TOPS AROUND TOWN 34 Out & About 36 TOPS In Lexington Preview Party #1 38 TOPS In Lexington Preview Party #2 40 TOPS In Lexington Preview Party #3 42 Bourbon Classic #1 44 Bourbon Classic #2 46 Birthright of Lexington Bid and Buy #1 48 Birthright of Lexington Bid and Buy #2 174 Spirit of Ivy Awards 176 Women Leading KY Roundtable Networking Luncheon #1
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178 Women Leading KY Roundtable Networking Luncheon #2 180 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events #1 182 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events #2 184 New Year’s Eve 2016 218 TOP Shots
42 Captions for event photos are typically provided to TOPS by the event organizers. We do our best to check names and spelling…but we are all human and make mistakes. Please contact kristen@topsmarketing.com with any corrections and we will make note of it in the next issue.
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IN EVERY ISSUE 50 Outfit of the Month 53 Love It in Lexington: Money Bags 54 Relationships: Less is More in Many Things 113 Family: Manners
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137 Sports: Why I’m Not Worried and You Shouldn’t be Either 143 Gardening: Get Your Winter Gardening Fix 145 Etiquette & Entertaining: Set the Table for the Next Generation 170 Business News 191 Weddings: Altared States 192 The Southern Lady Cooks: The Sweetest Things 195 TOP 5 Dining: Chinese 198 Dining: MEATS – Low & Slow 202 A Taste of Thyme: Roadmap to Romance 207 Parties: Five Steps to a DIY Valentine’s Party 208 Lex in the City 217 New & Noteworthy: Market on National
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The views and comments expressed by the authors are not always that of our editors or publishers. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, TOP Marketing Group accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or resultant consequences, including any loss or damage arising from the reliance on information in this publication. All images contained in TOPS in Lexington Magazine are subject to copyright of the artist or photographer as named, but not limited thereto. Reproduction of any part of this magazine without prior written permission is prohibited.
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Females In Finance
Diane Verhalen Owner/Certified Financial Planner Alliance Financial Planning | 859.977.6006
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iane, a Lexington native, has 12 years of industry experience. She has been with LPL Financial, the largest independent broker dealer, since 2006 and operates under her DBA, Alliance Financial Planning. Alliance Financial Planning specializes in individualized financial planning and finding solutions to her clients’ long-term goals. Diane is motivated by helping people and guiding her clients to make sound financial decisions. Diane has a B.S. in Accounting and a BBA in Finance from the University of Kentucky. She also has a Certificate in Financial Planning (CFP) from Bellarmine University. She says seeing her clients live out their retirement without worry of running out of income is her proudest accomplishment. Diane enjoys traveling, live music and cheering on the Kentucky Wildcats. She is also the board chair for Dress for Success Lexington, a member of the Junior League of Lexington and a member of the Professional Women’s Forum.
Ashley Smyth Senior Loan Officer | Bank of England Mortgage 859.771.6422 | NMLS# 444712
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s a Senior Loan Officer, Ashley specializes in residential lending solutions and offers multiple mortgage products including Conventional, FHA, VA, Rural Housing, Kentucky Housing, and Jumbo financing. Professionally, Ashley was previously a nationally recognized Mortgage Banker with Chase for five years where she discovered her passion for lending and finance. While mortgage lending can be stressful and fast paced, Ashley finds it to be incredibly rewarding and is motivated by having the opportunity to have a positive impact on others. She attributes her success to clear and consistent communication throughout the loan transaction, and her willingness to go above and beyond for her clients. Ashley has a Bachelor’s of Business Administration (BBA) from the University of Kentucky and is an active volunteer in the community. She attends Harmony Christian Church, is a board member with the Mortgage Bankers Association, and volunteers for The Gathering Place, The Hope Center and Realtor Community Housing Foundation.
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Tax Tips
One of These Tax Tips May be
News to You by Lindy Karns, CPA
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ood intentions aside, some people race to get their taxes done and get that refund; while others are happy to wait until the day before, or, even better, get an extension. When you chose to do your taxes is much less important than how…so here are some tips for the wise. Charitable contributions: Keeping documentation together is the name of the game here. If you give more than $250 to any one charity, you need a letter from the charity documenting that gift. Why? Because too many people were deducting items they shouldn’t have, so lets all send them a nice thank you card! (And document it. It may be tax deductible – just kidding!)
If you are a volunteer coach, you may be able to deduct your mileage, same with attending church committee meetings, serving on PTO or other volunteer mileage. It is only fourteen cents a mile, but better than not claiming it, right? If you don’t know how much to claim for used clothes, furniture, household items, you can google Salvation Army valuation guide where you can find a price guide for contributions. If you have particularly nice things, take pictures to document a higher value. Bringing snacks to school or donating paper and supplies to the classroom may also be deductible…keep the receipts! Identity theft and tax scams: So many evil doers in the world! Note the IRS will not CALL you. They will not EMAIL you. You can go to IRS.gov to find the latest bad acts by bad guys. Health Savings Accounts/Medical: Available to those with high deductible health insurance plans, these accounts can also allow you to deduct the contribution and avoid tax on qualified distributions. Amounts that go into a health savings account which are not needed for health costs can be carried over, no “use it or lose it”. Once you are 65, the amounts can come out to you tax free for health costs, and penalty free for any reason. Moral of the story, stay healthy! Otherwise, medical deductions are limited to amounts over 10% of adjusted gross income, so try to bulk up braces, glasses, hearing aids and other big ticket items into one year. Medical mileage is also deductible. IRA’s: If you are eligible, consider making an IRA contribution and letting the IRS bootstrap your retirement savings. These must be made by April 15th. For high income taxpayers, consider a “backdoor roth” whereby contributions are made to a non-deductible IRA and rolled over to a Roth IRA. Be careful, though, there are very specific rules for this and should not be done without good individualized tax advice. Starting on November 4, 2015 a new account called the myRA became available. It is aimed at lower income earners with no employer plans, allowing them to open a retirement savings plan with minimal contributions and no fees. The interest earnings on these are pretty respectable. File early or late, but try to pay as little as the law allows!
