Entry 1 - Sweetie Pies - July 6, 2012

I had the amazing opportunity to dine, meet and share with guest of Sweetie Pie’s restaurant (premiered on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network) that women of equity have a platform and meaning in MPA. Miss Robbie Montgomery, owner and resident matriarch of Sweetie Pie’s, Sweetie Pies at the Mangrove and Sweetie Pie's: The Upper Crust is known for the nationally acclaimed soul food restaurant she founded in her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. Miss Robbie and her family greeted Mrs. Plus America with open arms and catered to me as a guest in her own kitchen.

V for her made-from-scratch favorites like macaroni & cheese, smothered pork, baked chicken and peach cobbler, Miss Robbie’s restaurants have attracted a popular following among both local St. Louis residents and celebrities alike. Prior to running her own restaurants, Miss Robbie toured the U.S. singing backup for Ike and Tina Turner, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Pattie LaBelle and The Rolling Stones, among others.

A local vocalist introduced Mrs. Plus America to guest and gave me an opportunity to share about plus size pageantry and afterwards continued serenading guest of the restaurant. Active in charity outreach programs, Miss Robbie helps provide job training to formerly incarcerated men and women and food to those in need. What an incredible experience and opportunity to share with a matriarch.

Entry 2 - Texas Parade of Hearts Pageant - July 21, 2012

What an amazing opportunity to have the privilege to judge the Texas Parade of Hearts Pageant along with my sister queens Alexandria Houston (Miss Texas Plus America 2012), Sheri Due (Mrs. Woodlands International 2012), and Krystle Cravens (Miss Katy). These ladies made my weekend worthwhile and were a pleasure to meet. We truly enjoyed judging the All-Natural Pageant, that began at 9:30 am and the Glitz Pageant, which started at 3:00 pm.

The Parade of Hearts All-Natural Pageant System began in February 2009. The name came from two sisters, “Our Hearts.” They wanted to raise money for special organizations. Since the founders, Courtney, then age 12 and Kayla, then age 6, participated in beauty pageants, they came up with the idea of hosting pageants in honor of Christopher. Christopher is their 6-year-old adopted son who is Global Development Delayed with Cerebral Palsy, Vision Impairment and Encephalopathy NOS due to full term drug exposure and this is how they became the Parade of Hearts.

This year was the first year contestants received added prizes; everyone received a crown, sash and trophy for their participation. The pageant took place Saturday, July 21 at the Omin Hotel and Resorts in Houston, Texas. Contestants competed for the Ultimate Grand Supreme, Grand Supreme and Mini Grand Supreme. Age groups consisted of the Princess Group ages 0-5 years old, Queen Group ages 6 years old and up; Princess Baby 0-12 months, Princess Tiny 13-23 months, Princess Tot 2- years old, Princess Mini 4-5 years old, Little Miss 6-7 years old, Junior Miss 8-9 years old, Young Miss 10-12 years old, Teen Miss 13-16 years old, and Miss 17 years and up.

During the Preliminaries for the Natural Pageant contestants competed in Sunday Wear, Beauty Optionals, Beauty Division Title, 2 Showcases and the Supreme Title. The Glitz Pageant consisted of Formal Wear, Beauty Optionals, Beauty Division Title, 2 Showcases and the Supreme Title. To compete for the Grand Supreme Title in Natural or Glitz, contestants must compete in 2 showcases of their choice. The two highest showcases scores are then added to their beauty for Grand Supreme Title. Showcases consisted of Denim/Western Wear, Outfit of Choice, Rock and Roll, and Sports.

Once again I would like to thank Kay Lynch and Kim Hastings for their hospitality. They reminded me throughout the day that their passion and goal is to strengthen and impact families in everything they do which is wonderfully aligned with my mission to strengthen families’ one step at a time. Our commonalities drew us closer and I look forward to continuing my volunteer services with this wonderful family duo.

Visit their website at: http://www.paradeofheartspageant.com/index.html

Entry 3 - Are You LipStick Ready? - July 22, 2012

I had a wonderful opportunity and experience to participate in a photo shoot and documentary for the organization Lipstick Ready that is a non-profit youth mentoring program. Lipstick Ready creates a life changing experience for girl’s ages 8 to 18 years old, by building confidence, developing leadership, addressing hard issues, educating, discussing, and developing a safe zone for self-expression.

