Mama Knows Best: Heather C. Watson

If I had to narrow down the single best piece of advice my mama ever gave me, it would be this:

"People basically do what they want."

I love that advice. It takes away so many flimsy, half-baked excuses. It reminds you that we are responsible for our own words and deeds. It cuts right to the chase. There's no room for BS, and it applies in so many situations.



Thanks to my mom for giving me this great reminder that sugar-coating things isn't always the best solution!
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Mama Knows Best: Lori Cheek

With Mother's Day coming up, we thought it would be fun to ask our writers, friends, and favorite Kentuckians to share the best advice their own mothers ever gave them.

Photo by Kim Preston Photography 

Kentucky native online dating entrepreneur Lori Cheek shared her mother's words of wisdom:
Remember that "doers" get their toes stepped on.
Lori continues, "It's been pretty helpful building my startup over the past four years. I've worked very hard at building Cheek'd and my business means everything to me, which leaves me extremely sensitive and vulnerable at times. When my feelings get hurt, I remember those simple words I learned as a young child and that I've just got to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, keep my chin up and bulldoze forward. It's really given me the ability to put things into perspective when dealing with all kinds of different personalities while trying to succeed as an entrepreneur."

{Thanks so much to Lori for sharing this great advice with us!}
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Mama Knows Best: Jon Carloftis


With Mother's Day coming up, we thought it would be fun to ask our writers, friends, and favorite Kentuckians to share the best advice their own mothers ever gave them.
Image via JonCarloftis.com

Gardener Jon Carloftis shared this advice:
Momma always said be true to yourself and never forget where you are from. It's been pretty good advice in New York.
I've had the pleasure of interviewing Jon, and I have to say that he is one of the most unassuming and down-to-earth people I've ever met. You'd never know that he's designed gardens for celebrities and major corporations. When he talks about family, friends, and his passion for gardening, he sounds like a smart, talented guy from Laurel County who followed his dreams. I think he took that good advice to heart.

{Thanks so much to Jon for sharing his mother's great advice!}
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Mama Knows Best: Robyn Peterman-Zahn

With Mother's Day coming up, we thought it would be fun to ask our writers, friends, and favorite Kentuckians to share the best advice their own mothers ever gave them.



Author, actress, and Lexington native Robyn Peterman-Zahn shared her mama's fantastic advice:

My Mom is the most amazing woman I know and I'm so very grateful she is mine. Here's some of her sage advice: "If you're going to lie, you'd better be really smart because the truth is a whole lot easier to remember than a lie!" Ironically, I make a living making up stories...
Robyn makes up stories in her series of sassy, funny paranormal novels, Fashionably Dead. I'd say she proved her mama right in the best possible way!
{Thanks to Robyn for sharing her mama's best advice!}
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Mama Knows Best: Julie Wilson

With Mother's Day coming up, we thought it would be fun to ask our writers, friends, and favorite Kentuckians to share the best advice their own mothers ever gave them.

Image via Lexington Herald-Leader
Julie Wilson, the publisher and editor-in-chief of Lexington-based Story Magazine, shared some great advice. Julie is smart, hard-working, and all-around awesome. Did I mention that she recently interviewed The Coolest Kentuckian, Johnny Depp, for Story's Hunter S. Thompson issue? That fact alone makes her my Kentucky Writer Girl Crush.

Here's the sage advice Julie passed along to us:
"My mother told me to never settle. No matter how outlandish my dream might seem to others, I should always go for it. I know my Mom would be proud of me for not giving up." 
 Julie was recently named Business Owner of the Year by the Lexington chapter of NAWBO, was the subject of a KET documentary, and can't keep Story's Gonzo swag on the shelves. That's all pretty impressive for a business that's barely two years old! I'd say her mama's excellent advice paid off!!


{Thanks so much for sharing this fabulous advice with us, Julie!}
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The HerKentucky "What You Really Wanted For Mother's Day" Wish List

Happy Mother's Day, y'all!

