Kentucky Derby Style From Rebecca Ray Designs

A lovely lady reached out to me about her Kentucky Derby themed designs that she offers in 12 retail locations in Kentucky.   All of her designs are hand produced in the USA.  

You can check them out at www.rebeccaraydesigns.com

Perfect for gearing up for the Run for the Roses! 

LOFT Grand Opening Party

Good morning, and Happy Stakes Day, y'all!

If you're in Lexington and don't want to fight the crowds at Keeneland (last year's race drew over 40,000 people!), you should check out the Grand Opening of the new LOFT at Lexington Green.  The Mall at Lexington Green has always been one of my favorite suburban spaces in town -- it's pretty and unique, and I've always been fascinated by those ducks!

If you're shopping for some inexpensive basics or fun, on-trend pieces, LOFT is always a good call. I like to stock up on LOFT t-shirts every season to keep my wardrobe fresh. If y'all haven't had a chance to visit the new LOFT store yet, you should definitely head out to the Grand Opening Party today. They're offering fun perks like mini-makeovers and styling assistance. They're also offering gifts on purchases over $75. It's today, April 13, from 1-4 PM at the new LOFT store, located at the Mall at Lexington Green (161 Lexington Green Circle, Lexington.)

While we're talking style, Emily and I were featured yesterday on the Louisville-based fashion blog 33 Avenue Miquelon. We're talking personal style, blogging, and all things HerKentucky. You can read the interview here. 

{No member of the HerKentucky team received any compensation for this post.}

The HerKentucky Guide to the Blue Grass Stakes

We've talked a lot about Keeneland here on HerKentucky lately. We've shared our ideas on what you should wear and what you definitely shouldn't wear. We've told you how to place a wager like a pro (or at least an informed amateur). You should be all set for a trip to the track, right?

Now, if you find yourself at the race track tomorrow, you can anticipate a huge crowd, even by "Saturdays at Keeneland" standards. The eighty-ninth running of the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes will commence tomorrow afternoon at 5:40 p.m. The Blue Grass Stakes (G1), is perhaps the most important race of Keeneland's racing year, generating at least one Derby contender. That's a lot of information to take in, but it's pretty easy to talk about Big Races like a pro.  Here's what you need to know:

Graded Races

• Obviously, the really fast horses run in the big money, high stakes races. These races are graded by purse amounts. (A "purse" is the total amount of money paid out to the owners of the winning horses. Usually, horses placing first through fifth are eligible for a portion of the purse.)
•  Any race considered for grading must have a total purse value of at least $75,000. The Grades are "Listed" -- at least $75K; "Grade III" -- at least $100K; "Grade II" -- at least $150K; and "Grade I" -- at least $200K.
• The Blue Grass Stakes is a Grade I Race with a $750,000 purse.

Derby Prep

• Purse earnings formerly determined horses' eligibility for the Kentucky Derby. As of this racing season, horses qualify for Derby through a points system. You can find the entire list of Derby qualifying races here.
• The winner of the Blue Grass Stakes is awarded 100 points and is guaranteed a slot in the Kentucky Derby. This is the highest point-value race run in Kentucky.

Blue Grass Stakes Stats

• The Blue Grass Stakes was first staged in 1911.
• The race is 1 1/8 miles and is run on synthetic turf.
• The fastest time for the current Stakes distance is 1:47.94, as run by Dullahan in 2012.
• The Blue Grass Stakes is currently sponsored by Toyota.
• There are 14 horses (and one "also-eligible") in this year's field. You can study their stats here.

One more tip: Wear the cutest dress you own, because everybody will be at the track tomorrow!

Happy Racing!

{images via Keeneland.}

What Not to Wear: Keeneland Edition

I attended Keeneland last Friday, opening day. It was gorgeous - the weather was sunny and just warm enough for shorter dresses and barer sleeves. Opening day is also traditionally College Day at Keeneland, where they give away scholarships. For many of the college-aged kids (um, adults) I saw at Keeneland, it seemed like it was their first time. Slow betting, having trouble using the ATM, and getting sloshy on bourbon by race two. I don't blame them - Keeneland is an exciting tradition unique to Lexington and if you're a UK student who doesn't experience it while you're here, you should consider it a missed opportunity!

Heather shared her "how to dress" tips which are crucial for people especially going to one of the dining rooms or to the clubhouse. They're pretty strict about that stuff. For the rest of us though, there are really no guidelines, so you tend to see a range of outfits. As someone who loves people-watching, it's always a great time.

I noticed quite a few mistakes though when it came to fashion on opening day. So here I present to you: Top 10 fashion no-no's at Keeneland.

