Skate-Wear Central

Rose Rhinestones

Free Dress for a Queen – My 2008 Plus American Pageant Diary

Day 5-15-08
My gorgeous sexy pageant gown arrived today-special delivery! Though it was a very short wait, I had to fight the urge to stalk the mail carrier. How could I not be excited about the perfect evening gown?! Let me backtrack a little. I am a curvy pageant queen. After quite a few years out of the royal spotlight, I am once again competing. Of course, I want to make my big comeback in new clothes! Money is tight but where there is a will there is a way. I have no shame admitting that I was doing a search for cheap dresses when I came across NextEve.com. Expecting to find a choice of 2 or 3 dowdy selections for plus sized women (like the other sites I visited) I was not ready for what I found! It was formal gown heaven. Any gown that my little heart desired would fit my ample beautiful curves! NO limits set by size availability. The styles of dresses were diverse; elegant ball gowns, sexy sheaths, cute and flirty cocktail dresses. Though I was looking for a pageant gown, I had to browse every inch of the site!!! All of a sudden, there it was staring back at me- my 14K golden dream dress. I am sooooo ready for the pageant’s evening gown competition.

Day 5-28-08
A month from today I get to strut my stuff in my beautiful evening gown. It’s amazing how an awesome gown can transform a woman. Not only by looks. You feel like you are queen of the world! It changes your walk to almost a floating glide. Your posture becomes straight and tall. How wonderful it is to feel as beautiful as you look!
Though I am a curvy girl, I chose a sheath style dress. A sheath dress is completely form fitting. Most of the gowns you see on celebrities at awards shows are of sheath design-yes, second skins. My dress isn’t skin tight but it is worthy of gracing the red carpet. It kind of has a sexy French lingerie look to it. Gorgeous warm gold satin has a lace overlay at the waist with boning that resembles a corset. The bust line is caressed in pleated black tulle netting. The skirt has an overlay of black tulle netting also for a soft romantic touch. I am so in awe of this evening gown! It’s like getting an engagement ring-you can’t stop looking at it…then you look at it once more to make sure it’s still there! Now I have to figure out a killer hairstyle to compliment it.

Day 6-20-08
I am in the final countdown with a week to go!!! It is so stressful but totally exciting at the same time. There is so much that goes into preparing for a pageant. The right hair, make up, getting your nails (hand and toes) done, shoes, appropriate outfits and the perfect evening gown. Don’t have to worry about the gown at all. I’ve decised on a classy French roll for my hair. Since my face is round, I will have the typical “pageant pouf” bangs combed over to the side with sexy tendrils of curls at the tips. I am also placing a bundle of curls and whisps on top of the roll for a more contemporary and sexy look. That will be the perfect accent to the sexy French flair of the gown! I’ve been walking around the house in my clear heels so I won’t be wobbly on stage. Getting into the “float on air” mode isn’t easy after being out of the competition ring for about 7 years! Concentrating on last minute details won’t leave much time to write. We’ll catch up when I’m back at home. I’ll make up for it when you hear about all of the awesome gowns I know I’ll see at Nationals. Well, Myrtle Beach, here I come!!!

Day 7-3-08
Let me tell you, there’s no place like home! Though Myrtle Beach was gorgeous beyond words, it’s good to be back! Pageant time was jam-packed full of rehearsals, photographs and high heels….it hurts to be beautiful!!! Speaking of beautiful, I was blown away by the variety of dresses my pageant sisters chose for the evening gown competition! The younger girls rocked the ball gowns this year! One “Pre-Teen Miss” was so beautiful, she made Cinderella look like one of the ugly stepsisters! Her ballgown was the sweetest shade of bubblegum pink I have ever seen. The corseted top was spaghetti strapped and kissed with aurora borealis rhinestones. The lace up back was fully functional with a shimmering satin ribbon running through it. The fanciful skirt had layer upon layer of billowy tulle netting gleaming with rhinestones sprinkled randomly. Her delicate little frame was not lost in this abundant dress. She glided across the stage with the grace and elegance of a veteran pageant queen. She owned the stage and completely wowed the judges. Her dress was an accessory for the natural inner beauty that was shining out from within her! A “Jr. Miss” contestant wore a white strapless ballgown that had rhinestones sprinkled at the bust line. The skirt was full with a glorious train sweeping behind her. The most awesome feature of her gown was that the skirt was completely covered with white roses made of tulle netting all the way to the tip of the train. The centers were soft pink netting with rhinestone accents. With her curly blonde hair softly swept up on top of her head, she looked like a young angel in an enchanted garden. She was definitely a sight to behold!

Day 8-10-08
We older contestants were equally as glam. We don’t age-we mellow like a fine wine! One of the “Mrs. Woman” contestants displayed her beautiful figure in a sheath prima donna gown made of champagne satin with a sexy black lace overlay. Her gown was covered in crystals that glimmered with each movement. The lacey edged split in the middle of the skirting exposed a flash of her legs as she took her beauty walk. A small regal train swept out behind her. What a sultry vision of elegance! Less was more for one “Woman” contestant. Her gown was a satin strapless with an empire waistline in rich navy blue. There was an exquisite rhinestone brooch just below the bust that gave the flowing satin of her gown that sparkling touch of class! She made quite a statement without saying a word. In the “Classic Ms.” division, I sported my 14k golden gown and got lots of “Oooooo’s” and “look at yours” from my pageant sisters. No one had a gown like mine-not even the same color and I couldn’t have been more pleased. I thrive on standing apart in a crowd! A diva in my division competed in 2 pageants that weekend. She was breathtaking in both competitions. For one pageant she wore a black halter with a tiered ruffled skirt and magenta sash-stunning!!! A sassy haltered satin mermaid style in fuchsia was her gown of choice for the pageant we competed in together. It’s hard to put into words the glamour that she possessed! Alas, she won the crown and I am her first runner up. Someone blinded by the sparkle of the crown would say that I lost. I say that I’ve won something priceless. A lifelong friendship has developed between the new queen and me. Long after our reign is over and the crowns are on the shelf-our friendship will continue.

About the Author

Charissa Thames is a loving mother, photographer, and home business owner living in Pennsylvania. She has great passion for fashion and writes and comments on evening dresses & prom dresses.

Grant and Forsyth – Medley – Rose Garden, Rhinestone Cowboy etc. (1991)

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Hurley Every Rose Women’s Rashguard and Solid Retro Bottom $74 Add some romance into your surf wardrobe with the Every Rose Rashguard by Hurley. The enchanting floral print is spliced into the sleeves creating a fresh summertime look. The finishing touch of the screen printed Hurley logo makes this a must-have item for all who surf. Color: Black. Content: 84% Polyester 16% Spandex. Made in California U.S.A.

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Hurley Girls Every Rose 2 Piece Bikini Top and Bottom $42 She will be looking rad this 2012 swimwear season with the retro inspired Every Rose Triangle Top and Bikini Bottom by Hurley. The ruffle detailing and scrunch-back bottom adds a girly flair to this 2 piece swimsuit. This swimsuit is sold as a set. Color: Black. Content: 84% Polyester 16% Spandex. Made in California U.S.A. 

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