Thursday, June 30, 2011

Palm Springs: The Off-Season


We're gearing up for the 4th of July here in Southern California. While most people are heading for the beach to escape the heat, we, along with 8 other families, are heading straight for the Sun. I somehow talked my Norwegian, heat-phobic husband into an off-season trip to Rancho Mirage/Palm Springs.

We bowed out of the same trip last summer, but felt compelled by our friends' stories of 5-star service, endless kid activities, and (mostly) super discounted rates. The resort is sending all kinds of perks our way! (No surprise). I think it's officially called The Suckers Package. The concierge with whom I've been working out the details has assured me though, that, in addition to two pools and a "lazy river," there are misters throughout the property. I should have left it at that, but I had to ask what the expected temperature is this weekend. Let's just say, if I want to save in restaurant bills, I can make grilled cheeses on the hood of my car.


Viceroy Palm Springs



Trina Turk, Palm Springs

Of course there is much stylishness to be had in the Desert. It's an architectural and design mecca. The only unfortunate part is the fam. Not in general. Geeze. Just in terms of the crimp they put in my vacay shopping and site seeing. I really hope I can at least peek over at Trina Turk. I'm crazy for her new home line! I'd also love to stop by the Viceroy. I've only seen the Santa Monica location in person. But I can already hear the "Why would we do that?" Oh well, the real point is to relax and spend time with my besties while we sip something poolside.



...and this is what we'll be sipping :)
Happy Fourth!!

Images: fashionuno; Jen Prince via pinterest; wanderlust; Trina Turk.com; Slim Aarons; my pinterest; yourdecoratinghotline.com; monkeyinla.com


Monday, June 27, 2011

Gingham Couture

I just caught a lovely post on gingham at The Adventures of TartanScot. I immediately gushed to Scot about my longtime love of gingham. It's so summery, so fresh. It's at once uber preppy, yet country. Right now, it's even couture. Is there any fabric more all-American? 

I just bought a heap of gingham shirts from JCrew. For summer entertaining, I keep piles of the cheap stuff in every color. It's less than $4/yd and makes any party so festive. I just pick my color to set the tone and whip out the pinking shears. My fav scheme is the cornflower blue with my blue/white Spode dishes and pink and orange garden roses. This first image, via Scot, will be forever filed in "favorites." Unfortunately, I can't see my husband agreeing to those hot yellow pants.



Of course, this inspired a  fantasy shopping spree....






Fantasy Shopping resources for those of you lucky enough to care: 
Dress, Giambattista Vallie, $719 (on sale from $1800) at barneys.com
Snake skull clutch by Alexander McQueen, $1360 at harveynichols.com
Diamond earrings, Munnu $7500 at barneys.com
Shoes, Reiss Women, $290 here
Watch, Michael Kors at net-a-porter

Images: The Adventures of Tartanscot; Atlantic-PacificAlexandra Rae's fantasy shopping files; Audrey Hepburn, Bridget Bardot, via my pinterest boards; last collage from The City Sage;