Trending | Banana Leaf and Palm Print

I'm admittedly a pattern girl. Give me a pile of fabric with complimentary (yet contrasting) patterns, I'm smitten. But as patterns, prints and trends come and go, there are a few that have continually stood the test of time, and one of those happen to be the ever lovely palm leaf (or banana leaf) print. It's one of those elements that can morph itself into any design inspiration- from natural, to glam (Hollywood Regency, anyone?), to boho- this leafy maven has us covered.  Laurel and Wolf, the iconic online interior design firm, inspired me to share my thoughts on how to introduce the print into whatever you happen to be styling.

Interiors + Living Space

I tend to lean toward the philosophy of grounding with neutrals and adding patterns, color, or unexpected elements in smaller doses (or in specified areas) for a beautifully layered effect.

Right: via  | Left via My Domaine

Via Elements of Style

Each of these spaces have mostly white, tan, gold and black accents, layered with the leafy pattern. 

Via Project Nursery

However, the print is also amazing at grounding a busier space, too, like this crazy adorable nursery. 

Weddings + Parties

Using the palm leaf as part of your wedding design and/or party decor is less about becoming tropical and more about adding a fresh + modern accent to your event. And while the leaf definitely lives in harmony with a Hawaiian vibe, it can also be super stylish with even the most romantic or playful design. 

Right via Camille Styles | Left via Laurel and Wolf

I love turning traditional things into unexpected surprises, like penning a menu on a large palm leaf (or insert any object de nature, here), and a wedding lounge would be so sophisticated and on point with a pairing of graphic patterns, complimentary colors, and the palm print. 

Left via The Sweetest Occasion | Right via We are Scout

And of course, for the more fun-loving social parties, this print is perfect on decorations or as a live centerpiece to your table. 

All in all, this print is one of those you just can't go wrong with. All of this inspiration has me rethinking our outdoor lounge at home, too- just might need to pick up some of these banana leaf pillows for a little touch of sophisticated nature to our backyard. Would love to know- what are your favorite inspirations or ways to use the print? 

Don't forget to check out Laurel + Wolf for even more inspo on all things style and decorating, via their website, blog, Instagram, and Pinterest!

Xo,

Brandi

An August Soiree

{Sometimes, in the midst of planning weddings and parties, we find a spare moment to dream up our own perfect iconic wedding. Here is a look for an August bride I'd love to see....}

The August Soirette.....

• Is elegant and cool in a form-fitting back-see gown perfect for the garden
• Loves a succulent over a peony any day
• Sips on a Watermelon Sangria
• Isn't afraid to show her soft and daring side with a mix of gold and diamonds....and a little blue for hue
• Knows that gold heels can be worn after the wedding, too

What are your current favorites for August? 

Succulent Bouquet | Iris Gown by Claire Pettibone | Crystal Venus Flytrap Necklace | Olive Leaf Bracelet | Pave Link Bracelet | Gold Nudist Heel

Inspired Party | A Birthday Celebration

With spring comes sunshine, warmer weather, brighter colors, and around here, birthdays (including yours truly!) So of course I have party planning on the mind. I pulled together some inspiration for my dream birthday celebration, check it out!

1. Vintage bottles of any sort are a unique statement piece, and I love the idea of painting them and filling them with an assortment of flowers, if you know me it's too hard to pick just one! This is perfect, and a totally doable project!

2. Of course chevron print, and obviously gold everywhere! Gorgeous gilded table runner, turning a simple birthday get together, into a golden celebration! (I wouldn't mind a pretty present wrapped in this paper!)

3. A little noise never hurt anyone, and how cute are these? I would have to have these gold polka dot noise blowers, and I think it's safe to say, the colors are some of my favorites!

4. Over sized balloons with ribbon, silver and more gold? I'm all about it.

5. My favorite drink, a greyhound, better yet? A rosemary greyhound. Looks yummy!

6. It wouldn't be a party without the party shoes. These polka dot Keds for Kate Spade just screamed CELEBRATION! And did I mention... gold?

Six easy finds to help pull together a swanky event? I'm officially inspired for the entire season by these golden designs, mix and match patterns, and bright color palettes. It's fun and festive! Enjoy!


