Vineyard Vines 2017 Kentucky Derby Collection
Every day should feel as good as Kentucky Derby Day! HerKentucky's favorite styles from the 2017 Vineyard Vines Kentucky Derby Collection!
Derby is only 52 days away, y'all! While it's ridiculously cold in Kentucky today, the official Vineyard Vines Kentucky Derby Collection was just released and it has me thinking about warmer weather, mint juleps, and Derby festivities. (Not to mention the upcoming opening of the Vineyard Vines store in Lexington!)
I am simply OBSESSED with this mint julep recipe t-shirt. I'll definitely need this one!
The Bugler Whale shirt is so cute and commemorates one of my favorite racetrack traditions!
And this t-shirt has the coolest drawing of the track!
Y'all, I have to have one of these coffee mugs. I mean, Derby, Louisville Stoneware, and Vineyard Vines are three of my favorite things.
Shop more Vineyard Vines Derby looks at Nordstrom or Vineyard Vines. They have looks for you, your beau, and the kids in your life! They even have some Oaks gear!
This post may contain affiliate links; HerKentucky LLC may receive a nominal payment for your purchase or click.
Searching for Lilly Pulitzer x Starbucks S'well Bottles in the Louisville area
Searching for the latest Lilly Pulitzer Limited Edition.
Image via Lilly Pulitzer
A few days ago, my social media lit up with posts from two of my favorite bloggers (Carly from The College Prepster and Krista from Covering the Bases, who also happens to be a UK alumna!) that Lilly Pulitzer and Starbucks had teamed up for a water bottle collaboration with S'well Bottles. I was pretty pumped, since I'm basically obsessed with both Lilly Pulitzer and Starbucks, and because I could actually use a new water bottle.
So, I decided to devote a couple hours to the search. Now, in my very limited defense for wasting time on this project, I will say that I had to fast for a little medical test, so I knew I'd be way too hangry to actually work on my manuscript this morning. Plus, I had an hour or so to kill while waiting for the vet's office to fill Max's prescription. So, I decided to check out how Louisville Starbucks scored among the 4,000 Starbucks outlets that would receive a shipment. I figured that since Louisville is the 38th largest metro area in the nation, and is a city full of Lilly lovers, we stood a pretty good chance of getting this merchandise at at least a few stores.
Now the Starbucks website lists 38 stores for the area inside the Gene Snyder Freeway in the Louisville metro, including those in malls as well as Target and Kroger stores, on campus at U of L, and at the airport. I assumed that standalone stores in high-traffic areas that meet Lilly's demographics would be the most likely to receive a shipment. Here were my results for the Louisville market.
1. Starbucks at Frankfort & Lexington, St Matthews: They did not have the bottles when I visited in person last night; said that a new shipment will be in late today, so check back this evening.
2. Starbucks at 4400 Shelbyville Road, St Matthews: Didn't have them when I visited today, said a new shipment of items will be in on Sunday, so check then.
3. Starbucks at Hurstborne & Shelbyville: Did not have the bottles out on display; the store was way too busy to bother a barista or salesperson.
4. Starbucks at Holiday Manor: When I called, they said they didn't have them and didn't expect to get them.
5. Starbucks at Paddock Shops (formerly the Summit): When I arrived there around 10 this morning, I was told that bottles had been put out first thing this morning and had quickly sold out.
6. Starbucks at Target, Westport Rd and Hubbards Ln: I walked by the kiosk; no bottles were out. (I didn't think that Target ever wanted to hear the words "Lilly Pulitzer" again, but I thought it was worth a try.
7. Starbucks at Kroger, Westport Rd and Hubbards Ln: I walked by the kiosk; no bottles were out.
8. Starbucks at Baxter and Highland: Aren't answering the phone. At this point, I don't blame them.
9. Starbucks at Dixie Highway: I heard a rumor on Facebook that they sold out first thing this morning.
After all this, I decided that I may look for one on Starbucks.com later this spring. I'm certainly not paying the speculators on eBay, though. Let me know if you find one!
