Doggy Daycare at PetSuites Fern Creek
Stay & Play at PetSuites!
{This post was sponsored by PetSuites Fern Creek. Thanks so much to PetSuites and all the business that support HerKentucky LLC!}
Last October, we brought home the absolute cutest puppy. He’s adorable, and oh-so-sweet, but kind of a wildcard. Harry is a Labrador retriever - Great Pyrenees mix, and we aren't quite sure how big he’ll get. At nearly 6 months old, he’s already the size of a standard black Lab, which means that normal puppy behavior can easily become A LOT. We’re experienced dog owners who know how to train large dogs, but we definitely needed some help. That’s why we were so excited when PetSuites Fern Creek reached out to work with us!
Bob and I are pretty picky about our dogs and their care, and we loved that PetSuites offered us a tour of their facility. They are so committed to keeping the facility clean and to keeping the dogs safe and happy. Those are, obviously, the same goals we have for keeping our dogs in our own home, so we immediately felt at ease. We loved seeing the dogs at playtime; they were clearly having a great time! It was also nice to see that the boarding areas — with names like “luxury suites” and “condos” — looked so comfortable and inviting. Some even have TVs with animal-themed programming!
Once we were comfortable with the facility, we were really able to focus on the attention that our buddy would receive at PetSuites. Because he’s under 6 months old, Harry was placed in puppy preschool. It quickly became his favorite thing ever!
At PetSuites, Harry gets to play with other puppies his age, and there are often other large breed puppies — he’s made friends like a Cane Corso, a husky, and a Great Dane! — in his group. He’s also learning to be gentle with smaller and younger puppies. They have several controlled playtimes during the day, which ensure that he’s good and tired when I pick him up. The PetSuites staff often texts me pictures of Harry and his friends at playtime, and they post often to their Instagram and Facebook. I love getting these reminders that our little guy is happy, and I love that the PetSuites staff is so committed to his happiness! The socialization skills he’s learning will set him up for a lifetime of good behavior!
I also love that Harry gets one-one one behavioral training. He’s so much happier, more confident, and more controlled in his behavior. After the first week at PetSuites, we noticed that he immediately put himself in a sit position while trying to let us know what he needed. He’s flourishing after only a couple of weeks! The best part is that he is so excited to go to PetSuites! When I say “let’s go to school”, he’s so excited to get in the car! I know that he loves his friends — both canine and human — at PetSuites and that he loves the experience. I can go about my work day knowing that Harry is happy and stimulated. It’s a great setup for us all!
PetSuites Fern Creek has graciously offered a promo code to extend Harry’s great experience to y’all and your furry friends. Use code SOCIAL35 when booking online, and you’ll receive $35 off your first service at PetSuites Fern Creek (boarding, grooming, or daycare). I hope your pets love the PetSuites philosophy of “Stay & Play” as much as Harry does!
Needlepoint Instagram
Using social media to revive interest in a longtime hobby
I’ve been needlepointing for a long time, y’all. If you can believe it, my first needlepoint project was way back in 1994; a belt to coordinate with my sorority jersey. Needlepoint belts were huge at my college; it felt like every girl at Transylvania worked on a belt for herself, her boyfriend, or her dad.
Over the years, I’ve tried a lot of crafty hobbies. I’ve learned to knit and cross-stitch; while I enjoy both of these, I always come back to needlepoint. It’s one of my very favorite stress-relievers, and I love the creative forms that so many needlepoint projects take. I started needlepointing seriously again a couple of years ago. I started back into it by making a few belts for Bob, including this University of Kentucky campus belt and this black Lab Christmas ornament.
Around the time I started to get interested in needlepoint again, I started to notice that a lot of folks were spending their free time stitching as well. I ran across an article that coined the utterly wonderful term “grandmillenial”, and I soon found a social media community of other folks who enjoy needlepoint as much as I do. I created a HerKentucky Stitches Instagram account a few months ago just for needlework projects; I didn’t want to bore my Instagram followers with a ton of needlepoint-related content. In addition to my ongoing needlepoint and cross-stitch projects, I decided this would be a fun place to post photos of the gorgeous quilts my grandmother has made for me over the years.
Y’all, I’ve had so much fun with needlepoint Instagram. I’ve discovered so many fun new techniques and ideas that have improved the quality of my needlepoint projects. There are so many needlepoint stitches that I didn’t know about, and a whole world of needlepoint designers and shops that have passionate followings. It’s so nice to take a hobby I’ve had for years and learn ways that I can improve!
