The 2014 HerKentucky Easter Basket Guide

I love the idea of giving thoughtful, unexpected little presents to the folks I love. These fun Easter basket picks are a great way to support local businesses with fun presents.

Southern Belle Glitz Kentucky State Love Necklace

I wear this fun, delicate chain necklace All. The. Time, and I get compliments every single time. It's a great way to show your Kentucky pride, and at only $16, it's perfect for the littlest Kentucky girl in your life. You should probably go ahead and pick one up for yourself as well. Available online from Georgetown-based Southern Belle Glitz.

Macarons from Ghyslain at Westport Village

Macarons are never a bad idea. Pick up these gorgeous spring shades at Ghyslain at Westport Village in Louisville.

Easter bonnets or bucket hats from The Beaufort Bonnet Company

How precious are these for Easter Sunday? Check out Lexington-based The Beaufort Bonnet Company for adorable hats for your Belle or Beau.

Country Rabbit Pottery from Hadley Pottery

Louisville's Hadley Pottery is known for their classic "Country" pattern. These bunnies will make a stunning Easter table.

The gift of service

Why not teach your kids that it's far better to give than to receive by getting involved with The Toy Chest, a Lexington-based charity that provides toys, books, and clothing to children who need them? Learn more here.  

{Southern Belle Glitz is a HerKentucky sponsor for April and May. All opinions are my own.}

A Beaufort Bonnet Easter

After a brief hiatus from social media a couple of months ago, I happened to look at my Instagram feed on the last day of The Beaufort Bonnet Company's Waterlogue photo contest. Although I missed the contest, I discovered a new App for my iPhone.  In case you've never heard of it, Waterlogue is a very simple to use App that transforms your photos into watercolor-like images.  (By the way, I am always looking for photo Apps, so please let me know some of your favorites.)

There is nothing more classic than a bonnet.  Every single picture of my daughter in her Beaufort Bonnet looks timeless, especially as a watercolor portrait.  Here are a few of my favorites:

I loved this last one so much that I ordered a standout from Mpix just to see how well it would print.  Turns out, not too bad.

As my daughter gets older, it saddens me to think that one day she will no longer wear a bonnet, especially at Easter.  This year, the Easter Bunny is giving her the Pippa Petal Hat with a pink seersucker bow.  I look forward to seeing her in this precious sun hat as she races around on her new walker we decorated for her upcoming egg hunt.  

Now, I just need to get a message to the Easter Bunny that an original watercolor portrait is on my wish list. Happy Easter!

(Psst)...There's still time for the Easter Bunny to find a Beaufort Bonnet at the following Kentucky stores:

Animal Crackers

3634 Brownsboro Road

Louisville, KY 40207

ph. 502-896-2339

Baby Bundles

161 Lexington Green Circle, Ste. B3

Lexington, KY 40503

ph. 859-309-0459

Blossoms

805 Frederica Street

Owensboro, KY 42301

ph. 270-689-2229

Choate's Gift Shop

1939 Kentucky Ave.

Paducah, KY 42003

ph. 270-442-1798

Hopscotch

120 Clay Avenue

Lexington, KY 40502

ph. 859-258-2923

Kid's Stuff

300 North Mayo Trail

Pikeville, KY 41501

ph. 606-432-8197

Lad n' Lassie Children's Boutique

188 West Court Street

Prestonsburg, KY 41653

ph. 606-886-3142

Lucy's Fine Gifts

1945 Scottsville Road

Bowling Green, KY 42104

ph. 270-781-2008

L.V. Harkness & Co.

531 West Short Street

Lexington, KY 40507

ph. 859-225-7474

The Plaid Rabbit

209 North 12th Street

Murray, KY 42071

ph. 270-753-7534

Nancy's Place

133 West Main Street

Springfield, KY 40069

ph. 859-336-0026

Wait's Hill Gifts

401 South Main Street

Somerset, KY 42501

ph. 606-678-0512

Create Easter Memories with Louisville Stoneware!

Spring is just around the corner, y'all.

I know, it's still ridculously cold outside. And, some of us even awoke to a bit of snow -- oh, I can't even bear to say the "s" word anymore -- yesterday morning. But, believe it or not, March begins this weekend. I saw a few brave tulip leaves peeking up in my backyard yesterday, and was encouraged to see my neighborhood garden-supply store stocking up with a semi-truck's worth of mulch this morning! Before you know it, we'll be wrapped up in college basketball tournaments, planning trips to Keeneland, and planning for Easter.

One way you can get started planning for Easter is with one of these adorable Easter Bunny Creating Memories Platter. Our friends at Louisville Stoneware have designed a simply adorable personalized Easter keepsake for those of y'all with kids or grandkids. The design features your child's footprint on a 14" stoneware platter, along with the child's name and the caption "is someBUNNY special. This keepsake is recommended for infants, toddlers and preschoolers with a shoe size up to 3. The Creating Memories pattern requires you, and, of course, your little one, to visit the Louisville Stoneware retail store, although no appointment is necessary. The Creating Memories Platter is $95, which includes cost of plate, staff assistance with capturing your child’s footprints and artists’ time. UPS delivery is available for an additional charge. Creating Memories Plates purchased by March 15 will be guaranteed complete no later than April 19. Personalized items take 4 to 6 weeks, and because the platter is specially made for you, cannot be returned. 

With a little positive thinking, and some early planning for Easter keepsakes, it is starting to feel a bit more like spring!

The HerKentucky Easter Basket Wishlist

If you're like me, you're going to be spending Easter Sunday with a big family dinner, a fancy dress hidden under a sweater, and the resolve to not eat too many Peeps. I thought it would be fun to put together a couple of Easter Baskets full of Kentucky-themed products to go along with those holiday plans!

HerKentucky Easter Basket by herkentucky on Polyvore

• The littlest gal on your Easter list will love this Savannah Seersucker Bonnet from Lexington's own Beaufort Bonnet Company. This monogrammable bonnet makes an amazing keepsake of her first Easter.
• I adore the Lilly Pulitzer Just Add Mint print for spring. With all the fixin's for a julep, it's sure to be a hit at the spring races. Both the Lexington and Louisville Peppermint Palm stores have plenty of this fun print in stock, including my favorite, the Lavender skirt, as well as the Leandra and Lacina dresses.
• Mellen Designs strikes again! Dress your iPhone 4 or 5 in your favorite team colors with the Winning Team Phone Case.

HerKentucky's Easter Basket for Him by herkentucky on Polyvore

• The little guy in your life will look sharp in the Baylor Bow Tie from Beaufort Bonnet. I love the monogram option!
• Treat your beau to a bourbon class at the 1785 Bourbon Societyat Midway's Holly Hill Inn. I recently had the opportunity to sit in on a tasting; I left feeling a little happier and a lot more knowledgeable about Kentucky's native spirit!
• Of course, what your favorite Kentucky fan wants is a commitment from Andrew Wiggins. I doubt the Easter Bunny can swing that one, but this Waterford crystal paperweight commemorating our 8th National Title is pretty nice.