Target Denim Shirt Dress

{This post contains affiliate links; HerKentucky LLC will receive a nominal commission per click at no cost to the reader. }

This dress, y’all. THIS DRESS. It’s my goal to completely sell Target out on this dress simply from my referrals alone. It’s under $30. It’s flattering with sneakers, boots, or sandals. It’s just so easy to wear. It would be perfect for a weekday trip to Keeneland, especially if you’re going to stay in the grandstand or sports bar. And did I mention that it’s under $30?

Bob and I had so much fun shooting these pics in Seneca Park. We found the cutest little stream. And we laughed so hard that I look like I’m going to a Chris Stapleton concert but, as Bob said, “A really fancy Chris Stapleton concert.” Whether you’re loving the “first country music album” vibes or not, you’ll love this dress. I’ve already paired it with boots, sneakers, and Jack Rogers sandals. I’ve worn it with statement necklaces, statement earrings, and scarves. It’s a perfect canvas for your fall style!

I hope y’all run out and get this one. It’s the best.

Shop more denim dresses here!

Kendra Gives Back for Dress for Success

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I was probably the last blogger in America to discover Kendra Scott jewelry. I’d clung so long to my “only pearls” jewelry philosophy. Then, this summer, my local Kendra Scott store — Oxmoor Mall here in Louisville — reached out to see if I’d like to host a shopping party. To be more precise, Allie Martin, Community Engagement Manager at Kendra Scott Louisville, podcaster, and general force of nature, reached out to me. I’m not kidding, y’all, I’m a multitasker, but Allie is everywhere doing everything and promoting the Kendra brand. I was intrigued to hear why this line of jewelry was so great.

I learned that Kendra Scott founded her jewelry line in her Austin home and transformed it into a billion dollar private company based on the values of Fashion, Family, and Philanthropy. They had me at female entrepreneur who gives back to the community. The fact that the jewelry is fun, fashion-forward, and at a great price point is just the icing on the cake.

I love these statement earrings and delicate necklace for UK game days. (photo ©Space, Place & Southern Grace)

These mother-of-pearl earrings are so fun and versatile. I’ve seriously worn them everywhere from galas to Target.

And this pair of abalone statement earrings is just so versatile and fun. They're so light that you actually forget you’re wearing them. Oh, and Blake Lively has them, too.

Shop my Kendra Scott favorites!

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I randomly had the opportunity to meet Kendra Scott herself last night. She and several people from her corporate office were visiting their Lexington store at the Summit at Fritz Farm. I was hosting a shopping event at Draper James, and the Kendra Scott folks came in to look around. She was so cute, y’all — she was sipping a mint julep because she’d never tried bourbon before and felt like she ought to try it in Kentucky. I asked for a photo op like a total fangirl, and she was so lovely and gracious about it!

Needless to say, I’m pretty excited to partner with the Lexington Kendra Scott store for a Kendra Gives Back charity shopping event next Wednesday, October 10th, from 5-8 p.m. Twenty percent of the night’s proceeds will benefit Dress for Success Lexington, which provides clothing, interview skills, financial management information, and other tools for economic empowerment to underprivileged women in the Lexington area. Y’all know that I prioritize giving volunteer hours and donations to Dress for Success both personally and through HerKentucky’s social media platforms. It’s so amazing to watch the clients gain confidence and courage as they embark upon a new career. It’s truly the meaning of empowerment — giving these ladies the tools they need to carve their own path. So many of us take our educations, opportunities, and privileges for granted, and I can’t recommend volunteering with an organization like DFS highly enough.

Please come see me at Kendra Scott next week. I can’t wait to share some of their gorgeous pieces with y’all. You can design your own piece at the ColorBar (it’s ready to take home within a few minutes!); you can view the gorgeous new Charms Collection, and you can shop the gorgeous new collection benefiting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. I suggest you buy the Earring Supply Kit; it’s maybe the best $18 I’ve spent in years — a full supply of earring backs and hooks — and it's my number one suggestion for stocking stuffers this holiday season!

If you can’t make the event, you can call the Lexington Kendra Scott store at 859-475-1880, or you can email me at heather@herkentucky.com and we can get your order going.

Let me know in the comments: Are you a Kendra fangirl, too?

Draper James Poncho for Football Season

{This post contains affiliate links; HerKentucky LLC will receive a nominal commission per click at no cost to the reader. All photos are © Sarah Caton of Space, Place & Southern Grace unless otherwise noted.)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Obviously, I mean SEC football season, and especially those magical weekends where you can take in some races at Keeneland AND a UK football game. Bonus points if you need a sweater, wrap, or poncho, especially this Draper James poncho in Wildcat Blue.

