The Steeplechase

One of our favorite spring traditions is to attend the Block House Steeplechase running in Tryon, North Carolina.

This event ushers in spring with picnics, sundresses, elegant hats, and tailgating as we view the thoroughbreds thundering past striving for a win. The day started out quite cool, so I am wearing a sweater poncho here. As the afternoon progressed, the sun warmed us enough to shed the layers. Our parking space partners were the most charming people! We loved visiting with them and hope to continue our new friendships for many years.

At the beginning of the festivities, there is a hat contest to award a prize to the most appropriate hat, the funniest hat, and the best kid's hat. 

Here I am in the hat parade wearing the white dress I told you about earlier. (I did not win, but it certainly was fun!)

  

Here are some of the other contestants in their lovely hats.

The Block House is the longest-running steeplechase in the state of North Carolina, occurring continuously since 1947. Crowds of 18,000 to 20,000 attend the Block House Races annually. 

This 1949 Bentley was in the space in front of us. The owner is the fellow standing behind the car. He told us that his father bought the car new and that his grandchildren are the fifth generation to ride in the car. He drives it regularly.

We always stay at the 1906 Pinecrest Inn. This is later in the day at the gazebo in the lower gardens on the Inn's property. We are on our way to cocktails on the terrace, so I have switched to a more subdued animal print ribbon trimmed straw hat for the afternoon. When wearing a hat, I wear few other accessories. The effect can be quite matronly if you add large earrings, a necklace, and glasses. The soft white knit dress is from Stein Mart.

Later in the evening, I wore another red knit dress from Stein Mart to dinner. This is a record for me... bare legs with a dress twice in one day! Normally I would not be so daring, but it is my vacation after all.

The next morning, I wore this wonderful fuchsia blouse, which was a gift from Foxcroft. I paired it with khaki Capri pants from Talbots and Kenneth Cole Reaction sandals via T.J. Maxx. This Foxcroft blouse will be one of my spring favorites! You will see it often. It is the softest non-iron fabric I have ever worn. Normally no iron blouses are too stiff to be comfortable. This one flows across the body in a perfect drape.

Shopping in the Biltmore Village

Mr. Mickey and I spent a lazy Saturday afternoon shopping in Asheville, NC.

The historic Biltmore Village is centered around All Souls Cathedral and the homes built for the people who worked for many years to build the Biltmore House. Those houses are now unique shops and restaurants. All of the buildings that have been added over the years must comply with the original buildings' style, so even a nearby McDonald's has the same interesting rooflines and details.

An old clawfoot bathtub was used in the landscaping in front of this linen shop.

We also spent time downtown visiting galleries, shopping, watching people, and our usual restaurant crawl.

The flying nun of Asheville (Sister Bad Habit) is one of our favorite characters. He has a very theatrical English accent, and he wears horn-rim glasses with a couple of days of dark beard growth. He rides this extended bicycle through downtown with the biggest smile on his face. Everyone cheers when they see him pass, and they stop to take his picture. This is actually his job! He helps to promote LaZoom tours of Asheville. 

I wore khaki jeans by French Dressing with a cream tank top from Coldwater Creek. The purple linen three-quarter sleeve jacket is old from Coldwater Creek. My sandals are from Kenneth Cole Reaction via T.J. Maxx. The faux alligator bag is from Tuesday Morning. The bone and gemstone bangle bracelet has been part of my collection for many years. I love to wear wide bangle bracelets with warm weather clothes.

Thanks so much for all your nice comments on my last post!