The Royal Wedding made us all want to find a great hat and a reason to wear it! Here is a little tease from Simply Swanky/Swanky Press to set the mood for the next best hat-wearing party around! An idea board for The Kentucky Derby to get your party ideas churning! May 7th will be here soon!
P.S. This party is for the BIG kids in the family- with perks the little kids will love too!
Seasonal Party Ideas | Kentucky Derby
by Elizabeth on April 29, 2011
AND THEY’RE OFF! While the rest of the world focuses on today’s Royal Wedding, Simply Swanky is getting our readers ready for the Kentucky Derby. This year’s derby is held on Saturday, May 7th, with the bell for the 137th post time of approximately 6:15 pm (EST). Below, you’ll find easy inspiration for the entire party, from invites to decor to food.
1. Invitations
These cool, minty green invites from Swanky Press have vintage horses and a banner - it’s a blend of classic and cool. If you think it’s too late to order invites, it’s not. Just drop us an email – we sell digital versions for $15 (no matter how many you want to print or email).
2. Rose Pops
The minute I saw these rose cake pops from Sweet Cheeks Tasty Treats, I was a fan. They look so complicated, but the tutorial is so simple to follow. That’s exactly the mix I love for a party recipe!
3. Mint Julep Cupcakes
Of course, we’re all supposed to love a mint julep at the derby, but personally, it’s a bit too strong for me. This cupcake however, hits the spot! View the recipe at celebrations.com.
The iconic Derby hat – large and elegant. Custom, one of a kind hats can be found at AwardDesign out of Los Angeles. They have an etsy shop for easy shopping, too!
6. Horse Shoe Ring
Good luck and style, wrapped into one pretty ring. This handmade, sterling silver ring was even inspired by (the artist) Lisa’s visit to Churchill Downs! Available at TheBeadGirl on etsy. You can check her out onfacebook, too.
7. Mint Julep
The Mint Julep is the classic drink of the Kentucky Derby. Each year, over 120,00 mint juleps are served at the official Kentucky Derby over the two-day race event (wow!). Those drinks require 1,000 pounds of freshly harvested mint.
Here’s the simple recipe:
4 fresh mint sprigs
2-1/2 oz bourbon whiskey
1 tsp powdered sugar
2 tsp water
Muddle mint leaves, powdered sugar, and water in a collins glass (an 18 to 20 oz narrow tumbler). Fill the glass with shaved or crushed ice and add bourbon. Top with more ice and garnish with a mint sprig.
If you want the more complicated, syrup-based recipe (hand-made syrup, of course), you can find it onFood Networ. However, this IS the simply swanky blog, so I figured you’d prefer the quick recipe!
8. The Flowers
The Kentucky Derby is known as the Run for the Roses. Red roses seem obvious, but I love the idea of wheat grass mixed with white roses. It’s fresh and modern, but still picks up the classic tones of the Derby. This gorgeous arrangement is available at An Octopus’ Garden in Las Vegas.
9. That Extra Special Touch
Want to wow your guests? Buy a bar of this great Felted Mint Julep Soap for each bathroom and the kitchen. At only $6, it’s an inexpensive way to carry the party theme throughout the entire house. Available from Soap Werks (out of Kentucky, naturally) at their etsy shop.
For those of you familiar with Simply Swanky, you already know I love tissue poms! I thought the light green hues in these would really look fresh instead of the traditional Derby Red. (photo credit: green wedding shoes blog) Be sure to check out my diy tutorial on making poms – it’s easier than you think!
Thank you, Elizabeth from Swanky Press, for sharing your blog with us! Find all of kinds of great ideas at www.swankypress.com
MY FAVORITE COCKTAIL RECIPE
Freebie! Comes with a printable cocktail recipe card you could include with a hostess gift!
