Happy Derby Day, Friends

I don't know about you, but I get a little excited about frilly dressing and hat wearing all day. I just learned that Denver is second only to Louisville when it comes to the amount of people celebrating the day. Not sure why or how that happened, but I am guessing it has something to do with the fact that we just like an excuse to dress up and have a good time... why not?!

I started Denver Darling almost one week ago, next week, and the one thing that I didn't realize would be such an amazing perk of this blog ride, is the sweet and like minded friends I would make a long the way. Recently I got to spend an evening with some of my favorite blogging gals and we could not have had a better time.

We enjoyed some of the tastiest treats from Coohills and were delighted with the adorable table setting and other goodies from Swoozie's. I love their assortment of disposable table runners, I have used them for several events and they are such a great way to add to your theme and give a great pop of color without breaking the bank. I also love these mix and match Kate Spade appetizer and dessert dishes, I am so excited to use my set for Mother's Day brunch this weekend.

If you have been following along for a little while now, you know that I never met a monogram that I didn't like :).. I think a monogram adds such a special touch to an everyday item. I love our sun hats (which will also be doubling as my Derby hat this year) and totes for a fun in the sun bachelorette party. For my bachelorette my bridesmaids ordered personalized beach towels (like these) and matching bags, similar to these, and stuffed them full of weekend essentials (magazines, cheap sunglasses, sunscreen, and tons of water). I also think these totes would be great for the new graduate heading to school. I have been carrying my laptop around in my tote lately and know it would be perfect for my little cousin heading to college next year.... I never loved carrying a traditional backpack when I was in school.

I saw this dress and fell for it immediately (also cute without the cutout here). I love investing in pretty pieces that can be dressed up or down and this dress certainly can be. I have already worn it with these flat sandals, these chunky sandals, and these pumps to dress it up.

Swoozie's is offering 20% off to Denver Darling readers in store and online with code DENVERDARLING through May 31st.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend - would love to hear about your Derby Day!

Photography: Corey Anthony

This post is in collaboration with Swoozie's. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible!

Over the last few weeks or so, graduation announcements have slowly been trickling in. We are hitting a whole new phase in our life: friends are having babies, and the cousins and neighbors who I still picture as tiny, little ones are graduating and heading to college – such an exciting time!

For a while now, one of my favorite local shops for gifts has been Swoozie’s on 6th. They have adorable, girly gifts and décor and you can stick a monogram on almost everything in the entire store – and we all know how I feel about personalization and monogramming (it’s kind of a situation)… With graduation around the corner here are my picks (at every price point) for 2015 graduating guys and gals!

I was so excited to find a place that sold Smathers & Branson items like these cufflinks and this belt. This is typically an East Coast brand you don’t see around these parts, but I think is a great graduation gift for any guy. I actually got Jonny a wallet like this one (with his school insignia) for his graduation five years ago – holy cow... I can't believe it either!! I love this blush striped duffle – it would be perfect for weekend trips back home or fun getaways! This necklace is also one of my favorite gifts for girls of all ages.

Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means that by clicking on the link or purchasing an item, may help me earn a small commission. I only recommend products and places I love and I think Denver Darling readers will too :)

Smathers & Branson Cufflinks, Live the Life You Love Book, Moon and Lola sunnies, Peekaboo clutch, 365 Days of Sun clutch, Kate Spade umbrella, Moon and Lola necklace, Blush Strip Getaway duffle, Believed She Could travel mug, Personalized case, Monogram Pillow, Canvas Weekender, Smathers & Branson belt