Kentucky Derby Book Giveaway!

Derby is only two weeks away, y'all! 

If you love the pageantry and history of The Kentucky Derby, or if you're looking for a gift for a Derby fanatic, you'll love The Kentucky Derby by Bill Doolittle. This stunning coffee table book tells the story of the most exciting two minutes in sports from Meriwether Lewis Clark's original race based on the Epsom Derby up to American Pharoah's thrilling victory.  

I love my copy of The Kentucky Derby because it features Digimarc Discover® technology, which allows me to use my iPhone to watch video footage pertaining to the story. You can actually watch some of the races that the author references, or watch a video to help you make a better  mint julep. It's such a cool way to get more immersed into the story!

I also love that Shircliff Publishing is committed to giving back to the community. If you order a hardback copy directly through the book's website, you can choose among several Louisville-area charities to receive a donation of $10 your purchase price at no additional charge to you!

If coffee table books aren't your jam, The Kentucky Derby is now available as an ebook! You can choose from Amazon Kindle or iBooks for your tablet, Kindle, or smartphone. For only $9.99, the ebook format is a great way to learn the history of the Derby on the go!

HerKentucky has teamed up with Shircliff Publishing to give one reader a hardcover copy of The Kentucky Derby (a $50 value). You can enter using the rafflecopter raffle below. The contest ends Sunday, April 23rd at midnight; the winner will be contacted and announced on Monday morning.

Please let us know in the comments section: What is your favorite Kentucky Derby tradition?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In the spirit of disclosure and transparency, please note that I have an ongoing business relationship with Shircliff Publishing, the company that produced The Kentucky Derby book. All opinions are, as always, my own.

Draper James Kentucky Derby Capsule Collection

Y'all! Draper James dropped their 2017 Kentucky Derby Capsule Collection today and it is soooo good!

This envelope clutch is so cute for a day at the track.

And this tee is perfect for low-key Derby week festivities.

This hat would be so fun for Thurby.

I love the colors on this dress. It'll be so great for summer soirees.

And I may even love the skirt more!

Even better? Click this link for $20 off your next Draper James order.  And look for Draper James opening soon at the Summit at Fritz Farm in Lexington!!

(This post contains affiliate links; HerKentucky receives a nominal commission on every product link you click in this post. All opinions are my own!)

Alumni Hall is coming to The Summit at Fritz Farm!

Nike Twill Kentucky Hat | Kentucky Alex and Ani Charm Bracelet (c/o Alumni Hall)

I am so excited for the opening of The Summit at Fritz Farm in Lexington, y'all. No matter how long it's been since I lived there, Lexington just always feels like home - I have so many family and friends there, Bob and I both went to undergrad and grad school there, and then there are our Wildcats. We aren't just "wear blue and white on game day" Wildcats fans. We're thinking about our 'Cats every day of the year. So, of course, we were so excited when Alumni Hall sent us some fun UK gear to celebrate the opening of their Summit at Fritz Farm store and to get us ready for the upcoming season -- as we all know, basketball season is always almost here in Kentucky! 

Alex and Ani Kentucky Charm Bracelet (c/o Alumni Hall)

Oh my goodness, y'all. Their selection is so awesome. I'm pretty sure I want one of everything on the Alumni Hall website. I love this Alex and Ani charm bracelet so much. And this scarf is such a lovely way to celebrate the Bluegrass State!

Bob loved this Cutter & Buck DryTec polo shirt, and I know I'll wear the Blue 84 Lucille Terry V-Neck Tee all summer long!

Cutter & Buck DryTec polo | Blue 84 Terry V-Neck Tee (c/o Alumni Hall)

When you're a fourth generation Kentucky fan, like we are at our house, you love Kentucky gear that reflects the Wildcats' heritage.  The vintage look of Bob's blue tee is so fun for casual weekends, and the details on my baseball tee are so adorable. Check out the Wildcats logo on the back!

Kentucky 47 Big Blue Nation Tee | Kentucky League Women's Camp V-Neck Baseball Tee (c/o Alumni Hall)

Alumni Hall's newest store opens at  the Summit at Fritz Farm in early May. I look forward to seeing y'all there! Go Big Blue!

