Often referred to as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports” or “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports”, the Kentucky Derby is held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, on the first Saturday in May. It is the ultimate culmination event that marks the end of the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. Click here to check out the official site of the Kentucky Derby!

Click here to learn fun facts about the Kentucky Derby and watch related video below!

Often referred to as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports” or “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports”, the Kentucky Derby is held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, on the first Saturday in May. It is the ultimate culmination event that marks the end of the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. Click here to visit the official site of the Kentucky Derby!

Click here to learn fun facts about the Kentucky Derby and watch related video below!

In honor of the Kentucky Derby on May 4, Alex and Ani are rolling out new bangles within the Kentucky Derby Collection. The only way to properly celebrate “the greatest two minutes in sports,” is by wearing one of the bangles below! The new Mint Julep Expandable Wire Bangle is to die for!

A favorite of fashionistas everywhere, it’s always fun to check out their new Bangle of the Month.  May 2013’s spotlight is on the Queen’s Crown, representing “Divine Right, Queenship and Power.” The queen of your home, also known as the great mother, represents feminine power and authority. With this new bangle on her wrist, she will rule in line with values that inspire your home and individuals within it. The wearer of this charm will experience support in asserting their power, taking charge of situations and acting with benevolence. Visit the store for more information about a limited-time, special pricing for this piece!

In true Alex and Ani form, and yet another reason to fall in love with the company, drop in at 150 WORTH to purchase the Jimmy Fund Bangle to show support for Boston in the wake of the recent tragedy that shook theentire world. Celebrating 60 years of partnership with the Boston Red Sox, the Jimmy Fund stands for “Legacy, Teamwork and Dedication.” The purchase of this bangle goes toward millions of dollars in contributions to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

 For your Mother’s Day shopping convenience, Alex and Ani will be holding special business hours as follows; May 5 12p.m.-5p.m., May 6 9a.m.-7p.m. and May 12 (Mother’s Day) 10a.m.-5p.m. Feel free to stop in at any of these convenient times to browse Alex and Ani at 150 WORTH for fabulous gifts filled with meaning!

For the Kentucky Derby, Adriane created a 1st place mint julep using Four Roses Bourbon, and posted about it this week: Mint Julep on Celebrations.

How delicious does it look!?

A tip: freeze mint leaves in your ice cubes over night to add extra flavor and pizzazz to your drink!

Full recipe here: Mint Julep

YUM!

CK

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Saturday morning update: The favorite to win is a horse named Orb… Oil Rubbed Bronze anybody? And my new ORB cabinet hardware just arrived yesterday… a sign?

Saturday night update:  Orb for the win! I think my new hardware is a win too… but more on that later.

]]> http://soanthro.com/2013/05/03/bring-may-flowers/ Fri, 03 May 2013 13:11:09 +0000 soanthro http://soanthro.com/2013/05/03/bring-may-flowers/ The Derby just seems like the best place to break out those May flowers that April showers brought us, no? This weekend, bust out the floral frocks and celebrate the arrival of spring with an icy mint julep!

Derby days are here! Today marks the official start of the Kentucky Derby, or otherwise known as, “the fastest two minutes in sports.” Big hat in tow, I’m heading to Savannah to watch the race and I’m bringing these Mint Julep cupcakes with me. An ode to the traditional drink of the derby, these cupcakes taste just like the real thing.  I followed this simple recipe, but added some creme de menthe to emphasize that mint flavor. I also infused the frosting with some bourbon to give it that extra kick. What could be better than bourbon spiked cupcakes?  I used silver cupcake liners to represent the classic julep cup then garnished them with a mint sprig. If you are looking to entertain for the race, these are great for pleasing a crowd. Now all that’s left to do is pick out my race day dress!

Your toast to the fastest two minutes in sports wouldn’t be complete without the famed Derby Julep. | Article: Marian Cooper Cairns

Mint Julep

Last year my husband and I decided to throw a Derby party the minute we discovered one of our friends had never had a mint julep (HOWWW is that even possible?!?) The party consisted of us in our best dressed (hat for her, seersucker suit for him), a complete julep bar worthy of Southern Living (it literally came out of that year’s SL), and of course- watching the most famous 2 minutes of sports history. My horse, I’ll have another, won and I couldn’t be more proud. Perfect time to have another, is is not? There will be a lot of pressure to pick the winner this year. I’ve chosen: Oxbow, Golden Soul (although I think Black would be better than Golden), and Giant Finish (I’ll refrain from any terrible sexual jokes here). We will see.

