Lillyland.

Sugar has carried the line, Lilly Pulitzer, since we first opened our doors in Spring 2008. For two years now the line has grown, become fresher, newer, and more on target, and it's really been one of our top lines. Sugar is considered a "specialty store" which means we sell a certain amount of Lilly Pulitzer along with our choice of other brands (as long as they all mesh well together). They are owned entirely by the sole proprietor, vs a "signature store" which consists of at least 90% Lilly Pulitzer inventory and their owners must coincide with certain guidelines and rules of the company. Recently, they introduced "Lilly PURE", which means a store is 100% purely Lilly Pulitzer products and this is the direction that the company is going in.

Ok, so that's the background and about once a year, they will send their top specialty stores to view the collection in Palm Beach or King of Prussia, PA instead of just at AmericasMart in Atlanta. Lilly is comprised of some of the most talented, hard working women around. We had such a great time with everyone! I also want this blog to document trips, etc... through photos, because I've enjoyed being able to look back every year at my little "recaps" kind of like a scrapbook. So here goes.

When we first arrived at our hotel, The Colony, we had our swimsuits ready and waiting because we knew we wouldn't be able to check in until later. It was either hit the pool or the beach. Well since the hurricane out in the ocean was causing bait fish to come to shore, there were bull sharks. Which meant "x-nay" the idea of going to the beach and out to the pool we went...

[this photo was obviously taken at night, but we love the pool!]

After meeting lots of new friends [other store owners who were there to order Spring 2011 also], we decided to take a stroll down Worth Avenue and have dinner at Taboo, one of Lilly's absolute favorite restaurants/bar. We visited last time and the chef of Taboo actually left there and became a chef at Polo's in Greenwood, SC. We made the connection and quickly made friends with the staff. This time when we walked in, they immediately recognized us and were glad to have us back. It's such a great dining experience! Don't leave without getting the brie and pear pizza as an appetizer and "Taboo Lust" - a coconut creme mousse that is just out of this world.

Kimberly {of Blossom Shoes & Such}, myself, Lisa {owner of The Frilly Frog children's store} and her employee Margaret outside of Taboo

The next day we woke up bright and early to head to the Palm Beach showroom...

so official, right?

We spent THREE HOURS just viewing the women's portion of the Spring 2011 collection and we also viewed the sneak peek video and catalog from Lilly's PR/Marketing guru, Joanna.

4 words: OUT OF THIS WORLD.

They entire team will tell you, it's one of the most beautiful, well designed collections they have ever produced so get excited. Here's your first sneak peek:

The inspiration behind Spring 2011 is Fine Arts. Here's how they incorporated Impressionism.

After viewing the collection , it was time for lunch and they informed us we had a "special surprise". We had an idea as to what that would be since Lilly surprised us during our trip last December. We were ESTATIC to meet her again and have lunch. She actually sat with us and carried on like she had known us forever. She mentioned growing up for a short time in Aiken, SC and knew exactly where Greenwood was.

We like to think Lilly is really a Carolina Girl at heart =)

She certainly kept us laughing. They all say, "you can't censor Lilly"!

After lunch, we wrote our orders for Spring and let me tell you, we were exhausted! [seriously, how can you decide? Wish I could just say, "Oh I'll take one of everything!"] We made a quick trip to a unique costume jewelry store, Sequin, stocked up on some killer bangles and made our way back to The Colony. We met up with the rest of the specialty stores and Lilly team for a group dinner. It was a great time and we truly enjoy the wonderful women that we work with.

kimberly, our specialty accounts services rep - Jenn Bellezzi, our sales rep - Sasha Watson, Lisa, Margaret, and myself.

The last day we decided to do lunch at The Breakers before catching our late flight.

In just a few months, we will order Summer 2011! How crazy does that sound? I've barely had time to wrap my head around Resort and Spring. We are also just steps away from getting our new Fall Lilly on Sugar's website. If you are ever in need of a little Lilly P, don't hesitate to email us at info@scsugar.com or call 864.229.6322 and we'll be glad to help find what you're looking for. One thing about it, there is no other brand quite like Lilly Pulitzer.

She is truly one of a kind!

What makes you a Lilly lover?

“Lilly Pulitzer was one of the first to take a personal look and lifestyle and turn it into a brand. Her cheery and colorful prints are much imitated, but she is a true original.” - kate spade

“Lilly Pulitzer makes everyone look happier, richer and more fun-loving than they probably are. Lilly equals sunshine.” - jonathan adler