Best of 2012

I can’t believe it is already the beginning of a new year! It is hard to believe my reign as Miss Teen International 2012 is nearly half way over. However, that also means that the Miss Teen International 2013 competition is quickly approaching!

One thing I learned from competing is that you can never be “too prepared” and it is never too early to begin preparing. If you listen to the radio or read popular magazines, you will notice their “Top Hits of 2012”. So, to help you prepare for competition or even appearances, here are some of my pageant favorites from the past year.

1.Autograph Cards
You will need autograph cards for competition week in Chicago. However, even as a state title holder, autograph cards are a great piece of memorabilia to hand out to your many fans. I even wrote thank you notes on them to those that supported me on my way to nationals. When you wear your crown, people notice you! Trust me…everyone wants a queen’s autograph!

2.Clay Spann Lip Glass
This clear gloss is one of my all-time favorites! It offers a long lasting shine that can be worn over your favorite Clay Spann lipstick or alone for every day wear.
www.clayspann.com

3.Crown & Roses Logo Tracksuit by Titlewear
At the beginning of my reign, I was given the velour tracksuit with the Miss International logo on the back of the jacket in rhinestones. It is great for traveling…comfy and cute!!
www.titlewear.com

4.My “glam bag” given to me by Miss Teen International 2011, Jurnee Carr
After the coronation ball, Jurnee’s gift to me was a lime green and pink tote with rhinestone encrusted “Miss Teen International 2012” on the front.  It is the perfect size for an extra pair of comfortable shoes, my autograph cards, and my make-up bag for touch ups between appearances. A cute and sensible tote is a MUST for nationals and appearances. During the week of finals, a shoe bag for rehearsals will be absolutely imperative!

5.Holly Hardwick Crown Case
Mrs. International 2012, Sarah Bazey, recently introduced me to the Holly Hardwick line of crown carriers. Her line of stylish crown cases makes it easy to protect your crown in style!
http://store.hollyhardwick.com

6.Protein/Energy Bars
I have always loved to snack. Protein bars are a great on-the-go source of energy, even if you are watching your figure!

7.My “Pageant on Wheels”
It may have a crazy name, but TRUST me, if you ask any contestant from the 2012 pageant, they will testify that it is a LIFESAVER. My mom bedazzled a huge tackle box (with wheels) and “Pageant on Wheels” was created. It holds my hair and make-up supplies, a sewing kit, cosmetic tape, safety pins, Static Guard, scissors, and most likely any other pageant necessity you can imagine. Like I said, you can NEVER be “too prepared”.

8.Social Media
Social media isn’t exactly anything new or surprising. However, if you haven’t already, utilize tools such as Facebook and Twitter to start making friends! Knowing other contestants will help ease your nerves before orientation because you will already be comfortable around one another. If you ever have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at any of the following:

E-Mail:    Missteeninternational2012@gmail.com
Facebook:  Caroline Crowley
Twitter:  @caroline_c13

Happy 2013!

Best wishes,

Caroline Crowley

ELEVEN Paris Fall-Winter 2012/13

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Wojtowicz Family Christmas

Most of you know me as Sarah Bazey, however, I spent much of my life as Sarah Wojtowicz. Believe it or not, both my maiden name and married name are of Polish descent…and yes, I have heard a few Polish jokes in my lifetime!

This blog is simply an opportunity to share some of the many fun photographs that were captured with members of my family as we celebrated a yummy Christmas brunch together at the wonderful Lake Elmo Inn, in the charming little town of Lake Elmo, located just East of the Twin Cities.

Thank you to Santa Claus for sharing gifts with my great-nephews and nieces, the fabulous staff that made certain we were well cared for and well fed, and my family for which I am truly thankful and blessed! Please know that this is only a portion of my family members, we missed those who were not able to join us, and there were too many pictures to post them all:

With Mom

With Lake Elmo Inn Staff

 

With Lake Elmo Inn Staff

 

With Sister Claudine and her husband Mark

 

With Brother Nick and his wife Wendy

 

With Brother Lon and his wife Pat

 

With Brother Len and his wife Sally

 

With Santa, great-nephews and great-nieces

 

With Ethan, Elliot, Nathan, Isabella, and Aalyiah

With Aaron, Jordan, and Jake

With Wyatt, Joshua, and Nathan

All my love,

Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012

“A Christmas Carol” at the Guthrie Theater

If you have never seen the Guthrie Theater’s interpretation of “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, you really need to add this event to your bucket list! Of course I may be just a little prejudice because I love this venue, which was designed by the famous French architect Jean Nouvel, and it happens to be located just steps from my front door.

