The History of Kentucky Derby Hats
Why we wear hats to the Kentucky Derby.
Did you ever wonder why we wear elaborate hats to the Kentucky Derby? Well, the history of the Kentucky Derby goes back to the Derby Stakes in Britain, known here in the States as the Epsom Derby. The Epsom Derby was first run in 1780 and is the highest-purse horse race in Britain.
In 1873, Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. visited Europe, taking in the Epsom Derby and the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp. He returned home to Louisville and organized the race now known as the Kentucky Derby, looking toward these races for inspiration for track design, race length and other details. When the Kentucky Derby began in 1875, Kentucky ladies wore their finest to the races, just as their British counterparts did. Of course, in those days, finery included a chapeau, and the tradition stuck.
If you think about it, we still kind of look to the Brits for millinery fashion. Around the time Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice and Duchess Kate began wearing fascinators and small, snug-fitting hats to weddings and races, we started to see those styles around the track in Louisville as well.
Here's to Derby style and gorgeous chapeaux! Happy Derby week, y'all!
Country Ham Balls
Besides bourbon, Kentucky has a great country ham scene, and why not highlight it with this delicious recipe? Not only is it easy and delicious, the meatballs can be made ahead of time then baked when you need them!
country ham balls
adapted from Sterling Bits
makes 24-36 balls (depending on how you roll them)
2 pounds local country ham, diced into 1/4 inch pieces
2 pounds local pork sausage
1 1/2 cup bread crumbs
2 local eggs, beaten
2 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoon mustard
1 cup white wine vinegar
- Mix country ham, sausage, bread crumbs, and eggs together until well combined.
- Roll out meat mixture to golf-ball sized meat balls. At this point, the meatballs can be cooked or frozen for future use.
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350.
- Meanwhile, combine brown sugar, mustard, and vinegar in a pot. Boil until rolling and allow to boil for 2 minutes.
- Place meatballs in a 9x13 casserole dish and pour hot sauce over meatballs.
- Bake for 20 minutes, turning balls at least once, or until done.
- Serve.
Jennifer is the chef behind a girl eats world; head over for more Kentucky Proud recipes!
Last Minute Derby Party Prep with Rocksbox
Product review and free trial code for Rocksbox
This time of year, there's always ONE MORE party to attend. That's the magical thing about Louisville around Derby time. The Kentucky Derby may be a two minute horse race, but we celebrate for a week or so. And, the invitations keep rolling in. Sometimes, you're booked for two to three events in a day. It's a pretty wonderful problem to have.
I like to joke that, this time of year, everybody in Louisville suffers from #DerbyFoMo: The fear of missing out on a good Derby-related party. So, we keep going, even though we have work and social obligations. After all, Derby only comes around once a year, right?
With all these fun festivities to attend, it was really nice to come home to a package from Rocksbox the other day. Rocksbox is a subscription jewelry service that sends three pieces of jewelry at a time straight to your mailbox. You can wear them and return them or, if you fall in love with a specific piece, you can purchase it at a special price. How simple is that?
Rocksbox has teamed with HerKentucky to help you prep for your last-minute party invitations and avoid #DerbyFoMo by providing you a free one-month subscription to Rocksbox. Just use code herkentuckyxoxo at checkout, and there's one less thing you have to do to prepare for big parties!
Thanks so much to Rocksbox for providing me a sample subscription for review! I hope you check out their service for yourself!
Seersucker Kentucky Cocktail Napkin Giveaway!
Weep no more, my lady! HerKentucky is giving away a set of these adorable blue seersucker Kentucky cocktail napkins just in time for Derby! One lucky winner will receive one set of eight cocktail napkins from Elizabeth Elfen and they will be delivered by Friday, May 1st. Just in time for your Derby Party! Your mint julep has never had it so good!
The hemstitched cocktail napkins are a blend of cotton and linen and measure 6" x 6". They will be packaged as pictured.
Go Local Box Review and Giveaway
Review of Go Local Box subscription service.
Have y'all seen Go Local Box?
It's a subscription service that brings the best locally-produced products from their Louisville manufacturers straight to your door. Founder Jay Vasse works with local vendors to curate a themed monthly box, which can be yours for only $35 per month. There's no strings -- you can cancel or skip a box at any time -- and the items are pretty fantastic.
Go Local Box sent me the April (Derby-themed) box, and I just loved it! So many wonderful items; it was like a mini-Derby Party in a box!
