Essentially Lilly: Entertaining Guide

Lilly Pulitzer, more than just the woman who created the fashion empire that bears her name, exemplifies an attitude, a casual sort of elegance, and a style called "affluence at ease." Lilly and her clothing wholeheartedly embrace color, with the famous pink and green combination, and her love of vibrant hues and bold prints led the New York Times to recently call her "a major force in prep resort wear for forty years."

Lilly Pulitzer Rousseau is also almost as well-known for her entertaining as she is for her fashions. Essentially Lilly, a tribute to her insouciant lifestyle, is lavishly illustrated and peppered with anecdotal memories of a life filled with color. Joined by her family and close friends, Lilly recalls the parties, the decorating, the food, and the fashion that have been part of her life in Palm Beach since she arrived there in the 1950s.

Essentially Lilly captures a variety of social events, from a sunrise sail to a beach supper under the stars, and imbues each with singular "Lilly style." The book is divided into sections devoted to each part of the day, presenting memories and menus, beautiful photographs and dazzling illustrations, as well as dozens of recipes and entertaining suggestions to make your own get-togethers as successful as one of Lilly's famed parties.

Mellow Yellow Mornings encourage a leisurely start to the day, with a walk on the beach or a luxuriously lazy breakfast in bed, and perhaps an early morning sail or a country club brunch, followed by a hunt for a one-of-a-kind treasure at a local flea market.

Think Pink Afternoons rev up the middle of the day with a bridesmaids' lunch, a birthday cookout, or a charity tea, or a relaxing fruity pool party or a "just-looking" stroll down Palm Beach's fabled Worth Avenue.

True Blue Evenings gather friends together for a festive cocktail party or a romantic beach dinner under a full moon, a deep woods campfire, watching a movie out under the stars, or a simple pizza party for the family.

Throughout the book, Lilly offers her spirited advice: "Just relax and have fun -- and be an individual. It's better that you enjoy yourself than it is to get it right." These are indeed good rules to live by.

The book, including the design on the cover, are Copyright © 2004 Sugartown Worldwide, Inc., and the LILLY PULITZER trademarks and logos are the property of the same company.

product information: