Jeff Ruby's Derby Meal Kit Pop-Up
Enjoy a Jeff Ruby’s Meal — from signature steaks to mint juleps— at home on Derby Day!
Derby is one of my very favorite holidays for entertaining. There’s nothing like a food and drink menu inspired by the best day of the Kentucky calendar year!
Of course, Derby looks quite different this year, and we’ll all be watching from home in small groups. Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse has the perfect solution for your at-home Derby festivities! Here in Louisville, you can pick up a Meal Kit at the Jeff Ruby’s Pop-Up Shop at Independence Bank in St Matthews (3901 Shelbyville Road) from 10a-2p tomorrow, Friday Sept. 4th, and Saturday, Sept. 5th. This Meal Kit generously serves 4-6 Guests: Four 14 oz. USDA Prime Strip Steaks with Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse Seasoning; Benedictine & Pimento Cheese Dips with Crostini & Crudité; Freddie Salad; Mac & Cheese; Black Eyed Pea Salad with Country Ham & Heirloom Tomatoes; House-Made Biscuits with Salted Honey Butter; Whole Blackberry Bourbon Cream Pie; Mint Simple Syrup with Fresh Mint for your own Mint Juleps (recipe included). All of this for just $200!
Jeff Ruby’s Meal Kits are an incredible way to serve restaurant-quality meals at home. They include everything you need to make your meal perfect —even down to Jeff Ruby’s famous steakhouse seasoning — along with cooking instructions. It’s such a low-stress way to serve a fabulous meal at home. Just fire up the grill or a cast-iron skillet and prepare your steaks while the mac and cheese (my favorite!) heats in the oven. It couldn’t be easier!
Join me on Instagram Stories on Derby Day as I prepare a low-key, yet festive Derby meal at home with Jeff Ruby’s, and pick up a meal kit of your own this weekend in Saint Matthews. Happy Derby, y’all!!
My first experience with Botox Injections
What to expect from your first Botox injectable treatments.
Shop my look: Top
I’ve partnered with Magnolia Aesthetics to provide HerKentucky readers with honest reviews and let you know about the latest services and promotions. Magnolia Aesthetics is located at 149 Chenoweth Lane in Louisville’s St Matthews neighborhood. You can keep up with all my Magnolia reviews on their HerKentucky Partner page!
Growing older gracefully is a goal for a lot of us, but it can take a lot of different forms. For me, I knew it was time to combat those pesky “11” frown lines between my eyebrows, but I didn’t want to look fake, immobilized, or constantly surprised. I spent some time talking to Kimberlie Mobley, the co-owner and injection specialist at Magnolia Aesthetics, to determine exactly how much Botox treatment I needed.
One of the reasons I love working with Kimberlie and the Magnolia team is that I get honest answers. I don’t feel oversold on treatments and products that I don’t need. Kimberlie gives me a very realistic assessment of the treatments that will help my particular skincare needs, and is an absolute pro at injecting in a quick and low-pain way. To be honest, the injections hurt way less than I was expecting. I iced the injection site a few times over the 24 hours following the procedure, and I started to see results within a few days.
I love that my injectable treatments look so subtle. I don’t look shiny or surprised or over-inflated. I just look a little younger, and a lot less stressed. I’m absolutely thrilled with the results, and will definitely repeat the process in a few months, when the injections wear off!
If you’re local to Louisville and curious about your own injectable treatments, there’s never been a better time to try Magnolia’s services for yourself. Now through September 2nd, make a purchase and receive great savings — up to $350 off an injectable package, and the opportunity to win free Botox for a year! (See details below!) Call them at 502-632-2244 or email info@magnolialouisville.com to set up your appointment, and tell them that HerKentucky sent you!
Magnolia Aesthetics
HerKentucky Partner Magnolia Aesthetics provides beautiful results!
Dress: Lilly Pulitzer | Sandals: Jack Rogers (old)
I’m so excited to share a new collaboration with y’all today! I’ve partnered with Magnolia Aesthetics to provide HerKentucky readers with honest reviews and let you know about the latest services and promotions. Magnolia Aesthetics is located at 149 Chenoweth Lane in Louisville’s St Matthews neighborhood. You can keep up with all my Magnolia reviews on their HerKentucky Partner page!
I don’t know about y’all, but I find all the information that’s out there about beauty treatments to be more than a little overwhelming. I mean, I love a good facial, have always been curious about Botox, and have never loved the chemical peel process. But, there are so many spas out there, so many treatments I don’t really understand, and a lot of folks whom I’ve seen use the wrong treatments. I’ve found myself really shying away from preventative treatments because I was a little intimidated by the whole thing. Recently, however, I started to notice some lines that I didn’t want to get any deeper and a few other issues that really needed professional help. I sat down with the team at Magnolia Aesthetics to put together a plan that would help me look like myself, only better.
There are so many things that I love about Magnolia. First of all, it’s in my neighborhood and located in the shortlist for the best selfie spot in Louisville.
