An Interview with Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers of Pantsuit Politics

Next Monday is International Women’s Day and I’ve teamed up with Kendra Scott for a week of interviews that celebrate the Kentucky women who inspire me. Today’s interview is with my friends Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers, co-hosts of the Pantsuit Politics podcast.

I first met both Beth and Sarah when they were undergraduate students at my alma mater, Transylvania University. I was an alumna advisor for my sorority (Phi Mu), and they were collegiate members; even then, they both stood out as women with incredible poise, strong opinions, and a fantastic drive to succeed. They’ve carved out such an awesome niche as podcasters and speakers, sharing a unique message of extending grace and finding common ground during difficult conversations. Sarah and Beth are both smart, funny, and hardworking ladies whose friendship and input I treasure. Longtime HerKentucky readers may also remember that Sarah was one of the original contributing writers for HerKentucky.

Thanks so much to Kendra Scott for helping bring the Kentucky Women Who Inspire Me series to life — stay tuned to HerKentucky.com and my Instagram this week for previews of the newest Kendra Scott jewelry collection and a fun shopping event!

Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers.

HerKentucky: Can each of you please tell me a little bit about yourselves?

Sarah Stewart Holland: I’m an eighth-generation Kentuckian. After graduation from Transylvania University, I got married (very young!) and moved with my husband first to North Carolina and then Washington, DC, where I got a law degree and worked in politics for several years. In 2009, I convinced my husband to move back to my hometown of Paducah before the birth of our first son. I built a career in social media consulting and started a mommy blog, while having two more boys. Then, in 2015 I dove back into politics by starting Pantsuit Politics with Beth and running for Paducah City Commission, where I served a single term. Now, (thankfully!) Pantsuit Politics is my full time gig - along with raising my three sons with my husband Nicholas.

Beth Silvers: I also went to Transylvania with Sarah (and met Heather through Phi Mu!). After I graduated, I went to law school at UK. I moved to northern Kentucky to work for a Cincinnati law firm after graduation. I spent 11 years there -- six practicing law and five leading human resources for the firm. After Pantsuit Politics outgrew being a hobby, I left my full-time job to podcast, write, and speak. It’s been such a gift to be able to do work that I love and have lots of freedom to share life with my husband, Chad, and my daughters, Jane and Ellen.

HK: How did Pantsuit Politics get started? How has the show evolved over the years that you’ve been podcasting? It’s so amazing to see the way your community of listeners and supporters has grown! (As a longtime PP follower, I was so touched to see the outpouring of care when Beth’s parents were experiencing COVID complications!)


Sarah and Beth: We reconnected via Facebook years after college. At the time, Sarah had a blog for which she asked Beth to write a guest post. That post, about the need for more nuance in political and civil conversations, was well received. At the time, Sarah’s husband, Nicholas, had been encouraging (harassing?) her to start a podcast so she asked Beth if she’d be interested to which Beth responded, “What’s a podcast?” We did a test call and realized we had an interesting dynamic, complementary personalities and perspectives, and that we didn’t always agree but shared many common values. The idea behind the show was to create what we wanted to consume but couldn’t find - political conversation that works hard to avoid hyperbole, that makes room for different perspectives, that acknowledges what is hard or unknown or unknowable, and that recognizes that politics is one form of life but not its totality.

The show has evolved since we started it in 2015, as has much of the political landscape. The years of regular, intentional discourse have shaped us personally and politically and drawn in an ever-growing community of passionate listeners committed to practicing grace-filled political conversations in their own lives.

HK: Something I love about the message of your show is that we can find middle ground and keep the lines of communication open, not only in political discourse but also in everyday conversation. I’ll hear myself say something more diplomatically than I otherwise would have and I’ll think “well, that’s Beth and Sarah's influence!” Do you see the work you do on Pantsuit Politics playing out in your parenting styles, your marriages, and other relationships?

Sarah and Beth: 
It would be nearly impossible to spend so much time practicing this kind of conversation about politics without it spilling over into other aspects of your life. We’ve both improved our ability to listen and ask better questions. Those skills definitely translate outside of politics. We’ve also talked a lot on the show about how politics doesn’t live in its own box separate from the rest of our lives. Our political opinions are shaped by what’s happening in our daily lives and our daily lives are shaped by the decisions made by those in our political systems. When we look at our lives holistically, it’s easy to see the interconnected web bringing us all together both as individuals and broader communities.

