HerKentucky's Guide to the Best Coffee in Kentucky
It was a crazy weekend here in the Bluegrass State. The Kentucky Wildcats and the Louisville Cardinals played some amazing, down-to the wire basketball in the Elite Eight, and nobody got very much sleep. With the 'Cats headed to the Final Four in Indianapolis this weekend and Keeneland's Opening Day on Friday, we're all going to be packing as much work as possible into the first four days of this week. We're all going to need a serious caffeine fix, y'all. Here are a few of my suggestions.
Best espresso drink: Sunergos cappuccino from Atlantic No. 5. A locally brewed roast served up with perfectly steamed, milk, you're in luck, but make sure you can handle big flavors and a serious caffeine jolt. This isn't for amateurs.
Best French press: Ghyslain. I'm really into French presses and pour-overs these days. You get so much more flavor from the coffee oils and packs a powerful punch. My favorite is the dark roast French press from Ghyslain, the fabulous bistro with two Louisville locations.
Best cup of drip: (tie) Coffee Times. I adore the artisanal blends from this Lexington coffee shop. The blends are smooth, subtle, and inviting. You'll always see somebody you know. You'll love it, I promise.
Lizzie B's: Glory be! I can finally get a great cup of coffee when I visit my hometown. Prestonsburg's favorite cafe serves up an amazing cup of drip. Don't miss out!
Best mug: Louisville Stoneware. I love Louisville Stoneware, and these are some of my favorite mug designs. Bachelor Button, the classic Stoneware pattern, is my personal favorite. The I'd Rather Be Drinking Bourbon design is on my to-buy-soon list, and the UK mug is a great reminder of why you're working for the weekend.
Keep the caffeine flowing, y'all. A fabulous sporting weekend will be here before you know it!
Ten Signs that You're Lexington for Life
This morning, my beau and I made a quick trip to Lexington for some meetings. I quickly noted that everyone around us had totally panicked and forgotten how to drive as soon as they saw the first raindrop, but the city's charm quickly redeemed itself when the University NPR affiliate started playing a 2008 interview with Mr Keightley about the '78 Wildcats. As I cut through campus on Cooper Drive, driving past several coffee shops because only the Chevy Chase Starbucks would do, it hit me: no matter how long you stay away from the LEX, if you're a Lexington person, you're Lexington for life.
Here are 10 sure-fire signs that you're Lexington for Life.
1. You'll drive an extra 20 minutes to avoid New Circle Road.
2. You can't remember actually buying UK gear. It's just always been in your closet.
3. There's only one "fancy occasion fried chicken"; they serve it at the Merrick Inn.
4. You know several people who watch the Derby at Keeneland every year.
5. You associate each Kentucky county with someone you know who grew up there.
6. You know Ramsey's serves the best food in town, but you can't quite describe the menu.
7. It just seems like so much trouble to drive to Louisville.
8. You own (or have made) at least one needlepoint belt, and you know why it's a relationship-killer.
9. If you need to do some serious shopping, you go to Cincinnati.
10. Special occasions call for some combination of Maker's Mark, country ham biscuits, Magee's cake, and Spalding's donuts. It would be rude to substitute these essentials.
Blogger {View} Wednesday: Mindy Rohr of Love, Lexington
Today, we're starting an exciting new feature here on HerKentucky. Blogger{View} Wednesday will introduce y'all to our favorite Kentucky bloggers -- folks who are taking the internet by storm with their style, sass, and love for the Commonwealth. today, we're talking to Mindy Rohr, the fabulous blogger behind Love, Lexington. Mindy's website reads like a love letter to Lexington -- an exploration of the latest trends in food and drink, snapshots of the city's gorgeous scenery, and tips on the greatest Kentucky-themed swag. And did I mention Mindy's stunning SJP-esque ombre hair? Thanks so much to Mindy for taking some time to chat with us!
Tell us about yourself.
Hi I’m Mindy, the blogger behind Love Lexington. I was born and raised right here in Lexington, Kentucky. I love traveling and checking off places I’ve never been (like Napa this summer!) I am a horrible cook (note why we eat out so often)…our fridge and pantry usually only have tea, Hershey Kisses (dark chocolate only please…and yes we keep them in the fridge!), and cheddar skinny pop. What else does one need to survive? Bourbon…we always have bourbon on hand. I’m obsessed with my dogs! They really are the best and bring so much happiness into our lives. My favorite food is so cliché but I’d choose pizza over everything!
