Celebrations

Thinking of you all dear friends ~

As you celebrate Easter & Passover.

no winter lasts forever

no spring skips its turn

April is a promise

may is bound to keep

and we know it.

~ Hal Borland

We also know that Derby is just around the bend ~

Helloooo?

May has been busier than ever around here. Derby kicked things off & finals kicked a few of us into high gear! We survived though and now my friends the tug of war between blogging & gardening has begun!

Remember last year when MR. attended Derby with clients & his hob-knobbing with the likes of Martha Stewart sent me straight to the nursery to buy as many peonies as I could get my hands on?

  Young & fragrant & full of buds, this year they reminded me that sometimes it’s better to stay home.

This had to be my all-time favorite way of prepping for Derby.

I was also making time, taking time, clearing a path, paying attention to details, rising to the occasion, and regaining focus.

Speaking of paths…

A new & improved garden path has also been in the works thanks to my son.  Payback for proofing all those papers…

Almost finished & with more rain & sunshine all that soil will soon be a cool corner of bluegrass for relaxing & catching up with you!

All under the watchful eye of you-know-who!

BTW Gracie. When was the last time you updated your Facebook page?

Classic, Poised & Confident

source

Today’s a day when I do not spend a lick of time worrying about the heat or humidity or my hair because today is a big hat day.

It also happens to be Derby Day and there are far more important things to be tending to!

photo, Southern Living Magazine

This quick post is about hats though and if you know me, you know I’m a hat kind of gal.

Peter Beaton Studio

My favorite style is a classic straw that I can dress up or dress down, depending on where I’m headed to.

That’s why I love hats from Peter Beaton Studio in Nantucket.

Peter Beaton Studio

The small brim Wauwinet with a good ribbon or one of my favorite scarves to be exact.

Peter Beaton Studio

Every Peter Beaton signature hat comes with a complimentary hatbox as it should.  Thank you P.B.!

I’ve written a few hat stories before in honor of summer & Derby season but today I wanted to include some real beauties.

This is my absolute fave for Derby!

photo, Bella Grace Studios for G& G

Last year Garden & Gun hosted the 2011 Derby Breakfast at Farmington Plantation before heading to Churchill Downs.

The guests were classic, poised & confident and the hats were stunning! 

photo, Bella Grace Studios for G& G

photo, Bella Grace Studios for G& G

photo, Bella Grace Studios for G& G

There’s more at Garden & Gun.

And also here!    

The Best Hats for Summer, Splendid Straw & Crowning Glory

The Best Hats For Summer

Are you a hat kind of gal?

I am.

After my Derby hats are properly stored away.

It's time to switch gears.

For many of us, it's time to get serious about protection from the sun.

For some, it's time to put on your best party hat!

Honestly, I wouldn't be caught dead in this thing but I thought you would appreciate it.

This is more my style.  Love it, love the ribbon, the dress, the bag.  Ahhh, Chanel. 

Have you noticed all the vintage hats around the pool lately? 

Would love to find one of these!  This would be my mother's style.  The bigger the brim, the better.

  And no Kate Spade, this is not how I got to Greenwich Village when I was a young girl!

This little summer tweed is sporty and perfect for running all over town.

Classic.

I don't know that I could do this, but she sure can!

Romantic with SPF 100!

A respite from all the fuss. I seriously love this.  

Who on earth?

Who is this?I couldn't write this post and not include these handsome gentlemen. 

Besides, I  love a man in a classic boater.

Love the baker boy too!

This would be my absolute favorite for Fall!

But for now, in this darn heat, the simple straw will do.

I hope you'll find your favorite style here or in my other summer collection of Splendid Straw!

Stay cool!

Crowning Glory

Wearing a hat to the Kentucky Derby is believed to bear good luck!

 

This long-established fashion statement is much like getting into costume.

 

In the clubhouse and paddock, women of grace and taste sport fashionable styles.

 

From the fantastic to the sublime, there are no rules or limits.

These young ladies are continuing the tradition.

Happy Derby Season!

Derby photos via Kentucky Derby. Beautiful flowers via Bornay, Ink and Peat, Veranda