Here she comes, Miss America 2011

I was so excited that I got to visit with Teresa Scanlan, Miss America 2011, yesterday.  She was in Michigan to discuss Constitution Week and I happen to be quite a fan of the constitution myself.  

It was also great to see a former pageant friend.  Kendra Nichols, Mrs. Michigan American Beauty, competed with me at Miss Michigan USA.

Side note - I spilled chili from my coney dog all over myself immediately after this photo was taken.  

Fashion in Detroit 2012

Yesterday I was lucky enough to score tickets to Fashion in Detroit 2012, in Sound Board at Motor City Casino.  The event is co-hosted by Project Runway's Joe Faris and Ambassador Magazine Publisher and Jewelry Designer, Denise Ilitch.

A portion of the Fashion in Detroit proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald Houses of Ann Arbor and Detroit – The mission of the Ronald McDonald House is to provide families of children experiencing a serious illness or injury a “home away from home” that assists in alleviating the families’ emotional and financial stress.

Ashleigh and I hitting the red carpet for Fashion in Detroit 2012

Joe Faris, a top competitor from season 5 Project Runway.

The special guest hosts, Miss Michigan 2012 Kristen Danyal and Ken Dewey, Style Advisor for Neiman Marcus 

Morada Blue Swimwear

Denise Ilitch Designs and Motor City Blues by Joe Faris

Denise Ilitch and Joe Faris

Miss Michigan USA Competition Photos

So, I realize that this is incredibly late, but I never posted my Miss Michigan competition photos.  Here they are.

The Competition

See all the contestants here.

Congratulations Miss Angola!

Last night, Miss Angola won the title of Miss Universe.  My mom had her picked from the top 10, but I really thought Miss Philippines had a good chance.  Here are the top 5's questions:

• Nude beaches are common in some parts of the world. Is public nudity appropriate or inappropriate and why?
• If you could change one of your physical characteristics, which one would it be and why?
• If you could trade lives with anyone in history, who would it be and why?
• Would you change your religious beliefs to marry the person you love? Why and why not?
• What would you do to avoid fighting a war that you did not agree with it?

It got me super excited for Miss Michigan coming up in just a few more weeks!

169

No, not the number of days until the pageant.  That is my total cholesterol level!  I have never gotten it checked before and the MI Pharmacists were offering free screenings.  So, I thought it would be nice to know how I'm doing. 

I knew that this would likely involve some blood being removed from my body and I thought I could handle that if I had a cookie and water on hand.  I was wrong.  Very very wrong.  I passed out and need 2 more cookies and one more bottle of water before I could go back to my office.  Embarrassing. 

I am glad, however, that I got it checked.  I know now that I am in the desirable cholesterol level range!  WooHoo!  Oh yeah, here is the pic of the nearly fatal wound...

Yes, embarrassing. 



Miss Michigan Orientation

Just made it home from the Miss Michigan Orientation!  It was lots of fun - I got tons of information about the pageant weekend and had two photo shoots.  I won't be able to see any of the pictures until closer to the pageant, but I have a great pic of my makeup by Lindsey Galas Smith.

I Said Do It How You Do It Gone And Walk It Out

Walk it out the Miss USA way.

Day 66 - Official Contestant!

I have been training and preparing for Miss Michigan for a few months now, even though I didn't know if I would be accepted as an official contestant.  Well, I just got my email confirming that I will compete to be the next Miss Michigan USA 2012! 

So, since reading my handbook and new contestant information, I've chewed off all my finger nails and have a nervous/excited butterfly feeling looming in the pit of my stomach.  It seems like the pageant is much more of a reality now.  I need to get it together though, I want to have a very composed attitude by September 30th.  I guess I have some work to do.  Meeting with Jason tonight!

Day 70 - So Much Yellow!

This morning's workout was QUICK!  I ran a fast 8 minute mile (that's pretty fast for me!) with a 2 minute cool down and I was out of there.  I would have liked to put in much more than 10 minutes, but I slept in and I had to get to my meeting with the pageant coach at 1pm.  The only thing that had come in on time for me to show her was the new bikini.  I ordered three different styles and two ended up being HUGE!  (That's not something that happens very often.)  The one style that fit ended up being perfect - very flattering. 

 When I got back home, my front porch was loaded with packages of clothes I had ordered - figures...  So, the next meeting I'm going to have tons of options. all yellow.  The director for Miss Michigan has decided all the girls will wear yellow for swimwear, opening number, and official photo.  Here's what I got!