In the meantime, here’s a couple things you need to get all Derby ready:

1) A Hat

Obviously. The bigger the better, although fascinators are very ‘in’ right now (thanks Princess Kate!) Most Southern towns (and even some fine Midwestern ones I’ve lived in) have somewhere you can buy a Derby hat, just ask. If you can’t find anything locally, Nordstrom’s has a nice selection as do many specialty online stores. Personally I love the wide brimmed ones.

Hat [Nordstrom’s]

2) A Dress

Now that you have the fabulous hat, you just need a dress. I’m really feeling a white dress this year, but since we are heading to a bar to watch the actually Derby Race, I’m thinking otherwise. This cute little number from Pearl Southern Couture is actually called the Derby Dress:

Dress [Pearl Southern Couture], Aren’t those shoes awesome too?!? If you’ll be outside at all, stick to wedges so your heels don’t sink in the ground.

I may wear this little piece belted with a cool jacket (and hat, of course):

Dress [Buchanan]. I’ll be sure to post pictures of my final outfit once I decide.

3) A Drink In Your Hand

Now that you’re dressed properly, let’s not forget the most important accessory: the mint julep.

The ultimate Mint Julep Bar from Southern Living circa,  like, last year. For more than you would ever want to know about Mint Juleps (including the four ingredients to make this masterpiece) check out this SL article.

Obviously you can’t serve Mint Juleps without Mint Julep cups (well, you could…but do you really want to?) A lot of times local jewelry stores or gift shops have these iconic silver cups you can monogram, because let’s be real…is there anything a Southern woman DOESN’T want to monogram?

Monogrammed Mint Julep Cup [SilverGallery.com]. Side bonus: If you’re looking for a great graduation present,  or gift in general, these are perfect! Even if the recipient doesn’t drink, they can still use them as small vases (I put hydrangeas in them), makeup brush holders, or regular drinking cups.

You are now properly dressed and accessorized. All you have to do know is pick your horses and get your drink on! Side note to that- Drinking is fun, but make sure you don’t end up as ‘that person’ this weekend. You know what I mean, that girl (or guy) that can’t hold their liquor (we are basically drinking straight up bourbon here) and is falling down, accidently flashing everyone around, and saying crass things. If there’s one day you should pick up your drinking etiquette a notch, why not do it while you’re dressed like a lady and drinking out of silver? (Duh).

Stay safe and have fun! May the best horse (cough*Oxbow*cough) win!

3. THE PONIES- Notoriously when you hear people going to the horse races they are going to “bet the ponies”. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t a guy who decided to call the horses “ponies”. If it was left up to men  they’d be betting the “stallions” or the “studs”. Granted the horses are all female, a man would still come up with a better name than “ponies”.

2. MINT JULEP- The official drink of the race is a mint julep. Why not make it a daiquiri! When men watch football and baseball they’re throwing back beers, but no not at the horse races. I’m thinking the mint julep was a scheme that came from a group of women that were planning a Kentucky Derby party. It might be sexist, but I don’t think a guy decided that the mint julep would be a refreshing drink to “bet the ponies”.

1. THE HATS-  The Kentucky Derby is the only sporting event that has a fashion tradition. Women totally made up the big hat thing as an excuse to go out shopping. This tradition was most definitely not made by men!
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The key ingredient for those legendary drinks likely coming from the nations oldest continually operating mint farm right here in Michigan.

Jim Crosby is the fourth generation of Crosby Mint Farm in St. John, Michigan. He said the farm was hit hard by the recent recession but it’s recovering with a double-digit increase in year over year sales.

“The digestive balance of intestinal flora – it works as an antioxidant and it’s great for kidney and liver function and especially those that have the kidney infection,” Crosby told WWJ Newsradio 950′s Marie Osborne.

