Lexington Party and Sample Sale for sizes 10+

April 21, 2014 by Emily Ho in "emily", "fashion", "lexington", "plus size"

This Saturday in Lexington, I'm hosting a party and sample sale with fashion in sizes 10-32. Fashion above a size 10 can be so difficult to find, and this will be the first time items from designers like Kiyonna, IGIGI, Karen Kane, and more will be available on-site in Kentucky!

The clothing comes from Gwynnie Bee, which is a monthly subscription clothing service that I'm obsessed with. The sample items being sold are gently worn rental inventory but all have been thoroughly inspected and cleaned. Best of all, everything will be $20 or less!

You can find the invitation on Facebook, where I'll also be posting some sneak peeks of items that will be for sale. Please invite your friends and family. Did I mention we'll have snacks, sweets, and mimosas?!

Post by Authentically Emmie.

Will I see you on Saturday?

The 2014 HerKentucky Guide to Keeneland Springtime Style

April 15, 2014 by Heather C. Watson in "ajs casuals", "carol bader", "dvf", "fashion", "giveaways", "hunter bell", "keeneland", "kentucky fashion", "lilly pulitzer", "peppermint palm", "style", "what to wear"

Every spring, we get a ton of questions from readers; they all send some variant of the question "What should I wear to Keeneland?" Now, if there are two things I love, it's shopping at local Kentucky boutiques and taking in a day of horse racing. I asked a few of our favorite Lexington-based boutiques to help us sort out the Keeneland Dress Code.

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. 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. The Peppermint Palm suggests the Richelle dress -- available in pink seersucker, as shown below, mint green seersucker, or fun Lilly prints to brighten up your day at the track.

Lilly Pulitzer, seersucker, spring, Keeneland, horse racing, Steeplechase, Louisville KY fashion blog

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. During the week, many professionals take long business lunches in these areas, as is reflected in their dress code. This Lilly Pulitzer Pearl shift from the Peppermint Palm comes in a versatile white lace that allows you to pair with a sweater or blazer for the area of your choice.

Lilly Pulitzer, lace, spring, Keeneland, horse racing, Steeplechase, Louisville KY fashion blog

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. Most of all, remember to look nice because you'll see plenty of people!

AJ's Casuals suggests this Hunter Bell lace dress, DVF clutch, and Carol Bader Designs fascinator for a fancy day on the upper levels.

Lace, Lexington, spring, Keeneland, horse racing, Steeplechase, Louisville KY fashion blog

To coordinate with your Keeneland ensemble, we're thrilled to offer one lucky HerKentucky reader a seersucker bow clutch purse designed by our own Italian-trained handbag maven, Elizabeth Elfen! I love this bag for a day at the track, a summer wedding, or any time you want to add a little Southern sass to your ensemble.

Just enter using the Rafflecopter widget below and tell us what you're wearing to Keeneland this spring, and check in Thursday when we answer a pressing question about Keeneland style!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Win a Kentucky Derby Hat from Goorin Bros!

April 09, 2014 by Heather C. Watson in "derby hat", "fashion", "giveaways", "goorin bros", "herkentucky derby days", "kentucky derby", "kentucky fashion", "louisville fashion", "style"

Derby is only 24 days away, y'all!

Can you believe that it's already time to plan your Kentucky Derby outfits and finalize your plans for Derby Day?

Goorin Bros Hats wants help you get ready for Derby with a hat from their Kentucky Derby Hat collection.

Established in 1895, Goorin Bros has carried on the tradition of authentic family craftsmanship for five generations. This year, they want to help one lucky HerKentucky reader get ready for the Derby in style!

The winner will choose from the Ms. Churchill Straw Boater

or the Mrs. Perfecta Straw Floppy Hat.

We'll pick a winner on Monday; you can enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Just tell us, what are you wearing to Derby?

Getting Fit

January 13, 2014 by Elizabeth Johnston in "2014", "diet", "elizabeth elfen johnston", "exercise", "fashion", "fitness", "goals", "style", "what to wear"

We've been talking about setting goals for ourselves on HerKentucky and I know that most everyone has made a resolution to be healthy and get fit. I know I did! While we are up in the gym working on our fitness, our transformations may take a little longer than two weeks so I wanted to share some style slimming secrets to get us through this transition.

1. Fit - Every southern girl knows that fit is the most important rule in looking slim and trim. When dressing, your goal is to create fluid lines that suggest a slender appearance...muffin tops are not included in this. So it's obvious that we had too much holiday fun or one too many bourbon balls, so what? It is easily fixed by purchasing a pair of pants the next size up to banish our muffin tops. Focus on the fit of your pants, not the size, and you will look slimmer in minutes!

2. Accentuate your thinnest point - Beautiful women come in all shapes and sizes and with that, we all have different areas that we should highlight. If you have awesome legs, wear that short skirt! If you have an hourglass figure, wear a dress that accentuates your tiny waist. By highlighting your thinnest points, you are drawing the attention away from your trouble areas and thus creating the illusion of a slimmer you.

