Over the Weekend

It was another beautiful weekend here in South Florida...full of yucky, nasty LOVEBUGS! Here's a notice to all y'all--DON'T COME TO SOUTH FLORIDA DURING MAY!!! These things are disgusting! They have a cute name and that's where it ends:) They make such a mess!


Sunday morning I visited a new church. I LOVE the church I attend, but I really do need to find something closer to the house. Well, this one was NOT what I'm looking for...just NOT the right fit. Ugh!

"HERE'S WHAT I WORE" {i also wore it to lunch last week and just now remembered that...oops!} The shift is 'Creme Fraiche' by Lilly and the cardigan is also by Lilly.

It's the classic shift style with the bows at the bottom--the type that I love...

Love the strawberry print...
I carried my Nantucket Lightship Basket pocketbook and wore my pink Revas, along with a pearl choker necklace, the matching pearl earrings, and my rollring wedding band by Cartier. My ponytail was adorned with a pink grosgrain ribbon and my fragrance of choice for the day was 'Wink' by Lilly.

After lunch at Panera Bread, I came home and enjoyed a long afternoon nap! Next week I'm trying one more church; it's one that I've visited before...maybe this time I might like it more:) I'm still settling in after my trip to Georgia last week. I'll post some photos later this week of my BFF Teresa Jane's kitchen redo...it's too cute.

Oh, Blogger was down for a couple of days last week, so I extended the deadline to enter my giveaway until last night. DRUMROLL PLEASE....The winner of the giveway to celebrate National Etiquette Week is Lori Stewart. Lori has a blog His Way or Her Way--Lori and her brother Pete try to outdo each other's cooking with their dish challenges. Y'all check it out.

Now please practice proper giveaway etiquette and join me in congratulating Miss Lori! Thanks to all who entered the giveaway and y'all have a wonderful week!

GIVEAWAY TO CELEBRATE NAT'L ETIQUETTE WEEK 2011

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the shutdown of Blogger for a couple of days this week, I have extended the deadline to enter this giveaway to Sunday night at midnight, EST, May 15, 2011.

Yes, there is National Etiquette Week y'all! It was established by Sandra Morisset in 1997 and is observed May 9-13th. This is a time to recognize civility and good manners...and it all begins with you! During this week, I hope that y'all examine and improve your etiquette skills. Here's a list of Miss Janice's top five etiquette faux pas:

~Failure to R.s.v.p....will surely get your name taken off Miss Janice's party list!
~Not sending a thank-you note...how very ungrateful!
~Talking while chewing your food...so disgusting!
~Using a toothpick in public...Miss Janice absolutely cannot stand this!
~Forgetting to say "Please, Thank You, Yes Ma'am/Sir, or Excuse Me"...a sure sign to others that you have no manners!

Every year since I began this blog, I have hosted a 'Very Proper Giveaway' in celebration of National Etiquette Week.

The winner will receive their choice of either a set of monogrammed foldover notecards or flat correspondence cards, from 2PreppyGirls. Proper thank-you notes/cards are must-haves for your stationery wardrobe ladies:) To be perfectly correct, thank-you notes should be written on 'monogrammed notes' or 'correspondence cards.'

The foldover monogrammed notecards from 2 Preppy Girls are appropriate to write thank-you notes. {They may also be used to extend a formal invitation or to send a short message to a friend}. Write on page 3 of the notecard. The proper monogram for this style of card would be your first, married, and maiden name initial, in that order. If you are single, use your first, last, and middle name initial, in that order. You will be choosing from these 2 Preppy Girls foldover monogrammed notedcards here.

The correspondence card may also be used for thank-yous, informal invitations, and short notes. They are flat, heavy cards, with a name or a monogram. Write only on the front of the card. You might want to choose from one of these 2 Preppy Girls' correspondences cards here.

In addition to the thank you notes/cards, the winner will also receive a copy of etiquette expert Letitia Baldrige's book, "New Manners for New Times." This is Miss Janice's go-to etiquette reference book. Ms. Baldrige covers everything you need to know about etiquette.


Ms. Baldrige is recognized universally as the country's leading authority on business and social etiquette. She was the White House Secretary for Jacqueline Kennedy and since that time has published more than twenty books. Here's a photo of Letitia Baldrige at a White House State function in the 60's. Can you even imagine having such a wonderful job???



In the photo below, the First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy is arriving at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. Ms. Baldrige is seen emerging from the limo. November 3, 1961. I adore this photograph!




Here, you see Miss Janice with Ms. Baldrige at the Southern Lady Event in Destin, Florida several years ago. I begged the editor of Tea Time magazine to schedule a sit-down for me with Ms. Baldrige. I was honored to meet her and receive her wealth of information regarding my role as etiquette consultant in today's world.

