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Monday, October 30, 2017
The Gun Runner - Arrogate Rematch
If you love horse racing then you probably already have your clocks set and your calendars cleared for the Breeders Cup Classic on Saturday in Del Mar. If you want to watch one for the ages then you should definitely tune in. I wish I could be there in person to see this horse race - Arrogate's last race and a rematch of the Dubai World Cup when Arrogate beat Gun Runner. Will it happen again? Or will there be an upset from one of the upstarts - West Coast maybe? Who knows but I cannot wait to watch this horse race. My money is on Gun Runner. He has been too consistent and Arrogate has not been running well at Del Mar. Only time will tell. Hold your horses until Saturday night!
Sunday, October 29, 2017
Classic Tablescapes
I am always on the lookout for new ideas for decorating my dining room table. It is rarely used but this winter I am going to spruce up the room and use it often. My table is long and the room is large so it can be difficult to make it seem intimate. But I love these ideas.....
I like that this table is beige and not brown. These chairs are lovely and the bunnies are so cute. The green and white are so spring-like.
Another classic. The Herend china is a favorite and hydrangas, well, enough said. Waterford crystal and silver. This will never go out of fashion.
I love the use of urns and finials to take a bland china and make a punch.
The blue runner makes this table look smashing. And the oranges add needed color, a great and inexpensive way to decorate a table.
The pink and green in this table is divine. And the elephant is perfect.
For a fall or winter dinner party this is just too cozy. The plaid tablecloth is lovely.
This dining room is beautiful. Herend china always sets the scene for a great dinner or luncheon. There is so much white here but the dark brown table balances it out perfectly.
The paper whites and all the greenery, while almost overload, actually works. I wish we could see the table more closley but from here all looks well.
I like that this table is beige and not brown. These chairs are lovely and the bunnies are so cute. The green and white are so spring-like.
This is another Herend pattern which is perfect for an Easter table. The eggs and grass make the perfect centerpiece.
Have I inspired you to set your table and plan a dinner party? I hope so.
Friday, October 27, 2017
Sequin Season
Sequins add a festive flair to your wardrobe and I love mixing a sequin shirt with a pair of jeans. I still wear my colorblock J Crew sequin tank with a white shirt underneath and a pair of black jeans. It's fun mixing it up. This cute t-shirt is only $30 if you can believe it. Even if you wear it twice, you can justify the expense.
Love this version in vibrant blue.
Another version, this is my favorite!
I also like the dress. Wear it with tights and black booties for a fun holiday outfit. And it's $50.
This sequin skirt from Anthro is so much fun. Not sure where I might wear this but this is so cute.
These sequin flats are quite versatile.
If I needed a dress like this one, I would order this one right away. Love this one from Milly for the holidays!
Happy Friday. TGIF!
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Thursday Treasure Hunt
The holidays are coming sooner than you think! Look what I found........
Love this silk tunic to wear now into the holidays and beyond.
Great Christmas gifts! My horsey friends will be seeing these under the tree for sure.
This plaid stock tie will be loved by your fox hunting friends!
Happy Thursday!
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Talbots is Terrific
I received a Talbots catalog in the mail this week and once again I was very pleasantly surprised by the clothes. The clothes reminded me more of the old J Crew with vibrant colors, preppy styles with a twist and good price points. Here are some of my favorites. Take a look, even if you are skeptical, you'll be pleasantly surprised. You can see more of the collection here. This skirt was one of my favorites. Is this not adorable?
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Washington International Horse Show
It's the end of October and that means all the top hunters and jumpers in the country head to downtown Washington, DC for the Washington International Horse Show. It starts today and runs through the 29th, in the Verizon Center, which is easily accessed by Metro.
Jumper highlights include the $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup President’s Cup Grand Prix, the $25,000 puissance class, and the $35,000 Gambler’s Choice costume class. Crowds go wild for the U.S. Pony Racing Shetland pony steeplechase (on Thurs., Oct. 26 and Sat., Oct. 28 during the evening session).
Open, amateur, junior and pony hunters all compete, as well as the finals for the children’s and adult amateur hunter and jumper WIHS series. In addition, equitation titles are handed out in the Washington International Equitation Classic in horse and pony editions.
If you can't make the trip, then you can watch the free online stream of classes here. Here is a link to the Horse Show web site. They have a great online auction too.
Jumper highlights include the $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup President’s Cup Grand Prix, the $25,000 puissance class, and the $35,000 Gambler’s Choice costume class. Crowds go wild for the U.S. Pony Racing Shetland pony steeplechase (on Thurs., Oct. 26 and Sat., Oct. 28 during the evening session).
Open, amateur, junior and pony hunters all compete, as well as the finals for the children’s and adult amateur hunter and jumper WIHS series. In addition, equitation titles are handed out in the Washington International Equitation Classic in horse and pony editions.
If you can't make the trip, then you can watch the free online stream of classes here. Here is a link to the Horse Show web site. They have a great online auction too.
Monday, October 23, 2017
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Memories of Harrisburg
The Pennsylvania National Horse Show or "Harrisburg" as it's commonly known in equestrian circles wraps up this weekend. I have fond and not so fond memories of my trips to Harrisburg back in the day with Sega or "Zelda" as she was known in the horse show world.
