Throwing a Derby Party!

So this year I wasn't lucky enough to make it all the way to Louisville but I was lucky enough to throw a party surrounded by friends and family for the race. All food was provided by Tastefully Simple and was absolutely delicious. I also made punch versions of the famous Pink Lillies and Mint Juleps.

I used chalkboard place mats from the local party store to list the types of food that were on the buffet. My pulled pork was in the kitchen and a highly recommended recipe, paired deliciously with the Tastefully Simple Smokey Bacon BBQ Sauce.

To make my pulled pork recipe, buy a good cut of pork shoulder (the kind with the rope on it), then take the ingredients below to make a rub, leave roast with rub overnight in the fridge before roasting in crock-pot for 8hrs the next day....

• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 1/4 cup paprika
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Once done the pork will just fall apart.

No Derby party would be complete without the post times, the horses and the odds. 

 

 Decor around the house was from items previously stored away but configured in wonderfully to the theme of the weekend.

My dress was a fit and flare lace dress found online, my hat was a Liz Claiborne borrowed from mom's closet, and my wedge sandals were a NY&Co purchase last summer. (similar here)

And while my horse didn't win either (I bet on Lone Sailor and Vino Rosso).... it still was a fabulous day for a Kentucky Derby Party!

Kentucky Derby Home Decor!

 Finding the perfect dress/ hat combo is only part of prepping for the Derby.... I had to get my decor in the vibe as well! This year I went a little simpler than I had sometimes in previous years but definitely still set the mood for a small watch party I will be hosting. 

On the kitchen island, I left things a little simple to have room to set out the food. I used my MacKenzie-Childs bud vase to display some red roses, a small chalk board to set the tone from the wedding section of Hobby Lobby (no longer available- similar here), and of course Derby napkins from the party shop. I will be serving my pulled pork as the main dish. I had a blog post previously with this recipe that can be found here. 

I also changed out my floral arrangement on the side of the fridge to incorporate the feel of the "run for the roses" by simply adding in red faux roses with MacKenzie-Childs ribbon and bee pick. 

In the dining room as well, of course the chicken on the buffet needed an update to incorporate and abundance of red roses as well. I also displayed 14 Hands wine with my Taste of the Derby wine glasses.

Also in the dining room on the fireplace, I used a candlestick holder to hold up an elaborate riding hat. I added in boxed red roses with a box wood topiary, antique horse head statue, and gift boxes I had for height. 

In the living room, right around the corner, I sat up the mint julep station.... of course using Woodford Reserve bourbon.

For another display in the living room, I used old horse bit the lay the foundation for another horse and hat displayed on a candlestick along with a photo of being at the Derby. 

For a full walkthrough tour visit my YouTube channel. Comment below, what are you doing for the Derby this year? Did you decorate? Are you going somewhere to watch the race? Also be sure to hit subscribe to receive notice of future blog posts.