How I Shop the January 2017 Lilly Pulitzer After-Party Sale!
Fashion blogger tips for shopping the Lilly Pulitzer After-Party Sale!
(This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small per-click commission on some product links at no additional cost to you! Thank you for supporting HerKentucky.com!)
I'm sure that most of y'all know that the Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale starts Wednesday morning, January 3rd. If you frequent fashion blogs, especially those with a preppy twist, then you've seen the basic tips, and you know to have your login and payment info ready. But, I have a few of my own tried-and-true after-party sale tricks to help you get exactly what you want in a hurry!
1. Visit the Palm!
This year, Lilly stores are getting a head start on the sale fun. You can shop the sale starting tomorrow, Tuesday the 2nd, as soon as your store opens! In Louisville and Lexington, we have the Peppermint Palm; both locations are filled with a great selection and the absolute friendliest sales staff!
2. Search by Style
The first thing I do when I get into the Lilly Sale is to search by style. For me, there are two Lilly pieces that always fit perfectly, hold up well, and generally work for my life. I start any Lilly sale by searching for those pieces: The Elsa Top and the Skipper Popover.
The Elsa Top
This is always the first thing I search for when buying Lilly. It's a silk blouse that can work with anything from jeans and shorts to skirts and tailored trousers. It often runs a little large, so I have a two-size range in this style. It's a popular style, and it goes quickly, so I search for Elsa tops, determine if there's one in my size (or my mom's) that I want, and make my first purchase.
The Skipper Popover
After I've assessed the Elsa situation, I move on to searching for Skipper Popovers. This is like a dressy, French Terry sweatshirt. There are a few variants on that style now, so "popover" is probably a better search term than "Skipper." Either way, this is my second favorite search, because I wear these tops year-round. I look for my size (and, again, my mom's!); I like to buy these so that they're a little large.
3. Search by Print
After I've looked for my favorite pieces, I search by print. If there was an absolute favorite print that I loved in the previous few months, I'll scan the sale for it. For example, during the January 2017 After-Party Sale, I looked for Psychedelic Sunshine, a print from August/ September 2016. I usually don't like to buy more than one piece in a particular print, but this one is so special that I wound up getting an Elsa and a midi skirt (I'd bought the Sophie dress when it was new in the stores!)
4. Shop by Size
After these searches, I finally search by size. I look for my size in tops, dresses, and skirts. I check what's available for my mom, and for my little nieces. And, I try not to buy more than we all need!
I bought my niece's first Lilly dress on the August 2015 After-Party sale!
5. Check Back In!
Because it is so hard to get online at the stroke of 8 on Wednesday morning, the Lilly Pulitzer crew has really gotten smart about pacing the sale. New styles will come on the site as the sale progresses. This year, they've announced that the sale will last three days rather than two. I promise, if y'all want to shop, you'll be able to!
Good Luck, and let me know what y'all find! How do you shop the After-Party Sale?
How to Build a Maker's Mark Bourbon Bar for the Holidays!
Maker's Mark Distillery at Christmas
I always think of Maker's Mark as the bourbon of Christmas. Sure, there may be bourbons you drink at Derby time, and bourbons you drink on, say, your birthday. But, Maker's is the bourbon you buy for Christmas.
It may have something to do with the fabulous way that the folks at Maker's market the holiday, from nostalgic print ads to witty Ambassador gifts. It may be that Maker's Mark is the bourbon my family has always used in the bourbon balls that we make at Christmastime. Whatever it is, Maker's slays the Christmas game.
My cousin Amy had the most creative use for her Maker's Ambassador earmuffs! Lola the Chihuahua models them for us!
Since Maker's is the flavor of Christmas, it's a great idea to set up a Maker's Mark bourbon bar over the next few days. Only a few simple ingredients will allow you to offer your guests a variety of popular cocktails.
What you'll need:
- A couple of bottles of Maker's Mark
- A bottle of vermouth
- A bottle of Angostura bitters
- Simple Syrup
- Sour Mix (3 cups simple syrup to one cup lemon and lime juice)
- Maker's Mark cherries
- Lemons, limes, and oranges for garnish
If you have these items, you can mix up a whisky sour, an old-fashioned, or a Manhattan, in addition to serving your bourbon neat or on the rocks. Add a couple of sizes of glasses to allow your guests some choice.
Set everything out in an accessible place, keep fresh ice handy, and your guests will be refreshed and full of holiday cheer!
What's your favorite holiday cocktail?
Our Stay at the Kimpton Aertson Hotel in Nashville
Review of Midtown Nashville boutique hotel.
Annie Lindberg's "Redberry"
Nashville has changed so much recently, y'all. When we lived in the Music City a decade ago, it still had a small-town feel. These days, there's so much new construction and a big city energy, but it's still as charming and Southern as ever. A couple of weeks ago, when Bob and I had some appointments in Nashville, we chose a new hotel in Midtown, one of the areas that's changed the most over the past couple of years. The Kimpton Aertson did not disappoint! It was elegant, comfortable, and provided the perfect night's sleep!
The Aertson, a boutique hotel named for an ancestor of Cornelius Vanderbilt, is adjacent to the north end of Vanderbilt University's campus and an easy walking distance from Hattie B's Hot Chicken and The Patterson House. The location is great for experiencing Nashville in so many ways -- from traditional Music Row-and-Hot Chicken tourism to visiting college campuses at Belmont, Vandy, and Lipscomb to taking in the sites of 12 South, including Draper James. It made a perfect home base as we ran errands, took appointments, ate, and shopped in the area!
