Kentucky Derby Hats at Off Broadway Shoes!
{This post is sponsored by Off Broadway Shoes; all opinions are my own.}
I recently had the opportunity to attend the Off Broadway Shoes Derby Hat Trunk Show, along with my fellow bloggers Danielle and Charlie. I love going to this event, because it's such a fun opportunity to see how Louisvillians pick out their Derby hats and fascinators.
I had a blast trying on this C.K. Nobles Millinery hat. Isn't it gorgeous?
I also loved playing around with the fascinators. I always gravitate toward pink -- and I love the one I'm trying on here -- but Danielle suggested that I try the navy to pull out the blue shades from my dress. I loved the navy so much that I wound up getting it for upcoming Derby week events!
I also love that Off Broadway has so many great pieces at great price points. I picked up this white fascinator for only $20; it's a perfect topper for the Derby week events that pop up at the very last minute!
Here are a few more of my favorite pieces currently available at Off Broadway for your last-minute Derby week needs!
How amazing is this fascinator? I feel like it could work with so many different styles!
This hat and shoe combo is so fun!
And these nude wedges are perfect for navigating Derby parties or a day at the track!
Off Broadway has so many great styles for your Derby week fun; head out to the Shelbyville Road Plaza store for all your last-minute shopping!
Pumpkin-Peanut Butter Dog Treats and the Draper James #BeKindYall Challenge!
Your pup's new favorite treat!
These cookies are Sophie-certified
The recipe I'm most frequently asked to share is for my homemade dog treats. They're full of pumpkin and peanut butter, and dogs go crazy for them! I adapted the recipe from this one to make a double batch and amp up the pumpkin and PB goodness. This morning, I decided to bake a batch for my own dog, and to share with my friends' dogs. My friend Ashley just adopted a precious senior beagle from the Kentucky Humane Society (that story is coming soon!) and Cathy's Willie is recovering from severe leg injuries. Since our crazy dog lady crew has eight dogs among the three of us, it seemed like a great time to make a big batch of dog treats! Here's the recipe for you to print out for yourself! (Just make sure your friends' dogs can tolerate wheat! It's a pretty common allergy!)
View recipe on Kulinarian.com
It just happened that, as these treats were cooling this morning, my Draper JamesBe Kind, Y'all tote bag arrived, along with the #bekindyall challenge card. I love this idea: simple ways that you can make someone's day a little better. You'll notice that I may have edited my challenge just a bit!
I have to say that this challenge has inspired me to find more ways to do small everyday things to be kind to others. I plan to use this tote to carry donations to the food bank donation bin at my local grocery store and dog toys to my humane society. I also plan to keep out some notecards to drop notes to friends more frequently. Thanks so much to Draper James for the important reminder to be kinder! (Click here for $20 off your next Draper James online order!)
How do y'all plan to be kind today?
What to Wear to Keeneland: October 2105 Opening Day
In the four years that HerKentucky has been exploring the lives, traditions, and stories of Kentucky women, there's one question that we get asked more than any other. It pops up, time and again, in y'all's tweets, Facebook posts, and search engine queries:
What should I wear to Keeneland?
The answer I always give is, "Well, that depends on where you're sitting."
Image via Keeneland
All seats in Lexington's storied Keeneland Race Course are not created equal. Basically, the closer to the ground (and the horses themselves) you are, the more casually you should dress.
If you're going to stay near the Paddock --General Admission, Grandstand, or Equestrian Room-- there's no need to dress up very much. Guys often opt for khakis and polo shirts, and women can wear slacks. You're actually dressing for a horse race in these sections. These are the areas nearest the track itself, and people are truly there to watch (and bet on) the horses. With that said, don't be surprised to see a lot of dresses and sport coats in the lower-levels. In recent years, a culture of dressy tailgating (think Steeplechase) has popped up among college students and twenty-somethings, and the second floor (General Admission) Sports Bar often resembles a campus bar or fraternity semi-formal. While the dress code says "casual", there's plenty of Vineyard Vines ties and Lilly Pulitzer to be seen.
Image via Keeneland.
If you'll be dining in the upper-level, enclosed dining rooms-- The Lexington, Kentucky, or Phoenix Rooms-- then expect to dress for a business event. The Lexington and Kentucky rooms -- dining rooms often reserved for business and social gatherings-- have a "business formal" dress code; these areas require men to don a coat and tie, and skirts/dresses/dressy slacks for ladies. The Phoenix Room-- another reserved dining room-- is "business casual", requiring collared shirts and slacks for men and dresses/pantsuits for ladies.
The members-only Clubhouse similarly requires coat and tie for men and dressy pants/skirts for ladies. I find that a skirt suit or a dress paired with a pretty cardigan or wrap is always appropriate for the upper levels. In general, if you'd wear it to church or a business meeting, you're golden.
Image via Keeneland.
Of course, some days at the track are a little more dressy than others. Weekends are generally for more high profile races, and Opening Day tends to bring out dressier clothing.
With the forecast in Lexington calling for rainy days and temperatures in the 50s, I'd suggest some traditional autumn layers with a feminine twist. So bundle up, look nice, and have a great time at the track!
National Pink Day!
Every girly-girl's favorite holiday!
Today is National Pink Day. I have no idea where this "holiday" comes from, but I look for any reason to sport my favorite color. (I also don't know how it wound up on a Tuesday, but that's another story.)
We rounded up a few of our favorite ways to celebrate -- from fun, inexpensive, trendy pieces to some gorgeous statement pieces. We'd love to hear what you're wearing today!
This jumpsuit is only $65. I LOVE the color. So, so cute!
This Romper is under $50. It's hot pink, on fleek for the romper trend, and adorable!
Y'all. This popscicle crossbody. At $33, you need one. Your daughter wants one. Your BFF probably does, too. It's a summertime must-have.
This Lilly Pulitzer Elsa silk top is my summertime go-to. It takes me back to my college Phi Mu days, when I couldn't get enough pink and white (our sorority colors) or lions (our mascot); of course I had to get one of my own!
This gorgeous Boden top is on sale at Ruelala right now!
And, of course, you'll need a cocktail. Why not celebrate with a Chambord Champagne?
Cheers to all things pink!
Shop the Look: National Pink Day
{This post contains affiliate links. HerKentucky LLC receives a nominal profit from revenue generated by this post.}