With the Kentucky Derby 2022 being just a day away, I thought it would be the perfect time to toss it back to Kentucky Derby Day with the Girls, circa 2017. Yep – I’m tossing it WAY on back – 5 years ago, to be exact! To this day, this is ONE of my all-time favorite girls’ day events ever.

Why? Well, let’s see!

• Dressing up in our finest frocks befitting of the Kentucky Derby
• Hats (need I say more)
• Besties
• Presents
• Food
• Alcohol

So, if you’re interested in putting together your very own Kentucky Derby celebration, ours went something like this.

Pre-Kentucky Derby Day Picture Time

If you’ve been following along with the girls and I, you know I have an affinity, errrr…slight obsession with snapping pictures of our events. I’m just a big believer in documenting the memories you share with your people.

I see a lot of folks take pictures of things and places (nothing wrong with that), but they’re never in ANY of those pics. That doesn’t work, does it? You have to make sure you’re in at least some of the shots you get of the amazing places you go. Okay? Don’t just be a spectator – be a participant, too

So, get yourself gussied up whether you’re going out or staying at home so you’ll be celebrating the Derby in true Kentucky Derby style. Take lots of pics so you’ll always have those memories to look back on. Trust me, the older you get, the quicker that memory fades Eeek!!!

Derby Day Birthday Celebration

Before we headed out for the Kentucky Derby, we celebrated Heidi’s birthday with a few gifts from her girlfriends.

I picked up a beautiful glass bird bath with Heidi’s favorite thing in the world on it – her beloved flip flops. As a reminder, this girl will wear the flops all winter long unless you tell her to stop – she loves them THAT much. Seriously!!

I don’t think she ever actually USED it as a bird bath; instead it’s been used as table decor during the summer months. I’ve also seen it on adorning her counter. Heck, I think I’ve seen it filled with snacks, too. You just never know where that thing might make an appearance.

She also received some sort of liquor and new bras (I’m not sharing THAT shot) and lots of other fun goodies.

The girls and I always take the time to celebrate each other on our special day. After all, the older we get, the less of those days we’re going to have. I mean, the great heart attack of 22′ almost ensured that I had my last one in 2021!

Barrel & Boar

The Kentucky Derby event at Barrel & Boar was nothing too fancy, but just fabulous enough for us! Heck, 5 years ago when this all went down, their only location was in Gahanna, OH, which worked out great for us. Nowadays, they have other locations in Westerville and Newark.

We ate and drank and watched the derby! Some of you may be wondering if you have to be a BIG racing fan to enjoy the Derby. That’s an unequivocol no from us gals – who are definitely not into the entire racing deal. Basically, we peeked up long enough to watch the main event and see who crossed the line 1st! For your reference, it was Always Dreaming, and yes, I looked that up

What? Like I’m going to remember that!

It’s truly difficult to believe our Kentucky Derby day with the girls was 5 years ago. What’s even crazier is thinking about the 60 or so girls’ days that have come since.

There’s been the wine trail and apple picking and Friendsgiving and so many more. Since we each plan 3 a year, the activities always vary, which makes it so interesting, often unexpected and truly fun.

So, go ahead and get your own girls’ day on the books. Plan something big or plan something small. It doesn’t matter. All that really matters is the time you spend with one another. As you know, life is short and tomorrow isn’t promised!

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