The preppy goodie bags with items from Kiel James Patrick, Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate, and Vineyard Vines welcome invitees to their places at the beautifully designed tables. Each tablecloth was different Lilly print.
I loved seeing the vintage Lilly dresses at the Museum of Lifestyle and Fashion History before the birthday party started. Lilly fashions, accessories, labels, and home goods are organized by decade at the museum. There's even an ultra rare Kate Spade for Lilly Pulitzer bag on display at the exhibit.
Party guests bid competitively on preppy items in the silent auction, too. Bidders particularly loved the commemorative plate and the vintage fabric items in the silent auction. I fell in love with the vintage dress that Hadley donated, but I didn't turn out to be the winning bidder.
Finally, the moment I had been waiting for was here! Lilly Pulitzer Rousseau had arrived! She looked stunningly vibrant in a pink sweater, Murfee scarf, and gorgeous green earrings. Lilly’s personality is as witty and shining as I imagined it would be. She made me laugh and smile.
I'm EXTREMELY happy to meet Lilly! |
Lilly and I talked for a while and she is such a sweet person with a wonderful sense of humor. She thanked me for coming to her party “all the way from Maryland” and told several people who were also at the table that my friend Charity and I had traveled “so far” to celebrate with her. The gracious guest of honor interacted with everyone and made us all feel so special. She held my hand as she spoke and looked directly into my eyes. Her words were kind and gentle, yet full of spunk! She told me that I was beautiful and that she liked my dress. It's very flattering to hear something like that from Lilly Pulitzer herself!
The signature party drink was a delicious rum drink. Don’t you love the Gosling’s Rum Swizzle? Lilly told me that the drink was delicious and that I had to try one. She was right!
Several guests presented Lilly with special gifts and recognition. Lilly was obviously touched by these sweet gestures and her face showed her gratitude. First grade students from Delray Beach made a book of birthday greetings to celebrate Lilly's 80th birthday.
Kiel James Patrick led the crowd as we sang Happy Birthday to Lilly. Her cupcake from Artfully Baked is so pretty topped with a Lilly tote bag cookie. The pink and green cupcakes for all of the other party peeps were delicious. My cupcake was gone in about 2 seconds and I later learned that it had a filling...ooops, I didn't notice that when I practically inhaled it!
The party was a huge success! Seeing Lilly was the highlight of the party, but I also loved spending time with old and new friends. In many ways, the “new friends” aren’t really all that new, since I feel like I know so many people I saw at the party through blogging. It means so much to me to meet readers in person!
Lots of bloggers joined the party, too! Gail, Amy, Jennifer and Wendy all helped Lilly celebrate her 80 candles.
Here are some of the party peeps...
With Sarah Vickers and Wendy from Life is Better With A Twist of Lime |
Lilly lovers with birthday wishes! |
With Amy from Forever 29 |
I'm still on cloud nine after today's party! It's a memory that I will always treasure. Thanks for letting me share this incredible experience with you.
xoxo

What a fabulous soiree! Thank you for sharing this lovely event. xx
ReplyDeleteWish I could have gone! Thanks so much for sharing! Just curious, is this an annual event?
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your wonderful experience. Love the pictures! I am GREEN with envy as I would have loved to have been there as well.
ReplyDeleteOh sweetheart, what a divine post you shared and I am smiling a beaming smile right now because of the joy you emanated from your account of meeting Lilly and your wonderful pictures. Thank you so much for sharing this fabulous event honoring a fabulous lady with us!
ReplyDeleteHow fun, you lucky girl! Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us! And Lilly was right...you are beautiful!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing the photos and fun with us. You look lovely.
ReplyDeletexoxo
What a divine gathering! Your post made me feel like I was there! WhAt a WOMAN, people who love her....really love her! I only wish I could have been there as well. Everyone and everything looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Mrs. Kindergarten
It looks like her celebration was absolutely wonderful, as expected! I can only hope I look as great as she does when I am her age. You looked beautiful, and I love your dress!
ReplyDeleteLooks like so much! What a fantastic opportunity for you to meet Lilly Pulitzer. I should have gone, but couldn't commit because of Mama...I just never know when I'll need to go home. You look fabulous of course. I adore your dress and you wore THE perfect necklace.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing event in honor of our style icon! I am tres jealous that you were there - thank you for sharing all the details with us! Everything looked lovely, especially YOU!!! xx
ReplyDeleteThat is so exciting you got to go to her birthday party! Everything looks wonderful! Happy Birthday, Lilly!
ReplyDeleteI love your pictures! It looks like you had a great time!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures! I'm so sad I wasn't able to make it (but I have met Lilly twice now, so can't be greedy!). Be sure to stop by my blog, I'm having a giveaway for a vineyard vines ornament :)
ReplyDeleteWow, this looks like such a fabulous event and something to look back on fondly for years to come. You and Lilly both look gorgeous and so happy in your photos. Thank you for sharing. :)
ReplyDeletewow! What a wonderful party. I am glad you got to go and meet new friends.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had a FABULOUS time celebrating Lilly’s Birthday! Love the picture of you and Wendy with Sarah Vickers...glad to see Maryland was well represented at the Birthday bash! xx
ReplyDeleteIt was such a lovely and colorful and it was lovely to meet you, though short and sweet!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like the most AMAZING event! I can tell Lilly loved you just as much as you loved her by the grin on her face!
ReplyDeleteYou look so happy in all of your pictures. Looks like a great time!
ReplyDeleteYou looked beautiful! It was so great to meet you finally in person! Thanks for helping make the day so special!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! This would be MY dream birthday party, so I can't imagine anyone not having a great time
ReplyDeleteA wonderful recap of the event...you do such a great job of noting the details! Again, it was great to meet you in person!
ReplyDeleteLove that you had such a wonderful time! What a dear Lilly P. appears to be!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so wonderful! Thanks for such wonderful coverage, I am definately living vicariously through this post!
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