Hosting a Kentucky Derby bash is a win for every party guest. Hats, dresses, whiskey and sports, what isn’t there to love? The big race is quickly approaching (May 2!), and now is the perfect time to DIY your party decor and prep for the big event. We’re sharing our favorite derby DIYs below, so grab your fascinator and get crafting.
1. DIY Photo Backdrop: Photo backdrops are always a hit at parties. Create a colorful photo backdrop by stapling faux turf onto a large piece of plywood. Add hats, old-fashioned chairs and some pony toys for optimal fun. (via East Coast Creative blog)
2. Floral Arrangements: While your mint julep booze table might be the main attraction, flowers can liven up your party space. We love the combo of crisp white roses with gorgeous pink blooms. (via Kara’s Party Ideas)
3. Mason Jar Glasses: Mason jars are a southern staple. Create a takeaway party favor with these labeled mason jar drink holders. Guests will love the favor, and it’ll help them identify their drinks throughout the party. (via Hometalk)
4. Centerpiece: Bring a hint of the stable to your Derby Day affair with these DIY flower box centerpieces. The floral touches and quirky gold toys make for a beautiful and rustic centerpiece. (via HWTM blog)
5. Dessert Toppers: Pay a not-so-subtle homage to the theme of the day with these easy DIY dessert toppers. Hot-glue them onto white dowels or cake pop sticks so they can stand tall (and steady!) on your dessert table. Whoa, Nelly! (via Greg Blomberg/Style Me Pretty)
6. Paper Products: For those guests not imbibing in the standard mint julep or bourbon, attach these adorable labels to water bottles or old-fashioned soda bottles to tie every aspect of your event together. (via HWTM)
7. Party Games: Before the big race, set up games like horseshoe and corn hole to bring out everyone’s competitive side. Surprise the lucky winners afterward with a prize. (via Kentucky Derby)
8. Decor: The best part about playing sports as a kid was getting a trophy at the end of the season. These childhood throwbacks make for creative decor and could be a silly reward for horseshoe winners. (via Jennifer Rizzo)
9. DIYÂ Ice Cubes: After the race is over, celebrate the lucky horse with a champagne cocktail toast, complete with red rose ice cubes. Take miniature English spray roses (fake ones will do just fine) and freeze in a large ice cube mold for an impressive cocktail add-in. (via Karissa Fanning)
10. Cocktails: And this wouldn’t be a Derby Day without a few drinks, now would it? No matter if you like your bourbon or your celebratory champagne, we’ve got you covered with not one, but two recipes appropriate for the big day: Whiskey Ginger With Lemon or a Pomegranate French 75. (via Brit + C0)
Are you ready for Derby Day? List your favorite Derby-related traditions in the comments below!
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.