Meet Make Do // Palm Springs Blogger Retreat

Earlier this year I had the opportunity of a lifetime – to follow around 11 incredibly creative ladies at a blogger retreat in Palm Springs sponsored by Bing. This event, Meet/Make/Do, was the brainchild of Kelly of Studio DIY, Chelsea of Lovely Indeed, and Brittni of Paper + Stitch. There are really no words that quite describe just how lucky I feel to have documented this beautiful idea. It was a whirlwind three days of DIYs, thoughtful conversations, delicious food, inspirational ideas, and adventures around Palm Springs. A few months have gone by since it all took place, and it’s about time I finally share my experience! Here are some of my favorite images from Meet/Make/Do, starting with this vintage VW van I spotted on my way into town. I immediately thought of my boyfriend, Mike.
Chelsea shows how to make this awesome painted air bell cup here! I was tickled to receive this package as an invitation. Huey Lewis, as this cactus is now known, lives on of my kitchen windowsill.
I’ve since spotted this giant blowup swan all over the Internet!
Michelle Dwight Designs created those heart tote bags specially for Meet/Make/Do. I use mine all the time!
Want to put a design on a giant beach ball? Of course you do. Kelly did this DIY! Meet/Make/Do logo by Jordan Brantley.
In love with this swaddle scarf from Coveted Things.
How insane is this craft mecca? It features supplies from Shop Sweet LuluFlower MuseWest ElmThe Fabric Store LA , Landis CareyTweedle Dee Designs, and World Reclaimed.
Our dinner at Workshop Kitchen + Bar the first night was amazing! So were these creations from Kate!
I woke up early on the second day and spotted this rainbow over our house. Perfection.
We had so many gorgeous flowers at our disposal thanks to Flower Muse!
Brittni put together this giant flower blocked bouquet (with Kelly behind the arrangement):
These M. Greenwood Jams have such awesome, unique flavors!
Katie from Bing came along to teach us about Bing Rewards and how to use the Microsoft Surface Tablets.
Chelsea made these DIY letter pillows in honor of our sponsor!
These treats from Edoughble blew my mind. I also loved how Chelsey’s dress matched our Sweet Shop Lulu goods and the dipped cutting board from Wind & Willow Home!
Goodies from our swag bag! Hand-Painted Napkins from Fat Eye Design, Rose Bath Salts from Oh So Pretty, Copper Notebooks from Lovely Pigeon, Dipped Utensils from Mr. & Mrs. P, Copper Foil Tape from Lovely Pigeon, Gold Necklace from Seoul Little, Wood Coasters from World Reclaimed, Blanket from Coveted Things, Scissors from We Love Citrus, Spice Bowl from Landis Carey, Soap from Etta & Billie
Photo booth props from Tweedle Dee Designs!
As an almond milk drinker, I was thrilled to have these local beverages from Almond Milk LA!
Chelsea and I had a little mid-day adventure to the Saguaro (aka my dream hotel) and for this style post!
Chelsea captured this shot of me in one of my favorite Modcloth dresses:
Back at the house, the ladies were hard at work making things! Erin from House of Earnest created this lovely little bouquet.
Chelsey aka The Paper Mama made a gorgeous floral crown!
Erin was on a roll with the florals and created a stunning necklace! She shows you how here.
Ashley from Sugar & Cloth and Jenn from Scout Blog teamed up to create this STUNNING tablescape. Aren’t Ashley’s geometric floral pendants incredible?!?!
Jenn created everything on the table top including these hand-stitched napkins and the genius pineapple vase!
Meanwhile, Brittni of Paper + Stitch made these geometric floating flower wreaths!
Studio DIY, in her usual balloon glory, made these pop up messages!
Dani from Oh Hello Friend and Ashley put together this sweet arrangement!
Lexy from The Proper Pinwheel made this life-size putting green with giant balloons!
At this point in the day I was pretty giddy from running around photographing DIY to DIY. I was about to dash out when Ashley told me there was something on the lawn I needed to see…and she wasn’t kidding! Brittany over at The House That Lars Built created this hilarious “You’ve Been Flocked” April Fools prank and I couldn’t stop giggling!
That night we had a taco dinner at Ace Hotel sponsored by Minted!
I have this Work Hard & Be Nice art print hanging right about my computer.
Kelly shows how to make this ombre piñata here!
As much as I’d like to forget about the next part of our trip, it was a part of the experience – we returned back to the house after dinner to discover that we’d been broken into and that a couple of the ladies had been robbed. This was such a huge blow and violation, but everyone handled it with incredible grace and positivity. Kelly, Chelsea, and Brittni immediately came up with a back-up plan and moved us to the Saguaro. Sometimes things happen outside of your control, but this was a great lesson that even the worst things can yield goodness, like group hotel room PJ parties and bonding conversations with wonderful new friends.
It poured the third day – a rarity in Palm Springs! We spent most of this day exploring the city and enjoying each other’s company.
The sun was out long enough on our last morning for me to grab some final photos! Our fearless leaders, Brittni, Chelsea, and Kelly!
I was loving Ashley’s adorable hat!
A huge thank you to these ladies for being awesome! I absolutely loved meeting everyone!
From left to right – Erin | House of Earnest, Ashley | Sugar & Cloth, Kelly | Studio DIY, Brittni | Paper + Stitch, Chelsea | Lovely Indeed, Lexy | The Proper Pinwheel, Jenn | Scout Blog, Chelsey | The Paper Mama, Brittany | The House That Lars Built, Danni | Oh Hello Friend, Melanie | You Are My Fave

A huge thanks, also, to Bing for making this possible!!