I had a chance to meet, inspire and collaborate with the volunteers and mentors of this organization. The shoot took place at KERA Channel 13 Studios in Dallas, Texas. The photos and videos from this shoot will be used for promotional purposes to enhance and bring awareness to building self-confidence. Three shoots took place covering the message of Mean Girls, Healthy Relationships and the impact of Social Media and sharing the importance of personal hygiene.

The founder, Kristen Grant-Evuleocha was born September 5th, 1989 to a single parent household in Dallas, Texas. Kristen graduated from Northwest High School in Justin, Texas in 2008 and currently is majoring in Child Development at Wiley College in Marshall, TX. In 2010, Kristen founded “Lipstick Ready” because she saw young girls struggling to make it successfully through school. Kristen quotes "My goal in life is to give back what my mother gave to me growing up; a strong support system. I will always be passionate about changing the direction for young girls and young men.”

Therefore, along with her mission I too will assist in challenging young girls to create a better life for themselves and their community, by working collectively with Lipstick Ready to promote empowerment, confidence, self-esteem and character throughout schools. The Mean Girl Syndrome: is a six part series on teaching girls how to handle a bully and how not be the bully. The ladies have open discussions on what to communicate when they are being bullied and why some girls find the need to bully. Drug Abuse: is a two-part group discussion with girls on the affects of drugs to their inner and outer beauty. Why School: is a four week workshop on staying in school and focusing on strengths to be a leader for the future.

Lipstick Ready has five core values: Educate, Prevent, Inspire, Motivate and Unite.

Educate - address today’s issues: teenage pregnancy, insecurities, drug abuse, suicide, eating disorders, menstrual cycle, divorce and single parent households, communicating with adults, and mean girl syndrome.

Prevent - a look at how to stop ignoring and begin educating.

Inspire - reflecting on the past, connecting with the present, and directing towards the future.

Motivate - empowering each girl a voice toward self-expression that creates leadership for the future.

Unite - encourage girls to set high expectations of themselves and redefine the mind of self-confidence.

Lipstick Ready’s Role Model’s: Shandrika M., Tiffany S., Carmen R., Kaley S., Amber D., Hazel N., Mitchell H., Sarah W., London V., Chacole F., Marie C., Cythnia B., Victoria O., Tierra J., Unquika J., Andrea G., Ashley P., Brittney M., Audrey R., Stehpine R., and Lyndia G.

Also check out the website: www.lipstickready.net

Also check out the Facebook: www.facebook.com/are.y.ready

Entry 4 - Innocations - July 29, 2012

What an amazing experience it was to be apart of a Hair Magazine Photo Shoot with three amazing women (Roshandra Harsfield, Aston Fields and Sedra Benett) along with my hairstylist (Ratisha Brown). Shear Innovations by Tish offers a Hair Lounge for every Urban Diva! Tish produces healthy hair, sassy styles with friendly customer service in a cozy environment. Ratisha says, “Come let your Hair Dreams come true!”

Hairstylist, Ratisha Brown is located in Cedar Hill, Texas at Hair Spa Suites. She has captured Mrs. Plus America 2012, Dr. Kanesha Waites, to be featured in a Hair Style Magazine to inspire women of equity and showcase beauty both inside and out. Shear Innovations publication of Mrs. Plus America 2012 is to gain exposure and publicity for the curvy woman who feels like a second-class citizen. The message that Real Women Have Curves with Sophistication and Style should motivate women to want to Look their Best, Be the Best and Do their Best regardless of societal norms.

Available Contact

Wed: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm Email: shear_innovations@yahoo.com

Thu-Fri: 9:30 am – 8:00 pm Website: http://www.styleseat.com/SHEARINNOVATIONS

Sat: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm Phone: (682) 292-8474

The incredible photographer LaMichael C. Pruitt and I AM LCP Studios was behind the creative design of this magnificent shoot. LCP Studios is a self-taught photographer that has been blessed with a creative eye for art and fortunate enough to find yet another love and passion to use as an outlet to express his artistic voice and creativity. LaMichael says, “I love the creative process and look forward to the uncertainty that each photo session brings and the idea of trying to get a great shot.”

If you are interested in having some fun, laughing, smiling, cutting up, posing, goofing off, being silly, relaxing, exhaling, breathing, letting go, screaming, jumping, chilling, making faces, or just being You.. and capturing that moment so you can relieve it over and over, LCP Studios would love to have you as their next client.

Photographer LaMichael C. Pruitt is located in Desoto, Texas.

Email: lpruitt@lcpstudios.net

Website: www.lcpstudios.net

Phone: (214) 535-0986