Maggie Sottero Wedding Gown
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Don't worry, it's not my wedding gown. In fact, it IS a wedding dress but I wore it as a talent gown for Miss Ohio AND Miss America!
It took me a long time to decide whether or not I wanted to part with this, but I have SO many dresses. The more important one is nestled in a box, wrapped in plastic for my daughter & I to glance at in 18 years! Haha.
Here are two photos I was able to find of my dress:
Asking 27.5% of the cost
$225, OBO
- Size 4/6 with some alterations
- Very well cared for
- Like NEW, worn approx. 3-4 times
It is also listed HERE.
Please let me know if you or someone you know is interested! It's really a gorgeous gown!
Adventures in Atlantic City
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We left on a Friday, two weeks ago! We stopped in Pennsylvania on the way over, which was a nice break in the 8 to 9 hour drive. We arrived to Atlantic City Saturday early afternoon, missing the Miss America trade-show by an hour. Arrgg. We grabbed our badges for the Miss America coronation then headed straight to the beach!
Unfortunately, I was comparing AC to Las Vegas, which I shouldn't have done. However, having the sand at your fingertips (or toes) is so nice. After soaking up some rays and trying to catch a shot of us dipping our toes in the ocean, we went back to the room to relax and get ready for the Show Us Your Shoe Parade!
After the parade I met SIX of my Miss America sisters at EVO at Trump Plaza. While catching up with my amazing, beautiful, accomplished sisters; I ran into one of the directors for the Miss New York organization; Linda! Who'd-a-thunk the MNYSP would have another Miss America the following night!
We hung out at Trump then went to Bally's then back to our hotel for the night. In Vegas, you wouldn't be able to "move around" this much. You wouldn't want to really. Everything you would need or want is usually within one hotel/casino.
I woke the next day to have an amazing brunch/lunch with my Miss Ohio sister ('85), Suellen. Suellen hasn't lived in Ohio for a very long time, so most of you may have not had an opportunity to meet her. Oh my word, I love her. I felt like we were long lost friends right from the get-go. She was a double prelim winner and was in the Top 10, her year at Miss America!
I took some "me time" and shopped at the Pier Shops...and got a pumpkin spice latte from #Starbucks! Met up with my partner in crime before getting ready for finals.
Side note: I was so excited about my hair on finals night. I had these waves going, kind of a classy look. Then we stepped outside and it went to you know where. :-(
I was also so excited to find out if Heather Wells, Miss Ohio, would make it into the Top 15. Oh the anticipation of sitting in that HUGE theater just wondering and waiting. We sat right behind a group that was there for Miss Connecticut...she made it all the way thru the talent round!
Heather is a wonderful young woman. Very talented, beautiful, kind, funny, gifted... there were some head-scratchers in the Top 15, to me at least. It's been six years since I competed, I think I can be candid here... Wisconsin, Kentucky and Missouri were a few of the questionable ones for me.
I liked Florida, but I wonder if the judges placed her in the Top 5 because they felt "sad" for her. If you didn't watch or know, Florida injured herself earlier in the week and so she wore a leg brace for finals competition. #pityparty?
While I'm sure each of these young women have their own unique positive traits and qualities...this is just me "venting" here. And I am excited for the new Miss America, Nina Davuluri!
But, these girls over Heather? You just never know! I thought for sure I was going to be in the Top 15 my year! And for my successor and her successor and so on...get the picture. The 50+ young women who compete at Miss America, are the best of the best. Every year, states send intelligent and driven young women to the Miss America stage.
For any contestants competing for a local title or even getting ready to compete at Miss Ohio, your title is won in the interview room. This is even more true at Miss America.
Heather knew what she was preparing for, what she was getting herself into. Miss America is so hard to "explain" and it's such a different experience for each young woman.
Back to the logistics of it...I was not happy with my seat either. So the first 15 minutes of the final show, ask Becky, I was Grumpy McGrumperstein. Not pleased with where we sat or with OH not placing. Boardwalk Hall is enormous. It's like a football stadium. So if you plan to go in the future, sit in the 100 section and the lower your section the better. For instance, we were in 106 and the rest of the OH gang was in 102 (I think). Their seats were really good...so keep that in mind.
I am beyond thankful that I was able to attend the 2014 Miss America pageant. It was an experience. And to be able to go to cheer on a friend, made it even better. I will probably not go again until my daughter is older, so I can take her, too.
I feel like I could say so much more, but I'll stop rambling.
Here are a couple of photos:
Click the link in the previous post to view an album I shared on Facebook!
Blessings.
Photos from Miss America 2014
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HERE
I'll write more about my time in Atlantic City later today or tomorrow!
