Clink, Clink--Cheers, Darling!

I love Lilly--Pulitzer, that is.

The line is named for the fun- and fashion-loving icon [still around, pictured above in a photo from decades ago] who eloped with one of the famous Pulitzers in 1950 and opened a juice stand in Palm Beach, Florida while he was busy with the several citrus groves they owned.

Juicy Fruit
Legend has it that Lilly had her seamstress make some brightly patterned cotton shift dresses to wear so the juice splashes wouldn't show up. Soon, she was selling them from her stand. Then Jacqueline Kennedy made them famous in the early 60s--they were perfect for a young, glamorous mom on Cape Cod, at Hyannisport. The rest is fashion history.

Lilly's line is so bright, happy and feminine. It's upbeat, flowery, confident. I love the necklaces, totebags, polos, swimwear, cardigans, sandals, skirts and the whole stationery line [folders, desk calendar, notebook calendar, pencils and other pretty things to color the workday]. I even have Lilly's two books on entertaining and made her chicken potpie.

Bought Fig a pure white ribbed cotton Lilly sweater this past Christmas [she managed to get some blue paint on it in art class but it came out in the wash] and Punch a miniature navy and white striped, belted cardigan with fancy pink jewel buttons [size 3!]. Both on sale, I must add.

Lilly Watching
Drove into Soho this evening [took almost 1 1/2 hours with the inbound Lincoln Tunnel crowd] to the LeSportsac store on 118 Greene Street, for the unveiling of the new LeSportsac + Lilly partnership. I wasn't really expecting too much, but ended up falling in love with the line, especially the Hotty Pink She's a Piston pattern [I know, I know]. It looks so lovely in the Lilly dresses and all of the LeSportsac lightweight bags and totes, but they won't be available until April. Prices start at $20. Yes, $20.

All of Lilly's Facebook friends must have been invited tonight, but I didn't care. Just to breathe in Lilly makes me happy. I love going to the Nantucket store when I can get there, to the Chatham store on the Cape, to the one near my Sis in Greenwich and to the one on Madison Avenue. I recently discovered the one 30 minutes from me, in Ridgewood, NJ. I just feel pampered and privileged and in the know when I am in Lilly Land.

When Figgy was three, I bought her a beautiful little patchwork Lilly shift with bows and slits on the side and a zipper in the back. It was so adorable on my rumpled redhead.

Swanning
Felt a bit like an ugly duckling among swans tonight, but that's okay. Saw many hipsters--after all, this was Soho--but also the people I had hoped to see, the Lilly execs and fans wearing hot pink and bright green, or wild patterns, set off with a sparkly silver jacket here, a navy blazer there, a diamond hair clip, a glass of champagne. Even the DJ looked Lilly-esque, in colors that popped.

The waiters wore white shirts with floral Lilly ties. [I once got H. a Lilly bowtie and he likes it.] They passed dainty trays of petite chicken curry tarts and little pork or vegetarian sandwiches. The signature drink was passion fruit juice with vodka [pretty good] but the invite had said "cocktails and sweets," so I was happy to spot big white boxes from Buttercup Bake Shop in the corner. I've never tried Buttercup before but it was on my list [the bakery still is].

Soon, the waiters were walking the tiniest cupcakes I've ever seen--about the size of a big button and maybe 3/4 inch high. I had two delicious chocolate peanut butter ones, and there were some Mardi Gras-looking ones in wild hues. So cute! They vanished quickly--even fashionistas love baby sweets, especially when they're styled chicly.

Left with a gift bag that included Lilly playing cards in a sleek pink case [perfect for the Cape], a pink lip gloss [which I promptly gave to Figgy] and a little hot-pink LeSportsac purse [which has Punch's, or her mom's, name all over it].

Dark Night
The MarieBelle Cacao Bar & Tea Salon was a five-minute walk away, on Broome Street. Couldn't resist. I love the colors--all Tiffany-style blue, gold and beautiful. I looked longingly at the toffee, the bark, the chocolate bars in their beckoning boxes. But I had promised H. I would not splurge, as we are paying down our debt. I called him from outside the store, to rein myself in. Spending $1.36 wasn't too bad--that was the price, counting tax, for one itty-bitty, featherlight meringue sandwich cookie dipped in MarieBelle 72 percent dark chocolate. I am so going back there to get some of that 72 percent one day, to use for my own desserts. Yum!

Sigh. What a fashionable night in a fashionable town. Sometimes I think you really can put a price on happiness.

Now, it's wash my face with Cetaphil and good night. Cinderella has turned back into a pumpkin.