HK: It feels like your show came along at the absolute perfect moment. You’ve grown your message of nuance and open lines of communication as the country has experienced some divisive moments. Tell me about the way the show has adapted to the climate around us.


Sarah and Beth: When we started in 2015, we certainly could not have imagined what lay ahead. At the time, we came from different sides of the political aisle - Sarah was a Democrat and Beth was a Republican. In 2019, Beth changed her registration because of what she sees as the Republican Party’s embrace of Trumpism and abandonment of the reasons she was a Republican to begin with. We maintain some philosophical differences about the role of government and our styles and personalities are still very different. But, we’ve really had to talk about more fundamental issues over the past few years and, on those core values, we’re aligned.

Our longtime listeners have been with us as we processed some of the biggest, most shocking events of the last few years in real time. In many ways, the chaotic and divisive nature of politics have made it easier for us to clarify our values. Because we don’t always agree on the policy pathway to an outcome, people sometimes come to us expecting something like they see in other spaces - two people who can’t and won’t agree on anything. Our conversations sound different to listeners because we’re usually starting from a place of shared values or a shared desired outcomes. The hotter the discourse gets in the public arena, the more we find a need for space like ours where we take a step back and assess what we’re arguing about in the first place and where there may be more common ground than expected. We try to demonstrate that on the show, particularly when it comes to shared core values.

HK: In addition to podcasting, y’all are authors as well! Tell me about your first book, and what you can about the one you are currently writing.


Sarah and Beth: Our first book, I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening), establishes some basic rules of engagement for political discourse. We hear from so many listeners who are struggling in their conversations with the people they love most who also disagree with them vehemently when it comes to politics. We wanted to offer a framework to help kickstart better conversations. We’re currently working on our second book, which will center around different types of relationships and how we create community in big and small ways.

HK: You’ve had so many cool experiences as you’ve traveled to primaries, party conventions and your own speaking tour. What would each of you say is the best moment of your Pantsuit Politics career to date, or can you pick just one?

Sarah: We were able to travel to the 2016 Democratic National Convention and were there to see Hillary Clinton become the first woman to accept a major party’s nomination. It just also happened to be my birthday. As a former Hillary staffer and someone who has been passionate about the role of women in politics, it was completely surreal to be there in that moment and one of the best days of my life.

Beth: Traveling to the Iowa Caucus and the New Hampshire primary in 2020 was an incredible experience. Because it was just the two of us often connecting with listeners in those areas, we were able to get a really intimate perspective on how the campaigns look and feel at that stage in the primary process. Particularly in Iowa, getting to see our democracy play itself out in such tangible, intimate, neighborly ways was very special.

HK: How has the past year changed the way the two of you do your jobs? We’ve all had to adapt to “these unprecedented times” in so many ways. I know you had to cancel a speaking tour, which had to be disappointing.

Sarah and Beth: It was definitely disappointing to cancel so much of what we had planned, particularly because one of the real joys of our work is getting to meet and interact with listeners. We’re incredibly fortunate that our work allows us so much flexibility and freedom to be at home. Juggling digital learning for our kids, the increased anxiety everyone has felt at times throughout this pandemic, and the increased workload as we covered the election and its consequences was definitely a lot to handle at times. 

Our community has been so incredible through all of this. In some ways, the increased isolation for many people has made the core of our listening community even stronger as people are looking for connection in less traditional spaces. We’re excited to think about what comes next - how we can continue to create space for people to engage thoughtfully with politics and each other in a post-pandemic world. We know the hunger for that type of political engagement is only growing. We’ll also be thrilled when we can get back on the road for live shows and other opportunities for in-person engagement with our listeners.

HK: What’s the best piece of advice you have for others?


Sarah: No matter what area of life we’re talking about - love, parenting, leadership, politics - it is better if you can respond instead of reacting. If you can claim even a millisecond of time to see what’s happening and think about how you want to handle it, your life will improve. I believe that. Meditation and mindfulness are how I’ve been able to claim even that tiny slice of time (or sometimes just observe how I wasn’t able to claim any time!) and I think it is so helpful.

