Giveaway from Shabby Apple!

I'm kicking off the week with a giveaway from Shabby Apple!  The sweet people over at Shabby Apple are offering one of y'all a prize of a $50 gift card...to be used for anything on their website.  Fall is just around the corner and now's a great time to start working on your Fall wardrobe or maybe find something in their Summer line...reduced!

Here's a few of my faves:

This '4.0' dress is a classic design and would look great with a pair of patterned tights.

Another classic look, the 'Study Hall' dress...how cute would this dress be with boots?!

This 'Phi Beta Kappa' dress is just my style...it has a Miss Manners look and can be dressed up or down!

Love, Love, Love the 'Extra Credit' dress...it's classic and timeless in design.  Pearls are a must with this dress!

The 'Ivy League' shirt dress is a great frock to wear now and during those transitional days in September when it's still hot but not yet Autumn.

Here are the guidelines for this giveaway:

~Please browse the Shabby Apple site and leave a comment telling me your favorite Shabby Apple dress or any other item.
~Please leave a comment and let me know if you have "Liked" Shabby Apple on Facebook.
~Please leave a comment and let me know if you are a follower of Miss Janice!

So that's 3 total entries you are allowed to submit.  This contest will end on Friday, July 20, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.  I'll announce the winner on Saturday morning, the 21st.  If you don't win, don't fret!  Shabby Apple is offering all of the readers of Miss Janice's blog a 10% off coupon for 1 month!!!  Simply use the code "missjanice10off".

Good luck y'all!!!

CONTEST CLOSED.  

Friday Style File

Today I'm featuring a very stylish lady...the beautiful Angela, author of the blog Diary of a Domestic Failure.    Angela is the wife of 10 years to a Navy Pilot and the mother of two little girls.
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During her husband's deployments, she takes care of their 2 girls, the home, the finances, the dog, and also runs a business {Preppy Poppy--cute personalized products for children}.  She is a self-professed "train wreck"  when it comes to domestic duties.  However, she is a fashion statement for sure!  I love her style and I think y'all will too.

In this photo, she's wearing a Target maxi skirt and boyfriend cardigan, J Crew white cami, bubble necklace from eBay, monogrammed necklace, a Mulberry Bayswater pocketbook, and Prada sunglasses.

How cute is she in this outfit?!!!  Love the J Crew polka dot blouse and shorts, with the Michael Kors belt, Kendra Scott black 'Danielle' earrings, Gucci sunglasses, and a black 'Saffiano' Prada tote.

Wearing a precious Target leopard dress, black bubble necklace from eBay, and Tom Ford 'Sandrine' sunglasses.

Love this look also...a blue stripe dress from Old Navy, red bubble necklace from eBay, Target belt, Rayban 'Aviator' sunglasses, and Tory Burch 'Thora' sandals.

Looking very Jackie-O here...wearing a Target black strapless jumpsuit, Nadri necklaces, and Tom Ford 'Calgary' sunglasses.

Did you notice all the fabulous bubble necklaces she's wearing?  These are all the rage right now.  Angela paid $9.00 - $15.00 for these on ebay.  If you contact her on the blog, she just might give you the link to the eBay seller!

And don't you just love her collection of sunglasses?!  She looks ever-so chic wearing them!!!

So stop over and visit with the Domestic Failure.  Be sure to read her story about her very brave journey with anorexia.

Throwback Thursday

Hands down...one of the silliest outfits I ever wore!  At the time, I thought it was a good idea.   This photo was taken at some little hole-in-the-wall place in the Caribbean...1980.    Lord have mercy!

Y'all have a good day!

Clean Living Diet = 10 Pounds Gone!

A lot of you have asked me to talk about my "Clean Living" diet.  Well, 3 months ago, I decided enough was enough!  Even though I was jogging and frequenting the gym, all my clothes were getting way too snug.  Some pieces I couldn't even wear 'cuz they were too tight.  I knew the problem.  I was eating too much of all the wrong foods.

I decided to give up a few things...no more cheese {no dairy at all), no chips and dips, no sweets {okay, maybe a taste here and there}, and no more rich and creamy soups.

I created my own version of the "Clean Living" diet...basically whole grains, fruits, salads, vegetables, and water...LOTS of water.  And, as I have done for the past 30 years, I take tons of supplements.

Lord have mercy y'all, I haven't had a Coke in 3 months!!!!  No caffeine.  Strictly decaff tea and coffee, and very little of both!  I use almond milk with my coffee and morning cereal and love it.

So, after 3 months of eating this way, I have lost 10 pounds.  I told husband last night that it's time for me to put the brakes on the weight loss, 'cuz I'm at my desired weight.

Yesterday I enjoyed a late lunch at my desk...while updating my "Fall Wardrobe Inventory."

Menu:

Mixed Greens with 'Maters and Cucumbers

Lite Ranch Dressing

Organic Chicken Salad w/ Lite Mayo and Chopped Celery

Avocado

Mini Triscuits (obsessed with these)

Water 

I'm OCD and obsessed with this meal...just like Anderson Cooper, I eat the same thing every single day!