Here are the rules of the giveaway y'all:

~To receive one entry, you must leave a comment and tell me what you are going to do during the upcoming week to promote civility!
~To receive two entries, please let me know if you are a follower of my blog (an old proper friend or a new proper friend)!
~To receive three entries, you must post about my giveaway on Twitter or Facebook...just let me know!

This giveaway will close on Friday, May 13th at midnight E.S.T. I will announce the winner on Saturday, May 14th. Good luck y'all!!!

Piddlin' Around the House

I'm back from my trip to Georgia...had a wonderful time visiting my BFF Teresa Jane and my Mama. Of course, I did LOTS of shopping...I got fitted for my first Annabelle Laroque dress and I'm behind excited to receive it in the mail! I made about five trips to Hobby Lobby in Augusta and in Warner Robins and also shopped at Carlton Interiors in Perry. Yesterday, I spent the entire day piddlin' around the house...unpacking, washing clothes, and putting out some of new loot I bought. Come on in and take a peek...

I started with the kitchen and put away the last of the Easter decorations. John Paul is guarding the cinnamon rolls on the island...The air smells delicious with the send of the Votivo Red Currant candle.
This will be the last of sweets for awhile...gotta get my 'Pippa Middleton' diet going!

The sideboard in the kitchen...

Put the bunnies and carrots away and ate all the jelly beans! The roosters are back!

Wanda at Carlton Interiors in Perry, Georgia made this bright arrangement for my kitchen table...love the new little rooster and hen I also found at Carlton Interiors:)

I just could not resist the pair...they are perfect for "The Roost"

Changed up the dinnerware...the red plates are from KMart {gasp!} and the mustard-colored plates are by J. Willfred. The glassware is from Williams-Sonoma and the chargers are also from Williams-Sonoma.

The napkins are Waverly 'La Petite Ferme Spice' toile and the rooster napkin rings are Arthur Court.

The valance matches the napkins...Waverly 'La Petite Ferme Spice'.

And because I'm so matchy-matchy...the roman shade is also the Waverly 'La Petite Ferme Spice' pattern!

The KMart 'Good Food...Good Friends' rooster dinnerware is back on the hutch!

I totally adore this new faux floral arrangement on my entry table...created by Wanda at Carlton Interiors, Perry Georgia.

Is it not just AdorAble y'all?!!!

This is a monogrammed wine bag...love it!

Wanda also made these arrangements to sit ontop of my wall brackets, which I ALSO purchased at Carlton Interiors during the Christmas holidays.

I might need to add a little more greenery at the bottom...

I've decided to leave my J. Willfred 'Bunny toile' dinnerware on the dining table for awhile...not too Eastery, I don't think:)

Got a new arrangement for the sideboard in the dining room...

ANOTHER design by Wanda at Carlton Interiors in Perry...I just love it also:)

The tole painted container is fabulous!

Carlton Interiors' website does not appear to be working this morning. If you are ever in Perry, Georgia {near Macon, Georgia}, you must visit this store. It's located at 903 Carroll Street in the cute little historic downtown area. You must also have lunch at The Swanson House, also in downtown Perry--fabulous Southern 'Meat and Three' meals!

So there you go...a few of my goodies from the Georgia trip! Y'all don't forget to enter my giveaway...for National Etiquette Week--you have until midnight this Friday!

Before I close, Puff Kitty wanted to say "Hey Y'all"!

Giddy Up! Kentucky Derby Time!

And they're off! Saturday, at 6:24 p.m. EST, it's the post time for the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby. In the world of sports, there is not a more moving moment that the one when the horses step onto the track for the Kentucky Derby post parade and the band strikes up "My Old Kentucky Home." Those ladies decked out in their Spring frocks and gorgeous hats...what a fashion parade! I'm sure this year we will see a lot of Fascinators, don't y'all think?

It's definitely on my 'Bucket List' to attend a Kentucky Derby...maybe I'd wear a Laroque Cup dress with a Marley Lilly monogrammed hat or a beautiful silk shantung suit with a Fascinator!

This week I decided to bring out my Lilly Derby-themed-shifts...Love this one I wore a couple of days ago in Augusta--'Derby Day Low Riders'. {Someone please remind me to throw away this tacky white Land's End' cardigan! Ugh!

Love the color, the pattern and the pom-pom fringe trim!


My accessories...white Revas, white Bermuda Bag, 'Oyster Perpetual' Rolex, pearl earrings & necklace, and rollring wedding band by Cartier. My iced tea tumbler is adorned with the a Lilly-fied 'Low Riders' coozie.

