Legally Blonde The Musical Event at Draper James Lexington!
Elle Woods is coming to Lexington, y'all. ELLE WOODS.
The LEXington Theatre Company is staging a production of Legally Blonde: The Musical on July 20-23 at the Lexington Opera House. Even better, the Lexington Draper James store is hosting a shopping event this Wednesday, July 12, from 7-9 p.m. to celebrate the opening of Legally Blonde the Musical. You can shop, meet the cast of Legally Blonde, and enjoy champagne and sweet treats! To make it even better, 10% of the evening's proceeds will benefit The LEXington Theatre Company. The event is free, but Draper James does ask that you RSVP here!
If you can't make the event, you can always dress in Elle Woods' signature shade of pink. Shop my Elle Woods-approved Draper James favorites below, and click here for $20 off your order on Draper James' website!
Draper James Horseshoe Key Fob
If y'all are anything like me, you're loving all things equestrian and mint julep this spring. I mean, Derby is basically Louisville's own three-week carnival season; why shouldn't we dress like it?
A few of y'all asked about the Draper James Horseshoe Key Fob I posted on Instagram yesterday. I love to switch out fobs, or "charms," as I like to think of them, on my bag to keep it fresh with the season. The horseshoe is perfect for Derby time. You can find it here, and there are also some great new Lexington and Kentucky-themed products that have dropped on the Draper James site this morning. I seriously want them all! (Click here, and you'll receive $20 off your Draper James online order!)
If you want to celebrate The Horse Racing Capital of the World (and what I consider the prettiest town in America!), The Lexington Horseshoe Key Fob is now available to pre-order, celebrating the upcoming opening of the store at The Summit at Fritz Farm!
These Lexington Cocktail Napkins would be the perfect hostess gift for a Lexingtonian or a Lexington expatriate who misses home!
And how perfect are these mint julep paper coasters for a Derby party?
Happy week before Derby week, y'all!
(This post contains affiliate links.)
Ariat International Brand Shop at The Summit at Fritz Farm
Ariat International's equestrian style brand shop is coming to Lexington!
Photo courtesy Ariat.
I am so excited that Ariat is opening a brand shop at The Summit at Fritz Farm!
I recently had the opportunity to preview some pieces from Ariat's Two24 footwear line, and y'all are just going to love them! Two24 pays homage to Ariat's equestrian heritage - both English and Western riding wear -- in a fashion-forward line for everyday use. Y'all, the craftsmanship on these products is amazing. The leather feels amazing, and you can see the difference that handcrafted design makes!
I recently got a peek at these Ariat Two24 men's boots at a Keeneland event.
In keeping with Ariat's equestrian heritage, the Two24 line's name is a nod to Secretariat's world record 2:24 running time at the Belmont Stakes. In fact, Ariat's brand name is derived from the legendary "Big Red" horse. Now, any horse lover can tell you that Secretariat's success was due to a visionary woman, his breeder and owner Penny Chenery. The Ariat brand was founded in the early 1990s by resourceful women who wanted to revolutionize riding boots for comfort and performance. Now, with the Two24 line, Ariat brings their designs to everyday footwear.
“Ariat is named after one of the greatest thoroughbred racehorses of all time, Secretariat. His heart was outsized, and he was a fierce competitor who loved to run – everything we aspire to be as a company and brand,” said Beth Cross, President and CEO Ariat International, Inc. “To be able to open a brand shop in historic Lexington, the horse racing capital of the world, is special. We look forward to becoming an integral part of the greater Lexington community.”
It really is a perfect fit!
Ariat Two24 ladies' footwear.
The Ariat Brand Shop opens this Thursday, April 27th, at The Summit at Fritz Farm on Nicholasville Road in Lexington. I hope to see y'all there!
(This post was sponsored by Ariat International; all opinions are my own!)
Vineyard Vines 2017 Kentucky Oaks Collaboration With Norton Cancer Institute
Kentucky Oaks accessories that benefit a great cause!
In recent years, Kentucky Oaks Day has become a celebration of survivors of breast and ovarian cancers. There's a beautiful symmetry to the fact that the most important fillies race of the horse racing year celebrates some of the strongest and most resilient women in the Commonwealth. I can't get enough of the Survivors Parade -- I only wish more Kentucky women were able to participate -- and I can't get enough of the pink hues that paint the track on Oaks Day.
I was thrilled to learn that, this year, Vineyard Vines has teamed with the Norton Cancer Institute here in Louisville to help some Oaks Day attire make a difference. Twenty percent of the purchase price of the Pink Lillies tie, Pink Lillies bow tie, and Run for the Roses scarf will go to the Norton Cancer Institute. It's so wonderful to see a contribution that goes directly to patient care, right here in the Derby City. I thought my Derby week wardrobe was already selected, but since I learned about this partnership, I feel like one more scarf might be in order...
I was thrilled to learn that, this year, Vineyard Vines has teamed with the Norton Cancer Institute here in Louisville to help some Oaks Day attire make a difference. Twenty percent of the purchase price of the Pink Lillies tie, Pink Lillies bow tie, and Run for the Roses scarf will go to the Norton Cancer Institute. It's so wonderful to see a contribution that goes directly to patient care, right here in the Derby City. I thought my Derby week wardrobe was already selected, but since I learned about this partnership, I feel like one more scarf might be in order...
