Tuesday, May 11, 2010

carissa's 30th birthday party in the desert - la quinta resort


back in january i celebrated my 30th birthday and i knew i wanted to ring in the next decade of my life out in the desert! the weather in january is still nice there and i wanted to be able to spend time with my friends outdoors...

so of course we headed to la quinta resort and spa, one of my favorite places to stay ever! i have been a guest there about 8 times now and i have such amazing memories on that property...whitewashed buildings, orange trees, fuschia bougainvilla, blue skies and gorgeous sunsets behind the mountains...i always compare it to santa barbara but without the beach :)

so i rented their gorgeous "pueblo suite", which had a big back yard, a swimming pool, hot tub, kitchenette, living room, 2 fireplaces and a HUGE master bathroom...i just love the "spanish hacienda" style of the resort and i let that dictate the decor i brought in for the party...i utilized all the existing furniture in the suite and of course designed using tons of succulents, cacti, terra cotta, wrought iron crosses and grapewood branches...







we brought in tons of corona, mexican sodas, white sangria, margaritas, tacos and fajitas...




we filled some low wood dishes with small pieces of grapewood, succulents and candles and floated them in the pool...





gloria mccune's sweet husband even baked me a delicious hazelnut cake!!


one of my favorite things we set up was a "pot your own succulent station"...guests could choose a succulent and give it a home in a terra cotta pot along with some twine and crocheted laces...



it was all set up with a backdrop designed by me and jesi haack using studded wood panels, burlap and some woven lace fabric...we then nailed potted cacti to the panels so that they hung perpendicular to the panels...it was super funky and unique - i loved it :)





a HUGE thank you to la quinta resort and spa for hosting us! BEST.BIRTHDAY.EVER!! you spoiled me rotten and we can't wait to come back...

to jeff almquist of almquist photography - who knew that all those years ago when we met in kindgergarten that we would re-connect 25 years later and you would come to my 30th birthday party? and that you would happen to have your camera?!?! i am SO glad you did and that you were able to capture these memories for me! hugs to you!

and to my dear friends (old and new) who came all the way out to the desert to celebrate with me - thank you for making it SO special! i had such a blast and have officially entered my 30's feeling insanely blessed :)

xoxo,
c

sidenote: mr. haack made an appearance and brought his camera too...the following photos are taken by him...when people started getting a little silly :)

jesi haack and melody from sweet and saucy shop (who brought delicious dulce de leche + mexican chocolate cupcakes that were devoured in 5 minutes)




amanda from in the now weddings, melody, jesi, gloria mccune from grand engagements, allison howell, courtney from joyful weddings and events, jane from olive hue paper


a cute little banner from courtney's "joyful joyful" etsy shop



leila from be inspired pr, jesi, gloria, courtney, melody, me



5 comments:

Mr. Haack said...

Good times. Happy Birthday Carissa.

Couture Parties said...

So awesome! I just was invited to Palm Springs today for a little vacation in October! It looks amazing! Thanks for sharing your special day :)

Grand Engagements said...

C, you sure know how to throw a good party! I had so much fun!!! xox

Joyful Weddings and Events said...

Yay! Loved celebrating with you :) ps- what am I doing in that last picture? geez.

Almquist Photography said...

I had a blast Carissa! It was good getting together after ALL these years! Thank you for posting!