Derby Week II

These two horse bit pillows were the base of my

non-traditional Derby tablescape.

I love the neutral colors of brown, gray and black together.

Adding to that a vintage Derby plate in gold and white.

And horse towels from Ms. Mary Lake Thompson!

Round out our 2nd Derby theme table.

I'm joining A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday (late).

Derby Week

Yesterday marked the official kick off to Derby

week here in Louisville. I am showing you a few of the

vignette changes I setup for this year's Derby.

Today features primary colors

of jockey elements that are so popular.

Jockey helmets would make great centerpieces
for your derby tables.
Tomorrow will feature a few pictures of the black
and white tablescape setting for Derby.
I'm joining Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch!

Garland of Roses

While many of you may have watched the run for the roses this past Saturday, did you now that the garland of roses is hand crafted right here in Louisville?

The dedicated florists at Kroger assembly the 400 American Beauty roses by hand at the Kroger store just about 1/2 mile from my office on Derby Eve.

The nice folks at Kroger setup an area for you to be able to watch as the garland is assembled from 6:00 PM to midnight.

The roses were first established as part of the Derby celebration when they were presented to all the ladies attending a fashionable Louisville Derby party. The roses were such a sensation, that the president of Churchill Downs, Col. Lewis Clark, adopted the rose as the race's official flower. The rose garland now synonymous with the Kentucky Derby first appeared in the 1896 when the winner, Ben Brush, received a floral arrangement of white and pink roses. *

In 1904 the red rose became the official flower of the Kentucky Derby. The tradition was strengthened when, in 1925, New York sports columnist Bill Corum, later the president of Churchill Downs, dubbed the Kentucky Derby the "Run for the Roses." The garland as it exists today was first introduced in 1932 for the 58th running won by Burgoo King. *

Each year, a garland of more than 400 red roses is sewn into a green satin backing with the seal of the Commonwealth on one end and the Twin Spires and number of the race’s current renewal on the other. Each garland is also adorned with a "crown" of roses, green fern and ribbon. The "crown," a single rose pointing upward in the center of the garland, symbolizes the struggle and heart necessary to reach the Derby Winner’s Circle. *

Each year the Governor of Kentucky and other dignitaries also present the winning jockey with a bouquet of 60 long stemmed roses wrapped in 10 yards of ribbon.
For several years, owners of the Derby winner also received a silk replica of the garland, but since Grindstone's 1996 victory, the actual garland has made the trip to Danville, Ky., to be freeze-dried. Some owners have even gone as far as to have a flower dipped in silver. A silver-dipped flower from the garland of Gato del Sol, the 1982 winner, is on display in the Kentucky Derby Museum. *

The Kroger Company has been the official florist of the Kentucky Derby since 1987. After taking over the duties from the Kingsley Walker florist, Kroger began constructing the prestigious garland in one of its local stores for the public to view on Derby Eve. *

Friday night was as rain soaked as Saturday was (2nd wettest Derby in history) so I was surprised how many fans turned out to view the assembly.

Kroger even provides a pamphlet of information on the garland and the florist place few petals of the garland roses in baggies for guests to take home.
I'm joining Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday.

* information and first 3 photos from:

http://www.kentuckyderby.com/experience/traditions/roses

Pink Out for Oaks

For this week's tablescape I decided to honor the 2nd most popular race at Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Oaks. Over 100,000 people attend last year's 135 Kentucky Oaks. For those not familiar with derby week, the Oaks Day is traditionally the "locals" day. Most Derby tourists and celebrities are not yet in town for the big race and many Louisvillians meet up with friends, co-workers and old school mates to enjoy the race.

From the website www.kentuckyderby.com "The Kentucky Derby’s sister event is as old as the “Run for the Roses” but features fillies and lilies and lots of things women love. In fact, women are such an important part of the Oaks experience that we’ve officially named the day “Ladies First.” Of course guys are welcome, too!
In addition to a fantastic race card, highlighted by the 136th running of the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks for 3-year-old fillies, we've got an afternoon of special activities planned for our female guests, from showing off your Oaks apparel to raising money for causes that matter to women."

The Survivors Parade was first hosted by Churchill Downs for Kentucky Oaks 135 and featured 135 survivors. It was a joyous occasion to see the parade of survivors round the track before the race.

The adopted color of the Kentucky Oaks is PINK in honor of the Oaks official flower, the stargazer lily, and the official color of breast cancer awareness is PINK. To connect the Oaks with its partner charities, Susan G. Komen for the Cure ® and Horses and Hope, Churchill Downs is asking you to THINK PINK when it comes to your attire for Kentucky Oaks 136!
Participate in our second Kentucky Oaks PINK OUT on Friday, April 30, by incorporating PINK into your attire for the day at the races. Churchill Downs staged its first Oaks PINK OUT in 2009 with impressive results. From hats to handkerchiefs, suits to sundresses, sunglasses to stilettos, our Oaks guests were “tickled pink” to show their support for the Oaks and the important cause it supports. (from www.kentuckyderby.com)

Please have a seat to join me for our own celebration of pink out.

The plates, place mats, goblets and napkin rings are all hot pink.

I used black and white dishes and napkins to complement the pink dishes.

Here is your place setting ready for you to enjoy a spring meal on the porch.
Thanks for stopping by to visit! Please join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for more table settings.

Derby Tablescape

Today after work I transformed our hall entry table into a Derby themed tablescape.

I used four of my mint julep cups given to me by my sweet Great Aunt Helen. Mint Juleps are a staple at the Derby.

I placed them on a checked napkin under another gift from my Aunt Helen, a silver tray. I love the detail work on the edge of the tray.

I surrounded the cups with roses.

Next to the tray I placed this painting of a horse, which I painted when I was ten. He's a match to another horse. These were one of those paint by numbers sets. It took forever (well forever in 10 year old time) and I was sure I was going to be a famous painter upon completion.

For some height and greenery I hung this boxwood wreath on a rod iron wreath hanger to the left of the julep cups.
I think it turned our very Derby!

Today I'm joining three terrific hostesses for Table Top Tuesday, Three or More Tuesday and Ruby Tuesday. Please visit all three for more great Tuesday inspirations!

Derby Festival Time

Yesterday was the official kick off of the Derby Festival with Thunder Over Louisville. Over 700,000 people came to the Ohio River waterfront to watch a spectacular airshow and the largest fireworks show in the United States. For more information about last night's festivities click here to link to the Louisville newspaper. To mark the upcoming Derby holiday, which if you are not from Louisville, it really is celebrated as a holiday here~ the schools are off and some offices close on Derby Eve (the Friday before the first Saturday in May)~ I changed one table in my booth from Easter to Derby.

I kept the base cloth the same because I thought it said Spring for both settings.Above is the table setup for Easter.

Now ready for derby. I found these cute jockey and horse figures. They can be balloon holders, place card settings or for photos.

Colorful jockey hats would be great at each place setting and the guests could were them during the big race!

Here's another shot of those jockey figurines and the two Kentucky books I have for sale behind them.

These horse and jockey pieces are plastic and would make great napkin rings or table decor.

Here's a closer shot of the books about Kentucky.

I added in some Kentucky napkins and a garland of roses for the perfect accessories to your next Derby party.

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday. Please visit her site for more great posts. Thanks for stopping by!