National Pancake Day!

Today is the one day of the year you can get a free stack of pancakes! Why? Because IHOP has made it a tradition, while giving out free pancakes, to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network (CMN)!  IHOP is a partner of CMN, so it's a great thing to see the home of our favorite pancakes give back!  You're probably thinking what does the Miss America Org. have anything to do with pancakes?  Well, Miss America is a major partner with CMN as well, so I have the opportunity to be a part of this great cause- to help local kids!  As a contestant I have the privilege to visit IHOP on National Pancake Day and help raise money, so I decided to go to the IHOP on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood!  Miss America herself was there too! I was so excited to meet her and help out with the festivities!
Last year when I was Miss Garden Grove, I went to the same IHOP when Teresa Scanlan (Miss America 2011) was there and it was so much fun to meet her.  Today I got to meet Miss America again and she is SO beautiful and poised! What a great role model!

With Miss America 2012, Laura Kaeppeler

I was not the only titleholder there;  many other local girls came to help too!  It was so much fun to see everyone there!  After taking pictures with Laura, we all walked around the restaurant and talked with the guests.  So many did not know why IHOP has this special day every year, so I am glad I could help educate people on that!  Even better, barely anyone knew that the actual Miss America was IN the restaurant and when they found out they got really excited.  I was able to meet a couple of guests who actually are the co-chairs of the official fan club for the amazing movie, "Somewhere In Time."  It was fate that I met them because I LOVE this movie!  On top of all that, this cute couple is from Wisconsin!  Because Laura is from Wisconsin, I flagged her over to them so she could talk to her fellow Wisconsin-ians. :)  Overall it was a great experience being able to meet Miss America and be a part of raising money for such a wonderful organization.

                      

I also met a little girl named Sophia, who was also here last year to visit.  She has survived many complications and still takes treatment at the Los Angeles Children's Hospital.  She just looks like any little girl you would see and she looks lie a princess, especially with that tiara and sash!  Sophia's father told me that if it weren't for the LA Children's Hospital, his daughter would not be alive today, and that the only reason the hospital has been able to help her is because of the funds that come from CMN.  This is the perfect example of why there are fundraisers for CMN-- so that there are funds to help local kids have a fulfilled and happy life.  This is why we as Miss America contestants raise money for CMN before we compete somewhere.  This is why I ask repeatedly on FB and Twitter for donations.  Every cent, every dollar counts towards helping kids.  If you weren't able to make it to IHOP today, no worries! You can get your free stack next year, but I encourage you that in the meantime you donate to Children's Miracle now.  So many kids need your help!

You can donate for CMN HERE

 With my sister titleholder, Anna Mason and with Laura, again :)

SO many great donations made today!

                  With Caylynn, Miss Sierra Nevada :)                    Yummmmmyyy!

 Got my balloon on the wall!

Pageant Visit #1: Miss LA Pageant

Tonight was the first pageant I was able to attend since being crowned Miss SoCal!  Going to pageants always beats being IN the pageants because you can just sit back and relax!  I was also able to meet up with my sister titleholders! I have not seen them since our winning night in San Diego!  This year, the Miss Los Angeles Pageant Org. celebrates 25 years, so it was definitely a special night.  There were 30 contestants (25 Miss and 5 Teen), which meant a LONG day for the judges! After lots of rehearsing and prep, only 5 girls could walk away with crowns at the end of the night, which is sad because they were all so talented and beautiful!  Congrats to all of the winners tonight!  It definitely seemed like tough competition, so congrats to all for your hard work!

I am so glad I got to hang out with Miss GG's Teen, Jazmin Avalos.  She is so adorable!  Garden Grove is so lucky to have her! I felt like I was going back in time hanging out with Team GG again, but I loved it.  Jazmin, you are SO beautiful and I cannot wait to see you compete at state this summer!

With sweet Jazmin

With Miss California, herself! The Queen and runner-up! :)
FOLLOW NOELLE on her blog too: www.MissCalifornia2011.com
She's amazing!

Heather D Photography

I have to take this time and tell you all about Heather Dickens.  She has an amazing eye for beauty in her photos and she really helped me feel beautiful!  Yesterday, we did a shoot and it definitely was a success! This shoot was mainly for my harp recital because I wanted updated photos for the flyers I'll be posting around CSUF.  I definitely recommend Heather!  She will take your photos for maternity, engagements, weddings, families, headshots, and more! I was her first instrumentalist, so this was fun for her (and me too!).

We went off-roading to find that perfect field in the hills of Brea and we found the right spot! The wind was blowing like crazy and the sun shined every once in a while, but Heather made it all worth it!  Thanks again, Heather!

"LIKE" her Facebook page: Heather D Photography

and her website: www.HeatherDickens.com

Be sure to book her for your special memories and moments!

Special Person's Day!

Today was Barker Elementary's Special Person's Day and I was the guest of the cutest 3rd grader at the school!  When I heard that sweet small voice on the phone inviting me as her Special Person, my heart melted.  In honor of the Valentine's Day spirit, Hannah and I had a lovely day!  I showed up to Barker, which is where I went for elementary school, and I met up with Hannah for some cookies and punch!  Then it was craft time!  We made paper bugs and gave them to each other.  Of course, Hannah had told all her classmates that I was Miss Southern California so little girls were coming up to me to say hi. :)  But instead of just writing my name, she wanted me to sign my title so she could show her friends at recess.   After the activities at church, we made our beloved Taco Bell run!  Thank you, Hannah for a great day and making me feel special! You are definitely special to me!

Arise and Shine...

After the SuperBowl, I'll be speaking tonight to a large group of beautiful young women about the Miss America Organization and their inner beauty. Arise and Shine forth your physical and spiritual crowns, ladies ♥


Stay tuned for more details coming soon...