Beth: The best piece of advice I’ve ever received came from a former colleague, Maria, who said we have to get more comfortable with change. She would say, “you do what works for you until it doesn’t work anymore, then you try something new.” I’ve found this to be freeing and so valuable, especially during the pandemic and in navigating politically tumultuous times.

An Interview with Sarah Weedman of Class and Contrast

Next Monday is International Women’s Day and I’ve teamed up with Kendra Scott for a week of interviews with Kentucky women who inspire me. Today’s interview is with my friend Sarah Weedman, a third grade teacher in the Jefferson County School System and a blogger at Class and Contrast.

Sarah is such a delightful person, and she loves teaching so much. I’m always inspired by her creative classroom decor and her commitment to making every student’s life better. As a friend, she’s funny and supportive, and so, so positive — an absolute delight to know!

Thanks so much to Kendra Scott for helping bring the Kentucky Women Who Inspire Me series to life — stay tuned to HerKentucky.com and my Instagram this week for previews of the newest Kendra Scott jewelry collection and a fun shopping event!

HerKentucky: Please tell me a little about yourself and about your work as a teacher.

Sarah Weedman: I am a 2nd grade teacher at Atkinson Academy in the Portland neighbor of Louisville. I work at a Title One school which means that my school receives additional funding in order to help prevent students from falling behind and help bridge the gap between low-income students and other students. I work with at risk learners and spend everyday trying to help them develop skills that will help them be successful in the classroom and also in life.

HK: I know that, like me, you grew up with parents who worked in the school system. Did you always want to be an elementary school teacher?

SW: I grew up in a family of teachers and most of our family friends were people from the school system. When I was younger I didn’t want to be a teacher because that just seemed like what everybody did and I wanted to be different. However, as I got older, I realized that I really felt drawn to being an educator and that even though it’s a very hard and misunderstood career, it’s very rewarding.

HK: Class and Contrast is such a cool blog and social media platform. What inspires you to share your amazing ideas online?

SW: I started my social media accounts because people (who weren’t me) were posting pictures of my classroom and it was getting attention! It honestly kind of upset me because I had spent so much time and effort on it and then other people were sharing it like it was theirs! So I decided to create my own account and share my classroom, which lead to also sharing some of my teacher outfits and then teaching strategies! The account has really evolved and I feel like I can do so many different things and share about almost any area of my life. I love being able to connect with thousands of teachers in an instant. I can ask a question and have 100 DMs with suggestions, videos and ideas within an hour! The same goes the other way, I will share something I’ve been using in my classroom and people will be so excited and start using it in theirs! I love when I am able to share a successful teaching strategy that helps other teachers because the positive impact stretches far and wide.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sarah (@classandcontrast)

HK: I can’t talk about your social media feeds without mentioning your over-the-top ideas — the flamingos, the doors (the Drake door was insane!), and so much more! How do you think of all this? Do the kids absolutely love it?

SW: I have always been creative, even as a kid. Growing up I was particular about how my room was decorated, I was always wanting to change up my color schemes and thankfully my parents let me do that (more often than most parents would have) and they suffered through me wanting to repaint my room every couple of years. I am a very visual person and how a space looks is important to me. I want my classroom to always feel fun, safe and welcoming. I love working with a theme and building from there. I picked flamingos for my classroom because I really instill in the children being a part of the flock. They really do love it and rally behind the idea. As far as my classroom doors, I just try to find something trendy/pop culture that the kids would know and create something that would all recognize and that is school appropriate (Ha!). My head is constantly spinning with new ideas and dreams and I wish I had more time and energy to make all my visions come to life!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sarah (@classandcontrast)

HK: How has teaching — and blogging about teaching — changed in the past year? I know that “these unprecedented times” have been so hard for all the teachers and kids in my family!!

