HerKentucky Story: Ashley Turner of Pink Julep Abroad

HerKentucky is thrilled to introduce y'all to Ashley Turner, the blogger behind the fashion and lifestyle blog Pink Julep Abroad.  Ashley, a Paintsville native, lives in London (England, not Laurel County) after stops in Miami, NYC, and Grand Cayman.  Girl knows a thing or two about travel! Ashley graciously agreed to share her travel story with us today.  You can get to know Ashley better on her Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, or Spotify.

I have lived all over the place... Miami, New York, The Cayman Islands and I now call London home. No matter how far I roam, my story started in Painstville, Kentucky, a tiny town known locally as "the land between the lakes." The one thing that really stays with me from my Eastern Kentucky upbringing is the music. Situated along US 23, also known as "the Country Music Highway", there was no shortage of musical inspiration with some of the greats like Loretta Lynn, Ricky Skaggs, Dwight Yoakam, The Judds and Keith Whitley coming from the surrounding area. 

Country Music Highway Museum, Paintsville

My family, like lots of others in Paintsville, was always a musical one. My parents were both musicians and music educators and my uncle played in a few rock bands in the 80's & 90's, later becoming a member of The Kentucky Opry, so we went to concerts all the time. Sometime around the age of 10 years old, I started singing and getting involved in small productions and choirs. By the time I was 13, I was performing in musicals at the local high school alongside Chris Stapleton, now a successful musician & songwriter in Nashville. At age 15, I started spending my summers working at Jenny Wiley Theatre, an outdoor summerstock ampitheatre located within the scenic Jenny Wiley State Park.

Ashley in blue on the far left in Oklahoma,  Jenny Wiley Theatre 1999.

Working summerstock is no easy task - the hours were long, the pay was almost nothing (the first year I made $50 a week before taxes) and the work was hard, but as a teenager, I had invaluable experiences there and met a lot of interesting people who would provide me with an education I'd have never gotten elsewhere. It was a fellow JWT cast member in 1997 who told me about the theatre program at the University of Miami, which is where I chose to attend college in 1999. I studied hard, played hard and worked hard for 4 years in Miami and when it was all said and done, I stopped off in Kentucky for 9 months to save money before heading to New York City. 

I went to New York City to be a Broadway star (as you do), but after seeing the long audition lines that often came with a fruitless return, I quickly decided that wouldn't be the life for me, so I put my management degree to work and got a PR & Marketing job on Broadway instead. That fantastic opportunity eventually led to working for Roundabout Theatre Company and later Film Forum, an art film house in SoHo. Living in New York was a great experience, but when my soon-to-be fiance was transferred to the Cayman Islands, I knew it was time to leave so I followed him to the sunny Caribbean where we stayed for nearly 3 years.

Grand Cayman Island, 2008

I was like a fish out of water in Cayman. I was fashion obsessed on an island with very little shopping and afraid of the ocean (too much Shark Week!) in a major dive destination. Aside from a few cover bands and a community theatre, there wasn't much going on. It seems as though everyone in Cayman is a stay-at-home mom, a lawyer, a banker or an accountant so how does a country music-lovin Broadway girl fit in? Like most other expats in the Cayman Islands, I went to work in the finance industry. It was about 6 months after I arrived on the island when I saw that some of friends from dance class in high school were blogging in Kentucky and shortly after that, Pink Julep was born in the Dunkin Donuts on 7 Mile Beach. I finally had something on the island that I could create and get interested in, but it was also a way that I could keep up with what was going on at home, not just in Kentucky, but the entire USA. 

After the first 2 years, we reached our expiration date in Cayman, After months of planning, saving and applying for various visas, we packed everything we owned into 14 bags and came to London with no jobs, no prospects, very few contacts and a vacation rental apartment to stay in for 3 months. I didn't know what I wanted to do, but I knew it wasn't finance. While in Cayman I did a lot of reading and became fascinated with lifestyle brands, magazines and blogs, so I set out to find a way to incorporate that into my new life abroad.

