Couple more Follies Photos

Wanted to include pictures of the Diamond, Gold, Silver and Bronze Sponsors...and some fun shots as well. LOVED the Dance Studio Sponsor...SPARKLY TOE SHOES!!!! Gotta get myself a pair of those babies! ;)

Elgin 2010 Follies, "Game On!"

Friday and Saturday evenings were spent in Elgin as part of the biennial Follies, now in their 28th year, benefiting the Elgin Junior Service Board's many community service projects.

I was invited to be a part of the Follies as one of the Walking Hat Ad Ladies, a tradition celebrated since the 1960's! Sponsors of the event purchase hat ads to be displayed during the meet and greet, raffle and refreshments before the show, and then walk across the stage during the show to promote them once again. These hats are beautifully and creatively made from scratch by hand by the JSB members, and seeing their finished work is impressive! Some even had lights and moving parts!

I also had the opportunity to sit in on one of the MANY practices in preparation for the actual event, and they work so hard in putting together a terrific show. They actually had audience members come back to see it again the second night because it was so entertaining! Creative, energetic and hardworking are all of these folks that work together for a great cause!

(Note: My hat was THE National Bank of Elgin...I was lucky to get a light-weighted hat! And MAN was it sparkly!!!! ;) LOVED IT!)

My thanks to Michelle Gilroy who coordinated this event for me, to all of the women of JSB who were terrific to work with and for (I was also on hand to do makeup and lashes for some of the ladies and young ladies in the production as well), to the amazing staff of Hemmens who go above and beyond, not only to make things run smoothly but to also make everyone feel important (and I've witnessed that first hand on more than one occasion! This one was no different!), and to the wonderful people of Elgin for supporting the JSB and their service efforts. Thank you for being so invested in your community!

http://www.elginjsb.org/

http://www.elginchamber.com/

http://www.cityofelgin.org/

http://www.hemmens.org/

I'll have Stats soon!

A Matter of Style

Tuesday was spent at the Drury Lane in Oak Brook, Illinois for a fashion show as part of the Fenwick High School Mother's Spring Luncheon. Boutique shopping followed by a luncheon and fashion show made this a full, fashionable day.

http://www.fenwickfriars.com/

My thanks again to Tracey from Zzazz Productions for again coordinating this event for me, and to all the lovely ladies (and gentlemen) behind the scenes that make things run smoothly and make every "look" perfection for the runway (PS - love Tracey working with the girls one on one with one of the dance numbers! She is so thorough and so talented! I have loved watching her work!).

Diva's Down the Runway 2010

Tuesday evening was spent at the Lexington House in Hickory Hills, IL for a fashion show and benefit for The Lipinksi-Callahan-Daly Chapter of the Leukemia Research Foundation. This was their 38th annual event supporting Leukemia Research with dinner, raffles and more. Miss Illinois USA and Miss Illinois Teen USA were also on hand to be a part of the event - so pretty and SO tall! And most importantly, so VERY, VERY sweet! Beautiful girls, inside and out!

My thanks to Abby and Tracey Tarantino for coordinating this event for me. Tracey is a dream to work for and with, and I am very thankful for her continued support of the Mrs. Illinois America Organization. Her staff is amazing, kind, and always makes you feel good! Also, special thanks to Nancy for my amazing wardrobe! She works so hard to pick items that are flattering and fabulous for the runway for every single girl, not only for a great show, but also for a great experience. Really, everyone who works with Tracey, from her staff, to her coordinators, to her models; they are all genuinely good people who welcome you as one of theirs and are a joy to be around. So thank you, all! And a special thank you to Paul, one of our models, who said I should try out for either a Cinderella or Snow White character at Disney in Orlando (although, my mind went to former Mrs. Illinois, Julie Rinehart, when he said Snow White...maybe we can go together! Team work!!! HAHA ;) )...you made my night! I'm still grinning, so thanks! ;)

http://www.leukemia-research.org/

http://www.zzazzproductions.com/

http://www.missillinoisusa.com/

Pictures are:

-Lexington House Marquee

-Snapshot of the ballroom - really beautiful!