3. Wear the correct undergarments - This one is a must. The correct underpinnings will make a world of difference!

4. Accessorize - The art of accessorizing has been my best friend for a long time. Adding a little sparkle to your wrist, rocking a statement necklace or donning some killer heels are all ways to draw the attention away from unwanted areas. And if you think about it, your wrist is really your thinnest point! Everyone go buy a bracelet!

5. Belt it - Baggy tops and dresses do not aid in making you look slim and trim, in fact, they do exactly the opposite. Don't hide that waist under an ill fitting blouse, let it shine and you'll look slim in no time! If you do not have a natural waist, you can create the illusion of an hour glass figure by cinching your waist with a belt. I have been in love with these monogrammed belts from C. Wonder, they have southern girl written all over them!

Happy New Year to everyone and good luck on your goals for 2014!!

Adding a little Sparkle!

December 11, 2013 by Elizabeth Johnston in "HerKentucky", "fashion", "holiday", "sparkle", "style"

I love the holiday season for so many reasons. The love, joy and time spent with friends and family, but what I really revel in, is the sparkle.The holiday season is the perfect opportunity for you to let your inner sparkle shine in home decor and fabulous frocks. No one will even bat an eye when you have decided to don sequins head to toe or put tinsel on every inch of your tree...you are just getting into the holiday spirit!

I know that the holidays can be a little taxing on our beautiful pocket books, so I have come up with ways to add sparkle without breaking your bank or your holiday spirit!

Work with what you have in your closet.

Every southern girl has a string of pearls and several strands of faux pearls for that matter! I would layer them and tie a red ribbon around them and Viola! You are ready for the holidays!
You could also revive an old choker, like 413 Sparrow Lane did. Adorable!
Add shoe clips to jazz up your favorite black pumps. I love these shoe clips from The Dessy Group.
Dust off your red cardigan or favorite hat and adorn it with broaches for a little extra sparkle. Thanks for the idea Ann Taylor Loft!

Accessorize

Accessories are the easiest way to update a little black dress. I love the statement necklace above from Zara. It is regal and was worn by a certain royal recently. It will take you from the holidays into spring!
Add a sequined cardigan to your favorite fancy frock. They are everywhere this season!
Add a pair of sparkly shoes. I love the pair below from Joe Jacey.

Don a Sparkly Skirt

Nothing says happy holidays like a little extra sparkle. This skirt can take you from the holidays to NYE with just the change of shirt. It is half off today too! Just use the code HOLIDAY when you check out at Ann Taylor Loft.

I can't wait to start planning my holiday outfits! What will you all be wearing this year?

Photos courtesy of Ann Taylor Loft, Zara and DSW.

It's time to transition to fall y'all!

August 23, 2013 by Elizabeth Johnston in "2013", "HerKentucky", "bauble bar", "boots", "chain link", "earrings", "fall", "fashion", "kentucky fashion", "lexington", "pearls", "stripes", "tailgating", "transitions", "trends", "trendy", "university of kentucky"

Sadly, summer is coming to a close and fall is on its way. Lexington is bursting at the seams with college students and Keeneland's opening day is just around the corner, but that does not mean we should toss our favorite summer pieces aside like yesterday's race booklet! With a few quick adjustments, we can transition those summer stunners into fabulous fall outfits!

White Blazers were white hot this summer. They were everywhere, adorning brightly colored dresses and breezy floral tops. You can transition your blazer to fall by adding a few key pieces that you probably already have in your closet! This outfit is so versatile, you could dress it up with heels or dress it down with riding boots or flats.

Summer's flirty floral dresses get a fantastic fall makeover with the addition of black tights, cardigans, statement earrings and boots. This dress is so cute and even features a little UK blue! Tailgating, anyone?

Flirty Floral Dress

Over Sized Statement Earrings

Ruffle Cardigan

It is no secret that I LOVE stripes, so it was no surprise that my favorite summer trend was statement stripes. These bold stunners can easily transition to a fancy fall night out by adding a fabulous cardigan, pearls, tights and heels.

Statement Stripes

Pretty Pearls

Chain Cardigan

I am so excited about these outfits....looks like I have some shopping to do! Ooh La La! What is your favorite summer trend and how are you transitioning it to fall?

Summer Barbecue

July 31, 2013 by Elizabeth Johnston in "Betsey Johnson", "Blue Nile", "ChloÃ©", "DV by Dolce Vita", "Henri Bendel", "HerKentucky", "J.Crew", "Moda Spana", "Old Navy", "People Tree", "Wallis", "chambray", "fashion", "gingham", "pineapples", "polyvore", "style"

Recently, my best friend Jessica got married in Paducah, KY and had a beautiful summer barbecue as her rehearsal dinner. The food was delicious, the company was divine and a wonderful time was had by all. In the weeks prior to the BBQ, I received several queries about what to wear, so I styled a few outfits that would be worthy of this summer soiree! I have also included some simple tips to remember when you embark on your own outfit planning.

Always consider the venue when choosing shoes. Our barbecue was outside so we strayed away from heels and chose wedges/flats.
Consider the weather and dress accordingly.
Choose articles of clothing that fit properly to ensure maximum comfort.
Have fun! Life was not meant for boring outfits!

I am in love with all three outfits and wish I could go to the barbecue all over again! All items above are still available and links are below. Happy Shopping!