5 Christmas Sweaters That Aren't Ugly
Ditch that Ugly Christmas Sweater for an elegant holiday knit!
'Tis the Season for Ugly Christmas Sweater Parties. I'm sure that most of y'all have been invited to a party or two where the dress code called for hideous holiday knits. Here in Louisville, there are so many ways to show the world that you have terrible taste in Christmas attire. Garage Bar is hosting an Ugly Sweater Brunch this Sunday, Hilltop Tavern and Maker's Mark are throwing an Ugly Sweater Party (with prizes!) next Wednesday, and there's even an Ugly Sweater Run tonight, if that's your jam.
As for me, I like my holiday knitwear to run a little more toward pretty and non-ironic. I like to stick with vintage L.L. Bean Sweaters or pretty knits paired with neutrals. Here a few great Christmas sweaters that will take you through the next week of holiday parties in style.
These Ralph Lauren corduroy leggings are seriously THE BEST for pairing with boots and oversized sweaters. They're so comfy and yet give you such a polished look. I LOVE mine!
This Lands' End Supima cotton cardigan adds holiday flair in an understated way. It would be just perfect paired with a pretty skirt and tights.
Image via Lands' End.
This Vineyard Vines Snowflake Fair Isle Turtleneck combines the season's snowflakes with some lovely neutrals.
Snowflake sweater via Vineyard Vines
This would be great with winter white leggings and neutral boots for a comfy yet sophisticated holiday look.
Talbots seriously knocked it out of the park with their holiday line this year. How cute is this sequin fawn tee?
Pair with black jeans and booties for a casual, festive look.
I've already told y'allhow much I love Fair Isle sweaters. This Brooks Brothers Red Fleece sweater is perfect for casual get-togethers with distressed jeans and duck boots.
Happy Holiday Styling, y'all, and just say no to the ugly sweater!
A Good Enough Christmas
An old family photo taught me an important holiday lesson.
The Greatest Christmas Card Photo of All Time.
This post first appeared on HerKentucky in 2012; today felt like a nice day to repost it.
I like perfection.
If things are in their place, we're all happier and more productive, right? Why have a bookshelf when you can have a color-coded bookshelf? And, if every tree is perfect, every serving dish is perfectly chosen, every decoration is perfectly spaced, then we'll all have the happiest Christmas ever, right?
Well, at least that's how I've always seen it. In my head, the holidays take on a Martha Stewart meets Southern Living meets Pinterest air of forced perfection. I want things just so, damn it. I choose a color and a theme for each holiday season, and I like to stick to it. My Christmas cards match my tree which matches the presents. It just looks so nice that way.
This photo is about Love. With a Capital L
This weekend, I was putting up the tree when I realized I'd spent a full hour fluffing branches and positioning lights. To be fair, the tree looked amazing but, you know, there still weren't any ornaments. And then I undertook the Great Wrapping The Ribbon Around the Tree Incident of 2012. We shan't speak of it.
Plenty.
My beau, God bless him, often tries to gently remind me that the holidays can never be as perfect as I envision them. Every day of December can't look like the L.L. Bean catalog, he reminds me, and every day (much to his delight and my chagrin) doesn't come with a Michael Bublé holiday soundtrack. And all I do is wear myself out trying to make it so.
That's my grandpa on the far left with the sweet bowtie.
Recently, I was going through some photos of Christmases at my great-grandparents' house. They had six kids, including my paternal grandmother. By all accounts, Christmas was a big crazy party with lots of family, food, and fun. As I looked at these pictures, it didn't stand out to me that they didn't have a ton of money. It didn't matter what people wore or what dishes they ate from. They looked... happy. They were genuinely glad to be with each other on Christmas. It wasn't forced or overproduced. It was a holiday with family. And that was enough.
Now, I'm not exactly going to give away my beloved Spode Christmas china, nor am I taking down any of my many themed trees. But, this Christmas, I am going to try to slow down and enjoy the season. People and memories are more important than the perfectly decorated cookie. Maybe happiness is good enough.