Happy day,

Table Faves | Thanksgiving II

Here are some of my favorite ideas for this years Thanksgiving table scape! My ideal setting is casual and simple yet stunning. Spending time with my family is what I am thankful for and what better way to show your appreciation than to host a beautiful holiday event that will create everlasting memories and will bring joy to those you love!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Happy Holidays!

Guesterly | A True Guest Experience

A couple of months ago I awoke to an email headed "Boise-fast coffee or beer chat"? I thought to myself, someone really knows how to get my attention! Fast forward about a week and I sat over a cup of really good coffee sharing a Dulce de Leche macaroon with Rachel Hofstetter of Guesterly. 

We met at A Tavola in Boise to chat about her brainchild, a get-to-know-you magazine for wedding guests. After chatting for a bit about her former life as a food editor (at the likes of O, The Oprah Magazine no less), we got down to the nitty gritty of how Guesterly was born and how it works. 

While planning her own wedding to her husband, Lorne, they dreamt of finding a way to introducing and making their guests (from all over the country) feel as though they already knew each other. They wanted a way to create an experience for their guests so that everyone came to their wedding weekend relaxed, having fun, and making lasting memories. After a bit of walking down memory lane via Lorne's Princeton Herald they came up with the idea to create their own Herald-like booklet with heartfelt bios of each of their wedding guests. Rachel put her magazine editor skills to work to write those tidbits and fun facts about each of their guests, including interviewing Lorne's entire side of the guest list. Then Lorne put his skills to the test to design the book to showcase every single guest in attendance. A week before the wedding the books were mailed out and soon the phone calls and emails came pouring in- their guests loved every bit of it. 

Rachel and Lorne at their wedding | A few snapshots of actual Guesterly's 

Before they knew it, friends of the couple began asking for the booklet for their weddings. One thing led to another, and soon they knew it was time to set out to create Guesterly 2.0 so they could offer that lasting experience to everyone. 

"Find your tablemates", "Meet her globetrotting grandparents"...just a few of the sneak peek snippets to welcome your guests

So how does it work? Like magic really. Lorne and Rachel have thought of everything, including a specially designed software that pulls photos of your guests through Facebook. Photos are enhanced via a photo editor to make your guests shine, and are dropped into a custom layout (including colors, typography, and more) created by Guesterly's graphic designers. A few weeks before the wedding Guesterly's writers set up a fun interview with the couple to help create the bios for your guests, then send a proof check for you to look over. When all is approved, the booklet is sent to their printing partners (many of which print some of the most popular magazines on newsstands now- thanks to Rachel's insider connections!) and the finished product is mailed out to your guests a week before the wedding. In short, they've made the process so easy peasy, and your guests are guaranteed to throw a fit about it (in a good way!).

What's more is you get to customize your Guesterly however you want- think table assignments, directions, maps, to-do activities and more. No matter what, the booklet will become a cherished keepsake from your wedding- for you and your guests, and we can't stop talking about it.

Be sure to take a peek at the website for more information, photos, and even a free sample! You can also stay up to date by following on Twitter and Facebook.

Happy Planning,

Wildcard | Dinner Party

My latest post was for the perfect fall themed tablescape. Of course, the fall inspired design is great, but what about the menu!? Yum! I came across some scrumptious, gorgeous (yes, food can add to the prettiness!) looking recipes, perfect for those rustic tabletops filled with painted gold leaves and pumpkins, making any fall time festivity ten times better!

 Pear and Sausage Pie Recipe

Apple Cinnamon Cocktail Recipe

Looks good huh? 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 | Fall Table Design

My favorite part of this season has got to be all of the festivities! I love getting friends and family together... Good food, pretty colors, and great company. I've been inspired to do a little fall decorating, and what's better than a gorgeous tablescape. I'm ready to put on a little fall themed dinner party, just to try these fun designs!

Sources  1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Enjoy those fall festivities!

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!

Inspiration | Signature Cocktails

Personalizing your event is a fabulous thing to do, and it can be fun! Signature drinks are a fun way to create something yummy that everyone will love. You can even mix it up and create "his" and "her" drinks, with personalized favorites of the bride and groom. The possibilities are endless, a signature cocktail is one more way to incorporate your fun designs and colors of your event, into something refreshing and delicious for your guests.

