Anoka is the Halloween capital of the United States and celebrated in style during this annual fundraiser. Many wore orange bow ties...a tradition and a fundraiser. I donated an Ed Hardy watch for their silent auction and we had a ball meeting royalty from the St. Paul Winter Carnival, the Aquatennial and many other systems. Much money was raised for the educational programs in Anoka during this event! My gown is from the Pageant Shop- a beatiful chiffon black gown with a crystal spide pin on it!
Above, me and the Klondike Kate's from the St. Paul Winter Carnival and to left is the entire court of the St. Paul Winter Carnival!
All of the cover girls of the Minneapolis Magazine's SHOPS issue got together at Crave restaurant in Edina to eat and SHOP!! 6 of the most stylish women in town were featured on the cover of the September issue found on newsstands today! I had so much fun with this shoot with Angie Wicka, Fundraiser; Amelia Santaniello, Local newscaster; Sara Rogers, Trend specialist at the Mall of America; Emma at Minneapolis Art Center and Me! Shop NBC Host!
International Justice Mission is trying to gain support in the Child Protection Compact Act, which proposes $30 million dollars disseminated over a period of 3 years towards helping Children who are enslaved in Sexual Slavery to receive legal help, passports and victim recovery efforts. This money will go to train the necessary people in the cooperative countries.
Child Slavery is the 3rd biggest money maker in the world behind weapons and drug sales.
Children are sold by family members oftentimes and transported and sold to other countries for sexual slavery. Sometimes families are told their child will be given an opportunity for education or for work, that isn't true.
These helpless victims often cannot speak the language, do not know the laws and are given drugs to force them to stay.
Both senator representatives today agreed that this topic must be addressed and are going to be reviewing the act and letting us know of their Senator's support in the next month.
Hopefully, our meeting will lead to saving some children's lives around the world.
Lord Fletchers was packed to see who would win the title of Miss Minnesota Tropic Beauty. The girls met with the judges in an informal interview/meet and greet and my husband was thrilled to have been asked to be a judge as well! (As you can imagine) The women were clad in swimsuit and heels for the competition and all looked beautiful and in shape. So many girls looked like Miss USA contenders that I just had to give my five cents about them thinking about entering a pageant in the future! Above I'm with one of the judges, Tara Thatcher, a recent winner in a figure contest whom I recently judged--a very sweet newlywed!
The key to promoting Mentoring is to find new mentors. Nancy Torrison, Director of Recruitment and I worked the crowd at the Raspberry Festival and found many new leads! Along came the Royalty of the Hopkins Raspberry Festival so I was able to meet the newly crowned Royalty and capture a picture! How cute!
Kinship of Greater Minneapolis Mentor/Mentee picnic at Loring Park July 17th
I met a wonderful group of kids at the picnic where they tossed water balloons, ate cake and played outside on this beautiful summer day. I asked the children why they liked having a mentor and here is what they said "So I can get out of the house", "Because I'm lonely.", "Because they play ball with me", "Because they take me to do things I don't normally get to do.". They say WHY to mentor better than I could. I spoke about my childhood and why I got into mentoring, they asked questions about the pageant and how it is judged and if I won any money (no). And then I signed autographs and took pictures with them. The key is meeting these kids to see why Mentoring is important and how it can change lives.
So many of my close friends and supporters were able to make it to send me off to nationals! I had an amazing time and everyone loved meeting eachother! Chloe had so much fun playing with Holly's daughter Ava-they are the same age! I am so blessed to have so many good friends in my life! Thank you Holly, Sarah, Heather, My husband, Corrado, Jason, Brian, Jeremy, Tamara, Shelly, Kellee & Robb!
It turned out to be a beautiful day on this 4th of July and my mom was in town so we all hopped in our bBMW convertible 625, sponsored by BMW of Minnetonka and headed to Delano! The largest and oldest Fourth of July parade! The streets were densely lined with chairs at least 3 deep and all ages came out to enjoy the festivities! In the car behind me were Miss MN Teen USA '10 and Miss MN USA '10 so we represented all three generations very nicely! The crowd was so supportive --I only wish I bought more candy to toss out to the children! We ran out midway through the parade! I just adore this quaint town.
Mall of America June 28 at DSW---I brought Caressa a beautiful sparkling ring from Cache as a welcoming gift --She is even more beautiful in person...and petite!!