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TOP People to Know
TOP PEOPLE
Bill Feltner
Leslie Pearson
President , Lexington Market
Senior Loan Officer
to Know in Finance
Bill has 40 years’ experience and has continued to advance his career with his lending skills, contacts, and loyal customers. Bill has brought his experience and leadership to South Central Bank for the last six years. He enjoys working with people, getting to know their businesses and financial needs. Bill is a graduate of both EKU and the LSU Graduate School of Banking, and he has been a South Central Bank Board Member since 2010. 859.223.0170 | southcentralbank.com
Leslie Pearson has enjoyed working with local families to provide home financing for over fifteen years. Her experience covers all types of residential loans, including VA and Rural Housing. Leslie prides herself on a personalized client approach that creates a seamless and pleasant transaction. Her role is to help select each client’s ideal mortgage plan to maximize savings while allowing clients to enjoy a stress-fee home buying process. NMLS# 102119 859.977.5577 | LesliePearson.benchmark.us
Camden Skidmore
Andy Waters
R. Tracy Osborne
VP, Business Services
President and CEO
Senior Vice President, Business Development
Camden Skidmore has been working with small business owners in Central Kentucky for over a decade. His experience and knowledge has positioned him as a valuable partner for today’s entrepreneurs. When asked what gets him motivated, Camden stated, “It’s my mission to help make small business owner’s dreams a reality. Our streamlined lending process allows me more time with customers to learn their business and provide strategies for them to succeed.”
859.253.2605 | yourcommunitybank.com
Andy Waters has over 29 years of experience in the wealth and trust management industry. Andy is the President and CEO of Lexington-based Community Trust and Investment Company, one of Kentucky’s largest independent trust companies. Waters oversees $2.3 billion in assets and five trust and investment offices across Kentucky and Tennessee. As a local trustee and investment management company, CTIC is able to focus on their clients’ service, fiduciary and investment decisions. 859.389.5300 | ctbi.com/ctic
Clients have trusted Tracy Osborne with their financial affairs for over 15 years. Specializing in wealth and trust management, Osborne joined Community Trust and Investment Company (CTIC) in 2004 and manages the Business Development team. CTIC’s Wealth and Trust Management division holds a well earned reputation for honesty and integrity, serving clients and their families with the same diligence they would take with their own. For Tracy, it’s not about the money, but the relationship with his clients. 859.389.5300 | ctbi.com/wtm
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TOPS in Equine
Filly of the Month:
Suzie Picou-Oldham Suzie Picou-Oldham was not your average kid. At just five years of age, while most kids were simply gearing up for kindergarten, learning their ABCs and 123s, Picou-Oldham was focused on the future…her future. The daughter of Clarence Picou, the nation’s leading apprentice jockey in 1948 who retired from the saddle in 1957 after serving in the Korean War and started his career as a trainer, Suzie grew up around horses, spending every minute she could following her dad around his training barn in Port Arthur, Texas, watching, learning and eventually doing. Suzie often accompanied her father to small tracks where his horses competed in match races. It was there at a match race, at the ripe old age of five, that Suzie first saw a woman in the irons, piloting horses at the races. That was the day that Suzie decided what she wanted to do with her life. She was going to be a jockey. The life of a trainer is nomadic, following the racing circuit and constantly traveling to the tracks where one’s horses can best compete. Clarence was often on the road and away from his family, but Suzie joined him whenever she could. “I grew up working at the track for my father. My brother, two sisters and I would travel to join him at whatever track he was stabled at in the summers after school let out. Instead of Army brats, we were like racetrack brats,” said Suzie. As the old saying goes, “you can’t run before you can walk.” As Suzie got older, Clarence would put her on his kinder racehorses and ride alongside her on his track pony, teaching her not only how to gallop, but also all of the nuances and finesse that plays into being a good jockey. “My dad told me if I wanted to be a jockey, I had to graduate from high school, so that was my motivation,” said Suzie. “After graduation I moved to where my dad was and worked for him full time, galloping in the mornings, helping around the barn and in the afternoons at the races.” Off and Running It was a cold winter day at Churchill Downs. Suzie had been riding for her father in the mornings for some time now and finally earned the opportunity to ride in her first race. “My first mount was a filly I’d been learning on and galloping named Sly Liz,” said Suzie. “My dad was a stern teacher, but a good one. He told me how the race was going to shape up and, when the gates opened, I found myself sitting just where he said I would be. We got to the stretch and I was going for the lead. That last eighth of a mile was like a dream. It is very rare to win your first race, but we did!” Profile by Jen Roytz | Photo by Keni Parks
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Competing in a man’s world was an uphill battle. Many trainers refused to use female jockeys to ride races, which was a constant source of frustration to Suzie. To further complicate the matter, Suzie and her new husband, fellow jockey John Oldham, were not permitted to ride against each other in some racing jurisdictions. “When we approached the racing stewards at River Downs in Ohio, they said no, that they would not permit us to ride against each other in a race due to what the public may have perceived to be a conflict of interest,” said Suzie. Not long after, they approached the stewards in Kentucky with the same question, and were relieved when they got a very different response. “When we approached the Kentucky stewards at Keeneland, they said they didn’t think they could prevent us from riding against one another, and we ended up becoming the first married couple to ride against each other in a race,” said Suzie. Hanging up Her Tack and Picking up Her Camera After earning 22 victories in 247 trips to the starting gate, Suzie and her husband were expecting their first child and decided that with the dangers, travel and time constraints involved with race riding, only one of them should continue with that career path. “I originally bought a nice camera to take photos of my kids,” said Suzie. “I took it out to the track to learn to use it better and taking pictures of racehorses, and figured since everybody likes photos of themselves and their horses, I could sell the photos and make some money.” Her photography hobby soon became a dependable source of income as trainers, riders and owners sought her out to purchase her pictures. Once her children were old enough to attend school, Suzie explored career options that could involve her love of and knowledge about horseracing and her photography skills. The Thoroughbred Record, which later evolved into the now-defunct Thoroughbred Times, was eager to bring Suzie on board, and for nearly a decade she worked as an ad executive and photographer for the publication. Growing up immersed in Thoroughbred racing combined with working for one of the industry’s leading publications groomed Suzie for a unique role in helping to shape future generations of the