SW: In the last year, I’ve had to continually push and stretch myself to keep the kids engaged and participating online. I’ve had to learn new skills and spend way way way more time on the computer than I ever expected! Since I am on the computer more this year, my desire to be in social media has decreased because usually at the end of the day I am beat and don’t want to continue to look at a screen. It was hard at first teaching so many new things to 7 year olds- like presenting their screen, opening a new tab, clicking the link in the chat... but now they are reallly good with technology and sometimes they will teach me things!

HK: Tell me all about Gwen the puppy! I am obsessed with her!!

SW: Gwen is a Boxador (Boxer/Labrador) from a shelter in Cincinnati. I got her when she was 8 weeks old and she has already brought so much joy into my life. Since I have been working from home for a year I have been insanely lonely with minimal (in person) human interaction. I’ve also experienced several of my best friends moving this year and I am happy/excited for them but it’s been hard to meet new people during the pandemic. I decided to get a puppy so that I wasn’t constantly alone, had something else other than work to focus on and would have someone to go on walks with. Gwen and I have been going to puppy socialization classes, working with a trainer and going on short walks. In the 3 weeks I’ve had her- I have met more people than in the past year! Everyone wants to stop and meet the puppy! And she has had several play dates and the whole neighborhood loves her. She has been wonderful for me.

HK: What’s the best piece of advice you have for others?

SW: The best piece of advice I have is:

You’re always going to disappoint people, don’t let it be your people.

There are words I live by and will share with anyone and everyone who will listen. Overworking is glorified in all careers, especially teaching. My first 2 years I prioritized my job over everyone. Instead of going out to dinner on a Friday night, I sat at home and got lessons together. Instead of visiting family on Sundays, I wrote hours of lessons. In the end, I left a lot of people disappointed and felt burnt out. Now I will happily wait till Monday to respond to an email. I will spend my weekends resting or having fun. I am a much better person for it.

This is irrelevant to teaching but this is my best advice for young girls my age who are dating: What you catch them with, is what you keep them with.

If you catch a guy with your body/good looks, that’s what you’ll always have to work on to keep them. If you catch them with your heart/compassion, that is how you’ll keep them. Be the girl who catches a guy with her heart, personality and passions.

Thanks again to Sarah Weedman for the interview, and to Kendra Scott for working with me to bring this series to life! You can find Sarah on Instagram, Facebook, and her blog.

An Interview with Anne Bogel of Modern Mrs. Darcy

Next Monday is International Women’s Day and I’ve teamed up with Kendra Scott for a week of interviews with Kentucky women who inspire me. Today’s interview is with my friend Anne Bogel, who is the author of three books and the popular blog Modern Mrs. Darcy, as well as the host of the podcast What Should I Read Next.

Anne is an incredible writer — she writes the most exquisite essays that transform everyday occurrences into life lessons. She’s also kind and warm and funny and lovely — one of my very favorite people with whom to catch up over a cup of coffee! But, most fascinatingly, she’s found a way to read books as her full-time job! Who wouldn't want to do that?

Thanks so much to Kendra Scott for helping bring the Kentucky Women Who Inspire Me series to life — stay tuned to HerKentucky.com and my Instagram this week for previews of the newest Kendra Scott jewelry collection and a fun shopping event!

HerKentucky: Please tell me a little bit about yourself.

Anne Bogel: I’m a Kentucky girl who always thought she’d grow up and move away, but is currently happily living in her hometown of Louisville with her husband, four kids, a yellow lab named Daisy, and a few thousand books. My job is to help adult readers create and cultivate vibrant reading lives for themselves, which means I get to read books, write books, and talk books for a living.

HK: Your blog, Modern Mrs. Darcy, just celebrated its 10 year anniversary. Tell me a little about how it got started and how it has evolved.

AB: In late 2010, my husband suggested I start a blog. I told him that was ridiculous, because I didn’t even read blogs at the time. I’m so glad I decided to give it a go anyway! When I began, it was a tiny creative project that gave me a way to explore questions that interested me, and doing it in community. I quickly discovered that one of my favorite ways to approach a new idea was through the lens of a good book, and over time the books themselves became more and more central to the blog.

HK: You also have a podcast, What Should I Read Next?, which has its own incredible following. I absolutely love the premise of the pod — connecting readers with the right books. Please tell me a little more about WSIRN.