My very first trip there was by far one of my best memories of my chestnut mare. She is a 3'0 foot horse and we showed in the National Adult League Finals for which you have to qualify. The first time we went, it was difficult to qualify. The top 30 horses in the country qualified and your jump order (where you went in the order when you competed) was determined by your points. Lucky for us that year we had a lot of points. I was very nervous and Sega was young, maybe 7 or 8 years old at the time. I remember sitting by the rail with my trainer Patty watching all of the horses go and there was a jump with purple flowers that none of the horses liked. Many were stopping at it. I am not sure what the issue was as horses are supposedly color blind. But it was a problem for many horses that day. When it was my turn to go, we went in and I don't remember the course but I remember when I got to that purple jump I could feel Sega also hesitating and I think she would have stopped had I not known, so I closed my leg as much as I could and she swapped off (changed her lead) in the front of the jump but we made it. We finished up fifth out of 30 and it was a memory I'll have forever. I was so proud of Sega but her best horse show trait was that she seemed to know when it mattered most and she always jumped a little higher and a little better at the big venues. She loved Hunter Classics.
In the photo below, note we wore top hats with our shadbelly coats back then. It adds a regal touch for sure.
My second visit to Harrisburg was memorable but not in a good way. It was by far our worst horse show ever. I don't know what was wrong with Sega that day. She threw my trainer off in the schooling ring. She has never done that since. When we walked into the ring, I knew immediately that I was in big trouble. Her head went up, she was so tense, I knew something was terribly wrong. She was not the relaxed, happy, floppy-eared mare that she always was. I counted the jumps as I knew we would not make it around the course at some point about half-way through the course, she threw me off too. We never knew what it was but the next week we went to Maryland Horse and Pony where we earned the Grand Adult Hunter Championship and have our name etched on a trophy for eternity, so she made it up to me.
We made one last trip to Harrisburg late in Sega's illustrious career and finished 10th or 11th, not stellar but in the ribbons. So nothing ever topped our maiden trip to Harrisburg. Alfie is not a Hunter Classic Horse but I think Madison might be so maybe we'll try it again in a few years. I love my memories of Sega and the fun we had. It's always nice to "be in there" if you know what I mean. She loved the limelight and she was "all business" at horse shows, except for that one day in Harrisburg.
My very first trip there was by far one of my best memories of my chestnut mare. She is a 3'0 foot horse and we showed in the National Adult League Finals for which you have to qualify. The first time we went, it was difficult to qualify. The top 30 horses in the country qualified and your jump order (where you went in the order when you competed) was determined by your points. Lucky for us that year we had a lot of points. I was very nervous and Sega was young, maybe 7 or 8 years old at the time. I remember sitting by the rail with my trainer Patty watching all of the horses go and there was a jump with purple flowers that none of the horses liked. Many were stopping at it. I am not sure what the issue was as horses are supposedly color blind. But it was a problem for many horses that day. When it was my turn to go, we went in and I don't remember the course but I remember when I got to that purple jump I could feel Sega also hesitating and I think she would have stopped had I not known, so I closed my leg as much as I could and she swapped off (changed her lead) in the front of the jump but we made it. We finished up fifth out of 30 and it was a memory I'll have forever. I was so proud of Sega but her best horse show trait was that she seemed to know when it mattered most and she always jumped a little higher and a little better at the big venues. She loved Hunter Classics.
In the photo below, note we wore top hats with our shadbelly coats back then. It adds a regal touch for sure.
(Sega at Harrisburg)
My second visit to Harrisburg was memorable but not in a good way. It was by far our worst horse show ever. I don't know what was wrong with Sega that day. She threw my trainer off in the schooling ring. She has never done that since. When we walked into the ring, I knew immediately that I was in big trouble. Her head went up, she was so tense, I knew something was terribly wrong. She was not the relaxed, happy, floppy-eared mare that she always was. I counted the jumps as I knew we would not make it around the course at some point about half-way through the course, she threw me off too. We never knew what it was but the next week we went to Maryland Horse and Pony where we earned the Grand Adult Hunter Championship and have our name etched on a trophy for eternity, so she made it up to me.
We made one last trip to Harrisburg late in Sega's illustrious career and finished 10th or 11th, not stellar but in the ribbons. So nothing ever topped our maiden trip to Harrisburg. Alfie is not a Hunter Classic Horse but I think Madison might be so maybe we'll try it again in a few years. I love my memories of Sega and the fun we had. It's always nice to "be in there" if you know what I mean. She loved the limelight and she was "all business" at horse shows, except for that one day in Harrisburg.
Cherish all of your memories. And if you don't have them then make them!
Friday, October 20, 2017
Equestrian Tablescapes
I made my semi-annual visit to L.V. Harkness a few weeks ago and it never disappoints. Their china selection is incredible but I adore their equestrian tablescapes more than anything else. This pattern is Gien and comes in a few "disciplines" like racing, dressage and show jumping.
This is Julie Wear and reasonably priced.
This pattern is made for L.V. Harkness and is fun to mix with bright colors like shocking pink, orange or lime green.
And I love this pattern. They have some gorgeous linen embroidered plate mats and napkins to match.
Happy Friday. TGIF!!!
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