Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Palm Springs-Inspired Soiree
Today Catherine has invited me over to The Shiny Pebble for a smashing summer soiree -- and I'd love for the rest of you to join me over there for the festivities. In honor of the occasion, I thought I'd throw together a bit of a pre-party before Catherine's formal event. To celebrate the onset of summer, I'll be throwing Palm Springs-inspired outdoor party (preferably by a beautiful pool).
So I do hope you'll drop by before the big event and join me for a bit of the best of Palm Springs, inspired by a few of my favorite designers:
Trina Turk {and her fabulous sense of style}
So let's get this party started, shall we?
Let's start with the (not-so-basic) basics, shall we? For the ultimate in poolside lounging, we'll forgo awkward outdoor chairs for the types of pieces you can really sink right into -- and you can't get much better than this comfy and modern sectional from West Elm and several canopy beds (yes, beds! there's just something so incredibly indulgent and sensual about using a bed as seating, don't you think?). Plenty of free standing white umbrellas will keep us shaded from the harsh desert sun. We'll continue the clean and modern look with tall white planters full of native grasses scattered around the pool. At night, when the desert breezes drop the temperature, we'll stay pleasantly warm with this ethanol-fueled fire pit, the dark boxy shape of which echoes the shapes of the sectional and bed rather perfectly. For pops of color, why not a few of these lovely turquoise and lime capiz garden stools from Pier1? These stools can perform double duty as tables or extra seating and are easily movable around the yard.
And now for the real fun: the decorations and accessories! I'd like to keep the poppy colors going with plenty of Trina Turk's gorgeous outdoor pillows in an array of sherbet-y, sunshine-y hues. We'll pick up those same colors again with Jonathan Adler's paper lanterns, which will look good day or night and bring a wonderful touch of pattern to the scene. Of course, we'll be wheeling out the bar for plenty of pool side refreshments (including pitchers full of our signature drink, white sangria) to be served in colorful acrylic glassware and crisp cocktail napkins. (Even when entertaining outdoors, I love to use real cocktail napkins -- it's just so much more appealing than paper.) We'll keep away an uninvited guests with citronella candles, cleverly disguised as paper lanterns.
The dress code is Palm Springs casual. As for me, I'll be decked out in these classic, comfortable -- and colorful! -- pieces (from left): J.Crew Marin dress ($128); dv by Dolce Vita "Owen" sandal ($24.90 at Nordstrom); Roberta Roller Rabbit big cata yellow beach hat ($50); Kate Spade Pitrizzia Dot Louis bag ($295); Ray Ban "New Wayfarers" ($95 at Bluefly.com); Casseterite Earrings ($158 at Anthropologie); and La Blanca by Rod Beattie bandeau swimsuit ($109 at Nordstrom).
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
31 comments:
I love it! So young, so fun, so hip, so you! The beautiful thing about these virtual parties, we can zip across continents to the next party at the click of the mouse. :D
Ironic we live only a couple of miles away, isn't it?
Thanks for linking up my darling.
Oh I am there in my head! You made it so fun!
Count me in!! I would love to sit poolside and visit with you looking oh so chic!! Fun post!!Welcome home,Kathysue
Love the mod design and the colors. Come on by my blog for a cocktail. I also happen to be serving white sangria......
Great vacation party spot Averill!! I love your wardrobe choices!!
Karena
Art by Karena
Oh, I would love to zip out to Palm Springs for the before party. Its one of my favorite places and you have put together quite a party. I don't know if you've ever been to Arkansas, but stop by my blog for a bite and maybe something to eat. I promise to show myou some real Southern hospitality. Mona
I love love love that huge hat! Wouldn't that hide a multitude of messes? Come see what Catherine's wearing over at my place. xx's
Love your party theme and your colorful accessories definitely pop!
Oh, I just love pre-party's and I thoroughly enjoyed yours. I dipped my toes in the pool, so refreshing!
Come see what I wore... :)
Oh dear... I am feeling a trip to the springs coming up after seeing this! Thanks so much! It's great to meet you.
How do I get on the guest list?
It's also beautiful! I'm there.
What a lovely party!
Um yes, I'm so there. And we'll be twins because I'll be wearing that exact same hat. We'll lounge together on the beds, drinking and looking fabulous! What a fun post Averill!
What a nice retreat.... and I love that white bathing suit.
Lovely party! Came by the way of Catherine's party. You are welcome to come and stop by my blog would love to have you.
Joanny
Um, I'll take all of it - including the pool! Oh, how my cankles would love to soak in a pool today... :-)
We will be triplets, you, me and Christy!
pve
Yes! I love it! This is the perfect Palm Springs set up! I was just there on a girls weekend last weekend! Beautiful weather and beautiful people! Love the white suit!
xo - jami
i m a g i n e
Palm Springs...sigh! This was great!
love your party! you have a great blog. glad to be a follower. have a fab day! verbena cottage
I would attend anything Kelly Wearstler inspired! I LOVE that you dared to go casual, yet put together in JCrew :) Go You!!
I would attend anything Kelly Wearstler inspired! I love that you dared to go casual yet classy in JCrew :)
Now this is a fun party! Young and sassy! I love the green tea table! And I am pretending that I've shown up in that same white bathing suit and it looks great on me!
Ahhhhh, so much fun!
Yvonne
Fabulous indeed and I shall wear a hat just like that to my next pool party! :)
x Charlotta
I would definitely come to that party!! Bright colors tempered by white and chocolate, yum!
Sounds like lots 'o fun and style.
averill, count me in! you're invited to my garden party as well :) it sounds like we'll all be attending lots of summer soirées!
Trina & Jonathan have sooo hipped up Palm Springs. Trina's store is fabulous. Its such a cocktails & relaxed mood town. You hit the nail right on its uber cool head.
Dah-ling, this sounds like a most fantastically fashionable pre-party. Count me in!
So many pretty places, pieces and ideas here! What a fantastic post going into Summer. My mind is soaring with different things I can do with what I have. (and a few things I need *wink) I love Kelly Wearstler's style + this is so complimentary...
this is great! i'm having a palm springs theme party in a few days, thanks for the ideas!
Post a Comment