breed. She left the Thoroughbred Times to work at Dixiana Farm, at the time one of the premier breeding establishments in Kentucky and the world. There, she oversaw marketing for the farm’s iconic stallions and assisted with matings and season sales. She later went on to do the same for Spendthrift, Stonewall and Darby Dan farms, helping create the breeding legacies for such notable stallions as the late Mr. Greeley and Medaglia d’Oro, one of the world’s premier sires and father to Horse of the Year and fan favorite Rachel Alexandra, among others. Throughout the years she has continued as a photographer, with her work appearing in nearly every national Thoroughbred publication, as well as several prominent international publications. Focusing on the Next Generation of Thoroughbred Owners Today Suzie works at The Jockey Club’s new owners initiative, Thoroughbred OwnerView, where she helps those new to or considering Thoroughbred ownership to learn about the business through maintenance of their website, OwnerView.com, and the organizing of new owners conferences, where she assists in developing speaker panels and overall event logistics. “As time has gone by, the future of the industry has become more and more important to me,” said Suzie. “The idea behind the website and the conferences is to share information about Thoroughbred ownership and horseracing and to bring new people into the sport. That was an idea I could jump right into and I’ve been loving it for two-and-a-half years now.” Suzie’s passion for the Thoroughbred business comes across in everything she does and her vast experience has helped countless newcomers navigate their way through their first forays with racehorse ownership. Often, she recommends people interested in owning a racehorse first invest in a syndicate or partnership, where they can own a percentage of a horse that is managed by someone with considerable experience in racehorse ownership. “The first time you walk into the winner’s circle, whether it’s for a $5,000 claiming race or a race someone is going to hand you some flowers for, it’s an experience you’re going to want to have again and again,” said Suzie. “Wonderful things are happening in our industry and I love sharing experiences and helping to guide newcomers in the right direction to enjoy the sport of horseracing.”• Photos Courtesy of Suzie Picou-Oldham
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TOPS in Equine
Colt of the Month:
Matt Bowling
Kentucky born and bred, just like so many of the Thoroughbreds he deals with, Matt Bowling bleeds blue through and through and is making quite the name for himself in racing and breeding business. Born and raised in [gasp!] Louisville, Matt was more or less your average kid, loving sports, regardless of whether he was playing them or watching. It was the competition and strategy behind the game that drew him in, which is why when he discovered horseracing, he became a fan instantly. “I’ve always loved the game. Growing up in Louisville my friends and I would go to Churchill Downs and pool our money to play the Pick 3s,” said Matt. “I really caught the bug when my older brother bought a small piece of a racehorse. I was still in high school and I thought it was the coolest thing on the planet.” And just like that, Matt was hooked. Matt ventured an hour east to Lexington to immerse himself in horse country and attended college at the University of Kentucky, graduating with a degree in Agriculture with an emphasis in Equine Science. Never afraid of hard work and always eager to learn, Matt worked at several Lexington-area Thoroughbred farms doing everything from learning to foal out mares and care for newborns to grooming and preparing horses for major sales at Fasig-Tipton and Keeneland. “I loved all of it, but ultimately I wanted to be a bloodstock agent,” said Matt, meaning he wanted to be the one creating the strategy behind breeding, purchasing, sales and racing decisions for himself and his clients. Upon graduation, Matt landed a job handling stallion seasons for Empire Stud, one of New York’s premier Thoroughbred breeding farms. Matt was
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TOPS in Equine
learning from the best, selling seasons to their stallions and honing his skills on the business side of the Thoroughbred world.
Making a Name for Himself
Eventually Empire Stud was sold to the Lexington-based Vinery and Matt transitioned into an agent role with the internationally respected bloodstock matings and stallion syndication firm, The Stallion Company, before venturing out on his own to form his own business, the aptly named Bowling Bloodstock.
At thirty-five years of age, Matt is exactly where he hoped to be at this stage of his life. His Bowling Bloodstock has gained a reputation for achieving success for his clients, whether it be in the auction ring or on the racetrack, and he is also a partner in Vinery Sales, a full service Thoroughbred agency that consigns horses at public auction.
Playing a Different Kind of Pony
“I’ve been very fortunate in this business by being able to surround myself with people smarter than myself,” said Matt.
While horses are Matt’s professional passion, they play a central role in his personal interests too but in a new and different way than he’d ever imagined.
He also recently dipped his toe into the farming side of the horse business, leasing a 350-acre plot of land from Spendthrift Farm that now carries the banner of Bowling Farm.
“A few buddies of mine were getting into playing polo and they asked me to tag along and check it out,” said Matt. “I could ride a little, but I’d never played. It was really fun, and now I try to play three to four evenings a week if I can. I’m not very good, but I’m having a blast!”
“When I got the opportunity to lease the farm, the first call I made was to Kathie Maybee,” said Matt about his friend and now partner in the farm. “Kathie is one of the best caretakers of horses I’ve ever known. She was like my Number One Draft Pick to be partners with if I was going to embark on running a horse farm. She answered the phone and we’ve hit the ground running, moving more than 100 horses onto the property within the past month.”
Matt has gotten so interested in the game that he is even considering getting a polo pony or two. True to form, he’d like them to be Thoroughbreds. “I’d love to turn an off-track racehorse into a polo pony,” said Matt. Matt’s future polo pony/ponies won’t be the only horses he owns. He has nearly ten Thoroughbreds of varying ages that he owns in partnership with various people, including popular TVG racing anylast Nick “The Sarge” Hines. “I’ve known Nick for years. The first horse we bought together cost $30,000 and we ended up selling it for $180,000, so we’ve enjoyed good luck together,” said Matt. Matt and Nick pinhook horses together, meaning they purchase them with the intention of selling them for a profit in the future. The duo currently has six newly-turned two-year-olds that they are planning to sell this spring. “We bought the six yearlings at the Keeneland September Sale last year and we plan to sell them at various two-year-olds in training sales this year,” said Matt. “We’ve been really fortunate with the entire group up to this point, but we have a colt by Hard Spun that we are already getting calls on [from potential buyers].”
