Rules of Civility by Amor Towles and The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis Book Reviews
Two compelling and fascinating stories of Jazz Age New York
{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’ve been in the car a lot recently — three trips to Lexington in two weeks — so I’ve had a lot of time to listen to audiobooks on Audible. I listened to Rules of Civility and The Masterpiece and, while I didn’t intentionally choose a “theme” for these days of listening to fiction, I started to realize that the two books have several similarities. Both are romantic and impeccably researched stories of money and manners in Manhattan of the 1920s and ‘30s, and both are strongly influenced by modern art —each making direct reference to the work of Stuart Davis — and the NYC jazz club scene. (When I type it all out like that, in fact, it seems hard to believe that I didn’t see the similarities immediately.)
I chose Rules of Civility first. Y’all, I just love this book. In fact, I listened to it for a second time last week, having first listened to it audiobook back in the spring, when I discovered author Amor Towles through his stunning novel A Gentleman in Moscow and immediately had to read his earlier work.) Rules of Civility is a smart, sophisticated, fast-paced novel of manners and social status in 1930s New York; it reads like The Great Gatsby if Nick Carraway had actually been one of the bright young things, rather than a judgmental and detached observer. It’s delightful and tragic and it’s one of the few novels I’ve ever read in which a male author successfully writes through the lens of a female narrator. Rules of Civility tells the story of Katey Kontent, the orphaned daughter of Russian immigrant parents. As a young legal secretary in 1937 New York, Katey finds herself in a dramatic romantic triangle alongside her roommate, Indiana-born beauty Evelyn Ross, and a mysterious, WASPy young banker named Tinker Gray. Towles’ work is delicate and complex — a world of wealth and beauty hanging by the thinnest of threads — and nobody is quite who they seem. After listening twice on Audible, I still find myself wanting more.
The Masterpiece, the most recent work by Fiona Davis, tells the story of Virginia Clay, a 1970s divorcee and breast cancer survivor who finds herself working at the information booth in Grand Central Station to support herself and her recent-college-dropout daughter. As Virginia learns to rely on herself, she also uncovers the secret world of the Grand Central Art School, which was housed in the train station nearly fifty years earlier and finds herself at the heart of the fight to retain Grand Central Station as a historical landmark. It’s a fascinating story for anyone who loves the history of New York, modern art (especially abstract expressionism), or vintage fashion illustration. Characters are based on Arshile Gorky and Helen Dryden, if you want to research those artists before reading or listening.
Both Rules of Civility and The Masterpiece are compelling stories of Jazz Age New York, filled with engaging and unique characters. I loved listening to both of these in Audible audiobook format.
The HerKentucky Guide to L.L. Bean Boots
Guide to the classic outdoor shoes.
{This post contains affiliate links; HerKentucky LLC will receive a nominal commission per click at no cost to the reader. }
Autumn is my favorite time of year to stock up on L.L. Bean! I can't get enough of their Bean Boots . They have such classic styling, quality construction, and a fun, preppy style. They're seriously items that never go out of style, and that I find myself reaching for over and over. And, now through Monday, Bean Boots are 20% off with code AUTUMN.
I love my Bean Boots because they're so durable and waterproof. I use them for everyday errands like walking the dogs or walking through our often-leaky basement as well as to stay warm and dry in wet weather and blend in with the fall foliage.
The slip-on mocs are even good for summertime errands like yard work, and since they're made of rubber, they clean up so easily!
A word about sizing: these boots are meant to be worn with serious socks, so size down significantly! Half sizes are advised to order one and a half down! I wear an 8.5 in most shoes; I own a 7 in both of these pairs!
Here are a few of my favorite current LL Bean Bean Boot Styles!
Make-a-Wish Day at Keeneland
A Wish-filled day of racing and fundraising.
Today is my very favorite day at the racetrack, y’all. It’s Make-a-Wish Day at Keeneland, which celebrates a special group of Wish Kids and raises funds for an additional Wish. (Click here to donate!)
The day’s festivities are sponsored by local thoroughbred horse farms. As guests of honor, 10 wish kids and their families spend the morning touring their sponsor’s property, enjoy a VIP lunch in the Phoenix Room, meet the Keeneland jockeys in the paddock, watch their sponsor’s race from the winner’s circle, and, at the end of each race, the wish kids present the trophy for the race named after their sponsor. Y’all, this gives you such an amazing perspective to see these kids and their families enjoy a day of fun at the track. I’ve had the opportunity to work with Make-a-Wish several times now, and it’s really reinforced how important some days of normalcy and relaxation are for families impacted by life-altering childhood illness. The kids are so cute enjoying the track!
The jockeys are so sweet with the kids. Here’s my sweet friend Mindy Lynn, who’s the attorney for the Jockey Guild, joining in on the fun in the paddock.
