The Summit at Fritz Farm
The Summit at Fritz Farm is finally here, y'all! I'm pretty excited about the stores and restaurants that are opening today, as well as those that will be here soon! The Summit at Fritz Farm is going to be such a great addition to the Lexington shopping scene. I love that the Summit will have a great mix of national retailers like Ariat, Brooks Brothers, and Pottery Barn along with local shops like Morton James and Sheila Bayes Jewelers. And, of course, there's an Alumni Hall for all your UK gear needs. If you're like me, you can't get enough UK gear. Ever.
All UK gear c/o Alumni Hall
I also love that the Summit is a mixed-use development, combining apartments, retailers, and restaurants. Back in my Lexington days, in grad school and my first couple of jobs, I lived in an apartment complex on Nicholasville Road, and I had to get in the car to go everywhere. Twenty-five year-old Heather is totally jealous that, less than half a mile away, there's an apartment building that will eventually house a Starbucks, a food hall, and a Whole Foods!
The stores at the Summit are going to be fabulous. As y'all know from my Instagram, I'm all about Vineyard Vines tees, and their pajama pants are so wonderful that I'll probably have to include them in the acknowledgment section when my book is finished.
Oaks Lilly t-shirt c/o Vineyard Vines
And there are a couple of my favorite Nashville spots opening at The Summit, too! Draper James has the cutest tees and dresses, and Edley's Barbeque just fills the 12 South area with a delicious, smoky aroma that makes shopping more fun!
I can't wait to see y'all at The Summit at Fritz Farm's First Look today. Keep an eye out for great pop-up shops, Steel City Pops and KY for KY, and more!
(This post was sponsored by Summit at Fritz Farm. All opinions are my own.)
Kentucky Derby Mint Julep Party
Catstudio Kentucky Derby dish towel from High Street Fly. | Woodford Reserve julep cup from Woodford Reserve Gift Shop. | Kentucky Derby 143 Official Mint Julep Glass | Louisville Stoneware julep cups from Maker's Mark and Buffalo Trace Distilleries.
The mint julep is the signature drink of the Kentucky Derby. It's also one of the most maligned and misunderstood. A julep can be a lovely and refreshing cocktail when you use good bourbon, a fresh simple syrup and just-picked mint sprigs.
The first step to a great julep party is variety. Set up tasting stations so your guests can sample juleps made from different bourbon expressions. It's a great way to determine how the drink works for your palate. Some folks swear a julep needs to be in the traditional silver cup, others want a traditional Derby Glass, and some of us love the feel of a Louisville Stoneware Julep Cup. (The Stoneware cups are my favorite because they keep your drink cold without the condensation of a metal cup!
Bar towels from Maker's Mark and Woodford Reserve Distilleries. Rose garland from Etsy seller thekindpilot.
You're bound to have some guests who don't want a julep -- there's always that Kentuckian -- so stock some bourbons and ryes that are good for sipping or for making other, less Derby-approved cocktails.
Decorate with red roses and horseshoes and serve a couple of traditional munchies. I like a Derby Pie® and some Benedictine sandwiches cut in fun shapes!
To learn more about the mint julep, visit the Kentucky Derby Book website, where you'll see a video of Woodford Reserve's Chief Entertainment Officer Tim Laird making the perfect mint julep and read more about the classic mint julep cocktail with Woodford Reserve Master Taster Elizabeth McCall.
The Kentucky Derby by Bill Doolittle is a wonderful companion to the Greatest Two Minutes in Horse Racing. The book's Digimarc technology allows you to experience live video of Derby races, Derby fashion, and traditions like the mint julep directly on your smartphone! You can buy the hardback coffee table book here, or you can download the eBook from Amazon or iTunes.
(This post was sponsored by the Kentucky Derby Book. All opinions are my own.)
Vineyard Vines is Coming to Lexington!
Preppy lifestyle brand Vineyard Vines is opening a brand store in Lexington!
Have y'all heard that Vineyard Vines is opening a store in Lexington?
I was pretty excited to hear this, as Vineyard Vines makes some of my very favorite t-shirts, baseball caps, and pajama pants on the planet. They always have such fun designs, especially the Kentucky Derby line! Vineyard Vines is, as you probably know the official style of the Kentucky Derby. I've always thought that was a perfect fit, because the VV slogan is Every Day Should Feel this Good, while here in Kentucky, we think that Every Day Should Feel Like Derby!
I love the Oaks Lilly and Derby Mint Julep shirts! I've had so much fun wearing these during the pre-Derby season. (Please note that the julep shirt is a men's style; I just couldn't pass it up!)
Oaks Lilly shirt c/o Vineyard Vines; Mint Julep is my own. What a fun way to get ready for Derby Festivities!
Lexington's Vineyard Vines store will open at The Summit at Fritz Farm this Thursday, April 27th! I hope to see you at the First Look events on Thursday!
(This post was sponsored by The Summit at Fritz Farm and Vineyard Vines; all opinions are, as always, my own.)
