4 min read
The first time I met my friend V’s fiancé KJ, he joined us and another friend for hiking yoga.
I knew KJ was smitten with V when I sensed how important it seemed to him that her friends like him. I took to him immediately: he’s genuine, kind, quirky funny and treats her so well. He fit in with us like an old friend.
V and KJ graduated from the same university and are even in photos together, but didn’t really know each other in college. They re-entered each others’ lives five years later when they met at a run club in Los Angeles. Few who know them were surprised when, four years after their reconnection, V and KJ announced their engagement.
To celebrate her upcoming nuptials, I joined V and nine of her college friends (she and I met at work) who drove or flew in from Los Angeles, Hawaii and Virginia for a three and a half day “roaring ’20s”-themed bachelorette party in Palm Springs.
The bridal party booked a four-bedroom mid-century home, including a heated pool and hot tub, just a few minutes from downtown Palm Springs.
Though my flight from San Francisco was only a little over an hour to Palm Springs, turbulence plagued the last 15 minutes. As I gripped both arm rests, wondering if this might be where it all ends, I scolded myself for not having made friends with the guy next to me. He might be the last person I see. I should at least know his name. I silently protested: “I’m not ready to go yet. It’s not time!” I heard a small child cry: “Mooom, I don’t like this!” Kid, we are on the same page.
Thankfully we landed without incident, other than my heart palpitations and someone’s potentially traumatized child.
The bride also flew down from San Francisco, but on a later flight. Unfortunately, after two rocky attempts to land in Palm Springs, her flight was diverted to Ontario Airport, about an hour northwest of Palm Springs. Understandably shaken, V and 12 others passengers exited the plane, opting to find their own way to their destination. Happily, she arrived that night after catching a ride with a friend – her former roommate – driving in from Los Angeles. Bachelorette party nightmare averted.
We welcomed her by hiding in the dark, pretending not to be home when she arrived.
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The festivities officially kicked off the following morning with a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world’s largest rotating aerial tram. In just over 10 minutes, the massive pod ascended more than 8500 feet above the canyon.

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We exited the tram to find the temperature dramatically lower at 25 °F, low visibility and the ground covered in fresh snow.
Both V and I showed up inappropriately dressed for the climate – who expects winter in the California desert in May? – so we purchased snazzy new lounge pants from the gift shop to cover our legs.

We speed-walked, lunged and jumped our way through a 1.5 mile nature walk, trying to generate heat with each movement. High in Chino Canyon we found giant pine cones fallen from towering, fragrant pine trees, lush fir trees, the homes of crayon-colored birds and chittering creatures, as our footsteps left imprints on drying powder.
After an outdoor barbecue lunch (burgers, pasta salad, grilled corn, summer salad and fresh fruit), it was pool time for some, while others napped to power up for our evening of dinner and dancing.
That evening, each of us dressed to the gills in our best approximation of 20’s style garb for a night on the town sure to be the bee’s knees.
Following an appetizing meal at The Tropicale, our group headed next door to the Miami-themed Copa Lounge, where we danced our way to sore feet.

We started the next day strong with an in-home modified Barre class led by one of the bridesmaids J, who teaches at a studio in Texas. Though we’re a pretty fit group and everyone has their preferred workout of choice (cross-fit, hot yoga, Pilates, SoulCycle, etc.) the class challenged us. We giggled through our pain. J gives good Barre.

Post Barre class and breakfast, the tenth member of the group, a 7-months pregnant TO, joined us just in time for a photo session by the pool.
Later that evening we regrouped for a three-course dinner at The Workshop Kitchen + Bar, recent winner of the James Beard award for best restaurant design.
A bachelorette party in your 30s is a different animal than that of a twenty-something. Instead of a second night out, we opted to play games (Dirty Minds, Catchphrase) and each made a commemorative scrapbook of our weekend using Instax pics we’d taken that weekend.
The night culminated with s’mores around the outdoor fire pit.
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On our last morning together, we enjoyed a breakfast of waffles at the house and made friendship bracelets. It felt like being back at summer camp. The perfect bookend to a fun-packed extended weekend in Palm Springs.
Of course, we couldn’t leave the house without taking one last photo.

debbie
July 19, 2015wow it looks like you had an amazing time Enjoy
Linda Manns Linneman
July 9, 2015Sorry you had such a rough airplane ride. It looks like after you got there you had a great time. Looks like fun. The pictures you shared are beautiful. Thank you for sharing
Mai Tran
June 27, 2015Gotta love the cable cars!
Starla B
June 24, 2015Oh my goodness, looks like so much fun! So pretty also! Glad you had a great time!
Melissa S
June 24, 2015That looks like so much more fun than any bachelorette party I have ever attended.
Alina Conn
June 24, 2015Looks like you had a blast. Love the photos from the 20’s style themed party. GORGEOUS!
The Girl Next Door is Black
June 24, 2015We had a good time taking those photos; I’m happy they turned out well. 🙂
Sara Theissen
June 24, 2015Looked like a ton of fun!!
The Girl Next Door is Black
June 24, 2015It sure was! Thanks for your comment, Sara.
Candice
June 19, 2015This looks like a lot of fun! What great memories you all have created. I’m sure you all will be talking about this experience for years to come.
The Girl Next Door is Black
June 20, 2015Definitely. It’ll be a tough bachelorette weekend to top!
Lori Hil (@lorihil)
June 19, 2015That looks like so much fun and memories for a lifetime!
The Girl Next Door is Black
June 20, 2015Absolutely. Thanks Lori!
Teri
June 19, 2015What a bachelorette weekend and great way for the bridal party to get to know one another! The fun you all had sounds like the perfect formula to create lasting relationships and sisterhood. Thanks for allowing me to experience it with you (I felt I was there)!
The Girl Next Door is Black
June 20, 2015Thanks for your comment, Teri!
mypixieblog
May 26, 2015Oh, my goodness–i love these pictures so much! Looks like you all had a great time! I love roaring 20s look too–what a great theme for a night out on the town 🙂 Sorry to hear the flight over was so traumatizing but at least the rest of the weekend made up for it, right? XOXO
The Girl Next Door is Black
May 26, 2015I was over the flight the minute I got in the hot tub. 😉
Lizzie Lau
May 24, 2015How fun! That really looks like the best bachelorette party ever.
I live in the PS area and I know how awful the landings and takeoffs from PSP can often be. My kid thinks it’s like an amusement park ride. We were on a super turbulent approach to Miami where people were literally crying and praying out loud and my daughter was grinning and saying, “Weeeeeeeee!”
#SITSBlogging
The Girl Next Door is Black
May 24, 2015The other times I’d been to Palm Springs, I drove in from L.A. I remember the winds being scary on the road; you could feel the car moving!
I wonder if your daughter is a budding daredevil. I like her attitude!
Madeline
May 23, 2015Looks like such a fun weekend! I love the idea of making scrapbooks too, such a lovely memento to take home! x
The Girl Next Door is Black
May 24, 2015Yeah the scrapbooks are a nice memento. It was also just nice to do “arts and crafts” since I don’t get to do that very often. 🙂
Ray F (@BritishMumUSA)
May 21, 2015Oh my goodness I am in love with this whole weekend….. How awesome, my daughter will probably do something like this as she is in LOVE with Gatsby!!!!!! What a wonderful way to celebrate your friendships and send off your girlfriend. Just beautiful!!!!
xoxoxo
The Girl Next Door is Black
May 24, 2015The look of the 1920s is so distinctive, it makes for a great party theme. I’ve been to a few 20s-themed events; the style makes everyone look so dapper and darling. (I love using throwback terms, if you can’t tell.)