I Wish I Were In Lexington Weekend
Packing checklist for a trip to Lexington, KY for Keeneland and Kentucky Wildcats games!
I really wish I were in Lexington this weekend y'all! It's the ultimate autumn trifecta: A UK basketball game, Keeneland racing, and a UK football game. I can't make it there, and I'm feeling homesick, so I've put together the ultimate "I wish I were in Lexington" road trip checklist!
Photo Details: Striped UK Tote bag c/o Pomegranate, Inc. Open Top Large Boat and Tote, Zip Top Large Boat and Tote, Leather Handle Boat and Tote -- L.L. Bean. Black Lab Needlepoint Keychain c/o Smathers and Branson. Hunter Original Tall Glossy Boots
It's the best weekend of the year to take in all the best that Lexington has to offer!
Photo Details: Alex and Ani UK Bracelet c/o Alumni Hall; Bourbon & Boweties Basketball and Football Bracelets
The first stop on the Big Blue tour would be Friday afternoon's #seeblue day at Keeneland, showcasing the UK Cheer and Dance Teams, the Band, and the DanceBlue initiative!
Skirt and top: A New Day at Target; Pearls c/o Versona; Tory Burch Boots c/o Sassy Fox Consignment
Then I'd stop for a quick work break
and head out to the first UK Basketball game of the season.
Photo Details: Elbow Patch Tee c/o Gameday Couture; American Ragg Booties at Macy's.
Saturday morning, I'd go with a dressier look for a Keeneland Dining Room
Lilly Pulitzer Elsa Top and Cashmere Sweater; Talbots Wool Skirt; Kate Spade Shoes via Stella's Resale Boutique
Of course, tailgating is the next item on the agenda! I'm sure lots of folks I know will be out to see the big rivalry game versus Tennessee!
The forecast calls for a cold, rainy night, so I'd dress warm!
Are you headed to any of the weekend festivities in Lexington, or are you enjoying from afar like me?
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!
Vineyard Vines is Coming to Lexington!
Preppy lifestyle brand Vineyard Vines is opening a brand store in Lexington!
Have y'all heard that Vineyard Vines is opening a store in Lexington?
I was pretty excited to hear this, as Vineyard Vines makes some of my very favorite t-shirts, baseball caps, and pajama pants on the planet. They always have such fun designs, especially the Kentucky Derby line! Vineyard Vines is, as you probably know the official style of the Kentucky Derby. I've always thought that was a perfect fit, because the VV slogan is Every Day Should Feel this Good, while here in Kentucky, we think that Every Day Should Feel Like Derby!
I love the Oaks Lilly and Derby Mint Julep shirts! I've had so much fun wearing these during the pre-Derby season. (Please note that the julep shirt is a men's style; I just couldn't pass it up!)
Oaks Lilly shirt c/o Vineyard Vines; Mint Julep is my own. What a fun way to get ready for Derby Festivities!
Lexington's Vineyard Vines store will open at The Summit at Fritz Farm this Thursday, April 27th! I hope to see you at the First Look events on Thursday!
(This post was sponsored by The Summit at Fritz Farm and Vineyard Vines; all opinions are, as always, my own.)
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!)
What to Wear to Keeneland's October Meet
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.
Keeneland Crowd
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!
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. 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 dresses to be seen.
Lexington and Kentucky Dining Rooms Dress Code, via Keeneland.
Phoenix Dining Room Dress Code, image via Keeneland
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.
Most of all, dress nicely, look good, and have a great day at the races!
Shop the Look: October Opening Day
How to Eat Lunch Like a Lexington Local
I get a whole lot of emails and texts and Facebook messages asking where to eat lunch in Lexington. The truth is, I have a bad habit of sticking to two or three favorite lunch spots that remind me of all the fun I had as a student or a young professional in the LEX. So, I reached out to several Lexington locals to see where they're eating lunch these days. If you're planning a trip to the LEX soon, click here to download a printable version and try a few of these restaurants out for yourself!
North Lexington
Windy Corner Market
The Po Boys are legendary!