I also love that I don’t feel pressured to buy products or treatments that I don’t want or need. I’ve worked closely with my aesthetician and my injection specialist to determine the level of treatment that would help me feel more confident without an overdone or “fake” appearance. It’s really important to me that I age gracefully, with just a little help. Kimberlie Mobley, the co-owner and injection specialist, has been fantastic in working with me to find exactly the treatments that work for me!
I’m excited to share these treatments with you, and I hope you’ll visit Magnolia Aesthetics for your skincare needs. It’s wonderful to know that they’re a team I can really trust, and I look forward to sharing my experiences with y’all. Look for Magnolia Monday posts in the upcoming weeks!
The Best Summer Read of 2020
In a summer when most of us won’t visit the beach, author Jennifer Weiner brings a dreamy Cape Cod beach wedding to readers.
(This book review contains commissionable affiliate links to Bookshop.org, an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. Bookshop.org allows you the convenience of direct online ordering while providing financial support to America’s local bookstores. HerKentucky, LLC will receive a nominal profit from every purchase you make through these affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. Visit the HerKentucky Bookshop.org shop for my latest book suggestions.)
About this book:
Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner
Pub: Atria Books, May 5, 2020
HerKentucky Rating: 4.5 / 5 stars
It’s really crazy to think that 2020 is the summer that we’ll be reading beach books without actually visiting the beach! Even with the weird state of travel (or lack thereof) in the world right now, Jennifer Weiner’s Big Summer is the summer beach read you won’t be able to put down this summer!
Big Summer is the story of Phoebe Berg and Drue Cavanaugh. middle school frenemies who attempt to patch up their relationship in the weeks leading up to Drue’s dream wedding on Cape Cod. Daphne, a plus-sized Instagram influencer, works to forgive heiress Drue’s mean girl antics, while they both make sure to take plenty selfies for their social media accounts. A murder, a reality show bachelor, and a handsome stranger who might be covering up his past make the beach wedding unforgettable.
In the hands of a lesser author, this story could, of course, be tedious or vacuous. The brilliance of Ms. Weiner — a Princeton alumna who’s been publishing chick-lit-with-a-twist novels for nearly twenty years now — is that every character has a memorable spin, and every pop culture reference comes with wry social commentary. More importantly, it’s always wildly entertaining. Ms. Weiner addresses the current phenomena of social media influencer culture, reality dating shows, and “true crime” obsession, while making the characters complex and sympathetic. The book is poignant, romantic and, at times, laugh-out-loud funny. It’s quite a feat, really.
Another sizable feat is to publish a blockbuster beach read type of book during the summer when very few Americans are actually visiting a beach. In a fantastic podcast interview with my friend (and fellow Louisvillian!) Anne Bogel, Ms. Weiner notes that she and her publishing company made the decision to move the book’s publication date up a couple of weeks due to COVID-19 projections, after having dismissed a later date. Ms. Weiner says the conversation took the turn that “We could try to move it to the fall, although selling a book called Big Summer in September maybe not the easiest thing.” Even listening to the audiobook on my porch was an escape — I could at least imagine Drue’s champagne-and-oysters wedding! Ms. Weiner’s attention to detail — no matter how minute or outlandish — provided the perfect distraction.
Big Summer is a must-read if you loved Ms. Weiner’s previous works, are pining for the beach, or if you’re fascinated by the Spon-Con world of Instagram Influencers. Check out my constantly-growing list of Summer Book suggestions on the Bookshop.org HerKentucky Shop. Happy Reading, y’all!
How HerKentucky Partners Are Reopening
Joseph-Beth
After two crazy months of business closures, Kentucky stores and salons are starting to slowly and cautiously open their doors to customers. I thought I’d share with y’all how the HerKentucky Partners — the businesses I work with to promote some of the very finest products and services in the Bluegrass State — are adapting to safely serve their customers.
Stoneware & Co
Spas & Salons
Open now! Staff will be wearing masks and gloves; all areas will be sanitized before and after each guest. Guests are asked to sanitize hands before service and maintain six feet distance. Please reschedule appointment if exhibiting any cold or flu symptoms.
Phone lines open now! Salon opens May 27th for limited hair and nail services. A second-phase opening is forthcoming for additional hair and nail services, along with spa, massage and wax services. Blow-dry services will not be offered. Salon employees and guests are asked to wear masks, and guests are asked to limit items brought into the salon and practice six feet distancing. Guests exhibiting a fever will not be permitted to enter.
Logan’s of Lexington
Retail
Now open! Staff members will be wearing masks, cleaning all surfaces hourly, and sanitizing all shoes and garments after every try-on. Guests are required to use hand sanitizers; masks are highly recommended. Contactless checkout service, curbside delivery and in-Lexington home delivery are available.
Campus Quilt Company
Campus Quilt
Factory now open. Accepting and producing quilts. If you have any questions, please call 502-968-2850 or email at sales@campusquilt.com. Don’t forget to use code herkyquilt10 for 10% off your order!
