Party Time at Mrs. America

While our days at Mrs. America were filled with activities and rehearsals for the national broadcasts, our nights consisted of elegant dinners, cocktail receptions and fabulous parties. We all love getting dressed up and partying the night away. It was a great way to get to know one another and share stories about life, love,career and family.

Having fun at Mrs. America

The days of competing at Mrs. America were filled with numerous fun-filled actives which included fly-fishing, horse-back riding, golfing, bowling, spa-treatments, off-roading, falconing, historic tours and much, much more. Each day promised a new and exciting adventure. The highlight for me?..The afternoon cookies and tea served each day at 4pm in the beautiful living room like lobby by a roaring fire...so cozy.

Welcome to the Greenbrier!

The beautiful Greenbrier hotel played host to myself along with 50 other state titler holders as we competed to be the next Mrs. America! For two weeks we were treated like royalty and had every whim catered too. I was so excited to finally get to meet all the wonderful women from all across the country with whom I was going to share this incredible experience with. It was truly a pleasure to get to know each and every one of them.

My Super-Sweet Send-Off

Right before my journey to Mrs. America, I was treated to a Queenly send-off provided by Bill Balis of Adlephia's in Deptford and organized by my wonderful director, Geri Watson. All my friends, family and I had a wonderful time enjoying great music, delicious food ,words of encouragement and acts of kindness. I would like to say a special "thank you" to all who had a hand in making this a night to remember!

New Jersey Fashion Week Mixer

The W Hotel in Hoboken, NJ played host to a networking mixer to promote New Jersey Fashion Week. Local celebrities, T.V. personalites, designers, beauty queens and fashionistas came out to talk about style, beauty and upcoming fashion trends. Stay tuned for more information about upcoming New Jersey Fashion Week casting calls and events.

Enjoying Jersey Couture at Diane & Co.

Gowns, Crowns and Boogie Down is what was going on in Freehold, NJ with the ladies of Diane & Co. from the hit show "Jersey Couture". On a beautiful Sat. afternoon, I attended a promotional event that celebrated the connection of the popular gown boutique with New Jersey Fashion Week's Donella Tillery. The dance infused day was filled with excited young ladies looking for the perfect dress as I and some beautiful fellow sister Queens announced some lucky winners who took home prizes ranging from gown gift certificates to tickets to NJ Fashion Week. It was a great day had by all!

Goodies Galore!!!!!

Who said pageant girls don't eat? Here I am enjoying some of the best desserts New Jersey has to offer at the beautiful Adelphia's in Deptford NJ. I'm enjoying having my cake and eating it too!

Miss Monmouth County/ Central Coast Pageant

Being a former Mrs. Monmouth County, it was my pleasure to watch the Miss contestants all in the running for the Miss Monmouth County/Central Coast pageants. The winners will compete against all the other local titleholders for the honor of representing New Jersey at the 2012 Miss America Pageant. Here I am pictured with the newly crowned Miss Central Coast Katie Berry.

Pageant Fever!

On Sunday March 13th I attended the Miss Union/ Middlesex pageant ( Miss America Organization) along with a few lovely ladies of the America's Miss pageant system. It's always great to get together with wonderful women to support other wonderful women as they showcase their poise, intelligence, substance and beauty. It's always so inspiring to see the young ladies of the Miss America Organization follow their goals and dreams to one day be on the Miss America stage.

Mrs. New Jersey International 2011

On March 13th I attended the Miss, Teen, Mrs. New Jersey International pageant held at Rider University in Lawrenceville. It was a night of fabulous women, beautiful  gowns and great friends. The highlight of the evening was watching one of my favorite people in the world, the lovely Danielle Micale win Mrs. New Jersey International. Congrats to all the wonderful women. Good luck at Nationals!

Enlighten, Empower, Encourage

As an ambassador  for the Esther Project ( a women's empowerment group), I help women realize their beauty and potential from the inside out. Here I am with two of my fellow motivators in an "Evening of Empowerment". Helping women help themselves live life to the fullest!

Plus Size Beauty!

