Funkshon Designer Showcase

One of my favorite restaurants and lounges, Red Maple in Mount Vernon served as a vibrant backdrop to Funkshon. The narrow space and up against the wall seating formed a natural stage for a runway show. The fashion soiree and designer showcase featured pieces from the semi-finalists to the Sew Me What You Got competition sponsored by Ikea and Fashion Icons. And lucky me scored a front row seat.

The unique designs resembled nothing like the immediately recognizable home furnishings sold by the Scandinavian furniture and accessories giant. I was partial to the styles that were more feminine-- hot pink piping brought a light grey and white floral print to life while a black and white asymmetrical dress was softened by a wave of petals that formed its skirt. Designers, whoever you are, call me!

Big fan of Magnami Style & Co that also introduced a new collection-- a prelude to the fall season, Paco paired copper tones with shades of turquoise. A man after my own heart, his high-waisted, plumeting necklines and loose skirts are easy yet sophisticated.

Photos below are of me and Managing Editor of Iconography Magazine Ty, MUA extraordinaire Bethany, my fave pieces and 92Q's Konan.

Lia Sophia Party

Join me for a light dinner, drinks and designer jewelry!

An official sponsor, Lia Sophia, will be hosting a jewelry party in my honor at which they will be presenting me with a generous gift and introducing their new line-- please let me know if you are interested in attending the event.

The link below is for the Spring/Summer 2009 collection:
http://www.liasophia.com/sites/carmel/page-catalog?CatID=28&TotalPages=69&PageNum=1

Date and venue to be determined based on RSVP. Thank you for your support!

National Memorial Day Parade

Growing up in Maryland, I can't believe I had never been to DC for Memorial Day. While I am certainly enjoying my day off from school, it has been a great opportunity to pay tribute and express my gratitude to all those who have served our country. It was a sincere privelege not only being at the event, but being escorted around the parade by a corps of Marines!

6 hours of meeting attendees and being in the Parade was pre-empted by a photo shoot (hello to our new photographer friend, Matt!) for Blumpari Handbags and a deliiiiicious thai lunch at Temple Lounge in Arlington. I can't wait to be back in the area to enjoy another meal! Thanks Joy Hodges Miss DC United States (class of 2009!) for everything. More snaps to our group of volunteers who continued to hand out fliers and flags to the masses.

Aaaand I had the pleasure of spending the day with Miss United States 2008, Brittany Williams. From free carousel rides on the mall to charlies angels posing in the Smithsonian garden and meeting Gary Senise (thanks for sneaking in that shot Michael haha)!!! I couldn't have asked for a better experience.

As for the rest of the evening, I'll be throwing my feet up on my ottoman and avoiding 4 inch heels til... my next appearance!

Check out a clip of me in the parade, fast forward to 7:29 -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-Yuj31tXAk

Photos below are of me, Matt, Em and Brittany taking a break from shooting, Sergeant, along the parade route (thanks Jeff), my favorite spectator English bulldog Gibbs, dance party in front of the monument (thanks again Jeff), and our volunteers at Temple.

Mrs. Maryland United States

Congratulations to the beautiful Mrs. Southern Maryland, Ginny Meerman! The trip to Harrisburg was well worth seeing the Maryland United States delegation complete this evening. Talk about rhinestone city...I think there were more reigning titleholders in attendance than audience members.

Hello's to the Galaxy contingency and my friend Evangelia Zervos, Miss Maryland Galaxy-- two years after we both competed in Maryland USA, we are now queens.

Photos below are of me and Radiah, Ginny's crowning moment, Lia, Mrs Pennsylvania US 2009 Kate Cohen, and my Maryland United States sisters

Thumbs Up for Blumpari

Wednesday was my first unofficial day at my internship-- hosting the 3rd Annual Women Spanning the Globe Forum. I was overwhelmed by the inspiration and breath of knowledge I gained from some of the most innovative and charismatic women in town.

For instance, Cherry-- she is quick to tell you she is named after the fruit her mother had cravings for during her pregnancy. Memorable not only for her name, but for her infectious enthusiasm for her business venture-- handbags. Utilizing her Fulbright experience to study microfinancing and handwoven textiles in Thailand, her line (Blumpari) is as beautiful as it is socially responsible; yep, socially responsible.

If you have a moment, I'd encourage you to visit the handbag designer 101 website to VOTE (thumbs up) for her collection. She was selected to be in the finals among 600+ other submissions!

http://www.hbd101.com/handbags?finalist=2222

Ms. Maryland United States

More congratulations to my other sister queen and new Ms Maryland United States 2009-- Ms. Radiah Hyatte!

Vegas here we come...