Therefore, when I thought about the perfect gift for my 2012 pageant sisters, I decided this would be such a fun experience to share with Krista, Caroline, Gabby and our mothers. So, the plan was hatched…and came to fruition on a perfect Sunday afternoon in December. We were also joined by Becky and her mother for lunch on Level Five and photos on level nine after the play.

Becky, Alice, Denise, Caroline, Gabby, Robyn, Betty and me

I am so very grateful for each of the amazing women that joined me for this special holiday treat, and also want to thank Sue Kotila, Vistor Service Director with the Guthrie for welcoming us with open arms. And finally, a very special thank you to Austen Fisher who was one of the cast members and joined us for a few photos after the production.

Gabby, Austen, me and Caroline

For more information, please visit the Guthrie Theater website and a link to information about the design of this remarkable structure:  http://www.guthrietheater.org/ and http://www.arcspace.com/21921

Warm Wishes,

Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012

Fashion bags trends 2013

Fashion bags

Spring-summer trends handbags and clutches in 2013 from the collections of leading brands.

Continuing to introduce you to the key fashion trends of the upcoming spring-summer season in 2013, we offer you an overview of current trends in handbags and clutches that is based on impressions of new collections of famous brands.

1. Fashion bags trends 2013. Mini-bags.

Mini bags promise to be one of the most fashionable trends in the upcoming warm season. These elegant accessories can be carried by the handles, put on the wrist or on the shoulder, and even on the back.

Original or classic shapes and colors - all available to you in the bags of this trend, as demonstrated such brands as Diane Von Furstenberg, Louis Vuitton and Carven in their spring-summer fashion collections. Particularly interesting to look on their mini-bags, whose prints match the colors or patterns on clothes.

2. Fashion bags trends 2013. Bags «tote».

Classic accessories of this trend are large and medium-sized bags, comfortable, durable and roomy fashion bag, usually rectangular in shape, with an open top which are often don't close, and two sturdy handles.

Having a distant ancestors as canvas shopping bags XVII century, these trends bags have won worldwide popularity in the mid 1990's and come back again in 2013 to continue their triumphant march on podiums, store shelves and wardrobe ladies. Bags «tote» stylish look make good complement on everyday wear and are very practical.

Prada, Rochas, Mulberry and other well-known trend brands offer models of different sizes in a minimalist style, however, decorated with an attractive accessories, pens, necklaces, scalloped edges and other fine details.

3. Fashion bags trends 2013. Clutches.

Clutches has never went out of fashion and in the spring-summer season of 2013, they will also be in all-relevant different sizes, shapes and styles. But among them are several major trends.

So will be very popular mini-clutches which fits in the palm, as in the fashion trend collections of Oscar de la Renta, Emilio Pucci and Jason Wu; and huge "folding" clutch like Victoria Beckham, Reed Krakoff, Carolina Herrera, Hermes and other brands.

The "metallic" trend will also be in vogue, such as silver and gold leather clutch of different textures or completely covered with sequins. Examples of these accessories can be seen in the collections of Victoria Beckham, Viktor & Rolf, Dries Van Noten and Fendi.

Clutches of an original form, for example, in the form of complex polygons or even lingerie fans can be find in Ralph Lauren, Sportmax, Giamfranco Ferre and other brands.

In addition, the clutch trend bags will be in fashion with various prints, patterns and bright inlay, decorated with studs, fringe, studs, beads and sequins as can be seen in the fashion collections of Etro, Fendi and Diane Von Furstenberg.

4. Fashion bags trends 2013. Rucksacks.

Comfortable, bright and useful for the back-bag backpacks in a minimalist fashion brand style will also be relevant. They may be more athletic or in the style of "luxury casual», which examples can be found in the collections of DKNY, Versus and Hermes.