AB: As I began talking more about books online, I realized that the biggest reason people don’t find satisfaction in their reading lives is because they’re choosing books that are all wrong for them. On WSIRN, we match real readers with books that are right for them.

Here’s how it works: every week, a guest tells me three books they love, one book they don’t, and what they’re reading now, and I recommend three books they should read next. And every week, as you listen to a real reader describe what they enjoy—and don’t enjoy—and why, you gain insight into your own reading life. Plus you come away with several titles you may enjoy reading next!

My fuzzy iPhone photo of Anne interviewing Liane Moriarty. Anne looks chic as always with her trademark bangs and Tieks flats!

HK: Some of my favorite moments as a Modern Mrs. Darcy/ WSIRN/ Anne Bogel fan have been the podcast episode you recorded with Jennifer Weiner about her Big Summer release, and your interview event with Liane Moriarty. What interviews or events really stick out to you as the “wow” moments of your career as a professional book lover?

AB: It’s funny, meeting renowned authors and other Very Important People is a lot of fun, and I’ve so enjoyed my time talking books with authors like Celeste Ng, Kathleen Grissom, and (your favorite!) Elin Hilderbrand. But my favorite moments are often quieter connections with readers who feel like kindred spirits. You wouldn’t recognize their names, but I’ll never forget our conversations.

How has the past year changed your work style? We’re all adapting to “these unprecedented times” in unique ways.

This year has been rough for a lot of reasons, and with six people under one roof practically all the time, I’ve struggled to carve out that quiet alone time I prefer for focused work. I’ve been diligent about prioritizing, and have done a lot more of my quiet thinking while walking the dog than I’ve ever done before. I’m also not getting it all done these days, and I’ve had to make my peace with doing less work, but (hopefully) doing it well.

HK: You’ve written three books of your own, with subtitles that tell you everything the reader needs to know. What are those books?

AB: Don’t Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life.

I’d Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life

Reading People: How Seeing the World Through the Lens of Personality Changes Everything

HK: What is the best piece of advice you have for others?

AB: Build in some margin. My tendency is to pack my calendar (and my bookshelves) full of good things, but both need a little room to breathe. When you build in some margin, you don’t panic when things don’t go according to plan, and you’re peaceful when things are going well.

Thanks again to Anne Bogel for the interview, and to Kendra Scott for working with me to bring this series to life! You can find Anne on Instagram or Facebook, on her blog, or on her podcast.

Ways to Help Eastern Kentuckians Impacted by the Winter Storm

Hey y’all. This week’s winter storm certainly is pretty, but it’s hit the mountains of Eastern Kentucky so hard. So many folks back home in the hills are still without power and water in these awful temperatures. A couple of my friends / favorite Louisville-area bloggers (Danielle of LouWhatWear and Lindsay of Bourbon & Lipstick) asked about how to help the 606 on social media this morning, and I went to the source, asking my friends back home whom they’d donate to or recommend for help. Please feel free to share away and let me know if there are more donation sources to add! I’ll update as we hear of more ways to help!

If you’d like to donate:

Across EKY:
Appalachian Community Fund. Says organizer Misty Skaggs, “Anything that goes into our community fund right now is going right back out to community support.” Donate at: tinyurl.com/ekycommunityfund

Hickman Holler Appalachian Relief Fund: Yet another reason to love Tyler Childers and Senora May. The fund was established by these amazing Appalachian musicians last year to bring financial support and awareness for the Appalachian Region. Donate here: https://www.cfmt.org/giving-and-investing/become-a-donor/give-to-a-fund/hickman-holler-appalachia-relief-fund/

Floyd County:

Heaven’s Harvest Food Pantry is a faith-led Emergency Food Pantry located in Printer, KY.. Donate at: https://heavensharvestfood.wixsite.com/website

Johnson County:

Big Sandy Area Community Action Program provides emergency food and shelter. Donate here.

Pastor Amy Chapman of the Mayo Memorial Methodist Church notes that Paintsville area churches are partnering to provide assistance to residents of the shelter at the Recreation Center. Says Pastor Chapman, “Immediate needs are drinks and some personal hygiene items and towels/shower items. I would say to pour any resources into a local church who can assist in managing those donations.” Contact the Mayo UMC on Facebook.