Last year, I attended the event with a group of girlfriends!
Please follow along on HerKentucky’s Instagram and Facebook. If you’ll be at the track today, please visit the Wishing Well at the Paddock to donate toward a kid’s wish; if you can’t make it, please consider donating toward a wish.
What to Wear to Keeneland's 2018 Fall Meet
Find the perfect outfit for a day at the racetrack!
{This post contains affiliate links; HerKentucky LLC will receive a nominal commission per click at no cost to the reader. }
Keeneland’s Fall Meet lasts only 17 days, but there’s certainly a lot of racing fun to be had during those Wednesday-Sunday October stretches. Over the 7 year history of HerKentucky, I find that folks really, really want to know what to wear to the track. In fact, some variant of “What to Wear to Keeneland” is consistently the search that brings the most folks to this site.
When folks ask me in person what they should wear to the track, I tend to ask two questions in response: Where will you be sitting, and what day will you be attending?
At the racetrack, as with most things, location and timing are everything. Wednesdays and Thursdays tend to be a little more casual than weekend race days. The nearer the track you sit, the more casual you should dress.
If you're going to stay near the Paddock --General Admission, Grandstand, or Equestrian Room-- there's no need to dress up very much. Guys often opt for khakis and polo shirts, and women can wear slacks. You're actually dressing for a horse race in these sections. These are the areas nearest the track itself, and people are truly there to watch (and bet on) the horses. With that said, don't be surprised to see a lot of dresses and sport coats in the lower-levels. The second floor (General Admission) Sports Bar, for example, often resembles a campus bar or fraternity semi-formal. While the dress code says "casual", there's plenty of Vineyard Vines ties and Lilly Pulitzer dresses to be seen.
If you'll be dining in the upper-level, enclosed dining rooms-- The Lexington, Kentucky, or Phoenix Rooms-- then expect to dress for a business event. The Lexington and Kentucky rooms -- dining rooms often reserved for business and social gatherings-- have a "business formal" dress code; these areas require men to don a coat and tie, and skirts/dresses/dressy slacks for ladies. The Phoenix Room-- another reserved dining room-- is "business casual", requiring collared shirts and slacks for men and dresses/pantsuits for ladies.
If you find yourself invited to the members-only Clubhouse, you’ll soon find out that it requires coat and tie for men and dressy pants/skirts for ladies. I find that a skirt suit or a dress paired with a pretty cardigan or wrap is always appropriate for the upper levels. In general, if you'd wear it to church or a business meeting, you're fine.
This fall, I have two navy dresses on repeat; both are cute Keeneland dresses, depending on your racetrack plans. This navy ponte Draper James dress could work for any section of the track — just dress it up or down with necklaces or scarves, boots or heels — while this Target denim dress is great for a low-key day in the lower levels. (Denim is a huge faux pas for the upper levels, and isn’t allowed in the Clubhouse!)
Of course, it goes without saying that dressing for the elements is just as important as dressing for your seats. Nothing looks more ridiculous than the poor girl who’s freezing in a sundress or melting in wool. You’ll be on the move a lot — sitting and standing, inside and out — so make sure your shoes fit well, your bag isn’t so large that it causes problems, and your outfit matches the temperature and conditions.
Most of all, look good and have fun!!
Shop these great Keeneland styles!
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens 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 picked up Where the Crawdads Sing because it was the September book for Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club, and y’all know I pretty much do everything Reese tells me to. It was an interesting debut novel that I can only describe as Barbara Kingsolver meets Pat Conroy.
Where the Crawdads Sing is the story of Kya Clark, a young woman who, abandoned by her family, grew up alone in the marshlands of 1950s North Carolina. Kya is deemed “marsh trash” by most denizens of the nearby town and attends only one day of school in her life. She forges a few strong friendships, develops an almost preternatural knowledge of the local flora and fauna, and learns to read (and love) with the help of a kind local boy. The story alternates between Kya’s bleak 1950s childhood and the late 1960s when, as a young adult, the “Marsh Girl” finds herself on trial for the murder of the town’s golden boy.
Where the Crawdads Sing creates a delicate and fascinating world within the North Carolina marshes. In her fiction debut, author Delia Owens, an internationally-acclaimed wildlife scientists, raises complex questions about the laws and morality of the natural world vs. those proscribed by society. This was a very good book that could have been a great book if the ending had been a little more finely tuned. I recommend to anyone who loves murder mysteries, stories of the Carolina Coast, or the works of Barbara Kingsolver.
More HerKentucky Book Reviews
Target Denim Shirt Dress
The perfect casual fall dress under $30!
{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
Celebrating Fashion, Family, and Philanthropy with Kendra Scott Lexington!
{This post contains affiliate links; HerKentucky LLC will receive a nominal commission per click at no cost to the reader. }
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?