4595 Bryan Station Rd
Mon-Fri 7 am – 8:30 pm; Sat-Sun 9 am – 8:30 pm
Downtown
Stella’s Kentucky Deli
Get the Griff Burger!
143 Jefferson St
Mon-Fri 10:30 am- 4pm; Sat-Sun 9 am – 9 pm
Limestone Blue
Don’t miss the Achy Breaky Heart!
133 N Limestone
Mon-Fri 10:30 am – 10 pm; Sat 9:30 am – 10 pm; Sun 10 am – 3 pm
Lexington Diner
Alton Brown recommends the Kentucky Nachos!
124 N. Upper
Mon-Sat 8 am – 3 pm; Sun 10 am – 3 pm.
Buddha Lounge
Best sushi in town!
109 N Mill
Mon – Fri 11am – 10 pm; Sat 6 pm - 2 am
Doodle’s
The Pigs and Puffs are a must!
262 N Limestone
Tues-Sun 8 am – 2 pm; Closed Mondays
Sawyer’s Downtown Bar & Grill
Lexington’s favorite hamburger!
325 W Main Street
Mon-Wed 11 am- 3 pm; Thur-Sat 11 am- 7:30 pm
Nat's
The best Thai food in town!
111 S Upper St
Mon- Fri 12 pm – 3 pm; 5 pm – 10 pm; Sat 5 pm – 10 pm; Closed Sunday
Lockbox
Order the Griddled PBT!
167 W Main St
Mon– Thurs 7am-10am, 11 am – 2pm, 5:30 pm – 10 pm; Fri 7am-10am, 11 am – 2pm, 5:30 pm – 11 pm; Sat 7 am – 2 pm; 5:30 pm – 11 pm; Sun 7 am – 2 pm; 5:30 pm – 9 pm.
Wine + Market
Duck confit and bleu cheese on ciabatta, please!
486 W Second St
Mon-Sat 10AM - 8PM; Sun 1PM - 6PM
Campus/ Chevy Chase
Blue Door Smokehouse
Don’t miss the brisket!
226 Walton Ave
Mon-Thur 11 am – 3pm; Fri-Sat 11 am – 8 pm; Closed Sunday (Or until Meat sells out!)
Joe Bologna’s
Seriously, you need to order a breadstick!
120 W Maxwell St
Mon-Tues 11 am – 9 pm; Wed-Thurs 11 am – 10 pm; Fri-Sat 11 am – 11 pm; Sun 11 am – 10 pm.
Sav’s Grill
Where else can you find authentic West African food in Lexington?
304 S. Limestone
Mon-Sun 11 am – 9 pm
National Provisions
They had me at hamburgers and macarons.
710 National Ave
Mon and Sat 7 am – 10 pm; Tue – Fri, Sun 8 am – 10 pm
Campus/ Chevy Chase
Josie’s
Everybody’s favorite Chevy Chase lunch spot!
821 Chevy Chase Place
Mon - Sat 8 AM - 9 PM, Sun 8 am - 2 pm
Tomo
The Sushi Lunch Plate is the best deal in town!
848 East High Street
Mon-Thur 11 am – 10 pm; Fri 11 am – 10: 30 pm; Saturday 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm; Closed Sunday
Tates Creek
The Mousetrap
Best pimiento cheese in Kentucky!
3323 Tates Creek Rd
Local Chains
Athenian Grill
Lexington’s favorite Greek restaurant!
313 S Ashland Ave; 115 N Locust Hill Dr
Ramsey’s
Southern-style favorites!
4391 Old Harrodsburg Rd; 3090 Helmsdale Pl; 4053 Tates Creek Centre Dr; 151 W Zandale Dr
Mon-Fri 11 am – 11 pm; Sat-Sun 9 am – 11 pm
Vinaigrette
The best salads in town!
1781 Sharkey Way Suite 115; 113 N Broadway
11am-9pm M-Sa, 12pm - 8pm Sun
What are your favorite Lexington lunch spots?