MISS JANICE'S AFTER-LABOR DAY FASHION RULES!

This post is from many years ago, but I still follow the rules.

I've been cleaning and organizing my clothing closet all day! It's that time of year when I shift the summer and winter clothes around. Since I get e-mails all the time about "What to Wear and When", I'm gonna give y'all MISS JANICE'S AFTER-LABOR DAY FASHION RULES!

To the back of the closet go all my flip flops...

Must put these sandals away till after Easter...

This is a no-brainer for moi...NO WHITE SHOES AFTER LABOR DAY Y'ALL! One of my readers e-mailed me that she was hosting a "White Shoe Brunch" before Labor Day so that her friends could enjoy their white shoes one last time. I love that theme and maybe next year I'll have a "White Shoe Brunch"! White pants...No ma'am, not even in Florida will I wear white pants after Labor Day! I've traveled the world and can tell you that I would never wear white pants after Labor Day...anywhere...ever! I'm such a stickler about white clothing, that I won't even wear it on Labor Day...for fear that I might get stranded and not able to get home till the day after--Lord have mercy!
Patent leather...Nope, no patent leather after Labor Day. Cannot do it y'all! This is one of the reasons I try to buy all leather shoes, so that I can wear them year-round.

Straw pocketbooks must be put away as well.

No cute madras stuff after Labor Day! Even though those navy madras slacks would look real cute with a white cotton turtleneck and my navy blue Lilly pullover cardigan...no can do!
This linen shift I wore a couple of weeks ago is also not appropriate to wear after Labor Day...I've put all the linen clothing away!
No seersucker after Labor Day either. I can't believe I don't have any seersucker y'all!...even though I love it. Doesn't this group of politicians look perfectly preppy in their summer seersucker suits? "Seersucker Thursday", observed on the third Thursday in June, was originally organized by former Senator Trent Lott of Mississippi, to bring a little Southern Hospitality to our nation's Capitol.
Autumn officially begins on September 23rd. From Labor Day until the 23rd, I will be wearing clothes from my transitional wardrobe. Watch for those upcoming posts to see what I like to wear during that time.
After the 23rd...bring on the corduroy y'all!
I will then start wearing suede also...


If you are lucky enough to have some cute wool shifts like this 'Portia' dress by Lilly, you may certainly begin wearing wool after the 23rd!

Just remember that velvet clothing is only appropriate to wear after Thanksgiving and until Valentine's Day!
Of course, you may wear your pearls, just like Miss Janice...anytime of the year!!!

If you are wondering where these rules came from, well...they came from my mama, Miss Pauline. She's been a fabulously dressed shopaholic her entire life and even though she is now up-in-age, she still loves to dress up and knows what to wear and when! Till this day, mama won't wear slacks to church...Not in the sanctuary, no ma'am! "That's just not appropriate." So thank you to my sweet mama for teaching ME "what to wear and when!"

I hope y'all's Labor Day Weekend was wonderful and allowed you time to get ready for a the new season ahead! I'm so excited about Autumn! Have I told y'all that before?

I will be back later this week...talking about "Preppy Fashion Rule #5", from the new book "True Prep."

Happy National Signing Day!

In honor of National Signing Day, I'm wearing a bit of garnet and gold today along with my Bourbon and Boweties bangles with the Florida State theme.  I'm obsessed with these bangles.  All of them are made with hand-selected semi precious stones and wrapped with gold wire.  They offer a unique statement piece to complete any outfit and look amazing when stacked! 

My bangle stack of the day.

"HERE'S WHAT I'M WEARING."  Gingham blouse - J Crew, Mustard tee - Macy's, Monogrammed vest - TJ Maxx, Boots - Hunter Boots.

I'm Taking a Sick Break!

Normally I don't discuss my health issues on the blog, but, boo hiss... I have gone and gotten sick and have "taken to my bed!" I ended up in the Emergency Room a couple of days ago with a minor issue and now need some rest. And...Just when I was getting ready to reveal some of my cute Spring "Outfits of the Day"...now, I'm laid up in bed wearing Lilly PJs.Right by my bed...on the floor is our 16-year old Jack Russell. Bless her heart, she can't comfort me, she's got her own medical issues!
However, my beloved Mlle Coco Chanel is cuddled right by my side {she enjoys the net with me} and wanted y'all to know that her Mama is okay 'cuz her Daddy's taking care of her!
The tv is on 24/7 and Puff Kitty is in charge of the remote. She is an old school lover of Lifetime Movie Network and has no problem keeping it on that station for her Mama.Hopefully, I'll be back to blogging real soon. I have a cute little giveaway lined up from Lifeguard Press.

