The Best Swag For Bluegrass Babies
So, I'm going to be an aunt soon. Like, any minute now.
Since I can't seem to stop shopping for baby clothes, I thought I'd share with y'all some of the best Kentucky-themed onesies that I've run across.
Born and Breaded Onesie, Kentucky for Kentucky. This just makes me laugh so hard.
Y'all Onesie from Kentucky for Kentucky. I wear the t-shirt version of this one all the time; my niece and I should coordinate, no?
Kentucky Kicks Ass Baby Onesie from Kentucky for Kentucky. Who can resist adorning a child with mild expletives?
Commonwealth Baby Thermal -- High Street Fly. This just looks so snuggly!
502 Onesie from WHYLouisville.
Kentucky Home T Onesie via The Home T (available locally at The Prickly Pear) It's never too early to teach them where they come from.
Be You at B.You!
I like a lot of things about B.Barre Fitness at B.You. I love the workout. I love that the studio is close to my house, so I don't waste all day driving to and from the gym. I love the fabulous turquoise and chartreuse decor of the studio. But, most of all, I love that B.You encourages me to take the workout at my own pace.
I'm a really competitive person by nature; I tend to benchmark my own performance against others'. For years, I'd push my yoga poses or bootcamp moves farther to mimic or surpass my classmates'. A little push is good, you know. It encourages you to push your muscles a little harder and to get a little more out of the workout. I'm not exactly in a place to push myself too hard these days, though. Part of it is the diagnosis of degenerative disc disease that I received last year, with the accompanying surgeries and treatments. Part of it is the somewhat painful fact that the birthday I celebrated earlier this year is the last one that will begin with a 3. And, a not insignificant part of it is the fact that I've spent a lot of time over the past year "medicating" my back injury with red velvet cake and Netflix binges. (It made sense at the time that Scandal was more therapeutic than Lortab...) Needless to say, I don't have a lot of "personal bests" in me right now.
The great thing about classes at B.You is that, well, they actually encourage you to be you. You'll often hear "Focus on doing your best, not your neighbor's best!" or "Think about your reason for being here today!" as you hold a difficult pose. You'll hear a lot of suggestions for modifications,with the assurance that even with modifications you can attain the muscle shake that comes along with strengthening and sculpting. You'll often feel the instructor's gentle nudge to correct your form, but it's always discreet and encouraging. (Once, in a big-box-gym yoga class, an instructor told me, "Oh, don't even bother. Let me tell you, it was the Least. Namaste. Moment. Ever.)
I love a lot of things about B. You, but what I love most of all is that it's a friendly, inclusive studio that focuses on each participant setting and achieving her personal goals. In just a few short weeks, I've felt myself become so much stronger and I've lessened the pain and numbness that resulted from my two herniated discs. I've had to go at my own pace, and make a lot of modifications, and that was just fine.
{This post was brought to you by B.You. All opinions are my own. I am neither a medical professional nor a fitness instructor; please consult professionals before attempting to rehab an injury.}
YWC Charity Soiree
I love the Jazz Age. I love the literature, the style, the history. I love the way that the Jazz Age influenced Louisville. And, I love giving back to a city that I love.
Needless to say, I'm pumped about the Younger Woman's Club's Charity Soiree, which will be held tomorrow night at the KY Center for African-American Heritage. The twenties-themed soiree will benefit the YWC's Charity Campaign, which benefits countless charities in the Louisville area. Tickets will be available at the door.
I hope to see you there!
Bourbon Hot Chocolate
With the Bluegrass State well into its millionth snow day of 2015, we could all use a treat. This hot chocolate is rich, warm, and bourbon-y. (As y'all have heard me say countless times, I prefer to use a spicy, wheated bourbon like Maker's Mark in chocolate recipes.) The bourbon can easily be omitted to make a family-friendly treat; it's still pretty delicious. The secret to this recipe is to let the chocolate-covered marshmallows melt and create a swirly, special topping.
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup raw sugar
- Dash salt
- ½ cup boiling water
- 3 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ cup Kentucky bourbon whiskey
- Trader Joe’s chocolate-covered marshmallows
- Sift cocoa powder, sugar, and salt and add to medium saucepan. Add boiling water and whisk until smoorth
- Turn the burner to medium heat.
- Add milk, stirring frequently.
- Remove from heat; add vanilla and bourbon.
- Pour in mugs and add marshmallows. Allow marshmallows to melt, creating a swirled topping.
5 Things a True Kentuckian Will Never Let You Forget
Here in Kentucky, we talk about our homeland a lot. Here are a few things that we never let non-Kentuckians forget.
1. Real Bourbon is Made in Kentucky. Yes, we know that there's no official legislation that decrees this fact; however, THERE SHOULD BE. We just didn't have the foresight that the folks in Burgundy or Champagne had. But, bourbon is from Kentucky, and it's made with the limestone-rich water of Central Kentucky. And never try to hand us Jack Daniel's.
2. Tom Cruise Went to High School Here. So did George Clooney. We're probably going to tell you that pretty often. Just nod your head and act fascinated. You never know when you'll be on Jeopardy, and then you'll answer St. Xavier or Augusta High School really, really quickly.
3. College Basketball is the Only Sport Worth Following. It's the one thing that UK and U of L fans can agree upon.
4. Your Steeplechase or Horse Race Will Never Live Up to the Derby. Or Oaks. Or any race at Keeneland. Just take our word for it.
5. We love Kentucky. A lot. We never get tired of talking about the Commonwealth, and we'd better not hear you calling it a state. We have tons of favorite stores for Kentucky-themed gear, like this one, this one, this one... oh, and this one.
Yes You Can: Barre Fitness at B.You
At least once, during every barre class at B.You Fitness, the instructor encourages you to push just a little harder -- to take a pose one inch deeper or raise your arms one inch higher -- with a gentle, yet emphatic "Yes, You Can!"
Over the past few weeks, as I've worked on rehabbing my back injuries in barre classes at B.You, I've come to associate that very phrase -- Yes, You Can! -- with B.You classes. After only a few weeks of stretching, strengthening, and toning in barre classes, I find myself believing that I can do more.
Last week, as Louisville was covered in more snow than anyone cared to measure, I realized that the first anniversary of my back surgery had arrived. I didn't think a whole lot about it, because I was actually shoveling snow off my back deck that day. I was (mostly) pain-free. Of course, the groundwork had been established by a great surgeon, determined physical therapists, and a supportive network of wonderful friends and relatives. But, the "I Can" portion? That was all thanks to B.You!
Please join me throughout as I embark on a journey of fitness at b.you. I'll be posting every Monday to let you know how the classes are going, and you can keep up along the way on HerKentucky's Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Follow b.you on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well!
I hope to see y'all at b.you soon! They have two convenient locations here in Louisville: one in St. Matthews and one in Springhurst!
{This post is brought to you by b.you Fitness!}
{Please note that I am speaking only from my personal experience. I am neither a medical professional nor a barre instructor. I was advised by my physician to work on core strengthening.}
Maker's Mark Mochaccino
A serious snowstorm like the one we've experienced this week calls for a serious warm cocktail. I love mixing a spicy, wheated bourbon with chocolate. This one adds steamed milk to keep you warm and two rich shots of espresso for good measure.
- 2 shots of espresso
- 2 cups steamed steamed milk (or half and half)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 oz Maker's Mark
Pull 2 shots espresso. Add sugar and cocoa powder; stir well. Add Maker's Mark. Add milk, sprinkle with additional cocoa if desired.
Stay warm out there, y'all!