London has proven to be a great choice! It's been a fantastic time to be here with the Royal Wedding, Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics, not to mention the ever-growing British fashion industry! I worked for a while at a digital agency in the social media department and I'm now a freelance content writer and social media consultant in addition to writing my lifestyle blog Pink Julep full-time. When I'm in need of inspiration, I always find myself looking to home and the music of where I grew up. It's been more than 10 years since I left home to go to University and it's exciting to see a lot of the people I knew from home making names for themselves in the music industry! If you find yourself in the Eastern Kentucky area, I'd recommend checking out a show at Jenny Wiley Theatre, a visit to the Country Music Museum, or head to the Mountain Arts Center to see The Kentucky Opry or one of their other many entertainment offerings!

HerKentucky Business: Mellen Designs

Today, we're so excited to spotlight Mary Ellen Harden of Mellen Designs as our July HerKentucky Businesswoman.  Mary Ellen's whimsical, iconic cards and gifts have a distinctively "Lexington" feel, with vibrant drawings of local landmarks, horsey themes, and bright colors.  I first noticed Mary Ellen's work when she designed a custom character for Junior League of Lexington's Holly Day Market. Since then, I've found myself absolutely smitten with her work.  The KY Lady Flat cards are just calling my name (juleps, horseshoes and silks? Yes, please!) and I'm simply obsessed with the Map Cards, the cutest and most unique way to tell a couple's story on a save-the date! -- HCW

Mary Ellen Harden is committed to providing the South's spunkiest, most sophisticated line of cards and gifts. Born in Lexington, Kentucky and graduate of the University of Kentucky Harden is most proud of her local success. Awarded a Trendy Finalist at the National Stationery Show in 2011 is one of the company's greatest achievements. The Mellen line includes greeting cards, invitations, correspondence card sets, gift items, and custom illustration for weddings and large celebrations. Harden says, "The opportunity to give customers exactly what they imagined, or sometimes, better than they imagined makes this very fulfilling work!"

Mary Ellen graciously agreed to answer our questions starting her business and about life in Lexington.  We were thrilled to find that she's as lovely as her artwork!

Have you always lived in Kentucky? 

Yes, I have always lived in Lexington. I went to SCAPA for elementary and middle school and graduated from Lafayette High School.

When did you start drawing/ designing? 

Mellen Designs Horse Shoe Tray

I was always crafting something! I was a young aunt in 6th grade and my sister decorated my neice's room in Winnie the Pooh, I did a series of colored pencil drawings based on the Winnie the Pooh series for the baby's room. I guess I consider this my first large project! I worked at Peggy's Gifts on Clay Avenue in college and she was kind enough to use my art for custom order requests, etc. This was when I produced my first simple line of cards and created custom invitations. I can't remember when I first picked up a marker, but I do remember visiting Disney World in the third grade with my family and walking through MGM studios when artist were still sitting over desks drawing characters for the films. It hit me that I would really enjoy a career where I could do the same.

What made you decide to start your own business?

Save the Date map cards

I was very fortunate to find a job out of college at a successful greeting card company. This gave me the opportunity to learn the industry and build my skills. The owners pushed me to start my own line on the side, so January 2008, only a semester out of school, I opened Mellen Designs. I have always had a goal of owning a stationery business, I just thought it would occur much farther in the future.  

What do you wish someone had told you before you started MEllen Designs?

That there are a LOT of stationery companies out there! Just a joke, but it does raise the topic of comparison and competition. My business model is to do my best, and stand out as myself - not to worry about the "others." I find as a woman and in my business, comparison sneaks up. Although watching industry trends is very important, comparison can make you lose sight of yourself!

What advice do you have for women who want to start their own business?

 I believe that if you are doing what you love and cannot imagine yourself doing anything different you will achieve success. It is very hard work, not to be brushed over, but if your heart is in it, the hard work is so very fulfilling.

