Kentucky Football Fan Gear from Fanatics
Stock up on new gear for the college football season!
Shop my outfit: Kentucky Football Hoodie
It’s finally football season in the Bluegrass, y’all! t’s been such an insane year, and I’m so excited to finally have college football returning today. You know, real SEC football.
Shop my outfit: Kentucky Wildcats SEC Shirt (Men’s version here)
Now, football season looks a little different for most of us this year. We’ll be sitting at home rather than tailgating. We’ll be cheering our favorite teams from our couches, not our home stadiums. That gives us even more reason to stock up on new team gear for the football season! I’ve teamed up with Fanatics.com to show you some of my favorite gear for at-home football viewing.
This SEC Football tee — BBN edition is so cute. They have a version for every SEC school! I think I’ll spend all fall in my Football in the Bluegrass Hoodie. It makes me feel a little closer to all the fun of Lexington on Game Day!
I ordered Bob this amazing lightweight sweatshirt from Fanatics and I’m so in love with it that I may just need to order one for myself. It’s just the most incredible texture and weight!
Fanatics has some great pieces for everyone in your family. I love the SEC branded mask, the classic women’s fleece jacket, and the vintage Wildcat hoodie. Fanatics has great prices, fast shipping, and a fabulous selection. You can be well-dressed for the big game, even if you can’t make it there in person!
Happy Caturday, y’all! Here’s to lots of football!!
{This post contains items gifted by Fanatics.com. This post contains affiliate links; I will receive a small commission on purchases, at no cost to you.}
Holiday Gift Guide for the Kentucky Wildcats Fan
What’s your favorite present, baby? Blue and White!
{This year, I’ve decided to do something a little different. Rather than typical blogger gift guides — we all know that you can get Diptyque candles at Nordstrom if you care to spend that much for them — I’ve put together a set of gift guides that speak to the interests of HerKentucky fans. Some links will generate nominal affiliate income at no cost to the reader. All opinions are, as always, my own.}
We die-hard Kentucky Wildcats fans take our game day gear pretty seriously. We don’t just want any t-shirt; we want great looking and unique pieces that will take us from work to the game. Here are a few of my very favorites.
Vineyard Vines Rupp Arena Shirt: exclusively at Logan’s of Lexington.
Fanpants skirt: I get so many compliments any time I wear this! Bob has the pants and loves them, too! Use code herkentucky15 for 15% off your purchase!
Stoneware & Co mug: Every time I post this to Instagram, at least one of y’all asks about it!
Stoneware & Co platter: The perfect gift for the ‘Cat fan hostess. I love mine!
Nike Thermafleece: Available at Allsports Lexington. I definitely think this will be my next UK fleece!
Nike Historic Raglan:Also at Allsports. This is a men’s style; I know I’d definitely wear it as well!
Henry Dry Goods Ben Day Tote UK Plaid: I have this bag and adore it. I get so many compliments when I wear it!
Kentucky Wildcats Pin: Wouldn't this be darling for football game day?
Merry Christmas and Go Cats, y’all!
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How to Make a Needlepoint Belt, Part One
Step-by-Step guide to creating a needlepoint belt.
Over the past year or so, I’ve found myself really interested in needlepoint. It’s a hobby I’ve picked up time and again for well over 20 years, since my undergrad days at Transylvania. I absolutely love making needlepoint belts. They're such a fun project to undertake, and they make incredible gifts!
Over on Instagram, I’ve posted some photos of belts I’ve made or works in progress, and have had a lot of questions about how to get started. Today, I’ve teamed up with NeedlePaint, a custom needlepoint company, to give you a step-by-step guide!
Step 1: Determine your project!
Are you making a belt, dog collar, key chain, or sunglass strap? These questions weigh heavily into how much time and money you’ll spend on the project. It might be best to start with something small like a dog collar, or a pattern that doesn’t involve a lot of tiny detail. You’ll probably find that you get the hang of it in a hurry and are ready to move on to a more complex project fairly quickly!