-With Miss Illinois USA, Ashley Bradarich, and Miss Illinois Teen USA, Alexis Atkins. Wishing a big Good Luck to Ashley who leaves for Miss USA in just another week! We're proud of you!

More from Fancy Nancy

Here's pictures of a group of girls on a birthday party scavenger hunt that came up to say "hi", getting to spend some time with Elena while visiting others (love when that happens!), letting this little one (among many others) try on the crown, walking the "parade route" with all the girls - they had me lead and show "the pageant wave" (too cute), and our collaborative Fancy Nancy Group. The lady in the blue skirt is a former Prima Ballerina...my childhood hero (and honestly, still remains today...my dream) and who I always wanted to grow up to be! I think I may have been more excited than the little girls at the event to meet her!!! See www.saltcreekballet.org !

Let's Get Fancy with Fancy Nancy

Sunday was spent at Barnes & Noble in Oak Brook for a special Fancy Nancy Event. Little girls came dressed up in their fanciest dresses and dress up clothes, listened to stories, got to go to several craft tables - one of which was to make their very own crown! - and enjoy refreshments. They also had a Fashion Parade where they walked about the store waving and picking up prizes along the way.

Events like these are very special because I get to incorporate family in them. Eric and Elena got to come along and "get fancy" as well, and I got to be with them more than I would at a regular event.

What fun to get to play with the kids, and even have fun making some crafts myself for a little late-comer so she could have all the things everyone else got. She really liked the bracelet I made her! I liked the crown she made!

Special thanks to Cheryl, Elizabeth, Sarah and others of Barnes & Noble for wanting to include Mrs. Illinois in such a special event, to Jason Pawlowski for always doing his best to make time for me and take lots of pictures, and to my dear husband for taking time out of a day that could have been spent to catch up after a very long work trip away. Thank you for your generosity, Sweetie. Thank you also to friends Mary and Renee' for coming along as well, bringing their little girls and offering to play mommy to help Eric when I couldn't.

http://www.barnes&noble.com/ , see Oak Brook, IL for the best service ever!!!

More Photos of Wish Upon a Wardrobe

Michelle and I look very serious here...we were just making sure the jewelry would fit in the purse without ruining it. We didn't want anything to get lost on the way out. But golly, we sure look like this is brain surgery or something! HAHA! Deb and I are cracking up over the bagging struggle...do not let the bag win! ;)

The last picture is of Elizabeth who was my last lady I was a personal shopper for. She is very excited about her Senior Prom!

Wish Upon a Wardrobe

Saturday was spent with the Elgin Junior Service Board partnering with the Elgin YWCA for the Second Annual Wish Upon a Wardrobe (which as soon as we completed the day, they began work in preparation to receive and pack 3,ooo dresses coming for their next event as they have now officially become a part of Cinderella's Closet! Congratulations, ladies!).

This event is meant to give a COMPLETE wardrobe for ladies in need to create an amazing prom experience they would not normally have. It is opened a few hours in the morning (unadvertised) for a select few referred by counselors, teachers, etc. that are special circumstance cases and are given first choice for free. There would be no way they could have anything for prom or go if not for this gift from JSB and the YWCA. Then the afternoon is opened for any girl who would like to save money and have a nice wardrobe put together at a nominal fee (just $20! We actually ended up staying until 3 to make sure everyone got the same treatment and the same time to pick exactly what they wanted). All are treated to refreshments and assigned a personal shopper to help her find dresses, shoes, and accessories, carry everything for her, help her try things on and basically pamper her for the day. We strived to make them feel like Cinderella!

Special thanks to Michelle Gilroy of Elgin's JSB for coordinating this event for me. To Dee, Deb and others of the JSB for starting this program for Elgin just 2 years ago, and continuing to grow it and make it even better. To Julia, CEO of the Elgin YWCA, thank you for for your hard work in this and all of the outreach programs you provide through the YWCA. To all of the volunteers, thank you for your time, gifts, and for making every single girl who came in feel special. And to Jason Pawlowski, for giving his time to document the day for me!

