photographed by Kate Zimmerman for Garden & Gun
shot on location at the Texas Alpha Pi Beta Phi House
We’ve never been to Churchill Downs, but we’re pretty sure that derby watching parties are neck-and-neck with the real thing when it comes to fun. This year we partnered with our friends at Garden & Gun to create a dreamy, vintage style Derby Day lunch full of new ideas for how to celebrate this weekend. We put on our best hats and headed to Pi Beta Phi (the most amazing Southern sorority house at the University of Texas) to celebrate the “fastest eight seconds in sports.” With a garland made from vintage ribbons and a few trophies borrowed from our friend Quincy DeSpain, we transformed the house into the equestrian club of our dreams…
Olivia created an arrangement from lilac mountain laurels in an antique trophy.
We served the official drink of the derby, the mint julep, and took pride in observing all the fun traditions — from the silver cups right down to the linen napkins. (See our recipe for a classic mint julep here.)
Camille created this take on a “Derby Pie” dessert by serving them in mason jars and adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For more details and fun ideas from our derby day lunch hop on over to Garden & Gun to see the full story. And happy betting!