(Credit/Crosby Mint Farm)

He says the world is waking up to the crisp taste of mint.

Crosby feels that mint not only picks up the flavor in food but is useful in a variety of ways.

“It’s just an outstanding characteristic to have in food, drinks, especially bathing and cooking,” Crosby said.

He goes through an ounce of peppermint oil a month – he said the herb is not just for Mint Juleps.

“It whitens teeth, it can sterilize your toothbrush, (and) makes your mouth feel good. I add some to my shampoo, my conditioner …,” he noted.

You can find out more about mint and the Crosby Mint Farm here.

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine.

]]> http://jakeblumgart.com/2013/05/02/making-bets-on-kentucky-derby-day/ Thu, 02 May 2013 22:59:39 +0000 jakeblumgart http://jakeblumgart.com/2013/05/02/making-bets-on-kentucky-derby-day/ I’m headed up to Boston tomorrow to attend my dear friend’s (and Kentuckian expat) Derby party. Convenient timing too, in that I just finished Common Ground.

In honor of this esteemed occasion, and the expected libations, I have a P.G. Wodehouse quote, primed and ready. Because of course I do.

From Summer Lightning, an exchange between Galahad Threepwood and the Butler, Beach.

“Have you ever tasted a mint-julep, Beach?”

“Not to my recollection, sir.”

“Oh, you’d remember all right if you had. Insidious things. They creep up on you like a baby sitter and slide their little hands into yours and the next thing you know the Judge is telling you to pay the clerk of the court fifty dollars.”

I remember when I worked at the hotel in New Orleans and the countless number of tourists that just had to have one.  “Where’s the closest place we can get one of those Hurricanes,” they’d ask with excitement.  I’d shudder, being fully aware of the potency of this sugary concoction, and point them in the direction of the French Quarter.  They’d wash down their bowl of jambalaya with a Hurricane in the hopes of catching a few beads and a second line parade — a postcard from Bourbon Street.

So I get it now.  It’s the pomp for the circumstance.  The photo-op.  The opportunity to say, “Why, it’s The Derby, Darlin’!  You’ve just got to have a mint julep.”

The picture is posed:  Ladies in their hats, fellas in their seersucker, julep cups raised.  When just moments after the camera flashes they all heed the advice of Pulitzer Prize winning author Henry Watterson:  “Pour the whiskey into a well-frosted silver cup, throw the other ingredients away, and drink the whiskey.”

…and so is the postcard from The Kentucky Derby.

We are so very excited to watch The 139th Kentucky Derby and hope you are too!!!  The ladies here at bella bliss® look forward to this day every year! Our  boutique and warehouse are located less than an hour away from Louisville where the run for the roses takes place.

Three year old thoroughbreds race one and a quarter miles to compete for the coveted blanket of 564 red roses.  Although the race is only 2 minutes, the day is packed with mint julips, great people watching, celeb sightings and fun!

Sarah and her husband Adam at the Derby

There are many traditions at the Derby that make the experience a memorable one!  Women appear in fine outfits lavishly accessorized with large, elaborate hats.

In celebration of the Derby, we are offering 25% off your entire order!  At check-out just enter the promo code Derby25 starting at noon on Friday (5/3/13) through 5 pm Monday (5/6/2013).

Sara and her friend Katie at the Derby

Here is another one of our DIY’s from our Ruffled shoot, that you can visit here. The ALED team had a lot of fun putting these together!

Ingredients: (for one drink)

• 1 oz Kentucky Bourbon
• 2 oz sparkling water
• 2 oz simple syrup or 2 tsp sugar
• 5 shredded mint leaves
• 1 scoop peach sorbet
• agave or honey for rim
• gold glitter cake sugar for rim

Directions:

Place a ring of Agave or honey on a plate in a circle shape about the size of your glass. Place sugar crystals on another plate.

Dip glass upside down in agave and then directly into sugar. Tip and turn in the sugar to coat the rim evenly.

Pour simple syrup or sugar into glass being careful not to disturb the sugar on the rim.

Pour whiskey over syrup. Add crushed or torn mint leaves. Place the scoop of peach sorbet into the liquid. Top with sparkling water and a few more mint leaves to garnish. We layered this drink but you could blend in a shaker.