TRUE PREP--FASHION RULES

I just finished reading the new book True Prep, the sequel to The Official Preppy Handbook. I'm not going to review the book here, since I'm sure hundreds of other bloggers will be doing that for y'all.

I did enjoy reading the list of forty-one Fashion Rules on pages 81 & 82...all of which I follow, except --"bags & shoes need not match"...oh my, I always try to match my pocketbook & shoes!



Preppy Dressers:
~Love to wear sportswear; however, we know that sweat suits are for sweating.
~Never let our underwear show...that would be tacky!
~Underdress
~Take care of our clothes...they need to last for years and years!
~Don't sport nose rings or have belly-button piercings...duh.
~Would never dream of having a tongue stud...please!
~Never caught on to the ankle bracelet mania...ankle bracelets--a sure sign of unpreppiness!
~Don't wear cell phones suspended from our CK Bradley belts.
~We dress our age, et cetera!

But what is the most important clothing article that preppies must have???

Fashion Rule #5:
~Every single one of us--no matter the age or the gender or sexual preference--owns a blue blazer!

I consider the blue blazer to be an investment...a jacket I can wear for many years. It looks great whether it's paired with a classic skirt, khakis, or jeans. I have invested in two navy blue blazers and both of mine are double-breasted.

I purchased this blazer many years ago at Trimmingham's in Bermuda. It has gold buttons engraved with my monogram and is made of a double-knit fabric. I love this blazer!

The engraved buttons...
Here I am--wearing the blue blazer in this photo taken about 3 years ago in Memphis, Tennessee...meeting Paul Burrell, Royal Butler to Diana, Princess of Wales, at an afternoon tea program. Mr. Burrell is ridiculously handsome y'all!

This weekend I wore my other double-breasted navy blue blazer...a great transitional piece to my wardrobe. This worsted wool blazer is by Austin Reed, as is the pink silk blouse and the ivory skirt. (Ivory/cream fabrics are perfectly acceptable to wear after Labor Day!) I have numerous pieces of Austin Reed and they are also great investments to wear all year long. My pocketbook and shoes do match and they are by Ferragamo!

If you like to dress in the preppy style or just want to live a preppy lifestyle, you might enjoy this new book True Prep, by Lisa Birnbach. I totally love the Stubbs & Woottons on the front cover!
Thank you for visiting with me today.

Happy Weekend Y'all!

Whew! It's hot y'all!!! I'm out running errands today and trying to keep cool!

"HERE'S WHAT I'M WEARING" The skort is the "Worth Avenue Toile' print by Lilly and the polo shirt is by Ralph Lauren. I'm wearing my white Bonannos and carrying my cute straw basket purse, with a teal grosgrain ribbon bow. My jewelry...pearl necklace and pearl stud earrings, 'Return to Tiffany' bracelet by Tiffany, a Chanel charm ring, and my rollring wedding band by Cartier.

I'm keeping this blog post simple...trying to catch up with reading y'all's blogs!!! Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for stopping by!

I'M OFF TO CHURCH!

I am announcing the winner of my giveaway at the end of the post y'all...but first, I'm off to church and "Here's What I'm Wearing!" The orange shift is by Lilly and the orange cardigan is from Tar-jay...a long time ago.
Love the pattern...frogs, octopus, dolphins, whales, and turtles.
I'm wearing my orange Revas, by Tory Burch and carrying my Nantucket pocketbook. The gold choker necklace has a drop pendant of my monogram and the earrings are the same design. I'm wearing a Chanel logo gold bracelet and my Cartier rollring wedding band. My ponytail will be secured with a gold Chanel barrette and my fragrance of choice for the day is Burberry.
Now on to my giveaway...A lot of y'all e-mailed me about where to find the monogrammed pitcher and tumbler set. The set that I'm giving is available online at Tiny Tulip.

If you really want a custom look, you can find acrylic pitchers, goblets, or tumblers at the grocery store, Target, or Walmart. Then you can get decals of your monogram and just stick them on...very easy. I just bought a pitcher and some goblets at Publix and bought some darlin' decals of my monogram at 2PreppyGirls...this way, you can choose the style of the pitcher, goblet/tumbler, and the color of your decals!!
So...the lucky winner is Julie at BrownEyedBelleJulie. Miss Julie lives in Virginia with her precious little Yorkie, Millie. She has a darlin' blog and y'all simply must pay her a visit. Please be gracious and join me in congratulating Miss Julie!!! Congratulations Julie! I do hope you enjoy the iced tea serving set and the cookbook and comeback sauce:)

Thank you again to each one of you for entering my giveaway! I love and appreciate all my readers and have another fun giveaway coming up soon!