How did Love, Lexington get started?
Love Lexington came to me as an idea after reading the “Love Letter to Lexington” (published in the Huffington Post and written by my friend Megan Smith). Having personally deciding a few years back to get out of my Hamburg neighborhood and experience more of the downtown Lexington, Mr. Love Lexington and I started trying all the new local restaurants, going to Thursday Night Live every week, and just making a point to be a part of the growing downtown scene. Friends had suggested that we write a food/review blog but I didn’t want to be a food critic…I’m not into bashing anyone. From all that, Love Lexington was born. Ideally it is a love letter from Lexington to its people…and a way for me to share all the things I love about our city!
What’s your favorite thing about Kentucky?
My favorite thing about Kentucky is how absolutely stunning our state is! The beautiful rolling hills, the horse farms, the historic little towns…it is simply breath taking!
What advice do you have for someone who wants to start a blog?
For someone just starting out, I would recommend using a free site like Blogger or WordPress. It can get expensive to purchase a hosting site, a url, a theme, etc. and might feel overwhelming. Once you have figured out the technical part of getting a blog up and going, then you have to find your voice. Most readers relate to bloggers who write as if they are having a conversation. There is a lot of competition in the blog world…your voice is what will make you stand out.
People will say you do not need a good camera to take good photos…but I disagree. If a blog has low quality photos I am less likely to revisit the site. If you are serious about your blog (and photos are a necessity i.e., fashion, food) then invest in a starter DSLR or a similar camera (I started with a Nikon1). Once you have the camera, you must learn how to use it…if not, you might as well keep using your iPhone because you won’t be able to tell much different.
People will say and do the most random things. They think that because you are behind a computer screen that common etiquette doesn’t apply. They say things they would never say to a person in real life. Try to not let that bother you and if you truly love blogging then Keep On, Keeping On. The haters will move on and you will find people to follow you because they are behind what you are doing.
Now the important questions:
Cats or Cards? I bleed blue!
Louisville or Lexington? Should I even answer this?? ☺ Lexington…duh!
What’s your favorite bourbon? I’m not super picky when it comes to bourbon. I like Maker’s Mark in my diet coke; Woodford, Noah’s Mill, or Four Roses small batch in my cocktails. When I’m feeling cheap it’s not below me to order a good ol’ Kentucky Tavern and diet Ale-8!
Where’s your favorite local restaurant? If I have to choose only one and only one…I couldn’t live without County Club.
What’s your favorite local shop? My favorite “local” shop has to be High Street Fly. I cannot get enough of their awesome t-shirts. I do love Morton James too…my husband and pocket book however do not☺.
Check out Love Lexington for a dose of Lexington love!
Eight Things to Do in Kentucky This Week if You Hate March Madness
This time of year, I think of nothing but basketball. In fact, I go through withdrawal pains on the days that I don't get to watch a game. But, they tell me that everybody doesn't love March Madness. For those of y'all who simply can't handle any more college basketball, here are the best events going on in Kentucky this week.
Monday:
Woodsongs Old-TIme Radio Hour 800th Broadcast (Lexington): Join Asleep at the Wheel at the Lyric Theatre tonight for Woodsongs' 800th broadcast.
Tuesday:
Tea Tuesday at Waveland (Lexington): If basketball isn't your cup of tea, why not enjoy an actual cup of tea at historic Waveland mansion, along with a tour of the home?
Wednesday:
UK SAB Women of the World Lecture with Rosario Dawson (Lexington): SAB’s Multicultural Affairs Committee invites you to come listen to actress and Latina activist Rosario Dawson on March 25 at 8 p.m. in Memorial Hall. This event will be a continuation of the Women of the World Series, a series that celebrates a diverse group of successful women in various forms of power
Thursday:
Taste of Home Cooking Show (Owensboro): Taste of Home’s Culinary Specialist (Dana Elliot) will be at the Owensboro Convention Center on Thursday to share her home cooking tips and tricks while demonstrating step-by-step recipes for the season’s best dishes. This season’s event is brought to Owensboro by the Messenger-Inquirer.