We sure liked how they turned out, not only for presentation, but also in taste! Hope you enjoy them as well!

{Written by Taylor Perkins}

]]> http://beautifullifeandstyle.com/2013/05/02/hats-on-parade/ Thu, 02 May 2013 14:43:54 +0000 beautiful Life and Style http://beautifullifeandstyle.com/2013/05/02/hats-on-parade/ OK- here we go- DERBY WEEKEND… AND a fun post to get us back to lighthearted blogging around here. I’ve never been lucky enough to attend the Kentucky Derby- but lets just say its extremely high on my bucket list- if for no other reason than to have an excuse to get my extreme prep on and to buy a most ridiculous hat!

I’ve decided to round up a few of my favorites from around the web- full disclosure that some of these are OBSCENELY expensive. But you know it would be worth it. I”m having a hard time deciding between the red feathers and the GIANT blue bow as a favorite…

And as an added bonus, one of my coworkers gave me his favorite recipe for a Mint Julep so I’m sharing it with you here. What really sets it apart I think is the minted simple syrup- so worth the extra effort! I hope you make several this Saturday because, I mean- can you really drink anything else on Derby Day???

Proper Mint Julep

• 2 cups crushed ice
• 2 oz. Woodford Reserve Bourbon
• 1 oz. of minted simple syrup
• 2 bunches of Kentucky Colonel Mint (crucial – not spearmint or peppermint)
• 1 thoroughly chilled julep cup

Minted Simple Syrup

First, make your simple syrup. In a heavy medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, stir together 1 cup of sugar and one cup of water until dissolved.  Increase heat slightly and simmer for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat, add 1 bunch of Kentucky Colonel mint leaves, and let steep for 15 minutes.  Strain through a cheese cloth, bottle the syrup, and refrigerate 3 hours before using.  This will keep for up to 1 week, so you can prepare it ahead of time.

Making the Mint Julep

Add 1 oz of simple syrup, then 1 cup of the crushed ice, then 2 oz. of Woodford Reserve bourbon, and a splash of water.  Add enough of the remaining crushed ice to almost fill the cup.  Stir well and garnish with a sprig of Kentucky Colonel mint.

(Photo by Jeff Gentner/Getty Images)

It’s the biggest day at the races of the year. The 2013 Kentucky Derby is this Saturday, and you can bet your fancy hat that there are watching parties around Dallas where you can wear that fancy hat!

Lone Star Park - Feel like you’re actually there by heading down to our very own horse track. You can bet on the ponies here and watch the Kentucky Derby on TVs. There will be hat judging at 3PM with 2 $500 prizes up for grabs. Big Mouth will provide live music in the Courtyard of Champions. General Admission is $5, but you can join the Arts Council Northeast’s party from 12:30PM to 5:30PM for $150 and enjoy an open bar, “lavish buffet,” and live & silent auctions.

Sissy’s Fried Chicken, Jockeys, and Juleps – From 3PM to 6PM Saturday, Sissy’s Southern Kitchen is throwing a Kentucky Derby party a with a grand Southern twist. You’ll enjoy $7 drink specials on Sissy’s Mint Julep, Kentucky Punch, Presbyterian Bourbon Press, and Alabama Sunsets. You can wear your crazy hat and watch all the derby action on a big screen TV. There will be prizes for the best Derby outfit. There is no cover and no reservations required for the party, but you will have to make a reservation if you want to stay for dinner.

Lee Park Conservancy “Day At The Races” Party – If the Kentucky Derby was here in North Texas, this is the party that would be at the heart of it all. This traditional celebration requires you to dress the part right up to the top of your hat. Of course, there will be southern cuisine and mint juleps. There will also be Best Hat and Best Dressed contests judged by Cynthia Smoot of Oh So Cynthia, Maxine Trowbridge of Pink Memo, Rachel Abrams of CultureMap Dallas. NBC5′s Natalie Solis will be the Emcee. Tickets are $75-$150, and you can buy those online.

The Dallas Observer has many more awesome Kentucky Derby watching parties listed on their site. Check them out!