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!!!
Whiskey Wednesday: Woodford Reserve Rye
Welcome to Whiskey Wednesday, HerKentucky's weekly feature that makes you think about what you're drinking. Today, we're departing from our traditional focus on Kentucky bourbon with some notes on rye.
So, I've noticed a disturbing trend lately. I seem to keep running into people who don't know the difference between bourbon and rye. We're talking bartenders, and folks who claim to be whiskey-lovers, and proud Kentuckians who ought to know better. They'll use Sazerac or the green-label Bulleit, and claim they've used bourbon whiskey, bless their hearts.
Like most everything in whiskey production, it all comes down to the grains. The difference between bourbon and rye is the grain mixture that is used in production. Of course you know that all bourbon whiskey must be made here in the United States and must have a mash bill that consists of at least 51% corn. American rye whiskeys must be at least 51% rye grain. As with bourbon, the remaining 49 percent of the recipe varies wildly by brand. Bulleit's mash, for example, is 95% rye, producing a very powerful, spicy flavor profile. Woodford Reserve's Rye, on the other hand, is only 53% rye, which makes for a smooth and balanced pour. Like bourbon, rye is aged in charred new oak barrels and must be aged for at least two years to earn the designation "straight."
Prior to Prohibition, rye was most popular in the Northeast U.S., particularly in Pennsylvania and Maryland (Mad Men fans will note that it makes sense that rye was Draper's drink of choice...) and Pittsburgh was the city around which most rye production was focused. After Prohibition, only a few rye labels survived, and most rye productions were moved to Kentucky, under the umbrella of larger distillers.
Last year, Woodford Reserve introduced a rye whiskey to their line of products. I had the opportunity to sample that product during The Kentucky Bourbon Affair tour of Woodford's distillery last week. I was so surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. I'm normally a little put off by the heavily spicy and often bitter notes of rye, but the Woodford product was delightful. We learned during the distillery event that Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris based this recipe on a historical recipe in the Brown-Forman archives. The really does work as a nice companion to Woodford's high-rye bourbon, Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select, pairing up-front tobacco aromas with heavy tastes of apple and pepper, and a caramel finish similar to that of Woodford's bourbons. I can't wait to try it in a cocktail!
So, there you go. High-rye bourbon and low-rye rye. Two more whiskey concepts to wow y'all's friends. Go get a bottle of that rye; I promise you'll love it!
Cheers, y'all.
You may also like:
Whiskey Wednesday: The HerKentucky Guide to Talking about Bourbon
The Five Best Doughnuts in Kentucky: 2016 Edition
It's National Doughnut Day! Celebrate with Kentucky's favorite doughnuts!
Here in Kentucky, we love our doughnuts. We love them so much that, a few years back, the New York Times even ran a piece tracing Kentucky's Doughnut Trail.
Doughnuts are the absolute best -- they're sweet, inexpensive little pieces of nostalgia. They make you remember the morning you got to play hooky and pick up a sugary breakfast after a doctor's appointment, or the times your grandma fried up a fresh batch, or that little bakery in your hometown that made THE BEST doughnuts.
Last year's HerKentucky National Doughnut Day post stirred up a lot of feelings from y'all -- apparently, I missed out on a lot of local gems in my hunt for the five best doughnuts in Kentucky. So, I've spent a lot of time over the past year really mulling over what makes a GREAT doughnut. Here are the five Bluegrass State bakeries that made the cut.
5. Red's Donut Shop, Paducah. A local institution that sells only doughnuts. Locals will tell you that a Red's doughnut is like a fresh Krispy Kreme, only better. (Legend has it that Paducah is the birthplace of the Krispy Kreme, so these folks know what they're talking about!)
4. Doughdaddy's, Versailles. Fluffy doughnuts in more varieties than you can possibly imagine.
Nord's Bakery's Maple-Bacon doughnut is amazing.
3. Nord's Bakery, Louisville. You can't mention Kentucky doughnuts without discussing the magic doughnut at Nord's. Of course, you know the one I mean: the maple-bacon. It's possibly the world's most perfect food. Worth the drive over to campus/ Schnitzelberg. Go ahead and buy extras; somebody will want one.
Mural at Nord's Bakery.
2. Spalding's Bakery, Lexington. With a family tradition of fried doughnuts dating back to 1929, Spalding's makes Lexington's very favorite doughnuts. Remember to take cash, as Spalding's doesn't accept credit cards or checks. When you're that good, you don't have to.
1. Hi-Five Doughnuts, Louisville. I love Annie and Leslie, who run this amazing food truck, and I can't wait for their storefront to open! Their high-end, gourmet take on doughnuts is simply amazing, and their Maker's Mark caramel glaze is one of my favorite treats ever. Hands down, my favorite doughnuts ever.
Happy Doughnut Day, y'all! Who makes your favorite doughnut?
What to Wear to Keeneland's Spring Meet
What to wear for a day at the races!
Image via Keeneland
The number one question that HerKentucky readers have for us is "What should I wear to Keeneland?" Here in Kentucky, a trip to Lexington's storied Keeneland Race Course isn't just a trip to bet on the ponies. It's a full-scale experience of racing, food, fun, and, of course, fashion. Trust me when I say that 70% of all the people you've ever met in your life will be at the track any day you go.
Well, that may be a slight exaggeration, but with weekend crowds reaching over 25,000 people, you sure will see a lot of Kentuckians at Keeneland. To help you look your best, we've put together a few dress code tips that will help you look great at the track!
Image via keeneland
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. You're actually dressing for a horse race in these sections. 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.
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.
The track's members-only turf club, the Keeneland 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.
Image via Keeneland
Of course, some days at the track are a little more dressy than others. Weekends are generally for more high profile races, and Opening Day tends to bring out dressier clothing. When in doubt, remember dress nicely, look good, and have a great day at the races!
