Alumni Hall is coming to The Summit at Fritz Farm!
Great new Kentucky Wildcats gear at the new Alumni Hall store at The Summit at Fritz Farm!
Nike Twill Kentucky Hat | Kentucky Alex and Ani Charm Bracelet (c/o Alumni Hall)
I am so excited for the opening of The Summit at Fritz Farm in Lexington, y'all. No matter how long it's been since I lived there, Lexington just always feels like home - I have so many family and friends there, Bob and I both went to undergrad and grad school there, and then there are our Wildcats. We aren't just "wear blue and white on game day" Wildcats fans. We're thinking about our 'Cats every day of the year. So, of course, we were so excited when Alumni Hall sent us some fun UK gear to celebrate the opening of their Summit at Fritz Farm store and to get us ready for the upcoming season -- as we all know, basketball season is always almost here in Kentucky!
Alex and Ani Kentucky Charm Bracelet (c/o Alumni Hall)
Oh my goodness, y'all. Their selection is so awesome. I'm pretty sure I want one of everything on the Alumni Hall website. I love this Alex and Ani charm bracelet so much. And this scarf is such a lovely way to celebrate the Bluegrass State!
Bob loved this Cutter & Buck DryTec polo shirt, and I know I'll wear the Blue 84 Lucille Terry V-Neck Tee all summer long!
Cutter & Buck DryTec polo | Blue 84 Terry V-Neck Tee (c/o Alumni Hall)
When you're a fourth generation Kentucky fan, like we are at our house, you love Kentucky gear that reflects the Wildcats' heritage. The vintage look of Bob's blue tee is so fun for casual weekends, and the details on my baseball tee are so adorable. Check out the Wildcats logo on the back!
Kentucky 47 Big Blue Nation Tee | Kentucky League Women's Camp V-Neck Baseball Tee (c/o Alumni Hall)
Alumni Hall's newest store opens at the Summit at Fritz Farm in early May. I look forward to seeing y'all there! Go Big Blue!
Thanks so much to The Summit at Fritz Farm and Alumni Hall for sponsoring this post!
What to Wear to Keeneland's Spring Meet
What to wear for a day at the races!
Image via Keeneland
The number one question that HerKentucky readers have for us is "What should I wear to Keeneland?" Here in Kentucky, a trip to Lexington's storied Keeneland Race Course isn't just a trip to bet on the ponies. It's a full-scale experience of racing, food, fun, and, of course, fashion. Trust me when I say that 70% of all the people you've ever met in your life will be at the track any day you go.
Well, that may be a slight exaggeration, but with weekend crowds reaching over 25,000 people, you sure will see a lot of Kentuckians at Keeneland. To help you look your best, we've put together a few dress code tips that will help you look great at the track!
Image via keeneland
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.
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 track's members-only turf club, the Keeneland 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. When in doubt, remember dress nicely, look good, and have a great day at the races!
2015 in Photos
Remembering 2015 with the best of HerKentucky's photos and experiences.
Saint Matthews in the snow
A Maker's Mark latte
Actors Theatre of Louisville LobsterFeast
UK vs. Cincinnati at the Yum! Center
Mint Julep fixin's.
Garden & Gun + Original Makers Club Derby Brunch
Jim Beam American Stillhouse
Mural, Downtown Louisville
Billboard, Downtown Louisville
Original Makers Club Summer Supper + Shoot
Original Makers Club Summer Supper + Shoot
Tomatoes and basil from my St Matthews backyard.
Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris and Master Taster Elizabeth O'Neill toast a whiskey barrel.
Downtown Louisville from River Road
Maker's Mark Distillery.
Statue of Alice Geddes Lloyd, Alice Lloyd College.
Tobacco barn, Magoffin County KY.
Jennifer Lawrence Hometown Hero Banner, Downtown Louisville.
Louisville Public Art Installation.
Make-a-Wish day at Keeneland.
Breeders Cup 2015 program.
Churchill Downs from Millionaires Row.
King Louis XVI, Downtown Louisville.
My Kentucky-themed Christmas tree.
6 Holiday Decoration Tips When You're Short on Time
Lexington, KY Interior Designer Liz Toombs shares tips for quick, fun, and stunning holiday decorations.
This time of year is crazy for everyone. It seems like there are more commitments every single year, and less time for holiday cheer. Don't get your tinsel in a tangle, Lexington-based interior decorator Liz Toombs of Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors has five tips that will make your holiday decorating fast and fun!
Trust me, Liz knows what she's doing. She and her team from Polka Dots & Rosebuds decorated the entire Alltech arena for the Junior League of Lexington's Holly Day Market in short order. Since I assume that your home is smaller than the arena, you can get your decorations up in a day or two, too! Here are Liz's five tricks for those of you who can't find more than a free hour to deck the halls:
- Hang a wreath on your front door. Toombs suggests, “Beautiful wreaths can be purchased pre-made. Even if the inside of your home is still decorated for July 4th, a wreath makes it appear to the outside world that you are in the holiday spirit!”