And More Updates
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My little family traveled to Florida in early July. My hubs celebrated his birthday there...and our baby girl got sick. So it was an eventful trip...one where we ended up at urgent care because little Cookie felt so bad. Here are some fun family vaca pics:
This was one of the nights she didn't feel good...with her cousins, Cody & Camden. Yes, the three C's. No, we did not plan that!
Two days after we got back from Florida, I had the wonderful opportunity of reading to a group of students at Lincoln Park in Columbus for their summer Freedom Schools Read Aloud program! I had a great time and can't wait to go back!
We've been keeping ourselves busy with the new house. Starting small. Things like tile work and painting. Finishing up projects that the previous owners left. We don't mind that nothing was done; it allows us to pick what we want for those finishing touches.
Aside from the day-to-day grind of work, we're trying to enjoy our summer. Lots of visiting with friends and family, now that we have the space...and a pool...and a fire pit. ;) I feel truly blessed. I know Miss Ohio held her send-off celebration to Miss America last weekend. Very exciting! I can't believe she leaves for Atlantic City in less than a week!
I am thrilled to go to AC to cheer her on with our Miss Ohio sister, Becky! I'm also looking forward to meeting up with the Miss America class of '07-'08! We have plans in the works. Of course you know, photos galore upon our return!
Stay tuned...and be blessed.
Updates
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If I remember correctly, I crowned Heather as Miss Maple City when I was Miss Ohio. I was MMC when I won and I believe MMC was her first local title. So that's our history...and now she has joined me in the Miss Ohio Sisterhood! Heather and her mom, Andrea, are two of the sweetest ladies and I'm super excited they get to experience all of this!
You can keep up with Heather in a plethora of ways:
I was only able to watch one night of Miss Ohio this year, the first night of prelims. Here are some of my photos:
In other news...
The Ohio Idol Top 50 has been chosen! I had the honor to to narrow down the field of hopefuls for Ohio Idol's second season. There were 137 auditions this past weekend. It was NOT easy but I had a lot of fun listening/seeing all the talent!
The Top 55 perform TODAY at Red, White & Boom in Columbus! If you're in the area, stop by the Nationwide Arena to see their performances. At the end, they will announce who moves on to the Top 10. Those Top 10 will go on tour the rest of the year and hold their finale at the Ohio State Fair at the end of the month. There, they will "CROWN" [Ha ;)] a new Ohio Idol! That person wins $10,000 and a recording contract! Why didn't I audition again? Just kidding...it's nice being on the other side for a change.
Here are some photos from my time with Ohio Idol...
It may be a while until you hear from me. School is out, summer has started, the ocean is calling my name! It's family vacation time! We're headed to Florida soon...and I can not wait to put my baby's toes in the sand again! Be blessed...
Ohio Idol
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Hopefully you answered "yes" but, if you didn't...it's called OHIO IDOL!
I knew about it last year, in it's inaugural year, because my little sister auditioned and made it to the second round (Top 100)! This is the second year for the talent competition and I participated not as a contestant but a judge!
About two weeks ago, I spent the day at GrooveU, a music school here in Columbus. That day, I listened to about 100 people sing their hearts out for a shot in the Ohio Idol Top 100. We let about 50 or so individuals through and it was NOT an easy job. I am however looking forward to doing it again in another two weeks.
I was asked back to judge the second round! The Top 100 people from the Lakewood, Columbus and Kettering auditions will convene on June 29 and vie for a spot in the Top 50! The Top 50 will then perform at Columbus' Red, White & Boom celebration where a Top 10 will be chosen.
The Top 10 will sing at the Ohio State Fair later this summer...and the overall winner will be announced! That person wins $10,000 cash and a recording contract! That individual and the remaining Top 10, will have the opportunity to travel the state on "tour" at various events!
It's a pretty cool thing we have here in Ohio and I see it just getting bigger each year. It's all ready grown in the turn out compared to last year. Here are a few photos from the Columbus Ohio Idol auditions...
'Tis The Season
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Can't believe another Miss Ohio week is coming up! In just two weeks, 24 young women from all over the state will compete to become Miss Ohio 2013! Wohoo!
The program is trying something new this year with a people's choice contest!
For a $1 donation, you can cast your vote for one of these ladies to have a spot in the Top 11 and maybe become the next Miss Ohio!
Be sure to check out the following links to stay updated on different Miss Ohio happenings!
Miss Ohio Facebook Page
Graham Automall People's Choice Voting
Elissa McCracken Facebook Page
Miss Ohio 2012 Twitter
I plan to attend at least one night of Miss Ohio again this year...such is the life with a one year old!
Blessings to you.
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