HerKentucky Great Gift Guide: Lee W. Robinson Company
How's that holiday shopping coming along? If you're like me, the big presents are easy to find, but the smaller gifts are a little more difficult. This week, I visited the Lee W. Robinson Company and just couldn't believe how many small gifts I found. In fact, they have 100 pieces under $100! I knew that Lee W. Robinson Co was known for incredible interior decorating all over Louisville, but I didn't realize that Lee has so many fun items for sale in-store and online. Lee's boutique, nestled in the heart of Louisville's St. Matthews, is a great mix of Southern, classic, and preppy. The Draper James or Lilly Pulitzer lover in your life will love a gift from Lee W. Robinson!
This debutante candle is subtle and sophisticated.
This Santa is a great mix of rustic and luxe.
How precious are these little trees?
I LOVE this raccoon. Can you believe he's under $45?
Of course, we all need a little more Dolly in our lives...
This Dom Perignon box is fantastic for the champs lover in your life!
And I simply adore this tortoise frame!
Thanks so much to Lee W. Robinson Co for sharing their awesome holiday gift picks with us!
HerKentucky Great Gift Guide: Mustache Cups
As Christmas draws near, HerKentucky is committed to helping you find the best, most unique presents for everyone on your list. Today, we want to share with you a great gift for the guy in your life, especially if he's a lumbersexual, a hipster, or a competitive whisker-grower.
Image via Transylvania University
Of course, I'm kidding just a little, but the mustache cup is an often forgotten piece of history. Unless you attended Transylvania University, that is. My alma mater just happens to boast a collection of over 300 Victorian Era mugs and teacups that feature little guards to keep the drinker's mustache safe. And, Transy's art department may have just created the world's largest mustache cup.
Why not give the sophisticated gentleman in your life a mustache mug of his own?
Bucardo recently sent me (well, really, my beau) a mustache mug to review. Bucardo has and partnered with the global men's health movement of Movember to help draw attention to men's health issues. Bucardo will donate $5 from every mug sold now until Dec 31st. What a great way to let the guy in your life know that you're thinking of his immediate comfort as well as his long-term health!
Mug c/o Bucardo
Kentucky Against The World
How's y'all's holiday shopping coming along? Every year, it seems like there are some folks on my list for whom Christmas presents are very easy to buy, and others that are really, really tough. If you have the same problem, then HerKentucky is here to help! For the next few weeks, we'll be spotlighting one gift per day to help you find the right present to round out your holiday shopping!
Today's find is this awesome "Kentucky Against the World" shirt from 2Nostalgik. I LOVE this shirt, both in tee and sweatshirt versions! The creative force behind 2Nostalgik, Brittany Morton, is a Kentucky girl living in Los Angeles, and she's done an amazing job of getting a fun message on the perfect shade of blue.
{Images courtesy 2Nostalgik.}
I love to wear mine on game days. It kind of reminds me of Coach Cal's saying that every team plays their Super Bowl against UK.
Happy shopping, y'all!
The HerKentucky Guide to Holiday Shopping in Nashville
We all love to shop locally whenever possible, but there's something so fun about taking a trip to a different city to find unique sources for holiday gifts. Last week, my beau and I made a quick trip to Nashville. He had a conference to attend, and I had some Christmas shopping to tackle. My shopping expedition had two rules: find some unique presents, and stay far, far away from the tourist mayhem at Opryland. With those rules in mind, I've created the HerKentucky Guide to Holiday Shopping in Nashville.