- Let your light shine with candles. Whether pillars, candelabras, or battery-operated, candles set a festive, warm mood. Plus, they make your home smell like the holidays too.
- Use what you find at the grocery. “You will have to be at the grocery anyway, so use it as a time to pick up decorations. Pine cones look festive in a bowl. Sprigs of fresh greenery bring a nice touch and scent when placed throughout your home. And, pomegranates and cranberries floating in water look nice in a tall vase that holds fresh flowers,” Liz adds.
- Try a tabletop tree. “I decorated several tabletop trees this year for clients,” Liz says. “Just because a tree is going on a table does not mean it has to be small. Depending on your space, full-size trees can be very impactful on a tabletop. Plus, if you live in a cramped apartment, a tabletop tree frees up valuable floor area.”
- Throw a decorating party. This option is a win-win; you catch up with friends that you may have been neglecting due to your schedule and they can help you decorate. “Turn a girls’ night out into a girls’ night in! Decorate trees, make wreaths, bake cookies, have some holiday cheer - your friends will want to make this party a tradition,” Liz suggests.
- Pick a hot spot. Choose one room, or even one area of a room for focus. A mantel, chandelier, staircase or dining area can pack a lot of punch. Once you’ve chosen your hot spot, go all out!
Thanks so much to Liz Toombs for this awesome holiday advice, and check back tomorrow for her advice for holiday decorations when you're short on time. Liz's award-winning firm, Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors, offers complete design services for homes, offices and Greek housing.
{Photos courtesy Liz Toombs.}
5 Holiday Decoration Tips to Add Kentucky Flair and Heirloom Charm to Your Home
Lexington, KY interior designer Liz Toombs shares whimsical Christmas decoration ideas.
For most of us here in the Bluegrass State, it's second nature to throw in a few Kentucky-themed items in our home décor. Whether your tastes reflect a passion for bourbon, equestrian pursuits, team pride, or family heritage, you probably have more than a few items lying around the house. Of course, it’s easy to go overboard on the Kentucky love, so I asked Liz Toombs, a Certified Interior Decorator and owner of Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors in Lexington, for some holiday decoration advice. Liz was kind enough to share five tidbits about embracing your own personal Kentucky style:
1. Choose decorations that mimic the Kentucky countryside. Whether your style is rustic or luxe, there's a way to adapt the colors of the Bluegrass State to decorate your Old Kentucky Home. “As Kentuckians, we can easily use many of the fabrics and symbols that represent our state in our holiday decorations. Classic burlap and plaid fabrics convey Kentucky country homes, while shades of purple and green reflect the shades of Kentucky bluegrass,” advises Liz, who plans clients’ holiday décor months in advance.
2. Try a flocked tree. Liz loves the trend of trees that look like they were just plucked from a snowy field, noting that pairing these trees with warm textures bring the vibe of a Kentucky winter into your home. Flocked trees are beautiful on their own, and require minimal decoration to provide a significant impact. She notes that you can find reasonably priced flocked trees at stores like At Home and Lowe’s. Add Maker’s Mark and Louisville Stoneware ornaments for a Bluegrass touch.
3. Work with collections. Have a collection of Christopher Radko or vintage ornaments? Liz suggests that you pair them with new pieces: “Vintage crystal ornaments look beautiful when paired with old-world beaded garland. I love mercury glass! I’m so glad that it’s popular again; it pairs well with newer decorations.” She also suggests tucking magnolia stems and long pine needles/sprigs into trees, mantles, and wreaths for a classic, Southern look.
4. Use those heirlooms! Most of us have statement heirloom pieces that may just be collecting dust in a china cabinet. Use the holidays as an excuse to let them shine! Liz suggests that you set your tables with your very best pieces: “It’s so Southern to place pretty heirloom pieces such as silver platters, soup tureens and punch bowls on your buffet or dining table. They look festive filled with ornaments or floral arrangements,” Liz suggests. “Depending on their size, you can arrange some heirlooms, such as flatware or china tea cups, in a tree by twisting the branches to hold them.”
5. Re-purpose well-worn heirlooms! Those pieces that have been passed down for generations often start to show signs of love – and wear! If, say, you have a collection of stockings that your great-grandmother hand-stitched that are too worn for display, but too special to be tossed, Liz suggests draping them over the side of an heirloom bowl or vase for an unexpected look or arranging them at the base of your Christmas tree for an unexpected alternative to a tree skirt.
Thanks so much to Liz Toombs for this awesome holiday advice, and check back tomorrow for her advice for holiday decorations when you're short on time. Liz's award-winning firm, Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors, offers complete design services for homes, offices and Greek housing.