Today I'm wearing the Lilly 'Del Mar Loopy Giddy Up' shift.
Again, I love the colors and the pattern...oh-so Derby Day cute!


My hat is the perfect color to match the pink in the dress.
Since I'm out-of-town, the accessories are almost the same, except for the pink ribbon!

On Derby Day it's time for Mint Juleps. It not surprising that Mint Juleps are popular in the South, mint is a symbol of hospitality and this drink brings forth the ideal image of genteel gatherings sprinkled with that sweet Southern drawl! Well, today I'm enjoy a Mint Julep Iced Tea...served in a proper Mint Julep cup, of course!

It is considered proper to drink Mint 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 iced tea, or when you've "taken ill and are in the bed."

A sterling mint julep straw/spoon...stir with one end and sip from the other.
Recipe for Miss Janice's Mint Julep Iced Tea:

10 mint leaves
1 lemon, sliced
1 lime, sliced
3 cups cold, sweet tea
Crushed ice

Combine the mint, lemon, and lime in a 2-qt pitcher; crush the lemon, lime, and mint with the back of big spoon. Stir in the cold tea. Serve over ice with a mint leaf for garnish.

This is a nice refreshing non-alcoholic beverage to sip during the Kentucky Derby!

Hope y'all enjoy the Derby and Happy Mother's Day tomorrow to all the wonderful mamas out there:)

Taste of Gourmet Product of the Month - May 2011

Today, I'm featuring the "Taste of Gourmet" Product of the Month...Toffee Crunch Cheesecake Ball. Crunchy chunks of chocolate and caramel are hidden throughout this sweet delicious Cheese Cake Ball! A packet of toffee is included with this mix and all you need to add is butter and cream cheese for a yummy no-bake dessert! This is one fabulous appetizer y'all:) There are two mixes in the box and the cost is only $8.95/box. You may purchase your Cheesecake Ball here at my Taste of Gourmet site online.



Taste of Gourmet's Product of the Month is a fundraising project to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Purchasing the mix of Toffee Crunch Cheesecake Ball during the month of May will generate a $1.00 donation to St. Jude Hospital!

When you purchase a Product of the Month through my site, you are making a $1.00 donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The Hospital is devoted to research and treatment toward eliminating chronic childhood diseases like leukemia and is the only childhood cancer research center designated by the National Cancer Institute.

The cheesecake ball is great to serve at any casual soiree or also makes a cute hostess gift or a party favor!
So go online today and order yours...remember a $1.00 donation will be made to St. Jude Hospital for every box you purchase!

Thank you for stopping by to visit with me today! I'm off to visit my Royal Family in Georgia...so, I'll be back soon with a 'Proper Giveaway' for one of my lucky 'Proper Followers'!

May 2011 Friendship Gifts

Well, Easter has come and gone. All the Easter bunnies have been safely tucked away until next year and all the jelly beans have been consumed! Even with my obsession over the Royal Wedding, I found the time to put the decorations away. This is my kitchen hutch now...dressed for Spring.

Earlier this week, I decided to make Strawberry Preserves for my Royal Wedding 'Royal Tea'. While in Walmart to purchase the needed ingredients, I found some cute canning jar tops with cute little strawberry-motif gift labels. It was then I remembered I needed to come up with something fast for my May 'Friendship Gifts'!

As y'all know, I always have 'Friendship Gifts' on hand to give to visitors to my home. They are also great to use when I'm invited to someone else's home...as hostess gifts. And sometimes, I just give them as a 'happy'.

Here I am...modeling the latest edition to my 'Hostess Apron' collection. It's a darling strawberry-motif apron with lime green ric-rac trim. I'm wearing my pearls and sippin' Chardonnay from my wine goblet with a lime-green monogram:) I found this darlin' apron at the Spring Festival in Mt. Dora, Florida last month. The vendor was Pig And Company and you can visit them online at their Etsy store here.

I love the little red gingham tops of the canning jars and the strawberry-motif gift labels, "From the kitchen of...Miss Janice".

Recipe for Miss Janice's Strawberry Preserves:

2 qts. strawberries
5 cups sugar

Place 2 qts strawberries in a pot with 2 cups of sugar. Cook the mix on high heat for 5 minutes. Add 3 cups of sugar and cook on high heat for 10 minutes. Remove the mix and let it stand {covered} for 24 hours. Can and seal!

The strawberry preserves were delicious with my British scones I prepared on Friday morning for the wedding:) I'm visiting my Royal Family in Georgia this week and will be taking some jars of the preserves to them. It's an easy and quick recipe to prepare y'all!

Remember, try to do something special for someone else everyday!