APRIL 28th, 2007
COCKTAIL PARTY AT THE PAGEANT SHOP BY MICHAEL'S (NEW BRIGHTON, MN)

It's heeerrrre...the Mrs. Minnesota pre-pageant festivities have officially begun! One of my favorite things about this system are the fun pre-pageant events leading up to pageant weekend. I attended all of the events last year and remember feeling so sad when they were all over. This year, we kicked it off with a super fun cocktail party at The Pageant Shop by Michael's, hosted by my dear friend (and store owner) Sarah Moses. Sarah provided a great cocktail dress for me to wear (thanks Sarah!) in my favorite color PINK! It was great to meet many of the contestants as I've been wondering who they are! Let me say that this is going to be a VERY competitive year, as all of the ladies looked fantastic and are very excited for the competition. Melissa Young (Mrs. MN 2004) and Kim Dorn (Mrs. MN 2005) came to show their support, and a highlight was getting to hold Baby Kayla, Kim's 3 1/2 week old baby girl who was an ANGEL. It is hard to remember that our little girl (now 2 1/2) was once that little, too! Kim is busy being a new mom and is obviously doing a wonderful job. Melissa is gorgeous as always and will be on the cover of next month's issue of Oxygen Magazine! How cool is that!?!

Sarah talked a bit about wardrobe, shoes, etc., while Faith and Carl introduced themselves and talked a bit about the pageant. The contestants were able to browse for gowns, interview suits, swimsuits, cocktail dresses, and jewelry. I purchased my entire competition wardrobe for the State and National pageants at The Pageant Shop for both Mrs. America and the other pageant that I won in 2003, and did so because Sarah truly carries the best of the best. I did not know Sarah before shopping at her store, and as a result not only did I walk away with a great wardrobe, but I also met one of my very best friends. See, there ARE perks to shopping! I had the good fortune of winning the Evening Gown Award at both of my state pageants and truly believe I would not have been able to do so without Sarah's help. She really knows her stuff and is totally on top of what's hot NOW, so I highly encourage you to check out her store if you haven't already (by the way, call first because it is by appointment only).

A wonderful time was had by all, and I look forward to seeing the contestants again at our next event on May 1st, a party at The Xtension Generation. See you next week!

PHOTOS:
1) Group shot
2) L to R: State Directors Carl & Faith Schway, Sarah Moses, me
3) L to R: Barbara Kaiser (Mrs. Woodbury), Deb Erpalding (Mrs. Golden Valley), me
4) Sarah Moses poses with some of my fellow contestants from last year who are competing again this year (L to R): Lindsey Kurhajetz (Mrs. Maple Grove), Katina Schroeder (Mrs. Savage), me, and Shonna Ochu (Mrs. Buffalo)
5) Kim Dorn (Mrs. MN 2005), Sarah Moses, me, and Melissa Young (Mrs. MN 2004)
6) L to R: Tina Godes (Mrs. Eagan), Janelle Zunker (Mrs. Rogers), Bessie Giannakakis (Mrs. Edina), me, and Dessi Urban (Mrs. Dakota County)
7) L to R: Linsdey Kurhajetz (Mrs. Maple Grove), me, Bessie Giannakakis (Mrs. Edina)
8) L to R: Shonna Ochu (Mrs. Buffalo), pageant staff member Cheryl Trainor, State Director Faith Schway, and me