EASTER SUNDAY

Happy Easter to y'all! It will be a very busy day for me...starting out with church...love this church!
"Here's What I'm Wearing" I love the lavendar and lime green print on this cute Lilly shift... just love it! I will wear my 'Jackie Cardigan' in the hyacinth color, by J. Crew. The print pattern on this Lilly shift is so moi! Lavendar is in my color wheel y'all, it just is!

It's that time of year...time to pull out the white shoes! I'll wear my white Revas, by Tory Burch and carry this Chanel shoulder bag pocketbook. My jewelry...a pearl necklace & pearl stud earrings and my Cartier rollring wedding band. My fragrance of choice today...'Wink', by Lilly. My ponytail will be adorned with a precious lavendar silk flower.

Lunch after church at home...then entertaining some friends in the afternoon. I hope y'all have a wonderful Easter Sunday and thank you for visiting with me today.

ROAD TRIP Y'ALL!

ROAD TRIP Y'ALL! I'm off to the quaint little town of Mount Dora, Florida, near Orlando. It's time for the annual Mount Dora Spring Collectibles and Crafts Show...where the streets of Mount Dora come alive with hundreds of artists showcasing crafts and antique collections.
I just love small towns y'all. I'll be staying in a very cute and quaint Bed & Breakfast and I'm looking forward to having breakfast at the Inn each morning before hitting the streets to "Shop Till I DROP!"

I've heard so many good things about this Mayberry-ish small town!

I'll try to have dinner at "The Goblin Market," 'cuz it's been highly recommended.

I'm looking forward to worshiping at Saint Edward's Episcopal Church...

A must-do for Miss Janice...tea at the Windsor Rose Tearoom!

The BMW is ready and I've got my Lilly thermo ready to fill...
My bags are packed, in style of course...My carryall is the 'Elizabeth' pattern, by Vera Bradley {Miss Janice's monogram in blue} I like to laminate my business cards and tie them onto my bags with a cute ribbon bow...just in case! The matching garment bag by Vera Bradley...with my monogram.
Love this tote by Land's End to hold my laptop and other much needed crack gadgets...y'all must have known it would be monogrammed also!
I'm only going to be gone for a few days and I'm packing light and mixing & matching! "Here's What I'm Wearing."

For the drive, I'll wear these khaki capris, by Ralph Lauren. The polo shirt is also by Ralph Lauren, and the denim jacket is by Gap. How cute is this little flower pin? These are Lilly-fied pins ...love these! You can find them at etsy.com/shop/lwhelan . I LOVE this Lilly-fied pin!

My shoes are pink mules, by Lilly and my pocketbook is the Lilly Bermuda Bag with the 'Shrimp Cocktail' bag cover...adore this pattern! I'll wear this green cap, which is monogrammed in hot pink and a hot pink grosgrain ribbon on my ponytail. I'll also wear my silver monogrammed choker with the matching earrings and ring, along with my 'Oyster Perpetual' watch by Rolex and my rollring wedding band by Cartier. My fragrance of choice will be 'Wink' by Lilly.

These coveralls, by Lilly, are the 'Chilean Avenue' pattern. These will be perfect for strolling the shops of Mount Dora and checking out the craft vendors! The blouse is a pink oxford, from Ralph Lauren.

Love the pattern of this material...pink & green and oh-so Lilly!

I will wear these pink mules by Lilly and this green cap, also by Lilly. My pocketbook is the Lilly Bermuda Bag with a pink cover, monogrammed in white. The jewelry & fragrance is the same as mentioned in the outfit above. My ponytail will be adorned with a light pink grosgrain ribbon.


For Church and Afternoon Tea, I will wear this cute Lilly shift in the 'Diamond Head Patch Pattern.' I'll also wear this 'Marilyn' cardigan sweater, also by Lilly.Again, pink & green and oh-so Lilly! And, I might add...oh-so Miss Janice!
Love the detail on the pockets!

My shoes...love these 'magenta' revas, by Tory Burch--perfect for this Lilly shift and great to wear all year long. The salesman at Neiman's said it was the last pair in the South Florida area!!! Well then, that justifies the cost, don't y'all think? I tried and tried to find the perfect 'magenta' pocketbook, but could not. Y'all know that I would go out WITHOUT a pocketbook before I'd ever carry one that did not match my shoes!!! So, I got a Midori-ish ribbon in a magenta color and added it to my little basket-style pocketbook. I think it will be just fine to carry to Church in a resort town in Florida:) I'll wear my pearl choker and pearl stud earrings by Ralph Lauren, my Cartier rollring wedding band, and to secure my ponytail, I'll wear a gold hair barrette, by Chanel. My fragrance of choice for the day...'Wink', by Lilly.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. Now, I'm off to Mount Dora!