Nina Davuluri, Miss America 2014

Congratulations to Nina Davuluri, Miss America 2014.  The 24 year-old Miss New York beat out 52 other contestants to win the coveted crown and at least $50,000 in scholarship cash.  She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and hopes to become a physician like her father.

Nina looking stunning in the "Shoe parade."  That dress...love love love!

Her canary-yellow evening gown was perfection.

Nina rocked her zebra-print bikini in the bathing suit completion.  She said that she has battled bulimia in the past and lost approximately 60 pounds before winning the title of Miss New York.

I absolutely loved her talent--a classical Bollywood fusion dance.  Nina traveled to LA to train with Nakul Der Mahajan, a choreographer for the "So You Think You Can Dance" television show.

Unfortunately, as soon as the tiara was placed onto her beautifully coiffed hair, social media was abuzz with racist attacks in the fact that she was the first woman of Indian descent to ever win Miss America...calling her names such as  "Miss 7-11."  This is so ridiculous.  

Responding to the remarks, she said, "I have to rise above that.  I have always viewed myself as first and foremost American."

I'll admit that going into the competition, I was hoping Miss Georgia would take home the crown.  Although Miss Georgia is incredibly beautiful, her talent was lacking.  In my opinion, Nina scored 10's at every stage of the competition.  She deserves the win and I look forward to following her reign!

Miss America Pageant Returns to Atlantic City

Preliminary competition is underway this week for the Miss America 2014 pageant.  The pageant is back in Atlantic City after being held in LasVegas since 2005.  The program began in 1920 as a bathing suit review that was a way to drum up business for the Jersey shore resort after Labor Day.

Miss America is long recognized as a scholarship pageant stressing the importance of academic achievement and talent, with talent counting for 35% of the judging, interview 25%, fitness 15%, evening gown 20%, and on-stage question 5%.  So, what to expect for talent this year???

27 vocalists
15 dancers
5 pianists
3 violinists
3 baton twirlers

The pageant will be broadcast live on Sunday, September 15, from 9-11 p.m. (EST) on ABC.  There will be a special 20/20 program preceding the pageant on ABC at 8pm..."Miss America and It's History."

53 ladies vying for the coveted crown of Miss America 2014

Pretty ladies with sashes and crowns!


Mallory Hagan was just crowned Miss America 2013 at the pageant in Las Vegas in January of this year.  She will only reign for eight months because of the traditional September pageant date in Atlantic City.

Mallory Hagan, Miss America 2013

I'll definitely be following the prelims this week and I look forward to picking a winner on Sunday night.  Chris Harrison of Bachelor/Bachelorette will host and Lara Spencer of Good Morning America will be the co-host.

Who will walk that 50 foot runway?  Unfortunately, she will not be serenaded to the iconic song "There She Is Miss America," due to a dispute with family members of the deceased songwriter.  Boo hoo!

Betty Halbreich, Personal Shopper

After seeing the film, "Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf's" this summer, I had to read the book about the famous Bergdorf's Personal Shopper Betty Halbreich.  The film is all about the iconic department store and Betty plays herself as a supporting character...

Betty Halbreich wearing Chanel.

Ms. Halbreich has been choosing the right clothes for actresses, socialites, and young ladies for 36 years.  She is the head of the "Solutions" department at Bergdorf's and now has authored the book "Secrets of a Fashion Therapist."  This book reminded me of shopping in posh department stores as a young girl with my Mama.  Back then Sales Assistants actually knew their inventory and tried to help you find the outfit that was the best look and fit for the occasion...instead of just trying to make a sale.

Ms. Halbreich in the "Solutions" office at Bergdorf's in New York City.


Even though Ms. Halbreich believes it's okay to wear black to a wedding, I still like the advice she dispenses in this book.  

She starts with helping you to clean out your closet...suggesting what to keep and what to get rid of.  From there the book is about how to build your wardrobe...not a trendy wardrobe, but one that will last for many years--whether you are a college student just entering the business world or returning to the workplace after staying at home.

I love this piece of advice..."Don't look to the fashion magazines as a Bible on how to dress; look to them merely to glean ideas of what you might like to wear."

A lot of stores offer Personal Shoppers today.  To be honest, I have only taken advantage of this type of service on two occasions...both with Saks Fifth Avenue and the purchase of my St. John Knits suits.  I really think if you are shopping for a special occasion a Personal Shopper is a valuable ally.  I don't know about y'all, but I really appreciate it when I can get an objective opinion about the color, fit, and style of clothes.