Pike County:

East KY Dream Center is a dining hall in Pikeville offering hot meals to those in need. Donate here.

Grace Community Kitchen is a faith-based mission that offers hot meals and haircuts to those in need. Donate here.

If you need access to Warming Centers:

Boyd County

Boyd County Convention and Arts Center 15605 KY-180 Catlettsburg

The center is open 24 hours a day. It has chairs and cots; social distancing guidelines will be enforced. National Guard Crews are on-site to assist in operations and transportation to the center. Anyone who needs assistance should call Boyd County Emergency Operations Center at 606-393-1801 or 606-393-1842.

Breathitt County

First Church of God (1772 Hwy 30 W, Jackson) is open as a warming center.  Contact Breathitt County Emergency Services for more details 606-666-3815.

Carter County

First Baptist Church of Grayson (162 North Court Street, Grayson) is open as a warming center.  The church is open 24 hours a day.

Floyd County
The Martin Community Center (7199 Ky Route 80 Langley, KY 41645) is now open as a warming center. Contact the Floyd County Judge Executive’s office for information.

Johnson County
The Warming Center has transitioned to an Emergency shelter at the Paintsville Recreation Center (232 Preston St, Paintsville, KY 41240) and is being managed by the staff at the Rec Center, area volunteers and County Employees. There are 11 persons there currently. Local churches are partnering to provide supplies and meals.

Knott County

The following location are open as warming stations: 

·       Hindman Volunteer Fire Department, 89 Cowtown Road, Hindman  

·       Human Services Center, 40 Center Street, Hindman    

·       Fisty Volunteer Fire Department, 1736 Trace Branch Road, Fisty    s

·       Kite Topmost Volunteer Fire Department, 10018 S Highway 7, Kite   

·       Lotts Creek Volunteer Fire Department, 6894 Lotts Creek Road, Lotts Creek    

·       Vicco Sassafras Volunteer Fire and Rescue, 357 Main Street, Vicco

If you need additional assistance, contact Knott County Emergency Management 606-785-9386 or 606-276-7178 or Jeff Dobson, County Judge Executive 606-785-5592.

Letcher County

Letcher Co Recreation Center (1505 Jenkins Rd, Whitesburg) is open as a warming center. Contact Letcher County Emergency Management for more information 606-633-0429.

Magoffin County

Lloyd M. Hall Community Center (88 Church House Road, Salyersville) is open as a warming center.  Contact Magoffin County Emergency Management for more details 606-349-2313.

Perry County

Perry Co Courthouse is serving as a warming center. (481 Main St, Hazard). Contact Perry County Emergency Management for more information 606-439-1816.

Lotts Creek Community School Hazard Director Alice Whitaker says  “we have a well stocked food pantry and the school building which can be a warming station in the event of power outage.”

Rowan County

A warming center at the Laughlin Building (Morehead University Campus) is open for citizens who need to stay warm during the outage. There is a lot of space at this facility, and social distancing guidelines will still be able to be enforced, and masks are available. The doors are unlocked Monday – Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Call 606-207-5028 if you require entry after these hours.

The January 2021 Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale

Happy Lilly Sale morning, y’all! It’s time for the Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale! I’ve heard a rumor that my favorite dress of 2020 will be on sale for under $60! Here are a few other staples I’ll be shopping today!

The Elsa Top

I love a classic Elsa top — a silk tunic that works with everything from jeans to suits! These are such a staple, and you can usually find them at a good price on the After-Party Sale!

Skipper Popover

The Skipper popover is a more refined and versatile version of a sweatshirt. I wear mine everywhere, and always look for them on the Lilly Sale!

Maxi Dresses

I always look for Maxi Dresses on the Lilly Sale — I love being able to wear them through most of the year!

Let me know what y’all score on the Lilly Sale!

Maker's Mark Bourbon Balls

In my family, it isn't Christmas until somebody makes a batch of bourbon balls. This recipe, passed down from my Great-Aunt Marie, is the most popular recipe on HerKentucky!