The HerKentucky Valentine's Day Luxe Wishlist
A girl can dream, can't she?
Hey y'all! How are you spending Valentine's Day? Or, better yet, Galentine's Day? Now, I'm not usually one for fighting the crowds for fancy prix-fixe dinners, but I sure do love to window shop for all the pretty pink and red Valentine's Day themed pretties that are in stores right now. Here are a few of my luxe Valentine's Day favorites.
I seriously love this Lilly Pulitzer sunny shoulder silk blouse! What a great update on a classic Lilly Elsa top!
I have this Talbots cashmere heart sweater, and it's so lovely! (and under $45!)
I'm obsessed with Vineyard Vines holiday tees. Especially this one.
And then there's this David Yurman necklace... A girl can dream, can't she?
Shop The Look
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!!!
Easy Summer Outfits!
Dress up your summer wardrobe!
The past few days have brought warm temperatures and the end of school. And, I don't know about y'all, but I just don't feel like getting dressed up at all. Even when I need to. Here are some cute ways to pull yourself together without trying too hard.
Fun dresses
Lightweight dresses are always a great option. These Lilly Pulitzer dresses are a perfect match for dinner, drinks, or anything else that pops up.
And there's nothing more comfortable than a well-made t-shirt dress with fun tennis shoes for a day of running errands or hanging out with friends.
Sweatshirts and Shorts
There really is a way to wear a structured long-sleeved top with shorts without looking like you're headed to a sorority rush workshop. Opt for fun prints and quality fabrics to pull the look together
The LL Bean French Sailor's Shirt is my FAVORITE. I have this in cream and navy, and cream and rose, and it is just the perfect thing for most any season! I just got this Lilly Pulitzer
Dress up your sneakers and flip-flops!
You really don't want to wear old sneakers or rubber flip-flops, do you? I love a pretty pair of Keds with skirts, and Jack Rogers sandals with just about anything!
What's on your summer wardrobe wishlist?
The Hat Girls
Kentucky Derby hats are a tradition as old as the race itself. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. organized the race in 1875 based on the Epsom Derby, and Kentucky ladies looked to their British counterparts for fashion inspiration, including the formal hats of the day’s fashion. Over a century later, the tradition remains.
The Hat Girls, the Official Hat Designers of the Kentucky Derby Festival, put a hip couture spin on the traditional Kentucky Derby hat. The Hat Girls’ creations are stunning and unique and often unpredictable, but what can you expect from a duo who cite Lady GaGa as an inspiration and who debate the merits of the color pink? I caught up with the Hat Girls – Louisville natives Rachel Bell and Kate Welsh – to talk about their design inspirations and the best looks for Kentucky Derby 142.
Kate Welsh and Rachel Bell. Photo via The Hat Girls.
Heather C. Watson: How did The Hat Girls get started?
Rachel Bell: We started off making hats for ourselves, and people liked them. We incorporated as a business in 2013 and here we are.
Kate Welsh: 60% of our business is custom work, which wasn’t in our original business plan. We find that, typically, a lady wants to pick out her clothes around the hat. Others want a custom design made from dresses they’ve already picked out.
RB: And, then we have the customers who have an eye for design, and they want us to be their hands.
A customized Hat Girls creation.
HCW: So, it’s a lot of interaction with the customer, and a lot of customization?
KW: A lot of times, we get into a text chain with the customer, and we give them ideas. This year, we’ve gotten really good at reading the customers to see what they want and what will flatter them. When we don’t have to work around a strict vision, those hats usually turn out the best.
HCW: How long does it take to make a Hat Girls hat?
RB: It depends on the day and the hat. It can be anywhere from one hour to thirty hours, depending on the level of customization. If we’re sewing on individual beads or sequins, it can take a while. But, on a good day, each of us can make two to three hats.
HCW: I always feel so bad for those women you see at the track who chose a hat that’s too big and drooping in her eyes. You know they’re going to have Facebook profile pictures that completely block their faces.
