Category: Newsletters

This hotel has long been my family’s favorite staycation spot! With gorgeous grounds, dramatic views, over 40 pools, and an array of restaurants and shops, there is plenty to soak up and enjoy. But for me, it’s all about the history! Established back in 1926 – five decades before LQ was incorporated! – the property became so iconic that the city was eventually named after it! Frank Capra wrote It’s a Wonderful Life here, Greta Garbo made it her desert retreat, and Ginger Rogers got married on-site. The hotel is also home to Adobe Grill, where you’ll find my favorite meal in the entire Valley – the unparalleled Enchiladas Verdes.

When it comes to coffee and baked goods, Yes Please truly lives up to its name! My mom and I can’t make a trip into Old Town without popping in for one of the café’s frothy lattes and buttery croissants. Everything – from the scones to the biscuits to the cannoli – is baked fresh on-site each morning by delightful owner Gina Mallano – and each treat is seemingly more addictive than the last! The eatery also serves up a stellar breakfast and lunch, best enjoyed on the inviting sun-dappled patio.

This bohemian wonderland of home décor, founded by Shannon and Eileen Burke—the mother-daughter duo behind the Valley’s beloved Coco Rose clothing boutiques—is packed with unique finds. From whimsical gifts to stylish furnishings to fun kitchenware (all personally sourced from the Burkes’ travels to Bali and other far-flung locales), it’s become my go-to for hostess gifts. The shop also regularly gives back to the Bali community, making it a place where you can feel genuinely good about each and every purchase.

Lakeside dining in La Quinta? You’ll find that at Mélange, a New American restaurant perched waterfront at the boutique hotel Chateau at Lake La Quinta (another local gem). Serving elevated fish, chicken, and steak dishes with a Mediterranean twist—and unbeatable views—this spot is a true hidden gem, and one of my favorite places for an aperitif! Sipping a cocktail on the sprawling patio as the sun sets over the tranquil lake feels like being transported to an enchanting European village.

This elegant eatery—“where every night is a special occasion”—was founded in 2008 by French-born chef Michel Despras and his son, Nicolas, and has been lauded as the city’s most romantic restaurant pretty much ever since. While the interior is lovely, it’s the magical rear patio that truly steals the show, thanks to its picturesque canopy of trees strung with thousands upon thousands of twinkle lights. And the fare is just as impressive! Be sure not to miss the Wild Mushroom Soup and Kobe Beef Sliders, both personal favorites.

I grew up working at my mom’s popcorn shop/ice cream parlor/newsstand Blind George’s in downtown Grants Pass, Oregon. It was actually that historic building that first gave me the inspiration for Botanical Verbiage. 

I was about 16 years old working on the ice cream shop side, thinking about how the space, with its brick walls, could be transformed into a beautiful floral shop. I envisioned galvanized buckets filled with singular-type florals, with the name of the flower and its symbolism listed, where loved ones could choose specific flowers based on their meanings for their special someone. That vision and dream stayed dormant for over a decade, but in the meantime, I always enjoyed working with God’s creation and giving arrangements to others.

Around that same time, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, and, after her husband was deployed to Iraq, I became her primary caregiver. One thing that I vividly remember that brought her joy was having fresh flowers by her bedside. I also started a little pop-up acrylic floral business in college, while working full-time and caring for a one-year-old infant. I look back at those designs that I was so proud of now and I want to hide in their hideous aesthetics . . . or lack thereof. But I can definitely see how God was developing and shaping me and using creativity with flowers to teach and uplift others.

I’m first and foremost a wife (I’ve been married to my husband, Ralph, for 14 years) and a mom to three kiddos, Tristan (16), Walker (11) and Olivia (9). And I’m very purpose-driven. Since founding Botanical Verbiage and experiencing the opportunities that have followed, I’ve learned that living with purpose can be both a beautiful and challenging journey. When I’m asked to step into something, I always pause to consider whether it aligns with my faith and whether my efforts will truly make an impact. If they won’t, I’m quick to say no—not out of an unwillingness to help, but because I want to be able to give my very best yes.

I really love the Valley and being able to contribute my portion. I currently serve on the Old Town Artisan Studios Advisory Board and as a Shepherding Elder and Rooted leader at Southwest Churchalongside my husband, Ralph. I formerly acted as Creative Director of Joyfully Grieving and was the founder of Coachella Valley Collaborative, a solution mindset mastermind growth group formed right as we were coming out of the pandemic. The Collaborative was so pivotal not only for my business but in building community relationships. 

