Working title in progess

I must confess..I'm not that photogenic in my opinion. I have taken a mini class with Kim of Exquisite Coaching and learned what was my best angle to not look like a 12 year old (hint hint..that's why I try to stay towards the center and have full on frontal photos). I say this to state that late last year and before my bout of influenza I participated in a tv commercial on a whim. I did it more so to say that I had done something and check it off my list. I also learned through my pageant career that I am not the focus of the commercial and merely a seller of a product. Below is a photo and video from the same shoot, you be the judge. Here is another promo I did last year for Miss Florida USA sponsorship package. I really had to mentally prepare for the fact that this was not about me and more so about the product. So all in all I think this post was more about remember that everything is not about you.

So this past weekend I had the opportunity to travel to Washington DC for the inauguration of President Barack Obama. It was a great honor to be in the presence of so many people who wanted the president to fight for change. My mother and I were lucky enough (or should I say she was lucky enough) to get tickets to be closer. We did go the last time and got tickets but this time we we in front of the pool instead of behind it. The crowd around us was very friendly. DC had this very welcoming vibe that weekend. We took the metro a couple of times and if someone left anything on the subway people would help out. One event that if you were in the green section would remember was the lone protestor in our section. He decided to climb a tree and protest abortion and Planned Parenthood. It was kinda pathetic, he was only in a crowd of people who probably had already made up their mind on the issue and tickets come in two so it seems no one would come with him. In terms of pro-choic...

So I'm behind with my blog so this will be 1 of 2 that I try to finish within the next couple of days. So in August I made one of the biggest decisions of my life so far and that was to move. Where did I move exactly...Texas..Now I know what some of you are thinking, "um this is a red state why would you go there?" Well for me it was simply leaving the state for a little bit. When someone starts to feel complacent there is only so much more that they can take. I told my parents, set a date (setting a date makes it real), and started the monumental process of getting my stuff together. Fast forwarded to the trip. It took two days total to drive and luckily I was not by myself; one of my good friends made the trip with me to A) keep me company and B) she had never been to Texas and wanted to come. It for sure brought us closer together and yet you could see our personalities clash as well. We made our pit stop in Gulf Port, MS and had dinner at a place called Salute. Funny ...

To those who are not invested into pageantry or no the workings behind the scene the fitness aspect of pageants can usually be the most daunting. Depending on the current fitness level of the prospective contestant, getting into pageant shape can be a mountain or a molehill. What does it involve? Sacrifice and lots of it; many contestant will give up certain foods depending on how much time they have. The gym or fitness trainer will become the new best friend of the contestant seeing how most of their time is spent there sweating it out. What enters the body is more important than every before. Figuring out exactly what needs to change on the body to have a more symmetrical look is crucial to have a pleasing look to the judges. But more important the contestant and anyone really needs to know that the competition is won from the neck up. You body is a complement but in the case of not getting to where you would like to be there are some cheat tips that many pageant contestants ...

This past weekend I had the opportunity to travel down to Hollywood, FL for the Miss Florida USA official pre-taping and seminar weekend. 80 of the 82 contestants were there and we all received our lovely opening number by Elan International and filmed promo spots for the sponsors over the course of the weekend. I taped on Friday which was for the swimsuit sponsor Desiree Nercessian and for the Roberto Cavalli sunglasses sponsorship. It was a lot of fun and I got to meet a decent size portion on the girls competing. For lunch we got to go to Pollo Tropical and have a very nutritious and filling lunch. They sponsor the meals while we are at Bailey Concert Hall during the competition. After that we were free for the day in which I passed out from utter exhaustion and later that evening I got ready for the delegate dinner at Mama Mia’s Ristorante which I had never had the chance to attend. The food was amazing and I ate pasta for the last time until after the competition. Seminar Da...

So I traveled to Vegas for the Miss USA pageant that showed live June 3rd. It was an awesome experience. This was my second time going the first was when Megan Clementi was competing for the title of Miss USA 2010 that year Rima Fakih was crowned instead. Being at the live show is an amazing experience, you get to see all the behind the scenes action; from the makeup artists touching up the contestants to a gentleman who was almost like the promoter during the show keeping everyone excited even after the girl they may have been cheering for has been eliminated. We were sitting pretty far back and they don't allow cameras in the auditorium so the photos I do have were taken before they told me I couldn't take any. Miss Florida USA Karina Brez looked amazing on stage and I loved the dress she had on. Since I watched prelims I had a list and I'm proud to state that I got nine of the top sixteen right and two of the top five correct I had Ohio as my winner and Rhode Island a...