1. Hem lines: Ladies. If you're wearing a short dress, don't forget that being outside in the spring means breezes. If your dress or skirt barely covers your skivvies, you need to reconsider the look. 
2. Colors: I am all for colorful outfits. When wearing a colorful print, consider going with a more neutral shoe, handbag, and jewelry. It looks like someone escaped from the Skittles bag otherwise.
3. Heels: Anything over a 3" heel is not advised unless you are a supermodel who can take standing in 5" plus shoes for 6 hours. You can look super cute standing still, but the donkey walk of foot pain will get you the wrong type of attention.
4. Shoes Required: If you don't take my advice with tip 3 above, please never, ever, ever take your shoes off. The ground is dirty, y'all!
5. Coordinate with your friends: If you are going to Keeneland with a group of girls, make sure to see what the other is wearing. You don't have to match, but when two of you show up in the same exact dress with a sailboat pattern, it's kind of awkward. 
6. Instant ugly: The easiest way for you to look ugly at Keeneland is to be rude. It does not make you look cool to bump into people repeatedly, should obscenities  or spill drinks on people without apologizing.
7. Reconsider the freebies: If a sponsor is giving away foam hats shaped like whales, reconsider wearing while still at Keeneland. Not only do you look silly, you're also blocking peoples view.
8. Tobacco accessories: Popular among the guys at Keeneland opening day were tobacco accessories: cigars and pipes. If you're going to partake in these: 1) Know how to lite them properly; 2) Don't blow smoke in peoples faces; 3) Consider the age-appropriateness of these items.
9. Printed pants: Also on the mens side - we understand printed pants are cute and agree some are totally appropriate for Keeneland. Just make sure your printed pants aren't your actual pajama bottoms. No button-down and bow tie can make them look appropriate. 
10. Bras are meant to be concealed: If your dress goes lower in the back, make sure you pull your bra band down so its covered. I didn't need to know what color your bra was or how many hooks it has. 

Equal Pay for Equal Work

The story is this. My great-grandmother taught at the local community college. She found out a newly hired male instructor was making more money than her despite her seniority. When she confronted her supervisor, she was told, "Now, Mrs. Allen, he has a family to support."

She quit.

Today is Equal Pay Day. Why is it today? Because this is how long a woman has to work into 2013 to earn what a man in the same position earned in 2012. 

I could wax poetic about the economic challenges women face. I could tell you that women already face a precarious economic situation made even more dangerous by the current state of our economy. 

I could cite statistics and studies.

But here's the truth:

Being paid less for the same work is unfair. And being treated unfairly because of something you cannot control is crazy-making. It is the moment I'm sure my great-grandmother had when she confronted her supervisor. There was an unfair situation and she had done nothing wrong. Surely, once she had explained the situation would be rectified. Instead, she was told that was not the case. I'm sure she felt a little bit crazy. You think you live in one universe. Only to find - like Alice in Wonderland - that everything is upside down and inside out. 

That's not what we're taught as children - all of us no matter our gender. We're taught when something is unfair, when something is wrong, we need to tell someone and it will get fixed. 

Instead, we learn: Yes, it is unfair that we are not getting paid equally for the same work. Yes, the situation is out and in the open and everyone is aware of it. 

But no, we're not going to doing anything about it. 

That has to end. It is 2013 and I should not earn SEVENTY-SEVEN CENTS to a man's dollar in the state of Kentucky. It is absurd. It is antiquated. 

It is unfair. 

What Can You Do? A Call to Action:
1.  Contact your Senators and Representatives and tell them you support the Paycheck Fairness Act. 
Kentucky's U.S. Senators and Representatives of the 113th Congress

2.  Write an Op-ed or a Letter to the Editor.
Sample Op-Ed
Sample Letter to the Editor

3.  Ask your Mayor/Commissioner,  to proclaim April 9th as Pay Equity Day in your town.
Sample Proclamation

4. Additional suggested activities to host in your community.
Activity Suggestions for Pay Equity Day

5.  If you are a business owner, learn how you can analyize your wage-setting policies and establish fair and consistent policies for all. 
Employer Pay Equity Self-Audit

6.  Stand up for yourself. 
Tips for Wage and Salary Negotiations

Support the Louisville Cardinals in Style

If you're supporting the Louisville Cardinals today (which if you're a Kentuckian, you should be!), wear your pride in style with some outfit ideas above :) 

Outfit 1- Madewell Dress

Outfit 2- Tee, Skirt, Boots 

Outfit 3- Tee, Jeans, Flats 

Good luck to the Cards today! 

Springtime Photo Ops

Is there anyplace more beautiful than Kentucky in Spring?

One of my favorite ways to see the Bluegrass State is by foot - hiking at Red River Gorge always provides some excellent photo opportunities:

The underside of Sky Bridge

Visiting small towns and exploring on foot is another great way to find beauty in Kentucky's spring. I'm a little partial, but our Capital City is beautiful this time of year.

Tulips at the Capitol

Another great way to explore Kentucky's outdoors is by water. Spring rains bring up the water table and make for perfect conditions to see the extensive waterways of Kentucky.

Elkhorn Creek in Early Spring (kayaks rented from Canoe Kentucky)

Central Kentucky offers any number of scenic driving tours, as well. Follow the blue and white signs for the Bluegrass Driving Tour, or download a map of the Dreamer driving tour from the Visitors Bureau.

Near Midway and Weisenberger Mill