Shift Into Spring

Today I wore this Lilly shift in the Sunset Pink 'Shift' pattern.  Wearing this shift made me think of Melissa who writes the blog Southern Vogue.

The pink shift has cute Lilly 'shift' patterns in the design...my favorite Lilly style, the classic shift!

Melissa is a Southern belle living in the great state of Texas.  What's so special about her?  Well, for one thing, she throws THE cutest parties and I'm sure they are the most coveted invitations in her social circle!  I would totally wear this shift to her event!

Miss Melissa Meredith

Like most Southern girls, all her parties have themes and my favorite is the "Shift Into Spring."  Look at the darling invitation for this year's fete.

Hopsy {pictured on the right} is part of the inner circle of friends!  These girls throw the most fantastic parties y'all!

Here's the darling tablescape from this Spring's event.

Pink prissy macarons...

I adore these party favors...Lilly prints!!!!

The invitations were made with the Lilly shift notecards...

Look at the tablescape from last year's party...

Just too adorable!

Party favors with shift bags and an adorable shift banner!

Pink and green treats...

When you visit Melissa's blog, you will find other posts from her fabulous events.  The latest event was her birthday party--with a Derby theme on Derby Day.  She has posted some photos from that event and it was just the cutest thing ever!

Note to Melissa:

I know how to behave at prissy parties and I have a few Lilly shifts, one of which I'm sure would be appropriate to wear.  I am now placing your parties on my "Bucket List" of Things To Do Before I Die!

Kindest regards,

Miss Janice

P.S.  I always arrive with a cute present for my hostess!

Apple Juleps...Southern Style

It's that time of year when I long for the days when Mama and Daddy would take me to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Mama and I would shop like socialites while Daddy sat on the nearest bench...just waiting patiently until we ran out of money.

Pigeon Forge is located near Gatlinburg, Tennessee and is a popular destination for those traveling to see "The leaves changing" during Autumn. The area is also known to shopaholics as as the home of the "Outlet Malls of All Outlet Malls!"But, my most wonderful memory of those trips were our meals at The Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant. Lord have mercy, it's like the The Cracker Barrel heaven! They have THE BEST country cooking...Apple fritters, fried pork chops, applesauce muffins, apple butter, chicken and dumplings, and the list goes on an on. We were never disappointed!

But what do I remember most about the Applewood Restaurant? The Apple Juleps! This is the beverage that was served complimentary to all guests at the restaurant.

With the arrival of Autumn, last night I served Apple Juleps...in mint julep cups!

Etiquette tip: It is considered proper to drink Apple Juleps with a sterling mint julep straw/spoon. Simply use the spoon to stir the julep and sip your beverage through the tiny hole at the other end. This is one of the very few times a lady should use a straw to drink a beverage. It's also acceptable to use a straw when you are drinking a coke out of a can, a large to-go cup of sweet tea, a cold Starbuck's beverage, or when you have taken ill and are in the the bed.

A sterling mint julep straw/spoon...stir with one end and sip from the other.
Recipe for the Apple Julep:
1 quart unsweetened apple juice, chilled
1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice, chilled

1/4 cup lemon juice, chilled
Garnish with apple slices or mint sprigs

Combine all the ingredients with ice cubes. Enjoy! Happy Autumn y'all!

Miss Janice's Naughty Egg Nog

Eggnog is an excellent choice for a nightcap with friends. It's an annual Christmas tradition going back to the 1600s. Eggnog is a descendant of a British drink call 'posset', which contained eggs, milk, and ale. It may also be spiked with wine, brandy, and my favorite choice...rum!

Here I am wearing my latest apron find...perfect for serving eggnog! It's a tartain plaid apron I found at where else???--HomeGoods y'all! I love it:)


I always offer my guests a 'Nice Eggnog' {soy nog and nutmeg}--it's actually very tasty and lactose-free, cholesterol-free, and contains no saturated fat. Now, my 'Naughty Eggnog' is just that--quite naughty, but very popular!

I set up the Secretary to serve my 'Naughty Eggnog'...

The tasty 'Eggnog Cookies' are from Trader Joe's!!! Totally delish:)

Miss Janice's 'Naughty Eggnog' served in mint julep cups...

Recipe for Miss Janice's Naughty Eggnog:
1 quart eggnog (from grocers)
1/2 pint whipping cream
Desired amount of rum--I use one cup--I mentioned it was naughty, right?
1/4 tsp. nutmeg, plus extra for garnishing
Whip eggnog and whipping cream until thick. Add white rum to taste. Stir and pour into mint julep cups and garnish with nutmeg.

Ho Ho Ho y'all! Hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas season!!!

Kick Off the Holiday Season - Part 1 of 4

Autumn is a wonderful time of the year to reconnect with family and friends and to begin planning all of your holiday events and decorations. Small events are my specialty. I love to entertain and create themed events--from potluck to formal dinners. Entertaining does not mean that you have to host a lavish formal dinner party. I'm sure that you have thought about entertaining friends, only to stress out that your house isn't decorated right, not clean enough, or you are not a Martha Stewart-type person. Well, you probably have more entertaining experience than you think--from birthday parties to casual cookouts--it's all about the social skills.

Whether your holiday entertaining plans include a soup and salad supper, a festive cookie exchange, or a formal dinner on Christmas Day, with a little savvy planning and incorporating your personal style, you will be able to host a memorable event.

Please join me...I will be talking about the steps you can take to avoid being stressed on the big day!