What materials are used in your belt kit? I can’t stress this enough. If it’s your first belt, then you’ll want to purchase a kit that has all of your materials together! As a general rule, the folks who sell the canvas are going to be better at selecting the appropriate threads and needles than you are. Let them kit your thread so that you have the correct colors, and the appropriate thread and needle sizes. Here are a few things you’ll need to know about the materials:
The canvas comes pre-painted on a mesh canvas. Mesh is graded into different sizes. The number on the mesh is determined by the number of holes per inch. So, an 18 mesh canvas has more holes per inch than a 14 mesh or a 12 mesh. This, in turn, determines the type of thread you’ll use. You may use DMC brand thread in Pearl Cotton sizes 3, 5, or embroidery floss size 25. These threads are also denoted by a color number. It’s a lot to learn, and it’s way easier to let the professionals choose the threads for you. If you have an option to choose the mesh (Needlepaint has a great blog about this here!), you should consider that a very small canvas (i.e., an 18 mesh) is going to take a longer time to complete and may be more difficult for someone who is very far-sighted or has a history of tendonitis or carpal tunnel in their dominant wrist. (I learned the hard way that I need to wear a wrist brace if I’m going to do a lot of needlepointing!) Don't be shy about asking your needlepoint shop for specific details. You can contact NeedlePaint here to ask more questions about your project, and you can rest assured that their products have a 100% satisfaction guarantee!
Step 2: Choose Your Pattern!
This is the fun part! You’ll want to pick out a pattern that really speaks to your recipient’s personality. This is a keepsake, so you probably want to go with an interest or hobby that is important to the person who’ll be wearing the belt. Some folks love to go with the customized hobby/ memory belt that commemorates several of the wearer’s hobbies; I’ve made one like that for my dad.
As for this project, I’ve made UK logo belts for Bob in the past, as well as a Bourbon Trail theme. This time, I went with a lovely, intricate pattern that depicts UK’s campus. Since both Bob’s law degree and his MBA are from the University of Kentucky, it seemed like both a fun commemoration and a clever way to show team spirit. I love that they combined images of older buildings like Bowman Hall and Memorial Hall with the sports stadiums — both Rupp Arena and Kroger Field! — as well as newer buildings like the WT Young Library and landmarks like the Arboretum. It really is a great design for someone who loves UK’s campus!
Now that you and your needlepoint store are on the same page about everything — the pattern, the colors, the initials, etc., there’s just one more thing to do before checkout: Measure Again!!! You’ll want to make sure you’re working with the vendor to ensure a properly fitting belt. NeedlePaint does a great job explaining their sizing system here.
Step 3: Start Stitching!
You basically are just going to do a single, diagonal stitch in correspondence with the painted design on your belt canvas. The only stitch you have to know is the continental stitch (This guide from DMC explains it way better than I ever could!), but I often add in a basketweave for stability. You can find a lot of great information on the internet, and the NeedlePaint blog has a wealth of information. I love that my NeedlePaint canvas not only has the design painted on the canvas, but also includes a full pattern that lets you know which color of thread to use on every single hole. As you can imagine, the UK campus belt utilizes several shades of blue. The pattern guarantees that I select the right thread for every stitch!!
I’ll post Part Two, How to Finish and Leather Your Belt, soon! Thanks so much to NeedlePaint for partnering with me on this project!
Let me know in the comments if you’ve ever made a needlepoint belt!
Talbots Blue and White Stripe Tunic for UK Football Season
Fun game day style!
Outfit details: Tunic | Jeans | Earrings
Most of the Kentucky women I know are ALWAYS on the hunt for great blue and white pieces. I think it’s because we’re usually thinking about game day — the next football game or basketball game truly can’t come quickly enough for Kentucky Wildcats fans! This tunic is in stock at Talbots right now and it is perfect for pretty much any occasion a UK fan can imagine — from a day at the office to a tailgate. These Kendra Scott earrings are a versatile piece of statement jewelry for game day, too!
Happy Game Day, y’all. Cats by 90 over Vandy!!
Draper James Poncho for Football Season
The perfect outfit for Kentucky football games!
{This post contains affiliate links; HerKentucky LLC will receive a nominal commission per click at no cost to the reader. All photos are © Sarah Caton of Space, Place & Southern Grace unless otherwise noted.)
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Obviously, I mean SEC football season, and especially those magical weekends where you can take in some races at Keeneland AND a UK football game. Bonus points if you need a sweater, wrap, or poncho, especially this Draper James poncho in Wildcat Blue.