Poncho: Draper James | Jeans: Lauren Ralph Lauren | Bangle: Bourbon & Boweties for Sweet Mash Goods

I had so much fun styling this outfit in anticipation of fall football games! I especially love the Kendra Scott earrings and necklace for fun touches of blue that I’ll wear for so many game days!

Earrings (c/o) and necklace: Kendra Scott

If you’ll be in the Lexington area for some Keeneland and football shopping, join me October 2nd at Draper James and October 10th at Kendra Scott for Shop & Sip events benefiting Dress for Success Lexington. Let me know in the comments below what colors you wear on game day!

Reese Witherspoon's Whiskey in a Teacup

{Disclaimer: This review contains affiliate links to Amazon.com. I will be compensated a very small amount per book purchased through the links contained in this post, at no additional charge to you.}

Earlier today, I listened to Reese Witherspoon's Whiskey in a Teacup on Audible. I’m headed to the Book Tour event tomorrow, where I’ll receive my print copy, but I just couldn’t wait to hear what Reese had to say. I knew it would be a fun read for those of us who love Southern manners and traditions, but even I was surprised by how much I loved it.

In fact, I may have shed a tear or two. Not because the author was bloviating on the value of hot rollers and monograms and Steel Magnolias in her best Tracy Flick inflection (although, to be fair, these are all things I love…), but because the heart of Whiskey in a Teacup is family and tradition and, well, doing things properly. It’s hard to articulate sometimes, as a Southern woman, what it is that makes our traditions so special to us. I think that, too often, that we Southerners are often unfairly characterized as backward or small-minded. Whiskey in a Teacup is a lovely tribute to the graciousness, strength, and sense of purpose to which so many of us were raised to strive.

A signature Reese Witherspoon quotation at the Lexington Draper James boutique

Whiskey in a Teacup is, the book tells us, a phrase which Ms. Witherspoon’s grandmother used to describe Southern women — those who are fiery and strong whilst presenting as delicate and demure. Time and again, as she described the lessons her grandmother taught her, I thought of some of the lessons I’ve learned from my own beloved granny. A chapter about quilts passed down among generations of Ms. Witherspoon’s family felt especially familiar. When she spoke of red-and-white quilts passed down from her grandmother… well, let’s just say I could relate.

A red and white Ohio Star quilt that my grandmother made for me

If you read HerKentucky on even a casual basis, or have ever perused my blog’s Facebook or Instagram pages, then you know that I’m quite a fan of Draper James, Ms. Witherspoon’s fashion and lifestyle brand. Of course, I’m fond of the designs — fun and feminine pieces at a reasonable price point — but I also love to support Draper James because I’m so inspired that Reese, who is only a couple of months younger than me, has found a “second act” as an entrepreneur, author and film producer. It often feels that options become more limited for women who are over 40. As a small business owner who is currently finishing her first book, I am so inspired by the idea that Ms. Witherspoon keeps redefining her professional role. Of course, I love her signature performances in films like Sweet Home Alabama and Cruel Intentions, but I’m inspired by the idea that ladies my age are successfully forming new companies on their own terms. Of course, when Ms. Witherspoon speaks of her affinity for needlepoint, monograms, and entertaining, I’m there for it as well.

I’m wearing Draper James, at an event I hosted at their Lexington event earlier this summer.

I’m so excited to attend the Whiskey in a Teacup book event tomorrow and get my hands on my print copy of this book Whatever form you choose to read it in, I highly recommend it for anyone who loves Southern hospitality, the movie Legally Blonde, or good stationery.

Will I see y’all tomorrow night at Reese’s book tour event?

Shop the Draper James Whiskey in a Teacup Line

Old Forester Distillery

I’m frequently asked what I recommend on a short list of Louisville tourism destinations — where to go if you only have a day or two to spend in the Derby City. I also often hear folks wondering where to start their bourbon tourism education. The Old Forester Distillery is the perfect answer to both of those questions.

Old Forester was the first bourbon whiskey to be sold exclusively in sealed bottles, and it’s the oldest bourbon on the market. It was even produced during Prohibition for medicinal use. If you want a great primer on the history of Kentucky bourbon — sales, marketing, and production — you need to visit Old Forester.

