My Bama sister

As many know my sister, Lois Lane is a Breast Cancer survivor. Chemo, radiation and some strength I never knew existed. I am a heart survivor and my story is one I wear from the inside out. I met, last week, one of the most amazing people ever. April Dawson, Mrs. Alabama. We shared a lot amongst some spray tans and friendship. As we got naked in front of each other I saw what she had removed. Her laughed made me comfortable and her story made me realize I truly had no vision in that story. She was a breast cancer survivor and yes her platform is St Jude. She has a St Jude child also.

Every moment with her gave me levity and I found myself looking for the person who gave me a sense of new friendship.

I had a judge ask me last week, why are you more worthy than the next. I said, I'm not because we all have a story but would you want to listen? Because if YOU want to listen, you should be the next Mrs International. Its not your story as much as if you think you are better, I would never listen. If you want to listen to me , then you are outside of you. I am a heart and stroke survivor but I can't claim to walk that path. You are my hero April, my love, my sister and like Lois Lane! Always in my heart.

I can dress the part and be the part but when April showed me her breast all I saw was beautiful. These are the stories and she never told it.

Mrs Alabama 2010! 

To my Bama sister~ from my heart to yours ~ I love you

I could be wrong but I don't believe ANY OSCAR or Grammy has been won from a pageant but I can definately see the birth of a reality star or two or three!

I absolutely love and adore the International pageant system and I have been many the be the unwanted fruit of the year. The difference between the family of International and the on lookers is what they don't see beyond the basket. The Mrs. International class of 2015 was as what it was in 2006, special. Truly just a GREAT GROUP of ladies. No drama, no conspiracies and I loves the true International relationships that continue over the years. Piper, you will forever be such a rock star to me. The incredible beauties that sat with me at the mall and we just talked and we all shared. I was humbled and impressed, I cried and I laughed. You embraced me when you were looking to be embraced and I hope you felt I did you as well. Truly beautiful.

Emotions are ALWAYS a bit nuts after any competition. I am, and stand by it, truly happy for Farabe because unlike a random few before her, she truly was just sweet, kind and beautiful. A heart of hearts and I wish her so much in her reign and I trust after the dust settles and emotions rest, we can all look in the reflection and be blessed for the journey.

I WILL not go into detail but I will say, that an attack on me or my family or me as a Mother just needs to reflect back on the anonymous poster whom seems to be on a hateful, hurtful mission. I do know who you are but my energy is better spent not battling your mission but continuing to be the incredible Mom, Wife and Survivor I am. The minute you care to sign your name, I am open to the public forum you care to chastise me in. Cyber bullying is a cowards approach to hate and you are kind of making me laugh. A few years ago, you did get to me, today, I consider the source and by every APA, MLA guideline in the book. Your so not worth reading. BLESS YOUR HEART.

With all y heart~D

What is my Competitive Edge? The Competitive Image of course!

I have worked in Health and Beauty for a VERY long time. At Shop at Home I was the Director of Merchandising for Health, Beauty, Fitness and Apparel. I LOVE fashion but as I am not the "model" figure I figured out long ago its about figuring out what is right for YOU. What works for 6 feet and skinny may not be your friend and dare I even need to mention vice versa. This post is about interview, stage and pageantry but I do want to address day to day (or real life at a later time)

I have been working with Joey, at the Competitive Image in Dothan Alabama since 2005. He has dressed me for singing competitions, Mrs. International, American Heart Association appearances and so much more. As fashion has evolved, so has my style and Joey is cutting edge and I do want to address HAS ALWAYS WORKED WITH WHAT I COULD AFFORD.

When I look back at all of my best, it was because I was dressed by the best and by someone who "got" me and what I was looking for.


I have NEVER felt more beautiful thanks to the Competitive Image and Clay Spann makeup this year! All my pieces were provided by the Competitive Image in Dothan, Alabama (Makeup, Clay Spann) so even with ever rehearsal, I felt prepared!

With all my heart~D

Whats behind my SKINN?

Makeup by the AMAZING CLAY SPANN! No photoshop! www.clayspann.com 

 I was asked all week about what I use on my skin. I am originally from Florida so I have seen A LOT of bad skin. I admit, I too spent too much time in the sun and grew up in the era of sun in and baby oil but I learned at a young age the importance of skin care and sun protection. My Grandpa, Pappy on my Mom's side had skin cancer. I also am EXTREMELY fair skinned. Hard to believe my Mom was native American Indian. My Dad was British (Pemberton) so I definitely got his coloring.
 I started my career in television and that transitioned into buying for health and beauty for over 20 years so I have tried and tested EVERYTHING and I am a junkie. I love product. Its vital and your skin is your largest organ so we must FIRST protect it. SKINN skincare is amazing! I do want to address the sun and stress the importance of SUNSCREEN! I placed top 10 last week at Mrs. International and ALL of my tan was due to a spray tan. Its healthy and the smart way to get that summertime glow. I am a huge fan of exfoliating and practically addicted to SKINN's  DermAppeal! Its a Microdermabrasion treatment that leaves your skin like butter! I follow with Collagenesis! All of these products can be found on www.skinn.com. Great skincare is key and sets the perfect foundation!

 Next up is my Clay Spann makeup! Its the perfect palette! Clays dual finish compact foundation supplies full and flawless coverage at very affordable prices! What I love about the shadows are that they last and do not crease. I also love the more natural lip. His lip liners are just the best and can be worn with his lip glass(love the peppermint smell) or with one of his many shades! www.clayspann.com

Making those heart healthy choices radiates to your skin but we also must take care of our bodies as a whole! Don't forget to take care of your skin! Everyone is beautiful!

