Big Weekend

This past weekend was full of pomp and circumstance for one eight-year old in my life. Shew - what a weekend!

Friday was the Fillies Derby Ball which kicks off the Kentucky Derby Festival in Louisville. The Derby Queen and her royal court are presented at the event. The queen and her court serve as ambassadors for the city leading up to the Kentucky Derby. If you catch a glimpse of any Derby coverage, you may see the lovely ladies.

My daughter had the honor of being one of two handmaidens this year and had the time of her young life. She will also make other appearances at Derby Festival events, including riding on the queen's float in the Pegasus Parade on May 2, just two days before the Derby. 

 

I wasn't going to let silly ol' cancer stop me from staying out late and joining my girl at the ball.

Here's Miss E on the big screen of the ball room with the newly crowned queen, Cameryn Jones. Miss Jones is a senior at the University of Kentucky.

I even managed to get a dance in, although I was a tad winded afterward! Shew! Meanwhile, Miss E. kept spinning like a top all over the room. At one point she ran up to me and said, "I met the mayor!" At another point, she was posing with last year's queen as three TV stations and dozens of cameras shot footage. Yeah, it'll be a while before she climbs down from cloud nine.

Sunday was Miss E.'s First Communion, another big milestone. I was so proud of her that day and found myself getting teary-eyed as she processed in with her classmates in their white dresses and suits.



Happy Monday, friends! Hope you have a wonderful week.

Images property of JMW A Place to Dwell blog

God Bless Martin

Yesterday's senseless tragedy in Boston is weighing heavy on my mind this morning. Little eight-year old Martin Richard was cheering on his dad in the Boston Marathon when an explosion took his young life.

This photo of Martin is featured on CNN.com today. My daughter is Martin's age and she will be making her First Communion this Sunday. It appears that Martin was celebrating his First Communion in this photo, too. Martin's little sister is close in age to my son. She lost her leg in the explosion. Their mother had to have brain surgery.

Our prayers are with the Richard family and all of those impacted by this terrible event.

Image from cnn.com

Where are your manners?

First of all, congrats to the Louisville Cardinals for winning the NCAA championship last night. While I'm by no means a fan, I am glad that the championship trophy remains in Kentucky, since my Wildcats won it last year. We'll let little brother have it for a bit. Looking forward to kicking your butts next year, guys! And congrats to Louisville's women's team who will play UConn for the championship tonight. Bring it home, ladies!

Okay, quick gripe. Not that I'm old, but I've noticed a younger set of employees in my office building over the last several months. That's to be expected. I've been with my company for close to 12 years, so new people are going to join the ranks. That doesn't bother me at all. But something that does perturb me is the young 20-something guys who walk right in front of me onto the elevator or into the building. They don't hold the door for me or any other female in line. It's all about them. The just forge ahead with their earbuds, backpacks and stupid peg leg pants and plaid shirts. Forget everybody else.

Holding the door for someone is not an archaic practice. It's just good manners.

Where were you raised?? Not that I'm Super Mom, but I've been working with my son on this since he could walk. He's 5 1/2 , but when we approach an elevator or door where other people are entering or exiting and he starts to bolt forward, my hand is gently - yet firmly- clasped around the back of his neck to hold him in place. It's right up there with "Please and thank you," and "Yes, 'mam," and "No, sir." It's manners 101, people. And not just in the South. EVERYWHERE. He's quickly learning and I'm proud of that fact.

When I see this behavior, a quote from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" all-too-often comes to mind, "I weep for the future."

Have you experienced this of late? Do you work with your kids on holding doors and allowing others to go first?

Image from Chronicles of Times

Cheers to a Colorful Life

"That's what life is all about: Let's have a party. Let's have it tonight."

-- Lilly Pulitzer

Yesterday the fashion world lost an icon with the passing of Lilly Pulitzer Rousseau. I'm sure the flags are flying at half-mast at the headquarters in Pennsylvania, also known as the "Pink Palace," as well as in Lilly's hometown of Palm Beach.

Many of us in Blogland are Lilly devotees. You know I am just in looking at my blog banner! With the design of a basic shift dress in a bright floral pattern, she managed to create a style that's become synonymous with summer casual chic. When someone says, "Just wear your Lilly," you know exactly the dress code.

In honor of Lilly, let's break out the bright colors over the next several days and salute one of our favorite style icons. We should all live with that much color in our lives!

Image from International Business Times

Got Derby Fashion?

Well, friends, Derby is one month away. This means Louisville is going to be rockin' pretty soon with tons of activities leading up to the Run for the Roses. Alas, I won't be going to the Derby this year, but it's been fun to spot some frocks that would be FABULOUS for the track.

ADORE this dress! I'm a big believer in that you get the dress first, then shop for the hat. Others feel differently, but it's much easier to tailor your chapeau to the colors of your outfit. The dress above, as well as the two that follow, were recently featured in one of my favorite online style blogs, Style Blueprint Louisville.

I will be attending a gala, though, leading up to Derby. At least I hope I will, as long as I'm not too worn out from my treatments. My daughter, Miss E., is one of two little girls who will serve as handmaidens to the Kentucky Derby Festival Queen and Princess court. There's an organization here in town known as The Fillies, that has a long-standing history of volunteer service related to the Derby Festival. (Her grandmother is a member and threw her name into the hat as a potential handmaiden.) Their biggest event, the Fillies Derby Ball, is April 19. Miss E. will wear a grand white dress and sit with the royal court throughout the evening. She will also ride on a float in the Pegasus Parade, which is two days before Derby. Given everything that has happened within the last year, I'm so happy that she'll have this opportunity.

The Sunday after the ball is also Miss E.'s First Communion, so a weekend full of white dresses and big events! I'll be sure to share photos down the road.

TGIF, friends. TGIF.

Images from Style Blueprint Louisville

Crocodile Fashion

How flippin' cute are these Newport Croc Navajo sandals from Jack Rogers?? I think I need a pair of the dark brown for summer. I love my gold ones and can't wait until warmer weather where I can really play up accessories!

What's on your covet list for spring and summer fashion?

Images from Jack Rogers