TALK DERBY TO ME

I’ve been staring at the computer screen trying to figure out how in the world I’m going to fit into one post all that happened at the Kentucky Derby….I gave a pretty short recap earlier this week, but there is SO much to tell about one of the most fun days I have ever had!

Ok, I’ll start at the beginning and I’ll try not to ramble:

Once upon a time, there were four bloggers who were picked up by a black carriage and whisked away to a magical place called The Derby.  On the way, the four marvelous maidens quickly discovered that they would be lifelong friends.

When we arrived at the magical palace, we were instantly surrounded by damsels in hats and gentlemen in seersucker and colorful bow-ties.  Hats in all shapes, sizes, and colors, we knew that this would be a day of dreams coming true!

We were entranced by the tiered balconies of the castle, and dreamt that we would be allowed entrance into the most special of places.  Looking down from the balconies, lords and ladies in their great splendor watched the crowds in mild amusement….

 Alright, I think you get the idea, our day was pretty much like a fairytale!  From car service, to the fabulous Refresh Room, to the lovely flowers placed in the restrooms, Cottonelle spared no expense to make this the most memorable Derby experience for not only myself and the three other ladies, but also for those in attendance.  The Refresh room alone would have been enough to make my Derby experience one for the memory books!  With refresh stations set up for the VIPs to touch up their makeup and hair, two bar areas offering COMPLIMENTARY Mint Juleps and other cocktails, and hi-top tables with trays of fresh vegetables and dip to snack on.

And did I mention the free Juleps??

My mint had gone a little limp, but our experience in the Refresh Room was anything BUT!  Rubbing shoulders with celebrities like Mary Wilson, Carson Kressler, Jamie Foxx, and others we an amazing experience, alone, and I am SO thankful that Cottonelle made it possible!
After the last of the celebrities walked the red carpet, we got to take a stroll down it, too…

Aaaand guess who we ran into???

Sooo, I was SUPER nervous about introducing myself because, hello, it’s Sarah Vickers and Kiel James Patrick whom I admire….So, instead, we took each other’s pictures, and I tried to work up the courage to go say hi…

 

dress:  Forever 21 (old), similar / hat:  Marley Lilly / wedges:  Tamaris (old), love these | clutch:  Tory Burch (similar) / bracelets:  Charming Charlie (bow) and Forever 21 bangle (old)

 Long story short, I finally walked up and introduced myself, and to my surprise, Sarah and Kiel both recognized me!  *eeeeeeek*  It’s probably because I tag them in, like, EVERY.SINGLE. PICTURE. where I have my anchor or bow bracelet on….No I’m not desperate…..

Anyways, we chatted for a good fifteen minutes or so, but what surprised me the most was how down-to-earth normal and friendly they were!  As if we had known each other for years and were just catching up, Sarah and I talked about blogging, and their trip to Louisville.  I feel like we should could be best friends :D.

And they are probably the most AH-dorable couple, EVER!

And after all of the hob-knobbing with the Stars walking the red carpet, and buying a $24 mini bottle of champagne #YOLO, we decided that we needed to head to our seats.  On our passes it lists the places we are allowed to access, and anything beyond the 2nd floor was off limits.  I would just like to point out that I am not usually a rule-breaker, and the following story that about to share, none of us can take responsibility for our actions because it wasn’t really our faults….

(#yolo!!)

 So we walked to the elevators, flashed our passes at the attendants who just so happened to not see what level of clearance we had, and sauntered into the elevator pretending where we knew where we were going.  And darn the bad luck, the elevator does not make stops at the 2nd floor but goes straight to the 3rd and beyond, so we were forced to go past our floor….We felt terrible about the mix-up and didn’t want to embarrass the elevator attendant so we did not say anything but kept riding.  The elevator stopped at the third floor to let some people off, and when the doors open, the party was HOPPIN’!  Packed full of people everywhere and music, buuut gosh darn it, before we could step out, the doors shut and the elevator ascended.

We felt so bad, honest….buuut we weren’t going to say anything to the poor elevator attendant who was completely unaware of her mistake.  We didn’t want to ruin her day :D.

When the elevator doors finally opened, we found ourselves on the 5th floor with the owners’ boxes and large companies who had rented a private room for the day.  We tried to blend in with the crowd, pretending like we belonged up here, but it was SO hard to not stare at everything around us!  Carpeted floors, rich wood paneled walls, and buffet lines of fabulous food!

And the hallowed view from the balcony….

 

Aaaand then it was back to reality, er I mean, our real seats.  I would just like to say that even though it wasn’t the 5th floor, it was still an amazing view of the track.  And ohhh, that race!!  I cannot tell you how thrilling it was to watch the horses run.  The most exciting two minutes in sports is DEFINITELY an accurate description!  The surge of energy the crowd gets when the horses thunder past, and then when they round that final turn and sprint toward the finish line….It was truly breath-taking!

I can honestly say that the day spent at the Kentucky Derby will forever be one of my most favorite experiences.  Ever.  Everything that we experienced, everything that we saw, would not have been possible without the wonderful courtesy of our hosts from Cottonelle!  You ladies were awesome, and we thoroughly enjoyed our time both in and out of the Refresh Room.  THANK YOU for making one of my dreams come true, in such an over-the-top, unexpected, and downright AMAZING sort of way.  You all definitely spoiled any future Derby attendances for me ;).

To the lovely ladies whom I shared this day with, you all were CRAZY fun!  Coming from different blogging backgrounds only made it more interesting and exciting to get to know, and I truly hope we stay in touch, and we are SO rockin’ the 3rd Floor of Churchill Downs next year!! 😀

To you all, my readers, my fans, my friends, I also would not have been able to attend without your support!  Your reading of this little slice of my world and all of the love you have shown me this past year made it possible for me to be invited to attend the Derby.  You all are truly the best, and I am so grateful for your support and love!!

Stay Classy!