Parker Palm Springs Daydreaming

Hi Friends, It's been awhile since I've written and I've missed daydreaming about all things lovely that were not work-themed. This long weekend gave me time to daydream. My mind wandered to New Year's vacations and what a lovely time our family has had in Palm Springs for New Year's 2012 and New Year's 2010. We stayed at one of Liberace's former pads last time and while most of our needs were met in this delux pad we did venture out. 

Me, day dreaming in the Parker lobby.

A highlight of our trip last year was a day at the Parker Palm Springs. The entire property is super dreamy with fruit-filled orange trees and a Jonathan Adler designed interior. From the front drive and huge doors to the tongue-in-cheek Palm Springs Yacht Club (aka a desert spa) your visit will be a luxuriously fun experience. Going against what the lobby art will have you believe, drugs are not needed, but on second thought they probably wouldn't hurt either. The Parker leaves you with the gift of the belief that all is right in the world and that there is nothing to worry about. Cheers to your next vacation whether it be a daydreaming staycation or a proper trip to wonderland via the Parker.

There is not a question mark off camera.

Cool architectural room divider

Lobby bar; I love the chairs!

This is a secret garden entrance to a private event space.

The grounds are plentiful and free to roam in.

Conversation areas can be found around green room dividers (aka bushes and trees). 

The lobby to the Yacht Club

We're checking in for our spa day after lunch at Norma's.

Note the pattern color reversal, it matches and offers great contrast at the same time. 

A snap shot of the indoor pool and spa area. All genders can hang and have cocktails while sneaking off to gender specific steam and locker rooms. 

Doughnuts for Civil Liberties Defense Center

 

Recently we had a little fun and fundraiser for Civil Liberties Defense Center. I simply bought a few dozen of the finest doughnuts from Oregon's famous Voodoo Doughnuts. We had bacon maple bars for the meat lovers and the vintage Danish teak tray in the front of the table is filled with Vegan doughnuts. Everyone stuffed themselves full of doughnuts for a great cause. We raised about $400 with just about 30 people and a bunch of doughnuts. It was a small effort but every little bit counts for small non-proftis that operate on a lean budget but who also pack a strong punch where it matters. In the case of CLDC they are constantly working to educate the community about our civil liberties. I love a great excuse to eat a great doughnut!  

    

LACMA: California Dreamin' of Mid-Century Life in the Modern Day

I knew it was going to be good when I saw that Airstream.

In January we stopped over in SoCal and visited the L.A. County Art Museum (LACMA) exhibit called "California Design, 1930-1965: 'Living in a Modern Way.' It was a short exhibit that packed many examples of the California mid-century life-style into a relatively small space. The exhibit offered prime artifacts that represented all aspects of everyday life from tea sets, bathing suits, video home tours, and of course furniture, furniture, and more furniture. The diamond of the exhibit is the re-created living room of Ray and Charles Eames of which you're not allowed to photograph but we may have caught one by accident. Here are a few pictures just from my phone because we haven't even downloaded the ones from the camera but here's a sampling anyway. The exhibit is going on until June so get your fanny over there. When your feet are pooped from walking all over the many buildings of LACMA you can have a glass of wine in a Bertoia bar stool at the museum cafe or Little Ethiopia is around the corner. We had an amazing meal at Merkato on Fairfax, the food was great and the staff was kind and informative when we were a little naive about certain foods. We even did a little Ethiopian beer tasting. You know you're at the right spot when the first thing you see is a bright shinny bean with an open door that is just screaming "WELCOME HOME!" Enjoy!

Hubba hubba! Check out that shape.

Last time I was at Eugene's Cone/Ball they had a prime example of the middle Eames chair.

What font is that? I love it!

LACMA at dusk. 

I think I might have said a bad but good exclamation when I first set my eyes on this bone chair. LOVE IT!

Here's a close up.

This was a desk and chair originally in Disney studios I think.

Yes, the clock is sexy but check out out the caption for the Ice Gun.

FYI Eugene fashion people - I would wear this at a summer BBQ.

I would also wear the bathing suit on the left.

I did not take this illegal picture! Proof? I'm in it! In between the indoor planter and light. Looks like Ray and Charles had me over.

Studebaker Avanti - super sexy for your late night drives between LA and Palm Springs!

An indoor planter in the coffee table - love it!!!

Cheers to LACMA and to the celebration of designers who knew all about modern life before it happened.

Palm Springs Modern Home Rentals: Your Next Vacation?

Our Palm Springs vacation rental home. Apparently a former residence of none other than Liberace himself!

Mustard colored front door and grated front window.

Welcome home!

Once past the entry way you have the kitchen to the right and living room to the right.

The living room with a bit of toddler proofing (bench blocking fireplace).

Our comfy living room perfect for cocktails and family games.

The outdoor dining room shares windows with the main dining, kitchen, and living area.

Everything was included except for your family, good times, and a special Mr. Monkey making margarita's.

January is almost over but since New Years is my favorite holiday I try to stretch out the fun and relaxation as long as possible. One way I can do that is by revisiting pictures from our last vacation. For this past holiday we rented a home with our chosen family. I love staying in a beautiful hotel but there's nothing like the comfort and flexibility of renting a vacation home. You can create your own dream modern getaway by renting from vacation rental websites like this. It's a nice alternative to a hotel especially when traveling with a group and with kids. I love being able to settle into a home for an extended period of time. I also love that when we travel with friends and family we all get the chance to lay about in our pjs and have lazy mornings and naps by the pool. And those who choose to stay up late snuggled up by the outdoor fire pit with a glass of wine telling stories of our lives can do that too. Over the next few blog posts I'll be revisiting some of our modern design and mid-century modern site-seeing excursions. We visited notable MCM Palm Springs sites and a few Palm Spring hotels that have been marked notable by the design world. We also made it to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to see their, "California Design, 1930-1965: Living in a Modern Way" exhibit. While we couldn't take pictures of it all we managed to get some pix of the highlights. 

Happy new years! Cheers to living modern and living well.