shell chic'd

Run For The Roses

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kentucky derby bridal shower; kentucky derby outfits

iiit’ssss the most wonderful tiiiiime of the yeeeeaarrr

May means peonies
Rosé season
My anniversary
DERBY DAY!

Just eight days until they’re off, so Kentucky Derby outfits are on. my. mind. As someone who now works in the industry, I can tell you that, much to my dismay, traditional, springy, ladylike shift dresses are not poppin’ this year! There’s a shortage of seersucker across the country y’all. I WILL say, however, that I am sort of digging(?) these trendy styles in classically preppy patterns—off the shoulder gingham? Pinstripe bodysuit? Ok, I see you.

{Click the images to shop!}

Planning a Derby Day soirée? Have a look at the incredible Kentucky Derby bridal shower my best girls threw me!

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Let’s Get Down and Derby

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Off to the races in nine days kiddos! What will you be wearing to watch the run for the roses this year? I’ve rounded up 20 of my favorite Kentucky Derby hats and dresses that look just as good as an icy mint julep tastes. kentucky derby hats seersucker dressesone | two | three
four | five | six
seven | eight | nine

And the Derby without a hat is just another Saturday in May::

Need some party inspiration? Check out the bombdotcom Kentucky Derby-themed bridal shower my girlfriends threw me last year!

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Tipsy Tuesday No. 17: Mint to Be

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Lilly Pulitzer Mint Julep Dress

Topping off my Kentucky Derby {pre}coverage with a super simple recipe for the only cocktail you should be drinking this weekend: The Mint Julep.

Easy mint julep recipe

[ wear this ]
Monogrammed Wide Derby Hat | Macfarlane Lace Detail Shift Dress

[ drink that ]
the mint julep from good spirits by a.j. rathbun
serves one

[ ingredients ]
4 or 5 fresh mint leaves
1 ounce simple syrup
crushed ice
3 ounces kentucky bourbon
fresh mint sprig for garnish

[ directions ]
1. rub one mint leaf over the inside of a metal julep cup or a highball glass. be sure the mint touches each inch of the inside of the cup. drop the leaf in the cup when done.
2. add the remaining mint leaves and the simple syrup to the cup. using a muddler or wooden spoon, muddle the leaves and syrup.
3. fill the cup halfway with crushed ice. add the bourbon. stir until the cup gets icy.
4. fill the cup the rest of the way with crushed ice. stir once. garnish with the mint sprig.

Find your Derby Day dress here, and your party inspiration here!

emilysignature

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Talk Derby to Me : Kentucky Derby Shower

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Kentucky Derby Bridal ShowerAre you guys getting sick of wedding posts? I promised myself I wouldn’t turn this into a wedding blog despite all that’s going on this year, but SHEESH that’s like seven this month. So sorry ’bout it.

Let me share with you one more thing, because it makes my heart so full and my girls’ work deserves to be shown off. We’re getting married the day of the Kentucky Derby, and since I will be a little too preoccupied to watch and celebrate the races, my bridesmaids and mama threw me the sweetest Kentucky Derby shower.

Eat your heart out. I certainly did!

Kentucky Derby PartyJulep Cup CenterpiecesMint Julep / Sweet Tea BarKentucky Derby Party CocktailsDerby Party DressesKentucky Derby ShowerTraditional Derby FoodIMG_8326What to wear to a bridal showerDerby HatsBride Derby HatBridal Shower Mason JarsPreppy Shower IdeasKentucky Derby Photo BoothKentucky Derby Theme Party

I’m the luckiest lady alive. Huge thank you to my beautiful friends, family & future family, and bridesmaids who made it all possible!

Are you planning your own Derby party? Be sure to check out dresses here! Here’s a dress almost identical to the one I wore + similar pink pumps.