Mary Ellen also answered a few fun get-to-know-you questions for us:

Baby Magnet Card

What is your favorite drink?

I hold dearest my morning coffee with a bit of milk and sweetener, but more exciting is an ice cold beer on a hot day at the lake!

What is your favorite spot in Lexington?

I'll have to name a few - Merrick Inn for a celebratory dinner with my husband, the Arboretum for a run with my dog, Keeneland with friends, Old Cassidy Ave. where we are moving in a week, UK campus which brings back so many great memories, Graeter's Ice Cream Parlor with a black raspberry chocolate chip ice cream cone in hand!

Jeans or a skirt?  

Definitely skirt! I can't ever get jeans to fit me right, I'm short!

  

Cats or Cards?  

Cats - always! We named our sweet beagle puppy, Cali after Coach Cal.

  

Summer or Winter? 

Summer! Hot summer days lift my spirits and bring inspiration - of course, it's always harder to get to work in the summer!

 For more Mellen, visit the company website and blog, or follow Mellen on Twitter and Facebook. For the remainder of July, Mary Ellen is running a 10% off offer for all online orders.

Courthouses and Cafes

Early in my career, I worked as an auditor of local government officials all over the Commonwealth. I would spend a week in the courthouse going over the tax collection records of the county Sheriff or combing through bail bond monies at the Circuit Court Clerk's office.

I understand that most people would find this an incredibly boring and tedious job. Sometimes, it was just that. Other times, though, those weeks served as my opportunity to explore a new part of Kentucky. I worked from Pikeville to Paducah, Whitley City to Covington and lots of places in between. I didn’t quite make it to all 120 counties, but I saw more than my fair share!

This was the era just before counties started getting monstrous new buildings called Justice Centers – financed by the Administrative Office of the Courts and designed to bring the judicial system in Kentucky into the high-tech modern world. At the time, working in a broom closet or in a back office whose exposed brick walls had crumbling mortar enough to see the outside world, I would never have admitted to feeling lucky. I was, though, I got to work in the old-style courthouses. The buildings were lined with historical markers, and it was cool for a history buff like me to imagine the events that had transpired in each building.

One (of many) unfulfilled ideas I’ve had was to create a cookbook featuring pictures of the old Kentucky courthouses and recipes from the local, hometown restaurants found near the courthouse square. Ok, so I know the idea of crumble old buildings might not get you going, but the little restaurants should! Some of these places are amazing! My coworkers and I tried to always opt for local eateries over national chains.

Not the prettiest courthouse, but a tasty cafe! Photo via Kentucky Court of Justice.

There was Dooley’s Purple Cow Restaurant in Beattyville, Kentucky. We patronized that establishment for two reasons: 1) it had been featured in Southern Living, and 2) it was pretty much the only game in town besides the IGA deli counter.

Photo via Shelby County Facebook Page

Shelby County had more than your average number of city-center restaurants, but McKinley's Bread Shop and Deli was my very favorite. This little gem has decor that's pleasing to customers of all ages, but I think the kids really loved the model train that circles the room every so often. Adults are probably too busy noshing on the flavorful sandwiches, salads and soups. Hands down, my favorite was the bacon ranch potato salad. In fact, I made my mom and sister go try it so we could recreate it for my wedding reception.

Photo via Kentucky Court of Justice

While I haven't visited many of these places in recent years, I still find myself craving a trip to Oldham County and the quaint downtown of LaGrange. Complete with a railroad running through the central business district, fantastic antiques and curiosities shops, LaGrange also boasts one of my all-time favorite restaurants: The Red Pepper Deli. I remember the food as fresh, flavorful and going beyond the typical cold-cut sandwiches fare. My colleagues and I kept meaning to try the other restaurants within walking distance of the courthouse, but we found ourselves at The Red Pepper every single day. It was not monotonous at all!