When asked about what moments stand out as his biggest career accomplishments thus far, it’s not a single instance that he pinpoints, but rather a growing theme. “So many of my best clients have been with me since the very beginning,” said Matt. “I love working on behalf of clients. I love seeing a group of clients get their picture in the winner’s circle or hugging after they just sold big in the sales ring. There’s nothing like it.” The joy Matt gets from being involved with The Sport of Kings is evident, but he also acknowledges that the sport, and the business associated with it, needs to continue to refine itself in order to grow. “I’d love to see a requirement for bloodstock agents to be licensed at some point,” said Matt, a bloodstock agent himself. “In other businesses, whether you’re a doctor, lawyer, real estate agent, insurance agent or whatever, if you screw someone over, you are in jeopardy of losing the license that allows you to do business.”• Profile by Jen Roytz | Photos Courtesy of Jason D. Otis
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TOPS Cares
Debbie A. and John E. Cole III: “Advancing Cultural Diversity and Inclusion by Sharing the African American Experience”™ Across the Lexington-Bluegrass Region, and Beyond by Mary Ellen Slone photos by Ritchie Wireman
“United We Stand, Divided We Fall” is the motto of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It’s also a phrase representing the beliefs Debbie and John Cole have lived by since launching their non-profit arts and cultural organization, The African American Forum Inc., in 1993. This Lexington-based organization develops programs celebrating the African American experience, while at the same time being highly involved in the local community. Since the beginning, the Forum has participated in arts programming and outreach to inner-city and rural elementary schools, provided opportunity for volunteer service, recognized those whose significant accomplishments result in the betterment of our community, and focused on collaborative efforts to address the quality of life issues which impact the African American community as a whole. Throughout its history, the Forum has marked numerous milestones. In l998, it was recognized as the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce Minority Business of the Year. In 1999, it was lauded for having established the first African American Endowment Fund within the Blue Grass Community Foundation. In addition, WLEX-TV (Channel l8) has re-broadcast highlights of the Forum’s 14th and 15th African American Ball events. The African American Ball has grown to be the largest of its kind in the state, attracting over 6,000 guests in its 22-year history. For over two decades, the Forum has placed an emphasis on unity within the community by utilizing the word CommUnity. It’s committed to developing programs supporting and highlighting the artistic, cultural and educational achievements of African Americans. Net proceeds from all of the Forum’s events and programs are invested in an endowment fund. Through this fund, the organization’s charitable assets benefit the Arts Partnership Programs at inner city and rural elementary schools within the Lexington-Bluegrass Region.
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TOPS Cares
a shared appreciation and love of music. Across many genres and styles there is a significant, innate joy experienced by many mesmerizing forms of sound—often the catalyst for achieving common ground—for African Americans and many others in our community. Music often serves to lessen (and in many cases, to dissolve) barriers existing between individuals and groups – locally, and far beyond. In January, the Forum presented Ladies Night Out! Health and Wellness Expo, featuring Lexington’s own Miss Kentucky, Clark Janell Davis, and national speaker, author, coach and spokesperson Patrice C. Washington, “Your Money Maven” from the Steve Harvey Saturday Show. Also in January, the Forum held its incredibly popular annual African American Ball Black Tie Gala. It featured a focus on the health concerns of both men and women: Mind, Body & Spirit – with information on financial fitness (a top priority for 2016), and breast cancer awareness, heart disease and diabetes for women, and colon and prostate cancer for men. •
Save the Date
Paul Atkinson
If you are a live/contemporary jazz enthusiast, mark your calendar for August 11th-13th, when the Forum will showcase the 9th annual Lexus Smooth Jazz Fest at various venues across Central Kentucky. Plan to “get your groove on” under the stars! Visit the African American Forum’s website: AAFinc.com in April when the specifics will be announced for this year’s festival. Proceeds from these incredible jazz happenings will help further the vision of unity within our community.
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Meet the Media
Meet
the Media
Belinda Post
by Michelle Rauch Photos courtesy of WTVQ and Belinda Post
Belinda Post is no stranger to having an audience.
Before she started her career in television, she was an NFL Cheerleader for the Kansas City Chiefs. From 2010-2011 she was on the sidelines performing before a crowd of 90,000 screaming fans with a close knit group of women she likens to sorority sisters. “You work hard, sweat, memorize about four routines per game and put in a lot of extra time,” she said. But she says it was worth it to see and hear that crowd plus get something extra. “I think the fellowship is something most people wouldn’t expect. Our practices were rigorous, but we’re always cheering each other on, trying to lift each other up. I think its so important for women to support each other,” Post said. Post admits her childhood was a far cry from the bright lights of the NFL. “I’m from Topeka, which is the capitol of Kansas. But, I grew up just outside of the city limits,” she said. It was an idyllic backdrop. Raised on a lake just outside of the city limits, Post was a
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varsity cheerleader and feature twirler in high school. Her penchant for performing before a crowd is almost second nature. Her mother was a dance teacher and Post is a self described “studio kid.” “A studio kid is anyone who most Monday-Fridays is in a dance studio,” she explained. “Growing up, most of my time was spent in a dance studio, on a colored line, learning routines and technique.” She credits that time as good preparation for her career in television. Post earned a Bachelor of Arts with honors in theater and dance from Kansas State University as well as a minor in French. She was able to graduate in just three years at the age of 20. It was a busy time. Post was the Wildcat Twirler for The Pride, Kansas State University’s Marching Band. Along with a laundry list of extracurricular activities, she was involved in the dance program and was in a show nearly every semester. “Between band, rehearsals, game days, dance shows and my sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, I was always exhausted, but I had the time of my life,” she said.