I’ve had the privilege of leading the Conqueror Parents group at Desert Christian Academy for four years and serving on the Board of Directors for the Women Leaders Forum for two. And I was honored to be the Angel Light Academy awards recipient in 2024. Currently, I serve as Vice President of Leadership Coachella Valley, where I previously spent two years on the board and am a proud alumna of the 2019–2021 class.

I think that’s it . . . for now!

Oh boy, that has been quite a story . . . and to be continued! I decided to start a brand new company from scratch, with no formal training, right before the pandemic hit. But has it been such a journey of growth and joy over the last five and a half years. 

I originally launched after stepping away as a top leader of a network marketing company. At the time, I had a huge online audience, but few local connections here in the desert. I finally took the dream that had been on my heart – pairing the symbolism of florals with the need in the network marketing industry to celebrate people and their teams – and brought it to life. I started with preserved flowers (nothing fresh), shipping arrangements all over the country using social media – until the pandemic hit, shipping rates tripled and my access to preserved flowers got shut off. I also noticed that all the local flower shops were shut down, and there was a need for comfort. People were scared – of losing loved ones, experiencing Mother’s Day apart from their mom, etc. 

So I’d stand in line with a mask and gloves at Trader Joe’s and I became the fresh florist in the Coachella Valley. My business multiplied and my connections throughout the Coachella Valley flourished. But most importantly, I was really living out my purpose – and discovering a new passion for creating arrangements for those in grief, which I still hold to this day. I would say about 80% of our Language Arrangements are centered around grief or healing.

Rearranging God’s materials that He gave us here on earth to help His people be seen, heal, and feel loved. Hearing the stories of how my creations have impacted others is the icing on the cake!

Yes!! Rest + Rise! That’s the next chapter of Botanical Verbiage. I would love to stay within Old Town La Quinta but I am completely open if God has a different plan. I really see a need for a healing sanctuary for other creatives to come to. R+R would have all kinds of art mediums to create with – luxury linens, an apothecary bar, plants/florals, and handmade goods, as well as a café and working spaces – all staffed by women who are transitioning out of difficult life circumstances and in need of a second chance. I love being able to work alongside others who feel “unseen” and pour into them, recognize what they’re good at, encourage and grow that skill, and help define their specific purpose here on earth. Rest + Rise will foster resting (and healing) and RISING up to one’s calling.

I love them all… even Carnations. 😉

I prefer the exact opposite of what I create – I love one type of floral bundled. The more classic/neutral the better.

I have a little baby collaboration with Roots & Mane hair salon in Palm Desert – a grab-and-go fresh floral bar. You can also find my smudge bundles at Roam.e in Old Town La Quinta. I pop-up at special events throughout the Valley, where I offer floral classes and personalized arrangements, as well.

But I mainly love to create super custom arrangements that fit a unique occasion and reflect the Giver and the recipient’s heart! So reach out on Instagram or text and share a little (or a lot) about what you want to express and I’ll help you bring that vision to life.

It has been such a beautiful blessing to learn the art of collaboration and how supportive everyone is here! There is such an abundance mindset, with even nonprofits working alongside local businesses to offer support. It’s humbling and so motivating.

Truly find the foundation of your purpose within your business and how your business is meant to fulfill that. And then, any opportunity that comes along that aligns with that, say YES! You will look back and stand in awe of all that came to fruition that you would’ve never expected!

I love the Coachella Valley! Aesthetically, we are surrounded by majestic, textured, shadowed, and snow-capped mountains, with beautiful palm trees on the valley floor. There’s nowhere like it in the world! Also, opportunity-wise, it’s that gem of feeling like you’re in a small town, yet you have access to truly anything you’d ever want. It is such a special place!

Oh, that is the toughest question yet! 

Can I do it progressive dinner party style? Here are just a few highlights. 

DRINKS: 

The Pink Cabana (pictured)

Porta Via 

SUSHI: 

Mitch’s on El Paseo

WHOLE MEAL EXPERIENCE: 

Tia Carmen at the Hyatt

Lola Rose at The Thompson 

DSRT CLUB in Old Town La Quinta 

FAMILY PIZZA NIGHT: 

Kiki’s La Quinta

Baby’s Marché – the best sandwiches and you’re always going to run into someone you know.

Roam.e  in Old Town La Quinta – the cutest local gifts and I love the owner’s heart for supporting and elevating local makers and businesses.

Sunnylands and Sunnylands Café are my happy places.