From the Hickman County Courthouse, where the Clerk showed us filming locations for the Tommy Lee Jones film U.S. Marshals, to the Bell County Courthouse, nestled in Pineville among the mountains, there are some amazing small towns, old buildings, and awesome eateries in this state. I was afforded the opportunity to see and spend some time in these towns, and I encourage you to explore them, too. Not all the Kentucky gems are found in Louisville or Lexington. Some of the best hometown hospitality and charm just might be off the beaten path in the local courthouse square.

Do you have a favorite courthouse or cafe? Share it with us in the comments!

Junior League Horse Show

Most good Southern girls have worked what seems like countless volunteer shifts at countless charity events. We've sold cookbooks and raffle tickets. We've led tours of homes and we've decorated for holiday markets. And we've gone to more dinners than we can even remember. They all seem to run together after a while. But nobody can ever claim that Horse Show is anything but unique. The Lexington Junior League Charity Horse Show, which takes place this week at the Red Mile Race Track, is unlike any other charity event you'll ever attend. For one thing, it's huge: now in it's seventy-sixth year, it's the world's largest outdoor Saddlebred horse show. It's also a really big deal, serving as the first jewel in the Saddlebred Triple Crown.

Source: lexjrleague.com via Connie on Pinterest

I've had the pleasure of volunteering at a few Horse Shows, and I have to say it's one of the most entertaining and unique events I've ever attended. Even if you know nothing about Saddlebreds or show events, it's an amazing spectacle. The delightful historic track and the show's pageantry provide a charmingly anachronistic evening. It's the kind of event where you see four generations of a family turn out to enjoy the show, and I've honestly never seen more Lilly Pulitzer prints under one roof!

Source: aceweekly.com via AceWeekly on Pinterest

Y'all should head out to the Red Mile for the remaining sessions of the Horse Show. I promise you've never seen a charity event like it!

Coal in Appalachia

When I was in the third grade, the local coal miners' union went on strike. It would take me twenty years to realize it, but that was my introduction to politics and economics.

Elkhorn scrip via KY Coal Heritage

 My hometown, the tiny Floyd County hamlet of Garrett, was quite literally built by the Elkhorn Coal Company. The two-story wooden homes lining the hillside along the town's major street were constructed in 1912 as Elkhorn's coal camp. Growing up, I heard stories of the Company Store, which traded with its employees on a scrip system. It was always a point of pride among my mother's family that my grandfather refused to be paid in scrip; this act was a symbol of independence and rebellion in the collective family lore. The subtext of the story was pretty clear, though: coal owns us all.

Garrett, 1915 via KY Coal Heritage

Now, in third grade, I didn't quite realize the rationale behind a union strike. I didn't know if I stood on the side of labor or management. I didn't know that coal was a politically charged issue. I did, however, know that a whole lot of my classmates were directly impacted by the strike. Suddenly, my friends behaved in a far more subdued manner. They quietly alerted the teacher that they'd be switching over to free or reduced lunch. They talked about the strike a lot, and it was evident even to a third grader that money was tight. The science lessons about a dwindling fossil fuel supply took on a scarier, more immediate quality. I came to realize that, while my friends' families were no longer paid in scrip, our town belonged to coal as much in the 1980s as it had seventy years earlier.

Garrett, 1970s via Garrett Historical Society

Twenty years later, coal is still crucial to my town's existence. Even though the big, easily-mined seams are long gone, coal is everywhere. A thin strip, far from mineable, runs through the mountain in my parents' backyard. We drive past coal tipples every day. Some friends' families made their fortunes as coal executives; others lost a bundle investing in mines. So many of my friends' parents are miners and mine-related professionals. In my own family, one uncle was an electrician in the mines, another ran a coal truck business for many years. My fiancé's family has a long history with the steel plants that run along the Ohio River on the state's northeastern border -- plants that are, of course, fueled by Eastern Kentucky coal. In one way or another, everyone with ties to Eastern Kentucky relies on coal.

