HerKentucky Turns 2!

Today's our birthday, y'all!

Today marks two years of the HerKentucky blog. Every member of our writing staff is so thrilled and humbled that y'all stop by to read our posts and visit our social media sites. It's so wonderful to know that y'all love the Commonwealth as much as we do!

I wish we could all sit down together for a glass of bourbon and a cupcake today. Since that's a little difficult to manage, we've partnered with Louisville Stoneware to bring one lucky HerKentucky reader a stylish way to enjoy her favorite drink.

The Louisvilke Stoneware Mint Julep Cup is so fun, and its logo gets straight to the point.

Here's what our friends at Louisville Stoneware would like you to know about this item: 

Located in the heart of Bourbon Country, and with a history of making whiskey jugs, it’s only natural for Louisville Stoneware to have a line of Julep Cups.The exact origins of the Mint Julep are unknown, but it is said to have originated in the southern United States during the eighteenth century. U.S. Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky introduced the drink to Washington, D.C., at the Round Robin Bar in the famous Willard Hotel. It was also the favorite drink of American author William Faulkner. The Mint Julep is best known as the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, a position it has held since 1938, with Churchill Downs making over 120,000 for Derby fans each year.Chill your Stoneware Julep Cup in the freezer for at least 30 minutes – it can be stored there permanently if you like. With a slightly flared rim, this cup is perfect for slow sipping – the only way a julep should be enjoyed. For an authentic Julep-sipping experience, we suggest following the recipe on our Julep pitcher. Cheers!Your stoneware can be safely used in the oven, microwave, dishwasher and freezer. Just remember to allow pieces from the dishwasher to cool before refrigerating. Likewise, you should allow refrigerated piece to return to room temperature before washing. As with any stoneware item, extreme and sudden variation in temperature may cause cracking or breakage.

You can enter to win using the Rafflecopter widget. The winner will be announced on Monday, September 16th, and you can look forward to more HerKentucky birthday fun throughout September!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks so much to Louisville Stoneware for partnering with HerKentucky to bring y'all this giveaway. No member of the HerKentucky writing staff was compensated in any way for this post. Check back throughout September for more celebrations, giveways, and fun!

It's time to transition to fall y'all!

Sadly, summer is coming to a close and fall is on its way. Lexington is bursting at the seams with college students and Keeneland's opening day is just around the corner, but that does not mean we should toss our favorite summer pieces aside like yesterday's race booklet! With a few quick adjustments, we can transition those summer stunners into fabulous fall outfits!

White Blazers were white hot this summer. They were everywhere, adorning brightly colored dresses and breezy floral tops. You can transition your blazer to fall by adding a few key pieces that you probably already have in your closet! This outfit is so versatile, you could dress it up with heels or dress it down with riding boots or flats.

White Hot Blazer

Pretty Pearls

Stunning Stripes

Dark Skinny Jeans

Summer's flirty floral dresses get a fantastic fall makeover with the addition of black tights, cardigans, statement earrings and boots.  This dress is so cute and even features a little UK blue! Tailgating, anyone?

Flirty Floral Dress

Over Sized Statement Earrings

Ruffle Cardigan

It is no secret that I LOVE stripes, so it was no surprise that my favorite summer trend was statement stripes.  These bold stunners can easily transition to a fancy fall night out by adding a fabulous cardigan, pearls, tights and heels.  

 Statement Stripes

Pretty Pearls

Chain Cardigan

I am so excited about these outfits....looks like I have some shopping to do! Ooh La La! What is your favorite summer trend and how are you transitioning it to fall?

Transitions

Oh hey... I used to read this blog called HerKentucky. It was a bunch of women in  Kentucky telling their stories and sharing their favorite places and things about the Bluegrass State... It was a great site, but then, it went away for two whole days. In Internet time, that's like a lifetime...

Thanks to Glenda for this. Makes me laugh every time!

Things have been crazy with the HerKentucky staff lately. As you've read lately, Shannon, Allie, and Cristina sent their kids off to school. But that isn't all. Emily is bouncing back from ankle surgery -- and doing it fashionably. Erin is moving across the country. Liz moved from  And I am in the midst of a big move of my own.

Transitions are hard. We often dread them. We fight them or embrace them. But they arise no matter how we approach them. For me, it's been a weird feeling to move back to a town where I lived a few years ago. I've expected everything to be exactly where I left it, as though I were home for the weekend from college. I expected to eat at the same restaurants, live in the same neighborhood, and join the same clubs. But, you know, life doesn't work that way. My beau and I are several years older than we were when we left (funny how time does that to us all...) and Louisville, like any city, has changed a little as well. Some restaurants are as great as we remembered, and others just aren't. We're looking for different features in neighborhoods. And, I've found a cool new charity organization with which I'll be volunteering. It's a lot of change, but I'm realizing that most of these are changes that would have happened if I'd remained in the same city. Nobody stays the same for six years, right?

We'd love to hear about any transitions y'all are experiencing. How are you handling them -- with trepidation, excitement, or a mixture of both?

Summer Barbecue

Recently, my best friend Jessica got married in Paducah, KY and had a beautiful summer barbecue as her rehearsal dinner. The food was delicious, the company was divine and a wonderful time was had by all. In the weeks prior to the BBQ, I received several queries about what to wear, so I styled a few outfits that would be worthy of this summer soiree! I have also included some simple tips to remember when you embark on your own outfit planning. 

