Beyond the Rhinestones

It's 8:49 am and although I've been up for two hours already, I am still exhausted. It's a good kind of tired. It's the accomplished kind of tired. It's the kind of tired that longs to see your new friends again. It's the kind of tired that enriches you as a person. It's the Monday morning after our Summer Retreat.

I finally made it home last night around 9:30 after a long trip. I had a few emails and workouts to send for this week and while I was sitting at my desk, I came across this note:

Danielle Doty, Miss Teen USA 2011

Dear Chelsea Cooley,

Thank you so much for an incredible life changing weekend! I loved meeting you and am truly touched by what you do for girls just like me! StandOut Productions is the best!

Texas Love Forever,

Danielle Doty, Miss Texas Teen USA 2011

Since attending our Titleholder Retreat in January, Danielle has now become the new Miss Teen USA. She, like hundreds of other girls, like the girls we just spent the weekend with, have shared in our retreat experience. A.T. and I tell every group, our goal is to change at least one life before the weekend comes to a close.

What they don't realize is how much we are changed by each girl. Beyond the rhinestones, each girl stands hoping to reach their goal in an opinion-based competition. In a split second, months, even years of hard work can be over or can lead into a new chapter. No matter what happens, who you are, when you are standing in that moment, remains THE most important thing.

It was and continues to be a blessing for us to share this journey with our girls. Thank you for letting us be a part of your life!

We love you,

Chelsea & A.T.

Channel Your Inner Angelina!!

Ever since Angelina Jolie graced the red carpet at the 2009 Oscars, I have been in LOVE with this look! It's such a Chelsea look! lol!! Her black gown is effortlessly classy and the pop of emerald in her jewelry is sheer perfection. Had I found any of these earrings when I was competing at Miss USA, I totally would have rocked it out with my gorgeous Gregory Ellenburg black gown!! 

Shown here in her Elie Saab Couture gown, Angie pairs it with these AMAZING 115-carat emerald Lorraine Schwartz earrings that had everyone buzzing about the international superstar. I'm ready to see more girls step out of the pageant box and standout! So here are some favs to help you do just that!

K. Amato does it again! I love the clover-inspired design of these emerald earrings. The marquise-shaped stones are gorgeous and at only $45.00, this is a fantastic find!

What I love about Angie's earrings, is that they don't hang too low. Otherwise, it would scream fake. The color provides enough pop around her face (notice how she keep her hair out of her face!!) to pull off this look.

Click here for the K. Amato Earrings.

Ben-Amun is one of my absolute favorite jewelry designers!!! I've worn Isaac's pieces ever since I was Miss USA (thank you Billie!) and would love for you to enjoy the line too.

These Green Glass Drop Earrings hang a cool 3 inches and add a trending Art Deco feel to your overall look. Priced at $195.00, they are definitely an investment piece. All Ben-Amun pieces are handmade to order so if you have a special occasion or pageant coming up, allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.

Click here for these Green Glass Drop Fancies.

If you're looking to add a smaller pop of green, Ben-Amun provides a more subtle approach without losing the sparkle or the size. 

These Swarovski Crystal Circle Earrings are gorgeous at 3.5 inches long! It will certainly add the bling but won't distract from your face. 

So if you have fuller hair, this may be a great choice because too much hair, too much dress and too much earring = too many eye's looking the other direction! 

This style is on sale for $153.00. Click here for this great find! 

At the end of the day, don't be afraid to take a risk that you know already fits into your sense of style. Break out of the pageant bubble! Wow your friends at girls night out! And use this to showcase your red carpet look. A big thank you to MaxandChloe for these fabulous finds!!

Calling All Juicy Fans!!

Last Call by Neiman Marcus is one of my all-time favorite websites!! They have great prices and always have amazing sales on top of their markdowns! Today ONLY, you get an extra 40% off all handbags! I found the most gorgeous Juicy Couture Yellow Velvet Bag and it's on sale for $99.00! It's the perfect fall accessory at the absolute best price! 

There's only 2 left, so act fast my fellow Juicy fans!!

Click here for this beautiful bag!

Congrats to our amazing Miss Teen USA girls!