The truth is, coal is the basis for Eastern Kentucky's economy. Last month, when Arch Coal announced a five hundred job layoff, it seemed far more real to most people I know than the devastating economic forecasts that have plagued the United States for the past few years. In a historically poor area, amidst a woefully soft national economy, the reduction of five hundred jobs was devastating. As Eastern Kentuckians, we need coal to keep our area afloat. It truly does, as the slogans say, keep the lights on. And yet, there is no question that it's an inherently dangerous enterprise.

Mining always has been a dangerous business. Miners are, by the very nature of their work, frequently injured on the job. Black lung has always been a working hazard that accompanied mining. Now, new studies show that current working conditions have spawned a resurgence in black lung cases among coal miners. The environmental impact of mining is pervasive as well. Study upon study points to carcinogens in our air and water. And then there's the issue of mountaintop removal, which has escalated the coal issue to a fever pitch. Supporters claim that this radical form of surface mining will keep the mining industry afloat; opponents claim that the process creates toxic by-products, rendering the water table lethal.

Mining is a thorny issue, and there isn't one right answer. Coal companies fight to continue production. Activists fight to raise awareness of the environmental and health risks. And miners work hard -- sacrificing their own health and even their lives -- to provide for their families. It's a complex cycle. And yet, it's so often portrayed with a cartoonish naïveté: You're either for coal or you're against it.

I suppose, on one level, that is correct. You can't both support the extraction of a mineral and advocate leaving it in place. You either want to remove mountaintops or you don't. As the old saying goes, you can't be a little bit pregnant. To me, though, the issue has always been about grey areas. I'd love to see a cleaner, more sustainable energy source. I'd love to see the people of my beloved Eastern Kentucky live without the fear of mine-related deaths and without the contaminant by-products of mining. But I also don't want to see an already-precarious economic system suffer an irreparable crash. I don't want the price of cleaner energy to be the economic death of coal-producing regions.

 Eastern Kentuckians have, in my experience, always felt stymied by this conundrum. Our region is mineral-rich and nestled away; it was absolutely perfect for the signature industry we developed. Now, that industry is slipping away. Most of the coal is gone. Environmental regulations -- whether you love them or hate them -- are phasing out the portions of the industry that remain. And, we're left terrified, wondering What's next? The very "nestled away-ness" of the region that once produced deep mineral reserves has also prohibited any successful bids for establishing factories or other large-scale business.

What we see, time and again, are people who approach the problem of the End of Coal as We Know It by erecting dividing lines and conducting ad hominem attacks. There's a pervasive belief that, in acknowledging the environmental repercussions and health risks that accompany the coal industry, we're attacking the fathers, uncles and grandfathers who risk their lives to put food on the table. The distinction that many outsiders draw between being anti-coal and pro-miner is, for most Eastern Kentuckians who rely on coal for their livelihood, solely an academic one. My own home county has memorably jumped on the blame bandwagon, singling out Kentucky-born actress and activist Ashley Judd for her highly publicized criticism of mountaintop removal.

In this Sunday's New York Times Op-Ed page, the Berea-based author and environmental activist Jason Howard takes issue with many pro-coal Appalachians' treatment of his fellow mountaintop removal critics. In this piece, entitled "Appalachia Turns on Itself", Mr. Howard describes deplorable violence taken against activists. He concludes:

"There is no easy resolution to the fraught relationship between the coal industry and the people of Appalachia, many of whom rely on it for jobs even as it poisons their regions. But it is imperative that the industry's leaders and their elected allies lay down their propaganda and engage an honest, civil dialogue about the issue. The stakes are too high to do otherwise."

Mr. Howard is right; there is no easy resolution to the tensions between Appalachia and coal. And, there certainly is a need for a civil dialogue among all affected parties -- coal industry representatives, activists, miners, and elected officials on both sides of the partisan divide. It is time for Eastern Kentuckians, through our community leaders and elected officials, to address the economic realities of our future. All signs point to an increased call for energy sources with a lower carbon footprint, rendering a dire need for new infrastructure and industry in Eastern Kentucky. Coal is a very personal and divisive issue for Eastern Kentuckians. Our towns were built on it. It is our past and our present. It's time, however, for a thoughtful and informed dialogue about its role in our future.