Find out more about the YWCA at:

www.ywca.org/elgin

Find out more about the Elgin JSB at:

http://www.elginjsb.org/

If you have gowns, shoes, purses, jewelry, and even unused makeup, please consider contacting either for the opportunity to share with others! Please also contact them if you know of a lady in need that could be helped by this so she can have a very special prom. These girls were so sweet and all so thankful and so excited! Seeing their faces as they got to pick out the dress of their dreams for this special time was a very touching, very moving experience.

Brides Against Breast Cancer

Presented by the Making Memories Foundation, this national outreach program is designed to (with the help of generous donations of actual gowns as well as monetary gifts) provide a day where wishes are granted in getting to shop for dream dresses at unbelievable prices and a weekend spent celebrating with family and friends. This helps, if even for a moment, set aside the thoughts of cancer giving ladies good memories to cherish. There are more than 32 yearly shows, and this year's Chicago event is being held this weekend Friday April 2nd and Saturday April 3rd.

The Mission Statement of Making Memories:

"To provide an opportunity for metastatic breast cancer patients' dream or wish to be fulfilled by providing a special time of 'Making Memories' together with their families, a chance that might not have become a reality without the assistance of the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation."

"To advance the awareness of breast cancer and to educate the public about the vast resources and support available to breast cancer patients and their families."

To find out more, to make a wish come true for a bride with breast cancer, or to donate or become a volunteer, see more at:

www.bridesagainstbreastcancer.org

"We participants in the front lines of the "Cancer Wars" are just ordinary men and women drafted without our consent into this service. We need not be victims. We can turn this experience to the ultimate good in service to others. The choice is ours." Gerald W. White

2010 Miss Tuscola Pageant

Saturday was spent in Tuscola, Illinois as part of the panel of judges for the 49th annual Miss, Junior, and Little Miss Tuscola Pageant.



This quaint little town has a lot of love for and pride in their pageant and all their contestants. You felt the excitement as soon as the pageant started with a packed audience all cheering for their favorites. The directors were brand new this year, and seeing how everything went together so well and so smoothly, you'd never know! And the setting literally transformed from a high school gym, to a beautiful ocean, fun-in-the-sun theme that made you forget the rain outside. I am incredibly impressed with this group, and am sure they will have much success in the years to come.

I was also excited to get to see long-time, beautiful friend Amy Wright again, as well as meet the lovely Terri Karch in person, after getting to know one another via Facebook. Gotta love the Internet these days! :) Both ladies have been involved in pageantry for a very, very long time, and lent their expertise in the field to make up the remaining of our judges for the event. Amy is currently the owner of Already Approved by Amy, a new Pageant and Prom Boutique located in Covington, IN, and also my provider of the evening ensemble for the event. I not only picked up that little number, but another for a later date! You can find dresses and much more at:

Already Approved by Amy

322 Liberty Street

Covington, IN 47932

765-585-5945

I'd also like to refer you to Terri's website for her inspirational story and efforts in aiding others:

http://www.changingthefaceofdepression.weebly.com/

Special thanks to Misty Douglas for coordinating this event for me as well as Amy and Terri, and her hard work for the community of Tuscola as a whole. She is such a wonderful woman, and I am blessed to know her. Thank you. My thanks again to Amy and Terri for their time and talents, and for being a joy to be with. Please take a moment to visit their sites and store, these ladies are truly worth our attention and patronage. To Katona Hall and Linda Kocher, I applaud your hard work and dedication as first year directors! Congratulations on a job well done! To Tuscany restaurant for the delicious dinner and generosity, thank you. And of course to the community of Tuscola, my thanks for making us all feel so welcome. Congratulations to the new titleholders who have a very busy schedule ahead. All of the ladies were incredibly lovely, it was a delight to meet each one, and hard not to hand out a crown to all of you!

http://www.tuscola.org/