Elva Fields Blog
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Derby 2018 : A Recap
The "greatest two minutes in sports" has a much longer lead-up here in Louisville, and I love kicking off Derby season with a favorite treat from a Louisville institution, Plehn's Bakery. Their famous horse cookies helped me through the long hours in the studio prepping jewelry for our many trunk shows, pop-ups, and orders for race-ready fun!
Our Pop-Up Shops at Oxmoor Center were a ton of fun, and I loved our shop neighbor with the most fantastically floral fascinators, Tiffany of Darling Handmades. (I even ended up wearing one for a bit on Thursday of Derby week, affectionately (kinda) known as Thurby these days.)
A sweet friend surprised me and a group of girlfriends with a Derby-week visit to the Backside at Churchill Downs on a beautiful spring morning, which is a super-special opportunity to see the stables and horses and all of the behind-the-scenes effort it takes to make the races happen. We had breakfast, sipped coffee, watched the horses have their baths, and then joined trainers, jockeys, owners, visitors, vets, and press as the Oaks and Derby horses had their early-morning workout on the track. It was truly magical, and I have a much deeper appreciation for the equestrian heritage for which the place I call home is known.
A highlight of the jewelry fun this Derby season was having my gorgeous friend Jackie Zykan, Master Taster for Old Forester, ask me to create some designs for her Derby-week looks as she made her press and event appearances on behalf of the delicious bourbon she helps craft.
Each look was inspired by a specific cocktail, and the first was for Thurby, whose official cocktail would be announced this year: the Old Forester Perfect Old Fashioned.
It was SUCH a fun project to select beads based on the cocktail's ingredients, including ice-cube-like rock crystal, honey-hued crystal and agate, along with tiger's eye that resembles the golden-amber color of bourbon, and then touches of red and orange (in African glass) for a cherry and peel. A touch of equestrian elegance in a vintage horse-head buckle finished her look, and it was so great to see how the necklace came together with her fashions by Gunnar Deatherage.
As Jackie mixed cocktails with wonderfully-talented musician Ben Sollee and interviewed with news media, I was settling into my seat at the track. I happened to glance up at the giant screen to see how much time I had to bet on the next race, and then this happened:
Y'all. I never really thought I'd care that much about a Jumbotron for any reason at all, but I have to say, it was kind of awesome to see Elva larger-than-life in front of thousands of people. And then I won $4 on the next race and bought myself a bottle of water. It was a big day.
Jackie's Derby-Day look was inspired by the Derby's iconic cocktail: the Mint Julep. What a delight to let such a legacy lead the design, including leaf-like minty mountain jade, opal, mint glass, and more of that honey-hued crystal to interpret the beverage's ingredients, and we went with brass accents, as the Old Forester version this year was served in a gold julep cup.
After my last delivery on Friday afternoon, I realized I was exhausted. The Run for the Roses gave me a run for my money, so I took myself to the spa on Derby Day and felt like a winner after an amazing saltwater float. Might just be my new race-day tradition. 'Til next year, Derby friends!
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Elva Adventures: Athens, GA
After an impromptu conversation at February's Summit (an amazing gathering held annually at Sea Island by my favorite peeps at The Southern Coterie) an event was in the works, bringing together art, interiors, fashion, and fun with fellow attendees Breckyn Alexander of BMA At Home, Stacy Smallwood of Hampden Clothing, and Cheri Leavy, co-founder of The Southern C.
A Spring Pop-Up Shop was such a fun way to kick off this sunny season ahead, and a road trip to Athens, Georgia proved to be just the thing to start April with a smile. Thanks to a tip from another Southern C gal (who is amazing!) we booked this adorable and charming cottage for a few days that was within walking distance of all the goodness the neighborhood of Five Points had to offer.
The event was held at Breckyn's beautiful shop, BMA At Home, that is full of beauty. From original paintings and tribal textiles to patterned pillows and vintage furniture, every room had us swooning. She has such an amazing eye for color, texture, and style...and even has a feature coming out in Better Homes and Gardens this fall! (So we're clearly not the only ones who think so!)
Hampden's beautiful clothes and accessories filled the shop (and adjoining gallery of the incredibly-talented Hannah Betzel, also a Summit alum) with stylish and delightful designs, and we loved the juxtaposition of fashion with Hannah's wonderful work.
It was certainly not all-work-and-no-play, and dinner with a gorgeous group of women at LRG Provisions was such a fun celebration of collaboration and creativity. (I was not sad about the okra, either.)
A counter lunch at ADD Drug was amazing, chocolate milkshake and onion rings and all. (Also, when was the last time you saw Tab on the drink menu?! And props to Mayfield Milk, a favorite since my childhood summer camp days.) Lots to love here.
I started every morning of my trip with a tea latte from Jittery Joe's and deliciousness from Independent Baking. (Athens locals insisted I order the Morning Roll, a house version of the cinnamon roll that combines two of my favorite pastries in one, and they were right on.) I'd move next door just for the bread-baking smell every morning.
Other highlights: the best little bookstore, delicious local brews on a pub patio, and blooming wisteria along sidewalks and brick-lined alleys. It was such a fun little adventure in Athens, and I can't wait for the next!
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Gifts for Mom
1. Little Ladies Necklace - For each necklace purchased, we teach an underprivileged child to make the same design to keep or gift to a caregiver in classes at local community centers.
2. Birthstone Charm Necklace - Customized just for mom with hand-wired gemstones of your choice and a vintage heart. (And on sale now!)
3. Vintage Scarf - Whether tied around a tote handle, wrist, or neck, Mom will find endless ways to wear one of our handpicked vintage designs.
4. A Year of Jewelry - An Elva Fields exclusive mailed to mom every other month!
5. Freshwater Pearl Vintage Bangle - A timeless classic getting serious magazine love lately (as seen in Justine, Essence, and Family Circle magazines.)
6. Statement Earrings - Our best-sellers! Lightweight, gorgeously golden, ready to wear with EVERYTHING...and under $50!
7. Vintage Tassel Earrings - Combining glamour (vintage Yves Saint Laurent? yes!) and fun (swinging silk!) these beauties are right on time.
8. What's In Your Jewelry Box? Kit - Let Mom mail in a treasured-but-unworn family heirloom from her jewelry box and collaborate with us on a design created just for her that features it!
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Fashion Fun at the Frazier
Elva Fields is thrilled to be part of a fun (and fashionable!) Pop-Up Shop at the Frazier History Museum open during Derby week in conjunction with their latest exhibition all about fashion and style.
Storyteller (a local brand all about beautiful textiles and handmade home goods) asked us to send along some jewelry for the event, so a selection of our latest designs is featured in the shop through Thursday May 3rd.
(And one of our favorite local eateries, Wiltshire Pantry, will be set up with delicious treats outside the museum, so be sure to swing by for delights to eat, see, AND shop!)
Monday April 30th through Thursday May 3rd
9 to 5
Frazier History Museum
829 West Main Street
Louisville, Kentucky
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Elva Fields Pop-Up Shop @ Oxmoor (Round 2!)
Elva Fields Pop-Up Shop
Oxmoor Center
Wednesday, May 2nd
10 to 8
Mall Center Court (near Janie & Jack)
7900 Shelbyville Road
Louisville, Kentucky
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We had so much fun a few weeks ago at Oxmoor's Derby Marketplace, that we'll be back for another day! We'd love for you to swing by to see our latest lovelies...including necklaces, earrings, and bracelets from all Elva Fields collections - and styles from our equestrian-inspired sister line, E.W. Martingale. It's the perfect opportunity to shop for your last-minute Derby look OR snag a gift for Mother's Day.
Hope to see you there!