1. Always consider the venue when choosing shoes. Our barbecue was outside so we strayed away from heels and chose wedges/flats. 
2. Consider the weather and dress accordingly. 
3. Choose articles of clothing that fit properly to ensure maximum comfort. 
4. Have fun! Life was not meant for boring outfits!

I am in love with all three outfits and wish I could go to the barbecue all over again! All items above are still available and links are below. Happy Shopping!

Sleeve dress
shopruche.com

People Tree coral dress
$28 - peopletree.co.uk

Old Navy white tee
oldnavy.gap.com

J Crew patterned mini skirt
jcrew.com

Wallis navy wedge heels
wallisfashion.com

Moda Spana wedge shoes
dsw.com

Betsey Johnson starfish charm
betseyjohnson.com

Leaf necklace
$25 - oliverbonas.com

Chloé gold jewelry
chloeandisabel.com

Blue Nile sterling silver jewellery
bluenile.com

Henri Bendel beaded jewelry
henribendel.com

DV by Dolce Vita Dania
lorisshoes.com

Our Friend Liz

Y'all remember our fabulous friend Liz, right?

She went went to school. In Italy. To study shoes. I mean, how amazing is that?

That's M. Louboutin. With our friend Liz.

Um, it gets better. She's met Christian Louboutin. And she's married to a dreamy doctor. The best part? She's completely sweet and cool.

So cool, in fact, that back in December she offered to custom-design one of her signature handbags for one lucky HerKentucky reader. She and the winner, Brandi, exchanged emails, worked together on the design, and came up with this darling design. 

Western KY-based attorney, HerKentucky reader, and aspiring purse model Brandi.

Brandi is a convert to Elizabeth Elfen Designs. She says: 

"Liz was so wonderful to work with. I have NO EXPERIENCE in design and was excited I won such a neat giveaway but was apprehensive about what I possibly could contribute. Liz took the lead and sent me samples and gave me options and ideas. She was very supportive and her fabrics were so beautiful. When I received the bag I was blown away. I was really impressed with her skill and care at the creation of my bag! It represents my style (classic with a touch of flare). It will definitely become a staple in closet. Thank you for such a wonderful experience Liz, I truly will remember it fondly….and I have the bag to prove it!"

Liz has lots up her sleeve these days. She and Dr Hotpants are leaving Brooklyn to embark on a Midwestern adventure (not. even. kidding. They had a Green Acres-themed cocktail party.) She has started a fabulous new blog, The Fanciest Chicken, where she talks food, fashion, and fabulousity. I am seriously so amazed by this, y'all. She found vintage Chanel earrings. On eBay. And shares her shopping secrets on her blog. 

Oh, and one more big announcement: Liz is joining the HerKentucky team as a style corespondent! How fabulous is that?

Please join us in welcoming Liz to HerKentucky, and go check out The Fanciest Chicken today! 

Kentucky Inspires Me

A few weeks ago, I was reading a fun fashion blog -- Glitter and Gingham -- that's run by a Lexington expat. She'd built an outfit around a fun Kentucky t-shirt, and she started the post out by saying "I have a theory that every Kentuckian is obsessed with Kentucky." Now, Shelby's outfit was adorable, but her idea is what really stuck with me.

Gratz Park, Lexington

Most Kentuckians I know are really into being from Kentucky. We spend a lot of time quoting little factoids about the Commonwealth. And why shouldn't we? We're only home to the prettiest land, the best college basketball teams, the greatest horse race, and bourbon. Any one of these are enough to make us cocky. No wonder most of us are, to borrow the phrase, obsessed. 

Rupp Arena

Here at HerKentucky, we've been focusing on inspiration lately. The people and places and sights and sounds that inspire us. As we each have posted essays and photos about our sources of inspiration, I've realized how much Kentucky inspires me every day -- from its rich traditions and history to its unique and beautiful scenery.

Downtown Louisville

Whether my love for The Bluegrass State stems from obsession or inspiration, I find that my Kentucky experience colors my writing, my political viewpoint, my approach to cooking and hospitality, and so many other aspects of my daily life. In so many ways, Kentucky inspires me every day.

Haupt Humanities Building, Transylvania

How does Kentucky inspire you?

The Belle of Louisville

{all photos are my own.}

Finding Inspiration in Friendship

The past few months have really kind of sucked. 

I've been hit with a lot of things that seem banal when they happen to other people, but when they happen to you they're epic. There have been days when it all seemed insurmountable. Days when I didn't know where or how to start fixing it all. Days when simply composing the to-do list took an hour, and I can't even talk about how long it would take to complete. I've desperately needed to get over it, tackle the things I can fix, and deal with the things I can't. 

These days, I realize, are when my girlfriends have kept me afloat. I've found my inspiration in my friends. Sometimes, a short, pithy, emoji-filled text message is all it takes. Sometimes, it's an email that answers my questions, or an in-joke Facebook post. Suddenly, I'm ready to do a round of sun salutations and tackle the day. 

I find my inspiration in my cousin, who's quite literally been my BFF since we were born, and in my college girlfriends, whose hilarious and heartwarming and always-entertaining group texts would make Regina George blush. I find inspiration in the friends I've made through my sorority, the Junior League, and the crazy world of blogging. And, I'm astonished every day at the inspiration I've found through the women who contribute to this blog - smart professional women who lend their time and talents to create a site we love. 

I love that I don't always have to thank these women for their friendship; I just know that they're there. I love that I don't always have to tell them the details of my problems; I can just say that things aren't going well. I love that I sometimes awake to 30 new text messages written in LOLCAT or peppered with a few wine-related typos. I love that I have an amazing network of female friends who inspire me every day. 

How do your friends inspire you?