A Touch of Grace

Almost immediately after winning Miss TI, I met an amazing woman by the name of Kathy Lettiere.  Kathy owns a gown shop in Watertown, NY called A Touch of Grace specializing in prom, pageantry, bridal.  She sells gifts and accessories as well.  Kathy immediately treated me like I was her own daughter.  I was draped in some of the most gorgeous gowns I had only seen in magazines and online.  For example:

 

Coming from a blue collar family, I have had to work very hard for everything I have.  Choosing pageantry as a hobby didn't make it easy on my parents but they gave me everything they could and hey, it's the girl not the gown right?  

Still, it was hard not to fantasize about frocks from Tony Bowls, Jovani, Sherri Hill, etc.  Wearing a gown by one of these famous designers was quickly becoming a dead dream to me.  This is my last year of a ten year pageant career, there aren't enough pennies left for me to pinch.

I was grateful when I heard that A Touch of Grace would help outfit me in a gorgeous gown and give me a discount, but I almost cried when I heard that Kathy was willing to do more for me.  I will be the first Miss Thousand Islands to have my entire evening gown sponsored for her.  I am convinced that God sends people into our lives for a reason, Kathy is truly an angel.  She gives so much back to the community and I am beyond grateful for this amazing gift that she has provided me.  I can only hope that someday I can return the favor.

Thank you Kathy for being amazing, I look forward to a lifelong friendship.  It warms my heart to know that someday you will be the one fitting me with a gorgeous white gown. =)  Thank you for your devotion to the Miss Thousand Islands organization and the Watertown area.

I can't wait for the world to see what we have come up with for Miss New York!!

Spring is in the Air!

Hey everyone, are you as excited about 80 degree weather as I am?  I live on Lake Erie so when it's bad weather it is REALLY bad weather but when it is good it is oooooh so good.  For example..

This is where I live, that is myself with Jesse Ladoue, Miss NY International.  I know, tough life.

Anywho,  I am still processing for a job with the Department of Homeland Security.  I was hoping it would be an easier process seeing as I used to work for them in the past.  Oh well, good things come to those who wait right?

I have also been crazy busy working the past month or so.  Paying off my school loans for six years of college is going to be quite delightful so I am now working 3 jobs.  I waitress at two local places and I also work at The Tanning Bed which is actually great because I get to tan for free, no sponsor needed. ;-)

Some exciting news: my evening gown came in!!!  Did you hear me scream?  I am so excited to wear it on stage.  I won't tell you what it looks like but I will tell you that A) It is very classy.  A much different feel than my earthy look last year.  I feel like a lady and SO beautiful.  As soon as it zipped up it just felt like my gown, and now it is!  B) Me and my teen will be wearing the same color.  Oh how sweet, I just heard a collective "awwww."  C) It is so gorgeous and has TONS of re-wear value.  You may be asking yourself, "But Lonna, this is your last year, where will you wear an evening gown again?"  Lucky for me I am dating a Marine so every year I get to wear an evening gown to the Marine Corps Ball in November.  I am VERY psyched for this year's ensemble. 

Speaking of competition wear, I had the pleasure of shopping for the rest of my talent costume with the beautiful Kristina Blackford (Ferris) yesterday.  Being all "grown up" most of my friends have moved from the area and accepted jobs elsewhere, leaving me all alone in Western NY.  I feel so blessed to have gotten to know Kristina better.  I met Kristina the day I won Miss Buffalo, a day I met many people.  I had no idea at that time how sweet, hilarious, and beautiful inside and out that she was.  I am excited to say that we truly hit it off and have SO much in common.  To top is off, my talent costume is almost complete, just searching for the perfect shoe now, a journey I will always be on.

Speaking of talent,  I am stoked to perform at workshop.  I am hoping everyone enjoys hearing me as much as I enjoy singing this particular song.  I ended up going with a choice that Shelby found almost the day after I took the Miss TI title.  Similar to my attitude last year, it took me awhile to fully be sold on it but once I fell for the song, it really became a part of me.  Again, I can't waste any surprises but this song is very me and the style in which it will be performed is sooooo fun and unique.  Y'all are going to love it. :-D

In other news, I have been presented with a very cool opportunity in the Watertown area.  Until I know dates and details, I will leave you with a cliffhanger on this one as well.  What I will tell you is that this particular opportunity will really help promote the pageant which is very important to me.  I realize that although Shelby, Sue, Gary and many others treat me like Kate Middleton, I really am just a strand in the tapestry of this amazing organization.  Years from now I hope that I will be remembered as Miss Thousand Islands 2013, but more importantly I hope that my actions will help grow our local to be even more amazing than it already is.

One last bit of news to share with you is that I am traveling next week.  I LOVE plane rides and I am very excited to go visit my boyfriend Aaron in Quantico, VA next Thursday.  I also get to see my friend Shoshana (his friend's wife) which is awesome.  Not many girls understand what it is like to be with a Marine so it is nice to spend time with someone who does.  Stoked for a weekend off with good friends...and Nascar.  I am not even getting into that but part of my outfit for next weekend involves a Realtree (camo) cowboy hat.

Oh one last thing, if you run into my favorite Marine Officer, tell him Happy Birthday. =)

 

That is Aaron and I after my first MAO pageant.  I am lucky to have someone who puts up with me the way he does.  I love you babe, Happy Birthday!

And to the rest of you, I hope you have a wonderful weekend and that you get some sun!