Cabin Fever
SAD and the Body
Lighten Up
The exact cause of SAD is unknown, but it’s believed that the reduced level of sunlight in fall and winter disrupts our biological clock (otherwise known as circadian rhythm). That disruption decreases our body’s production of serotonin (the brain chemical that lifts mood) and increases our production of melatonin. Melatonin is the hormone that regulates hibernation in animals, and humans have more of it in the bloodstream in winter than in summer. Our bodies produce more melatonin during nighttime hours. The imbalance between our serotonin and melatonin levels helps trigger SAD.
Light therapy boxes work by giving off light that resembles sunshine, stimulating the body’s circadian rhythm, resetting its internal clock and suppressing its production of melatonin. One thirty to sixty minute light therapy session per day through the winter is the average needed to be effective. For best results, you should have sessions at the same time each day, preferably in the morning. You can do light therapy while going about other activities like eating, using the computer, or watching television. Dawn simulators are alarm clocks that wake you up with light rather than noise. Light therapy boxes and dawn simulators come in many different models; your doctor can recommend one that’s right for you. Some people believe that tanning beds can help ease SAD, but this hasn’t been proven. Tanning beds release UV light, which is not the same kind used in light therapy.
What can you do if you are a SAD sufferer? For severe symptoms, traveling to or relocating to an area within about 30 degree latitude of the equator could be the answer. However, if becoming a snowbird or taking an extended warm weather vacation isn’t an option, there are fortunately many simpler steps you can take to feel better. Discuss it with a doctor The signs of SAD closely resemble that of other types of depression. That’s why it’s important to begin by reviewing your own symptoms with a doctor to ensure that you receive the right diagnosis and the proper treatment plan. Health issues, like an underactive thyroid, can mimic SAD’s symptoms, so you should begin with a medical exam. If your doctor rules out physical factors for your SAD symptoms, your treatment plan will probably include light-box therapy, dawn-simulator therapy, and possibly antidepressant medication to help you feel better.
In addition, keep your work and home surroundings as light and airy as you can. Open drapes and blinds, and sit near windows when you’re indoors. Clear grime off windows and trim hedges to allow the maximum amount of natural light possible to reach inside your home. Feed your metabolism Some of the best tools for combatting SAD are right in your kitchen. Look for these mood and energy boosters: • Folic acid: Has been linked to the creation of serotonin. Foods high in folic acids are leafy greens, oatmeal, soybeans, and oranges. • Vitamin D: Found in milk, egg yolks, fish oil. • Vitamin B12: Get it in lean beef, cottage cheese and yogurt. • Omega-3 fatty acids: Sources include walnuts, cold-water fish like salmon and tuna. • Tryptophan: Contained in turkey and bananas. Avoid alcohol and caffeine While both may seem soothing in the short run, alcohol is in itself a depressant, which may only continue to lower your mood, and caffeine interrupts sleep and circadian rhythms. Instead of loading up on the lattes, choose decaffeinated herbal tea when you want something warm – it’ll also help banish the carbohydrate cravings that go with SAD. Stay physically active Snowball fights and sledding aren’t just for little ones! When it snows, join your family outside and get the dual benefits of exercise and light exposure. Cheering from the stands as local teams play outdoor sports is another fun way to catch some rays. Shovel walks and driveways during daytime hours so you can get sun exposure at the same time. Keeping warm outside in chilly temperatures no longer means packing on so many layers that you can’t put your arms down, like Ralphie’s little brother Randy in A Christmas Story. Today’s lightweight, easy care outerwear allows you to stay comfortable without restricting your movement, so get outside and enjoy that winter weather!
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Etiquette & Entertaining
Setting the Table for the Next Generation “What you do speaks so loudly, that I can’t hear what you say.” -Old English Saying
F
ebruary is the shortest month of the year, while harboring the most number of holidays. This little month still affords much cozy at-home time. It is during these occasions that new memories are made and others are remembered. “To most men, their early home is no more than a memory of their early years. The image is never marred. There is no disappointment in memory, and one’s exaggerations are always on the good side.” -George Eliot
As I sit by the fire on one of the first cold days of this young year, I am reminiscent of my own childhood memories. Interestingly, many of these thoughts are centered on our family table… what we ate, how the food was served and the fun we enjoyed. My mother, having several college degrees in art and home economics, never wavered from exquisite presentations and delicious delicacies. Every meal was special. I can’t ever remember the homemade jam being on the table in the O.C. (original container). Whew! That is a high benchmark to try to reach. In addition, I have inherited many of the containers she had for particular uses. Now the little white pitcher with the gold handle, which always held the milk for the cereal, is on my shelf. Do I put anything but milk in the little pitcher? No, I don’t. My grandchildren now pour their milk from that little white pitcher with the gold handle. Scary as it is, we live today the memories of tomorrow. It is my strong feeling that the table is the center of family fun and togetherness. To make the most use of the table, it must be interesting. Boredom is rooted in sameness. That is the very reason we are never bored with nature. Bring these delightfully intriguing changes into the kitchen and onto the table. To carry this out, I completely change out my kitchen five times a year. Every set of dishes, placemats, glassware and accessory pieces are rotated each winter, spring, summer, fall and holiday season. I love doing this and my family looks forward to favorite items showing up. For example, my husband loves winter because it has the best coffee mugs. To carry out this seasonal change plan, all sets of dinnerware, etc. must be easily accessible. In the unfinished part of our basement, steel frames with thick pressed board shelves are set up. These are positioned “library stack style” enabling the items to be reached from either side of the shelves. The winter plan focuses on snow and cold with all blue and white as well as solid white dinnerware being used. Sticks and branches are spray painted white and arranged in an antique container to bring nature inside. Soup bowls and tea pots are plentiful to warm the frigid feel of the outside. An occasional touch of red can be added for a February holiday or a snowman cookie jar retrieved from the holiday grouping to take advantage of a big snowfall sledding party. The spring grouping finally arrives and the winter pieces are put to bed on the shelf. Out comes the yellow casual dinnerware. Bulbs and bunnies give hope for a bit of warmth. Easter accents can be added and removed after the holiday. A collected Easter egg tree is a family favorite. The eggs – some are from Eastern European travels and some are homemade, all hung with colorful ribbons on spray painted branches in moss covered containers. Summer arrives and the dinnerware then focuses on the flowers of the season. Moving the table outside near the grill is an element in this plan. Freshly potted herbs and posies come into play during this season. Large lemonade servers stand ready for the fun to begin. Fall brings back the yellow dinnerware but this time the added orange, brown and faded green accents are prominent. Colorful leaves and mums become pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns which morph into turkeys and cornucopia. The colors of fall are distinctly transitional. The holiday season is the most extensive change plan. Everything is transformed from the red glasses and holiday dinnerware to the Christmas cookbooks on the kitchen shelves. The big round table which has followed us from the country to the city readies itself for the annual Christmas Eve fondue supper which we have enjoyed for so many years. by Sue Ann Truitt Etiquette & Entertaining Consultant
Why have I shared this with you? It is one of the ways our family enjoys togetherness around the table. “Where your pleasure is, there is your treasure, where your treasure is, there is your heart and there is your happiness.” -Saint Augustine
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Tour of Homes
“The larger logs you see are from a 1700s log cabin from Hopewell Farm,” says Ron. “The ceiling is composed of old fence boards from area horse farms and the crisscrossing beams in the main living area came from a railroad yard in Virginia. However, the [ceiling] beams with the notches in them came from the distillery. That’s what the bourbon barrels were stored on,” he explained. The main living area includes additional salvaged materials from the property, including wall and flooring panels originally from a tobacco barn. Other materials were reclaimed from area farms, barns and warehouses.
