A few weeks ago, while I was visiting Palm Springs, we hosted a dinner at the Ace Hotel — a spot worth visiting if you ever find yourself in the area.
Kelly and Chelsea had been to the Ace before, but this was my first time, so I was excited to explore the grounds and enjoy tacos on the stargazing deck. Have you ever been to the Ace in Palm Springs?
We wanted the evening to feel special, so we partnered with Minted to create a modern, non-traditional fiesta. Minted supplied menus, guest gifts, and a custom photo booth backdrop — everything we needed to bring our idea to life.
Rather than leaning into a loud, traditional palette, we simplified the color scheme to rich blues, warm neutrals, and a few pops of pink and red to add energy. The table décor combined cacti and floral arrangements (including a standout pineapple arrangement by Jenn), scattered blooms, cracked cascarones, and confetti. Smaller cacti in seedling containers with fresh flowers anchored each place setting, while larger plants framed the centerpiece arrangements.
To add color to each place setting, we used blue ombre watercolor menus that matched our DIY confetti and cascarones perfectly. We also put together a few take-home goodies for guests:
- Small kraft favor boxes filled with Mexican candies, tied with navy velvet ribbon and labeled with simple place cards
- An assortment of small Minted art prints
- A larger print for each guest to add to their collection — a crowd favorite
It was so much fun collaborating with Kelly and Chelsea to select everything. When friends work together on a creative project, the result feels more personal and playful.
Kelly crafted a lapel-style papel picado garland using extra ombre cards and her Cricut — that machine is pure magic. She also transformed a bright, colorful piñata into a toned-down ombre piece that matched our menus and décor. She shared the DIY for anyone interested.
I handled the table styling and place settings, keeping the overall look cohesive and relaxed.
We kept the atmosphere casual with a DIY taco bar, and a pitcher of margaritas made the evening feel delightfully festive. After a packed day of projects, it was lovely to sit down for a few hours, relax, and chat with wonderful friends. These ladies are genuinely some of the sweetest people I know.
The weather was perfect, the night felt warm and unhurried, and I can’t wait to return to the Ace — hopefully with this group again.
Photography by Mary Costa Photography. Group photo by Chelsea Foy.
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This post was sponsored by Minted. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible.