Hats off to Ascot 2012!

As fun as the racing is at Royal Ascot, I have to admit that a great part of the fun is "hat watching." This year was particularly challenging for all of us sporting a "chapeau" because the winds were whipping in a frenzy, and everyone, including the queen, was seen holding on to their hats for fear of them rolling away.

A

To photograph hats on women who are on the move, and be discreet at the same time, is a bit challenging, but I knew you would want a peek of some things I saw. I caught quite a few from the back, but you get the general idea.

So here we go, I'm labeling each photo with a letter so you can tell me your favorite.

B

Lots of details on this one that I love.

C

A regal color.

D

Lots of loops!

E

This gal I shot from the back, but she was so gracious and turned around so we could all see the front as well.

E

Cute, right?

F

More views from the front.

Shading the sun never hurts.

G

Need a lot of overhead clearance for this one.

H

Snappy!

I

Catching a few from the side...

J

K

Spikey!

L

Like a flying saucer.

M

There seemed to be a popular recurring motif this year--

N

Are you beginning to see?

O

Feathers in all shapes, 

P

colors,

Q

and sizes.

R

I was attracted to both of these

S

but not so sure when I caught a view of the one on the right from the front? What do you think?

T

We got excited for a moment when we spotted this gal in the Royal Ring. Could it be Kate Middleton with such a cute dress and blossoming headpiece?

T

Not to be, but interesting nonetheless.

So now it's time to hear from you. I loved hearing from you last year and seeing which ones were your favorites.

What's your pick this year?

We're off to the Races--Ascot that is!

In our whirlwind month of extreme excitement last month, we were able to head to the races--the crème de la crème of them all: Royal Ascot. 

This was our second year to attend, and nothing is more fun than dressing up for this occasion.

The girls were looking quite smart,

but I must say the men looked quite "dapper."

This being the Diamond Jubilee Stakes year, the prizes being awarded were huge: £4.5 million across 30 races in a 5 day period.

The fashion stakes were higher this year, as well, with new rules for those of us sitting in what is called the Royal Enclosure section. No more flimsy fascinators allowed--only a substantial hat would do, and the modesty requirements for women's dresses were spelled out precisely. We were greeted by the "fashion police" who made sure everyone was complying by the rules, and if you were not, you were kindly asked to take (for a fee) the pashminas and hats they had on hand for the offenders!

Thankfully, we passed the test

and headed to our suite to join our friends who were busy strategizing their races and sizing up the horses.

After a lovely lunch,

we headed down to the Parade Ring where I captured the best photo I've ever taken of the queen, as she entered the racecourse. Wasn't she especially lovely on this day? It's always great fun to predict what color the queen will wear each of the 5 days of the races, and this year I hit the jackpot in our suite's Queen's Color Pool by predicting purple. I kept my winnings to myself and went home with it all, not taking any risks!

Following the queen was her first cousin, Prince Michael of Kent and his wife Princess Michael.

Now it was time for the races--5 in all that day.

The queen entered her thoroughbred, Estimate, in the 5 PM Queen's Vase race. Estimate had been a gift from the Aga Kahn's top breeding stock. Like other horse owners, she came to view the filly and chat with the jockey

before the race began.

It was an exceptional day for the queen, with Estimate keeping a steady pace throughout the race and then breaking away to win by 5 lengths.

His jockey, Ryan Moore, brought him to the winner's lane

where the Queen reappeared to give him a congratulatory pat.

The presenter of the prize was none other than her own husband, Prince Philip, who seemed quite pleased to hand it over to his wife. This marked her 21st Royal Ascot win and the first time that Prince Philip awarded her a trophy.

She seemed quite pleased with her jockey and his triumph, which was her first winner since 2008.

Then it was back to the seats to watch the final race of the day.

The day wrapped up with the Traditional Sing Along along the bandstand, one of our favorite parts of the day,

and some tailgating with friends who made it such a memorable occasion.

You won't be disappointed if you catch my next blog when some of the amazing hats of the day will be featured! 

Till then, Happy Weekend everyone!

It's All About the Hats!

Shades of Eliza Dolittle! Yes, the hats at Ascot were fabulous,

and we were very lucky it was fairly decent weather that day, because the weather got pretty nasty Thursday and Friday. Can you imagine trying to keep these "masterpieces" under an umbrella all day?

Ladies in Red....

A girlfriend outing, I imagine.

A little lopsided, but cute.

Channeling other worlds perhaps?

A la Audrey Hepburn!

See the hand and fingers on top?

She cleared a wide path when she walked.

Love the back of these!

A menswear tuxedo look.

High fashion.

Fantástico!

Feathers and color won't let you down!

Classy!

She asked to take a photo of my hat, so of course, I took one of her!

Flying saucers?

Boa around the brim!

Liked the bold color!

Two friends out for a special day.

And my favorite of all. This sweet lady was adorable, and had planted herself in a position where everyone could see her as they came into the grandstand. Isn't she a charmer?