Derby Bound!

This post was sponsored by Cottonelle.

This Saturday, I’m going to the Kentucky Derby.

I can’t believe it either. Cottonelle is a sponsor of the big event and I will be a Cottonelle Correspondent. That means I have the tough job of hanging out with celebrities in the Cottonelle Clean Room, where Derby VIPs can relax and freshen up– and then I’ll be forced, FORCED to head down and see the race itself.

Rough life. I know.

How does one prepare for such a momentous occasion?

By heading to Churchill Downs one week early, of course!

Coincidentally, Punky chose to take a friend to the season open last Saturday for her birthday celebration, which gave me a chance to hone my betting skills (I won nine dollars, y’all!) and start getting excited about the upcoming Derby.

 

The kids had a blast choosing their favorite horses and ‘winning’ a few of the races, and as you can see, on a regular day at Churchill Downs, it’s not too crowded- It’s a perfect time to take your kids to see the races.

My family will be coming with me to Kentucky this weekend, too, but Dennis will be taking the kids to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington on Saturday, while I bravely brave the Derby alone. I think it’s a good call- I get nervous about keeping up with the kids in crowded places.

So instead of ordering child harnesses and ID bracelets, right now I’m just trying to figure out the obvious– WHAT TO WEAR.

The Kentucky Derby is the closest thing we Americans have to a royal event, and I want to be sure I get my look right. I’m most excited about choosing a hat– As everyone in my family has reminded me, I already have a few good ones, but Nashville is home to Steeplechase in just a few weeks, so our local stores are filled to the brim (get it?) with gorgeous spring hats. Tomorrow, I FINALLY HAVE AN EXC– USE TO GET ME ONE.

I’m a ‘go big or go home’ kind of girl, so I think you know what kind of hat I’ll choose.

 

Etsy has a wonderful and unique selection of Derby hats. I’m loving this black and white striped hat, which is just $54!

 

I’m swooning over this Black and White Feathered Hat from Etsy. Yes, I have a little bit of an Eliza Doolittle complex. I also have quite a few little black dresses, so sticking with a notice-me black or black-and-white hat will make my wardrobe preparations a thousand times easier!

 

I’m also loving this incredibly romantic look from Etsy. Decisions, decisions…

As for dresses, I’m partial to this Adrianna Papell dress from Nordstrom.

I’m crazy about this ModCloth Dinner Party Darling dress, which also comes in red. Hmmm…

And then there’s this Modcloth Mesmerize and Shine dress, which would be lovely with a black hat…

I’m going shopping tomorrow (nothing like waiting until the very last minute, right?), and clearly, I’ve got my work cut out for me. I’ll keep you posted.

What I know I’ll be bringing along for sure is hand sanitizer, sunscreen, a makeup touch-up kit, and a package of Cottonelle Flushable Cleansing Cloths. These things are lifesavers and I keep them in my purse at all times, particularly since I have kids who don’t always do so well with cheap toilet paper in restrooms.

I won’t be the only one with cleansing cloths on hand– On the terrace level at Churchill Downs Saturday, Cottonelle will be providing Cottonelle Toilet Paper and Cottonelle Flushable Cleansing Cloths in every restroom, making an sometimes harrowing racetrack experience so much nicer.

Even if you’re not going to the Derby, you can still participate thanks to Cottonelle’s Great Finish Sweepstakes. Sign up at Cottonelle.com, and if the number one and number two positioned racehorses place in that order during the race, the first 15,000 entrants will receive a year’s supply of Cottonelle Toilet Paper and Cottonelle Flushable Cleansing Cloths! That gives new meaning to the term “bet your bottom dollar,” don’t you think?

I’ll keep you posted about my Derby experience over the next several days on my Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts. Follow along and join in the fun!

And be sure and enter The Cottonelle Great Finish Sweepstakes, and join in the Derby experience by following Cottonelle on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Don’t forget to use Cottonelle’s ‘cheeky’ hashtag:  #LetsTalkBums!