Macy's Kentucky Derby Festival Spring Fashion Show (Horseshoe Casino): For the trendy set, the Macy’s Kentucky Derby Festival Spring Fashion Show is Kentuckiana’s premiere fashion showcase of the year. The Fashion Show features a runway of the latest in Derby and spring outfits and accessories by fashion brands and local boutiques.
Friday:
Creative Mornings (Louisville): If you didn't stay up too late watching the Kentucky game, you can make it to The Pointe for a talk with Hound Dog Press about "Ink", and so much more.
A Visit with the Spirits of Wickland (Bardstown): If the U of L game isn't your thing, experience the history and mystery of Wickland, Home of Three Governors. Take a 90 minute paranormal family-friendly tour which includes the opportunity to interact through a psychic medium and the friendly spirits who once lived there.
That High Lonesome Sound (Louisville): Actors Theatre hosts a theatrical album of scenes created for the Acting Apprentice Company, in which four writers respond with playfulness and poignancy to the signature sounds, inherited stories, and cultural impact of Kentucky's signature music tradition, bluegrass.
Eight Things to Know About the Kentucky Boys' Basketball Sweet Sixteen
Here in Kentucky, March Madness doesn't just mean the college basketball tournament. We take our high school basketball games pretty darned seriously, too. In honor of the KHSAA Sweet Sixteen, here's some tournament trivia. Did you know that:
- The first statewide championship high school boys' basketball game was played in 1917; Owensboro defeated Somerset 12-9 in that matchup.
- Two teams hold the record for most Sweet Sixteen titles. Lexington's Henry Clay and Lafayette High Schools hold six titles, respectively.
- The venue for the first two Championship games was Centre College in Danville.
- The Kentucky High School Athletic Association holds the trademark for the phrase Sweet Sixteen.
- In a story worthy of a feel-good sports film, Simon Kenton High School won the 1981 Sweet Sixteen just a few months after the high school building was destroyed in a tragic explosion.
- Kentucky's Sweet Sixteen is one of only three high school basketball tournaments without a class system dividing small schools and larger schools into separate championships. (The other two states are Hawaii and Delaware.)
- Two players have been named Sweet Sixteen Most Valuable Player for two consecutive years. These honors went to Richie Farmer of Clay County in 1987 and 1988 and to Jermaine Brown of Fairdale in 1990 and 1991.
- The 1963 State Champion Seneca Red Hawk team boasted future Boston Celtic Mike Redd and future Washington Bullet Wes Unseld. Diane Sawyer was a member of Seneca's cheerleading squad that year.
Eat Your Way to Gorgeous Skin!
I’m sure there’s not one of you out there who hasn’t heard the phrase “you are what you eat.” Sure, if you eat garbage day and night you’ll feel bad and probably end up with some extra pounds, but what does that do to your skin? To put it bluntly, could the term “pizza face” be taken literally if your diet is similar to that of a frat boy’s? Grab a healthy snack and settle in, friends-- I’m dropping knowledge this month about how to eat your way to pretty skin.
We hear so much these days about the evils of sugar. With adult-onset diabetes and obesity on the rise, it’s hard to ignore the damage that an excess of sugar can do to our bodies. It can wreak abject havoc on your skin too. (So put down the Snickers.) As sugar is processed in the body, its byproducts begin to break down collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep our skin firm and supple. This process is called glycation. The result? Premature aging, in the form of wrinkles and sagging. No self-respecting lady has time for that, so cut out added sugar in your diet ASAP. Sugar has many aliases on food labels, including dextrose, fruit juice concentrate, and brown rice syrup, so do your homework. The number-one skin-damaging culprit when it comes to sugar is high-fructose corn syrup. This stuff is pure evil! It’s shockingly common in sodas and processed foods, so read labels and choose accordingly. And don’t substitute real sugar for manufactured artificial sweeteners like aspartame-- those can be even worse for you than table sugar or corn syrup. Stick with a natural sweetener like stevia or honey. Wearing sunscreen everyday (EVERY DAY!) will head future damage off at the pass. It should be noted that using sugar on the outside of your body is a different story. Sugar scrubs are much more hydrating and gentle than their salt-based counterparts. My favorite old-school face scrub is a mixture of sugar and honey. Simple yet effective.
