MENU, BIG HATS, AND FASHION INSPIRATION FOR KENTUCKY DERBY DAY!

Martie Duncan April 30, 2015

It might be the most exciting two minutes in sports but the Derby is also one of the best parties you'll ever attend. (I should know) Going to the Derby is something every horse lover or fashion lover should do at least once because it is at the Derby where the two worlds collide and there's just as much excitement around the hats as the horses. (If we are being totally honest, it is really just another excuse invented by Southerners to drink bourbon in the middle of the day without people thinking you're a big lush.)

The Kentucky Derby is said to be the greatest two minutes in sports. To me, there is nothing more noble or more beautiful than a horse. Photo: Churchill Downs photo courtesy of Kentucky Tourism — The Kentucky Derby is said to be the greatest two minutes in sports. To me, there is nothing more noble or more beautiful than a horse. Photo: Churchill Downs photo courtesy of Kentucky Tourism

THE FASHION: Whether you are wearing a giant, custom creation costing a month's salary or sporting a fashionable fascinator that you made yourself, (you know, that little "sprig" of a headpiece made popular by the Duchess of Cambridge) the hats are always part of the fun at Kentucky Derby parties. The more outrageous and over the top the hat is, the better. I've seen hats with all sorts of crazy embellishments and some so tall, I don't know how the person walked around. See more fashion tips and crazy hats on KentuckyDerby.com

Find these great hats pictures above and many more at Del Mar Hat Company, KentuckyDerby.com, Berkeley Hat Company, and Dees Crafts.

Having been in the fashion/wedding industry for most of my life and a horse lover to boot, people always ask for my help with getting their Derby day look together, whether they are partying at home or lucky enough to be at Churchill Downs.

If you are going to the actual Derby, here are a few fashion tips:

1. Don't wear spiked heels. You will sink into the grass or stumble on the pebbles. Select a thicker heel, a platform, or a wedge instead. This is especially important if you're in the infield where it is all grass. Be sure to ask your host exactly where you'll be sitting... just in case you aren't.

2. Bring a purse with essentials: a small umbrella, wipes, sunscreen, those little toothpaste loaded brushes, a band-aid or two, and of course, your normal essentials like lipstick and powder to freshen up. I also keep a large zip-top bag in my purse in case it rains or gets incredibly humid. My Hermes scarves are my prized possessions so I zip them up if one rain drop hits my head.

3. Bring a scarf or a wrap in case the sun shifts. It can get chilly in the later part of the day.

4. Have a designated meeting point and time in case you get separated from your peeps. The phones don't always work well at Churchill Downs. Stuff a battery charger in your bag so you don't run out of battery after all the selfies and Instagram posts.

So... below are some of the looks I pulled together for friends this year... I do have the designer names if you want them. Take a look through them and see if you can guess which one is mine! Post your favorites in the comments and I'll know what to wear on Saturday! Hope you have a happy Derby Day!

Go Bold with White and Gold

Flirty and Fun in Not So Mellow Yellow

Pretty in Hot Pink with a Bit of Gold

Trouser Style: Elegant and Comfortable

Retro in Red

Modernly Monochromatic

Someone Stole Kate's Wardrobe

Crisp and Clean in Bright White

Channeling Vivian Ward... whoop whoop

That Would Be Me...

That Would Be Me, Too

DETAILS: The Kentucky Derby is run in Louisville, Kentucky at Churchill Downs. You can find start times, contenders, wagering, and everything else you need to know from the Kentucky Derby website. Go there...

DECOR: So simple. Red roses and pretty silver containers and trays.

MENU: According to my good friend, fellow foodie, Louisville resident, and Derby girl Traci Badenhausen, here's the perfect Kentucky Derby menu...

“The perfect Derby menu? Benedictine is a MUST (original recipe follows from Jennie Benedict, the caterer who made if famous years ago), Country Ham, Asparagus, Beef Tenderloin (or pork tenderloin, if you’re on a strict budget) with Henry Bain Sauce on beaten biscuits or butter buns, Cheese Straws, Pickled Shrimp, Hot Brown Casserole....and Mint Juleps, of course!”

Here are links to some of my favorite party recipes to make hosting your own Derby Day party so easy and a link to Jennie Benedict's Benedictine Spread!

LAYERED STRAWBERRY AND SPINACH SALAD WITH POPPYSEED DRESSING

PICKLED CITRUS SHRIMP

CHOCOLATE BOURBON PECAN PIE

AUTHENTIC KENTUCKY DERBY MERCHANDISE: If you order now, you might still get your licensed Kentucky Derby merchandise like caps and silver mint julep cups before post time. Here's the link to all things Kentucky Derby.

RECIPE: CLASSIC MINT JULEPS FOR YOUR DERBY DAY PARTY!

Martie Duncan April 23, 2015

Whether you are headed to the Derby or just watching the best two minutes in sports on your television, be sure to have my Mint Julep recipe on the menu!

I am a horse fanatic, I have been since I was a kid. So much so, I'd fall asleep with my entire plastic horse collection in my bed. I get excited about the Derby even though I don't follow horse racing. I've only been once but it was quite the experience... no other sporting event can compare. The hats, the pretty women, the dashing guys, the Southern charm, the majesty of the horses, and of course, the Kentucky bourbon and the Mint Juleps! I always crack up because the Mint Julep is THE drink associated with the South more than any other. When I meet people from other countries and they find out I'm from Alabama, they tell me their impression is that we all sit around on the porch, sipping Mint Juleps..... So in tribute to the horses and most magnificent race in sports, here's a classic Mint Julep recipe my way, just in time for Derby Day.