{Photos courtesy Liz Toombs.}
What to Wear to Keeneland's Dining Rooms
Sooner or later, most Central Kentuckians get invited to an event in one of Keeneland's Dining Rooms. These make for some great days at the track -- you're inside, taking it all in. You're guaranteed to run into tons of people you know. And, of course, a bad day at Keeneland is better than a good day just about anywhere else. Like the lower levels, Keeneland's dining areas have a unique dress code.
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, or capri pants for ladies.
What this means is that you want a little more pulled-together, professional look than what you'd wear to the lower levels. Pair a colorful Lilly Pulitzer Elsa Top from The Peppermint Palm with neutral slacks or a skirt. A vivid dress from Monkees or omar + elsie is perfect with a solid cardigan and classic accessories. You're likely to run into a classmate or professional acquaintance in this area of the track, so keep your style classic!
Here's to a winning day at the track! Check back tomorrow morning for our picks for the Clubhouse!
Blogger {View} Wednesday: Mindy Rohr of Love, Lexington
Today, we're starting an exciting new feature here on HerKentucky. Blogger{View} Wednesday will introduce y'all to our favorite Kentucky bloggers -- folks who are taking the internet by storm with their style, sass, and love for the Commonwealth. today, we're talking to Mindy Rohr, the fabulous blogger behind Love, Lexington. Mindy's website reads like a love letter to Lexington -- an exploration of the latest trends in food and drink, snapshots of the city's gorgeous scenery, and tips on the greatest Kentucky-themed swag. And did I mention Mindy's stunning SJP-esque ombre hair? Thanks so much to Mindy for taking some time to chat with us!
Tell us about yourself.
Hi I’m Mindy, the blogger behind Love Lexington. I was born and raised right here in Lexington, Kentucky. I love traveling and checking off places I’ve never been (like Napa this summer!) I am a horrible cook (note why we eat out so often)…our fridge and pantry usually only have tea, Hershey Kisses (dark chocolate only please…and yes we keep them in the fridge!), and cheddar skinny pop. What else does one need to survive? Bourbon…we always have bourbon on hand. I’m obsessed with my dogs! They really are the best and bring so much happiness into our lives. My favorite food is so cliché but I’d choose pizza over everything!
How did Love, Lexington get started?
Love Lexington came to me as an idea after reading the “Love Letter to Lexington” (published in the Huffington Post and written by my friend Megan Smith). Having personally deciding a few years back to get out of my Hamburg neighborhood and experience more of the downtown Lexington, Mr. Love Lexington and I started trying all the new local restaurants, going to Thursday Night Live every week, and just making a point to be a part of the growing downtown scene. Friends had suggested that we write a food/review blog but I didn’t want to be a food critic…I’m not into bashing anyone. From all that, Love Lexington was born. Ideally it is a love letter from Lexington to its people…and a way for me to share all the things I love about our city!
What’s your favorite thing about Kentucky?
My favorite thing about Kentucky is how absolutely stunning our state is! The beautiful rolling hills, the horse farms, the historic little towns…it is simply breath taking!
What advice do you have for someone who wants to start a blog?
For someone just starting out, I would recommend using a free site like Blogger or WordPress. It can get expensive to purchase a hosting site, a url, a theme, etc. and might feel overwhelming. Once you have figured out the technical part of getting a blog up and going, then you have to find your voice. Most readers relate to bloggers who write as if they are having a conversation. There is a lot of competition in the blog world…your voice is what will make you stand out.
People will say you do not need a good camera to take good photos…but I disagree. If a blog has low quality photos I am less likely to revisit the site. If you are serious about your blog (and photos are a necessity i.e., fashion, food) then invest in a starter DSLR or a similar camera (I started with a Nikon1). Once you have the camera, you must learn how to use it…if not, you might as well keep using your iPhone because you won’t be able to tell much different.
People will say and do the most random things. They think that because you are behind a computer screen that common etiquette doesn’t apply. They say things they would never say to a person in real life. Try to not let that bother you and if you truly love blogging then Keep On, Keeping On. The haters will move on and you will find people to follow you because they are behind what you are doing.
Now the important questions:
Cats or Cards? I bleed blue!
Louisville or Lexington? Should I even answer this?? ☺ Lexington…duh!
What’s your favorite bourbon? I’m not super picky when it comes to bourbon. I like Maker’s Mark in my diet coke; Woodford, Noah’s Mill, or Four Roses small batch in my cocktails. When I’m feeling cheap it’s not below me to order a good ol’ Kentucky Tavern and diet Ale-8!
Where’s your favorite local restaurant? If I have to choose only one and only one…I couldn’t live without County Club.
What’s your favorite local shop? My favorite “local” shop has to be High Street Fly. I cannot get enough of their awesome t-shirts. I do love Morton James too…my husband and pocket book however do not☺.
Check out Love Lexington for a dose of Lexington love!