So Close!!

We are getting SO close to this magical event...almost my every waking moment is consumed with thoughts, ideas, or projects related to it (and I love it)!

There are a few things you should be aware of if you're planning to attend:

1) This event is a fundraiser...while we usually ask for physical donations for a homeless shelter, this year it's slightly different. We're supporting Open Doors for Youth (a drop-in resource center for homeless young adults in the area) and currently their biggest need is financial, so rather than spending money on donated goods, bring some cash or a check made out to Open Doors for Youth. I'll have tax deduction forms available for you. There is a short list of items they do need if you'd rather donate goods, the list is HERE.

2) Please bring either an appetizer or dessert, and it doesn't have to be a huge amount! Think outside the deli veggie tray and bring something yummy to share. We supply beverages, plates, etc.

3) This is not a baby/kid-friendly event, there are lots of breakables and open candles and not really anything for kids to do. I'd say if they're 10+, well behaved and able to keep occupied without being bored, that's ok (photos you  may see of babies/toddlers at the previous parties are my granddaughters...they come, have some photos taken and then dad takes them home!). This is a night for you to get away and "be someplace different." 

4) We'll have massage, henna, jewelry and hair/makeup booths where you can be pampered a little or treat yourself to a cool new bangle, or become a little more "gypsy-fied" for the evening. And we have live entertainment...Dance Caravan is coming again and we have some live music too! And perhaps a cool surprise or two...

5) Our next-door neighbors have graciously offered their long driveway for parking, so park where you can. There is some space available in the front part of our yard by the road too.

There are driving directions HERE. We're five miles straight west of Zimmerman, so plan your travel time accordingly. You can arrive any time after 5pm.

6) You can camp overnight if you want to! We have plenty of room for tents in the back meadow area, or bring an air mattress and sleep in the house. Some ladies do spend the night, and we have a fun, relaxing gypsy breakfast in the morning (they bring breakfast foods to share also). It's actually one of the things I really look forward to!

7) Bring your sense of fun, adventure, and prepare for a magical, relaxing evening! Wear your finest gypsy attire too!

See you soon!

As I count down to the final three weeks until Gypsy Soiree IV, and get things firmed up, I'm very happy to announce that Carollyn from Butterfly's Massage (Cambridge, MN) will be providing chair massages at Gypsy Soirée!

We also have a professional henna artist, Greta, coming from Hopkins!

And Dawn will be here with her amazing jewelry, and Dance Caravan is providing entertainment...

The weather forecast is still looking fantastic too!

Ladies...feel free to bring your friends to the magic, it's going to be a great night!

Why?

Sometimes people ask me why..."why do you have a Gypsy Soiree to help support others, especially people you don't even know and will probably never even meet?"

My best answer is..."because I can!"

I believe in being generous, in any way possible, as often as possible (it's the best way to live!). I have the space, I have the ideas, I have the ability and desire, I have the creativity, and I have the "stuff" to create it, so why not?

I also want to create a magical night because, let's face it, how often in your lifetime do you get to go to a truly magical event, one that you'll remember for years, especially an event that "does some good" at the same time? It's that cool!

But I don't do it alone!! No way, that's not possible. The people who come and help create Gypsy Soiree donate their time and talents too (our photographer, massage therapist, reiki master, belly dancers, henna, hair & makeup, setup and takedown, etc.). 

They want to be part of the magic too (often, people just need to be asked to share their gifts), and I appreciate each and every one of them. 

There are so many reasons TO have Gypsy Soiree, I hope you'll join us!

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.