KW: And they’re miserable at the Derby because they couldn’t see the race. We’re very honest with customers about what works for them. People try the hats on, and they don’t always realize that an adjustable hat brim only helps them so much.
RB: You go into a department store, and you only see the pretty hat, not how it’s going to work for you.
KW: As designers, we try to limit how many feathers or sequins we add to the hat so thatit’s not sagging down into the customer’s face.
RB: But, at the same time, the hat usually is the focal point of the outfit.
KW: And, a lot of people go for the goofy, big hat look!
Hat Girl Kate demonstrates a custom order
HCW: What trends are you seeing for the 2016 Kentucky Derby season?
KW: People ask us all the time “Are fascinators still in style?” Yes! Of course they are; look at the styles in Europe! We love fascinators for three reasons: your face isn’t shadowed when you wear one, you look great, and a fascinator is light and comfortable to wear.
RB: We always tell people who are scared to try a fascinator, “Put it on the side where your hair parts.” Fascinators don’t always sell as well in retail stores because people don’t always know how to wear them. We put photos of a lot of our fascinators on social media so that people know how to wear them.
KW: Also, about 90% of our fascinators are adjustable, to accommodate deeper partlines.
HCW: What colors do you predict for this Derby?
KW: Yellow
RB: People want a lot of navy.
KW: And light blue!
HCW: Right, fitting in with the Pantone Color of the Year, serenity?
RB: Absolutely. We overstocked rose quartz, the other Pantone Color of the Year for 2016, but we just aren’t seeing people choose it.
KW: We do always know to have a lot of pink; it’s like black and white. So classic, and so feminine. Plus, we need a lot of pink for Oaks hats.
RB: I’m the wrong one to ask; I hate pink. It’s just not my thing.
A wall of feathers at the Hat Girls' studio.
HCW: What makes a hat a Hat Girls hat?
KW: At first, we only wanted to do funky, Lady GaGa types of hats. We’ve had to tone that down over time, sticking to our aesthetic, but knowing what sells. We’re both such perfectionists. We know how we want things to be. For us, we work better with a higher-end, custom vibe.
RB: Each hat is a work of art!
Learn more about the Hat Girls’ custom works of art on their website, and visit their Facebook and Instagram pages for daily millinery inspiration.
This post also appears on the Kentucky Derby Book Blog. Check out The Kentucky Derby Book for an interactive look at the Greatest 2 minutes in Sports!
Layering for Cold Weather
Stay warm in style!
A note from HerKentucky: While we all love to shop, please remember those who may not have the luxuries that we enjoy. If you do buy new cold weather gear, please remember that your gently used or unworn blankets, hats, scarves, and coats could, quite literally, save a life this winter. Donate to the shelter of your choice, and please consider patronizing businesses like Lexington's Morton James, who are helping to warm the less fortunate with a donation drive.
Oh my word, y'all. It is so cold out there! Temperatures in the teens and twenties are hard to dress for. I've found myself heading out to run errands or take meetings this week and putting on ALL THE LAYERS to stay warm. There's an art to layering without adding unnecessary bulk to your ensemble.
Step 1: Base Layer
Start with a smooth base layer to trap heat. I've got my eye on this wool blend layer from L.L. Bean.
Step 2: Sweater
Add a thin sweater in a natural fiber like merino wool or cashmere for maximum warmth without compromising comfort. This time of year is THE BEST for finding post-Christmas sweaters at a great price. I snagged a cashmere crewneck at Macy's for $23 last week!
Step 3: Puffer
Add a quilted puffer jacket for maximum warmth. I'm on the lookout for a longer, parka-style puffer for all-over warmth!
Step 4: Add a hat!
Hats are the key to staying warm in low temperatures. They trap heat, even if they do wreak havoc on your hairstyle.
Step 5: Scarf and Gloves
Scarves and gloves are crucial this time of year!
Stay warm out there, y'all!