The Esther Project Butterfly Brunch

Each year The Esther Project puts together a huge event to recognize community leaders and raise money for various outreach programs. During our last event, which we called a  Butterfly Brunch, we honored  Mikki Taylor , who had been the beauty editor for Essence Magazine for 30 years. Ms. Taylor is an International icon of style and it was a pleasure to be in the same room with someone who I admired my whole life. She spoke about purpose and passion  and her love for The Esther Project.  It was, and still is, so humbling to know that the work we are doing with our women's empowerment initiative is being recognized by very influential  people around the world. I am so proud of the fact that we help women who are drug addicted, who were sexually and physically abused, women who are homeless as well as women looking to make major changes in life to achieve their goals. It was also my honor to welcome Maggi Thorne , Mrs. International 2014 & Miss New York International 2015, Elaina. Both ladies were walking examples of what The Esther Project is all about, women walking in their Purpose! Looking forward to our next event!

The Ladies of The Esther Project

Mikki Taylor, Mrs. International2014, Author Tiffany Williams & Me

Chatting with an icon

Youth Empowerment!

I love collaborating with other lady leaders to give positive reinforcement to our youth. The best way to make sure that we are raising a community of leaders is to get out there and set a good example. Teaching life skills and lessons that they will carry with them into adulthood. Making sure they understand the importance of not giving up, growing for the dreams and living a life of purpose. Here I am with my pageant sister, Joy, loving every minute of empowering our youth.

#TBT My cameo in Toni Braxton's - Seven Whole Days

You can spot me in this video for Toni Braxton's hit song Seven Whole Days..

Hint, I'm in the scene with the jeep! #FunTimes

International Pageant Sisters, D.C & Me!

 Every year when we celebrate Independence Day, I am reminded of what a blessing it is to be a woman living in the United States of America. The fact that that I have the right and freedom to live the life I choose is not lost on me. This is why I make sure that I choose to exercise that right to the best of my ability.

I take this opportunity to thank the brave men and women of our  Armed Forces that have fought and are still fighting for us to keep those rights. 

   I recently had the pleasure of visiting our nation's capitol with some of my International sister queens. Our experience included an exclusive tour of The Pentagon, visited wounded warriors at the Walter Reed Military Medical Center, attended a Marine retirement ceremony, chatted with a World War 2 Veteran at the Marine Corp Museum, and learned the history of Zachary Fisher, founder of the Fisher House, which provides free or low cost lodging to veterans and military families receiving treatment at military medical centers. It was a experience I will never forget and I am so blessed to have been able to share the experience with such awesome people. A special Thank You to Lyss-Acosta Millan of the United States Marine Corp for making it possible!

Healthy Women = Healthy World Event

I love spending time with like minded women who are on a mission to empower others. Here I am with my International sister queens, Mrs. Haiti Intl 2015 and Mrs. NY Intl 2015 as we have fun for a great cause. The Heathy Women = Healthy World Event was a day filled with exercise, nutrition tips, empowerment speeches, and more. I especially enjoyed being able to share my personal platform, The Esther Project with all who attended. Proceeds from the day went to the Star Legacy Foundation, an organization dedicated to stillbirth awareness. Thank you Mrs. NY Intl, for hosting such a great event.

#FlashbackFriday @Castle Couture

The Fabulous Ladies of F.A.B

While supporting some of my International Pageants sister queens at a charity fashion show benefiting Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, I was able to meet two lovely ladies from F.A.B which stands for Fashion Against Bullying. Being a woman of empowerment myself, as well as someone who is in the beauty/fashion industry, I instantly fell in love with their mission to encourage our youth to use creatives solutions in life. To learn more about F.A.B visit www.thefabcoalition.com

Pepsi's Real Big Summer

I love the part of my job that allows me to be an ambassador for globally recognized brands. One of my favorite opportunities was working as on air talent for Pepsi's Real Big Summer Ad campaign.

Do What You Can.

Giving back is essential to the growth of any community. Making sure you are doing your part  can be overwhelming  when you may be facing issues of your own, and/or raising a family and having a full time job. Many people live a "full plate" life and feel that there's  no time or not enough money to make an effective impact in the world around us when it comes to community service.  To this I say, in the words of Theodore Roosevelt, "Do what you can, where you are , with what you have", charity starts at home. Make sure you live your life in a way that would inspire others. Make sure you are raising children that will be contributors to society. And lastly, look within yourself for the special talents you make have that you can easily share with someone in need. One of the many ways I give back is by using my God-given talent as a makeup artist to help women who are battling cancer. Showing a woman, who has lost all her hair, how to put on lashes and draw on eyebrows helps them feel more like themselves and gives them the confidence needed to fight the good fight when battling cancer. Ask yourself, What's my gift and how can I share it to help someone else?

Mrs. Northeast International 2015

  It is such an honor to hold the title of Mrs. Northeast International 2015 and to be able to represent the Mrs. International Pageant system. I love this system for many different reasons: the ability to challenge yourself to be the best you possible,  the opportunity to share your passion for causes that are near and dear to you, and meeting women from all across the world who inspire and motivate you. As a married woman, this pageant  also gives me the chance to go for my dreams while celebrating the beauty of my partnership with my husband.

   On July16th, at 6pm, I will be holding an empowerment seminar at Castle Couture in Manalapan, NJ. I will be talking about my platform The Esther Project (a global women's empowerment movement), The Mrs, Miss & Miss Teen International Pageants and how you can be Empowered Through Pageantry. And for all you future "Mrs", here's a couple of Bridal looks that can be found at Castle Couture.

