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On the Cover: The Thrill of the Hunt

An antiquarian muses on the passionate pursuit of pieces inspired by the sporting life.

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Highlights from the January / February 2026 issue:

From the Associate Publisher

There’s something magical about the heart of winter in the Bluegrass.  As the start of the new year brings with it the promise of new beginnings and the season's stillness settles in, we’re given an invitation to rest, reflect, and welcome what’s to come.  In this same spirit of possibility, I’m thrilled to join Sophisticated Living as Associate Publisher of the Lexington edition. 

 

Lexington is my home, and the opportunity to connect with the businesses, creators, and visionaries who make this city extraordinary feels like a natural extension of everything I love about our city.  It’s our privilege to illuminate the designers, tastemakers, proprietors, and culinary artists who define our city’s character—and to share their stories with you.

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Cover Story: The Thrill of the Hunt

Imagine slow, cold breathing in the quiet stillness of a quail hunt at dawn or the excitement of barking hounds, horse hoofs striking the ground with the sound of a hunting horn signaling an early morning fox hunt.

 

This imagery embodies the refined sporting life through various forms of hunting throughout history. When we refer to "the hunt scene" in antiques, it is a literal depiction of hunting in art and objets d'art. Various forms of bird and fox hunting scenes can be found in many different mediums, ranging from artwork (paintings and engravings) to porcelain, bronze, and brass amongst other items.

 

Much of what we consider the sporting life has its origins in Great Britain from the 16th century onward, before being popularized in the United States in the 19th century. Early British bird-hunting traditions were diverse and strongly shaped by class. Historic pheasant and quail hunting became a cornerstone of British and American sporting traditions.

 Text: Kim Hites

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Sophisticated Wedding

Samantha Farish + Ross Rosenstein

Photography: Jenny Losee

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Sophisticated Wellness

Sexual Health in 2026

My last article declared that menopause is having a moment.


Well, in 2026… it’s sex.

 

More than 30 years ago, Salt-N-Pepa suggested “Let’s Talk About Sex,” and it felt downright scandalous. Now here we are, decades later, finally having grown-up conversations about it. And thank goodness, because sexual health isn’t frivolous or embarrassing. It’s foundational to overall health.

 

Yet, I meet people quite often who tell me they still struggle to talk about sexual challenges and end up suffering silently. Or they turn to dubious online peddlers that promise the world and deliver very little.

 

The National Institutes of Health reports that 43% of women and 31% of men experience sexual dysfunction at some point. But here’s the hopeful part: real, effective solutions exist.  We just have to talk about the problems first.

 

So… let’s talk.

Text: Terri Paige, CEO andt: Co-founder, Medical Transformation Center 

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The Trove

Our editor’s pics for your winter adventures, from sea to ski.

Photo: Matteau relaxed shirt ($420) and Nineties classic brief ($150; int.matteau-store.com)

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A Golden Opportunity

Think about the single thread that connects some of our favorite hospitality experiences, close to home and away, and you’re likely to find commonality in the way these places appeal to all the senses. Signature scents, intriguing and enviable interior design, inventive cuisine, and a sense of welcome that’s as intuitive and genuine as a bear hug from an old friend cements their vaunted stature and beckons us back again and again.

 

For over a decade, The Apiary has been creating these memorable moments in spades, pivoting with the times with the precision of a point guard to maintain balance and make quick, smart decisions that keep it at the forefront of elevated entertaining in Lexington.  Incubated for nearly three years, The Apiary’s newest offering, Golden Skep, is a private membership club that offers a chosen few privileged weekly access to custom-tailored experiences.  “It’s an extension of our mission to bring people together to experience authentic connection and build a sense of community,” said Cooper Vaughan, founder of The Apiary.

Text: Bridget Cottrell

Image: Courtesy of The Apiary

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Power to the Pattern.

Self-professed maximalist interior designer Isabel Ladd employs her penchant for punchiness within a traditionalist framework.

Text: Bridget Cottrell

Photo: Andrew Kung

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Society Calendar

Happenings of note in January, February & March

Is there an event you’d like us to cover or add to our event calendar? Send an email with the details to bridget@slmag.net.

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Keeneland Fall Meet

Photos by Daniel Roberts

A Night for the Nest

Photos by Daniel Roberts

An Evening for the CAC of the Bluegrass

Photos by Daniel Roberts

Community Housing Charity Gala

Photos by Daniel Roberts

Wine & Fries

Photos by Daniel Roberts

A Sweet Reception

Photos by Daniel Roberts

Kentucky Bash

Photos by Daniel Roberts

JASK Gala

Photos by Daniel Roberts

Freedom Fund Gala

Photos by Daniel Roberts

Lexington Rescue Mission Banquet

Photos by Daniel Roberts

Burnt Tavern Bourbon VIP Launch

Photos by Daniel Roberts

The Lexington Open

Photos by Daniel Roberts

T-Rex Races

Photos by Daniel Roberts

Wish Day Lexington

Photos by Daniel Roberts

Keeneland Concours d’Elegance

Photos by Tony Bailey

Disaster Blaster

Photos by Daniel Roberts

Hangar Bash

Photos by Daniel Roberts

Asado

Photos by Victor Sizemore

Maserati Mingle

Photos by Daniel Roberts

Keeneland Spring Meet

Photos by Daniel Roberts

Get to Know Us

At Sophisticated Living, we are dedicated to and passionate about all the finer things life has to offer. Whether your interests are close to home or in far-flung places. each issue shares highlights of the good life in Lexington and beyond.

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Bridget Cottrell, Editor-In-Chief

A co-founder of the company, Bridget is Editor-In-Chief of both the Lexington and Louisville editions and serves as the editorial director for shared content across all Sophisticated Living issues. Originally intending to become an archaeologist, she transfers her global curiosity into content that considers multiple perspectives.

bridget@slmag.net

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Join us around the table. Sophisticated Living readers are affluent, educated, capable, and influential consumers.  Our award-winning editorial, full-page-only ad format, and unique direct-distribution method give our advertisers ample opportunity to maximize their message in front of the highest-income earners in Lexington.

For advertising information, contact Bridget Cottrell, bridget@slmag.net

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Sophisticated Living Lexington

PO Box 1229

Prospect, KY 40059

502.582.6563

 
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