Draper James Valentine's Day Collection
Swoonworthy Valentine's Day styles from Draper James.
(This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small per-click commission on some product links at no additional cost to you! Thank you for supporting HerKentucky.com!)
Y'all. Draper James just dropped their Valentine's Day collection. It is so adorable that I kinda want one of everything, but I've picked a few of my favorites to share with you. (Click here to save $20 at Draper James!)
I *may* have already ordered this striped tee. It's just cute enough without being cloying or "holiday-ish."
This flutter sleeve tee is cute enough to wear year-round.
This "Love You More" tee is so sweet!
And it's legit all I can do to not order EVERY SINGLE THING that has "Bless Your Heart" written on it; anybody who knows me knows that I use that particular phrase daily. DJ has a wallet, a tote, and a cosmetic bag with that saying, and I love them all.
Some of these pieces are still in pre-order, but it looks like they'll all ship in time for Valentine's Day. Happy Shopping, and don't forget to click here to get $20 off your DJ order!
The HerKentucky Valentine's Day Luxe Wishlist
A girl can dream, can't she?
Hey y'all! How are you spending Valentine's Day? Or, better yet, Galentine's Day? Now, I'm not usually one for fighting the crowds for fancy prix-fixe dinners, but I sure do love to window shop for all the pretty pink and red Valentine's Day themed pretties that are in stores right now. Here are a few of my luxe Valentine's Day favorites.
I seriously love this Lilly Pulitzer sunny shoulder silk blouse! What a great update on a classic Lilly Elsa top!
I have this Talbots cashmere heart sweater, and it's so lovely! (and under $45!)
I'm obsessed with Vineyard Vines holiday tees. Especially this one.
And then there's this David Yurman necklace... A girl can dream, can't she?
Shop The Look
Valentine's Day Dates You'll Actually Enjoy!
St. Valentine's Day, named for a martyred 3rd Century Roman who may or may not have actually existed, is celebrated every year on February 14th as an expression of romantic love. The symbols of hearts and flowers and candies are everywhere. And, as we all know, it can actually also be a little stupid.
But, you know, it doesn't have to be. There are fun activities this weekend in every corner of the Commonwealth that let you celebrate with your sweetie in unique ways!
Louisville
- B.You Fitness offers a chance to show the guy in your life exactly what you do in barre class. Enjoy Barre with your Beau 6:15 tomorrow night at the Chenoweth Square location. Try Silque Cardio with your Sweetie 6:00 tomorrow night at B.You's Springhurst studio.
- Louisville has the best pizza. THE BEST. I suggest the 2 topping heart-shaped 14" pizza for $15 at Wick's. Sunday only. Or the $30 dinner for two at Impellizzeri's, including salad, a 12" heart-shaped pizza, and an amazing-sounding molten brownie.
- How about an '80s dance party that supports equality? Modern Love: A Valentine's Day Dance Party is Sunday night at Louis's "The Ton." If you're planning a wedding, Fair Event Vendors Alliance™ (FEVA) representatives will be there. FEVA aims to connect the LGBTQ community with Louisville and Southern Indiana area wedding and event professionals, who welcome them as clients and believe in their equality and fair treatment. The event will feature some rare specialty beers from Flat12 Bierwerks, Goodwood Brewing, and West Sixth Brewing, and pints of the featured beers come with an 80s fandom Valentine’s Day card and a chance to win swag and prizes.
- The Four Roses Flower Hour at Nanz & Kraft Florist combines hearts and flowers in the best possible way. This special Valentine's Day shopping and bourbon tasting event benefits the American Heart Association. Tomorrow night, 5:30-8 p.m. $10 cash only at the door.
- Corner Bar is one of my favorites. They're offering special cocktails, small plates and chocolate + champs pairings now through Valentine's Day and enforcing a screen-free environment.
Paducah
- Flower + Furbish is hosting a Valentines pop-up shop at the Coke Plant Saturday and Sunday. These gorgeous, unique arrangements are far from your traditional dozen roses!
Image via Flower + Furbish
- If kickass-Kentucky-girl-with-guitar music is your thing, check out local musician Jessica Lee Wilkes in concert at Maiden Alley Cinema Friday night.
Lexington
- Let's go ahead and acknowledge that UK basketball is your first love. Order takeout and watch UK @ South Carolina on ESPN Saturday at noon.
- So, Romeo & Juliet set to ballet probably is the most conventionally romantic thing on this list. It still sounds pretty fun. Saturday and Sunday at the Lexington Opera House.
- If Kentucky is your BAE, and seriously, it should be, visit the Market 301 at Manchester Music Hall Friday night from 6-10 at Manchester Music Hall and shop with some of Central Kentucky's best artisans and vendors. The first 100 guests receive a free tote bag!
Pikeville
- The special Saturday menu at The Blue Raven sounds amazing.
Owensboro
- Why not meet your bestie at the barre? Book a Valentine's Day class at Pure Barre Owensboro and get a special gift bag! You'll receive $10 in barre bucks if you bring a friend!
Happy Valentine's Day, y'all!
Shop Local for Valentine's Day!
Great Valentine's Day presents from local Louisville artisans!
Happy almost-Valentine's Day, y'all!
If you're still looking for an amazing gift for your sweetie, here are some absolutely gorgeous pieces made by local Louisville artisans that are fun, romantic, and unique!
Louisville Stoneware Mug
I debated putting this one on the list, because I want one myself, and I've heard a rumor that there are only a few remaining. But, these are absolutely the most adorable pieces of locally-made pottery! If your Valentine really, really loves coffee, this is the perfect gift. Available in-studio only at Louisville Stoneware.
