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."

Impressions by Carlton Fall Fashion Show and Luncheon

The Carriage House Restaurant was the scene of Impressions by Carlton's annual Fall Fashion Show and Luncheon.  It was my second year to attend and I invited my friend Carol to attend--I'm pretty sure she loved it.  It was a beautiful setting for ladies who love to lunch and shop!



Here's the outfit that I wore and talked about in a post earlier this week.


Joyce Carlton is the owner of Impressions by Carlton in Perry, Georgia.  I have written about Joyce before--She is truly the epitome of a Southern Lady...full of grace and charm and just adorable!  Joyce and her sister are two adorable Southern ladies with the same sweet Southern accents!

Guests were greeted with hot apple cider which was the perfect signature beverage for the day.


The tables were set with an autumn tone...

This is one of the beautiful trees in front of the entrance to the restaurant...It is a Kousa Dogwood tree, which has beautiful white blooms in the spring and pinkish-red berries in the autumn.  The berries from the tree are edible and sometimes used to make jam and wine.


The clippings from the tree were a beautiful complement to the orange and black table linens.


Joyce always gets a large crowd at her fall event...it was evident that everyone in the room admires her so!


The models are friends, employees, and customers of Carlton's.




Today I'm enjoying the clippings that would have been discarded...wondering if I need a Kousa Dogwood in my yard!


Impressions by Carlton is just off Interstate 75, south of Macon, Georgia in historic downtown Perry--912 Carroll Street, 478.987.4511.  Stop in and check out their cute loot y'all!

James Farmer, Southern Gentleman

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending a luncheon in Perry, Georgia featuring James Farmer as the Speaker.  James is a professional gardener, floral and interior designer, cook, and lifestyle expert.  He is the author of several books which I have written about on this blog.  He is also an editor-at-large for Southern Living Magazine.

James kept all the ladies laughing out loud and nodding their heads in agreement with all his Southern stories...memories of times growing up in the South...reminding us all of times with our mamas, sisters, and Southern lady friends!

The dining room of the Houston Lake Country Club was decorated with a garden theme...

Mimosas and Bloody Marys were served...

Each table featured a garden-style centerpiece...

As expected, the food was delicious!

Since I already have all of James' books, I pre-ordered his new book "A Time to Celebrate."  It will be out in September and will feature recipes, entertaining, and Southern stories.  James can set a pretty table y'all!

I wore my Lilly Pulitzer 'Ten Ton Bouquet' shift with orange Revas, a bee-charmed Bosom Buddy Bag, and a darling pearl necklace with a bee charm, by B The Collection.

Azalea Trail Maids

I have just now gotten around to reading this fun book, "Never Sit Down in a Hoop Skirt," by Crickett Rumley...Hoop skirts, magnolias, and etiquette!

The book is based on the Azalea Trail Maids...Southern Belles who represent the city of Mobile, Alabama.  The author spent her high school years in Mobile, but was never an Azalea Trail Maid herself; however, her friends were.  She journeyed back to Mobile and interviewed present day and former Trail Maids for her book.

The book features seventeen-year-old Jane Fontaine Ventouras, who is returning to her Southern roots in the small town of Bienville, Alabama, where ladies always wear pearls, sip sweet tea, and serve pimiento cheese sandwiches.  Jane is an anti-belle, Goth-girl and her Grandmother got her into the "Magnolia Maid brigade."   The book chronicles her reluctance to become a Magnolia Maid and follow the tradition set out by her deceased mother. 

Crickett Rumley autographs her book .

Azalea Trail Maids wear prissy hoop gowns with frilly hats, monogrammed gauntlets, and parasols.  The Trail Maids are the city's symbol of hospitality.  They greet visitors at the Mobile airport and conventions and also travel around the country representing Mobile.

The Trail Maids at the Macy's Day Parade.

The frilly pantaloons worn under the dresses.

How are Azalea Trail Maids chosen?

Each year, hundreds of high school juniors in Mobile County, Alabama, try out for the opportunity to represent the city as a Trail Maid. Each high school has the first level of competition, from which 100 candidates are chosen to try out at countywide interviews. Ultimately, 50 girls are chosen to represent the city of Mobile, Alabama, as ambassadors. The program is overseen by the Jaycees organization.

