It's New Year's Eve!

New Year's Eve! Blah, blah, blah!!! Tonight I'm wearing this cute little hostess apron during "Merlot Hour" ...it's says "Party Girl." While I am definitely a party girl, believe it or not, I've never really been into New Year's Eve. Just between me and y'all, I can't stand going to parties with a bunch of drunk strangers kissing me at midnight! It's just gross! I will enjoy watching Anderson Cooper & Cathy Griffin's coverage of The Time's Square Ball, a champagne toast with my Waterford goblet, and singing Auld Lang Syne.

I shall reflect back on the past year--thinking about what I did wrong and how to change that and what I got right and how to keep that going!

It's fun looking forward to the new year isn't it? This year, I decided to write down my goals for 2011...not resolutions--just personal goals I want to accomplish, places I want to visit, and of course, there are several goodies I want to buy!!! If you follow me on Twitter here, you can read "Miss Janice's Goals for 2011."

New Year's Gifts
Even though I'm staying home and not hosting a party this year or attending one...here's a photo of a gift I packaged for guests a couple of years ago. I used a four-pack box and filled it with a split of champagne, two inexpensive champagne goblets, some party horns, black shred, and my signature gingham ribbon.
Get Your Party Favors Y'all!
This is my favorite New Year's party favor of all time!!! It's a can of the Southern favorite New Year's Day food--Black Eyed Peas...wrapped in cello and adorned with a party blower! Remember, for every pea you eat, that's a dollar you'll earn in the new year! {That's what Mama said!!!}


It's Time for a Blog Break Y'all!
Please excuse me while I take a break from blogging for a short while. I need to do some computer maintenance, some work around the house, and possibly get a new blog design! {Speaking of blog design...does anyone know why my right margin has dropped down below the last post on this page?}

Before I close for my break, I want to thank all my readers for your precious comments on the blog. Y'all are so sweet! You may certainly still e-mail me with your questions and also follow me on Twitter at SocialGraces101...I'll still be tweeting "What I'm Wearing," et cetera.

Happy New Year to all y'all! I hope that you reach the goals you set and that you have a prosperous, healthy, and happy New Year!

Don't forget to open up the front door of your home at midnight to let the old year out and the new year in...it's a Southern thing y'all!

Chin Chin!

Miss Janice

Christmas on the Porch

Welcome to the porch at "The Roost!" Christmas is only 5 days away y'all! Lord have mercy, I just got all the Christmas decorations put up and it's about time to take it all down!

Last year, I used lime green and red decorations inside the cottage, but decided to take 'em out to the porch this Christmas.

I'm not gonna do much talking...just take a peek at the photos y'all!

*LOVE* the monogrammed polka dot apron I'm wearing. It coordinates perfectly with the colors of the tablescapes and decorations. I got the last one they had at The Pink Monogram!

My little message flag greets my guests by the walkway...

Photo taken during the sunshine hours!

The little tabletop tree at the waiting area...
Simple wreaths on the windows...all with polka dot bows!
I made all my own wreaths this year...just added the ribbon, picks, and ornaments!
I placed the "Merry Christmas" sign in the middle...found it on Etsy!

Another wreath on the side door of the porch...

The big tree...during the sunshine hours!
Top hat tree toppper and picks...
The deco mesh from HomeGoods is the the best stuff y'all! *LOVE* it!

Adornments for the tree follows...
Nightime has arrived...
The tabletop tree topper...
Closeup of the tabletop tree...
My message to all my blogging friends all over the world!
*LOVE* this little message sign:)

The table is set for dinner...

*LOVE* the centerpiece carousel wreath!
Placesetting...

Festive ornament adorns the napkin, tied with lime green Midori ribbon...


Custom-designed goblets...
Dove 'Peppermint Bark' and Hershey's 'Candy Cane Christmas Kisses' {my fave candies during the Christmas season} are the goodies...
The serving cart is set!
The perfect little linen towel...monogrammed, of course!

A little spread of pimiento cheese...a fave of mine!

Brie log & crackers on a festive holiday tray!
Y'all know my beverage napkins MUST coordinate with my theme colors!

"Signature Beverage" of Christmas Cosmopolitans*
Dessert {Double-Fudge Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream} is served with a "Signature Beverage" of Andes Mint Coffee**...
Love these dishes from The Cracker Barrel...'Merry Merry' pattern.

