HerKentucky Derby Days: Rebecca Ray Designs Bracelet Giveaway!

 Happy Oaks Day, y'all!

With Derby almost here, we have one more Derby Days giveaway for you.  Megan B recently profiled  the lovely equestrian designs of Rebecca Ray Designs. I just love these products, too. They've got a horsey vibe, but are a little edgy and at times kitschy. I mean, how cute is this bag?

The Leona

 And this flask? So perfect for pre-gaming!

Leather Flask with Rosette

This stuff is seriously adorable, and available at select Kentucky stores, including L.V. Harkness, Dolfingers, and the gift shops at the Brown Hotel, the American Saddlebred Museum, and Keeneland. If you're not in Lexington or Louisville, you can shop at Ashland's Holly B's or Midway's The Fashion Filly.

Rebecca Ray Designs has kindly offered to give one lucky HerKentucky winner this gorgeous bracelet.

It's a croc print leather cuff bracelet with a  silver horse bit embellishment in a stunning shade of cobalt blue. It will be so perfect for UK games or a day at the track. It's a fresh, fun interpretation of classic equestrian style, and I think y'all will just love it!

Contest runs through Derby Weekend, so you have until midnight on Sunday to enter.

Good luck, and Happy Derby Days!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{No member of the HerKentucky writing staff was compensated for this post.}

Derby Style from Vineyard Vines

As soon as you decide to attend the Derby, you start thinking of what you're going to wear. I think that's a rule that applies to most everybody. Whether you're concerned with dressing for the weather conditions, staying comfortable, or standing out in the crowd, you give it some thought. Maybe even a test run or two. 

The folks over at Vineyard Vines were kind enough to send us some photos of their 2013 Kentucky Derby Collection. I love the bright colors, preppy vibe, and fun attitude! I especially adore the neckties -- the mint juleps, fleurs de lis and silks are so perfect for anyone who loves Louisville or a trip to the track!

Mint Julep tie

Fleur de Lis

The Vineyard Vines fun doesn't stop with their clothing selections. As the Official Style of the Kentucky Derby, VV is going to be all over Louisville this weekend. Look for them at 4th Street Live!, the Barnstable Brown party, and at both Oaks and Derby. There will be plenty of swag, live entertainment, and lots of fun Derby style. There's even a tractor in a fun VV patchwork print!

In the meantime, here are a few of my favorite looks from the Vineyard Vines Derby Collection:

Run for the Roses Ruffle Dress

Horseshoe Gingham Breakers Pants

What are y'all wearing to Derby this year?
{No member of the HerKentucky writing staff was compensated in any way for this post.}

HerKentucky Derby Days: Smathers and Branson Needlepoint Flask Giveaway!

It's still a few days until the actual Derby, but HerKentucky Derby Days are in full effect!

We've partnered with Smathers and Branson to bring y'all another great giveaway.

The winner can choose to celebrate the Kentucky Derby's signature drink,

display silks,

celebrate a favorite label,

or display some Derby style.

In fact, you can choose among any of their non-personalized flask designs.

Enter to win below. Good luck, and Happy Derby Days!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

{No member of the HerKentucky writing staff was compensated for this post. The giveaway runs from April 29-April 1. Winner will be announced Thursday, April 2.}

HerKentucky Derby Days: Marley Lilly Giveaway!

Can y'all believe it? Derby is just a few days away!

Whether you consider Derby to be the greatest two minutes in sports, the most fashionable day of the year, or the one day that you put mint in your bourbon, it's the day that Kentucky shines on an international stage. Here at HerKentucky, we're getting in the Derby spirit by partnering with some incredible companies to bring you some great prizes.

Now, everybody knows that you can't do Derby without a hat, so the first giveaway of HerKentucky Derby Days is a personalized hat from Marley Lilly. How cute is this?

The Monogrammed Floppy Outline Hat will be perfect for any spring or summer activity, from the beach to the racetrack. You can personalize this straw hat by choosing among 6 different color outlines, 8 hat colors and a rainbow of monogram colors. This would be a perfect piece to wear to a Derby party!

You can enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Good luck, and Happy Derby Days!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Contest ends at Midnight on Sunday night, April 21st. Winner will be contacted on Monday, April 22. 
All opinions expressed in this post are our own. No member of the HerKentucky staff was compensated for this post.}

Kentucky Derby Style From Rebecca Ray Designs

A lovely lady reached out to me about her Kentucky Derby themed designs that she offers in 12 retail locations in Kentucky.   All of her designs are hand produced in the USA.  

You can check them out at www.rebeccaraydesigns.com

Perfect for gearing up for the Run for the Roses! 

The HerKentucky Guide to Keeneland's Dress Code

The search terms that most often lead new readers to HerKentucky involve the Keeneland dress code. We get a whole lot of folks who wonder what they should wear to the Paddock, the Clubhouse, and all spaces in-between. Tomorrow is Opening Day -- one of Lexington's biggest spring holidays -- so we thought we'd revisit the HerKentucky Guide to Keeneland's Dress Code, which we originally posted last year, to get you ready.  

Of course, if you're still in doubt, you can always visit our favorite Lexington boutiques -- AJ's Casuals, Bella Rose, Monkee's and The Peppermint Palm -- and get some ideas! Most of all, I hope you look nice, win big, and enjoy the races!! -- HCW

Every year, in springtime and autumn, it seems that tons of new visitors arrive at HerKentucky  with variants of the same search: "What should I wear to Keeneland?"  I always want to reach out through Google, find all of y'all in Jacksonville, Ontario, and everywhere in-between, give you a hug and say "look nice and be yourself."

Now, the dress codes for Keeneland vary pretty wildly according to your location.  That really is my favorite thing about this racetrack.  There's a way to have fun at any budget, and at any level of dress.  But, as we've said before here at HerKentucky, visitors to Keeneland just try a little harder.

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 are fine in khakis and polo shirts, and girls can wear slacks.  In fact, you may even see folks wearing (gasp!) jeans.  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 and Lilly Pulitzer to be seen.

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. 

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!

What do y'all wear to Keeneland?

{all images via Keeneland.}

Keeneland Style Guide

Every year, in springtime and autumn, it seems that tons of new visitors arrive at HerKentucky  with variants of the same search: "What should I wear to Keeneland?"  I always want to reach out through Google, find all of y'all in Jacksonville, Ontario, and everywhere in-between, give you a hug and say "look nice and be yourself."

Now, the dress codes for Keeneland vary pretty wildly according to your location.  That really is my favorite thing about this racetrack.  There's a way to have fun at any budget, and at any level of dress.  But, as we've said before here at HerKentucky, visitors to Keeneland just try a little harder.

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 are fine in khakis and polo shirts, and girls can wear slacks.  In fact, you may even see folks wearing (gasp!) jeans.  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.

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. 

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!

What do y'all wear to Keeneland?