Essentially Lilly
A Guide to Colorful Entertaining
By Lilly Pulitzer, Jay Mulvaney

     "You are invited to join Lilly Pulitzer for a series of parties, soirees and colorful get-togethers that celebrate her breezy and elegant lifestyle." (backcover)

      Lilly Pulitzer lives in Palm Spring. Her home is referred to as her jungle, but there is nothing wild or scary about it, only welcoming. Her door is always open and her ideas are there to share. Lilly is known as the "creator of a dress that bears her name and style" - the shift dress. Her styles continue to carry bold, colorful prints. Lilly tells her story from the beginning when she sold the oranges to her neighbors. She was good at it, and from there her imagination grew. Soon she created the Lilly style. Now she is ready to share her entertaining ideas. In the book, her advice on entertaining can be summed up to "just have fun." Essentially Lilly shows us that "living and entertaining and having good times" is the parallel between her clothing and her parties.

      The table of contents in Essentially Lilly is listed in Lilly's signature green and pink, as is most of the book. Each section has another color in the title, literally - Mellow Yellow Mornings, Think Pink Afternoons, True Blue Evenings. Vibrant colors are just one of Lilly’s passions. Lilly also loves the water and can be very spontaneous. You will see all three as you read. When you go through the ideas, menus, and recipes, don’t be afraid to add your own touch; Lilly would approve. Mellow Yellow Mornings offers ideas such as sailing, a brunch or a beach treasure hunt. Think Pink Afternoons tells you how to plan for a fun birthday or poolside party, as well as other afternoon parties. True Blue Evenings shows you how to create a Pizza Pow-Wow for the family, as well as other evening get-togethers. At the end of each chapter is a list befitting each entertainment, such as shopping, games, water activities, books to read, etc. There is something in Essentially Lilly for everyone.

      There are many entertaining books out there, but I think Lilly has created one of the most expressive ones yet. Whether it's water, land, or in a jungle, Lilly’s got it covered. Just looking at the book will put you in a good mood!