This Blogger is Back in Action!!!

I was all pumped when I started blogging last year. We have so many great events, stellar clients and up-to-date trends, that it just seemed natural. Ah, but then life happened and I had to say, "Uncle!" to something. So I'm sorry to our blog readers!

But with a new iPad2 and what is sure to be the best StandOut Titleholder Retreat ever coming up next week, this blog is gonna be on fire!! So stay tuned and hold on, 'cause 2012 is the year of StandOuts!

XO & God Bless!
Chelsea

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.

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!!

Join the StandOut Miss USA Class of 2011!

Click here to read about the girl's experience!