No Yawning Awnings

The sun is strong here. Everyone tells me so.

The latitude, being on the near side of the equator, actually makes it so. Check out my blog post on the Sun's rays at sea-level beach vs. high altitude mountains.

Any way you slice it, clipping around town for some jaunty fun is a bummer when you stop at a cafe or diner and have to wait outside in the sun for a table or for your valeted car.

Chic stores in Palm Beach use awnings. These aren't your run-of-the-mill, boring awnings. But just like the fashion of hip Palm Beachers, they wear the latest styles with graphic patterns, bright colors and fun shapes.

Graceful shape and dynamic colors

 Let's take a little tour around Palm Beach Island and view some of what the best looking doors wear.

Bold Stripes and scallops

Triplets and Twins

Classic white with scallops

Elegant cloth and metal

Form and color

Here's an activity for you, as you drive or walk around town, see if you spy any of these, or maybe some that I missed. Just enjoy the hunt!

Until next time, Eli

Dinner on the Atlantic

One of the dreamiest nights I've had since we arrived in Palm Beach happened when my husband and I were invited to spend an evening on the beach, among new friends, sipping white wine, listening to the waves, feeling the breeze and sharing a meal together. All while the sun set and the moon rose. Enjoy some  images of the incredible evening.

Table ready

Guests ready

The smile says it all

Whisper of a sunset

Stunning Moonrise

Thanks to the family who planned it and to God for creating this amazing evening. Brilliant, I'd say.

Until next time, Eli

PB Style Dish~Shift Dresses

Plenty of friends back in the mountains have been asking me about the style differences in Palm Beach. I've spent all summer watching and have begun to pull together a few "truths." I'll be sharing my observations over time. Today is a tribute to the quintessential style piece for women: The Shift Dress.

The Shift? What?

Shift dress became popular in the 1920's with flappers. They were easy to wear and accessorize while dancing the night away at the local "prohibited" watering hole.

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In the 1960's, Lilly Pulitzer elevated it by wearing colorful ones to hide the juice stains she attracted while serving her juice stand customers. (Made from the fruits of her husband's groves.) Soon, her customers started asking her to sell the dresses and, well, the Lilly Pulitzer fashion empire was born...right here in PB! {These are the kinds of things that mountain fashionistas don't usually grow up knowing.}.

Here are a examples few to wet your island-style appetite.

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I love this perfect example. It is graphic with slight tailoring and lovely detailing at the top. Take another look, do you see the sailboats? A brilliant touch, don't you think.

Next is a classically shaped "Lilly" featuring an updated fabric: daisy lace. It comes in white, turquoise, yellow and this hot pink. You can find it here.

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Want one, custom-made for you? and "green?" Check out this online shop, Wear the Shift. They specialize in shifts for "folks of all sizes" using "vintage and eco-friendly" fabrics. Hooray!

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How about crochet? So elegant.

You can see the image and buy the retro pattern pdf here.

I'd love to stick around but I've got some shopping to do. I'm off to C.Oricco. Palm Beach's Lilly Pulitzer Premiere Signature shop...I'll be sure to report back on that adventure soon.

Until next time, Eli