So I haven't been keeping up with my blog which equals epic fail. My birthday is coming up shortly and I need to document as much as possible. So what has been happening as of late. I've competed in both Miss Daytona USA and Miss Orlando USA, I did not win either title so I've decided to go at large this year. It is my last year competing even with another year of eligibility per se. I'm graduating this year and want to focus on getting situated in a new state (hint hint) and my career. I'm getting ready for Vegas or more so I'm starting to pack..something that I'm not crazy good at. I'll make a list and post it in all its crazy weird code name glory. I've made a schedule for the next month of everything I need to get done and when. I'm going to finish another post about pageant girls and I'm even tempted to do a fun make-up tutorial..maybe a Vegas inspired one for the pageant. We will see what way these next couple of weeks go. I'm no...

Better late than never. A couple of weeks ago myself and Nicole Kelley Miss Earth Untied States attended the Miss St. Petersburg pageant across the state to cheer on our friend Collins Medlin who was competing. It was an excellent pageant and I'm happy to say that Collins won! Collins will go on to compete at the Miss Florida USA pageant this July in Hollywood, Florida. Congrats Collins and here are some photos from the pageant. Enjoy! Amina

Do you think you can do it? This blog is prompted by recent experiences but hopefully it rings true with my fellow queens and contestants out there. There needs to be a how-to guide for men as to what to expect at the beginning when you first meet to crowning and everything in between. 1: First time meeting- whether it’s out with friends or a blind date. There are things you should expect to see/signs one should notice about the girl at hand. And that’s depending on whether or not you have been told she does pageants. First and foremost, she is going to look very well put together. Image is EVERYTHING in the pageant world, from perfect hair and make-up to tailored clothing. This woman has spent a lot of time and effort (not forgetting money) making sure she steals the spotlight in some way or how good and/or bad. Her goal is unknown but what usual happens is she makes men stare and women become jealous or lesbians. You might be blown off your feet the first time you meet her and ca...

In the past I haven't gone out as of late for New Years Eve, but my motto for the year is Go Big Or Go Home . So this year I went over to Orlando to do something fun. My friend Nicole tagged along and we met up with a friend of mines to spend the weekend with. Friday night we stayed up and watched movies and Saturday was spent wondering the Florida Mall to go to Sephora for make-up. Which reminds me if you are looking for truly great coverage go out and buy Make-Up Forever HD foundation . I love this foundation, your pictures will turn out amazing from such great coverage. Back to the events, so we ended up going to Ember which is a place I've gone a couple of times and I always have fun, I have yet to smell like smoke and the food is amazing there. I got the opportunity to meet former Magic player Gilbert Arenas, which is a funny story for those who were there. And two hilarious personal trainers from the area which I'm hoping they tag me soon in photos so that I can shar...

So last week I went on my first vacation to Baltimore, now I know what your thinking..Who goes towards the cold weather in December well I did. I went to visit a couple friends who are up north in school for nursing and medical. I was a lot of fun we went to a couple museums, which I'm obsessed with I could walk around them all day. We went to an 80's party which are the best types in my opinion. I was pretty much a disco ball but had a ton of fun. We also visited DC and the Whitehouse of course. We couldn't find an open Starbucks to save our lives and my friend hit on a cop how heard her, pretty funny. I loved the city and would not mind living there. Now If I could only finish grad school. Here are some more photos from my trip, Enjoy Almost Forgot We Passed By OCCUPY DC here is a pic!

Hey everyone, It's taken awhile to write this post I meant to do so before my vacation but I figured now or never. I had such a wonderful time as Miss West Volusia, I did my part to get out there in my community and make my voice heard. Could I have done more, of course I could, you always can. But what I accomplished I was very proud of. On December fourth, my sister queen Emily and myself hosted our pageant in Ormond Beach. It was a tough competition and 3 girls now have the chance to compete for the title of Miss Florida USA and Miss Florida Teen USA this upcoming July and October in Hollywood, FL. Here are some photos from the event including my very determined face to place the crowns correctly on Lauren and Marissa's head.

On December 4th I pass on my title to a very lucky young lady. Getting excited for what the future holds. Click Here For Details

This past Thursday I was invited to help out at a benefit for autism in Orlando. I went across system lines and worked with some amazing girls from the Earth System. They were all amazing and sweet and I love that we get along. I look forward to working with them again in the future. I'm proud to say we raised over $1500 dollars for the cause!!