Boheme Aesthetics – All skin care needs! She is incredible about using really clean but effective ingredients alongside her LIFE-CHANGING Buccal Facial . . . plus you can ask her about the Botanical Verbiage candle collaboration (pictured). We did it together symbolizing all of the scents and notes within the treatment. 😉

Aziz Farms – I learn something new every time I tour and attend a farm-to-table dinner experience there. Where else can you pick a carrot straight out of the ground, brush a little dirt off, and eat it in the middle of the desert?! All while hearing the heart and passion behind regenerative farming straight from the owner. It’s an Eden! 

Old Town Artisan Studios is also my sanctuary for art creations and the Trigg children love attending summer camp there.

Kaylie Nicole – super classic and on-trend pieces for such a doable price.

The Shield’s Date Garden Salvation Walk brings me to tears every time I visit.

Phillip K. Smith III’s latest work reimages the Cody family home via 11 vividly lit mirrored forms set at 0°, 90° and 120° within the glass‑walled abode, creating a dizzying feast for the eyes! As daylight transitions to night, the installation also transforms, unveiling entirely new but equally impressive perspectives. Now, lucky guests can fully immerse themselves in the vision-bending work thanks to 20 “editioned overnight experiences” currently being offered. Tickets and more information can be found here.

This tea and chocolate shop in Old Town La Quinta has long been a favorite spot to grab an iced brew. With the recent unveiling of a new tasting room in an adjacent space formerly used for storage, the locale is even more inviting! Dimly lit with a warm, moody ambiance, the enclave boasts cozy tables, plush seating, and tucked-away nooks, perfect for curling up with a book and one of the shop’s custom loose-leaf blends (there are over 200 varieties on hand!) while whiling away an afternoon.

This picturesque golf resort in La Quinta is open to the public, free to explore, and wholly worth a visit! Spread across 525 acres, the sprawling site features an award-winning course, multiple event spaces, and a park complete with bocce ball courts, walking paths, a meandering stream, public art, and gorgeous grassy expanses. The onsite restaurant, housed in the former residence of Home Savings & Loan founder Howard Ahmanson, is noteworthy, as well, offering stellar fare paired with stunning fairway views.

Disney has a way with, well, everything! Cotino, the company’s new Rancho Mirage development, is no exception. Named in honor of the Smoke Tree (aka Cotinus) in tribute to the Palm Springs community Walt once called home, Cotino is currently open to the public to tour – no real estate agent needed (but if you want one, contact me!) – with the massive 24-acre lagoon, Incredibles house, and 6 stylish model homes all on view. Be sure not to miss the Indiana Jones and Disney villains-themed designs!

This Palm Springs eatery has been on my to-dine list for what seems like eons! I finally made it there this past weekend and am happy to report it is worth all the hype – especially the much-heralded Cornmeal Jalapeno Drop Biscuits. Browned and salted to perfection, the buttery treats, paired with cardamom honey dip, practically melt in your mouth! The restaurant itself is warm & chic, and the bar menu brimming with upscale comfort food (my cuisine of choice), including a to-die-for Bacon Jam Grilled Cheese!

This luminescence-bending labyrinth was fashioned out of glass by South Korean conceptual artist Kimsooja, who deems it a “bottari of light.”With each panel wrapped in an “optical film,” rainbow reflections abound throughout the structure and its sandy surroundings. The immersive piece, a counterpart to Kimsooja’s AlUla Desert X installation, beckons guests inward to walk its dusty, curving path. 

This large-scale work, created by Jose Dávila, features massive marble blocks excavated from a quarry in Mexico. Inspired by Robert Smithson’s Nonsites, the rocks stand like a desert-esque Stonehenge, the formations beautifully framing the landscape and creating stunning vistas of the desolate terrain, with Palm Springs’ iconic windmills slowly spinning in the background. This one is just begging to be photographed!

Sarah Meyohas’ cinematic installation utilizes “analog and digital technologies” and large disc-shaped “caustic mirrors” to project a series of reflections onto an undulating white sculpture that threads its way across the sand. Massive in scale and soliciting exploration from every angle, the exhibit is hands-on, with visitors invited to reposition the mirrors and alter the projections in real-time.

There’s pretty much nothing I love more than an abandoned site, so this retro gas station situated amidst a desolate field speaks to my heart. The fact that it spreads positivity via a succession of tire-framed road signs and poetry recitations broadcast from its gas pump “telephones” only adds to the allure. Crafted by Alison Saar from discarded materials, the solar-powered piece is a spectacular example of adaptive reuse.