Anchal Project Scarf
The Anchal Project is an AMAZING Louisville-based company that trains and employs former sex workers in India to create stunning, one-of-a-kind textiles. I had the good fortune to hear Anchal founder Colleen Clines talk about empathy a few months ago. After watching her speak, I'm OBSESSED with Anchal and their mission!
Elva Fields Necklace
Elva Fields is one of my favorite, favorite local companies. Owner/ designer Emily Wheat Maynard is one of the sweetest ladies you'll ever meet, and she is crazy talented. She scopes out lovely antiques and one-of-a-kind gemstones to make every piece an experience. Check out this Elva Fields necklace and this necklace!
Cellar Door Chocolates
This may be my all-time favorite take on the perennial "sweets for your sweet" gift. It's Phoebe Buffay's lobsters, reimagined in locally-made chocolate.
Just as a reminder of why this is so awesome,
A piece from Cuteopia!
Revelry Boutique Gallery in NuLu has some of the most fabulous pieces every day, but their Cuteopia exhibit is over-the-top fabulous. Who could say no to these declarations of love?
Here's to a perfect Valentine's Day with your sweetie!
Pink + Green Hearts + Polka Dots Quilt
Every Thursday, HerKentucky presents a Quilt of the Week. Over the years, my grandmother has made some absolutely stunning quilts for me; I love to photograph them and share their stories with y'all. This week's Quilt is a pink and green hearts and polka dots pattern. Several years ago, I was walking through the grocery store and saw a cute hearts pattern on a magazine cover.
Of course, my tastes run more toward jewel tones, Lilly Pulitzer-ish prints, and deeper pinks and greens than the magazine's example. My granny was able to work with colors she knows that I love, and the result couldn't be more stunning.
I absolutely love the sense of motion that the subtle paisleys and swirls add to the hearts.
Check out more Quilt of the Week posts here:
- Navy + Blue Bear Paw Quilt
- Orange + Green Halloween Quilt
- Pink + White Dresden Plate
- Blue + White Kentucky Wildcats
- Pink + White Double Wedding Ring
- Yellow + Green Grandmother's Flower Garden
- Pink + Green Plaid Butterfly
- Red + White Ohio Star
- Pink + White Kentucky Wildcats Patchwork
- Pink + Green Lilly Pulitzer Patchwork Quilt
Five Unique Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day in Kentucky
Celebrate St. Valentine's Day with some Kentucky Favorites!
Love is in the air, y'all! Valentine's Day is tomorrow, and there are ways to celebrate within every budget. I've seriously seen advertisements here in Louisville for everything from a $300 prix fixe menu to a reservation-only dinner at the White Castle. This year, I'm seriously thinking about getting takeout from Feast BBQ in NuLu (Have y'all been there yet? It is seriously SOOO good) or a tray of chicken strips from Chick-fil-a. I'd far rather have a conversation, a nice meal, and maybe a glass of wine with my beau than fight the crowds.
Here are some other unique, off-beat, and thoroughly Kentucky-themed ways to celebrate St. Valentine and your loved one. I hope you have a great weekend filled with love and happiness!
Sundy Best Concerts: These are both sold out, but if you're lucky enough to come across a ticket, don't miss Floyd County's favorite country-rock duo live at Lexington Opera House (tonight) or the Mountain Arts Center (tomorrow). I've said it many times here on HerKentucky, but my hometown is so proud of these boys!
Nanz and Kraft/ Four Roses Flower Hour: Louisville's perennial florist (see what I did there?) and Lawrenceburg's traditional distiller team up to celebrate Roses (see what they did there?), bourbon, and love. For a $10 minimum donation to the American Heart Association, you can enjoy small bites, bourbon, and a visit with Four Roses' Master Distiller.
Visit the Louisville Stoneware Showroom: Have you been to Stoneware lately? I stopped in earlier this week to pick up a present, and it was all I could do to keep from leaving with all of these Valentine's Day-themed pieces. They're so cute and unique, and would be a fun way to make your special someone feel loved year-round.
Chocolates from Cellar Door: I'm kind of obsessed with these anatomically correct hearts. Of course, bourbon chocolates are always a welcome gift as well. Visit Cellar Door Chocolates at Butchertown Market or the Oxmoor Mall in Louisville.
Dark Chocolate Truffles
Make your sweetheart something delicious and chocolatey this year for Valentine's Day!
Valentine's Day is around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than to make your sweetheart dark chocolate truffles? This recipe is easy to do in an afternoon, or as a last minute idea-not that you didn't plan anything ;o)
dark chocolate truffles
you can cover with coconut, chopped nuts, etc
traditionally truffles are covered with cocoa powder
dark chocolate truffles
makes 30 truffles
16 oz dark chocolate (70 percent cocoa), chopped
1/2 cup coconut oil
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Pinch sea salt
1/4 cup cocoa powder, toasted coconut, or toasted nuts, for rolling
- Heat chocolate, oil, and 3 Tbsp water in a double boiler, stirring, until just melted.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and sea salt.
- Transfer to an 8-inch baking dish and refrigerate until mixture is set but still pliable, about 2 hours.
- Using a 1-inch scoop or spoon, scoop out chocolate mixture and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Coat hands in cocoa and roll chocolate into balls.
- Refrigerate on parchment-lined baking sheet 10 minutes or until outsides firm up again.
- Roll in the topping of your choice--more cocoa powder, toasted coconut, toasted chopped nuts, etc
- Enjoy!
There is also no shame in making these for yourself as a special treat regardless of the time of year! How else do you think these got made? Not that I need much of an excuse to make anything with chocolate!
Jennifer is the chef behind a girl eats world. For more delicious recipes, head over and hang out for a while!