StandOut Camp

StandOut Camp

     I met so many wonderful girls there.  StandOut hosts many retreats for different types of people but the one I attended was a retreat for the 2011 Miss and Teen USA state titleholders.   I flew from Las Vegas Nevada  to Virginia  where the camp is located.  The last plane I  was on also had Miss Idaho USA, Miss Idaho Teen USA and Miss New Mexico USA.  Miss New Mexico USA was so friendly and told me she was taking me under her wing since her sister teen couldn’t attend.  Our group was one of the first groups there and we were met at the airport by Miss USA 2005 Chelsea Cooley Altman and Dr. A.T. Dunn.  They made us feel really welcome and in no time we were all talking like old friends.  When we got to the camp I went straight to my room to take a nap.  I’m not really good about sleeping on planes and had started my trip to the camp the night before.   I roomed with Miss Idaho Teen USA, Miss Illinois Teen USA and Miss New York Teen USA.   When I woke up a lot more teens and Miss USA’s were there.  From there the weekend retreat was really fast paced.  I couldn’t believe all that we fit in.  I rode a bull! (staying on for 35 seconds.)  We went roller-skating and played hockey.  (These women are fierce in a game of hockey) I even got to stand up on a horse.  We fit in some pageant stuff like mock interviews and walking and topped off the weekend by going snowboarding.  I finished up the weekend hanging out with Miss Colorado Teen USA Caley-Rae Pavillard who is an absolute sweetheart.  I will always remember the moments I had with my sister titleholders.  My top moments of the weekend were~Sharing a McFlurry with Miss Texas Teen USA~she is so nice.  Miss California Teen USA and I holding each other up while roller-skating (too funny! The pictures of us skating don’t even do justice to how funny this was to watch)~ Miss Wisconsin Teen USA and I laughing about absolutely nothing all the time and Miss Colorado Teen USA and I sharing the spiciest hotdogs around.  My only regret is that it didn’t last longer.  I really can’t wait to see all my new friends again at Miss Teen USA. 

My dress appointment with La Casa Hermosa

     I’ve started looking at dresses for my big day at Miss Teen USA this summer.  I wish I could share with everyone some of the ideas for the dress but I need to keep that a secret for now.   My appointment was with Robin Fleming with La Casa Hermosa at Planet Hollywood. She has amazing taste and has designed gowns for Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss America!  She also sketches her ideas for these dresses like a famous artist.   My family got to the suite where we were to meeting up with Robin and I couldn’t even believe it.  The suite was huge with curved windows looking out onto the strip.  Robin had her assistants there and there were racks and racks of designer gowns all lined up and color coordinated.  It was a rainbow of fabric and beadwork.   My mom even said “It’s like the best dressfrom every store.”   The gown I wore to run for Miss Nevada Teen USA was made by a dress maker named Bobbie Strawn and stoned by my dad and me because my mom was allergic to the glue.  I love the dress and really put a ton of work into it.  I still can’t believe I get to have a gown sponsored by Robin Flemming! It makes me feel like a princess to just get to pick the gown and leave the hard work to someone else.   Whether I win, place or just meet a lot of new friends I’m getting a gown that was made just perfect for me and I’m so excited about that.   Robin offered my dad and Maureen my state director some champagne and then we got down to trying on dresses.  Robin’s assistants brought several dresses into the back suite and I started trying on dresses with my sister Queen Sarah.  About halfway through the appointment my mom came running back to the area where I was zipping up a dress and whispered “Ashley!  Ashley! Oh wow Ashley It’s Sherri Hill!!!”  Sure enough I came out to show everyone another gown and Sherri Hill was standing there.  I’d seen her name on advertisements in dress magazines and I was in a dress store once and they had a Sherri Hill gown.  I tried the dress on just to say I had tried on a Sherri Hill gown before.  I think Robin and Maureen know everyone. :O) Four hours later and every color of fabric I could have imagined I think I really have been able to rule some things out and also come away with a lot of ideas and knowledge about what looks good on me.  How do I pick a gown when everything is so pretty and more than I expected.  I’m going to have to really rely on the professionals because to my eye just about every dress I tried on was “The Gown”