Poncho: Draper James | Jeans: Lauren Ralph Lauren | Bangle: Bourbon & Boweties for Sweet Mash Goods
I had so much fun styling this outfit in anticipation of fall football games! I especially love the Kendra Scott earrings and necklace for fun touches of blue that I’ll wear for so many game days!
If you’ll be in the Lexington area for some Keeneland and football shopping, join me October 2nd at Draper James and October 10th at Kendra Scott for Shop & Sip events benefiting Dress for Success Lexington. Let me know in the comments below what colors you wear on game day!
I Wish I Were In Lexington Weekend
Packing checklist for a trip to Lexington, KY for Keeneland and Kentucky Wildcats games!
I really wish I were in Lexington this weekend y'all! It's the ultimate autumn trifecta: A UK basketball game, Keeneland racing, and a UK football game. I can't make it there, and I'm feeling homesick, so I've put together the ultimate "I wish I were in Lexington" road trip checklist!
Photo Details: Striped UK Tote bag c/o Pomegranate, Inc. Open Top Large Boat and Tote, Zip Top Large Boat and Tote, Leather Handle Boat and Tote -- L.L. Bean. Black Lab Needlepoint Keychain c/o Smathers and Branson. Hunter Original Tall Glossy Boots
It's the best weekend of the year to take in all the best that Lexington has to offer!
Photo Details: Alex and Ani UK Bracelet c/o Alumni Hall; Bourbon & Boweties Basketball and Football Bracelets
The first stop on the Big Blue tour would be Friday afternoon's #seeblue day at Keeneland, showcasing the UK Cheer and Dance Teams, the Band, and the DanceBlue initiative!
Skirt and top: A New Day at Target; Pearls c/o Versona; Tory Burch Boots c/o Sassy Fox Consignment
Then I'd stop for a quick work break
and head out to the first UK Basketball game of the season.
Photo Details: Elbow Patch Tee c/o Gameday Couture; American Ragg Booties at Macy's.
Saturday morning, I'd go with a dressier look for a Keeneland Dining Room
Lilly Pulitzer Elsa Top and Cashmere Sweater; Talbots Wool Skirt; Kate Spade Shoes via Stella's Resale Boutique
Of course, tailgating is the next item on the agenda! I'm sure lots of folks I know will be out to see the big rivalry game versus Tennessee!
The forecast calls for a cold, rainy night, so I'd dress warm!
Are you headed to any of the weekend festivities in Lexington, or are you enjoying from afar like me?
Celebrate College Colors Day in Style!
Fashionable ways to cheer on Kentucky's college football teams!
Happy College Colors Day, y'all! I am just so excited that it's starting to look like fall, and that college football is back! I am so excited to be wearing my Kentucky Blue for College Colors Day, and I picked out a few great ideas for my friends who cheer on all the Kentucky D1 College Teams!
Draper James Tailgate Essentials
Have you seen the newest batch of tailgate-inspired items from Reece Witherspoon's Draper James line? So, so cute, y'all. I feel like the scarf is going to be necessary as the weather gets cooler.
Go Big Blue!
Now, if you've been reading HerKentucky for any time at all, it's no surprise that I ride or die with the Kentucky Wildcats, even if football isn't exactly our premiere athletic program. UK will always feel like the home team for me, in any sport. I lived in Lexington for over a decade, my beau and I hold three graduate degrees from UK, and I grew up on stories of my grandfather and his siblings attending the University in the '30s. The 'Cats and I, we go way back.
I personally believe that there's no such thing as taking your
Go Cards!
Y'all, I don't care what team you rep or what part of the Commonwealth you hail from. That Louisville win was ridic last night. Lamar Jackson was on fire, and my Cardinals fan friends were jubilant. That win deserves several days' worth of team-inspired outfits!!
Cheer on your Kentucky team!
Most of us can find a reason to cheer for just about every Kentucky college, if we look hard enough for a link. My parents each hold degrees from Morehead AND EKU. I have plenty of friends with ties to WKU and Murray State. And the list goes on. There are so many cute ways to rep your team. A Tervis Tumbler and a cap are, of course, standard equipment.
Let me know in the comments below what team you're repping today, and don't forget to visit the College Colors Day website to enter to win a trip to the 2017 National Championship Game! (please note that this post contains affiliate links.)