Sources | 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6.

Do you have a signature drink? Do share!

Backyard Get Together | Lifestyle

All this sunshine and warm weather has got me thinking about the barbeques, and spring time "get togethers". Sunshine is the perfect reason to start planning a little backyard party, and I've narrowed down the necessities to this... games, cold drinks, delicious food, and an all around fun atmosphere!

What spring time parties will you be planning as the weather heats up?

 

Sources: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Happy planning!

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,

Last Minute Halloween + Our Newsletter Launch!

After many months of planning and preparing, we're thrilled to finally present Volume 1 of
Soiree Unveiled, our newsletter. Our vision for the newsletter, and the name, was to "lift the veil" off the ins and outs of party planning, lifestyle, weddings, and more, and simply serves as an extension of our blog.

This issue, coming to you a week and a half before Halloween, can hopefully be inspiration for your gathering this weekend, more fall decor, and if you're planning an October wedding for next year.

The newsletter will be continually changing with the seasons- some months will be packed with wedding tips and advice, others with party planning tips, and still others with just ramblings about the goings-on at Soiree. So don't miss out- Until we have the signup link active on our blog and website, please send us an email at contact@weddingsbysoiree.com with the subject line
"Newsletter Signup" to be added to our list. Thanks in advance for your support and happy planning!

Xo,

Sunday Soiree | All The Pretty Paper {less}

With all of the party-throwing we know you love to do, sometimes a fete calls for a way to invite lots of  your friends all at once. Enter the email invite (otherwise known as the Evite). For parties with a less formal intent (read: you're still not allowed to email wedding invitations), sometimes a fun, easy invitation to relay all of the details of your dinner party is just what the cocktails ordered.

If you're anything like us, even an email invitation needs to have style about it, and Kate Spade has come to our rescue, once again, with their Paperless Post line:

These little ditties are less than $.50 each and are a fabulous way to throw a stylish, carefree party while staying true to you.

~Happy Planning!

Inspiring Photo No. 56

We are starting out another busy week with the shades of this adorable birthday party- a Pantone party featured over at dessert guru Amy Atlas. It's a perfect mix of color for the youngsters, but still sophisticated. We loved it!

~Happy Monday!

Inspiring Photo No. 55

With Fall around the corner, we're loving all of the patterns, prints, and color combinations that can be used to really welcome the season. This week we're loving this tribla/batik print- would love to see it in a scarf, pillows added to your couch, or even on napkins for a late summer dinner party- alfresco. 

Via Martha Stewart Home

~Happy Monday!

On My Nightstand

I just love those posts where you get a peek into someone else's life- whether it be what kind of wine they're drinking, stores they're shopping, or, in this case, what they're reading. These types of posts, at least for me, give me something new to check into that maybe I hadn't thought of before. And the virtual book clubs are my favorites as I love to read anything I can get my hands on- business, wedding planning, fiction/non-fiction, magazines, blogs, anything. So hopefully you'll enjoy this new little series we're trying out on the blog, and that you'll also contribute what you're reading now as well! Currently on my nightstand:

1. The Step Dynamic: A Powerful Strategy To Successfully Growing Your Business by Laddie and Judy Blaskowski is one that I received while one a business trip to Colorado in October, and I've just now been able to sit down and read it. It's a fast and easy read without a lot of business-y jargon to translate.

2. A Place of Yes by Bethenny Frankel is actually one of my favorites right now. Even through all of the reality tv and sometimes mass drama surrounding her life, she really does have it together.

3. The Wedding Planner & Organizer by Mindy Weiss because I'm always up to seeing if there are different ways to do things.

4. Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman is a light, easy read perfect for picking up right before bed. I know not everyone is at the stage of reading how different cultures around the world raise their kids, but for those of you who are, it's an interesting outlook.

So these are the books stacked on the nightstand this month. Do tell us what you're currently reading, or must-reads you've had in the past!

