Take me to Palm Springs!

Ever since that episode when the kids of The O.C. visit Palm Springs, I have became obsessed with the place. The producer of The O.C. and Gossip Girl, Josh Schwartz, also created a show set in Palm Springs called Hidden Palms, although unfortunately the show was cut after the first 8 episodes were aired. 

Palm Springs is known for it contemporary mid-century 20th architecture, beautiful warm sunny weather, world class golf courses and  luxurious spas. The desert city, located in California, has been a celebrity hang out for years and had been visited and enjoyed by the likes of Elvis Presley, Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra. Today's celebrity fans of the place include Clint Eastwood, John Travolta,  Halle Barry, Leonard DiCaprio, Anne Hathaway and Dakota Fanning. I love the mix of retro and modern buildings, immaculate streets and gardens, and the tall palm trees. I would love to visit one day soon to check out the amazing retro inspired architectural and relax by the pool. While I can admire the beautiful green golf courses, anyone who has seen my swing, knows that golf isn't the sport for me. I would simply be subjecting myself and those around me to a high degree of danger. Perhaps I could try my luck at croquet...

Here is a collection of pictures of hotels, homes, editorials and campaigns shot in sunny Palm Springs:

The Parker Hotel:

 Gingham - enormous trend of the moment.

 Croquet! And those chairs are divine :)

This place is so amazingly beautiful!


Viceroy Resort:

Such a sweet editorial shot!

 

Wow! This place reminds me of The Ivy, in Sydney with its mix of Moroccan and modern white furnishing, and yellow accents.


Golf Course:

Palm Springs Homes:

Loving the modern, retro-inspired homes, complete with desert inspired gardens, turquoise pols and sky-high palms.


Cameron Diaz in Vogue US editorial shot in Palm Springs:

Cameron Diaz looks stunning in this editorial. Clean, crisp clothes, in white and shades of nude and tan work so well up against the Palm Springs backdrop.


Daria Werbowy in Oroton Spring/Summer 2010 Campaign

Like I said, the nude works wonderfully against the Palm Springs backdrop :) In definite need a some more tan accessories for my spring/summer wardrobe now!

Well I'm off to spend a couple of hours at the beach with my dear friend Sam to soak up some of the fantastic Sydney weather about today, and probably lay by the pool afterwards - hey, it may not be Palm Springs, but it's still amazing. There are little pieces of inspiration I can take away from these pics to create my own slice of Palm Beach at home - white modern furnishing, mixed with Moroccan accent pieces, perhaps a few dashes of canary yellow from the Viceroy Resort and not to mention some light weight casual chic clothes, topped off with some tan leather accessories :) And maybe play a little croquet - but no golf!

Pics from Dirty Blonde, Fashion Gone Rogue, StyleFrizz and Google Image Search

A few days in paradise

On Thursday last week, I went up to the Gold Coast to spend two nights at the Marriott Resort, Surfers Paradise, with my close friend Sam. Sam and I have been friend's since the early days of high school and it was our forth trip to the Gold Coast together. After a rocky start of nearly missing my flight due to shocking traffic surrounding the airport, I managed to have an amazing stay at the hotel. We hardly left the place! There isn't much reason to leave when you have an amazing pool, spa, room service and the perfect view over the pool, river and ocean from your suite. I'm in urgent need to hit to gym after all those breakfast, lunches and dinners we devoured - Pancakes, Club Sandwiches, Sushi, Tepanyaki & Fruit Cocktails. We had lovely warm weather for two out of the three days. It was great to leave Sydney's cold weather behind, put on a swimming costume and lounge by the pool. I even got to go snorkelling with the tropical fish in the hotel lagoon! On the Friday night we checked out nightclubs East & Platinum in Broadbeach, which I plan to revisit when I return in the Summer. Unfortunately, I had some problems with my camera again so we had to use my iphone. Here are some pic from our lovely little holiday:

View over the hotel pool area from our suite

In my Lisa Ho Swimsuit

Climbing a tree in a Camilla Kaftan my the hotel lagoon!

The gorgeous Sam climbing the tree with a cast on her arm. Crazy girl!

Our new friend

The tropical fish in the hotel lagoon where I went snorkelling

Sam looking like Disney's Little Mermaid on a rock :)

In my Anna & Boy bikini and a kaftan given to me by my Mum

I wish I was still there!

Back to uni today - 16 degrees weather, rain, 6 hours of class. Back to reality...