Joshua Tree National Park, California

“Adding a little leopard print to your wardrobe is like taking a walk on the wild side. ” – Catherine Grace O’Connell

Outfit Details:

Leopard Print Cardigan, Black Cami, Vegan Mini Skirt, Leather Pants, Metallic Boots, Beret 1Beret 2Fisherman’s Cap, Over the Knee Boot, Low Black Booties, Sunnies

Palm Springs is my destination go-to when I need a little reset. It’s a peaceful sanctuary; a Mecca for bohemian souls. Whether you are in the mood for nightlife, fabulous restaurants, or simply desert solitude by the pool, Palm Springs is truly an Oasis. I am always amazed at how a 2 hour drive from LA puts me in a totally new world! 

Palm Springs is also the place where Trina Turk opened her very first brick and mortar boutique, bringing a vibrant new energy which helped to kick start the Palm Springs rejuvenation back in 2002. Over one and a half decades later, downtown Palm Springs is thriving and so is Trina Turk with colorful boutiques across the country.

My visits to Palm Springs always begin at my favorite respite, Joshua Tree National Park. It’s a special place, a bit otherworldly, that’s like instant rejuvenation for the soul. Visiting Joshua Tree in the wintertime is a far different experience than during the tropical temperatures of summer. The High Mojave Desert sits 4000 ft above sea level and the day to night temperature can swing like a pendulum. Let’s just say that on this trip, with temperatures in the high 20’s and winds whipping at 15 miles per hour, I was delighted to bring along one of the latest Trina Turk designs, a cozy wool and alpaca leopard print cardigan. When you’re in the desert, you’re at the mercy of the elements and Mother Nature! It’s wise to come prepared!

I do believe the Modern Midlife wardrobe isn’t complete without including Fierce animal prints. Fortunately, Trina always incorporates a wide selection of animal prints in her collections throughout the years. This over-sized leopard Jungle Cardigan is one of the plushest sweaters in Trina’s collection. In her own words, “It’s the cat’s meow!” and I have to agree. It’s classic design lends itself to multiple looks. For this shoot, I brought along one of my favorite Trina Turk black camisoles with a hint of lace. The Lianas vegan mini skirt was the perfect accompaniment. It’s buttery soft faux leather with beautiful top stitched details throughout. The nice thing about vegan leather is that it’s “season-less.” This skirt could easily transition from winter into spring and summer. 

Just about any black boot would polish off this look. I happened to bring along my treasured pair of Delman over the knee boots. Trina has some fabulous black suede booties on her website that pair easily with this skirt. An over-sized cardigan gives you endless style options. I wore it with and without a belt. For women who like to emphasize their waist, adding a belt is a great style option. Tossing on a camisole is an easy transition. You can wear the cardigan buttoned up or leaving a few buttons undone and slipping the sweater off your shoulder is a fresh take on modern style. 

Joshua Tree is pure magic during golden hour, that brief period just before the sun begins to set. Unfortunately, during the shorter winter daylight hours, it doesn’t last very long. Given the temperatures were quickly dropping in the 20’s, I was happy to have brought along a pair of my favorite leather pants from 7 For All Mankind and a pair of metallic leather boots handcrafted in LA from Jaclyn Jones. I rarely go on a photo shoot without a selection of hats. On my Trina Turk wish list (that keeps growing!) is one of her fabulous berets. On our last shoot, Jacqueline Depaul of Yellow Brick Runway, looked like the ultimate style maven in a couple of Trina’s latest berets. I had to settle for a black vegan cap from my own collection to manage my fine locks as the freezing cold winds were whipping up.

What I love about Trina Turk is the endless inspiration. It’s as though she’s able to read the minds of the Modern Midlife woman creating a colorful array of impeccable designs that combine classic elegance with a healthy dose of Fierce Grace! With 11 collections a year (that’s a lot of style to choose from!), there’s something for just about every woman at Midlife & Beyond. It’s the perfect combination of Sass meets Elegance.

On this particular visit, it was the first time I ventured into downtown Palm Springs to check out Trina’s very first boutique! It’s definitely a sensory experience combining the air of Old Hollywood with quintessential Trina Turk style. This store in particular has a little bit of everything. It was like 3 stores in one with the main front room loaded with the latest in Trina Turk, a portion of the store dedicated to colorful resort wear along with an entire room devoted to Mr. Turk. If you plan to visit Palm Springs, Trina’s boutique is a must see and a treasured experience. You’ll find designs and styles in this location that aren’t available anywhere else! Let’s just say my wish list grew by leaps and bounds during this visit!

Mastering Modern Style at Midlife begins with mastering your vision for yourself. It begins with knowing yourself and who you wish to become. It’s about bringing out those qualities of your personality you love and allowing them to shine through – to speak for you! Modern Midlife isn’t about retreating or retiring. Modern Midlife is about rebirth and rewiring. It’s about expressing yourself fiercely, boldly, in colorful style. Fashion isn’t simply clothing. Fashion is a feeling. Personal style makes the greatest impact when you use fashion as a powerful tool to express yourself. Fashion is meant to be fun. Trina Turk has mastered fun in fashion. If you’re looking to put a spring in your step, I highly recommend a visit to one of Trina’s boutiques. You can’t help but smile. 

Cheers Beauties! What’s on your Trina Turk wish list?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.