~Happy Thursday,

Brandi

Weekend Links + Sangria Love

 Via

Happy Memorial Day Friday! Hope the long weekend has some plans in store for you...maybe a BBQ, bike rides, or, as a few of our brides are doing- coming to Idaho for site visits and meetings? This weekend happens to be the birthday of Yours Truly, so we'll be praying for warm weather as a backyard fete has been planned with some of my favorite foods- cue the churros, pulled beef tacos, pico de gallo, and some homemade white wine sangria (and I've included the recipe for you below- we had a tasting party last weekend to perfect it!). Here's to a fabulously relaxing weekend with your family- if you're lazing around the house, here are some links we loved from the week. Happy weekend!

-Dessert bars are becoming all the rage, and we especially loved this take on a S'mores bar from Outstanding Occasions.

-These DIY silhouette place cards are just fantastic.

-Gorgeous summer hair, with a tutorial. How beautiful would this be for a bride?

-I've been loving all of the Career posts over at The Everygirl. From Abby Larsen (a la Style Me Pretty) to miss Mindy Weiss (party planner extraordinaire) and more, these interviews have been incredibly insightful. Plus, if you are one of those people that can't help looking into other people's windows when the curtains are open (not in a creepy way, of course), you'll love seeing a little snippet into each of their offices, homes, and lives.

As long as you're on The Everygirl website, go ahead and check out two completely different styles of wedding tables (one of which is the photo above), here and here.

The best white-wine Sangria recipe you'll find:

(note, as adapted from this recipe. We did eliminate some things and added a few others)

- 1 bottle of white wine of choice- depending on how sweet you like your Sangria (Riesling, Albarino, Chablis, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc)- we used a Pinot Gris.
- 2-3 Splenda packets (note: we eliminated the 2/3 cup of sugar because I don't do sugar)
- 2oz Bacardi Rum (optional- we substituted this instead of Brandy)
- 3 Oranges, sliced
- 1 Lemon, sliced
- 1 Lime, sliced
- Handful of strawberries, sliced
- 1/2 liter ginger ale or club soda (we used club soda, although ginger ale would make it sweeter)

Pour wine in the pitcher and squeeze the juice wedges from the orange,lemon and lime into the wine, add rum if desired. Toss in the fruit wedges (leaving out seeds if possible) and add sugar substitute. Chill overnight. Add ginger ale or club soda just before serving.
If you'd like to serve right away, use chilled white wine and serve over lots of ice.

We also made up a sweeter batch with a Rose wine- it was delicious with several handfuls of strawberries, oranges, and the lime.

Let me know if you'll be having a virtual cocktail with me on Sunday- Enjoy!

~Xo,

Brandi

Monogram Your Wedding | Luxury Monograms

I ran across these beauties over at the Elements of Style Blog, and I had to share. Monograms are still such a good way to add personality to your wedding or party, and if you're looking to maximize your bang for the buck, these pillows and accessories are the way to do it.







If you're having pillows as decor on benches or chairs at your wedding, having a few of these around will not only add a touch of detail, but you can re-use them in your home after the wedding too.

Luxury Monograms also offers other accessories, like these gorgeous tote bags- I see a gift for your bridesmaids and a bag for toting your wedding planning paraphenalia around too..





Made out of high quality canvas and featuring a classy embroidered monogram, these bags completely eschew the typical screen-printed and often tacky wedding bell bags we've all seen. Your girls will thank you!

Finally, Luxury Monograms also offers home accessories, such as placemats and monogrammed linen napkins, perfect for hostess, bridal shower and engagement party gifts too- there's nothing wrong in hinting to your family members! Take a peek at the whole line and styles of monograms here.



Have a great weekend!

~Brandi

Holiday Pomegranate Champagne

In need of an easy impressive cocktail for upcoming holiday cheer? Try this updated version of the bubbly for a slightly sweet and festively colored clink!


 Via Sunset

 Pomegranate Cocktail Recipe

1 oz Pomegranate juice or liqueur (I prefer the latter)*
3-4 oz Champagne (I prefer a sweeter version, although a brut works well too)

* Some recipes also call for Cassis- in this version reduce pomegranate juice to 1/2 tsp & add in 1 tsp cassis.
**Pomegranate liqueur is also known as Pomegranate Schnapps

And that's it! Easy and it makes you look like a Holiday Hostess Extraordinaire. 

~Happy Planning!