Soaking up Every Last Drop of Sunshine

Bougainvillea at Hermes Courtyard, Palm Beach.
Photo by Martha Smith.

We went back to Delray Beach today, and to Palm Beach. This time, the Tory Burch store was open and I went in to browse and touch. Very nice. Also browsed in Lilly Pulitzer store in Delray. No charge to drink in the cocktail of colors and styles--the happiness.

I hated to leave the sand, the water, the break from real life. The breeze--the beautiful breeze--and the sun on my face. The time to read, the housekeeping knock that meant someone was bringing us clean towels, and that someone wasn't me.

Our flight from Florida was delayed and we got back after midnight. Must go to sleep. But not without reporting three things I would like to remember.

Travel notes to self

• You and H. shared the world's best tropical dessert today at Ta-boo restaurant on tony Worth Avenue in Palm Beach. [That's a funny sentence construction, because here in Montclair, you know a Tony Worth.] It was called the Ta-boo Lust, and the waiter said it's their signature dessert. It's a giant, rich, impossibly decadent, slightly wobbly square of coconut cream pie on a cookie crust with a pile of whipped cream and toasted coconut on top. I have to learn to make this, H. said. No, you don't, you said, smiling at him across the high bar table. This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. [You just checked the website now, and the legendary restaurant first opened in 1941, and drew JFK, Frank Sinatra and other top names.]
• Remember the bougainvillea outside the restaurant--so gorgeous, sending up its stunning bright flowers against the pure blue sky. The woman who worked there said it pretty much blooms all year.
• You are not a good packer. God, no. You went to Florida forgetting the shorts you pulled out to bring, so you only had denim skirts, which worked out OK, since two were white. And you brought all kinds of things that weighed you down but were completely unnecessary, including white denim Gap jacket, silver Tory flats, yoga pants and yoga top, heavy crystal beaded belt, way too much jewelry that never saw the light of day. Next time, pack before the last minute!

Good night.