Meet Mrs. International this Saturday!

Meet Mrs. International, Shannon Devine this Saturday at the North Carolina/South Carolina International Pageants Workshop

Workshop Information:

Please join us this Saturday…10am, Embassy Suites, Charlotte, NC

10am:
The workshop will kick off with vendors selling jewelry, handbags, wardrobe and more! Come and shop and have some fun at our OPEN EXPO! ALL ladies interested in pageantry are welcome! There will be amazing deals, so please come and bring a friend!

10am-11:30:
Meet Shannon Devine, Mrs. International 2010 and your North and South Carolina International State 2010 Titleholders and staff members of Carolina International Pageant.

*Learn about the International Pageant System from the national level
*Hear about the State Pageant
*Q and A Session with the titleholders

**This session is open to ALL ladies interested in learning more about the system and our current contestants. You are not required to be a contestant at this session, you are welcome to come, meet, and learn more about this system at this time! No pre-registration necessary

YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENTER AT THE DOOR… Come and enjoy a meet and greet with no preregistration necessary! If you decide you would like to enter you will have the opportunity before we begin our guest presentations!

11:30-12:30:
*Expo Continues for SHOPPING!

*New contestants and pre-registered contestants can enter or pay in full at this time.
*All new contestants will receive a contestant CD with all paperwork needed to enter.
*Cash, checks, and credit cards accepted at the door for entry.

12:30-4:
*Expo continues until 2pm
*Workshop is closed to registered contestants at this time.
*Fashion Show Presentation
*Opening number wardrobe presented by official choreographer
*Makeup Seminar by Dana L Cosmetics
*Stage and Interview Coaching
*Walking and Presentation
*Directors Notes

WORKSHOP location:
Embassy Suites Charlotte
4800 South Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC United States 28217

I’m excited to meet you all in person on Saturday!

Shannon Devine

18th Annual NBC4 Health and Fitness Expo

This past weekend was the 18TH annual NBC4 Health and Fitness Expo at the Washington Convention Center in our nation’s capital. I was honored to be asked to help work the American Heart Association booth at the health expo for my second consecutive year.

I also got to meet Lauren Celine, Miss Teen China International 2011, who has her platform, the American Heart Association’s Alliance for a Healthier Generation, in common with me, also joined me in volunteering to work the AHA booth, along with Miss Teen DC International 2010, Alexis Harvey.

The expo was held from 9am-5pm on both Saturday and Sunday and kicked off the largest free consumer health event. As the event began to wind down, we had a chance to visit some of the other booths, though with close to 200 exhibitors present, we definitely did not get to see them all. There were samples of health foods like some oatmeal raisin protein bars which I had a chance to try; they were like guilt-free oatmeal cookies! We saw martial arts demonstrations, got to try “healthy energy drinks”, got free 5 hour energy samples to take home with us, learned about the cancer screenings that had been offered there that day, and so much more!

One of the main goals of the event was to provide the numerous people who do not have health insurance and cannot afford to see a doctor regularly with check-ups, screenings, and information for health conditions and factors such as cancer, BMI, blood pressure, bone density, cholesterol, and much more, as well as the opportunity to speak with health professionals and ask them questions that might have gone unanswered otherwise. With over 87,000 attendees in two days, I would say that it was a huge success!

Lauren, Alexis, and I worked outside the AHA booth, asking passersby if they would like more information about our nation’s #1 killer, heart disease, and getting them to volunteer their contact info for a chance to spin the “prize wheel” and take home prizes including heart healthy recipe books, AHA tote bags, luggage tags, pill boxes, and more! I had a great time getting to know Lauren and catching up with Alexis, as well as really spreading the word about heart disease and the importance of living a heart-healthy life.

Many of the people who I spoke to did not understand that heart disease is not just grabbing your heart, saying “I think I’m having a heart attack”, and taking a Bayer aspirin. I explained that heart disease is a broad, umbrella term that describes any and all abnormalities or conditions related to the cardiovascular system, not just the heart. I had a great time and felt fulfillment from utilizing my chance to make a difference as Miss Teen International, I hope that my words helped at least one person who I met there choose to make healthy changes in their life!