This zigzagging adobe sculpture, created by architect/ professor/ artist/author Ronald Rael entirely of mud using a 3D printer, fuses modern technology with ancient building methods. Set against a dramatic mountain backdrop on the outskirts of downtown Palm Springs, the structure, which is textured to resemble palm trees, promotes the use of sustainable building materials, uniquely serving “as both an artistic endeavor and a research initiative.”  

Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa’s signature eatery offers an “island-inspired menu” in a truly spectacular setting! Whether seated in the sophisticated dining room or outside in the verdant olive grove, the atmosphere is idyllic. The menu items are equally excellent (the Spaghetti Squash and Miso Avocado Toast are personal favorites), not to mention completely affordable – a rarity in the desert’s current restaurant climate

With a nostalgic vibe inspired by La Quinta’s fabled (but sadly now defunct) Desert Club, this Old Town hotspot gorgeously blends new and old, with channeled booths, historic prints, vibrant tilework, a central bar, and an abundance of palm leaf wallpaper. Established by Chris and Anita Chmielak (who are also behind RD RNNR), DSRT Club boasts an elevated menu (I love the Half “Red” Chicken) and a fun supper club feel.

Comprising one of the Valley’s prettiest backdrops, this space is the work of Martyn Lawrence Bullard(the celebrated designer currently revamping Erika Jayne’s house on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills), who looked to the tennis and racquet clubs of Palm Springs’ heyday for inspiration. Awash in warm pinks and greens, with an emerald-tiled bar serving as a gorgeous focal point, you can’t beat the ambience or stellar Mediterranean fare!

This El Paseo staple, elegantly appointed by Sophie Goineau, features a thoroughly modern take on midcentury design. With a look inspired by the exquisite stylings of the Sunnylands Estate and the Elrod House, the interior boasts plush banquettes, terrazzo flooring and marble counters, all sporting a warm pistachio hue, alongside recessed planters, Herman Miller sconces, and floating walls, making the restaurant’s aesthetic as appetizing as the fare!

This chic Christopher Kennedy-designed lounge opened in late 2023 and promptly became one of my downtown PS favorites. Heavily stylized in earth tones like “cactus greens” with polished accents throughout, including a massive garden mural, Canopy is a genuine haven of design and libation. An excellent selection of mocktails is also on the menu for those not wanting to imbibe.

Described as “both a shopping destination and a cultural hub,”this 10,000-square-foot mega-emporium, which opened in 2021, has quickly become one of my go-to retail therapy sites in downtown Palm Springs. Stocked with all manner of gifts, clothing, and souvenirs sourced from local brands, merchants, and artisans (including favorites Mijo Co. and Opal Atlas), Mojave Flea is a one-stop shop with something for everyone! The stationery section, fashioned by Secret Canyon Books & Paper, is especially not to be missed!

Though undeniably gorgeous to look at, this upscale wine shop is much more than just a pretty face! Originally established in 1934 in Provincetown, Mass., the new Palm Springs outlet launched this past July in an utterly sleek and chic space lined with a curated selection of wine, liquor and other libations catering to all budgets and tastes. The boutique even stocks a plethora of alcohol-free spirits. Bonus – Perry’s offers deliverythroughout the entire Valley!

Overlooking the third fairway of Tamarisk Country Club, this extraordinary pad was designed by Val Powelson for mechanical engineer, artist, and Tastee-Freez founder Leo S. Maranz in 1960. Revelers at the ice ceam titan’s house-warming party included four of the Marx Brothers and developer Robert Alexander.  A genuine icon, the residence was one of the first entries to Rancho Mirage’s Register of Historic Places and its cinematic visage is pictured on the cover of Palm Springs Weekend. Best of all, it is entirely visible from the street!

If you’re a fan of cinnamon rolls, run, don’t walk, to Billy Reed’s! The downtown Palm Springs eatery, originally established in 1975, serves up some truly fabulous sticky buns, hand-crafted on the premises each morning “just as your grandmother wished she could make them!” My mom recently partook of one during a lunchtime visit, which had me seriously lamenting my healthier Cobb Salad order – even though it’s one of my favorite salads in the Valley.

Spring is in the air at Sunnylands Center & Gardens, where bright orange and yellow flora have begun to bloom across the Wildflower Field. Situated just northeast of the main entrance (and, sadly, missed by most visitors), the sprawling meadow is populated with 12 different vibrant species, including Desert Marigold, Desert Canterbury Bells, and California Poppies. Surrounded by a looped walking path, the garden is free to wander and peruse, and is an ideal spot to spend a sunny afternoon.