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Tour of Homes
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ne of the most striking aspects of the space is a stairway leading to a comfortable lofted den area. Wilmes came up with an ingenious design idea, and added a row of operable windows close to the ceiling. The catwalk on rafters was designed specifically to access the windows, which act as a chimney to release warm air during the summer months.
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Tour of Homes
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he kitchen is perhaps the most contemporary space in the home, yet even here, we see plenty of rustic and reclaimed elements. The ceiling is crafted from beautifully textured logs from a local cabin that still have their original bark. The cabin elements are perfectly balanced with fresh granite countertops, stainless steel appliances from Pieratt’s and a simple, glazed finish on the cabinetry, which was done by Barber Cabinets. Julie Zinsmeister at Brecher Lighting assisted in selecting the light fixtures.
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Tour of Homes
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he guest bedroom, which also serves as Ron’s office, offers a nod to the property’s distillery past. A collection of antique half-cut bourbon barrels form a decorative element above the guest bed. And naturally, they are displayed on the same notched beams that held them in the distillery years ago.
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Tour of Homes
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ccessible from the main house via a covered walkway is the guest house, which is reserved specifically for B&B visitors. It is complete with two bedrooms, each with an adjoining bath, a shared living space, kitchenette, and a rear-facing veranda overlooking farmland. The guest house was built before the main renovation, and served as a temporary home for the Wallaces during construction. Most of the structure is new construction, but unsurprisingly, they were able to reuse much of the wood and some stone that was already on the property. “When working on the slab foundation for the guest house, it became necessary to dig down to rock below,” said Ron. “It was during that process that we discovered the stone vats used during the distillery days. We used the stones to make the fireplace.”
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Tour of Homes
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Business News
Frankel: Cocktails & Casino Night
Lexington Hearing & Speech Center will host the fourth annual Frankel: Cocktails & Casino Night event on Friday, February 26, 2016 from 7:30pm - 11:30pm. This exciting night will celebrate the LHSC’s mission in a fun and unique way at The Carrick House in Lexington. Guests of this event will have much to enjoy! There will be petite bites and hors d’oeurves, catered by Lundy’s, as well as fantastic cocktails. Tables will offer casino-style games, including blackjack and craps. There will also be a silent auction to benefit the LHSC. All of these great attractions make this black tie optional event one that can’t be missed every year! Individual tickets for the event are $100. Sponsorship opportunities are available, as well. Visit www.lhscky.org for more information. With the support of Jimmy and Edie Frankel, LHSC began as the Lexington Deaf Oral School over 50 years ago on Ashland Avenue. LHSC has continued the mission of teaching children with hearing, speech, and language impairments to listen and talk by providing them with high quality educational, therapeutic, and family
support services. These include hearing tests, speech/language evaluations, training for school systems and language-enriched education programs. The Frankel: Cocktails & Casino Night is a special event that pays tribute to their founders and is a reminder of what individuals can and will accomplish with a sound beginning. The mission of the Lexington Hearing & Speech Center is to teach children with hearing, speech and language impairments to listen and talk. The LHSC has become Kentucky’s leader in listening and spoken language communication approaches and education. In 2015, as the only comprehensive educational and therapeutic center focused on providing deaf oral services for children with hearing loss in the state, Lexington Hearing & Speech Center served clients from more than sixty counties. The Lexington Hearing & Speech Center is located at 350 Henry Clay Boulevard. To learn more about their services and mission, call 859.268.4545 or find them on Facebook.
