Wherever I am, dogs seem to find me. Maybe it means that I need to get one?

On the walkway outside our hotel room in Palm Springs,

these two curious ones poked their noses in the frame.

I think this one liked my boots.

/// vintage leather jacket, Screaming Mimi’s / tank, very old H&M / skirt, piece of cut fabric that I normally use as a scarf / jewelry & Frye boots, vintage / fringe bag, mom’s ///

Today is Earth Day, a day we are all supposed to take extra special care of Mother Earth. To me, every day is Earth Day and a good cause to celebrate that we are alive and thriving on this amazing terrestrial orb of a planet.

To read more about the grassroots beginnings and current commercialization of Earth Day, click on this.

I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to a very quiet Easter weekend, with lots of Rest & Relaxation.

Last time I did that was in Palm Springs. The Ace was the Place and the mind was at peace.

NYC doesn’t seem to want to give us desert-like heat any time soon, but I can (and will) at least start the day off with a fresh-squeezed OJ mimosa.

Dressed for cocktail hour at our friends’ house in Palm Springs.

After a seriously gray rainy day in NYC, I so wish is was back in the sunny desert.

/// white sleeveless shirt, vintage / black jeans, Stella McCartney / platforms, Fergie / fringe bag, mom’s / sunnies, H&M ///

I love the desert. It seems to bring out the crazy in people (which is usually a good thing). Never thought a city girl like me would like it so much. Maybe I’m really a desert girl…

Lots of Angelenos come to Palm Springs to get away from the city, and I love seeing how they dress for the occasion, it’s like LA-eclecticism on steroids. You’d have to go and see for yourself…

This outfit was my interpretation of city girl in the desert. Dark and basic, yet very comfy and casual.

/// tank, Marshalls / denim flares, thrift store / Havaianas flip flops from The Standard Miami / very old hat from H&M / faux leather fringe bag, Lindex / necklace, Brooklyn Charm ///

On our last morning in Palm Springs, we decided to get up early and go to a horse ranch. It’s been at least a decade since I was last on a horse. My Frye boots were perfect for the occasion (wouldn’t want to go riding in flip flops or heels, the only other shoes I had brought). Smiled to myself when thinking about how my Stella McCartney jeans would probably be seriously frowned upon by real cowgirls.

It was 7:45am and there was still a chill in the air.

I love the smell of horses, it reminds me of going to the stables every week for riding school when I was little.

We were going to ride up there, into the canyons, eventually reaching a real desert oasis.

The ranch workers (cowboys?) took the horses out and gave each of us one. Mine was named Jack and liked to walk really close to the horse in front of him (“don’t worry if he trails close, he’s just like that”).

At a leisurely pace we made our way up the mountain. (See mom, I wore a helmet.) Immediately comfortable in the saddle I wondered to myself why I don’t do this more often.

Happy and dusty, we came back to the ranch two hours later. It was warm now, but only 10am—perfect time for brunch. Such a good morning.

Our room in Palm Springs had a patio with doors that led straight from the “bedroom wing” (aka left side of the room) outside. It’s so nice to be able to leave a door open and get fresh air and feel like you’re outdoors without loosing privacy.

Back in NYC, I felt like my balcony was mocking me. Here, you can’t use that oh-so-coveted outdoor space during at least half the year. I need it to be spring, now.

/// vintage tunic from Beacon’s Closet ///

On Thursday, I spent all day by the pool at The Ace Palm Springs. It was heated and felt like warm bathwater, in a good way.

I had a breakfast of fruit, yogurt, a bagel and coffee in the semi-shade, overlooking the mountains.

There were some nice yellow shower heads.

Nolifeguardonduty.

Bees buzzing around in these pink desert flowers.

Snow-capped mountains, canyons and palm trees in the distance. Pretty hard to beat that view.

I read a book, soaked up the sun, and cooled off in the pool.

In the afternoon, I had lunch at the poolside bar as well.

I sat there, soaking it all up, until the sun came down behind the mountains. Such a great lazy day.

Wednesday night, after a long flight from NYC and a long drive in the rain from LA, I checked into this lovely room at The Ace Hotel in Palm Springs.

I love the trellises (such a good idea, and easy to DIY), and our room came with a record player and a patio with a fireplace.

I was very excited to be somewhere warm and sunny again. Not having to wear a jacket in the daytime rocks! The desert is really warm during the day, but gets cold as soon as the sun goes down.

Our room, number 215, was right across from the Ace Pool & Swim Club, where I spent quite a bit of time over the past few days…

To be Continued…