012 holiday wish list, and realized it would be quite fitting for others like myself (ala simple sophisticate). If you are looking for gift ideas, take a peek.

- I also started a personal mission.

- Stephanie had a soup party and I think it's a fabulous twist on a typical holiday party too. Add in some holiday mixers and voila- you've got a great get together.

And from around the web:

- Pantone officially announced the 2013 color of the year, the green goddess of colors, Emerald. Perfect for the holiday season, and perfect for me- stay tuned next week for some of my thoughts on the gorgeous hue.

- Loved this post from Thinksplendid.com...Think Jackie O, Ramona and Beezus, and the concept of how everything comes full circle.

- And finally some of my favorite holiday gift guides published so far:

* This Is Glamorous
* Note To Self, for the host and holiday decor
* Matchbook Mag, for the person who loves all things sparkle
* Greenweddingshoes.com, for the newlyweds

Xo,

Sunday Soiree | Soup Party

Last Sunday my roommates and I threw a Sunday Soiree. A Sunday Soup Soiree that is! We invited people over for an early evening dinner and told guests to bring a bowl. We woke up leisurely on Sunday, got the coffee going and started to prep our soups. We chose three different kinds and made sure to have a vegetarian one. By 4:00 or so our soups were simmering in crock pots, we went for a stroll around the neighborhood looking for fall foliage for our tablescape, and came home to get ready for the party. We enjoyed the night just as much as our guests and got to mingle, sip wine, and relax while everyone dished up their bowls and munched on bread and roasted nuts. I highly recommend throwing a soup party yourself; It gets all your friends in one place for a nice night of visiting, and clean up is quite easy....run the dishwasher and send people on their merry way clean bowl in hand.
Happy Sunday Soiree-ing!

Woodland Christmas Inspiration

This is my favorite time of year. I look forward to the Christmas season the minute the tree is down each year- and that's not an exaggeration. I've officially been listening to Christmas music for the week and a half leading up to Thanksgiving, and yesterday we began putting up the decorations. Next weekend will be the big tree- my most coveted part of decking these halls. As we go into the last week of November, I thought I'd share with you my inspiration for the decor this year- I always lean toward a more rustic, woodland vibe with a good touch of sparkle (what are the holidays without sparkle?).

And yes that is a giant ceramic deer head- I'm currently obsessing over all things animal and white. Just wait until you see what I've got going into the baby's room!

What style of decor are you trimming with this year? Do tell!

Sources: Organic holiday decor | Advent Calendar | Pinecone Wreath | Ceramic Deer Head | Sparkling Champagne | Rosemary Bundle

Sunday Soiree: Stress Free Party Ideas

From left to right:  Bakers Royale ,Oh Happy Day,Hello Giggles

For today's Sunday Soiree I wanted to share some fun stress-free party ideas. There's something so relaxing and festive about getting together with friends in the comfort of your home. Both of these parties keep it simple with guests taking part in preparing their own treats. Whether you're throwing a grown up wine and cheese tasting, or getting guests of all ages together for a tasty dessert bar, you can simplify your hostess duties with the help of some butcher paper or chalk board paint. Instead of running around making sure glasses are filled and appetizers are passed, you'll be able to relax and enjoy yourself. Check out the tip about having cute to go boxes and twine on hand for leftovers, not only will clean up be easier but guests will have a little treat to take home for later.
Happy Sunday Soiree-ing!

Weekend Notes

Via

It's Friday again and this weekend I'll be wrapping up Thanksgiving plans and shopping, and for any of you that will be traveling I'm sure you're busy packing and tying up loose ends. I'm not hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year, but I mentioned yesterday that I am currently so inspired by earthy, rustic, and all-things-nature for the holidays regardless, and this table just did the trick for me. Not only that, the linen is from one of our favorite and exclusive accounts we offer to brides, La Tavola Linen- it's always so nice to see a variety that we haven't used yet in full form. Check out the blog for La Tavola to see more from this event- it's beautiful! In the meantime, a few links from around the web as you head into the busy weekend:

* Another post that had me at nature, by one of my favorite design bloggers.

* Loved this post on hostessing the French way

* A grown up version of the grilled cheese, plus a new twist on that day after Thanksgiving turkey sandwich.

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In other news, I'm so excited to be chosen as a judge for St. Al's Festival of Trees Iron Designer and Junior Iron Designer challenge- an annual design competition where some of Boise's best (young and old) and well-known designers go head to head ala Iron Chef style. The competition will be held from 4:30p-6:00p on Wednesday November 21st, so if you are in a festive mood do stop by the Boise Centre for the event. More details coming up next week- see you there!

