Outfit Upcycle - Old Tunic to New Skirt

I've been hanging on to this old tunic because I have REALLY wanted to wear it, but, not as a tunic... I bought it shortly after I graduated from undergrad in early 2007.  It is too short to be a dress and too long to be a shirt.  I used to wear it with leggings or skinny jeans.  Now, I feel like the puffy cap sleeves are outdated and too young for me and the neckline is too low cut.  Also, the high waist directly under the bust makes it feel a little maternity to me.

Chuey had to get into this pic, he rarely missed a photo op.  I used my seam ripper to separate the top from the bottom, just above the ribbon waistband and pinned the lining and outer fabric together.  The side has a zipper that went from the the skirt to the top.  Instead of cutting the zipper, I left it alone on the skirt and used my seam ripper to separate it from the top and then tucked the extra between the skirt and lining sewed it into place with my sewing machine.

It was such a quick fix, I was disappointed I didn't do it sooner!  I wore it with my WHBM shirt tucked in and my coral jewelry that I picked up in Mexico and Colombia.  

I'm loving my new skirt!  

A Step Closer

Last week I heard from the Rachael Ray show again and over the weekend I took a major step closer to POSSIBLY making the show!  Now waiting and crossing fingers that I'll be able to show off my Double Duty Tip!

Maurice's Main Street Model

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I was accepted to be a part of the Maurices Main Street Model Search!  WOO!  I am so excited about this opportunity because it's for a good cause. 

As you may know, 14 years ago my dad died of Colon Cancer and every 5 years I have to get screened myself.  According to a study by the American Cancer Society, removing non-cancerous polyps during colonoscopies resulted in 53% fewer deaths than would be expected from a group similar in race, age, and gender in the general population.  In fact, having colonoscopies and removing the polyps was pretty much the same as not ever having any polyps at all!  You can read more about Colon Cancer on the American Cancer Society's website here.

Here are the details about the contest - if I win, Maurice's will donate $7,500 to the American Cancer Society!  You can vote for me here once every 24 hours.  So please please please VOTE!

Beautiful Places: Montego Bay, Jamaica

Snorkeling with Scuba Caribe.

Drinking Red Stripe on the patio at Margaritaville.

Montego Bay's Hip Strip

Sunset in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Riu Resort, Montego Bay

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.

Pinterest Felt Flowers

Today I got to wear my Pinterest inspired felt flowers for the first time.  My mom made me a huge batch of little flowers to use as accessories. 

I spent most of yesterday adding pins to my flowers and hanging out with these two cuties.

Chloe hiding under my pillow.

Chuey photo-bombing my pic.

Not Miss Michigan 2012

A week ago today, I was headed up to Port Huron to compete for Miss Michigan USA one last time I would be eligible.  I had been preparing for this weekend for nearly a year.  I worked with my trainer, with my pageant coach, stuck to a diet, and learned how to do a perfect smokey eye. 

Don't get me wrong, I WANTED to win, but through the entire preparation, my goal was to be the best I could be.  I didn't want to leave one stone unturned.  I had to give it my all, my best.  I needed to be in the best shape, have the best walk, the biggest hair, the most impressive bio, and the perfect gown.  I did all of those things and I felt great, I looked great, and I was happy and confident. 

I did not place in the top 15, but I did do my best.  I feel confident that there wasn't one thing that I could have done different or better.  I have no regrets.  So, there just really isn't any way that I can feel bad about last weekend.  I'm disappointed in the outcome, because I really wanted to win, but I am SOOO happy with my performance.  Here's some pictures from my weekend!

 

Miss Lansing USA

12 days until the pageant and I am officially Miss Lansing USA!  I am finally starting to feel like things are coming together and I'm ready to get this show on the road.  I feel really prepared and I can't wait!  I was also excited to see that my evening gown looks a lot like Jennifer Carpenter's Emmy Gown.

Hers is Tony Ward, mine's MacDuggal.  Still on the agenda for today - class and gym.

Back to the Mall

After the orientation this weekend, I learned that interview would be my FIRST interaction with the judges.  This is different from the past Miss Michigan Pageants I have competed in.  Previously, I would compete in the preliminary swimsuit and evening gown on Friday night and then interview on Saturday morning before the final competition.  Now, interview will be BEFORE the preliminary competition. 

This got me second guessing my leopard print Cache dress.  It is very cute and flattering, I just don't think it's very eye catching or memorable.  I have two dresses on hold at The Limited that I'm going to try after work since I got to get to the mall to return all the yellow dresses I have!  You can see the possible Limited interview dresses here.

I found a yellow opening number dress!  I bought it from Renee Austin in Grand Rapids.  Such an awesome store!  It's a little bit big, so I'm going to get it taken in and maybe shortened.  Here it is.

Day 38 - Power Shopper

Last night, I tried on every yellow dress I could find.  I ended up buying two.  I'm not particularly crazy about either of them.  Thank goodness for returns!

I think I might have found a dress for interview.  I tried on a few at Cache that I liked.  This is the one I liked the best.  All the other pageants I've done, I've worn a suit for interview, but I've heard that's not what the cool girls are doing these days...  I've also learned that most of the clothes I wear make me look larger than I actually am.  :-(  I really want to pick out something black, but I've also been told that black isn't FUN.  So, I'm sort of lost when it comes to picking out something for interview.

I would have liked this so much better in black!  The sleeves were a weird length on me though.



This looks like a party dress, not an interview dress.

My favorite (makes me feel like a Kardashian), but I sort of feel like it might be too casual - and the print... is it fun? or is it unprofessional for interview?  We'll see!

 

I'll be working out with Jason tonight and getting things ready for Miss Michigan orientation this weekend!

David's Bridal

After work yesterday I stopped by David's Bridal to check out the clearance and the front rack of cocktail dresses to see if there was anything usable in yellow.  There were a couple of yellow sun dresses... nothing really special and it was pretty close to feeding time (I eat a little meal every three hours) so I was getting pretty bitchy.  I really just wanted to take a quick peek and get home to eat and the sales girl wanted to show me how all the bridesmaids dresses come in yellow and I said something along the lines of, "I'm not spending that much to just get one of these bland bridesmaid dresses.  I can't use any of these."  She seemed really offended, but honestly, they ARE pretty bland.  I was out of there and eating in no time!

Tonight I'm going to try Fantastic Finds.  They have a much bigger selection, so I'm going to bring a snack! 

Last night's workout included 5 1/4 miles on the treadmill!  I'm going to try to do it again tonight for the MasterChef Finale - Go Adrian!

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!