I hope y'all woke up to homemade cappucinos and little blue boxes from Tiffany's.  But, you know, you probably didn't.

Whether you're a mother (to children or pets!) or a daughter, you deserve something special today. If you didn't get the present you want, you should treat yourself to something nice. We asked two of our favorite Lexington shops to suggest ways for you to pamper yourself, and they came up with ideas that I think you'll all love.

AJ's Casuals suggests lotions, candles, and a new pair of Jack Rogers for spring. I adore those pink ones, don't you?


Peggy's Gifts suggests this vintage Chanel button jewelry. How stunning is this?

So, after church and brunch, y'all should run out to Chevy Chase and do something for yourself. You deserve it!!

Thanks to AJ's and Peggy's for all their help! And don't forget to stop by our {Mother's} Day linkup to tell your Mother's Day story. Have a great day, y'all!

{No member of the HerKentucky writing staff was compensated in any way for this post.}
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HerKentucky Mother's Day Wish List

If, like me, you're still shopping for a Mother's Day present (I promise it'll get done today!!), then you likely fall into one of two camps. You're either a terrible procrastinator,or you're waiting for just the perfect gift to emerge. I'm probably a little guilty of both -- I've saved up the shopping duties for a day when I'll already be running a bunch of errands and I just couldn't bear to mail it in with yet another box of Godiva truffles. 

I assume that I'm not the only one who's still shopping, so I contacted a few of my very favorite Kentucky shops and boutiques for last-minute Mother's Day present suggestions to share with HerKentucky readers. They came up with some unique and amazing products that I think your mom will love. There are a few that you'll probably want to pick up for yourself as well!

Herend from L.V. Harkness
Downtown Lexington's L.V. Harkness has such a delightful array of classic gifts. Everything in their store is fabulous, and the Herend Porcelain is no exception. The Herend Baby Shoe in Pink or Blue, or the Herend Just Hatched Figurine in Raspberry are great ideas for a mom-to-be or a new mom! 

Mother's Day pics from For Friends!
For Friends! has been one of my favorite little shops since I was a teenager buying Vera Bradley luggage in their old Lexington Mall location. Let's not focus on how old that makes me, though. Instead, take a look at their whimsical Mother's Day wishlist -- from picture frames to stemware to precious stone bunnies, they have a gift for every mom's taste!

Vera Bradley from Daffodils
Daffodils is my favorite little hometown store. They're such a fun pop of color on Prestonsburg's Court Street! Daffodils suggests that you treat Mom to a Vera Bradley bag and get rewarded with a gift with purchase cosmetic bag trio!


Lilly Pulitzer scarf from The Peppermint Palm
The Peppermint Palm  -- with locations in Lexington and Louisville -- is another "must-shop" for me! The Peppermint Palm suggests a Lilly Pulitzer Murfee scarf for your Mom, and I have to agree. These are just the most fun pop of color you'll ever wear, and the silk/cashmere blend is the softest, lightest material. Mom will wear it again and again, and you'll ask to borrow it more than once!
Pearl Triple Cluster earrings from W &  M Custom Jewelry
Y'all know that all the HerKentucky writers just adore the gorgeous designs of W & M Custom Jewelry. The ladies at W & M think that Mom will just adore these Pearl Triple Cluster earrings, and I tend to agree -- they're delicate and fun, and a great twist on traditional pearls!
Leather Jacket from Blink
Louisville's Blink Boutique features gorgeous, trendy pieces. The Blink staff recommends the Venette Leather Jacket by Joie and Hidden Hills Straight Leg Jean by Paige for mom-style that's anything but frumpy!


Thanks so much to L.V. Harkness, For Friends!, Daffodils, The Peppermint Palm, W & M Custom Jewelry, and Blink Boutique for helping out with this post! 

What's on your Mother's Day Wish List?

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