After a brief hiatus from the blog, I’ve returned to bring you all the juicy details from this weekend’s Kentucky Derby Party. This post will focus on fashion and images from the party, and in a second post, I’ll provide all the recipes and party tips.

The first Saturday in May brings with it one of the most venerated moments in sports history – the Kentucky Derby.  A member of the esteemed Triple Crown of horse racing (a trifecta completed by the Preakness and Belmont), this race has pomp, circumstance, and tradition for all to enjoy.

This year, I decided to embrace Southern charm and Southern cooking and host a party befitting the race.

First, the hat. Before even sending the invitations, I knew that finding the hat was essential. Luckily, within mere minutes browsing through Etsy, I found a the perfect designer, Eye Heart Me. I fell in love with her creations, and ultimately settled on an ivory and black fascinator that would not only go with any dress I chose to wear, but could be worn for other events in the future. When it arrived in the mail, I was not disappointed. Carefully wrapped and even more beautiful than the photos, the precision and detail of this artisan were clear. It was also very comfortable and easy to wear on the day of the party, and, despite all my hostessing shenanigans, it stayed perfectly in place all day.

 

Mint Juleps, cheddar grits, fried chicken, pimento cheese sandwiches, and sweet tea rounded out the day:

 

 

 

Get the full menu and recipes here.

xoxo.