I tied up the napkins with the same ribbon that adorns the trees, wreaths, and porch rail.
Andes Mint Coffee...Total yumness y'all!
Thank you for visiting with me today. I hope that you enjoyed the tour of the porch. My wish is that you all have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy the time with your family and friends.


*Recipe for Christmas Cosmopolitan
(I found this recipe in the Victoria Magazine 'Classic Holiday Bliss' and changed it to my preference)
2 Quarts light Cranberry Juice
1 1/4 cups gin
6 tblsp. fresh lemon juice
Fresh cranberries
Mix all ingredients in a large pitcher. Serve over ice and garnish with cranberry-embellished rosemary sprigs.

**Recipe for Andes Mint Coffee
Desired amount of brewed coffee
Desired amount Bailey's Irish Cream
Whipped Topping
Andes Mints, chopped
Add the Bailey's Irish Cream to brewed coffee, top with whipped topping and Andes Mints.

Christmas Decorations in the TV Room

This weekend will hopefully be a restful one here at "The Roost!" Today I'm off to enjoy a Starbuck's holiday beverage while browsing the local bookstore and then maybe some light last-minute shopping. After a late lunch, I'll go to Church...because I NEED to remind myself of The Reason for the Season!

"HERE'S WHAT I'M WEARING" Mama gave me the wool boucle jacket and the ivory tee is from Macy's. The black basic skirt is from Talbot's.

{Following mama's advice, I'll be wearing stockings with closed-toe shoes...no watch...no slacks to Church!} I'll be wearing my black Ferragamo pumps and carrying my black Chanel 2.55 pocketbook with the gold hardware. My necklace and earrings are both by St. John and I'll wear my rollring wedding band by Cartier...my ponytail will be adorned with a black velvet scrunchie {don't judge y'all, I love scrunchies!} and also a black Ferragamo headband. My fragrance of choice today is 'Coco Mademoiselle' by Chanel and my lipstick is 'Star Red' also by Chanel. Oh, and I'll probably throw the little tube of 'Twisted Peppermint' hand lotion from Bath & Body Works into my pocketbook--obsessed with that line of products right now!

Afterwards, it's a total relaxing weekend on the couch for moi!!! {In front of the Christmas tree} Y'all come on in and take a peek at the Christmas decorations...

The foyer table is decorated with garland, animal print ribbon from Ballard Designs, some ornaments, and candelight!

My cottage has small rooms y'all, so I used a slim tree in the den...decorated with copper tones, feathers, gold ornaments, and accented with my gold "G" initial...

I'm into feathers now y'all!

I just might have been enjoying "Merlot Hour" when I snapped the photo of the armoire...left the right side of it out!

The cute burlap stockings with animal print edging (found on Etsy) were hung with care on little fleur de lis stocking hangers {aka wall hooks}....

The top of the armoire...

Pere Noel dressed in animal print for Miss Janice!

Garland and ornaments...

The feather wreath as a tabletop wreath on the armoire...using the fleur de lis tabletop wreath holder from Michael's...*LOVE* the wreath holder!

See the little fleur de lis on the top...just the thing for all us fleur de lis-obsessed girls!

The sofa area...sorry for the dark photos, but this a dark and cozy room y'all!

This monogrammed platter hangs over the long mirror {I bought this at Carlton Interiors in Perry, Georgia during my Thanksgiving trip home to see mama} I will probably move it later, don't like the look over the mirror.
I found this adorable Joyeux Noel plaque wreath on Etsy. *TOTALLY LOVE*

My coffee table decorated with my favorite cherub, some magnolias and the gold leaves, animal print ribbon and ornaments...

Ready for "Merlot Hour"...*LOVE* this animal print serving tray I found years ago in Palm Springs, California!

Pere Noel on the sofa...

More Pere Noel and animal print {Msg. to all my long-time friends...I'm back into animal print!}

My serving bar is set with a festive touch!

Another Joyeux Noel plaque wreath from Etsy...this one has dried hydrangeas as a border. *LOVE*

Cherub sweetness as the centerpiece...

Of course, I squealed inapproprately when I saw these fleur de lis candles at Pier One! I adorned the holders with animal print ribbon from Ballard Designs...

A little 'sumthing for the lamp!

More cheetah/Pere Noel love!

I hope y'all have enjoyed the tour of my little TV room! Now, I'm off to have a great Saturday afternoon and I hope y'all enjoy the weekend!!! Thank you so much for stopping by to visit.