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!