Kentucky in One Word: Iconic

Colonel Sanders. The Twin Spires. Muhammad Ali. George Clooney. Some of the most famous images in the world. Icons. Symbols of Kentucky.

To me, the one little word that describes Kentucky is "iconic." The defining imagery that conveys the Bluegrass State. The pageantry of the Derby. The limestone fences that outline the Central Kentucky countryside. The quilts. The actual blue grass, and the unique genre of music which shares its name. The college basketball tradition.

You can go anywhere in the world and identify yourself as being from Kentucky and, invariably, you'll get the response of "Fried Chicken" or "Derby." Our horses and our whisky are unparalleled. Our local boxing legend is The Greatest and our hometown heartthrob is The Sexiest.

Kentucky is a land of unmistakable images. Kentucky is iconic.

(All images Leroy Neiman.)

Kentucky in One Word: Comfort

It's funny - I was reading Sarah's "Kentucky in One Word" post and I thought she stole my word... home. Turns out that she actually led me to the word that should have come to mind in the first place: Comfort.

image via joeshlabotnik on Flickr

You see, my family isn't in Kentucky. I wasn't born in Kentucky. I resented being in Kentucky for a long time (this is what happens when you move a very moody girl in her early teens). It wasn't until college at UK - my last resort school - that I started to really feel comfortable. I experienced the spark of UK basketball, finally went to see the ponies at Keeneland, and started to pull the stick out of my butt that seemed to lodge there when I first moved here.

I met a Kentucky boy who is the very definition of comfort to my heart. His family added an anchor that is comforting to have when my family is so distant.

I love to travel, and am surprised every time how much I look forward to flying into LEX and driving home with my heavy suitcases and oily travel face - windows down and breathing in the fresh air.

Today while I write this, I'm curled up on my sofa with my laptop with a down comforter wrapped around me like a burrito. I just drank a cup of hot tea and my pup is trying to get my attention. In this place I am warm, loved, wanted, and needed. Comfort is what Kentucky gives to me.

Kentucky In One Word: Home

To distill Kentucky’s essence into one word is to try to distill my own. It is a land of bourbon and bluegrass music and horses. I am redheaded and a mother and a writer.

The latter describe the wholeness of my being no better than the former describe the state I love.

My ancestors have lived and died on this land for over two hundred years. Generations of Jennings and Stewarts and Lovelaces who made homes and livings and families in the same state I now raise my own sons. I think about them often. How did they describe Kentucky to family members far away in Virginia and North Carolina?

I think about how my own children will describe Kentucky as they go out into the world. Will they describe their birthplace with fondness? Will it be place they defend or a place they disown?

Kentucky has never been a mere place to me – a descriptor of a small part of my own history. No matter where my story took me, Kentucky was never just the beginning. Kentucky was the foundation – the framework – of all that had been and ever would be in my history.  Kentucky was my mother, my birthplace, my friend.

When I returned after years “abroad,” my dear friend looked me in the eye and welcomed me back to the promise land.

Kentucky is in my blood. Knitted into my very DNA is a love of this land – this state. I can no more imagine myself without it then I can imagine my body without blood. It is my past. It is my present. It is my future.

It is my home.

Home.

~ Sarah Stewart Holland 

Local Spotlight: Lou What Wear

I recently came across a blog that spotlights Kentucky Fashions in both Louisville and Lexington.  

Being a fashionista and fashion blogger myself, I instantly realized what a great idea these two blogs are! 

The below was taken from the Lou What Wear "about me" page: 

Gah she looks cute…

Don’t lie, you’ve said it. You’re surveying the room at (the bar, wedding, cocktail party, charity event) and you spot her. The best dressed girl there. She’s perfectly put together from top to bottom and suddenly you’re struck with a case of outfit jealousy.
Well, if you all can’t admit it, I will (maybe you’re that really cute girl and if so, I applaud you). I can get a pretty serious case of outfit jealousy from time to time. Whenever it strikes, I vow to never have it again and commit myself to mastering the art of styling so I can be “that girl” (the cute, pretty kind of that girl – Not the over-served, out of control kind of that girl) next time.
But really, we all know that celebs look good when they head out on the town but when you’ve got a gaggle of professionals picking out the perfect look from head to toe – you should look good. What I’m impressed with are the gals that pull it all together on their own – those lovely ladies are the inspiration behind LouWhatWear.
So move over New York, out of the way L.A. – the little city in the middle that is Louisville is vying for some of the fashion spotlight. Next time you’re out and you see a tall girl with a camera coming your way, get ready to reapply some gloss and get your pose on.

This is a fun collaboration they did with other Kentucky Fashion Bloggers for how to wear a fur vest: 

So there you have it, fellow Kentuckians! Keep up with style spotting across the state with Lou What Wear !

Kentucky Quote

Kentucky Find: Maya Brenner Designs

Last year I started seeing these "state" necklaces everywhere.  I travel a lot in Mississippi and noticed some girls wearing Mississippi shaped necklaces and thought, "wow, what a cute idea".  I soon found out that these necklaces are by a designer by the name of Maya Brenner.  

You can choose any state, but the Kentucky shape is available in plain gold or silver, or you can choose to get a diamond anywhere along the border! 

How fun are these necklaces?  I think they'd make a perfect gift for the Kentucky lady in your life.  I know that this Kentucky necklace will definitely be on my next gift list! 

Summer Cookout Attire

What to wear?  That is always the question when faced with a summer BBQ or cookout with friends in the bluegrass state.  There are ways to still look cute even when it's hot and humid!

The Fancy Cookout- Dress: French Connection, Shoes: Miu Miu

The "not sure" Cookout- Dress: Madewell, Shoes: Lulu's, Necklace: J.Crew

The Casual Cookout- Top: Uniqio, Shorts: AG, Shoes: Tory Burch

The Pool Party Cookout- Caftan: DvF, Shoes: Havianas

The best advice is to dress comfortably! We all know there's nothing worse than being hot and sweaty in an outfit that is uncomfortable and binding.

My last piece of advice- don't show up empty handed.  Always take a side dish or a bottle of wine to a cookout that you are invited to attend.