Run for the Roses 2012

They say it's the most exciting two minutes in sports. And this girl agrees 100%. My friends and I have been celebrating the wondrous day of The Kentucky Derby for years. As a matter of fact, when asked on Saturday about our annual trip to Rialto, I realized it was 10 years ago that I experienced my first Derby, courtesy of Greg Jones.

If you've never been to a Kentucky Derby celebration, you are missing out. There are different schools of thought on the best place to go on Derby Day, but me, I'm a loyal Rialto girl. I mean, where else can you get cheap, stiff drinks, gamble on the ponies, hear a Dixieland Band and mingle with what my friend Brock calls "the salt of the earth".

The boys looking dapper.

My favorite Joe in the whole wide world.

Can this girl be any cuter? No.

Sean blaming Nate for not telling him about "Boxing" the Trifecta.

Race time!

This lovely gentleman saved me in the betting process. Damn 

machine wouldn't take my $5 and he came to my rescue

five beautiful one dollar bills. Thank you, stranger.

The girls.

 HEARTS 

Let There Be Light

THE SELBY

One mistake I see on a constant basis... Not enough lighting in a space. Just because a room only comes with one overhead light, doesn't mean that's all it needs. Remember to light at different levels and different areas of the room. And of course, you aren't required to get the most boring light ever. There all kinds of creative designs out there. From Etsy to your local home decor store to big box stores. If you still can't find what you're looking for, pull out that hot glue gun, sequins and feathers and make your own masterpiece. Use your imagination and incorporate your own style, people!

BOCCI

URBAN OUTFITTERS

RO SHAM BEAUX

DOTTIR & SONUR

             CALEB SIEMON                      DWELL STUDIO                              NAKED DECOR

         

GILES GODWIN BROWN

CASA COLE

SHINE BY S.H.O.

                                 COURTNEY P. HEWITT                                             FUSE LIGHTING

GLOW CANVAS

 HEARTS 

Pillow Fight

Pillows, not just for pillow fights. In fact, do people actually have pillow fights? I can't recall an instance when I partook in such an activity. Anyway, pillows may be the easiest and most inexpensive way to jazz up your sofa, chair or bed. You want to incorporate a new trend or color, but don't want to blow a ton of cash? Grab a few new pillows and bada bing bada boom. New look for not a lot of money. Another great trick is to buy a new pillow cover and use your old pillow for the insert. Done and done.

1.THE PILLOW PEOPLE

2. DQTRS

3. COUNTER COUTURE DESIGN

4. NAKED DECOR

5. ODDS AND ENDS

Outer Banks Trading Group

Urban Outfitters

Anthropologie

 HEARTS