Beauties!

I have to tell you what happened at this year’s Miss Virginia USA pageant….

I’m still fresh off my return flight from my old stomping grounds of Blacksburg, Virginia, where I was blessed to host the 2016 Miss Virginia USA and Miss Virginia Teen USA pageants. My 10th year hosting! Proof that a healthy relationship grows deeper with time, and carries with it the potential to deliver beyond expectation.

With days of rehearsals, loads of wardrobe prep and hours of mentoring young women to walk down a path I once strutted myself, I poured myself into an annual process that with each year brings me so much joy, nostalgia, and well, for the first time–a room full of teary eyes.

Before I tell you what happened. I want to flash back to last year’s pageant.

The last time I flew in to co-host and mentor the sweet contestants of Miss Virginia USA, I was a different human being. Do you ever take a moment to time travel to your earlier self? Even if just a month back, a week, even yesterday? I love doing that, to give myself a pretty pat on the back for the progress made, while also taking responsibility for some of the not-so-great habits I displayed once upon a time.

During last year’s pageant, I spent so much time carefully selecting my wardrobe, getting my hair and makeup seamless and making sure my image was…well, perfect. See the common theme there? ME. I barely had time to notice the fears, anxieties and worries of the lovely young ladies I was sent to mentor, the darling faces who were vying for a crown I am so honored to have been awarded in years’ past.

But this year….

…this year my focus was on something different. Not my wardrobe (in fact, I wore yoga pants and a baseball cap to rehearsals), not on whether my exterior image was up to par. This year my focus was on the girls and how I could be of service to them during their precious process.

After a group lunch one day, I had a moment to talk to the ladies. I opened up and revealed some personal stories about my own vulnerabilities. I told the room packed with gorgeous girls about my struggles to make ends meet early on in my career, about my turbulent ride towards self-love and acceptance and about my continuing struggle to accept myself and my own unique beauty. It wasn’t easy, but it felt amazing.

I wanted to break down the picture-perfect facade this time around. I wanted these ladies to have an all-access pass to my inner essence, something I’d never fully revealed in the pageant world. I was so passionate and raw and exposed. I caught a glimpse around the room mid-story and noticed eyes filled with tears. I couldn’t believe how touched these beautiful souls were.

I went on to praise the very system that had been the biggest stepping stone in my career, the Miss Universe Organization. I gave credit where credit was due. Not only to an organization, but to the people, the heartbeat of what makes the Miss Virginia USA pageant so different from all the rest. I shone the spotlight on the Executive Director, Kim Nicewonder, who once believed in me enough to let a young, scared and inexperienced 21-year-old host her show. Did I mention the show she entrusted me with airs live? That was 10 years ago. Not only did this woman believe in my talents then, she continues to shower me with endless love, support and an ongoing friendship that I will forever hold near to my heart.

There were handfuls of other powerful moments of genuine connection throughout the weekend — from several of the girls coming up to me individually asking for personal advice, to praying with the girls as a unified group on the final night of the competition prior to their dismissal to begin hair & make-up.  

The real show stopper came after the pageant.

After the new Miss Virginia USA and Miss Virginia Teen USA had been crowned, one of the contestants who had made the top 5 revealed that she believed in herself because of me.

Wow.

Those words hit me so hard my eyes immediately filled with tears. My soul felt full. And my heart so deeply touched. To have left a mark on someone’s life with my own vulnerability was life-changing.

To be blessed with the handful of opportunities to give back to so many young women in the very arena where so much of my own beauty therapy came from was synchronous, and really magical.

Long after the lashes, hair extensions and perfectly beaded gowns have been taken off, these are the moments I cherish most. The moments that will live with me until the day I die. The moments that no one can predict, because they come from stepping out of a comfort zone of the seemingly “perfect.” That young girl may never know what her words and truth mean to me. While I may have encouraged her to believe in herself, she has encouraged me to keep fighting the good fight! To keep shouting Beauty Therapy from the rooftops.

I walked away from this year’s pageant with a renewed sense of purpose. A resolve to continue empowering women of all ages to connect to their deeply beautiful essence, beneath all the glitter and rose gold. And I’m so grateful to have you, my beauties, to share these touching tales with.  I truly hope they will continue to inspire YOU to step into more of your own internal, potentially life-altering beauty!

Shine on, beauties!

XOXO

Enjoy my candid photo diary from the beautiful weekend 🙂

A special thank you to Proms, Pageants & Pretty Things, Henri’s Cloud Nine, Sherri Jessee, Rick Myers Photography, Kristel Wittensoldner, Michael Copon, Frank Beamer, Kimberly Nicewonder, KPJ Productions & the Miss Virginia USA Organization.

Did you know that wisteria only blooms twice a year, but for those two weeks it has the most beautiful blooms and most incredible scent?

Sure wisteria could cry that it doesn’t get its rightful opportunity to shine, or it could seize its unique opportunity.

Stopping and smelling the roses is absolutely crucial to training your mind to be able to stop and appreciate all the details of life. Roses are but a metaphor for the very beauty that lies within every ounce of life’s green pastures. But more important than stopping to smell the flowers is having the deep-rooted appreciation for the bloom as it sits atop a strong and sturdy stem, anchored by a foundation of healthy roots.

Not following the flower analogy yet? Let me elaborate…

In order for most any flower to sprout, it must be watered. Succulents may require less H2O, but they still need their sustenance. The most miraculous of flowers can even come back to life once half-dead, with just a little nourishment.