6 Holiday Decoration Tips When You're Short on Time
Lexington, KY Interior Designer Liz Toombs shares tips for quick, fun, and stunning holiday decorations.
This time of year is crazy for everyone. It seems like there are more commitments every single year, and less time for holiday cheer. Don't get your tinsel in a tangle, Lexington-based interior decorator Liz Toombs of Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors has five tips that will make your holiday decorating fast and fun!
Trust me, Liz knows what she's doing. She and her team from Polka Dots & Rosebuds decorated the entire Alltech arena for the Junior League of Lexington's Holly Day Market in short order. Since I assume that your home is smaller than the arena, you can get your decorations up in a day or two, too! Here are Liz's five tricks for those of you who can't find more than a free hour to deck the halls:
- Hang a wreath on your front door. Toombs suggests, “Beautiful wreaths can be purchased pre-made. Even if the inside of your home is still decorated for July 4th, a wreath makes it appear to the outside world that you are in the holiday spirit!”
- Let your light shine with candles. Whether pillars, candelabras, or battery-operated, candles set a festive, warm mood. Plus, they make your home smell like the holidays too.
- Use what you find at the grocery. “You will have to be at the grocery anyway, so use it as a time to pick up decorations. Pine cones look festive in a bowl. Sprigs of fresh greenery bring a nice touch and scent when placed throughout your home. And, pomegranates and cranberries floating in water look nice in a tall vase that holds fresh flowers,” Liz adds.
- Try a tabletop tree. “I decorated several tabletop trees this year for clients,” Liz says. “Just because a tree is going on a table does not mean it has to be small. Depending on your space, full-size trees can be very impactful on a tabletop. Plus, if you live in a cramped apartment, a tabletop tree frees up valuable floor area.”
- Throw a decorating party. This option is a win-win; you catch up with friends that you may have been neglecting due to your schedule and they can help you decorate. “Turn a girls’ night out into a girls’ night in! Decorate trees, make wreaths, bake cookies, have some holiday cheer - your friends will want to make this party a tradition,” Liz suggests.
- Pick a hot spot. Choose one room, or even one area of a room for focus. A mantel, chandelier, staircase or dining area can pack a lot of punch. Once you’ve chosen your hot spot, go all out!
Thanks so much to Liz Toombs for this awesome holiday advice, and check back tomorrow for her advice for holiday decorations when you're short on time. Liz's award-winning firm, Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors, offers complete design services for homes, offices and Greek housing.
{Photos courtesy Liz Toombs.}
5 Holiday Decoration Tips to Add Kentucky Flair and Heirloom Charm to Your Home
Lexington, KY interior designer Liz Toombs shares whimsical Christmas decoration ideas.
For most of us here in the Bluegrass State, it's second nature to throw in a few Kentucky-themed items in our home décor. Whether your tastes reflect a passion for bourbon, equestrian pursuits, team pride, or family heritage, you probably have more than a few items lying around the house. Of course, it’s easy to go overboard on the Kentucky love, so I asked Liz Toombs, a Certified Interior Decorator and owner of Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors in Lexington, for some holiday decoration advice. Liz was kind enough to share five tidbits about embracing your own personal Kentucky style:
1. Choose decorations that mimic the Kentucky countryside. Whether your style is rustic or luxe, there's a way to adapt the colors of the Bluegrass State to decorate your Old Kentucky Home. “As Kentuckians, we can easily use many of the fabrics and symbols that represent our state in our holiday decorations. Classic burlap and plaid fabrics convey Kentucky country homes, while shades of purple and green reflect the shades of Kentucky bluegrass,” advises Liz, who plans clients’ holiday décor months in advance.
2. Try a flocked tree. Liz loves the trend of trees that look like they were just plucked from a snowy field, noting that pairing these trees with warm textures bring the vibe of a Kentucky winter into your home. Flocked trees are beautiful on their own, and require minimal decoration to provide a significant impact. She notes that you can find reasonably priced flocked trees at stores like At Home and Lowe’s. Add Maker’s Mark and Louisville Stoneware ornaments for a Bluegrass touch.
3. Work with collections. Have a collection of Christopher Radko or vintage ornaments? Liz suggests that you pair them with new pieces: “Vintage crystal ornaments look beautiful when paired with old-world beaded garland. I love mercury glass! I’m so glad that it’s popular again; it pairs well with newer decorations.” She also suggests tucking magnolia stems and long pine needles/sprigs into trees, mantles, and wreaths for a classic, Southern look.
4. Use those heirlooms! Most of us have statement heirloom pieces that may just be collecting dust in a china cabinet. Use the holidays as an excuse to let them shine! Liz suggests that you set your tables with your very best pieces: “It’s so Southern to place pretty heirloom pieces such as silver platters, soup tureens and punch bowls on your buffet or dining table. They look festive filled with ornaments or floral arrangements,” Liz suggests. “Depending on their size, you can arrange some heirlooms, such as flatware or china tea cups, in a tree by twisting the branches to hold them.”
5. Re-purpose well-worn heirlooms! Those pieces that have been passed down for generations often start to show signs of love – and wear! If, say, you have a collection of stockings that your great-grandmother hand-stitched that are too worn for display, but too special to be tossed, Liz suggests draping them over the side of an heirloom bowl or vase for an unexpected look or arranging them at the base of your Christmas tree for an unexpected alternative to a tree skirt.
Thanks so much to Liz Toombs for this awesome holiday advice, and check back tomorrow for her advice for holiday decorations when you're short on time. Liz's award-winning firm, Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors, offers complete design services for homes, offices and Greek housing.
{Photos courtesy Liz Toombs.}