I’ve also found myself learning to use Instagram in a totally new way. I’m less concerned with being a “content creator” for this small, niche account, and more interested in learning from others’ ideas. Did you know that you can save others’ Instagram posts and sort them into collections? Even better, these saved posts are completely private — nobody sees your saved posts! It’s like your own private Pinterest! I save stitch ideas, ornament ideas, etc., on my needlepoint account for future reference. It’s a great time-saver!
It’s so fun to use social media to renew my interest in a longtime favorite hobby and to learn new tips! If needlepoint is your thing, join me at HerKentucky Stitches!
The 11 Non-Grocery Items I Never Pass Up at Trader Joe's
Great finds from everyone’s favorite grocery store.
Everybody knows that Trader Joe’s is the absolute BEST grocery store. If there’s a TJ’s in your town, then you find about a million reasons to go there. Their prices are insanely low. Their cheeses and seasonings and salad dressings are the best you’ll find anywhere. And the little coffee samples are just enough to keep you going as you shop. Today, I’m rounding up the top eleven non-grocery items I always buy at Trader Joe’s. These are some of my favorite deals on absolutely great items!
Fiddle Leaf Figs and Mini-Succulents
I LOVE those Instagram accounts by self-proclaimed plant ladies. My friends Anne and Mindy immediately spring to mind; they have gorgeous plants that always seem well-maintained. I don’t quite trust my own plant lady skills, so I tend to stick to inexpensive plants. The $1.99 mini-succulents at Trader Joe’s are, I’ve decided, my gateway to plant lady status. I’ve started picking up these tiny planters (like the teensy one in the above photo), repotting them, and basically leaving them alone in a sunny spot. I couldn’t resist picking up a couple of the Fiddle Leaf Fig plants at TJ’s as well; they require a little more work but are so gorgeous!
Kitchen Towels
These cotton kitchen towels legitimately might be my favorite Trader Joe’s find of all time. I have them in every color and use them for everything. They wash up so well and are so soft and handy. They don’t attract lint, so they’re fantastic for any household need.
Skin Care Products
Y’all. These are a game-changer. The antioxident serum provides my nightly retinol, the moisture boost serum plumps and brightens my skin in the morning, the eye cream moisturizes and decreases puffiness and the microdermabrasion scrub is fantastic for light exfoliation. But, the absolute star of the TJ’s skincare line is the gel moisturizer. My oily, sensitive skin is prone to breakouts and clogged pores. I’ve struggled to find a moisturizer that doesn’t cause as much damage as good. This product has transformed my skin. Oh, and each of these skincare products is priced under $10.
Ginger Grapefruit Sugar Scrub and Lavender Salt Scrub
These smell fantastic and leave your skin smooth and moisturized.
Peanut Butter Dog Treats and Chicken Jerky Sticks for Dogs
Harry and Sophie love these. We use the cookie-style peanut butter treats as a special reward for very good behavior, as they are pretty big. Sophie is one of those dogs who doesn’t hesitate to reject a dog treat that doesn’t meet her exacting standards, and she loves both of these!
Are y’all TJ’s fans? What do you never pass up?
Agave & Rye Louisville
The newest addition to Louisville’s dining scene offers eclectic decor and delicious fare
{Disclaimer: Bob and I were guests at Agave & Rye’s Soft Opening. Our food was provided at no charge; no additional compensation or consideration was provided. All opinions are our own.
Bob and I were recently invited to attend the soft opening of Agave & Rye. We were immediately impressed by the fun decor. The tributes to Muhammad Ali were such a fun touch, a nod the local hero’s famous “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” line and a play on the regional restaurant chain’s bee mascot.
And, oh my, y’all. The food at Agave & Rye is so good. We started with the sweet corn fritters with Serrano aoli, which might be my new favorite food anywhere. These were amazing, with just the right balance between sweet, salty, and spicy. I absolutely adored them.
We also went with an order of tortilla chips with all the sides. The queso, guac, and salsa were all fantastic, and the huge chips were great.
When our tacos arrived, we were in for a treat. Now, Agave & Rye bills their concept as the home of the Epic Taco, and they lived up to this claim in every sense. The tacos were huge — you could easily make a meal on one or two tacos alone — and filled with creative and fresh ingredients. I think my favorite was The Alderman, filled with carne asada steak, Mexican street corn salad, cojita cheese and arbol salsa. It was incredible.