What happens once the selection is made?

Once the Maids are chosen, the next step is to create each girl's costume. The colors are baby maize, petal peach, baby blue, light orchid, light aqua and the queen wears a baby pink dress. During the application process, each girl submits her three top dress color choices to the Jaycees, who ultimately make the decision about which color each Maid wears.

Each girl secures a dressmaker to construct her attire. Since there are 50 Maids, 10 girls will wear each of the five colors. One of the girls is named Azalea Trail Queen at a reception in early December, and her dress will be pink. A few days after the queen is announced, the fabric will be distributed and the dressmaking process begins.

About Azalea Trail Maids Dresses

I found this interview with Susan Finizola, a professional dressmaker who has created a number of the costumes:

What are the distinguishing characteristics of the Azalea Trail costumes?

These dresses are a representation of antebellum style but are not intended to be authentic. They are sewn from polyester fabric and poly/satin ribbon. Many people say the Maids conjure up an image of a Southern garden party in the spring 100 years ago.

The costume is an off the shoulder fitted bodice and a full skirt over a steel ring enforced hoop. Each Trail Maid must have two pair of pantaloons (similar to ankle-length pajamas), two pairs of gauntlets (gloves without fingers), and a cape. Covers for a wire hat frame and parasol frame are constructed to complete the attire.

There are specific guidelines for the dresses. For example, the bottom edge of the finished dress must be four inches off the floor. Additionally, ruffles on the edge of the hat, the edge of the parasol and the ruffle around the shoulders are mandatory. Monogramming is limited to certain spots, while embroidery embellishments may be on most areas of the attire.

How much fabric and lace is used to make the costumes?

The base supplies the Jaycees order for the construction of each outfit consists of dress fabric, steel for the hoop, fur, a wire frame for the hat, a parasol frame and a dress bag. Dress fabric includes 75 yards of organza and 15 yards of taffeta dyed specifically for the Mobile Azalea Trail. The fabric is dyed in Japan and distributed through Berenstein Textiles of New York. When the Maids are dressed the only visible fabric on the dress, hat, parasol and gauntlets is the organza and taffeta.  Ten yards of cotton broadcloth is used for the hoop. The cape is lined with one and a half yards of fur. The Pantaloon fabric is where the personality of each Maid shines. This fabric is purchased by each Maid here in Mobile or by mail order.

In addition to the over 100 yards of fabric that goes into each costume, the dressmaker uses thousands of yards of thread and between 300 and 1,500 yards of ribbon. I also use at least 400 yards of fishing line in the edge of the ruffles. Other supplies include hooks and eyes, zippers, buttons, elastic, interfacing, and many other sewing notions.

Some Maids request lace on their dresses. Usually the amount of lace is about half the amount of ribbon used on the same style of dress.

What do the dresses cost?

Some dressmakers make traditional dresses only, while others are known for being avant garde. In my experience, the complete attire the Maid wears can cost between $3,000 and $6,000. On rare occasions a Maid's relative will construct the attire for free or at a lower price. This can decrease the price to as low as $1,500.

How did you get started making Azalea Trail costumes?

I was involved with the Azalea Trail Organization from 1995 to 1999. In 1999, at the encouragement of a good friend, I began making Azalea Trail dresses. It was a natural progression since I have been sewing and designing for the past 35 years. I also make many other types of dresses and costumes, including Mardi Gras dresses and christening gowns.

What do you enjoy the most about making these dresses?

For me, the creativity is the most enjoyable part of making these dresses. I can make a beautiful traditional Azalea Trail dress and have done so in the past. However, I prefer the avant garde style of Trail Dress. I was one of the first (if not the first) to use covered buttons on the costume. Each girl decides independently on her theme. If a Trail Maid has an unconventional idea I will work with her to incorporate it into the dress in a tasteful way. This year two of the five dresses I constructed have seashell motifs. There were other dressmakers who would not let their girls use seashells, but not me.

Each Maid gets so excited about her dress, and that is the second most enjoyable aspect of making these dresses.