The hotel itself is simply lovely! Artistic nods included artist Annie Lindberg's mixed media installation "Redberry", a web of pink and orange threads, wallpapered bedroom ceilings that resemble frescos, and a huge, elegant bathroom with glass doors and white subway tile. A wallpapered wall in the bathroom mimicked the blueprints for the nearby Tennessee Capitol building, providing a nice nod to the hotel's Nashville locale without overindulging in the prevalent Music City Kitch prevalent in so many nearby hotels.
The exercise room was roomy and well-equipped, allowing Bob and me to both log in a good workout. The treadmills and ellipticals were excellent, as were the thick exercise mats and the plentiful free weights. The real star of the hotel, though, was our actual bedroom. The bed was a perfect firmness, and the down comforter and pillows were so luxurious. Every detail was so thoughtful and convenient, from the USB charging ports on both nightstands to the Jawbone Mini Jambox speaker for smartphone pairing. Our 6th floor room overlooked Broadway, providing a fun view of traffic and campus.
Delightful special touches included a dog-friendly policy (Max and Sophie want to tag along next time!), hyper-local Frothy Monkey coffee in the lobby at morning, and a cocktail hour there in the evening, and a text-for-valet service. I hope to take in the Woodhouse Spa, the Henley Restaurant, and the rooftop bar and pool on future visits!
As I enjoyed the hour "gained" by visiting the Central Time Zone, I read a line from Nashville native author Ann Patchett in her collection of essays, This is the Story of a Happy Marriage: "My memory can only separate hotels int three categories: those that are disgusting, those that are very nice, and those that may have been Hyatts." Thanks so much to the Kimpton Aertson for staying in the price range of a hotel that may have been a Hyatt while providing a stay that placed it firmly in the very nice hotel category!
Quick Chicken Noodle Soup
Sometimes you need a quick chicken soup recipe because nobody in the house feels well. Here's my cut-corner go-to!
- 5-6 chicken tenderloins
- 1 32 oz. box chicken stock
- 1/2 12 oz bag egg noodles
- 4 peeled and diced carrots
- 4 ribs chopped celery
- 1 lemon
- 1/2 bunch, roughly chopped parsley
- freshly ground black pepper
- salt
- 3 cloves, garlic
Vineyard Vines Christmas Mugs
Christmas mug collaboration between Vineyard Vines and Louisville KY's Stoneware and Co!
(This post contains affiliate links.)
Y'all, we're entering the dangerous holiday territory where I want to order something cute for myself with every present I purchase. Now, I promised myself I'd be good for the rest of the season and try to remember the spirit of holiday giving. But then I saw that Vineyard Vines and Stoneware & Company (formerly Louisville Stoneware) have paired up to make Christmas Whale Mugs! This is so awesome, y'all. I've been collecting Stoneware for nearly 20 years, and I absolutely love their mugs. My Pappy & Co and Derby Whale mugs are my absolute favorite coffee mugs... and I *may* have a few more Stoneware mugs. These are such a perfect size and weight. And, I probably do need one... And so do you!
The HerKentucky Guide to Black Friday
Five great Black Friday sales
I know, I know. Y'all have seen a million, zillion Black Friday promos. And a trillion blogs about where you should shop. I won't waste a ton of your time; just wanted to alert you to five of my favorite sales!
Draper James
The Scoop: 25% off site wide with code Merry. (And 25% of all sales today goes to Girls, Inc.)
What to buy: Stock up on holiday party dresses for yourself and fun holiday gifts for your friends!
L.L. Bean
The Scoop: 25% off Bean Boots today with code Friday25. 20% off clothing and outerwear through Tuesday with code Thanks20.
What to buy: Classic Bean Boots. Holiday pajamas.
Pomegranate, Inc.
The Scoop: 50% off site wide today only with code Special50
What to buy: Table linens for holiday gatherings; cashmere blend ponchos.
Quest Outdoors
The Scoop: 20% off in-store and site wide with code FryDay2017
What to buy: Barbour coats and scarves!
Stoneware and Company
The Scoop: 10% off site wide with code BlackFriday10.
What to Buy: Classic Bachelor Button place settings. Christmas pottery.
What deals are you shopping today?
Pomegranate, Inc Warehouse Sale
Tuesday, I had the opportunity to take a sneak peek at the Pomegranate, Inc. Warehouse Sale. Y'all, it was absolutely amazing. If you aren't familiar with the brand, Pomegranate is a line of bags, table linens, and clothing based in Lexington. Their designs are so fresh and fun and timeless!
I ran across these Kentucky Wildcats cloth napkins; I *may* have had to buy the apron as well!
This cashmere/ wool blend poncho is so classic; I know I'll wear it time and again!
These potholders in the Round the Christmas Tree print have me pretty pumped for holiday baking!
Oh my goodness; I was so excited about this embroidered pillow! It has a sale price of $45!
And this pineapple print apron is the most perfect hostess gift I've ever seen!
Visit the Pomegranate Warehouse Sale today through Saturday at 527 Lagonda Ave in Lexington. If you stop by today or tomorrow, mention HerKentucky for an additional 10% off your purchase!
Thanks so much to Pomegranate for partnering on this event! I hope you love their textiles as much as I do!