Miss Teen USA was so much fun to watch on Saturday night! Allie LaForce, the most incredible girl you will ever meet, was the best host! She looked gorgeous and as a former Miss Teen USA, knows her stuff! The contestants this year are easily some of the most beautiful girls to grace that stage. 

A.T. and I were so excited for all of them and if I had been a judge, the Top 15 would have been a Top 34 this year! Our girls killed it and should be SO proud of themselves!! A HUGE congrats to all of our Top 15 and Alexis Swanstrom, Miss CA Teen USA & 2nd Runner-Up, Audra Mari, Miss ND Teen USA & 1st Runner-Up and Danielle Doty, our new Miss Teen USA!!

Kristen, Miss GA Teen USA, Kirsten, Miss MD Teen USA, Keyla, Miss SC Teen USA & Jessica, Miss IN Teen USA all look wonderful during the finals of Miss Teen USA!

The girls donned their gorgeous Sherri Hill sponsored dresses during the opening number. Then, nerves heightened as the Top 15 were called. After a quick outfit change, the semi-finalists emerged to compete in the Swimsuit Competition.

After fabulous entertainment by this year's, Miss Kentucky USA, Kia Hampton, the girls worked the runway for Evening Gown. I always love this part of the show because it's interesting to see each girl's sense of style.

There are a million gowns to choose from which makes finding the perfect gown a fun focus for your prep. As these girl's proved, the cut, color and fit are super important but in the end, the dress has to really be you.

If you can master this, then you will knock it out of the park like the Top 15 did in the gown portion of the competition!

Danielle Doty, Miss TX Teen USA & now the new Miss Teen USA struts her stuff in her custom designed gown. Audra Mari, Miss ND Teen USA & 1st Runner-Up answered her Top 5 question about bullying. I was especially touched when Audra shared her personal experience in being bullied. It's something most of us have unfortunately experienced so we are very proud of Audra for having the guts to talk about it on stage! 

Alexis, Miss CA Teen USA & 2nd Runner-Up, handled her Top 5 question beautifully. I do think it was a bad shot at Caite Upton, in referencing her answer on maps in the 2007 Miss Teen USA pageant. Knowing Caite personally, I wouldn't want people to keep focusing on something that doesn't define who I am. But Alexis took the question and ran with it and the audience definitely backed her! 

Madison Longstreth, Miss PA Teen USA, was so fresh and poised during her announcement of Top 15, that I had to share this personal fav pic of her! 

After spending time with these girls at our Pageant Prep Retreat and their State Power Weeks, we really had a good insight into the heart of these girls. 

Caley, Miss CO Teen USA, Hannah, Miss MN Teen USA, Susan, Miss WV Teen USA and Alexis, Miss ME Teen USA all have proven they are wonderful role models for young women all around the country. 

From overcoming adversities, to building charities at their schools, these girls are forces to be reckoned with! Miss Teen USA is just a stepping stone to anything they want to achieve. A.T. and I are so proud of all of our Miss Teen USA girls!! We love you so very much!!

This is their starting point, so now it's your turn to follow in their footsteps next year.

For more information on how you can be the next Miss Teen USA, please click here!!

Miss Teen USA Fashion Review!

Claira, Danielle and Jessica light up the Welcome Dinner!

I cannot believe Miss Teen USA is here! Time has flown since the girls were at our retreat and we saw them in Vegas for Miss USA. This group of titleholders has to be one of the most beautiful, well-dressed group of teens we've ever had the pleasure of working with!

So I'm so excited to bring you an update on the girls! Claira, Miss ID Teen USA, Danielle, Miss TX Teen USA and Jessica, Miss IN Teen USA, wowed at the Welcome Dinner at the Atlantis! Embellished dresses are all the rage this season. Fitting perfectly as a teen, these girls show us how it's done in these gorgeous pink and blue mini's.

 

During the Official Swimsuit Photo Shoot, Victoria, Miss WI Teen USA, accessorized her swimsuit beautifully with some classic hoops that are right on trend. They pop really nicely against her hair to frame her face. Bebe just got in these gorgeous Gold Box Chain Hoops that add a little funk to your fashion and they are only $19.00! 