MARTIE'S MINT JULEP RECIPE

A silver or pewter Mint Julep cup does make this cocktail more authentic and yes, even more delicious.

To begin, make a simple syrup infused with mint. This will really bring a wonderful mint flavor to the cocktail and you can also use it to sweeten tea. For the simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water. For 6 drinks, I am using 1 cup each sugar and water. Bring it to a boil, and turn off the heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Add 15-20 fresh mint leaves. Stir. Allow the syrup to cool completely. Strain and pour into a canning jar, secure the lid, and chill. This will keep in the refrigerator for a week.

For one cocktail:

3 fresh mint leaves (plus more for garnish)

3 tablespoons mint syrup (depending on how sweet you like it, I like 3)

1 1/2 ounces Kentucky bourbon (I like Four Roses bourbon)

Crushed ice

Powdered sugar for garnish, if desired

Chill your glasses prior to serving. A traditional silver mint julep cup makes this cocktail so frosty and delicious. Add the syrup and mint leaves to a pitcher or shaker. Use a wooden spoon to muddle (not tear) the mint into the syrup to release the oil. Add the bourbon. Fill the cup with crushed ice and strain the bourbon over the ice, almost like a snow cone. Add a straw, a mint sprig, and a dusting of powdered sugar over the top, if you like. Serve immediately.

For a lighter, less potent version, add 1/2 cup of unsweetened tea to fill the cup after you add the bourbon.

DIY CRAFTS: HOST A CENTERPIECE PARTY

Martie Duncan March 31, 2015

With Easter just days away, I've got a fun (and productive) party idea for a Girls Night In get-together. Why not host a DIY centerpiece party? Each year, a few weeks before Easter, I get lots of emails and questions about Easter decorations and tablesettings. Here's a party theme that will not only allow you to spend time with your friends, you can go home with a beautiful centerpiece... just in time for your Easter Sunday celebration. It's also a great party plan for that DIY bride or class reunion, too!

Get the girls together for a perfectly creative way to craft your own Easter centerpieces, party decorations for a class reunion, wedding or baby shower or even for that DIY bride.

THE SET UP

This is a very simple party to host. You provides the drinks, the food, and a large workspace with plenty of room. Guests will bring what they need for her own centerpiece plus tools like floral wire, floral sheers, ribbon, etc. You can all share supplies. Ask guests to email a list of what they are bringing- you may need to make a trip to Michael's, Hobby Lobby or a local floral supply store to pick up the basics if you don't have them. NOTE: If you are planning this party for the week of Easter, you might also set up a station to dye Easter eggs. That way, you can have eggs already dyed for the kids to decorate.

Pick up plants and flowers from the garden center to create an Easter centerpiece you can plant and enjoy all summer.

In the Spring, I always like to use herbs or flowers from the garden center for my centerpieces... that way, after the party is over, I can plant them in the yard and enjoy them all summer long. I picked up a few bunches of tulips at the store, too. I got a twig wreath and some bird nests at the craft store and found floral foam, wire and twine there also. If you want a rustic look, use Mason jars in several sizes. If you are using metal containers, they tend to leak. To avoid this, fit a small jar or plastic container into the bottom and fill that with water.

Cover your work space with a plastic backed drop cloth from the home improvement store or use brown craft paper... I used did both to make clean up easy. It is important to use layers of newspaper if you will be dying eggs; they make a mess and the stain is virtually impossible to remove.

FOOD & DRINKS

Girls Night is soooo about the cocktails and quality time catching up with friends but since this party is centered around an activity, I wanted to keep the menu very simple.

A cheese board with 3-4 cheeses plus crackers, fruit, honey, jam and other pairings is the perfect way to start the party. It is easy to assemble and there's no cooking required. Make one of your party favorites that is easy to eat standing up or while working. I made Puffy Party Squares because they are easy, fast and inexpensive but also because everyone loves them. You can also do some lovely egg salad sandwiches because you'll have a ton of eggs on hand.

Pretty, colorful drinks and easy food make hosting duties simple!

toasted egg salad sandwiches using hard boiled Easter eggs

THE ACTIVITY

Making centerpieces and decorating eggs can be as easy or as complex as your time and patience allow. If you look at Pinterest, you can see a million different ideas for every taste and every budget. I love the look of speckled eggs. Get the how to here... I'm a big fan of cheap that looks expensive so that's what I was aiming for with my flower arrangement. I also like the idea of repurposing the flowers in the garden or container after the party is over.

egg cups hold pretty wildflowers from the yard

My own style is very relaxed and easy so my centerpieces tend to be rustic and take about 6 minutes to create. When making a centerpiece for a dinner table, I want it to be low so guests can see each other across the table. Here's what I came up with using annuals and one bunch of tulips. After Easter is over, I'll plant the annuals in containers to brighten up my deck this summer.

Carefully wrap the root ball in plastic and keep the roots damp so you can plant and enjoy long after the party is over.

Carefully remove the annuals from their plastic container, keeping the root ball intact. Put it into a plastic bag and secure with a rubber band. Use one plastic sandwich bag for each plant. Make sure the soil is damp- but not too wet. Arrange the flowers in a platter, basket, wreath or other short container. Add some fresh cut flowers also for a little height. Done!

This could even be a wonderful family get-together with the cousins or a fun annual neighborhood party. The adults can make flower arrangements and the kids can decorate eggs at a craft station set up with stickers, glitter, glue and other supplies.