On March 6th I was out at the Robert Treat Hotel taking in all the style and fashions of my plus size sisters at the Miss Full-Figured USA Pageant. It was a fun evening watching the beautiful ladies size 12 and up show that being full-figured does not stop you from being FABULOUS! Congrats to all the lovely ladies, especially my long time friend Tanya Means , Ms. Full -Figured USA for ages 40 &up! You Betta Work!!!!

Celebrating America's Miss, Mrs, & Teen New Jersey

Congratulations to director Evelyn Mccleod ( America's Mrs. 2010) and all the lovely contestants at the America's Miss, Mrs, & Teen New Jersey pageant. It was so inspiring to see all the ladies celebrate their great accomplishments in life and walk in their Red Carpet best. I enjoyed every minute of this wonderful event. A special shout out to one of my favorite people in the world, the beautiful Elise Counts who won the Mrs. Division! You go Girl!

Tropical Charity Fashion Show

Walking the runway is always a good time especially in the name of a great cause and Kick Cancer Overboard is one of my favorites. Watching families who are affected by cancer win a dream vacation to sunny Bermuda is as exciting as it is rewarding! Congratulations to the much deserving Paradise family who will be enjoying some Sun and Surf while traveling in style on the beautiful Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas! Bon Voyage Paradise Family!

Cruising away cancer

Please join me, my fellow pageant sister DonnaLyn and "Captain" Ted as we Kick Cancer Overboard! We at KCO understand the importance of living life to the fullest even when facing a cancer diagnosis. So we are asking people to join us as we sail to sunny Bermuda on the beautiful Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas on May 21th 2011. When you book your cruise, a portion of the proceeds go to cancer research, also the more staterooms that are booked, we are able to send a cancer affected family on the cruise for free ( so far KCO has given away 10 free vacations and counting)! To join us as we party with a purpose visit http://www.kickcanceroverboard.com/

Celebrate Love & Life!

Looking for the perfect gift for your special Valentine? How about something yummy and sweet that also supports a great cause? If you purchase some delish red velvet cupcakes from http://www.carouselcakes.com/ during the month of Feb. a percentage of your purchase benefits the American Heart Association. So here's to celebrating Love and saving Lives in honor of the day of the Heart!

Queen of Hearts Foundation Charity Fashion Show

On Jan. 6th, I had the privilege of walking the runway with a bevy of pageant beauties as we strutted our stuff all in the name of a great cause. The fashion show which took place at the beautiful Brownstone Catering Hall, made famous by the show "Real Housewives of New Jersey", was hosted by the lovely Carissa Palumbo Miss Champagne Springs (MAO) and founder of the Queen of Hearts Foundation. Proceeds from the event to benefit the Janet Zilinski Fund. I was able to share this wonderful evening with Parker Sanchez, Mrs. Petite America 2011 and Mrs. New Jersey America 2010, Otise Schuk. To learn more about the Janet Zilinski Fund, visit http://www.janetzilinski.org/ .

Mentor Motivation

Helping our youth find a path of self assurance and positive reinforcement is an important part of my life. I truly take to heart the African proverb "It takes a village to raise a child". Being a mentor provides the opportunity to change the course of someone's life for the better. I, along with Elise Counts (founder of Lovely You, a program to bolster the self esteem of young girls), organized a Jr. Cotillion to help encourage and motivate some special young ladies. It was an honor to have in attendance Mayor Sharon Briggs of Plainfield. Congratulations to all the lovely ladies of Lovely You.

Simply Charming

On Dec. 12th, I spent a wonderful evening supporting some wonderful teenagers at the first annual C.H.A.R.M. Awards. The event was hosted by Miss NJ USA 2009, Kaity Rodriquez, founder of the RoleModel Program where she teaches young women about the importance of being beautiful both inside and out. Miss Rodriquez is the epitome of a Beauty Queen doing beautiful things. I enjoyed the evening with one of my dearest friends the incredible Rev. Tiffany Williams who was the recipient of the Esther Award. Congratulations to all the young ladies involved in the RoleModel program.