This last example hits me hard. I almost lost my dear brother to a horrible car accident several years ago. And while hope seemed lost, I saw him re-bloom before my very eyes. Just like my brother rose back up, each of us can do the same without having to face a terrifying tragedy. We can choose to bloom proactively, together!

As a community we can help each other re-bloom. With the right tools, and the waters of passion and inspiration to keep us thriving, we can grow into our true potential.

For today’s watering, we have some incredible flower facts that relate to different facets of our lives. Take a break, take a breathe and share which blooms you relate to most.

WHICH BLOOM ARE YOU?

ROSE —  Oh yes, the most beautiful flower lists reserve the number one spot for this woody perennial shrub that belongs to the genus ‘Rosa.’ Roses are found almost everywhere on earth. They are not only pretty to the sight, but sweet to the smell, embodying what it takes to be the prettiest flower in the world. The rose is a flower synonymous with beauty and love, and comes in a variety of colors, each color holding a different meaning (i.e. the red rose is a symbol of love while the yellow rose stands for friendship). From poets to artists, the rose has been a source of inspiration for centuries!

The rose is the belle of the ball….the elegant, soft and feminine part of us all.

ORCHID — Orchids have an unbelievable number of varieties — over 25,000 species and under 800 genera. This plant can easily adapt to its environment and is therefore available almost all over the world. With its beautifully crafted petals and lively colors, orchids are a favorite among florists and flower lovers all over the world! Did you know some orchids have 30 inch petals and can weigh about a ton?

The orchid is the playful best friend….the one who gets dressed up in spunky, bright colors and dances on table tops. She’s the fun-loving, sassy part of all of us.

WISTERIA FLOWER — Wisteria is a gorgeous member of the pea family, Fabaceae, and is full of purple blossoms ranging from tiny roadside weeds to massive trees. The wisteria is a member of a unique family that also doubles as an attractive cut flower. As a symbol, wisteria is full of mystery and beauty. There’s even a water growing version of the plant with similar meanings and symbolism. You’ll certainly feel a deeper appreciation for this sweetly scented tree and vine flower once you learn more about what it means to cultures from around the world.

Some people believe wisteria symbolizes good luck, others believe it serves as a warm welcome to a new town or home. Wisteria is often used to celebrate the youthful vitality of a young friend or child, as well as to express affection after meeting someone special for the first time. Wisteria has also been used as an expression of serious devotion, as well as a gift for new births and spring birthdays. 

Wisteria is the part of each of us that luxuriates in a bubble bath, goes on long walks and enjoys a full glass of wine (or in my case, a full glass of sweet tea) cozied up next to a good book or loved one.

TULIP — This perennial plant with showy flowers belongs to the genus, Tulipa. From Asia to Africa, the tulip is among the most cultivated flowers. Various species and hybrids of this exceptionally beautiful flower can be seen in gardens as cut flowers or as potted plants. Tulips come in several colors as well as shapes, and have over 100 known species!

The tulip is that aspect of us that is sexy and sensual…the show-stopper after a fabulous glam session.

MAGNOLIA — Few things are as beautiful as a magnolia tree in full bloom! It boasts over 200 species. Magnolia flowers come in pink, purple or white, and their size can be anywhere between 3 to 12 inch in diameter. This flower is a symbol of beauty, sweetness and femininity. 

The magnolia is the grounded and regal version of ourselves…the one we show others when we are deeply comfortable and self-expressed — when we are with our best friend or loved one, snuggled up in pajamas and our hair in a messy bun.

As far as I’m concerned, we’re all a thriving flower arrangement every day of our blossoming lives.

My all-time favorite flower is a large pale pink rose. It is undoubtedly the way to my heart! I am NOT the girl who says, “Oh don’t waste your money on flowers, they’ll die anyways.” I’m the girl who buys fresh flowers every week, makes arrangements and puts them in every room of my house! Flowers are therapeutic for me, and I love admiring the beauty that every flower possesses. And I’m over the moon excited when my fiancé surprises me with ‘just because’ flowers.

Cutting, trimming, shaping, watering and making flowers into a piece of art is a weekly gift for me, as it literally forces me to “be in the moment.” As I arrange my buds, I cease to let my mind wander, worry or stress — instead I am held in a place of peace, calmness and ease. I usually give myself at least an hour to make my flower arrangements. And I’ll admit it —  I used to only admire a flower’s obvious external beauty. But since my own personal journey took a sharp turn roughly 2 years ago, I now look at the stems, thorns, roots, leaves, the occasional torn stems, and I smile, because I know this flower “gets it.” It gets the journey that we are all on as creations. It gets that it did not start as a beautiful bloom, instead it first had to endure its own growth process. And whatever that process was like — the good, the bad, the ugly — it was all worth it, as it helped bring the flower to the very day it created a lasting, beautiful bloom.

(My fiancé and I the day after he proposed in Venice, Italy — with a huge bouquet of my favorite flowers as our witness 🙂 )

Just like a flower, what’s your process? What’s your journey?

I promise I’ll elaborate more on my personal journey of continued growth, starting with that fateful moment two years ago, until present day. One blog, one vlog, one post at a time. I ask you to be patient with me, as I honor your pace on this journey through life. Deal?

So…

What are you doing each week to “be in the moment?” To get out of your head, be present and focus on the beauty around you? I challenge you to give yourself at least one hour a week to devote to your chosen practice. You’re worth it, Beauties!