February 26, 2016 | The Carr ck House | For t ckets: www.LHSCky.org
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Weddings
Altared States – The Centerpiece of Rustic or Outdoor Weddings is a Wooden Altar N
ow that many churches are larger and have multipurpose rooms as their sanctuary, the thought of getting married in a place that feels like a gymnasium leaves a lot to be desired. So having the ceremony outdoors and at the site of your reception has become not only more and more popular, but necessary. A consideration for these venues is to create a special altar for your vows. Most rustic venues, such as vineyards, have an area for the ceremony, but adding a special altar, arch or arbor can make it unforgettable. Constructing an altar can be daunting and expensive, but next to the bride it will be the focal point of your wedding and the ‘frame’ for your wedding party photos. It is well worth it if there is not an attractive altar available. With some thought and a couple tweaks, it can also serve later as the photo booth for your reception. Consult your florist or a local artisan on having one constructed, unless you have someone crafty, just not an ex like in Meet the Fockers!. Driftwood Arches
Especially if your site is waterfront or beachfront, driftwood altars are special and picturesque. One reason is that no two altars can ever be alike due to the natural, fluid formation of each driftwood piece. Adorning the driftwood with flowers or just a simple swath of dreamy fabric is romantic, but unadorned offers a perfectly rustic and romantic look. Rough Hewn Altars Nature is your architect when you choose or construct an arch or altar from rough, found wood. Be careful not to over adorn your altar. Choose one or two elements such as wellchosen flowers or lightweight draping. If you add too many cutesy touches it can become distracting, taking the focus away from the couple. Natural Arbors Covered in Flowers A simple rough wood frame is all it takes for the foundation of a stunning flower draped arbor. Flowers with a natural drape work wonderfully with the contours of an arch or arbor. Your expense will be the abundance flowers, but you will save on the simple wooden construction. It is undeniable that this look is absolutely breathtaking, a la Twilight – vampires are rarely wrong. Remember the View
by Marsha Koller Wedding Consultant
I’ve seen beautiful outdoor settings with creative altars and arches, but consideration of the view through the arches was forgotten in the shuffle. Take time to think through the details, like possible background road or farm traffic – even air traffic during the time of your ceremony. You want everything to remain picture perfect!
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The Southern Lady
Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting You can’t go wrong with this cake. It is made with buttermilk and has a lot of oil. That is what makes it so moist and good! Enjoy! Cake Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 cup buttermilk 1 1/2 cups canola oil 2 eggs 2 tsp. vanilla 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. cocoa 1 tsp. vinegar 1 oz. red food coloring
Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients: 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened 1 stick margarine, softened 1 box confectionery or powdered sugar (16 oz.) 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Cake Preparation: Beat liquid ingredients together with mixer; add dry ingredients. Beat 2 more minutes. Spray 2 round cake pans and bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes until center is done. (This can be made in 4 layers or in 9 x 13 long pan. Frosting Preparation: Whip all frosting ingredients together with mixer until smooth and of spreading consistency.
Cherry Cream Cheese Pie or Cheesecake Preparation: Ingredients: 1 graham cracker pie crust Let cream cheese stand at room (can make your own or use a temperature until softened. bought one) In a medium bowl, beat cream 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese until light and fluffy. Slowly cheese, softened add condensed milk, lemon juice 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened and vanilla, beating until smooth. condensed milk (not evapoPour into crust. rated milk) Chill at least 3 hours until firm and 1/3 cup lemon juice (fresh or then top with cherry pie filling. bottled, not lemon extract) Makes 1 pie. 1 teaspoon vanilla Enjoy! 1 (21 oz.) can cherry pie filling
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Dining
Low & Slow
MEATS BBQ MKT delivers classic Kentucky BBQ with regional influences in a casual setting
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he BHG restaurant group (Harry’s, Sal’s, Drake’s, Malone’s, Aqua, and OBC) is known around Central Kentucky for providing high quality food and drink, particularly steaks, along with attentive service in an upscale setting. But their newest addition, MEATS BBQ MKT (3373 Tates Creek Road in the Lansdowne Shoppes) is the group’s first fast-casual dining establishment. MEATS combines the best of Kentucky BBQ with a variety of homemade sauces and decadent sides. And because it’s a market as well as a restaurant, guests can also pick up freshly smoked meats by the pound, sliced to order. “We still offer that BHG hospitality, but MEATS BBQ MKT is a place where guests can enjoy a more casual dining experience,” said Marketing Coordinator Leela Foley. Marketing Director Stephanie Bork added, “BBQ is America’s favorite comfort food – and at MEATS, we specialize in seasoned meat cooked to tenderness over hardwood smoke and served with signature sides.” Upon entering, guests are greeted with a warm welcome and are ushered to the cafeteria-style ordering station, where they can sample fresh sides and dessert. The menu is truly a la carte, offering sandwiches and platters, each served with a choice of sides and a house-made jalapeno cornbread muffin. Depending on how hungry you are (or how much you want to sample) you can choose a platter with one, two, or three different kinds of meat. So what’s the meat of it? Guests can choose from the usual suspects – pulled pork, beef brisket and chicken, alongside more adventurous choices like baby back ribs and jalapeno cheddar sausage. Unlike many BBQ establishments, MEATS offers a few healthier proteins such as smoked salmon and smoked turkey. The smoked salmon is a generous portion and expertly cooked, while the smoked turkey is lean, moist and savory. by Michelle Aiello Photos by Keni Parks
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Dining
Pit-master Roberto Alvarez takes pride in slow-smoking each cut of meat to perfection. The on-site smokehouse, located at the rear of the building, contains three separate hardwood-fired smokers that each can hold more than 2,000 pounds of hand-rubbed meat. Alvarez loads them daily with slabs of brisket, pork, ribs, jumbo chicken, turkey, salmon and more, including jalapeno-cheddar sausages from Hazel Green, Kentucky. “The meat is always served fresh, and never reheated”, he said. “It is sliced to order and cooked with our house made bar-b-jus sauce to enhance the flavor.” True BBQ fans know that it’s all about the sauce, and MEATS does not disappoint in this area. Those who love to mix and match will appreciate the large, self-service sauce selection. Whether you prefer classic, sweet, or smoky BBQ sauces, Carolina vinegar, mustard based sauces, or even creamy mayonnaise-based sauces, you’ll find the perfect compliment to your meal. When it comes to sides, diners will find a variety of classics like mac and cheese, sweet potato casserole, green beans, baked beans, potato salad, and coleslaw. For dessert, choose from crumbly handmade apple cobbler or the banana bread pudding – an unbelievably rich, cool, and creamy treat. Catering, large to-go orders, family sizes, and party packages are also a major focal point. From a quick meal for the family after work to a tailgate with friends, there is an option for everyone. Absolutely worth checking out, MEATS BBQ MKT is a great addition to the Lansdowne area – a neighborhood meat market as well as agreat place for a quick, high-quality BBQ meal at an affordable price point. The casual self-service atmosphere and the diverse menu means that anyone can get what they want, regardless of preferences. Order off the menu, take it to-go, or pick up a few pounds of your favorite meat and whip up something at home.