I adore these dresses and the entire costume and have worn similar (but not near as fancy) gowns when I was a teenager.  So how in the world does one get around and sit down in a hoop skirt?  The hoops are usually flexible and you can press them to pass through a doorway.  Sitting down on an armchair is not going to happen though. You need to sit on chair without armrests and sit on the edge of the seat, lifting up the back a few inches before being seated. 

Say Goodbye to your Southern Accent?

Recently I read an article in the Macon {Georgia} Telegraph "Gosh Dang.  What is wrong with a Southern Accent?"  I discovered while reading the article that there's a book out entitled "Say Goodbye to your Southern Accent."  The book's authors, Jennifer Adams and Joanna Chapman run a firm called Atlanta Accent Management.  These ladies are helping Southerners lose their Southern accents, and they are based in Atlanta...of all places.

  

Lord have mercy, this all reminds me of the scene in Gone With the Wind when Rhett and Scarlett are riding through a burning Atlanta...

Rhett tells Scarlett, "Take a good look my dear.  It's an historic moment, you can tell your grandchildren about how you watched the Old South fall one night."

 I cannot believe that people in the South want to lose their Southern drawl.  Learning proper grammar is one thing, but losing your Southern accent?!  When I lived outside the U.S., I had to enuciate my words better so that people could understand me.  One day I called home and my Daddy said "Why are you talking like that?"  I said "Like what?"  He said "Like a Yankee!"  I said "I'm NOT talking like a Yankee!"  But I guess that I had lost a bit of my Southern accent...not intentionally!  You can bet that I regrouped and went back to my Southern way of speaking.

Apparently, there a lot of folks who love a Southern accent!  Read this article Hey Y'all: Southern Accents Voted Most Attractive.  There are also books that teach you how to speak Southern..."How To Speak With a Southern Accent" and "The Dixie Dictionary."

The author of the above mentioned newspaper article, Mr. Dick Yarbrough, goes on to talk about his successful career...with his Southern drawl and all!  I can tell y'all that I never had any complaints about my Southern accent during my working years.  Of course, I was often asked "Can you just talk for us?"

So what do y'all think?  Would you try to change your accent or do you think practicing proper grammar is sufficient?

Lane Southern Orchards

I'm trying to get settled in my new home in Georgia.  I have been lost in a sea of boxes full of loot that needs to be organized and since I'm OCD, I insist on unpacking everything myself.  It all has to be put away just so so.  My other house in Mississippi has a HUGE master closet...but this one--I am having to be creative and weeding out so many clothes.

I took a break from it all and headed over to Fort Valley to check out the famous Lane Southern Orchards.  It's peach season and I was craving anything peachy!  Lane's is big tourist destination for those living in Georgia and travelers going up/down I-75.  They have everything peach and pecan that you can think of!

It was a slow day for porchin'...cause it's like 150 degrees in Georgia!

I headed to the Peachtree Cafe & Bakery and had some lunch...Fried Pecan Crusted Catfish!  I'm not off to a good start with my plan to eat Southern fried foods in moderation.  It was delicious.

Their peach tea is fabulous!  To be honest, I split it up cause it was super sweet...half unsweetened tea, half peach tea.  That was perfect.

I splurged even further and ordered the peach ice cream...the petite size.  Oh my goodness gracious...this was delicious too.  

I headed into the store, which was busy with locals and tourists shopping.  Of course, their fresh Georgia peaches looked good, so I got some of those.

They have ciders, spices, jellies, sauces, breads, and everything you can think of with peaches and pecans. 

But wait, they also sell cute loot!  Itsa Girl Thing tees!

I love these tees with all the cute Southern sayings!

Last night I brought out my latest addition to my "Prissy Apron Collection."
 

I baked the famous Peach Cobbler from Lane Orchards...well, I put the frozen cobbler in the oven and turned it on, so I baked it, right?  This cobbler was a hit with the family and definitely much better than I could have made myself.  Mama asked if I used her recipe.  "Uh, no ma'am, it's from Lane's!"  She gave me a look like "Why didn't you make it yourself?"  Then she told me that she loved it.

I love living these fabulous peach and pecan orchards...I can't wait to go back to Lane's and get a bunch of pecan stuff!

Thanks for dropping by y'all!