Dressing up for the Holidays
If you're like me, you've been adding to your wardrobe whilst holiday shopping for others. I just love seeing the joy on their faces when they see my perfectly polished holiday haute couture...um, I mean their well-thought-out presents.
All kidding aside, I LOVE dressing up for the holidays. I always strive for festive, yet not over the top and I like to find pieces that I can mix and match with what I already have in my closet. If you haven't updated your holiday wardrobe in a while, there's still a few days left before the big day. I say it's time to treat yourself, whether you've been naughty or nice!
Add a pop of red or green underneath your blazer for a festive holiday look.
You can pick up this bowtie beauty at Target.
For a more casual look, try a red tartan plaid button down with black skinny jeans.
This fun shirt can be found at Old Navy.
Prance your prancer in a metallic skirt. I just love this with a cashmere twin set!
You can pick up this fancy skirt at New York and Co.
Channel your inner Sugar Plum Fairy with this dreamy tutu. I am pairing mine with a black turtle neck!
Shabby Apple makes this fluffy confection.
If you're feeling extra festive and merry, feel free to don your favorite ugly Christmas sweater!
HerKentucky's Holiday Wish List for your Favorite Kentuckian
Great gifts for your favorite Kentuckian.
For our final HerKentucky Holiday Gift Guide, here are a few of the best ways to show Kentucky pride. These are great gifts for your favorite Kentuckian, or even to treat yourself!
Hand-Embroidered Kentucky Pillow from Uncommon Goods. Such a gorgeous way to celebrate the Commonwealth
Bourbonware Rocks Glass. A seriously sophisticated way to drink your bourbon.
Andrew Jackson shirt, Kentucky for Kentucky This shirt makes me laugh. Bob and I each have one.
Shop Local Kentucky Buffalo Plaid Shirt. These are dropping just after Christmas. I'm trying to decide if I need the Blue or Red plaid. (Or both)
Maya Brenner Designs Necklace. This necklace is an amazing gift. I wear mine all the time, and get so many compliments. Sarah Holland has the version with a diamond over her hometown of Paducah, to nobody's surprise! :)
Kentucky Necklace from The Prickly Pear. This is so fun and unique. It reminds me of the iconic "Carrie" necklace from Sex and the City, and it's inexpensive enough that you can go ahead and pick one up for yourself.
Kentucky "Home" Shirt from The Home T. The Prickly Pear has sizes from baby onesies to adults. These are great for expatriates, locals, and basically anybody who loves the Bluegrass State.
Weep No More, My Lady Letterpress Print from The Old Try. What a charming way to add Kentucky Pride to your office or den!
Pottery Rowe Bluegrass Garden Kit from A Taste of Kentucky. Everything you need to grow a little Kentucky Bluegrass wherever you'd like. I think this would be amazing for your favorite homesick Kentuckian!
Our friends at Bourbon Ware have graciously offered a rocks glass to one lucky HerKentucky reader. Enter below using the Rafflecopter widget.
Surviving the Holidays Beautifully
Our new contributor Julie Jorgensen, aka The Beauty Junkie, has holiday beauty under control, y'all.
“Just Like a Duck....”
How does that saying go? “Smooth and calm on the surface, but paddling like the Dickens underwater.” If any of y’all are like me, you know that exact feeling during the holidays. Trying to balance the shopping and cooking and wrapping with #alltheparties and the accompanying stress can rattle even the best multi-tasker’s cage. Take a collective deep breath, ladies. I've put together the best holiday survival kit you’ve ever seen, and will have you gliding into that after-work party like you own the place. Y’all ready? Okay, let’s go.
At some point or another during the holidays, we all find ourselves rushing around to this function or that party with no time to go home after a long work day. We look in the mirror in the car and think, eek! Faded makeup! Limp hair! These busy-woman woes are easily addressed in a flash, provided you have the right products. I like to keep a separate little makeup bag in my car for my on-the-go products. Some of the products are duplicates of what I keep in my makeup drawer at home, others are little bits of genius that are perfect for looking pretty in a rush. Clarins Beauty Flash Balm is at the top of the “genius” list. This velvety cream pats on over my makeup and for an instant boost of radiance. Fatigued skin doesn’t stand a chance on its watch. A penny-pinching alternative is the travel Evian atomizer. Tired, thirsty skin gets a welcome drink of mineral water delivered in a fine mist. A little touchup around the eyes and nose with Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer, and you’re back in business.
Now, let’s tackle those peepers. I’m never without Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel (to tame any stray hairs) and a pair of mini Tweezerman tweezers (to address what I may have missed the last time I tidied my brows). For a subtle lift that prompts “did you get a nap today?” questioning, glide a shimmery highlighter under brow bones, at the inner corners of your eyes, and above cheeks. The Multiple from Nars is perfect, and its chubby-stick format is foolproof. My favorite shade is Copacabana, a glistening pearl. Nothing makes eyes “pop” like jet-black mascara, and the holidays are the perfect time to rock a more-dramatic eye. I am never without a tube of Cover Girl Lash Blast mascara in my travel makeup bag. The volumizing formula and big ol’ rubber-spoke brush fatten up my lashes without clumping, flaking, or otherwise making me mad. Lastly, rim inner lower lids with either a nude or black eye pencil. Nude will make eyes appear larger, while black will add extra oomph and smokiness.