Juliana McKee

Color Day: Tickled Pink

It's almost February (seriously, where did January go?) so that means Valentine's Day is just around the corner.  Possibly the most romantic day of the year, Valentine's day is best represented by 2 colors - pink and red.  These colors are the ones most often associated with love and passion so we couldn't let a Valentine's day pass by without them.  Here is a color board to inspire you to embrace Cupid and get started with planning a romantic dinner for 2, a wedding for 200, or just a girly day with your single gal pals.

Shades of Pink Wedding Color Inspiration Board

Images from: Brides, Wedding Planning 101, Birds and Blooms, The Inspired Bride, pasaiipaperie, The Knot, NicNacManiac, Modcloth, April Foster, FA2u, Party Poms

L-O, L-O, L-O, L-O-V-E

XOXO

Jen & Saira

The Mystery of Risk

“Risk is not destiny.” – Dr. Ira Chasnoff

Medical Risk Assessment and Intervention Techniques for Internationally Adopted Children- A Webinar for Parents and Adoption Professionals.

The title probably sounds a bit intimidating/overwhelming (?) however, I cannot stress the importance of being educated on every aspect of the adoption journey.

I receive many inquiries weekly from prospective adoptive parent(s). I love that you feel comfortable enough to share the joy of your journey, and even your struggles! When we work together, we can move mountains! There were many, MANY times along the journey to Halle-Grace I questioned/screamed, "WHY is this happening? I just want to give this little girl the best life I possibly can! WHY?" The answer is now so crystal clear! God was preparing me to HELP others! The webinar below will be an incredible resource and opportunity to hear from experts in the field of adoption!

As Mrs International, an adoption advocate, a mother blessed through the miracle of adoption, and a National Spokesperson for the National Council For Adoption (NCFA), I am so thrilled to share this opportunity with you, our loyal readers.

NCFA is pleased to announce a 2.5 credit hour webinar, The Mystery of Risk, designed for adoption professionals and parents considering domestic, foster care, and inter country adoption.

- Understand how to assess risk at the time of your referral of a child.
- Learn to recognize behavioral difficulties and intervention strategies.
- Gain insight into diagnoses and suggestions on appropriate pre- and post-adoption services.
- Understand the importance of birth history and signs of distress.
- Hear real life case studies.
- Hague-compliant training.
- Receive 2.5 CEU hours from the National Council For Adoption, fully accredited by The Catholic University of America, School of Social Work.
- Interactive polling with real-time results and plenty of time for questions and answers!

When: Wednesday, February 2nd...1:30-4:00pm, Eastern Standard Time (12:30-3:00pm Central Standard Time, 11:30-2:00pm Mountain Time, 10:30-1:00pm Pacific Coast Time)

About the Lead Presenter:

Dr. Ira Chasnoff, MD is the President of Children's Research Triangle, a not-for-profit organization that works with high-risk children and their families. He is one of the nation's leading researchers in the field of child development and the effects of alcohol and drug use on the newborn infant and child. He is the author of eight critically acclaimed books that explore how biological and environmental factors impact the development of substance-exposed children. In 2002, Dr. Chasnoff's organization was selected by the Center for Disease Control as one of the five national centers for research into innovative treatment for children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. “I think there is a need for helping parents and adoption professionals understand normal child behavior as well as how and when to know when behavior moves beyond what is perceived as “normal” and how to manage behavioral difficulties." - Dr. Chasnoff

The webinar will be moderated by Chuck Johnson, President and CEO, National Council For Adoption. “The importance of understanding behavioral patterns in children who might have been prenatally exposed to drugs as well as intervention techniques that can help children and families thrive in their new environments is critical. In our opinion, Dr. Chasnoff is one of the leading experts in this field of medicine as well an advocate of adoption.” - Chuck Johnson

Registration is now open!

For more information, please e-mail webinars@adoptioncouncil.org

Until next post, remain blessed & don't forget to WEAR RED next Friday!

Shannon Devine