Happy weekend,

Thanksgiving Inspiration | Sneak Peek 2

Can you believe Thanksgiving is next week? We're fortunate to have an extra week in November this year, but it also means feeling like Thanksgiving came up waytoofast. This time next week we'll all be together under the same roof, nibbling, laughing, and setting the table for the big meal. I'd love to know- what are you feeling inspired by this year? I thought I would share another sneak peek from our fall photo shoot we produced last month, as it describes quite well what I'm currently inspired by. I loved all the naturalistic flowers, wood, and antler elements...and we can't forget about the pheasant feathers. They really added a touch of masculinity to the feminine tablescape. And the cocktails (yes, the models enjoyed them after the shoot)- Those are the holiday pomegranate champagne lovelies I shared on Sunday. See, they really are beautiful!

We'd love to see what you're inspired by too- upload some photos to our Facebook page if you so desire. Happy Thursday!

Sunday Soiree | Pomegranate Champagne

The holiday season is my absolute favorite time of year- I can't get enough of the Christmas music, the weather, and as someone asked me the other day- yes I even love the crowds that the season brings. But what I love most is the time spent with family- on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas, we often spend all day together well into the night, playing games, noshing on all kinds of food (brings new meaning to stuffed turkey!), and indulging in holiday cocktails. For us, it really is the merriest time of year.

So with turkey day coming up so soon, I thought I would share one of my favorite cocktails of the season, pomegranate liqueur with champagne. Not only is it a light sipper, but a festive one at that:

Photo Via

Please note: This is my personal recipe, so you may alter some of the portions to your taste. There are also many versions of the recipe with juice and other ingredients added, but I prefer this natural, simple version:

1 Glass of sweet or brut bubbly of choice, I prefer the sweeter versions

1 oz Pomegranate liqueur

Seeds of a pomegranate dropped in- you can eat them too

The perfect cocktail is bubbly, rose in color, with the pomegranate seeds floating throughout. Enjoy your holiday season and let us know if you try this out! For another twist on champagne varietals, try this cranberry recipe. 

Sunday Soiree | Sunday Brunch

Photo Courtesy of Daily Candy

With the beginning of Fall I think everyone’s minds start to wander to cozy settings, comforting meals, and warm drinks. Instead of barbeques and picnics I’m craving indoor get-togethers, big sweaters, and pumpkin spice candles.

When I saw this image from Daily Candy I instantly pictured a lazy Sunday morning with friends, holding a mug of strong coffee, nibbling on sweet and savory bites and perhaps sipping a mimosa. Sounds lovely right? Bring Sunday Brunch home this week and invite some friends over for a morning of leisure. Keep it simple with breakfast basics like the ones shown here or get fancy and whip up something like this from Design Crush or this from Celebrations at Home. Either way you’re set for a great time with good friends. Happy Sunday Soiree Brunch-ing! 

Sunday Soiree-Mini S'mores Tarts

September-cool nights, hot days, and the the end of all things Summer.  In today's Sunday Soiree, a favorite campfire treat gets a cute little makeover in the form of mini s'mores tarts.

Whether you're busy this weekend planning your upcoming wedding, cheering on your team at the kickoff of football season, or getting your kids ready for school, we hope you take time out to whip up some of these tasty tarts! You can find the full recipe here: http://www.loveandoliveoil.com/2012/09/mini-smores-tarts.html#

P.S. Don't let the sight of the torched topping scare you off, the recipe says you can just as easily set them under the broiler:) Happy Sunday from Stephanie and the rest of the Soiree team!

Weekend Notes

With September almost over, we can say we've had quite the eventful month. With two McCall weddings coming up next week, we're gearing up again for another whirlwind that we affectionately call wedding week. Even with all the goings-on that we've been a part of this month, we haven't been so busy to avoid catching some inspiring things from around the web. With that, we hope you have a fabulous weekend- enjoy the summer-like weather! Ps: we'll be at the St. Luke's Women's Celebration tomorrow- if you see us, come say hi! 

Some lovelies you may have missed: 

We swooned over this Rustic Ojai Wedding featured on Once Wed- so perfect for fall inspiration. We featured her gorgeous green and brown leafy bouquet, but be sure to check out the whole event for more prettiness than we can handle.

We introduced our new fall intern Kelly yesterday, as well as shared a little beach inspiration. Anyone going to a more exotic locale for the holidays?

Some tidbits we loved from around the web: 

Loved this post on Camillestyles.com about arranging and thinking outside of the box for your in-home bar. 

Thinksplendid.com featured an awesome interview with Nordstrom's Bridal Director- interesting tidbits about the bridal industry as a whole and how the brand goes about forecasting upcoming trends.

~Happy Friday!

Xo,

Brandi

Inspiring Photo No. 51

Loving this sorbet bar by Martha Stewart Weddings, found on The Ritzy Bee Blog...so perfect for our sunny summer days we are looking forward to.

What are your favorite summer things you're currently looking forward to?

~Happy Monday!
Xo,
Brandi