Oaks and Derby 2016

Living in Louisville has its perks. Namely, Oaks and Derby!!

OAKS
We went to the track with friends on Friday for Oaks which used to be more of a local day but has gotten crowded over the years!  I was OBSESSED with my new dress that M bought me when we were in California recently.  We splurged on all you can eat and drink tickets which made the day so fun!  Lillies go down a lot easier if you're not paying $13 a pop!

Walking to Churchill!

Gorgeous day with friends.

LOVE my dress and my man :)

After a very long day we woke up super early on Saturday and made it to the track by 8:30am.  We were not messing around!!  We stayed in the Paddock all day with friends and it was perfect! And yes, this is the dress I wore to Oaks last year. Would you believe that I snuck in a whole bottle of wine under that dress?!  ;)

First Lily around 10am :)

Our little spot in the Paddock.

A storm blew through right before the KY Derby so M protected all our glassware!

Finally left the track around 8:30pm.  WHAT A DAY!

Until next year!!

31

I turned 31 recently.  So please enjoy a look back at my 30th year in 30 photos. ;)

Started my year off in California for some sun and family.

Off to JAMAICA for a fun couples trip.

Pool drinks in February!

Lots of time with little niece.

Denim sunnies and kentucky blue.

Haircut in gym clothes.

March Madness.

At the new house with Squirt!!  RIP :(

Work elevator selfie.

OAKS!

Derby week shenanigans.

DERBY!

Park Avenue minus Carlita.

Hmm...

Bro came to visit!!

Family.

Girl dinners!

Andi's wedding!!  <3

Alabama Shakes with a pregnant Abbey.

Work selfie in my office... see ya Hoxworth!

Nick Lachey at Lauren's 30th birthday.

I'm going to miss my BFF!

Visit from Mara and Marge in Louisville.

Britney in VEGAS!

More because I love her.

Family brunch.

Holiday happenings. 

NEW BFF ALERT!

Cats and Hillie.

Pre-birthday fun!

Derby week

Derby in Louisville starts on Tuesday...

Tuesday - Winefest.

Tipsy!

Wednesday - Beerfest.

Thursday - Wing Ding.  Annual shindig with wings, beer and an ice luge!

Friday - Oaks & Mr. Louisville's birthday!  We scalped tickets so we'd have a seat and it was a gorgeous day.  We were next to some folks from New York that helped us drink the bourbon we snuck in.

Abbey came!

Bathroom selfie.

Saturday - Derby.

With Tracie and Pam.

All fun and games until you can't get an Uber home...

Sunday - Tired.  But still managed to make it back home and have dinner with me ladies!

So long, Newport

I closed on my Newport house this week.  It was exciting and a lot of work to pack up and move but I'm thrilled for what's ahead.

But first, a little history:

I moved to Newport in 2008.  I had just started my job at Hoxworth Blood Center as my mom was moving home from grad school.  I found a perfect apartment on Craigslist for $600 a month.  817 York Street. Right between the York St. Cafe and Green Derby.  I had such a fun time in this apartment and remained there until February 2013 when I moved into my house on Washington.  3 blocks away.  Big changes, people!

Things I'll miss about 2008 - 2015 aka MY TWENTIES:

Inviting friends over to hang (in my first apartment).

Decorating a space that was mine, all mine.

Riding my bike across the Roebling (or Purple People) into Ohio for Findlay market trips, MPMF and all the things Cincinnati has to offer.

The original Southgate House and the Southgate House Revival.

Parties!

York Street Cafe.

Telling people about the Brass Ass but only actually going in once.

Hula-hooping with friends.

The first home I bought.

I'll mostly miss living close to all the action but the other things I'll miss about Newport include:
LEYLA!!  Dinners, walks and chats together.
Living close enough to the gym where it didn't feel like a big deal to go.
Living alone (although I'm loving my temporary roomies!).
Newport Pizza Company, Dixie Chili, Mokka, Dewey's Pizza... pretty much all the food.
Live music at Jerzees.
The Hofbrahaus patio with friends.
Walking to the Levee for movies alone.
The Crazy Fox.
Riding my bike around town.

Sigh... Newport, you'll always have a piece of my heart.