On the other side of the spectrum, fat in your diet can actually improve the look and feel of your skin, provided that it’s the right kind of fat. Omega 3 fatty acids are miracle workers when it comes to promoting healthy skin, hair, and joints (especially for those of us with dry skin and/ or hair). Wild salmon, walnuts, olives, and flax and chia seeds are all awesome examples of foods rich in omegas. You can also get your daily dose of omegas with a good-quality supplement-- Advocare OmegaPlex is my favorite. Minimally-processed oils such as olive and coconut are also good choices. Look for “cold-pressed,” “extra virgin,” or “expeller processed” on the label. However, many oils with lower flash points break down and release skin-wrecking (and potentially cancer-causing) free radicals when heated past a certain point, so opt for coconut or safflower oil when cooking.
In addition of adding healthy fat to your diet, follow the advice of the fashion magazines this season and go for color. (I don’t mean opting for the red Gatorade. That stuff isn’t good for you.) As a general rule of thumb, the more colorful the food, the healthier it is. Think berries, greens, tuna and salmon, sweet potatoes, colorful veggies, and citrus: all vibrant in color and good for your body, inside and out! All of these foods are rich in powerful substances like antioxidants and vitamins that are the building blocks of healthy cells. Pop a B-complex vitamin to further combat the signs of aging-- look for one containing B1 and B6. I don’t know about y’all, but there’s just something about a big ol’ salad full of Spring’s first bounty or a tall glass of green juice that just makes me happy this time of year.
Paying a little attention the next time you do your grocery shopping and making small changes can add up to a big difference in the look and feel of your skin. Getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of water, and avoiding smoking and the sun will certainly help matters too. So the next time you sit down to dinner, ask yourself, “is this good for my face, as well as my body?” Then we can all talk about it when we’re old and still looking young and fabulous!
Love,
The Beauty Junkie
The HerKentucky UK and U of L Fan Elite Eight
While we're all agonizing over our brackets and waiting for The Big Dance to start, here's the guide to what's really important about March Madness for fans of the University of Louisville Cardinals and the University of Kentucky Wildcats: Celebrity Endorsements. We've broken down the brackets for HerKentucky's Elite Eight Pairings of Celeb Super-Fans, and applied some Joe Lunardi-style bracketology to offer up our best picks.
The Hunger Games Edition
The stars of The Hunger Games are both Kentucky natives but they fall on opposite sides of the team lines.
Josh Hutcherson, a native of Northern Kentucky, cheers for the Cats
while Louisville native Jennifer Lawrence is all "L's up!"
Winner : Team Katniss. J-Law is just as fierce without archery gear. Sorry, Peeta.
The Heartthrob Edition
Leonardo DiCaprio reps the Cards,
while Cougar Town star Josh Hopkins is a proud member of the BBN.
The Winner: Josh Hopkins. He may have dated gorgeous celebs like Courteney Cox and Erin Andrews, but Lexington native Josh Hopkins makes no secret that his first love is Kentucky basketball. (We'll even forgive him for attending Auburn.) Los Angeles-born Leo looks like a bro who found a cool hat, and the lady beside him is not impressed.
The Supporting Actor Edition
Actor Steve Zahn is a fixture around Lexington, especially at UK games,
while William Fichtner of The Dark Knight showed his U of L loyalty at a recent Derby Party.
The Winner: Steve Zahn all the way. He really put in a touching performance in Dallas Buyers Club, his Treme character is hilarious, and he's married to J. Peterman's daughter. Plus, the Batman dude looks scary.
The Leading Lady Edition
Ashley Judd is perhaps Kentucky's most iconic basketball fan...
while Jennifer Lawrence (Oops... we included her twice, because she's the HerKentucky girls' imaginary BFF, and Hollywood's It Girl) is the Cards' biggest fan.
The Winner: Too close to call. Both are super-fans whom everyone associates with their respective teams. Ashley is the Grande Dame of Kentucky Basketball, but everybody loves Jennifer.
Did we miss anybody? Who's in your Celeb Super-Fan Bracket?