The April 2015 Go Local Box includes:
- A Derby Pie tart
- Bourbon Truffles from Art Eatables
- A Kentucky Derby Candle from Craft41Love
- Mint Julep Mixer from Old Honey Barn
- Bourbon Sugar Scrub
- Horseshoe Pendant from Woodwear by Andrea
That's a pretty fabulous assortment of products. It would make a fantastic present for your favorite homesick Kentuckian, or would be a great way to help yourself to the latest locally-made products. The customer service is pretty great, too. When my box arrived with a broken candle, Jay dropped off a new one at my front door that evening. I can't guarantee he'll deliver that same level of service for everybody, but he assures me that if there's anything amiss with your shipment, he'll make it right!
We've teamed up with Go Local Box to provide one lucky HerKentucky reader with a three-month gift subscription. Just enter using the Rafflecopter widget below!
Good luck, and have fun shopping locally!
Blogger {view} Wednesday: Jennifer Johnson of Pages of Style
Interview with Lexington KY Fashion Blogger Jennifer Johnson of Pages of Style.
Today's Blogger {view} Wednesday interview is with Jennifer Johnson, the Lexington-based fashion blogger behind Pages of Style. Jen always has the cutest accessories and a fun attitude toward styling her outfits. Thanks so much to Jennifer for chatting with us!
Tell us about yourself.
I'm a mom, a wife, a pharmacist. I blog in my spare time which isn't much but I love it! I feel like I do a little bit of everything!
How did Pages of Style get started?
I had done some blogging in the past and had always wanted to start my own fashion blog so I finally got up the nerve to stop dreaming and do!
What's your favorite thing about Kentucky?
I'm proud to be from Kentucky, it's probably one of the most beautiful states in the country. I love the southern hospitality, people are just more friendly here, feels like family and home.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to start a blog?
Stay positive and don't give up! There will be ups and downs, there's a definite learning curve, but if you love it stick with it. Be yourself and don't compromise just to fit in. Reach out- there are so many amazing bloggers right here in Kentucky! Always be kind and follow through on your commitments.
1. Cats or Cards? I have family that are Cards fans but die hard Cats fan right here!
2. Louisville or Lexington? Lexington, it's home
3. What’s your favorite bourbon? Maker's Mark
4. Where’s your favorite local restaurant? There are so many good ones! I think it depends on my mood. Right now I'm hooked on Limestone Blue.
5. What’s your favorite local shop? That's too hard! I honestly can't pick just one, plus there are so many good ones that I haven't even made it to yet. Right now I shop a lot at Morton James and Omar + Elsie.
The HerKentucky Guide to Benedictine
Kentucky's iconic cucumber-and-cream-cheese spread
Benedictine is one of those iconic Louisville recipes that the rest of the world just hasn't caught onto yet. Come springtime in the Derby City, though, you're bound to see the cucumber-and-cream-cheese sandwich spread on several serving tables.
Benedictine was invented by Jennie C. Benedict, a Louisville native food critic, cookbook author, and caterer. Over the years, Miss Benedict owned a soda fountain and a tea room, and she developed a spread to accompany cucumber sandwiches. The following is said to be her original recipe:
Jennie Benedict's original Benedictine recipe
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 3 tbsps. cucumber juice
- 1 tbsp. onion juice
- 1 tsp. salt
- A few grains of cayenne pepper
- 2 drops green food coloring
These days, most folks go for grated cucumbers and onions in place of the juices and omit the Easter-egg green color. Some folks add dill, creating a distinctly tzatziki taste; others add a little mayonnaise or sour cream to thin the spread down for use as a sauce.
Of course, Louisville-area hostesses are often short on time as the Kentucky Derby draws near, so I asked some local ladies in the know for advice about Benedictine, and found that a lot is up to personal taste. One friend known for her own terrific Benedictine recipe and fabulous Derby parties admitted that, in a pinch, she'll pick some up from Plehn's. Others mentioned Karem's Liquor and Deli, Divinity Catering, Home Cuisine, Uptown Cafe, Paul's Fruit Market, and Ladyfingers for their pre-made spread needs.
The serving style for Benedictine sandwiches is also a matter of some discussion. Some folks prefer a dainty tea sandwich served on white bread, while others are devoted to a darker bread like pumpernickel. And, of course, there are plenty of folks who like their Benedictine in combination with other sandwich fixings. My personal favorite is the Benedictine and Bacon from Stevens & Stevens Deli. (which is, inexplicably, listed on the vegetarian menu...)
Whether made from scratch or purchased pre-made, served in a dainty sandwich or in a healthy dollop with bacon, Benedictine is a classic taste of the Kentucky Derby that you’ll crave every spring!