Because the bourbon isn't cooked down, the candy retains the taste of the bourbon used. I think it's pretty important to use a rich wheated bourbon like Maker's Mark to retain the sweetness of the dough. Bourbon balls made with a rye blend bourbon (think Early Times or Old Forester) tend to add a bitter note. The paraffin wax is totally optional — it makes a smoother, shinier shell to the candy. Since this is an old family recipe, I include it, but it really goes back to the days when high-quality baking chocolate wasn’t readily available and the wax was needed to help make the chocolate adhere.

Maker’s Mark Bourbon Balls

This recipe yields between six and seven dozen bourbon balls.

• 1 to 2 cups good bourbon whisky (I use Maker's Mark)

• 1 cup chopped pecans

• 1/2 to 1 cup whole pecan halves (optional)

• 1 two-pound bag of powdered sugar

• 1 stick butter, softened

• 2 bags Ghirardelli semisweet chocolate chips

• paraffin wax

1. Place 1/2 to 1 cup of chopped pecans in shallow bowl. Pour Maker's Mark over nuts, immersing completely. Cover and let soak 12 hours to overnight.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place pecan halves in shallow pan and toast lightly for about ten minutes.

3. Cream butter in stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Combine bourbon-pecan mixture with just enough powdered sugar to form a stiff ball. Refrigerate to let stiffen slightly.

4. Roll dough into small balls.

5. In double-boiler (or a sauce pan placed over a cooker full of boiling water), add a third to a half a bag of semisweet chocolate chips and, if desired, a small shaving of paraffin wax (no more than 1/4 cup). Heat until just smooth. Dip dough balls into the chocolate mixture. The key is to coat them quickly and make small, frequent batches of melted chocolate.

6. Place bourbon balls on wax paper to cool. Top each with a toasted pecan half, if desired. Results are better if you leave them to cool at room temperature rather than in the refrigerator.

Download the recipe card!

The Black Friday Sales I Shopped Today

Draper James Plaid Dress (old); Similar here

(This post contains affiliate links; I will receive a small commission on any purchase you make by clicking through the links below, at no charge to you. Posts like this keep the lights on at HerKentucky!)

I hope y’all had a safe and lovely Thanksgiving, and that you got a little holiday shopping done, if you were so inclined. I wanted to share a few of my favorite Black Friday finds; most of them could make great gifts or would be pretty wonderful to keep for yourself. I also love that a lot of retailers are extending the “Black Friday” window so that we can safely shop at a distance and online! Here are a few of my favorites!

Draper James

The Draper James sale is absolutely fantastic. Everything is 30% off through Monday, 11/30. I love that they’ve kept last year’s Angie plaid pieces — such a classic red tartan — and added the new Georgia plaid. Shopping for yourself? Pick up holiday plaid or velvet for Christmas (or at least for your holiday card photo…). Shopping for presents? You can’t beat cozy sweatshirts, sweaters, and Christmas ornaments!

For you

For them

Kendra Scott

I will never not share this photo of the time I met Kendra Scott. She’s so lovely and unassuming that it made me love her brand even more!!

Kendra Scott is 30% off through Monday, 11/30. I love giving pieces of Kendra jewelry as gifts — they are so delicate and versatile at a great price point. Don’t tell my oldest niece, but I’m eyeing the heart necklace as one of her presents!

For you

For them

L.L. Bean

L..L. Bean is 15% off through Tuesday 12/1. I love their sweaters, pajamas, and fleeces. It’s also a great time to stock up on Boat & Tote Bags , Bean Boots, and throws for everyone on your list!

For you

For them

Lands’ End

Lands’ End has extended their up to 50% off sale — it’s a great time to stock up on fleece, PJs, slippers and throws!

Macy’s

I love Macy’s for home goods — the absolute best place to stock up on sheets, towels, and cookware! — and their cashmere sweaters are my very favorite!! It’s a great time to stock up on things you’ll need all winter, or to give great gifts!

Nordstrom

You can’t beat Nordstrom for luxe favorites and great gifts! And, if you buy yourself a Barefoot Dreams blanket, I won’t tell a soul!

Target

Let’s just admit it. We’re all going to shop at Target this season. You’ll need Christmas lights. Those Our Generation dolls are so incredibly cute. And I live in their cardigans and joggers.

Happy shopping, y’all!