After dinner, we made our way to the back of the restaurant, where a large area is filled with free-to-play vintage arcade games. I may have spent a while at the Pac-Man game, and can certainly see myself passing an afternoon with a margarita or two, an order of those corn fritters, and challenging my Pac-Man score! Agave & Rye is one of those rare spots that works as well on the drinks and entertainment front as on its menu.
We left Agave & Rye with smiles on our faces and a bag full of leftovers. It’s a great addition to the HIghlands food scene, and I can’t wait to go back! Thanks so much to Agave & Rye for hosting us!
Angel's Envy Cellar Collection: Tawny Port Cask Finished Bourbon
The latest release in the Angel’s Envy Cellar Collection offers a delicate, complex flavor
In February 2020, Angel’s Envy will release the latest bourbon in their Cellar Collection: a 10 year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished for 10 months in tawny port casks. I recently had the opportunity to attend a press tasting for this limited edition release and can’t wait to share my tasting notes with y’all!
Since its founding in 2010, Angel’s Envy has become a cult-favorite craft whiskey label. The brand was founded when former Brown-Forman master distiller Lincoln Henderson came out of retirement to team with his son, Wesley, to distill bourbon which would then be finished in port barrels. Over the past decade, the senior Mr. Henderson has since passed, four of Wes’s sons have joined the Angel’s Envy team, and a stunning distillery and tasting area opened in Downtown Louisville. It’s always a delight to attend a tasting with Wes and his sons Kyle (AE’s Production Manager) and Andrew (Lead Distillery Operator). They are warm, funny, and so very passionate about their whiskey. I’ve had the opportunity to taste with the Hendersons several times now, and I look forward to the Hendersons’ high-energy, hilarious presentations almost as much as I do the whiskey itself. During this tasting event, Wes Henderson laughed that, while many of their ideas produce interesting, high-quality whiskeys, “there are a lot of dumbass ideas, too, that should probably never see the light of day.” While the Hendersons speak of one another with a mixture of good-natured ribbing, respect, and self-deprecation, the mood turns far more serious when speaking of the late family patriarch; Wes always takes a moment during a tasting to reflect on the goal of making bourbon that his dad would make his dad proud.
Andrew, Wes, and Kyle Henderson
As for the whiskey, the Tawny Port Cask finished release in the cellar collection is an interesting and complex offering. The Cellar Collection is an experimental line of limited edition, small batch whiskeys. The first in the series, Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish, was released in January 2019; however, these aren’t necessarily an annual release. Rather, says Kyle Henderson, the offerings will be released as they mature and are ready. Says Wes Henderson, “I never want to be on the innovation trail just to be innovating.”
The Tawny Port Cask release features a minor bottle redesign, including new gold lettering. The release of 5400 bottles at just under $250 will be available in KY, CA, FL, IL, NY and TN as well as at the distillery. The release is available for pre-purchase now.
We tasted the release alongside the flagship Angel’s Envy bourbon. It was immediately intriguing to see the color difference between the AE flagship bourbon — finished in ruby port casks — and the Cellar Collection expression. The new product had a far deeper amber color, a great indicator of a richer, more complex bourbon.
Tasting Notes:
Proof: 111.6
Nose: {AE provided tasting notes: dry fruit and oak}; my tasting notes: green apple and oak
Palate: {AE provided tasting notes: black pepper, toasted nuts, clove and delicate cinnamon spice}; my tasting notes: cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, golden syrup (treacle) or light molasses and dried apricot
Finish: {AE provided tasting notes: light and lingering, reminiscent of dried fruit dipped in dark chocolate); my tasting notes: rich and fruity, dried oranges dipped in wildflower honey
There’s a mellow warmth to this whiskey; it’s surprisingly delicate for such a high proof. I far prefer this one to last year’s Oloroso Sherry release. It’s definitely a great bourbon for fans of Angel’s Envy’s distinctive finishing style.
Thanks so much to Angel’s Envy for the invitation to taste this product. As always, all opinions are my own.
Welcome Home to Joseph-Beth!
Visit Joseph-Beth for central Kentucky’s best assortment of books and gifts!
{This post was sponsored by Joseph-Beth Booksellers. Thanks so much to all sponsors who keep HerKentucky running!}
Joseph-Beth has been one of my very favorite places to shop for as long as I can remember. When I was growing up, it always felt like such a special shopping treat to visit Joseph-Beth any time I was in Lexington. As an adult, Joseph-Beth is still such a special shopping destination that holds so many warm memories for me. As a college student at Transylvania, I visited Joseph-Beth to order texts for my classes and to purchase graduate school exam prep materials. OK, maybe studying for the GRE and the LSAT aren’t traditionally happy memories, but it was cool to visit the store a few times with a college friend who’d, much later, become my husband. I think it’s a pretty common theme for anyone who’s from Central or Eastern Kentucky; Joseph-Beth conveys warm memories for a lot of us. I was so thrilled when Joseph-Beth invited me in to see the new renovations to the store, do some holiday shopping, and experience their new theme, Welcome Home to Joseph-Beth!
