lilly pulitzer

What we know today as the iconic shift dress was originally designed by the late Lilly Pulitzer as a way to keep cool while working her Palm Beach juice stand. Pulitzer, who passed away on April 7, proved that bold patterns and classic silhouettes were a successful fashion formula. Inspired by famous fans like First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, we're channeling her Palm Beach aesthetic — home style. Shop the Pulitzer-inspired decor pieces below to add a punch of tropical prep to your pad!

• Calliope Lantern ($1,850): though it's offered in a range of colors, we think the dainty scalloped frame is well-suited for baby blue.
• Darlington Chairs ($475 for a set of two): a coat of water-based, eco-friendly paint in Pepto-pink gives these rattan stunners modern appeal.
• D. Porthault's Demoiselles Bedding (price upon request): enjoy perennial Spring (in the form of printed cotton percale!).
• Blue and White Painted Porcelain Vase ($42): perfectly stunning with or without flowers, this offers a spin on the traditional ginger jar.
• 3 Piece Cake Plate Set ($98, originally $140): spread these across a table or stack to preserve room for more sweets!
• Dream Nest Sham ($50): its quilted texture and vibrant palette are enough to perk up any bed or sofa.
• Foo Dogs ($58 for a set of two): these chinoiserie staples aren't the least bit stuffy, thanks to their bold tangerine hue.
• X Bench in Venice Peacock ($645): this versatile piece can be used as a side table or extra seating in a pinch.
• Indoor Outdoor Mirrored Planter ($748): ferns have never looked so glamorous!

Fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer Rousseau, known for her tropical-print dresses and vividly colored preppy staples, died on Sunday. She was 81.

Her eponymous brand's Facebook page announced her death early Sunday afternoon in a post saying she "passed away peacefully in Palm Beach, surrounded by family and loved ones. Lilly has been a true inspiration to us, and we will miss her. In the days and weeks ahead, we will celebrate all that Lilly meant to us. Lilly was a true original who has brought together generations through her bright and happy mark on the world."

Pulitzer's mark was bright and happy indeed. Her colorful, playful clothing spoke to the way she lived her life. In addition to designing, she was also renowned for throwing parties in her Palm Beach home. "That's what life is all about," she once said. "Let's have a party. Let’s have it tonight."

Photo: Lilly Pulitzer Rousseau with journalist Dominick Dunne in 2008.

In 2013, Estée Lauder is getting into the fashion business. For Spring and Summer, the beauty brand will offer a gift with purchase: a makeup bag featuring the designs of Lilly Pulitzer, part of a limited-edition collection. There will be eight different prints, each offered at a different retailer. But all have a beachy lilt. "Style is in our DNA, and bringing two iconic brands together to create something really fun and timeless made perfect sense to us," Jane Hertzmark Hudis, global president of Estée Lauder, told WWD. "This is heritage done with fun."

You'll be able to collect each of the limited-edition bags from stores like Dillard's, Macy's, and Bloomingdale's. The first gift-with-purchase set is available at Lord and Taylor now.

If Vogue magazine covers tell us anything, it's that white — particularly in the form of eyelet, crochet, and lace — is going to be big again for Spring. We can look to Dolce and Gabbana's fresh Spring 2011 collection (at left and center) for giving us white dresses galore, and Alberta Ferretti (right) for reminding us of how romantic it can be. That said, we've always loved the fresh, innocent look of eyelet and cotton lace, partly because it's something you can only wear in warm weather. Here are our editor picks for pure white delight.

Purveyor of prep Lilly Pulitzer debuted a bedding line exclusively for Garnet Hill in January, and after much success in the interiors department, the brand has decided to launch an extensive line of furniture come Spring 2011. The collection will include more than 200 pieces with traditional and midcentury shapes for the bedroom, dining room, and living room. The casegoods will feature Palm Beach white finishes, crisp mahogany veneers, woven materials, and colorful lacquers — may I guess pink and green!? And better yet, Lilly's iconic, juicy prints will make their way onto upholstery from Lee Jofa. Now you can live la vie Palm Beach without stepping foot on Worth Avenue!

I've never been lucky enough to make it to the Kentucky Derby, but this year I am attending a Derby party! I offered to take care of the drinks for my friends, knowing exactly what I'd be serving: mint juleps, of course.

It's unclear how this beverage became the official refreshment of the Kentucky Derby, but it's served with great ceremony at the event, and has been since as far back as 1938.

Since I'm pouring the cocktail for a crowd and I don't have the right number of julep cups, I'm preparing most of the drink ahead. Then, I'll set up a self-serve bar with mason jars for a different kind of Southern charm. Get a laid-back take on the Derby classic when you read on.

Palm Beach prep is coming home. Pink and green queen Lilly Pulitzer will debut a new home goods collection for Garnet Hill in January. The line will include bedding and bath accessories in her signature happy chic colors. Bedding designs will include "Truly Lilly, " "

Classic Lilly," and "Trend Lilly" with sheets, quilts, comforter covers, shams, pillow covers, coverlets, and bedskirts. The bath designs will include a shower curtain in starfruit yellow; Chinoiserie towels in hibiscus pink, starfruit yellow and surf blue; a Chinoiserie tufted bath rug in hibiscus pink, starfruit yellow and surf blue, and a juice stand shower curtain in turquoise.

This isn't the first time Lilly has entered the interiors business. The company has had other bedding collections, but they've ceased production. From this sneak peek image of the collection, it seems to be much more contemporary. And the quilting is beautiful!

When my aunt was growing up, she bought a stack of quilting fabric squares from her local Lilly shop in Palm Beach and sewed her very own Lilly Pulitzer quilt. To this day, she still owns it and I've always been covetous. I guess now she won't be the only one with a Palm Beach princess bedroom.