Ms. Halbreich photographed in her Park Avenue apartment.

"Shopping and dressing is about much more than clothes.  It's about something you do to make yourself feel good."  

~Betty Halbreich

Dressing Area

My makeup was taking over the vanity in our bathing area, so I decided to move all my Chanel cosmetics, fragrances, and accessories out to the boudoir.  I really love it because I also have all my Chanel books and other loot all together in one area.  The vanity table is really a better place to apply my makeup because of the long window behind it which provides a lot of natural light.  The tabletop is quite crowded, but holds all my pretties and has drawers to store more of my Chanel goodies.  I'm such a hoarder with makeup; when I find a certain color of lipstick, I will buy several tubes so I won't run out.

On the wall to the left of the table, I have a style board that holds my special Chanel cards and flower pins.

I found this cute dress form at HomeGoods and decorated her with some of my Chanel goodies. Of course I named her... "Mademoiselle."

Flower pins and pearls...

Black and gold chain belt...

Small size classic flap bag with gold hardware...

I've also decided to start taking my OOTD photos somewhere else beside the bathing area.  I found this mirror at Kirkland's and it goes well with the colors in my room.


I hope y'all have enjoyed the tour of my new dressing area.  Thank you for visiting with me today!

God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea

Of course I was attracted to the title of this book God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea and the pretty book cover definitely got my attention!  It's a devotional book written by a Southern lady Rose Chandler Johnson, who lives in a small Georgia town near my hometown.  Rose has been a teacher of English and French for 20 years and is the mother of six.

I have several devotional books...some that are meant to be read daily and some like this one, which you can read all in one setting or pick it up and read one devotion at a time.  Today I sat down with some iced tea and decided to read the entire book.  The author is not preachy at all...she writes from the heart.  Rose brings her personal life experiences and what God has taught her and ties them in with the scripture.

The format for each devotion is short, easy to read, and based on God's word:

Starting with a Bible verse, then a short devotion, suggested readings from the Bible, a place for journaling your thoughts, a closing prayer, the author's own "Sweet Tea Moment," and a suggested prayer focus.

Rose is also the author of a devotional blog Write Moments With God.  I recommend this devotional book for those who want to promote their own spiritual growth and develop a closer relationship with God.  It would be a sweet gift for yourself or others.  God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea is available for purchase at Amazon.

Marley Lilly's Belly Button Rings

Lord. Have. Mercy.  All the preps on Twitter are in a tizzy!  Marley Lilly is offering Monogrammed. Belly. Button. Rings. on their site!

I have featured many products on my blog from Marley Lilly and adore all her preppy loot!  {I always keep an ever-growing wish list}. When I heard about the the belly rings this morning, I knew I had to share them with y'all.

Marley Lilly is the go-to site for all the pink and green preps to buy all things monogrammed...from monogrammed floppy hats, monogrammed hair bows, beautiful monogrammed clutches, and now to...

The Monogrammed Belly Button Ring!
The belly rings are made of stainless steel and the monogram charm is made of sterling silver.  Of course, you will need to polish the sterling charm just as you would your grandmother's silver!  The belly button rings are priced at $29.99 and you have a choice of the pink crystal, blue crystal, or clear crystal.

Close. Up. Shot... Miss Janice is clutching her pearls!

I don't have any tattoos on my body and the only body part I have pierced is a single pierce on both of my earlobes...and my daddy liketa killed mama for letting me do that!  Well, y'all know my fashion rules are very old fashioned.  I mean, I agree with Coco Chanel that wearing black to a wedding is still in bad taste; perhaps it's like wearing white after Labor Day, a tradition left over from the era when ladies wore white gloves.

So to me, it's all kinda like the ankle bracelet...I've never worn one and never will.  But, that doesn't mean they aren't cute.  Brighton has adorable ankle bracelets, but they are just not my style.  I have numerous friends who have tattoos and some friends have belly rings *clutching my pearls real hard now*.

I did find this article by Lisa Birnbach, author of True Prep and she addresses the "Principles of Preppy Styles," and 'belly-button piercing'.

What say y'all?  Are you giddy to wear the Monogrammed Belly Button Ring or are you "Clutching your pearls?"  Remember your manners, no need to be rude!