Thanks so much to The Summit at Fritz Farm and Alumni Hall for sponsoring this post!

Easy Derby Time Style with Off Broadway Shoes!

It's Derby Season, y'all! The Kentucky Derby is only three weeks away and it seems like a new party or event pops up on the calendar every day! When last-minute Derby time events arise, I find that the right accessories can elevate a basic dress in a hurry. Of course, a great fascinator is in order, as are some comfortable, stylish pumps. Fortunately, Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse has me covered for great accessories at a great price.

Last weekend, I attended Off Broadway's Kentucky Derby Hat Trunk Show, and I was able to pick up some great accessories for my own Derby needs. I found an absolutely perfect pair of Cole Haan pumps and a fun pink fascinator, all for around $100. I was so excited to play around with some dresses I already had; I feel like I'm ahead of the last-minute-invite curve!!

I love this combo paired with a bell-sleeved black and white striped dress. It's also a great pairing with solid navy!

It's also a great pairing with solid navy!

This time of year, you never know when a white party will pop up on your radar! And the shoes are the perfect pairing with a bright coral dress! Lace dresses are always great for Derby time events.

Thanks so much to Off Broadway Shoes for helping me find the perfect solution for Derby time parties! 

{This post was sponsored by Off Broadway Shoes; all opinions are my own.}

Cat Studio Keeneland and Kentucky Derby Pillows

Yesterday, I attended an event at Keeneland, and simply fell in love with the new Keeneland embroidered pillow designed by Cat Studio and available exclusively at the Keeneland Gift Shop.

Photo via Keeneland Gift Shop.

Cat Studio pillows have always been a decor #goal of mine. There are so many great designs from which to choose!

If you're a Derby fan, the Kentucky Derby pillow is available at the Kentucky Derby Museum.

You can order the Kentucky state pillow here.

This UK Pillow is available locally at Two Chicks & Company!

Cat Studio has the Cards fans covered, too! 

A Cat Studio pillow would be such a fantastic housewarming gift or a nice reminder of home for a Kentucky expatriate. Which design is your favorite?

Kentucky Derby Festival Princesses and the Fillies Ball

2017 Kentucky Derby Festival Princesses

Today, I had the opportunity to meet the 2017 Kentucky Derby Festival Princesses. The Derby Princesses are a group of 5 college-aged women selected annually to reign over the Derby and the Derby Festival proceedings.

Me with the 2016 Kentucky Derby Festival Princesses

Tonight, one of the Derby Festival Princesses will be named Derby Festival Queen at the annual Fillies Ball. The Fillies, Inc., is a women's club founded in 1959 to further the mission of the Derby Festival Committee. All proceeds from the Fillies Ball will be donated to the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation, which provides scholarships and grants throughout the community. 

To read a first-hand account of a Derby Festival Princess's schedule, check out this post that  fashion blogger Grace Wainwright of A Southern Drawl wrote for HerKentucky about her year on the Derby Festival Court.

Vineyard Vines Ties for Spring!

The spring social season is in full bloom, and it feels like we're all planning our spring wardrobes. What should I wear to Keeneland? For holiday services? For spring weddings?  
Here's a quick roundup of some adorable Vineyard Vines ties that will get the guy in your life ready for spring festivities.

For Easter Sunday

If you're a golf or basketball fan, then you probably love Jim Nantz. Even if you don't plan vacation days around the Masters or the NCAA tournament like we do here at HerKentucky HQ, you have to love the message behind the Jim Nantz Forget-Me-Knot Tie. Twenty percent of all proceeds go to the Nantz National Alzheimer Center at Houston Methodist Hospital.

For Keeneland's Opening Weekend

I love this tie from the Vineyard Vines Kentucky Derby Collection. It looks so perfect for Keeneland's Spring Meet!

For the Dog Lover

I LOVE this Vineyard Vines tie for anyone who has a Black Lab in their life. (Pretty sure Bob's going to need this one!)

For the UK Fan

You can never go wrong with Kentucky Blue!

For the Bourbon Lover

This mint julep tie is perfect for Derby season!

Happy Spring, y'all!