Blogging has brought me some pretty special opportunities in recent years, but few have been as remarkable as last Saturday spent with America’s Best Racing. A few weeks ago, I received a call from the company’s President asking me if I would be willing to spend the day with them showing off some of Kentucky’s greatest assets: horses and bourbon. They really had to twist my arm to get me to commit to a gorgeous Kentucky day spent with my right hand man at some of the most beautiful spaces the state has to boast. Thank you to America’s Best Racing for helping me kick this day off right!
Morning at Maker’s Mark
Bourbon at 9 AM? I can’t say that’s a first. Of all the stops on the bourbon trail, I am ashamed to say Maker’s is the one stop I had never made until last week. Every bit of the property is gorgeously kept and well-cared for. Starting off the day with a private, behind-the-scenes tour of bourbon from barrel to bottle was one of the neatest experiences of my life. I am so thankful for Roy Lee and the MM team for showing us around and giving us the insider’s look at my favorite adult beverage. While we were there, we started filming the segment called ABR Wired that ended up appearing on NBCSports.com the following week. I’m not exactly a natural in front of the camera – hence why I write online – but JD and their whole crew made the experience fun and comfortable throughout the day.
My favorite part of the tour, aside from the tasting, was getting to learn about the heritage of the label and brand itself (hello marketing geek) including how the founder’s wife actually directed the entire color palette, label design, and brand presentation from the start. Seeing the freshly printed labels and getting to dip my very own bottle into the red wax was a really fun experience I was so grateful to share with Alan.
The prep for this day actually started the night before, however, as I met with some of the great retailers at The Summit at Fritz Farm who helped me get outfitted for both the bourbon trail and a day at the races. My morning look, courtesy of Ariat International, epitomized Fall from head to toe from my teal Ashley vest down to my suede boots. My dress from Draper James fit me perfectly and checked all my favorite modesty boxes while still being breezy for the 95 degree temperatures of an afternoon on the track. Get yours now because there are limited quantities of this baby!
While I’m definitely not a fashion blogger by trade, it was incredibly special for me to meet with the teams at these stores and venues to look and feel prepared for the segment we filmed. Having salespeople on the floor who were genuinely excited for me to have this opportunity and help me find the perfect outfits that suited my style meant the world. As someone who prides herself on being a cheerleader for others, it felt really special to have a few cheerleaders in my corner this week. Same goes to Caroline of Caroline Lee Makeup who showed up to Keeneland at 7 AM to help me feel glamorous before the cameras rolled (before she had to work TWO weddings!). She is crazy talented, y’all!
Afternoon at Keeneland
As someone who has been to Keeneland dozens of times, I wasn’t sure there was a more unique experience to be had than the one to which I was accustomed. Saturday with ABR meant my first time seeing the track from the media perspective which included trips to the paddock, my first box seat, and even the chance to watch a turf race from the field next to the screens. The atmosphere inside Keeneland, and really throughout Lexington, during meets is some of the best energy I’ve felt. Not only do you get to see friends, have great food and drinks, and try your hand at betting, you get to connect with some of Kentucky’s heritage and support an industry that brings international notoriety to our state.
When we finished filming for the day, I was absolutely exhausted, but elated from all of the excitement and fast-paced activities. Earlier that morning, while we were driving to Maker’s Mark, I asked the producer why they chose me for this segment. He wasn’t 100% sure as his boss made the actual decision, but said that it came from a team of people doing internet searches and checking out the work of local influencers. Opportunities like this segment are proof what I do in my free time is worth it and validates my belief in my business. I’m working really hard to feel good enough and keep the confidence I strive so hard to instill in others, but things still get hard. The teeny little glimmer of legitimacy that comes from a major network sharing my name really does drive home the impact I’m having on the internet. I’m humbled, I’m grateful, and I’m far from done.
Thank you again to everyone who made this day possible – America’s Best Racing, The Summit at Fritz Farm, Ariat, Draper James, Maker’s Mark, Keeneland, and Caroline Lee Makeup!