Click here to add these awesome earrings to your wardrobe! 


At rehearsals, two gorgeous girls, Caley, Miss CO Teen USA, and Molly, Miss AZ Teen USA, bring a fresh look to the stage. Caley opts for a blue halter top that instantly makes her pop on the runway. It fits well and pairs perfectly with her golden hair. Molly brightens things up with this season's hottest trend: the statement dress! I love this pattern on her because it works so well with her hair color and skin tone. Here are two fav new finds for you to channel your inner Caley & Molly!

 1. RD Style Basic Silk Tank in Nautical Blue - NOW $58.99 - All from Piperlime.com




2. ASOS One Shoulder Dress in Digital Rainbow Print - On SALE! NOW $43.10!




Both of these are gorgeous finds to add to your summer wardrobe! Now please keep all 34 of our AMAZING girls in your prayers this weekend! Tonight is the preliminary competition, where the girls will compete in swimsuit and evening gown where a private interview will be judged as well. 


Then, tomorrow night, LIVE on www.MissTeenUSA.com, you can help us cheer on these fabulous girls as the new Miss Teen USA will be crowned! It all happens at 8:00 pm ET!

Your Fabulous Fur & Feather Finds!!!

2011 RPM Girls

Calling all NC, SC & LA USA contestants!!! It's no secret that the opening number theme for RPM Productions, is going to be high glamour with faux fur and feathers galore! Paula & Ann have always pushed the envelope with exciting themes which makes the show fantastic and gives the girls a lot to work with.

You feel like you can be yourself which is really important in pageantry. There are tons of options, both fur and feather alike! If you haven't signed up for the pageant yet, plan on getting started today! I promise it will be one of the best experiences!!

Brittany, Page, Courtney, Nessa, Keyla and Elizabeth are all rocking their fav furs with swimsuits for a runway vibe. Boots, vests, and fabulous jewelry are exactly what you need to rock this same look. Here are some of great deals I found this morning to help you get started! 

Options 1 & 2 are handmade via Michelle Roy Designs. They come at a great price and at a jaw-dropping size. Straight from L.A., either option is beautiful.


1.  Bright Feather Earrings in Black - $53.00

2.  Teal Feather Earrings in Gold - $53.00


3. Forever21 Blue/Red Feather Fringe Earrings - $4.80


4. Love Child Pheasant Cluster Earrings - $62.00


All of these are gorgeous and will make a major statement around your face. So remember, with the size of these earrings, be careful how much of your hair sits around your face. Pay attention to your face shape and bone structure. You don't want to get lost in the accessories. 

Each of these necklaces can be worn with a simple dress, a tank/legging outfit, swimsuits or a strapless number. 


1. A.V. Max Chain Fringe Feather Necklace - $86.00


2. Marrakech Feather & Fringe Necklace - Now $54.97


3. Carole Necklace in Teal/Gold or Brown/Gold - $14.00


4. Aldo Shore Peacock Bib Necklace - $20.00

Another hot look for this opening number theme is the faux-fur vest!  Whichever style fits you best, make sure a form-fitting piece is worn underneath it. You don't want to lose your figure in this look. 


Page, Miss LA USA, shows up how it's done in this gorgeous fur vest. Juicy Couture gives you a reversible option in this vest that comes in black or heather gray. And it's on sale for $139.00!! Over $100 off the original price! 

Click here for this great deal!  

To stomp it out on stage, you can opt for these fabulous finishing touches. The boots are amazing because they can be worn with almost anything on stage. The heels are gorgeous and give you tons of height and would be perfect for your cocktail dress! 


1. Sam Edelman Shalin Boot In Smokestack - Was $200, NOW, $85.00 - Only 8.5,10 left!

2. Gabriella Rocha Naline Boot - 4 1/2 in heel. ON SALE $49.00


3. Feather Trish Heels - 6 1/4 in heel! ON SALE $45.50




I can assure you that there are more fabulous finds to come, but these are great to get started with!  To get all the information you need to compete for Miss USA & Miss Teen USA in NC, SC & LA, click here!