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Countdown to Derby Day

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One of my top 5 favorite days of the year is coming up quickly!! Time to splurge on seersucker before everyone else gets to it first– here are 12 of my favorite dresses for the Kentucky Derby, plus a handful of the most important accessory…

Kentucky Derby Dresses Hats

one | two | three | four*
five | six | seven | eight
nine | ten | eleven | twelve
thirteen | fourteen | fifteen

*wearing this one here!

I may or may not have a bigger life event happening on May 2nd this year, so you all have to mix up a mint julep, watch the race, and enjoy for me, k?

emilysignature

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Tipsy Tuesday No.13: The Mint Julep

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Because you haven’t had enough Kentucky Derby from me yet! A little peek at something we’ve been working on… featuring one of my favorite cocktails, just in time for Saturday’s festivities…

Mint Julep Painting // copyright nauti or nice

Similar Dresses:: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4
Similar Hats:: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4
Julep Cups:: 1 // 2
Straws:: 1

“‘Open the whiskey, Tom,’ she ordered, ‘and I’ll make you a mint julep. Then you won’t seem so stupid to yourself… Look at the mint!'”
—The Great Gatsby

Derby Day Prep

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Exactly 15 days until Derby Day! For a Northern girl, I happen to love watching [& celebrating] the Kentucky Derby… overly preppy sundresses, big hats, seersucker, mint juleps, and all. Here are just a few of the dresses + accessories I’ve had my eye on for this year’s ensemble…

What to wear to the Kentucky Derby

 

[ Horse & Hound Needlepoint Hat, Harding-Lane ]
[ Packable 5+ Brim Hat, Toucan Hats ]
[ Horseshoe Charm Bangle, Alex & Ani ]
[ Gold Plated Horseshoe Earrings, ASOS (sale!) ]
[ Mint Julep Cup Vase, Design Darling ]
[ Striped Paper Straws, Talking Tables ]
[ Horse Print Skater Dress, ASOS ]
[ Airy Shift Dress, Lilly Pulitzer ]
[ Seersucker Ruffle Neck Dress, Target ]
[ Seersucker Natalie Dress, Just Madras ]
[ Churchill Downs Scene Dress, Vineyard Vines ]

Now if only I could get BF to sport that pastel bow tie…

Will you celebrate the Derby this year? Better yet, anyone going?!

…Bring May Flowers

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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!

Mint Julep
[ Crochet Band Floppy Straw Hat, Charlotte Russe, $15 ]
[ Cherry Chiffon Dress, BB Dakota, $57 ]
[ Unfurling Flower Cuff, Anthropologie, $48 ]
[ Call To Action Play the Field Terry, Kate Spade, $248 ]
[ Serena Metal Plate Wedge Sandal, Sam Edelman, $140 ]
[ Recipe, Party Drinks! by A.J. Rathbun ]
fridaysfancies

Horsing Around

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Derby Days 2013

[ Valentina Dress, Lilly Pulitzer, $198 ]
[ Posey Dress, Lilly Pulitzer, $228 ]
[Kentucky Derby Carolina Dress, Vineyard Vines, $198 ]
[ Mrs. Murray Hat, Vineyard Vines, $198 ]
[ Monogrammed Derby Straw Hat, Marley Lilly, $36 ]
[ Capewind Sands Headband, Kiel James Patrick, $35 ]
[ Vickers Bow Bracelet, Kiel James Patrick, $198 ]
[ Horse Detail Purse, ASOS, $10 ]
[ Kentucky Derby Horse Charm Bracelet, Alex & Ani, $32 ]
[ Tumbler, Lilly Pulitzer, $198 ]
[ Horseshoe Logo Seer Sucker Hat, Vineyard Vines, $38 ]
[ Horseshoe Stud Earrings, Elizabeth and James, $63 ]
[ Malaya Horseshoe Ring, ASOS, $25 ]

For a New England girl, I happen to love the Southern tradition of the Kentucky Derby. I mean, give me some seersucker, bow sashes, and floppy hats any day and I’ll be happy, so I guess the Derby is really just an excuse… either way, I plan on betting some mint juleps this Saturday! Will you be celebrating? Or at least dressing for the occasion?