Lexington store now open. Masks required of employees and requested for guests. Limited store capacity is being exercised, along with stringent sanitation guidelines. Employee health is being monitored Curbside delivery available.
Open now for shopping and curbside delivery according to CDC guidelines. 30-50% discount storewide to celebrate reopening!
The Peppermint Palm and Stoneware & Co
The Peppermint Palm (Lexington and Louisville)
Open now! Six customers allowed inside at a time. Hand sanitization required. All employees and customers required to use masks. Store cleaned regularly throughout the day; fitting rooms sanitized after every use.
Reopening Tuesday, May 26th, details coming soon. Curbside pickup will be available, as well as in-store shopping. Follow Stoneware’s social media for additional details. Online shop always open.
Stay safe and happy shopping, y’all!
My Favorites from the Draper James Anniversary Sale
Draper James just dropped a fabulous Anniversary Sale, y’all. Through tomorrow (Saturday 5/16), they’ll automatically take $15 off a $75+ purchase, $50 off a $150+ purchase, and $100 off a $250+ purchase. That adds up to great sales in a hurry. The best part is that wear-now spring dresses that are already on sale apply to these discounts!
Draper James is one of my very favorite brands for several reasons. I love their commitment to a classic, Southern aesthetic, and I love that, in the brand’s five year history, they’ve listened closely to shoppers’ concerns about price points and sizing. I also absolutely love that founder Reese Witherspoon has worked hard to diversify her career into new interests like the DJ label.
I thought I’d show y’all a few things I own and love from the current spring and summer collections, as well as a few new picks. First off, there’s what I call my “Jordan Baker” dress; it’s a little bit flapper and a little bit sporty, just like the golfer character in The Great Gatsby. Technically, it’s the DJ Sailor Stripe Flounce Dress. Whatever you call it, it’s so fun and will be a staple in your spring and summer wardrobe.
I’m also all about this navy ponte dress. It’s so versatile and can be dressed up or down. I LOVE pairing it with my Tretorns for an effortless everyday outfit.
Now, I’m not going to show y’all photos of myself in my unmentionables, but I did I put together a couple of cute flat lays of my favorite DJ x Lands End swimsuits. Harry insisted on helping with a few of those shots!
I am so excited about the Draper swim line this year. Swimsuits are such a personal decision, and I love any line that’s inclusive in sizing and coverage. I absolutely adore the retro bikini bottoms — they’re so stylish and provide such great coverage! I went with those in both the magnolia and gingham prints!
I will say that it took me a minute to find the right pieces in the swim collection. The one-piece swimsuits didn’t fit me on top at all, but the two-piece sets were. perfect. I plan to pair the magnolia bikini set with the coordinating rash guard as soon as we can venture out to beaches again!
There are a few pieces I’m considering picking up on this weekend’s sale. I’ve deliberated this embroidered chambray shift since I first tried it on back when we could go to stores.
I’m also in love with the gingham Keds sneakers and this linen wrap dress. OK, I pretty much love their entire spring and summer collection.
Stay Cozy with Campus Quilt
A Kentucky-based company makes THE BEST t-shirt memory quilts!
Hey y’all. We’re all spending a lot of time at home right now, and if you’re like me, you’re looking for creative ways to make your home as cozy as possible. I’ve found myself reaching for my Campus Quilts time and again!
Now, if you’ve been reading HerKentucky for a while, then you know I absolutely love Campus Quilt Company. I love that it’s a Kentucky-based, woman-owned business (the owner is actually a college classmate of mine!) and I am so impressed by the quality of their quilts. Now, y’all know I grew up in a quilting family, and I have pretty high standards for quilt quality. Campus Quilt absolutely does not disappoint.
A t-shirt quilt is such a special way to commemorate your favorite things. I’ve worked with Campus Quilt to make a quilt from my favorite Kentucky-themed shirts and one from special Kentucky Wildcats shirts. The UK one is so special because I included so many fabulous memories from Bowl Games and Basketball Championships. It’s the absolute BEST for cuddling up and watching a game!
I had to share these photos because they’re so cute, and because it’s CRAZY how much Harry has grown in six months. They also give you a great sense of the amazing attention to detail on every Campus Quilt. I highly recommend getting the flannel backing; it adds to the warmth and coziness of the quilt!
I’m already thinking of some other ways to clean out my t-shirt drawers and design a great new Campus Quilt. Some ideas I’ve had include The Black Dog Tavern shirts (Bob and I love these shirts because they look like our Labs!), Bourbon shirts (what a cool gift for any Kentuckian!) or Vineyard Vines shirts (I have so many that are Kentucky and Derby-themed!) I’ve also seen great ones with a college or sorority theme or high school sports theme as well as concert tees, race tees, or travel tees. If you loved it enough to buy a t-shirt, then you can make a cool quilt!
Campus Quilt has graciously extended a promotional code to HerKentucky readers. You can use code herkyquilt10 for 10% off your own Campus Quilt. This blog post goes through the entire process of how to get started in designing and ordering a Campus Quilt of your own! Let me know what kind of quilt you’d design in the comments!