JR Martinez

What can I say...JR Martinez has many titles; War Hero, Brot Monroe on the ABC daytime drama All My Children, Champion of ABC’s Season 13 Dancing with the Stars, one of People Magazine’s Sexiest Men Alive, and now his favorite title of all Daddy to little Lauryn Anabelle! It was such a treat to sit down with JR in the “Green Room” back stage before he was introduced to the highly charged audience in Milwaukee just over a week ago!

When I think back to the first time I met this amazing individual, it was just after JR stood up at “Open Mic” and shared his story of surviving an explosion of an IED while serving as a United States Army infantryman in Iraq. He had not yet become a soap opera star, I am not certain if he knew he could dance, but he might have agreed with the sexiest man alive title…seriously, he had one of those personalities that just made you take notice and believe you were in the presence of someone special.

The Phoenix Society is fortunate to have JR as a director, and he was honored by the association with the first ever 2012 Advocacy Award. This award recognizes the significant contribution of time and positive exposure, thereby bringing greater awareness, support and understanding of the burn survivor community as a whole. I personally want to thank JR for sharing his time with me and smiling for the camera!

Best wishes always,

Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012

Pink Out

Last Friday, my school celebrated our annual “Pink Out” football game. Every year we have a “Pink Out” themed pep rally and game to celebrate and honor those who are fighting or have fought breast cancer. Everyone in attendance wears pink. We decorate the stadium with pink balloons and signs, as well. The cheerleaders have pink poms and ribbons…even the football players wear pink socks!

The Pink Out game is especially close to my heart, because my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was in fifth grade. She continued her fight for 2 years before finally receiving the news that she was in remission. I am constantly reminded of how blessed I am to have her in my life!

October 1 marks the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Breast cancer affects women and men of all ages. Actually, one in every one hundred cases occurs in a male. It is important to know the signs of breast cancer and have a yearly mammogram with your physician. I encourage you all to join the fight against breast cancer by finding a Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in your area or simply wear pink during the month of October in honor of those who continue in the fight.

Caroline Crowley

Think Pink

A wave of pink flooded Memorial Park at the 6^th annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure – Tri-Cities TN/VA! Every single crook and cranny was filled with pink as over 6,000 people rallied together to support finding a cure for breast cancer.  This was my 2^nd year volunteering for this event and I had the honor of being the Teen Ambassador for this year’s race!  It was a privilege to hold the finish line banner as the winners sprinted through, as well as congratulating the survivors as they crossed the finish line.

Thumbs up!

These two people are incredible! Natalie Whitlock and Curt Rose, race chairs, had the job of organizing the race, and they did awesome! The race was a huge success!

Winner of the Kid's Dash!

Cheering on the Kid's Dash participants!

A true winner - this woman beat breast cancer & raced a 5k!

I love seeing so many people volunteer and rally together to support a cause near and dear to their hearts. Several of my family and friends participated as well. And the fact that everyone had on pink made it that much better!

Jurnee Carr

Beauty and Fashion for the Cure

Inspired by Wednesday's color day?  Well, there are ways you can contribute to the cause by purchasing some of your favorite beauty products and accessories.  Here are a few great items that give back:

1. Sephora | 2. Pink Hair for Hope | 3. Target | 4. Noodle and Boo via Women's Day | 

5. Urban Outfitters | 6.  Hanae Mori | 7. Real Simple | 8. Shine, Shimmer, and Sparkle |



We will be on a sort of Fall break for the next week or so as Jen heads off to Thailand to visit her brother and and Saira moves into her new apartment and figures out her internet situation.  But, when we return we'll have some great pics from adventures in Thailand and maybe even a post on how to pack for two weeks in one carry-on bag.  Plus, we're excited to share some new real weddings and engagement posts and you may even have a give-away or two to look forward to.  As always, thanks for reading!

XOXO

Jen & Saira

Color Day: Save the Boobies!

October is breast cancer awareness month!  Breast cancer will effect 1 in 8 US women in their lifetime and it's important that we are all aware of the risk factors, symptoms, and importance of regular self-exams and mammograms.  This is a cause near and dear to our hearts and we wanted to encourage you to do what you can to support efforts for breast cancer research - together we will find a cure!

Support Breast Cancer Research Inspiration Board

1. Elizabeth Anne Designs | 2. White Lace Weddings | 3. Brenda's Wedding Blog | 4. Weddings Unique | 

5.  My Lovely Big Feet | 6. The Wedding Yentas | 7. Love from the Oven | 8. The Stir | 9. Wedding Wire | 

10. Marie Claire | 11.  Project Wedding |    

XOXO

Jen & Saira

Breast Cancer Research

I wanted to share a story that inspired me recently regarding the breast cancer research front. It always seems like a pretty daunting task to “change the world” as just a little “me.” But that’s what we all hope to do, right!? We give $20 to a charity and wonder if it really helps. We share our story with another person & question if that’s enough. After learning about the partnership with the National Breast Cancer Foundation & ACE Cash Express, my faith in the little “me” is restored!

People who use ACE Cash Express helped to raise $522,643 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. And how did they do that, you ask? Each time a customer uses the card, a percentage of the transaction is donated to the foundation. Just goes to show us that EACH of us can help in a small way that adds up to big things!

So keep buying those products that give a percentage to Susan G Komen, donate a dollar (or 5!) at the grocery store check-out, & keep wearing that pink, ladies!! What we do as individuals DOES make a difference!

But let’s get real, sometimes we don’t have an extra $5 to donate & who is going to wear pink every single day? We all love our pink, but come on! So here is something that you can do all day every day – visit www.thebreastcancersite.com & click to give free mammograms! That’s it!

Ashley Smith

For more information about the wonderful things the National Breast Cancer Foundation is doing, visit nationalbreastcancer.org.

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I cannot describe how excited I am to have a job!! I feel like all my emotional struggling & questioning myself over the past months was all to lead me to the most amazing job for me right now! The women that I work with are fabulous & my bosses are so understanding and supportive of my Miss International schedule that is about to take off!

With so much focus on my job hunt, appearances were hard to plan & volunteering opportunities were hard to find. HOWEVER, I am so excited that now all my focus can go into being a great Miss International out & about in my community instead of just behind my computer & over the phone!

On that note, Avon’s Walks – In It To End It – are about to take off in a city near YOU!

They will need volunteers to help before the walk happens. I am getting involved NOW with the DC Walk that is planned for the very end of April. I hope everyone will find it in your heart to help out where you are needed!

For more information, visit: http://www.avonwalk.org/

Ashley Smith