(This post contains no affiliate links, sponsorships, or other forms of remuneration; I simply want to get the message out about benefitting a crucial, life-saving resource in my city. These products are a lovely way to make a difference this Derby season!)
Celebrate College Colors Day in Style!
Fashionable ways to cheer on Kentucky's college football teams!
Happy College Colors Day, y'all! I am just so excited that it's starting to look like fall, and that college football is back! I am so excited to be wearing my Kentucky Blue for College Colors Day, and I picked out a few great ideas for my friends who cheer on all the Kentucky D1 College Teams!
Draper James Tailgate Essentials
Have you seen the newest batch of tailgate-inspired items from Reece Witherspoon's Draper James line? So, so cute, y'all. I feel like the scarf is going to be necessary as the weather gets cooler.
Go Big Blue!
Now, if you've been reading HerKentucky for any time at all, it's no surprise that I ride or die with the Kentucky Wildcats, even if football isn't exactly our premiere athletic program. UK will always feel like the home team for me, in any sport. I lived in Lexington for over a decade, my beau and I hold three graduate degrees from UK, and I grew up on stories of my grandfather and his siblings attending the University in the '30s. The 'Cats and I, we go way back.
I personally believe that there's no such thing as taking your
Go Cards!
Y'all, I don't care what team you rep or what part of the Commonwealth you hail from. That Louisville win was ridic last night. Lamar Jackson was on fire, and my Cardinals fan friends were jubilant. That win deserves several days' worth of team-inspired outfits!!
Cheer on your Kentucky team!
Most of us can find a reason to cheer for just about every Kentucky college, if we look hard enough for a link. My parents each hold degrees from Morehead AND EKU. I have plenty of friends with ties to WKU and Murray State. And the list goes on. There are so many cute ways to rep your team. A Tervis Tumbler and a cap are, of course, standard equipment.
Let me know in the comments below what team you're repping today, and don't forget to visit the College Colors Day website to enter to win a trip to the 2017 National Championship Game! (please note that this post contains affiliate links.)
The HerKentucky Guide to Shopping Lilly Pulitzer Sales
Shop locally for great sales!
If you're a serious Lilly Pulitzer shopper, then I know you've heard about the big After Party sale that's starting this Monday. Now, the after-party sale is great, and I've scored some good deals there. Buuuutttt.... it has a tendency to have long lines and a bit of a "break the internet" feel.
As a longtime Lilly lover, I'm going to let y'all in on my very favorite Lilly Pulitzer shopping secret, and it's right here in the Bluegrass State: The Peppermint Palm, Kentucky's very own privately-owned Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store, with locations in Lexington and Louisville. No insane online hassles, shopping locally, and often getting far better buys. What's better than that??
In fact, some of my very favorite deals of the summer have come from the Peppermint Palm! Here are a few examples:
Sophie Dress
I found this Lilly Sophie Dress at The Peppermint Palm back in May. It retailed for $138; while it was still full price online, I found it for under $80 at the Palm!
And, let me tell you, I've more than gotten my money's worth from this dress! I've worn it to bourbon distillery tours, charity events, even a shotgun shoot! It's amazingly comfortable, has an SPF 50+ rating for sun protection, and can be dressed up or down with different shoes and accessories! (My mom got the same dress on sale at the Palm and has worn it to baby showers, work events, and even my cousin's med school graduation!)
Younger Woman's Club of Louisville End of Year Toast
Woodford Reserve Distillery Tour
Original Makers Club Shotgun Shoot and Southern Supper
Ali Dress
I LOVE this dress! It has been my go-to all summer! While it was still $98 online, it was 40% off at The Palm!!!
This may be the most flattering everyday summer dress I've ever owned. With three quarters sleeves, a deep-but-not-too-deep v-neck, loose bodice, and shirttail hem, this has been perfect for everything from a pool party to a morning of art at 21C! I've legitimately thrown this dress on with sneakers, sandals, and dressy flats for a ton of different summer looks, and every.single. time. someone stops me to tell me how cute my dress is!
Ali Dress + Art at 21C's Penthouse! (Kentucky necklace from Elva Fields)
Marlowe Dress
I'm just in love with this blue striped Marlowe Dress! When it was still $98 online, I got it for under $70 at the Palm!
Happy shopping, y'all! Remember to always shop locally first!!!
Louisville Stoneware Bachelor Button
The venerable blue and white Stoneware pattern has appointed homes for decades!
I think it's safe to say that I probably don't have a lot in common with Mamie Eisenhower.
Politics can be fun!
But, it turns out that Mamie and I share an everyday china pattern, Louisville Stoneware's Bachelor Button. Well, I use it now, and Mrs. Eisenhower used it in the White House in the 1950s, back when the Derby City's venerable pottery house was still known by the name of a previous owner -- John B Taylor -- and the pattern was called Cornflower. There's something pretty fascinating about a pattern that is as fun and timeless now as it was in the Eisenhower era.
The Bachelor Button pattern, created by artist Edith Ellis, is the quintessential Louisville Stoneware pattern. It's a favorite for Louisville brides, and always makes a perfect present. It's clean, simple, and elegant. And you never have to worry that your pattern will be discontinued.
Here's to the Louisville-based dish pattern that has appointed homes from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave to my far more modest St Matthews address!
A Bachelor Button mug in production, Louisville Stoneware.