With all my heart~ D

What an amazing WEEK!

Mrs.International 2015 with her Top 10 to include me:)!!!!!!

 

Congrats to Farabe Algor your new Mrs. International 2015! If you spy me, that's right, I made TOP 10 out of 65 beautiful, amazing and stunning ladies. I am so proud to have been able to share my message about Go Red for Women and the American Heart Association but I want to take a moment to give you a peek in to the heart of our new queen.

With Mrs. International before she was crowned (this was taken on Thursday) stealing some love. Farabe is just that amazing!

This is Farabe. The one I met last week. Yes, she is stunning and fierce. Married to a West Point grad like my hubby:) My gauge. My son. My son is special needs and she took the time to not care about her hair, makeup or surroundings and just gave him so much love. I was honored to become her friend and she is the sweetest and most humble person. Yes, it is quite annoying she in fact is that flawless and that kind but she really is. DARN IT! I have a serious girl crush.

Announcing of the Top 16!

Announcing of the top 10! (Thank you Joey for my Go Red dress form the Competitive Image!)

I have been involved with International for many years and this class was truly amazing. Farabe, Tiffany, April, Trinity, (April, Trinity...EMMA:)) Amber (butterfly kisses:)), Keri, Sarah, Shirlene, Megan, PIPER:),Lindsey, Jill, Andrea, Christine,  Janet, Jessica, Melissa, Kimberly  and the list goes on and on. Where is Thailand? (some will get this) I loved her!

Top 16 waiting backstage after on stage question!

This was truly an amazing week. Thank you thank thank thank you to Clay Spann and Joey Reutherford for my AMAZING wardrobe, love and encouragement. You gave me the Competitive Image! I love you SOOOOOOO much!

Waiting for the announcement! Who will it be?

Joannie Summers and Deborah Vails I have no words! You are friends beyond friends and also International sisters thank you for being here, helping me, loving me, believing in me and tolerating me! I just love you and thank you so much for taking YOUR time, XOXOXOXO

Joannie and Deborah! I love you!

With Joey and Clay from The Competitive Image and Clay Spann Photography! (Ms Terry is behind the camera!) I love them all. They are not all the best but just the best PEOPLE in the world!

Here we are! Your top 16!

Joe and Dimitri from SKINN Cosmetics, seriously I am beyond humbled, blessed and grateful for the years, the journey and what is yet to come!

Mary and Mel~I will never covet the big crown but the crown I do covet is my heart with you and the International family. Thank you for always welcoming me to your table.


People often don't get was has not been "gotten". Why chase a dream that clearly may seem so un achievable?  Pageantry falls so in the realm of...huh????? Its what you do with those dreams. Its what you do with that voice.

Negativity lays within the voice within. Its not the voice spoke. Speak out. I was told, unfortunately  by a former Mrs. International you not worth the air I or anyone breathes and you will never dine with Mary or Mel. It crushed me. Literally crushed me. (little did she know I already had with Mary and she does not roll that way) but just toxic.

With Beverly, love her! Director of Illinois International pageants!

Mrs Tennessee 2006 Joannie Summers and I and one of my dearest friends in the world!

Class of 2006 was in the house!

On stage question outfit! (Competitive Image)

I love this Women! My inspiration! Mary Richardson!



With Mary Richardson and Hilary Grant!

Me and my Mr International!

With Joannie getting cheering on Mommy and Daddy at the theatre! Go East Coast!

I just want to encourage anyone reading this post to believe that you can do anything, You can be anyone you want to be. Even when conspiracies happen, let your light shine through. This year was my fight song and I think all of my sisters of 2015 shined in a way that lifted me and the greatest gift is when I was called to top 16 was the applause from you. At that moment, it was my 15 minutes. This CLASS was soooooo selfless. That was my winning moment. Thank you . I love you and I will always be here as your big sis!


With all my heart~ D

And so the day has come...A NEW MRS INTERNATIONAL will be crowned!

The stage for the Mrs International 2015 pageant in Jacksonville!

Yesterday was yet another amazing day! We had rehearsals all day and preliminaries last night.

With my beautiful friends and sisters Trinity and Kimberly!



Rehearsal ready!

 The skies opened up and rained upon us but nothing could rain on our parade as we opened the show to "Beautiful" by Zedd in out Sherri Hill dresses provided by the Competitive Image! ( Check out www.paulapreston.com for official photos.)

 

 

Next up was fitness.....although not my favorite category (who wants to look like a busted can of biscuits?) I think we all owned it as Mom's, Wife's and Women. Then came my favorite, the evening gown competition! Thank you to Joey at the Competitive Image for my beautiful Sherri Hill gown. My platform and heart is the American Heart Association and Go Red for Women so of course I rocked the red! My also AMAZING Mr. East Coast International walked me across the stage in his tux (first time not in a uniform since newly retired)and took my breathe away. I'm so in love with this man!

 Tonight a new Mrs. International will be crowned. As I was sitting with Clay, Joey and Terry this morning getting my makeup done I was thinking back and all of the laughs, tears, hugs and blessings. As I left their room I said I don't know what I would ever do without you and Terry said well you never will be. That is what this system is about. Family.

Whomever wins tonight, they will be truly blessed but each of us already is blessed just in the journey. I have had such an incredible, relaxed, fun and energized week and I will cherish these memories and these friendships for the rest of my life.

Now off to rehearsal! Show starts at 7:30pm and YOU CAN STILL GUARANTEE me a place into the top 16 by voting BEFORE NOON today EST.
http://www.mrsinternational.com/mrs-international-pchoice-voting.php?id=861

With all my heart!

D