Random Pageant Tip #8: Prioritize your Preperation

It's crunch time for most women trying to earn a state titles to get to Miss America 2012!  What I was trying to say in the video above is that stress from the laundry list of things you have to do before leaving for Miss State is completely NORMAL!  But, focusing on the tedious, less important things might actually be a form of procrastination from the more important, scarier aspects.  Getting wrapped up in the details that no one else (least of all the judges) will notice might make you feel like you're preparing, but are you actually hiding from success?  Yes, shoes and beauty products and craft projects are a huge part of pageantry; but if you're wound up like a top over those things, it's time to step back, take a deep breath and remind yourself what's truly important.  

If you'd like to add to this tip, or share an embarrassing story/realization like I did in the video, leave a comment!        

Meeting Misses

It's hard to believe three years have passed since I moved to LA! Time here goes by in a blink; it's like reverse dog years or something... I've said all along I wanted to become involved with pageants here, but short of falling in love with Miss California USA, Alyssa Campanella via twitter, it hasn't happened.

Today, however, the titleholders kept coming to me! The amazingly talented Amanda Beagle, Miss Ohio 2004, is a headlining vocalist on Holland America's Statendam cruiseship. It docked in San Diego today, so I drove down to enjoy a few hours with Amanda.

Sidenote: We both agreed that when we were competing, it was like we could never find anything, but today all we saw while shopping were perfect pageant outfits. Everywhere! Victoria's Secret is even carrying their swimsuits in the stores now so you can actually try them on before purchase.

On the way home I swung by the Acura dealership my beau manages; it's in the town of Covina, about 20 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. I love Covina's downtown area because it's charming; and by charming I mean normal! There's actually free parking and a sense of community that you don't normally find out here. To my surprise, tonight downtown Covina was complete with two lovely ladies in crowns!

I instantly recognized the four pointed Miss America system crowns and darted into the nearest, free parking spot.

Miss Covina, Vivian Wei, Miss Covina's Outstanding Teen, Joelle Roup and Covina Mayor John King were doing a photo shoot on the street. It was a delight to meet all of them. And I'm not just saying that because they asked if I was a current titleholder! ;)

I'm tempted to order a pizza for supper, just to see if Pasadena's Tournament of Roses Queen delivers it to us!

Vote for Ashley and Kelsey!

1,000 ladies applied to win the FourPoints Magazine "Make Me A Cover Model" contest and not one but two Ohio titleholders have made the Top 25!

Miss Mansfield, Ashley Warholic and Miss Crystal Lake's Outstanding Teen, Kelsey Barrett, are both in the running to win a free gown from La Casa Hermosa and grace the cover of the August/September edition of FourPoints.

You can vote up to 100 times a day, IF you log on and off your IP address, until May 15. On the 16th the Top 5 will be announced.

Best of luck Ashley and Kelsey!!!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!