Draper James Horseshoe Key Fob
If y'all are anything like me, you're loving all things equestrian and mint julep this spring. I mean, Derby is basically Louisville's own three-week carnival season; why shouldn't we dress like it?
A few of y'all asked about the Draper James Horseshoe Key Fob I posted on Instagram yesterday. I love to switch out fobs, or "charms," as I like to think of them, on my bag to keep it fresh with the season. The horseshoe is perfect for Derby time. You can find it here, and there are also some great new Lexington and Kentucky-themed products that have dropped on the Draper James site this morning. I seriously want them all! (Click here, and you'll receive $20 off your Draper James online order!)
If you want to celebrate The Horse Racing Capital of the World (and what I consider the prettiest town in America!), The Lexington Horseshoe Key Fob is now available to pre-order, celebrating the upcoming opening of the store at The Summit at Fritz Farm!
These Lexington Cocktail Napkins would be the perfect hostess gift for a Lexingtonian or a Lexington expatriate who misses home!
And how perfect are these mint julep paper coasters for a Derby party?
Happy week before Derby week, y'all!
(This post contains affiliate links.)
Ariat International Brand Shop at The Summit at Fritz Farm
Ariat International's equestrian style brand shop is coming to Lexington!
Photo courtesy Ariat.
I am so excited that Ariat is opening a brand shop at The Summit at Fritz Farm!
I recently had the opportunity to preview some pieces from Ariat's Two24 footwear line, and y'all are just going to love them! Two24 pays homage to Ariat's equestrian heritage - both English and Western riding wear -- in a fashion-forward line for everyday use. Y'all, the craftsmanship on these products is amazing. The leather feels amazing, and you can see the difference that handcrafted design makes!
I recently got a peek at these Ariat Two24 men's boots at a Keeneland event.
In keeping with Ariat's equestrian heritage, the Two24 line's name is a nod to Secretariat's world record 2:24 running time at the Belmont Stakes. In fact, Ariat's brand name is derived from the legendary "Big Red" horse. Now, any horse lover can tell you that Secretariat's success was due to a visionary woman, his breeder and owner Penny Chenery. The Ariat brand was founded in the early 1990s by resourceful women who wanted to revolutionize riding boots for comfort and performance. Now, with the Two24 line, Ariat brings their designs to everyday footwear.
“Ariat is named after one of the greatest thoroughbred racehorses of all time, Secretariat. His heart was outsized, and he was a fierce competitor who loved to run – everything we aspire to be as a company and brand,” said Beth Cross, President and CEO Ariat International, Inc. “To be able to open a brand shop in historic Lexington, the horse racing capital of the world, is special. We look forward to becoming an integral part of the greater Lexington community.”
It really is a perfect fit!
Ariat Two24 ladies' footwear.
The Ariat Brand Shop opens this Thursday, April 27th, at The Summit at Fritz Farm on Nicholasville Road in Lexington. I hope to see y'all there!
(This post was sponsored by Ariat International; all opinions are my own!)
Vineyard Vines 2017 Kentucky Oaks Collaboration With Norton Cancer Institute
Kentucky Oaks accessories that benefit a great cause!
In recent years, Kentucky Oaks Day has become a celebration of survivors of breast and ovarian cancers. There's a beautiful symmetry to the fact that the most important fillies race of the horse racing year celebrates some of the strongest and most resilient women in the Commonwealth. I can't get enough of the Survivors Parade -- I only wish more Kentucky women were able to participate -- and I can't get enough of the pink hues that paint the track on Oaks Day.
I was thrilled to learn that, this year, Vineyard Vines has teamed with the Norton Cancer Institute here in Louisville to help some Oaks Day attire make a difference. Twenty percent of the purchase price of the Pink Lillies tie, Pink Lillies bow tie, and Run for the Roses scarf will go to the Norton Cancer Institute. It's so wonderful to see a contribution that goes directly to patient care, right here in the Derby City. I thought my Derby week wardrobe was already selected, but since I learned about this partnership, I feel like one more scarf might be in order...
I was thrilled to learn that, this year, Vineyard Vines has teamed with the Norton Cancer Institute here in Louisville to help some Oaks Day attire make a difference. Twenty percent of the purchase price of the Pink Lillies tie, Pink Lillies bow tie, and Run for the Roses scarf will go to the Norton Cancer Institute. It's so wonderful to see a contribution that goes directly to patient care, right here in the Derby City. I thought my Derby week wardrobe was already selected, but since I learned about this partnership, I feel like one more scarf might be in order...
(This post contains no affiliate links, sponsorships, or other forms of remuneration; I simply want to get the message out about benefitting a crucial, life-saving resource in my city. These products are a lovely way to make a difference this Derby season!)
Kentucky Derby Book Giveaway!
Bill Doolittle's The Kentucky Derby: Derby Fever, Derby Day, and the Run for the Roses® captures the heritage and history of the Derby!
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?
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.