Promotions everywhere!
February 20, 2012 | Author Trish
All our favorite vendors are having promotions…
From Stationery to Wedding invitations…now is the time to buy!
Crane & Co.
1. Stationery (as seen above). Purchase 50 personalized cards for only $99
OFFER ENDS 3/31
2. Crane & Co. album orders (includes Wedding invitations). Buy 75 get 25 FREE
OFFER ENDS 4/2
William Arthur
1. William Arthur album orders (includes Wedding invitations). Buy 75 get 25 FREE
OFFER ENDS 4/2
Birchcraft
(SEE OUR ONLINE STORE BELOW)
http://www.yourinvitationplace.com/Default.aspx?WebName=soireeandover
1. Free envelope liners when purchasing Wedding invitations
OFFER ENDS 2/29
Little Lamb Designs
(SEE OUR ONLINE STORE BELOW)
http://soireeandover.myspstore.com/search/2971///30_Off_Wedding_by_LLD/
1. 30% off Wedding invitations and accessories
OFFER ENDS 2/28
Introducing Festejos – Event inspiration
January 25, 2012 | Author Trish
We are so excited to introduce Festejos- an innovative linen, floral and rental service which caters to meet all your event needs. Specializing in reception decor, their passion for what they do really shines through in their beautiful, modern designs.
We are fortunate enough to have them as our neighbors in The Bridal Center on Main Street in downtown Andover, Massachusetts. We recently placed our invitations on their spectacular linens for some photo opportunities…
Fresh and Modern
Modern Menu Cards
Modern Invitation
Sleek and Chic
Willowdale Estate Bridal Show
January 11, 2012 | Author Trish
Here are some photos from the
Willowdale Estate Bridal Show this past Sunday.
Willowdale custom invitation
The theme:
Burlap and lace…beautiful and romantic!
We used a silk box, lined with lace and used a natural cardstock to give it a rustic look. Together with it’s beautiful fonts and lovely textures…I think we got the look they wanted.
We had a great spot in front of the gorgeous windows
Custom scroll by Soiree
A great way to label your appetizers
A little lace for the cookies
The invitation displays were very popular
A very successful Bridal show
A Christmas Card Gift…
December 9, 2011 | Author Trish
Every year, many of our customers send amazing gifts to their loved ones through personalized Holiday Cards!
The MacIntyre Family sent this beautiful card with a sentimental touch. Designed with elegance in mind, we used a gold glitter cardstock and black velvet ribbon to highlight the up-scale, country look of this photo. We worked with the professional photo taken by Dan Gillan Photography. To create this elegant and classic feel, we used the photo, taken in a rural, relaxed setting and using the fonts and papers chosen, created this luxurious and charming effect.
To create this look we took the gold colors of the fall leaves to play with the black that grounded the photo. All wrapped up in a folded black wrap and gold envelope, this card presents a heartwarming gift that family and friends will treasure.
We used a mix of fonts to give it a little vintage feel.
The message was printed on vellum and placed over the top where the photo peeks from behind.
Using the gold glitter together with the black velvet really enhanced the country feel of this photo.
Easy recipes and ideas for the reluctant entertainer!
December 4, 2011 | Author Trish
It’s that time of year again. You vowed last year that you were going to have a Holiday Party but time got away from you and before you knew it, it was March and you missed another entertaining opportunity…Does this sound like you? Making excuses because entertaining seems daunting?
I used to equate entertaining to exercising! I really wanted to do it but I needed a bit of inspiration to get motivated. Entertaining is fun, but it’s sometimes hard to get started especially when we are all so busy.
Here’s how I make it easier to find the motivation to entertain!
1. I clear a date on my calendar and get invitations organized at least 4 weeks before the event.
2. Once I send out the invitations – there’s no going back. Nothing like a deadline to get you motivated!
3. I make a list of tried and true, EASY appetizer recipes that I use year after year so that I don’t have to stress about the food (that includes beverage recipes).
Helpful Hint: take photos of your food and decorating displays as a reference for next year!
4. Choose only 1 new recipe to try on that occasion just to spice things up and purchase things that you aren’t good at like desserts or hot appetizers.
5. Prepare everything the night before so you are relaxed and ready to entertain leaving time to look your best.
………………….
So here are a few ideas that you might like as party time approaches…
Try this easy-to-make crostini and white beans recipe. Easy, inexpensive and delicious!
It doesn’t get easier or prettier than this! You could do this with any soft cheese.
What a pretty presentation!! Super easy too.
and don’t forget to thank your guests…how about this thoughtful, home-made idea for your guests to take home and enjoy?
A little Holiday Cheer! It’s almost party time…
December 2, 2011 | Author Trish
If you’re anything like me, you love to entertain but your time is limited. You still want to make a great impression but you need help!
My rule is simple: Make one or two WOW dishes that you make well and then fill in with store bought (that you will finagle) goods so that you can have fun at your party too!
Here are some fun ideas to help you out…
With recipes like these, you’ll want to celebrate everything…all the time!
Click on the link below the photos for the recipes!
This recipe uses only 3 ingredients…
Again just 3 easy ingredients…
Good luck and enjoy your entertaining!
Tags: Easy entertaining, Easy party ideas, Holiday entertaining, Holiday food ideas | 
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Decorating with ornaments for the Holidays!
November 28, 2011 | Author Trish
Decorating the table doesn’t have to be difficult.
Check out these ideas to get you inspired!
How about digging out all those holiday ornaments and using them to add some sparkle to your table setting?
Keep it a one-color theme to create a story…
Easy decorating using what you have…
Take the decorating outside too…so simple!
A Blog Award…Really?
