Hey Y'all!

I just realized a few days ago that I have not blogged in several weeks!  I've been busy getting ready to go away for a couple of of months... tomorrow I'm off to California, Nevada, and then to Georgia to stay with my Mama for awhile!  Of course, Mama raised me to make sure the house was clean when I go away...just in case I don't come back.  "Lord have mercy, you don't want mourners coming into a dirty house!"

So, I've been busy...I Annie Sloan-ed this cabinet in the kitchen.  It's "Old Ochre" and I love the way you can use the paint indoors...there are no paint fumes!  Once I got started, then I had to clean and organize the entire kitchen!

Polishing all the silver...

Went through my stash of paper plates...I'm a paper plate hoarder!  The two patterns in the bottom photo are my favorites.

Then it was on to my paper napkins...I do crack myself up all the time!

Just a few of my napkin rings and place card holders.

I cleaned everything on top of my cabinets.  Only six roosters survived the reorganization plan!

On my way to my friend Lane's house with the stuff that didn't make the cut...I'm not a very good packer.  But, I do love to give Lane my loot, 'cuz she makes me Cuban coffee in exchange.  Worth it!!!

I entertained with a very informal supper.  Pink rooster and gingham dinnerware.

I served strawberry shortcake for dessert.  This is my husband's favorite dessert!

During my cleaning spree, I took a break for "Elevenses Tea" served on the kitchen island.  That little rooster teapot was one of the fortunate roosters to survive my cleanup!

Here's some of the outfits I've been wearing:

'Derby Day' Lilly Pulitzer shift.

Monogrammed 'Havana Good Time' Lilly Pulitzer shift.

'Oh Jackie' Lilly Pulitzer shift.

I can't remember where I bought this comfy orange tunic.  I do love the J Crewlet tortoise cuff with the monogrammed decal I slapped on it.

I loved the black gingham blouse and bright yellow J Crewlet cardi.  Of course the purse, shoes, and belt are all Chanel.  But, the stars of this outfit are the critter bangles from Target!

Today starts the first leg of my vacation...Palm Beach to Palm Springs!

This morning, I served a light Brunch to celebrate the first day of our vacation.  In the words of Lee Radziwill, "Brunch after 11 am is just lunch!"  So y'all make sure you serve Brunch before 11 am!

Getting ready with a little roadie for the trip to the airport...I have a huge fear of flying!!!

My Best Friend's Kitchen

When I was in Georgia last week, I stopped off in my hometown of Augusta to visit with my best friend Teresa Jane. Well, actually she lives in Evans, Georgia, which is just outside of Augusta. Teresa has been my best friend since we met as young girls while working at what used to be J.B. White's Department store. She owns her own business, a website design company and designs awesome sites...take a peek at her site TheWebDept. She designed my website, Miss Janice, for my etiquette business...yes, that would be the business I don't spend a lot of time on these days:)

Recently, she had a kitchen makeover and I thought y'all might like to take a peek. Here's her "Chateau at the Tracks"...

Before the Makeover:

AFTER THE MAKEOVER:

Teresa decided to keep her cabinets white, which I love. The printed wallpaper is gone, the countertops are now granite, with a tile backsplash, new tile floor, new hardware and faucets, and black appliances.

The Breakfast Room...

When Teresa was deciding on colors and a 'theme' she told me "I'm not getting into that rooster stuff like you do." Well...I see a plate rack on the wall with rooster plates and a rooster dish towel hanging on the oven door. I love her choice of black appliances. She considered going with stainless and changed her mind at the last minute. I have stainless in my home in Mississippi and really would rather have black!

Hmmm, a porcelain rooster on the countertop...

Rooster rug, which I LOVE!

New tile...

Love the faucet and the granite countertops...

Another rooster rug in front of the frig:)

Rooster rug under the kitchen table:)

Her kitchen table...love the table, the dinnerware, and the centerpiece!

That's Miss Teresa's kitchen! Thank you for visiting with me today. I'll be quite nervous all day in anticipation of the results show on American Idol tonight. My favorite is Scotty McCreery...the cute Southern boy...LOVE Scotty!

FALLIN' UP THE TV ROOM--Part Deux

I have been super busy this morning...organizing and getting ready for the weekend. Have I mentioned to y'all that I love Fall?!! I'm really enjoying the somewhat cooler weather we are having here in South Florida and I'm still in full pumpkin mode! It's pumpkin everything for me right now.

These are some more photos of my TV room here at "The Roost."

This is a table that I purchased at one of my all-time favorite stores--House of Fink, in Olive Branch, Mississippi. If you are ever in the Memphis area, stop in the House of Fink and ask for Rita. She has the cutest stuff for the home y'all!!!
My cornacopia, which I absolutely love!

A brown feathered wreath...I think it goes well with the table arrangement.

I also purchased this etagere at the House of Fink...it matches my bar/table.

These windows and the door look out into the backyard. It's very bright outside today, so I closed the blinds a bit...

I love door toppers and I purchased this iron one at Hobby Lobby...I'm soooo excited to be making a special trip to the Hobby Lobby up in Ocala this weekend on my way (actually waaaay out of my way) to Sarasota for a visit with my relatives.

Extra seating...this is one of the chairs to my breakfast table. I purchased the table and chairs from Ballard Designs. This is also where I store some of my huge inventory of Trader Joe's Two-Buck-Chuck wine.

One of my many rooster pillows...

Thank you for visiting with me today and I hope that y'all are able to get out and enjoy all the sweet things that Autumn has to offer this weekend!!!

FALL-IN' UP THE TV ROOM

Call it a "TV room," "Keeping Room," or whatever...this the place where we watch TV most of the time. Of course, the TV is hidden behind the doors of the armoire...with a few Autumn decos on the top. This is a great location for the TV...right in my 'line of sight' from the kitchen sink--where I spend way too much time! That's the urn I bought at Pottery Barn a few weeks ago and of course, a rooster is sharing the area with a black birdcage and some pumpkins.
Here's my 'Petite Iron Coffee Table' from the Maison Collection, by Ethan Allen. The area rug is the 'Colette Plaid' pattern, by Ethan Allen. Miss Paula Deen's new book "Savannah Style" takes the top spot on the coffee table along with one of my favorite recent publications "Country French." A French-wire basket holds an Autumn-scented candle and some spiced pumpkins & pinecones...

One corner of the room...Roosters and painted tole trays and tabletop.

Looking into the corner of the room...the 'Avignon Arm Chair' by Ethan Allen, is covered in my beloved toile...'Sweet Pastimes Spice Toile, by Waverly. The panels are the 'Cheerful Check Spice' pattern, also by Waverly.

Here is my fav bunny...All I do is adorn him with a seasonal ribbon and he's ready to pose...Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall! The tole painted table topper was purchased at World's Away in Memphis, Tennessee.

A few of my tole painted trays...

Husband's beloved recliner...the 'Barrister Recliner' from Ethan Allen. I don't know about y'all, but who has the time to sit in a recliner? I know I don't!!!

I'll be back later to show you more of the TV Room at "The Roost." It's a small area, but just like Miss Janice likes it...very cozy!!!