The Kentucky Derby @ CCC

CCC - My Kentucky Derby Hat

I will be hosting a Kentucky Derby Party next weekend and I made this Kentucky Derby hat yesterday to wear. I have never seen anything like it! I'll try it on today and decide if I want to add anything else to it and also figure out my outfit. 

I just added this beautiful vintage red silk rose from my collection. The Derby is The Run for the Roses - the winner is draped with a garland of red roses.

My Kentucky Derby Hat

Hat Day

Anne DePasquale Millinery

Today will be a big day for hats with the coronation of King Charles in London and the Kentucky Derby here later today. It is 5 AM and I am up watching the coronation.

The Kentucky Derby

Mark and Graham

 

The Kentucky Derby is coming soon - Saturday May 7th. I love thoroughbred horse racing - I almost married someone who owned race horses and have been to lots of tracks both here and in Europe, but I always especially loved going to the Kentucky Derby. And I love a great mint julep. Can anyone spot a big no-no in the photo above?

Saturday Inspiration

Kate Spade

 I ordered this Kate Spade "The Rumors Are True" straw hat and it arrived yesterday. Not sure if I will leave it out our not, but I am tempted to. It makes me smile every time I walk through the front door. 

Amanda Lindroth is a big fan of displaying her beach hats.

Amanda Lindroth

Amanda Lindroth

Amanda Lindroth

It's fun, whimsical, and beachy - it might even remind me to wear a hat outdoors - I have become very blond from the sun here. But as they say, "beach hair, don't care." And the rumors are true.

My Closet

Happy Mother's Day! As you may recall, two weeks ago I was inspired to organize and stage my closet. I was delayed in posting because I wanted everything on black velvet hangers from Costco and I underestimated and ran out. I just go every couple of weeks nowadays for obvious reasons. I organized everything by color to make things easier to find.

I also organized all of my accessories in the Container Store drawer unit and my collection of vintage hats on the shelves. I created a gallery wall leaning the art on the shelf. It's all very girly and fun and very me.

My Dressing Room Reveal

About a month ago I started a little sprucing up of my dressing room, motivated by a wonderful pair of gilt Art Nouveau ballroom chairs I had just won at a local auction at The Potomack Company, a great source here in Alexandria, Virginia. My two goals were to make the room a bit more Chinoiserie and a bit more glamorous. I'll take you on a little tour, pointing out my changes. Click photos to enlarge.

Here are the gilt Art Nouveau ballroom chairs that I reupholstered in velvet leopard. Boa pillows are from Anthropologie. Fabulous, don't you think?

I relocated this pair of blue and white ginger jars from elsewhere in my home.

The Brunschwig & Fils print ad I have posted about I had framed in gold bamboo.

The Greek key bolster from Furbish Studio on my ghost chair.

A little antique stool I won at the same auction.

Four antique camellia engravings I framed in gold bamboo.

A set of three mint condition mid century brass faux bamboo nesting tables I just found at a local thrift store for $75. A perfect perch for my handbag or accessories as I am getting ready. Hope you enjoyed.

My Fantasy of Chinoiserie at Ascot

As a devoted hat lover, this is the week every year I get my fix watching all the amazing hats at Ascot. It occurred to me to research what hats and attire one could wear to go Chinoiserie at Ascot. Leave it to the brilliant milliner Philip Treacy and the incomparable Alexander McQueen, both Brits I might add, to come to the rescue!

(Photos courtesy of WWD)