So, I'm happy with this diet.  Breakfast:  Whole grain cereal with almond milk, red grapes, cantaloupe, and sliced peaches with a glass of orange juice.  Lunch:  The above meal and sometimes I sub with tuna fish!  Supper:  Grilled chicken, grilled tilapia, or grilled salmon with brown rice, and any of the following:  sauteed squash and onions, baby lima beans, sauteed mushrooms, grilled asparagus, English peas, and sliced tomatoes.  I also have whole grain bread with olive oil.  OH, and Merlot!!!

So that's the story with the "Clean Living" diet.  This is one of the skirts that was a bit tight in the waist before the diet and now it fits just fine!  Yesterday, I made a trip down to the "tacky mall" to get some new cologne and to see if the Fall Line of Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger were in yet...nah!

This green gingham skirt is one of my summertime faves by Lilly.

LOVE the ric rac trim on both sides!

My Accessories:  Lilly 'Limemade' iPhone cover, Lilly 'Wink' cologne, white grosgrain pony bow, silver monogrammed necklace and earrings, 'Eternity' wedding band by Cartier, 'Oyster Perpetual' watch by Rolex, and 'Return to Tiffany' bracelet, by Tiffany.

Old-school Lilly mules...

Lilly-fied summer basket...I bought this on Re-Lilly.  I always get tons of compliments each time I use it!

I hope y'all are having a blessed day!  I'll be back tomorrow with some silly photo of myself for "Throwback Thursday!"

I Cannot Commit

Well, Mama has gone back to Georgia.  I am blessed to have been able to care for her in my home for the past 5 weeks.  Bless her heart, she was homesick and wanted to be in her own home.  I cannot blame her for that at all.  Isn't that what we all want?  Don't we want to be inside our little nest, comfortable in our own surroundings, sleeping in our own comfy bed?  Besides, the lady at the beauty shop here in Florida didn't tease Mama's hair high enough.  Mama's exact words: "I'm not going back there...She doesn't know how to do hair!"

Mama isn't an invalid, but bless her heart, her memory is not good and she's a bit frail.  So now, she's back home with my brother J.D. and we have hired a caregiver to "sit with Miss Pauline."  Prayers please...I'm not sure how that's gonna work out 'cuz Mama is the Queen and doesn't take orders from others well.  I'm planning to go back up to Georgia to help with her care soon.

I feel so blessed to be able to spend time with my Mama at this time in her life.  My Mama has lived her entire life for God, her family, and her friends.  Now, both my brother and myself are committed to her well-being and scheduling our lives around her.

For that reason, I am finding it difficult to commit to anything else.  Supper club group...can't commit.  I would love to be able to volunteer with a few organizations, but I can't commit to times and dates. The other day, a lady from the church wedding guild called and asked for my help.  Well, I couldn't commit to that...Let down a bride at the last minute? Lord no!  I would like to find a fun part-time job {is there such a thing?}, but if asked "When are you available?" that would be hard to say!  Scheduling an etiquette program is also out of the question.  I would be terribly embarrassed to cancel a group at the last minute due to a needed trip to Georgia.  You may have noticed that I haven't been hosting any fancy soirees here at "The Roost."  Everything I plan now is last-minute and pretty low-key...

So, it's very hard for me to commit.  Please don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining.  Just kinda wondering...Do y'all have issues in your life that keep you from committing?

Style File Friday...Gent-Style!

While I love looking at all the girls' OOTD {Outfits of the Day} on social media, I also like fashion for the preppy gent!  I would like to introduce to y'all the Cincinnnati Prep.  He's preppy through and through...a native of Cincinnati...he's attending the University of Cincinnati, studying Interior Design.

I adore that he wears bow ties all the time!  You can read his post about Bow Tie Etiquette HERE.

From Easter to Labor Day...A seersucker suit and Lilly bow tie! {Of course, he has a pink pocket square scarf}  Fabulous!

CP wearing a white Ralph Lauren vest and oxford cloth button down, with a Lilly bow tie.

Lord have mercy, I LOVE this outfit!  Lilly pants, with a blazer and High Cotton Ties Cummerbund and bow tie.

With a fraternity brother, CP is wearing a Lilly bow tie and pink pocket square scarf.

Tux...with a blue stripe cummerbund and bow tie, by High Cotton Ties.

On the slopes...with the de rigueur Burberry wool scarf!

Patriotic polo {collar popped}...by Ralph Lauren.

After a shopping trip to his beloved Brooks Brothers...wearing Bermudas, a light blue oxford cloth button down, and a navy blazer.  So PREP!!!

On his birthday...wearing a Lacoste sweater and yellow Vineyard Vines polo {popped, of course!}.

I can't wait to see what he wears next!!!  Stop by and visit the Cincinnati Prep...his blog is full of great photos of his love of interior design and fashion for the prepster!