National Fried Chicken Day

Today is National Fried Chicken Day! Now, I don't know who thought of such a brilliant holiday, but they're 100% correct. Fried chicken sounds wonderful for dinner tonight.

Source: vintageadbrowser.com via Her on Pinterest

I've never had a lot of success re-creating my granny's signature recipe. It looks so easy; you just dredge the chicken pieces in flour and fry in a skillet. No matter how hard I try, the breading winds up coming off. I have the skillet temperature down pat, and I make a tasty breading. It just doesn't stick. My own fried chicken recipe is fairly simple. I let the pieces soak in buttermilk for half an hour or so. I prepare a mixture of flour, salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and a little cayenne pepper. I dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, then deep-fry it in vegetable oil in a dutch oven. This process is quick and ensures a moist, perfect piece.

Source: neatorama.com via Her on Pinterest

Of course, here in Kentucky, there are more than a few places to go for chicken. Ramsey's and Merrick Inn are my go-to spots in Lexington. And, of course, there's always KFC! How do you like your fried chicken?

Coca-Cola Cake

Apple pie has long been the embodiment of Americana. Except, well... I'm not a huge fan of fruit pies. And I don't make good pie crust. So, when I decided to make a dessert for last night's family Fourth cookout, I decided to seek inspiration elsewhere.

Nothing's more American (and, for that matter, Southern) than Coca-Cola, right?

So, I decided to make a Coca-Cola cake. I'd heard many times that it was a classic recipe of my late great-aunt's, but I'd never actually sampled it. So, I tried a recipe from Southern Living, which is, of course, the bible for such things. The cake turned out well, if a little gooey and indulgent. I'm always fascinated to try recipes from bygone eras. Boiled frosting and mini-marshmallows are such a throwback to Sixties cookery. I'd never used either before. Nor had I cooked with soda. But, the result was really fun and, I have to say, delicious.

It was also really nice to hear comparisons to my Great-Aunt Marie's cooking; she was such a wonderful, gracious, vibrant lady. She and my Great-Uncle Ed lived on the Atlantic Coast of Florida in the Eighties and Nineties. They spent their summers here in Kentucky; we were always so excited when they would arrive, bringing them, their curiously Florida-bright polyester ensembles, their ubiquitous chihuahua, and a van-load of presents for us kids. Now that we're all adults, my brother and cousin frequently joke that I've become the Aunt Ree of our generation whenever I don a particularly loud Lilly Pulitzer dress, adopt yet another dog, or wear one of her vintage brooches. I sure hope they're right. At least I know that I have one of Aunt Ree's signature recipes down pat.

Coca-Cola Cake, via August 2002 Southern Living

Ingredients

• 1 cup Coca-Cola

• 1/2 cup buttermilk

• 1 cup butter or margarine, softened

• 1 3/4 cups sugar

• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup cocoa

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows

• Coca-Cola Frosting

• Garnish: 3/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Preparation

Combine Coca-Cola and buttermilk; set aside.

Beat butter at low speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar; beat until blended. Add egg and vanilla; beat at low speed until blended.

Combine flour, cocoa, and soda. Add to butter mixture alternately with cola mixture; begin and end with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended.

Stir in marshmallows. Pour batter into a greased and floured 13- x 9-inch pan. Bake at 350° for 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from oven; cool 10 minutes. Pour Coca-Cola Frosting over warm cake; garnish, if desired.

Note: Don't make the frosting ahead--you need to pour it over the cake shortly after baking.

Coca-Cola Frosting

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter or margarine

• 1/3 cup Coca-Cola

• 3 tablespoons cocoa (I used dark chocolate cocoa here.)

• 1 (16-ounce) package powdered sugar

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Preparation

Bring first 3 ingredients to a boil in a large saucepan over medium heat, stirring until butter melts. Remove from heat; whisk in sugar and vanilla.