For the Prepster:
Vineyard Vines is always a fun place to start! The bright, preppy prints draw you in, and you're likely to hear an upbeat Jimmy Buffett Christmas Carol playing in the background! (Hill Center Green Hills 4015 Hillsboro Pike, Suite 105 Nashville, Tennessee 37215)
For the College Student:
Every time I walk in Bink's Outfitters, I'm equally jealous and relieved that this store didn't exist during my sorority girl days. With their amazing selection of Hunter boots, Yeti Coolers, The North Face, and all the other things that you "really really need" for barn dances and field parties, I'd have spent all my time and money there. Hopefully, you can show more restraint whilst shopping for the college kid or outdoorsy person on your list. (Hill Center Green Hills 4017 Hillsboro Pike Suite 304, Nashville, TN 37215)
For the Southern Belle:
Draper James is, of course, Reese Witherspoon's new lifestyle brand. The flagship store in Reese's hometown of Nashville is simply adorable, featuring clothing, accessories, and small gifts with a sassy, feminine flair. The sales associates are so friendly and helpful, and they offer you a cup of sweet tea when you enter the store! (2608 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204)
For the Hipster:
Just down the street from Draper James are two simply enchanting local stores that will fulfill your favorite hipster's requirements for simple, well-made, unique, and thought-provoking items. White's Mercantile, owned by Hank Williams Jr's daughter Holly, is a fabulous, dog-friendly general store chock-full of amazing, quirky dry goods. (2908 12th Ave South
Nashville, TN 37204)
Imogene and Willie is known for high-end denim, but also features unique clothing, gifts, and more. Founded by Henderson, KY natives Carrie and Matt Eddmenson in an old filling station, Imogene + Willie offers unique, hip presents for the coolest people on your shopping list.(2908 12th Ave South, Nashville, TN 37204)
For Just About Everyone:
If you have to go to the mall for holiday shopping, you might as well go to a really, really good mall. The Mall at Green Hills features a fabulous mix of mall standards like Macy's and Williams-Sonoma and luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and David Yurman. Nordstrom alone is worth the trip.
Happy Shopping, y'all! Where do you shop for your holiday gifts?
The HerKentucky Guide to Repeal Day
On December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, marking the end of Prohibition. Led at its most fanatic fringes by temperance activists Garrard County, KY, native Carry Nation, the prohibition of sales and manufacturing of alcoholic beverages was intended to increase the nation's public health and morals. Of course, Prohibition merely drove alcohol production and procurement underground, often resulting in dangerous (not to mention unpalatable) concoctions. Here in Kentucky, we also suffered a major economic setback, as the bourbon industry was shuttered for a decade. (Read more about Kentucky and Prohibition here.)
Here in Louisville, we're always looking for a fun party, especially one that celebrates our native spirit. Here are some fun Repeal Day happenings in the Derby City this weekend:
- Louisville SWIG Food and Drink Tasting Affair tonight, 12/4 at the Seelbach: Join Louisville Magazine for the debut of their December issue, live music from Billy Goat Strut Revue, and tastes of food and drink from over 50 vendors. A portion of ticket sales benefits Court Appointed Special Advocates of the River Region.
- Repeal Day Open House tonight, 12/4 5-9 p.m. at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience: Tastings, small bites, door prizes, and a 1920s costume contest!
- Spirits of the Bluegrass: Prohibition in Kentucky exhibition at The Frazier Museum: open now!
- Repeal Day at The Silver Dollar: 5p.m. -close Saturday 12/5: Special cocktails with Old Forester, 1930s costume contest, photo booth, and more!
- Repeal Day at Bourbons Bistro: Saturday 12/5 at 6 p.m.25 cent cocktails and apps; Prohibition-era movies; costume contest.
- Proof on Main Repeal Day: Saturday 12/5 7 p.m-11p.m.. Cocktail specials, music, "Costumes are encouraged; mustaches are appreciated." In conjunction with 8UP Elevated Drinkery & Kitchen, Meta, Down One Bourbon Bar and Doc Crow's Southern Smokehouse and Raw Bar's Repeal Day Revel: a downtown exploration of restaurants and bars that celebrate Repeal Day with passport stamps at each location.
Happy Repeal Day, y'all! Here's to Kentucky's finest spirits!
You may also enjoy:
- The HerKentucky Guide to Speakeasy Louisville: The Hot Brown
- The HerKentucky Guide to Speakeasy Louisville: The Belle of Louisville
- The HerKentucky Guide to Speakeasy Louisville: The Evan Williams Experience
- The HerKentucky Guide to Speakeasy Louisville: The Seelbach
- A Conversation with Irrepressible Author Emily Bingham
- Happy Repeal Day!