The Power of Makeup

As a makeup artist, I get to transform women of all different cultures and nationalities into the best versions of themselves. Using makeup to enhance your appearance can put you in the best light  to make a positive impression when meeting new people. If you are unsure about what type of makeup to wear or how to apply it, check youtube for makeup tutorials. You will find an assortment  of instructors ready to help you put your best foot forward.
  Here I am at an event hosted by Dress for Success, ( a non- profit organization that provides interview suits, boosts confidence and provide career development for women in low income areas), where I am giving makeup tips to women looking to re-enter the workforce.

Using your Power to Empower.

  Going through bumpy roads and learning lessons from them is what life is all about. Imagine a life where you were never challenged? I'm a true believer that everything in life happens for a reason. When you are facing a road block try to step outside of yourself to truly find the testimony of your test. And when you find yourself stronger and smarter than you were before, share those lessons with others so that they too, can find the strength to make it through a tough time. Here I am sharing my life lessons during an Esther Project Empowerment Event.

The Power of Empowerment!

The more work I do with The Esther Project, the more I realize the importance of the work. We all have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. The person you see everyday when riding the subway, your hairdresser or co-worker can be in desperate need of empowerment. If you, yourself are not living in the light of empowerment, how can you recognize the need in others?
   The Esther Project encourages and inspires you to live a life of empowered purpose, so that you can inspire and empower others.The way to change the world is to start with the "man (woman) in the mirror"!

Kick Cancer Overboard Advisory Board

It's been 5 years since the start of Kick Cancer Overboard, a charity that sends cancer affected families on a free cruise each year. I remember when my friend and co- founder Donnalyn Giegerich Zapcic, who survived a bout with cancer, ask me to collaborate with her to help people find hope when they needed it most. We both understand the importance of maintaining a positive frame of mind when you are battling cancer, and what can be more positive than spending time with your loved ones & creating memories on the vacation of a lifetime.
   In the course of 5 years, we have raised enough money to send over 100 families affected by cancer on a free cruise! I am very proud to announce that I am not only a spokesperson for KCO , but I have just accepted a seat on the advisory board to do my part to make sure that KCO continues to grow and help as many as possible find hope in the face of a cancer diagnosis. To learn more about our effort please visit KCO at www.kickcanceroverboard.com

Castle Couture: Modeling Eve of Milady

Empowering Young Minds

Here I am speaking some words of empowerment and encouragement to some darling little ladies who will grown up to be dynamic grown women. #iamesther #empowerment #queen

Empowering Women, My Crowning Moment & Birthday Cake, All in One Day!

Empowering women through the power of makeup is a true passion of mine. This passion led me to donate my services to the beautiful contestants of the Miss, Mrs & Miss Teen New Jersey International pageant. I was able to help my sister queens look and feel their best in order to "Rock the Stage". After the pageant I was "crowned" Mrs. Northeast International 2015 by my beautiful friend, Danielle Micale Mrs. Northeast International 2014. I love being surrounded by all my lady leader sister Queens. In addition, I was surprised with cake & the ladies singing Happy Birthday to celebrate my turning 44!  Female empowerment at it's finest! #iamesther #empowerment #queens

Teen Vogue Fashion Charity Event

When Teen Vogue Magazine decided to help up and coming designers by having a fashion charity event, I jumped at the chance to donate my time and services as a stylist/makeup artist, to empower a young woman who was selected to attend the charity event which featured many notables in fashion including designers Zac Posen and  Jessica Simpson. I would like to say a special thank you to Sandy Foley of Flair Designs, who added me to the team for this special event which took place in NYC.

Lady (Happily) Sings the Blues!

My career has given me the awesome opportunity to work with some dynamic people. One such occasion was when I had the chance to do a magazine layout with Richard Pryor Jr., son of the legendary late great Richard Pryor.
  The shoot took place at The Metropolitan Room in NYC. As we were shooting I had the honor of hearing behind the scene stories of Richard's dad & Diana Ross on the set of Lady Sings the Blues ( one of my all time favorite movies). It was a great shoot, great day with great people.

What You Need to Know Before Competing at the Mrs International Pageant

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

 As a Mom of four, Dr. Seuss books have been a constant read in our home for more than eighteen years. I actually started reading the books to my children while I was pregnant with each of them. The word patterns, rhymes and whimsical illustrations make Dr. Seuss book so fun to read (I still enjoy them)! My children first fell in love with reading by reading Seuss, then  they graduated to countless authors who now capture their imagination.
 As I write this post, I am reminded of the fact that there are many people all across the world who are not able to read. According to the Unesco Institute for Statistics, there are 774 million adults, worldwide, who cannot read or write. Two thirds are women.
 Thankfully, there are organizations such as www.savethechildren.org and www.familieslearning.org, that have programs dedicated to helping to solve this problem. We can also help by donating books and our time to under served communities where this problem is seen most.

Be-You-Tiful

  I'm  excited to share my 5 page spread in the international, Washington Polo Club Magazine! I am so humbled to be among the  forty and over modeling crowd that's helping to change the  world's perception of beauty.  You can be beautiful at any age, color, size and shape. Just make sure you are beautiful at your core and you're more than half way there. Add to that eating heart healthy, exercising on a regular basis and sticking to a skin care routine and you will be the timeless beauty that you were meant to be. Most of all Be Empowered, Be Inspired, Be You-Tiful!
The fact that there is only ONE you in the world means that your beauty is priceless! To all the beauties in the world, I salute you!