At the turn of the 20th Century, the 100 block of Louisville’s Main Street was integral to Kentucky’s bourbon industry. Over the years, production and storage facilities moved to more spacious areas, with Whiskey Row revitalization efforts only arising over the past few years. Brown-Forman built the Old Forester Distillery on the site of the brand’s original headquarters, providing both a tourism facility and a working distillery on history Whiskey Row.

In addition to giving visitors an overview of how the bourbon is made, the Old Forester tour actually gives its guests a glimpse into the cooperage process. Brown-Forman, Old Forester’s parent company, is the only distilling company that makes its own barrels. This tradition is honored at OldFo, as you can actually watch barrels being constructed and charred as part of the tour.

Don’t miss the gift shop which offers the Whiskey Row series (the 1920 blend is fantastic!) and the Distillery-Exclusive President’s Choice single barrel blend!

 

The Old Forester Distillery is open for tours and shopping 7 days a week at 119 West Main Street in Louisville. The $16 tour includes a tasting for guests over 21. Click here for more tour details.

Draper James Dress for Keeneland

(This post contains affiliate links; I will receive a very small commission per click at no cost to the reader. All photos are © Sarah Caton of Space, Place & Southern Grace unless otherwise noted.)

Finding the perfect dress for Keeneland is pretty high on most Kentucky women’s to-do list. In fact, over the seven years that HerKentucky has been running, “What to wear to Keeneland” is the search that brings the most people to this site. Getting the Keeneland dress code right is a big deal. Now, I’ll do another post a little closer to the beginning of Fall Meet to remind everyone of the dress codes for each of the various areas of the racetrack, but I wanted to share this dress with y’all today because I think it absolutely nails Keeneland style.

Dress: Draper James | Boots: Frye | Necklace: Elva Fields | Bracelet: Bourbon & Boweties

I love the idea of a basic, solid dress that can be paired with pumps or boots, statement jewelry or scarves, to create different looks. You could wear this dress to the track, the office, dinner, or just about anywhere you want to look nice. Just switch up the accessories and you’re good to go.

I went with my Elva Fields necklace and a Bourbon & Boweties Bourbon Barrel bangle, but I think an equestrian-themed scarf is always a lovely touch for a day at the races, too. Here are some great ones at every price point.

Since my brand is, quite literally, Kentucky, I like to wear subtle little nods to our Commonwealth’s heritage! This Bourbon & Boweties bangle is an exclusive to Sweet Mash Goods in Lawrenceburg. The Key Fob is from an exclusive partnership between Draper James and Keeneland.

Bourbon Barrel Bracelet: Bourbon & Boweties for Sweet Mash Goods | Key Fob: Draper James for Keeneland

I had so much fun shooting these photos in Gratz Park. It got me so excited to hopefully visit Lexington many, many times during Keeneland’s Fall Meet. Lexington in October is truly one of those sights that everyone should experience!!

If you’re looking for your own favorite Keeneland Dress, please join me Tuesday, October 2nd from 6-8 p,m. at the Lexington Draper James store for a Shop & Sip benefiting Dress for Success Lexington! Let me know in the comments, what are y’all wearing to Keeneland this season?

I'd Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel Book Review

{Disclaimer: This review contains affiliate links to Amazon.com. I will be compensated a very small amount per book purchased through the links contained in this post, at no additional charge to you. I was provided an advance copy of the book by the author; all opinions are my own.}

My friend Anne Bogel's book of bookish essays came out a couple of weeks ago and y'all, it is so good.

Anne is the blogger behind Modern Mrs. Darcy and the podcaster behind What Should I Read Next? and, as her internet ventures' names would suggest, she really knows books. She also knows people, and human nature. She's a smart, kind, and funny lady who's spent a lot of time reflecting on personality types, reading styles, and all sorts of meta/ intellectual things. And she manages to write about these things in an accessible, warm, and funny style.

I’d Rather Be Reading is a collection of brief, lovely essays about the delights and obstacles encountered by those of us who really know and love books. There are musings on how many copies of a title you should own (If you find yourself in possession of multiples, you should own three. Two, it seems, is an oversight; three is a collection), reflections on reading the right books at the right time, and a charming story about how different the dream of working as a bookseller is from the job’s reality.

Louisville natives will recognize the St Matthews Eline Library as the “library next door” which Anne visited daily when her children were young, as well as Carmichael’s Bookstore and the late, lamented Hawley-Cooke Booksellers. Anyone who loves books will appreciate her quest to read as often as possible.