November 27, 2011 | Author Trish
The word *BLOG* is a weird sounding word, don’t you think? Apparently it’s an abbreviation of web log and if you say it fast enough and drop the *we* you can see how it evolved…
About a week ago, I was nominated for the versatile blogger award by my friend, re-designer and artist Linda Holt from Newlight Redesign. I was honored and surprised as I really don’t consider myself an awesome blogger but I do enjoy recounting the things that I love to do and talk about the amazing people in my life but especially, I like to create a two-sided conversation within my website at Soiree, Andover.
I love Linda’s blog because it reflects her designs…clean, to the point and effectual. You get her point as soon as you land and her photos are so meaningful (could be because she was a photographer in another life). I get a lot of inspiration for my own home from her blog.
So the following is what I’m supposed to do with this award…
- Thank and link back to the person who gave the award to you
- Share 7 things about yourself
- Send the award along to 7 other bloggers and let them know you have awarded them!
So here goes:
1. Thank and link back to the person who gave the award to you
Dear Linda from Newlight Redesign,
Thank you so very much for this distinguished award you have bestowed upon me. I hope to make you proud and hope that I am worthy of such an award. Thank you for following my blog and I will continue spreading the word about yours too.
Enjoy the following post!
Keep up the good work in blog land and beyond,
Yours truly,
Trish – Soiree, Andover
2. Share 7 things about yourself
Here are 7 things about myself that probably don’t matter much but here they are anyway!
1. I love to travel – Paris is one of my favorite European cities. When I went for the first time last year, I felt as if I was visiting an old friend. Paris and I have a lot in common…we both love good food, slow, long conversations on the side walk; we love fresh bread and we both enjoy open air markets, art history, European fashion and the Eiffel Tower. Even though I don’t speak French, Paris and I speak the same language!
2. I love dogs – especially smart dogs! My dog Jet is so smart that when he drools he can swing a thin string of drool up and over his head, landing around his snout…every time! Clever don’t you think?
This is how I feel about my Jet!
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring–it was peace.” - Milan Kundera
3. I love to cook – I’ve been cooking for as long as I have memories. I remember cooking with my parents every single day (making things the old fashioned way) when I lived with them and learning something new each time. Before I owned Soiree, Andover I was a cooking instructor. I still miss it! I particularly love cooking apple strudel – one of my husband’s favorites! Cooking makes me happy…
4. I love entertaining and creating family traditions – especially based around food…surprise!! I really enjoy creating a relaxing, holiday atmosphere and celebrating life and family…
5. I love quotes – my website if full of them. Why do I love quotes so much? I guess it’s because a quote, written by a much more eloquent writer than me, is a feeling put into words that I could not come up with by myself. One of my favorites is from Winnie the Pooh…
“If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you.” – Winnie the Pooh
6. I love Australia – where I was born. I love it’s easy going people, the ocean that I miss so much, the landscape and the weather…
7. I recently became an American citizen and proud of it! After 12 years of living in the United States, I decided that it was time…and I really want to vote next year!
3. Send the award along to 7 other bloggers and let them know you have awarded them!
Now the best part. I get to pass the Versatile blogger award along to 7 other bloggers whose ideas I look forward to reading and thought you might too.
Thanks to all the bloggers out there that feed my passion for entertaining, celebrating and just plain enjoying what I do. If you would like more information about us please see our website at Soiree, Andover and stay tuned for more blogging!
A Very Personal Wedding – Part 4 All the beautiful memories…
November 25, 2011 | Author Trish
And the memories of a spectacular Wedding stay with us for a long time because of where we were, who we had to help us and what we did…
The Boston Harbor Hotel and staff made the day seamless
The Cathedral of the Holy Cross was beautiful and made it a day to remember
The Programs from Soiree, Andover were embossed on the front using the same motif as was on the invitation
The Christopher Limousine transportation company was on time and very friendly
The Gilded Harps made the cocktail hour so relaxing!
The embossed Menu cards from Soiree, Andover
The Cake was also provided by the Boston Harbor Hotel where ALL the food was amazing as was the staff.
Thank you to everyone for such a wonderful experience and memories that will last forever…
ALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY Person and Killian Photography and VIDEOGRAPHY by
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A Very Personal Wedding – Part 3 – It’s all too beautiful!!
November 17, 2011 | Author Trish
Our hair and make-up artists were amazing!
Each bridesmaid and our lovely usher had a different hairstyle. Jeni designed a hairstyle that suited them individually and was perfect. What an amazing artist to do 7 different hairstyles in one morning alone…whew!
( Jeni Teran Hairstylist ) (All photography by Person + Killian Photography)
(silk hairpiece for the bridesmaids from Carina and Co.)
On the left, Jeni was tending to the bride’s hair and adjusting the headpiece so it fit to be comfortable all day. After doing all the girls’ hair, she still had a big smile on her face.
On the right…well, the look says it all…she loved it!
And what a find with make-up artist Christy Lavalle (not shown) from Makeup Artistry by Christy. Christy applied a very natural and appropriate look for each age group. The air-brushed make-up was as fresh at midnight as it was in the morning. I didn’t want to take mine off!! Christy is a master at what she does…no wonder she’s so busy!
Of course a wedding wouldn’t be complete without the gorgeous flowers from Les Fleurs in Andover
The initial inspiration was taken from the Les Fleurs retail store in Andover. It’s like walking into a French Floral Boutique. 
From the outstanding Bridal bouquet to the small arrangements on the cocktail tables, each detail captured the feel the Bride and Groom were looking for.
The feel of the wedding was European Romantic which is what Les Fleurs is well-known for!
We added some dimension and perfume with dried lavender and just enough color to make it a fall inspired wedding. Adding the dehydrated artichokes and pomegranates gave it that “little bit of rustic” we wanted without it going too country.
Part 4 (the final part) coming very soon…
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