This one-bedroom, one-bath Racquet Club Cottages West gem, designed by William Cody in 1964, is the ideal Palm Springs pied-à-terre! Initially built as an overflow hotel room for the historic Palm Springs Racquet Club, the swank freestanding unit (offered turnkey) has been completely overhauled with quartz counters, cement flooring, a walk-in shower, polished cabinetry, and stylish mod furnishings. Surrounded by gorgeous landscaping and lush pathways, the ultra-private setting makes it a genuine retreat.

This is your chance to own an architectural icon, as Steel House No. 1 is up for grabs! The folded-plate-roofed masterpiece, crafted in 1962 by Donald Wexler and Richard Harrison for the Alexander Construction Co. as part of an inspired (but ultimately failed) all-steel subdivision, the home is one of only seven completed, all of which are “internationally acclaimed” today. Restored in 2014, with Wexler himself serving as a consultant, the dwelling’s sleek original detailing is beautifully and artfully preserved.

Another Wexler-designed gem, this property, known as the “Royal Singapore,” served as a model home for the Alexander Company’s Green Fairway Estates community upon its completion in 1965 and is considered the acclaimed architect’s most singular creation today. Meticulously updated by its current owner, who uncovered the signature Alexander Cone fireplace still intact, the residence is classic, unique, and timeless. Bonus – the home also boasts its original outrigger-adorned roof as well as sublime views of the Tahquitz Creek golf course.

Exquisitely restored by its present owners, this 1958 William Krisel-designed pad looks straight out of a magazine! Tucked away in the historic Tamarisk Ranchos community, an idyllic resort-style enclave of 16 midcentury homes surrounding a pool, pathways, and grassy expanses, the residence is a stunning blend of original and modern, with beamed ceilings, travertine flooring, and rock walls flawlessly complementing such updated creature comforts as frameless glass showers, high-end appliances, and floating cabinetry.

A marvel of elegance, this property is, simply put, a dream! Thoroughly and expertly reimagined by Andelin Design House, the Lakes Country Club dwelling is offered turnkey furnished, complete with sophisticated appointments, décor, linens, and cookware included in the sale. Featuring plush amenities at every turn, including a floating bar, a floor-to-ceiling wine tower, and a futuristically bespoke laundry room, you will not find anything remotely similar in the desert. Photos do not do this beauty justice!

As Miley Cyrus says, you can buy yourself flowers – but making your own bouquet is even more fun! Join Studio Kate Floral tonight at Sunnylands to do just that! As a nod to Leonore Annenberg’s fabled rose garden, the studio’s skilled florists will be leading a custom rose arranging class during which attendees will craft their own blossom bouquets using an assortment of colorful varieties. All materials, including vases, are provided.

Music more your thing? Head to Boozehounds tonight to enjoy “My Funny Valentine,” a retro-inspired concert honoring the heyday of both Hollywood and Palm Springs hosted by vocalist Bernard Scahill. Taking patrons “back to the beloved era when a night out meant a live band, dinner, drinks, and dancing,” Scahill will be singing bygone romantic hits from Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Etta James, and more, sure to get anyone in the loving spirit.

Love is in the air at fave store Kaylie Nicole! While every Friday is a veritable party at the El Paseo clothing boutique, Valentine’s Day will be extra memorable thanks to the shop’s Galentine’s Pop-Up! Stop in from 10 to 5 to enjoy matcha from Buena Matcha, tasty treats from Con Amor, Nina y León, custom blooms from Botanical Verbiage, permanent jewelry from Forever Adorned, and handcrafted skincare products from Shekinah Glow, all while shopping Kaylie Nicole’s beloved staples! (I just snagged this set!)

If your sweetheart is a Disneyphile, you won’t want to miss this one! Award-winning author, artist, and animator David A. Bossert will be appearing at the Annenberg Theater on the afternoon of the 14th to discuss and sign his 2023 book, The House of the Future. The tome extensively chronicles the iconic (and sadly now-defunct) 1957 Disneyland attraction of the same name, exploring its inception, architecture, and lasting impact on the world of Disney as a whole.

Looking for a way to celebrate gratis? Desert International Horse Park in Thermal is hosting a one-hour Valentine’s Day ballroom dance class from 5 to 6 PM. Led by Palm Springs Ballroom, the workshop, held in the park’s ultra-plush Palm Club, is open to the public and, best of all, completely free to attend! Champagne and “sweet treats” will also be offered. Single and partnered dancers are welcome, and no experience is necessary!