Donation List

I just posted a new donation list for this year's Gypsy Soiree, go to the Donation Ideas page (at the top) and you can print it out for yourself (although this year, monetary donations are what they need most).

So...I had been wavering still about this year's Gypsy Soirée...some other things came up (and I've been pretty pathetic about planning much yet) and I was possibly going to have to cancel.

BUT NO! It's on!

And please feel free to share and invite your friends...not everyone who usually attends is a friend of mine on Facebook, many of you bring along others, which is fantastic.

And, now I know who we're going to support with the party this year:

I've done some volunteer work for Open Doors for Youth in Elk River, a great organization that supports the local youth (16-23) who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. This place was started and is run by a small but great group of caring and compassionate women.

I've asked them if they'd like to be the recipient this year, and they were so excited! They'll be getting me a list of things they need, and things they've only dreamed about wanting (for the youth or to help them run the organization), so I'll post that as soon as they get it to me.

Meanwhile, you can check out their website, or find them on Facebook too.

http://www.opendoorsforyouth.org/

It's time!

Last year we didn't do a Gypsy Soiree, it was just too much.

But now...I think it's time to do it again.

The date is set for Saturday, September 9, 2017.

If you haven't been before...take a minute to look through the photos from past events.

Get ready ladies, mark your calendar and invite your friends! I feel like everyone needs to come to a truly magical party at least once in their life.  

Here's a link to our Facebook page also.  Share away!

And so far, that's all I know! The ideas are swirling, and it'll be a slightly different type of party. I'm thinking more of a Groovy/Hippy/Free Spirit/Sisterhood vibe. The full moon is September 6, so we should have plenty of moonlight.

I want to come up with a new cause to support (I'm leaning towards something to do with the fight against sex trafficking, but I'm not sure how that'll work). Ideas are welcome!

This fabulous artwork above is from a group I belong to on Facebook. I asked the artist if I could use it for this event...she said YES!! It's got the feel I want for this event, so thank you Kat Harvey Fedora!

Details...it's coming up quickly!

Gypsy Soiree is more than just a magical night out. 

It's all about giving less-fortunate people a hand UP...a bit of hope...some good fortune.

This idea started three years ago when Taylor and I attended a gypsy-themed party and thought it was such a fun idea we wanted to have our own.  As the planning began, we thought "ok, well why don't we do something with this party?"  

Since gypsies of lore are typically homeless, and we had a connection to someone who works with homeless people in the metro area, we decided to make it into a charity event.

The "vendors" at Gypsy Soiree donate their time and talents (reiki, massage, henna, fire dancing, photographer, etc).  Gypsy guests participate in their booths by giving a monetary donation, which goes to  Project Elf Minneapolis.  

Guests are also asked to bring a physical donation for Project Elf (here's a list of Donation Ideas with a link to a printable list at the bottom of the page, and yes, gently-used clothing in all sizes is fine as long as it's something you would want to receive. Please, no out-of-style clothes with rips, stains, etc.).  

Guests also bring either a dessert or appetizer (be creative and go beyond the deli's veggie tray!) to share.  We provide beverages and all the details for the magic to happen.

New this year will be a hair and makeup area where you can get a little more "gypsified" should you choose, and a small marketplace with unique items you might want to purchase for yourself. 

If you haven't been to one of the first two Gypsy Soirees, be sure to check out the photos from last year.  

This year we're starting a little earlier at 5 pm, so you have more time in the daylight to participate in the booths, poke around and discover all the creative details before it gets dark and the magic lights up the night.

Fire!!!

If you were at the first Gypsy Soiree, you'll remember our FABULOUS fire dancer, Scarlette Revolver.  

Well...she's returning this year and I couldn't be more excited!

She did an incredible job entertaining us.  Fire dancing will start when it gets dark, usually around 7:30-8:00.

85 Days!

Wow, today I did a little work towards Gypsy Soiree III (yes...#3 already!) and realized that it's only 85 days away!

I updated the Donation Ideas page with ideas for your donations, and there's a link at the bottom where you can print the list out to carry with you.  

Garage sales are an EXCELLENT way to stretch your donation dollars.  Be sure to look through the "free" boxes people put out too, because I've found some fabulous items in them.  Often times there will be small toys or free baby clothes that might just need washed.  

It looks like we might have LIVE music this year, and that'll be fun.  I have a few other grand ideas in mind that I'm working on, of course I can't spill all the beans.

If you want to bring friends along, maybe let them know about it now so they can put it on their calendar.  It'll be a little later this year because Labor Day falls later, so mark your calendars for Saturday, September 12.

See you soon!

Crazy Town!

If you wonder what your donations support, just look at today's Facebook post by Project Elf.

"Today was crazy town at the closets, we had a full house! Everyone's kids needed summer clothes! It is amazing how fast it goes out the door; in one hour about 300 lbs of clothes, 12 bottles of mouthwash, a case of paper goods, six deodorants, a new stroller, 8 baby blankets, a box of toys, 9 coloring books, 7 hello kitty watercolor print sets, 5 full size shampoo bottles, 20 toothbrushes, and 7 pair of shoes left the closets! Thank you to everyone who helps us sort, purchase, and gift to these families in need!"

Look at the variety of items that were needed and put to good use.  We're not just looking for your gently used clothing, but anything else that someone without a home might need.  Kids in shelters need "entertainment" (toys, coloring books, crayons, craft supplies, books, jump ropes, etc.) too.  

Take a look through the free boxes at garage sales too, last year I found a box of about 12 newer, beautiful bras for free, just because the lady didn't feel like pricing them!

If you're local to me, and want to donate before Gypsy Soiree III, give me a call or text and I can always take donations in (thinking summer clothes now especially, and sandals, etc.).