The renovations at Joseph-Beth really do feel so cozy, like you’re settling in to someone’s home. There are fantastic nooks to enjoy a coffee or cocktail, read a book, or visit with friends. A manager even told me she’d seen gift exchanges and job interviews taking place by the fireplace!
Joseph-Beth has taken so many pains to create a haven for book-lovers. They’ve added library lights and a book lounge, including the best selection of local books you’ll find anywhere. They’re enhancing their selection of live author events, classes, and book clubs, creating an even greater community for central Kentucky’s readers! Give me a comfy chair and an Ann Patchett book and I’m content for hours!
Joseph-Beth also offers a fabulous shopping area, featuring a meticulously curated selection of gifts and goodies. Of course, I couldn’t pass up the UK and bourbon sections!
This time of year, we’re all trying to come up with unique, thoughtful, and special presents that let our loved ones know that they’re valued. The selection at Joseph-Beth is so well thought-out. I found so many delightful gift ideas! These map-inspired journals, the Lexington periodic table platter, and the Lexington duffel bag by Rebecca Ray were among my favorites!
If you’re looking for a special holiday gift, a great place to decompress, or a great new read, check out the newly renovated Joseph-Beth! You’ll feel right at home!
Holiday Gifts for Him That You'll Totally Want to Steal
Shop Logan’s of Lexington for the best holiday gifts for the guys on your list — and for yourself!
{This post contains gifted items from Logan’s of Lexington. As always, all opinions are my own.}
I find that Bob is the easiest person to shop for on my holiday list. We’ve been together for over 15 years, so I certainly know his tastes pretty well; I definitely know the clothing styles and brands that he loves. He’d say that sometimes, I know his tastes a little too well — he often accuses me of buying him presents specifically so that I can wear them. Y’all know I totally don’t do this… well, okay, sometimes I do, but the thought is there, right? My motives aside, I’ve found that Logan’s of Lexington is a fantastic place to shop for the guys on your holiday list.
Of course, Logan’s has been a Lexington tradition for as long as most of us can remember. They’re known for their absolutely gorgeous array of men’s suiting, dress shirts, and ties; there’s no better place in Central Kentucky to shop for these pieces. But, if you’re looking for pieces that might migrate their way into your own closet (or that you might just want for yourself…), then Logan’s assortment of outerwear, accessories, and game day gear is the place to shop!
Logan’s has a fabulous assortment of Barbour, one of our very favorite brands! Their coats and vests are the absolute best (Queen Elizabeth swears by them!) and their accessories are simply beautiful.
Bob and I both are all about Barbour’s traditional plaid scarves. We’ve each gifted the other these scarves as Christmas presents over the years. They’re amazing. The cashmere-merino wool blend makes them super-soft yet extremely durable. The tartan plaids come in gorgeous color ways and lend subtle sophistication to a winter wardrobe. I loved this navy one so much that it may just live in my closet and not Bob’s.
Logan’s also has an extensive selection of UK game day gear. I’m partial to the Vineyard Vines Shep Shirt, and Bob thinks the Cutter & Buck quilted jacket would be perfect for Bowl Games and winter basketball games. We both love the Logan’s exclusive line of Vineyard Vines UK tees.
Logan’s also has the best assortment of Kentucky and sports-themed accessories. Bob and I both have these SEC caps, and wear them all the time. The pink one is my go-to, and Bob has it in UK blue. These would be the best gift if there’s somebody on your list whose team affiliation you can’t quite back, but y’all can agree that the SEC is the best conference in the land. (Which it totally is.)
I also love the assortment of Smathers & Branson needlepoint accessories for anyone on a holiday list, or to keep for myself! Y’all know I love to needlepoint, and I love the preppy, polished look of needlepoint accessories. But, with two weeks to go until Christmas, there isn’t time to finish needlepoint stocking stuffers. These are maybe even cuter than those you’d make yourself.
Logan’s is currently offering 20% off your entire purchase, so head in to shop for all the guys on your holiday shopping list… and maybe even find a thing or two for yourself!