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Parties
Five Steps to a DIY Valentine’s Day Party T
his Valentine’s Day celebrate your favorites with a DIY Valentine’s Day party. Whether you are hosting family, a group of your child’s friends or all of your gal pals, these five sweet ideas will have guests crushing on your party.
a dollop of frosting and a chocolate heart. Other store purchased cupcakes and cookies can be topped with heart shaped sprinkles or paper toppers.
Decorate with Paper
One of the quickest, easiest drinks to serve at a Valentine’s Day party is a candy themed drink. Place pink cotton candy or a pink rock candy swizzle stick into a cocktail glass. Top with champagne for adults or Sprite for kids.
One of the best decorating tools for a Valentine’s Day is a heart paper punch.; use one along with some of your favorite scrapbook paper to decorate your party without spending much money. One idea is to use gold glitter scrapbook paper and punch out several mini hearts. Turn those paper hearts into a Valentine’s garland by stringing twine though the top edges of the hearts. A second use for those paper hearts would be to make cupcake toppers. Tape the back of the hearts to a lollipop stick, place the sticks into cupcakes for instant cupcake toppers for a great Valentine’s Day sweet. Serve Strawberry Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Pink, sweet and filled with fruit – Strawberry Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream work perfectly for a Valentine’s Day sweet treat. Your guests will fall in love with this sweet little treats. Strawberry Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream For frosting: For cupcakes: 1 cup butter, softened 1 box white cake mix 1 box strawberry flavored gelatin 4 cups powdered sugar 1-2 tablespoons milk 1 cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ⅓ cup canola oil 3 eggs ½ cup fresh or frozen strawberries, coarsely chopped Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 24 muffin tins with paper cupcake lines. Place cake mix, gelatin, milk, canola oil, and egg whites in a large mixing bowl. Beat on low for 1 minute; increase speed and beat on high for 2 minutes. Fold in strawberries. Pour batter into prepared muffin tins. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10-15 minutes before removing from pan. Vanilla Buttercream Frosting: Beat butter in mixer. Slowly add sugar, alternating with milk until it reaches the desired thickness. Stir in vanilla extract. Frost cupcakes once they have cooled completely. Decorate Store Bought Desserts to Match Your Party Theme If you don’t want to bake or don’t have the time, check your local grocery store for desserts that you can use. For Valentine’s Day, top bakery brownie bites with
Serve a Simple Cocktail
Send Guests Home with Caramel Corn Send guests home with a sweet treat to show them how much you love them on Valentine’s Day. Package caramel corn in a small plastic container or baggie and top with some pink ribbon and a paper heart. Caramel Corn 3 bags popped white microwave popcorn 1 cup butter ½ cup light corn syrup 2 cups light brown sugar ½ teaspoon salt Red or pink food coloring 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon baking soda Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Pour microwave popcorn into a deep roasting pan, one bag at a time. Remove as many unpopped corn kernels as possible. Repeat for each bag of popcorn and place all popcorn in a large roasting pan once finished. Mix butter, corn syrup, brown sugar, and salt in saucepan. Place over medium heat. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes. Drop in food coloring, 1-2 drops at a time, until you achieve the desired color. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract and baking soda. Pour caramel sauce over popcorn, stir, covering the popcorn well. Bake at 180 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely before serving. Popcorn can be stored for up to one week in air tight container.
by Deanna Talwalkar Party Planner Extraordinaire Photo & Styling by Mirabelle Creations
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New & Noteworthy
New
& Noteworthy
MARKET ON NATIONAL
O
ne of the perks of my job as a real estate agent is that I get to visit amazing homes every day. I love seeing what inspires homeowners and all the little things from fun pillows to wall groupings of artwork to unique pieces of furniture that really make someone’s house feel like “home”. Home decorating is one of my favorite past times. I’ll buy a cool piece of furniture over a designer handbag or pair of shoes any day. Thankfully, I get lots of ideas of things to do in my own home every day when I go to work. That, and I rely on the experience and expertise of my friend (and interior designer), stuart hurt. Recently, my fiancé Blake and I moved into our new home, which means—hurray—more home decorating! Stuart took us around town to a number of stores including Lexington Furniture and its sister store, Market on National. We ended up with a couch, a set of nesting tables, two leather lounge chairs and a new bed. Market on National is locally-owned by Hugh James and run by the store’s in-house interior designer, Clare Henson. In fact, Clare helped us customize our new couch and bed with size and fabric options. She’s amazing and definitely knows her stuff! Market on National reminds me of Restoration Hardware, with a lot of modern and transitional pieces. The store offers furniture, lighting, rugs, lamps, wall art, pillows, throws, candles, gifts and other home decor. They have many Kentucky-inspired items too, calling to mind the bourbon and equine industries that make our region so special. Market on National carries brands such as Catstudio, Forty West, Spicher and Company, Robin Bruce, Four Hands, Precedent, Dovetail, Surya and Class Home Villa.
by Meredith Lane City Scout
We love all of our new goodies from Market on National and can’t wait to go back for more awesome finds to make our own house a cozy and stylish home. Clare is helpful and knowledgeable, and the production selection is fantastic. I’ve been telling all my friends and clients to check it out! Market on National is open Wednesday-Saturday from 10a-5p and is located in the Warehouse Block directly off Walton Avenue. You can find them online at marketonnational.com or take a peek at their Instagram page.
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TOP SHOTS | SOCIE T Y
Jordan Smith, winner of The Voice, sings at Rupp before the Cats beat Ole Miss 2016 Kentucky Derby Festival Ambassadors
Danny Glover
Tyler Ulis — Kentucky’s Big Little Man
UK Gymnastics Excite Night TOPS TV coming February 20th on ABC 36 at 7pm
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