Get your pout ready for some party pucker-ups with a quick swipe of e.l.f. Studio Lip Exfoliator. Brown sugar granules banish dry, chapped lips faster than you can say, “happy holidays!” Top with Beautycounter Lip Conditioner for soothing moisture and a blue-based lipstick to make teeth look whiter. Dab a little of The Multiple at the center of your bottom lip over your lipstick or gloss for a fuller look. Don’t pop a stick of gum-- it looks tacky at parties. Opt for a breath spray or strip instead. Keep a travel-size spool of dental floss in your purse to avoid any hors d’oeuvres disasters.
Refresh your hair with a dry shampoo and a good brushing, or throw your tresses up into a high ponytail or messy bun. I like Dry Shampoo Invisible Spray from Oscar Blandi. Use your eyebrow gel to tame any flyaways. Slick on a fast-absorbing hand cream and, if you have time, add a spoonful of sugar or salt for a manicure stand-in. Scrub, rinse, and go. A little Past Tense essential oil blend from DoTerra on the back of your neck will stop tensions headaches in their tracks, and Whish deodorant wipes eliminate any embarrassing “stress sweat.” Spritz on a sample of your favorite perfume, smile, and walk into that party like you own the place! Cheers and happy holidays!
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HerKentucky's Holiday Wish List for the Sports Fan
Great gift ideas for the Kentucky native and sports fan on your holiday list!
Here in Kentucky, we love our college sports teams a lot. Our loyalties are pretty intense, and we never tire of finding new ways to rep our teams. Here are the HerKentucky picks for the very best gifts for your favorite sports fan!
Tervis Tumbler Water Bottle. I LOVE mine; I carry it everywhere. This UK Logo bottle will please any Wildcats fan!
Kentucky Wildcats Business Card Holder by Louisville Stoneware. What a fun way to bring your team loyalty to the office with you! Contact Stoneware for customization options.
Tipsy Elves UK Ugly Christmas Sweater. They call it "Ugly"; I think it's pretty cute. Either way, it's the most unique piece of Kentucky Wildcats swag I've seen in a while. (Available in ladies' and men's styles!)
Louisville Stoneware U of L Cardinals Salt and Pepper Shakers. The cutest Cardinals I've ever seen, and a perfect keepsake for your favorite Louisville fan.
University of Kentucky needlepoint cufflinks by Smathers and Branson. So preppy and cute!
Louisville Cardinals Women's Red Metallic Thread Scarf. Stay warm at the Belk Bowl!
Clayton & Crume L1C4 keychain. This is simply adorable. Heavy canvas twill affixed to high quality leather and made right here in Louisville.
For the ridiculous UK fan who has everything, how about a Rupp Arena replica dog bed? I can assure you that I'd be getting these for my own dogs if they made 'em big enough.
This EKU Tervis Tumbler is perfect for the Colonels fan on your list. I think Santa may bring this one to my dad...
Tickets to the UK - U of L Basketball Game. It's a long-shot, I know. The tickets are astronomical. But, something tells me that this game will be worth it. If you find any good leads, let me know.
U of L Fingerless Gloves. How cute are these?
A Trip to the Bahamas to watch WKU in the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl. If that isn't feasible, then how about the sweatshirt for the event?
Clayton & Crume #BBN keychain. So nobody forgets you're part of Coach Cal's #lafamilia.
Louisville Cardinals Needlepoint Flask from Smathers and Branson. The cutest way to sneak a nip.
We're so excited to give away a few of these amazing presents to lucky HerKentucky readers. Clayton & Crume has provided us with a UK keychain and a U of L keychain, and Tipsy Elves sent us a ladies' sweater! Enter to win using the Rafflecopter widget below!
Good luck, and Happy Holidays from HerKentucky!
Maple Bourbon Sparkler
Happy National Maple Syrup Day! If there were ever a food item that deserves its own day, it’s this one! It takes 30-40 gallons of maple sap boiled down to create one gallon of that delicious maple syrup and it goes on everything! From pancakes, waffles, muffins, and grits to sweet potato fries and bacon, it is quite a versatile item to have in your arsenal. So in honor of this luscious syrup, I am shaking things up with my festive Maple Bourbon Sparkler.
I just love how the deep maple flavor compliments the vanilla and spice notes of the bourbon and the addition of champagne and a splash of lemon make this cocktail bright and drinkable. It's the perfect libation for all of your holiday parties!
Maple Bourbon Sparkler
· ½ Tablespoon of Pure Maple Syrup
· 2 Ounces of Maker’s Mark Bourbon
· Squeeze of a Lemon Wedge
· 3 Ounces of Brut or Extra Dry Champagne. **
Instructions
1. Fill your favorite cocktail shaker with your maple syrup, bourbon and the squeeze of lemon. Shake until well combined and chilled.
2. Pour into champagne flute and top with champagne.
3. Enjoy and Repeat.
*I added a maple sugar rim for the photos. It was very sweet. I do not recommend it!
**Please use only Brut or Extra Dry Champagne/Sparkling Wine. It will be much too sweet with an Asti or Spumante.