5. Fashion bags trends 2013. Handbags and clutches of reptile skin.

If we talk about trends not by look, but based on accessories, the reptile skin is always in fashion, and in the upcoming warm season too. Handbags and clutches of snake and crocodile skin literally filled the podium, meeting in collections Botega Venetta, Elie Saab, Giamfranco Ferre, Gucci, Giorgio Armani and other brands.

6. Fashion bags trends 2013. Prints and patterns.

Various prints and patterns of geometric, floral, chess or even just "peas" or strips cover many spring and summer handbags and clutches in 2013 fashion season. And sometimes they coincide with prints on clothing too. Accessories of this trend is in the collections of Louis Vuitton, Mochino, Guy Laroche, Proenza Schouler, Stella McCartney, and other brands.

7. Fashion bags trends 2013. Patterns and laser perforation.

One of the most beautiful and original trends of 2013 fashion season are laser perforated bags and laser cut on them patterns. Holes, honeycombs, intricate floral fantasy, or even stylish flourishes are not being painted and carved on the surface of the accessories, they attach bags special charm and even grace. Alexader McQueen, Ralph Lauren, Mulberry and other brands including bags of style in their new bags fashion collections.

8. Fashion bags trends 2013. "Torbochki" and "bags".

Admirers of these reminiscent  bags of the style of the past centuries are lucky because this spring they will be very fashionable. Distinguish them hard bottom and bottom bags, and sometimes the whole bag holds the shape. Vintage and bohemian, evening handbags with minimum accessories of this trend come in all shapes and colors today which examples can be seen at Alexander Wang, Giorgio Armani, Moschino, and other brands.

9. Fashion bags trends 2013. Creative pen.

Handles - is not just "an auxiliary part" bag, which is clearly proven by trend brand Chanel, showing several models of "bag-hoop." Original handles can be of the most rigorous or simple-looking bags to chic and unusual accessory. True, the pen handbaag should be even and comfortable.

However, not all brands have gone as far as Chanel, many would prefer bags with less creativity. Such varieties were in the collection of Tory Burch, Miu Miu and many other brands, and the brand Acne is generally made in the form of a twisted handle telephone cord.

10. Fashion bags trends 2013. Bags original form.

As is the case with the clutch, this bag trend comes from free imagination of today's designers, the bags provide even more room for all kinds of variations. Here and there in the spring-summer collections 2013 Balenciaga, Holly Fulton, Giorgio Armani, Lanvin, Peter Plein, Alberta Ferretti and other brands of unusual accessories: bags, sacks and bags, suitcases, bags, tubes and bags, "rolled-up rugs," Bags - "perfume bottles" and bags "spike balls", and many other species.

11. Fashion bags trends 2013. Transparent bags and clutches.

Strongly secured in vogue a few years ago, this handbags trend is now definitely present in almost every season in one form or another.

For those who dare to walk with transparent bags and clutches, Jenny Packham, Valentino, Burberry Prorsum, Holly Fulton, Stella McCartney, Gucci, Simone Rocha and their colleagues designers propose in 2013 transparent accessories of different colors, minimalist design and elegant finish.

Photo source: millionlooks.com

Fashion handbags trends 2013, fashion bags

Spring-summer collection 2013 by Prada

Eva Herzigova and Sasha Pivovarova in  Prada advertising 

Spring-summer collection 2013 by  Prada

Filming promotional photo shoot attended Eva Herzigova, Sasha Pivovarova, Amber Valletta, Raquel Zimmermann, Saskia de Brauw, Irina Kravchenko, Sung Hee and other fashion models.

The new spring-summer collection from Prada, seems to distinguish the Sino-Japanese style in the design of clothes and shoes, with floral motifs in prints, gentle and strong silhouettes, and concise color range of black, white and brown palette, with splashes of pure red pink, blue, yellow and green tones.

Spring-summer collection 2013 by  Prada, prada collection, designer fashion, fashion trend

Spring-summer collection 2013 by  Prada, prada collection, designer fashion, fashion trend

Spring-summer collection 2013 by  Prada, prada collection, designer fashion, fashion trend