How to pick the perfect evening gown!

How To Find The Perfect Evening Gown

It's so hard to find the perfect evening gown, but here's a few tips on what to look for! First off, make sure that there are no regulations in your pageant system. (Some have different length requirements, no "leg slit" rules, etc.) Find a dress shape that complements your body. (It's usually best to avoid poofy ball gowns and Cinderella dresses for evening wear competition. A-Line and mermaid gowns are great examples on stage!)Your style and shape of gown should also fit your age division. For example; in the Miss division, ladies should exemplify poise and sophistication. Therefore, long sleeves and deep necklines may portray your maturity and age. While teens are eligible to go for strapless looks and more beadwork. Also, always choose a color that compliments your skin tone; teens should look for brighter colors while Miss contestants may look for bold colors. If you are getting tanned for your pageant, make sure it doesn't fade and think about its impact on your gown. White dresses are gorgeous on stage but make sure that you keep it clean! Have your dress tailored to make sure that you can walk in it. (Hint: Practice on stairs and runways, you never know what will be on stage!) Also, remember to bring safety pins to your pageant and use double-sided tape to make sure your dress stays up and compliments your body style.(Always wear nude/skintone underwear under your evening gown!)Finally, make sure your accessories and shoes match perfectly. A great place to purchase earrings is Crown Couture at gasparcruz.com!  Here are a few examples of gown ideas! 

Below left; Chrissy Reynoso, Miss United States Intercontinental 2013. She is wearing a cherry red, long sleeved dress with a deep neckline; a perfect example of a Miss contestant's gown! 

To the right, Bella Normand, Miss TEEN Scotland 2013 is wearing a fully beaded, pink gown with silver sequenced straps. The dress shape, straps, and color all fit the teen category!

Hope this helps you find the perfect evening gown! Remember all of the details and if you don't love it when you try it on, you won't love it on stage! Feel confident and beautiful in your dress and show it on stage! Good luck ladies! <3

XOXO,

TTT (NC)

Appearances Ideas

Appearance #10 for IL!!

I have been working SO hard this summer trying to make as many appearances as possible before leaving for college! I knew that when I won my title I wanted to spread as much cheer and happiness to others as possible with the short amount of time I had left at home, and I made it my mission to do so! 10 appearances in a matter of a month is a pretty big accomplishment, so I wanted to share some of my experiences and hopefully give some ideas to you pageant girls for future appearances! Here are some of my personal favs that I've done in the past month! Enjoy :)

The 4th of July parade in my town was SO much fun! I even got to ride in a vintage convertible which was awesome! It was so humbling hearing all of the kids on the parade route gasping at how a princess had just waved to them. This was definitely an experience that I will remember for the rest of my life.

Another great opportunity that I received was reading to 90 kids at the park district! We talked about 'filling each others buckets' and read some Dr. Seuss books! They were all so sweet and eager to ask me questions! We even got to take silly pictures at the end :) so fun!

One of my favorite appearances thus far was with a local police officer talking to children about DARE and how to prevent bullying! I even got a turn to ride in the squad car and turn the lights and sirens on - I'm so happy that I wasn't hearing or seeing those in my rear view mirror haha :)

The most humbling experience that I have had was meeting this little girl, Julia. It made my day seeing her smile and laugh with us. It truly made me grateful that I am lucky enough to be in good health, and made me realize that doing something as simple as visiting an ill child can make their day go from bad to good. She taught me so many things, and I can't wait to see her again! Get well soon Julia :)

This appearance was one of the best! It was my last appearance before heading of to college, so I aimed to make it the best yet! We had a dance party and talent show with these kiddos - they had me breakin a sweat! It was awesome to see what incredible talents these little kids have!

I can't wait to see what is in store in the winter for my next appearances! I have had so much fun in the last month, and am extremely eager to see what these next 11 months bring!

XOXO TTT 

(IL)

Happy Birthday, Miss T.E.E.N. Illinois!

Happy Birthday, Miss T.E.E.N. Illinois!

Your favorite Tiara Teen Nikki is EIGHTEEN! 

WE LOVE OUR NIKKI and hope she had the best birthday ever!

Wish her happy birthday in the comments below :-)

Love you, roomie. ♡

Pageant Favorites: Miss Illinois Teen USA, Grayson Hodgkiss

Pageant Favorites: Miss Illinois Teen USA, Grayson Hodgkiss

There are very few people I love more in my life than Grayson Hodgkiss. She has been one of my best friends since the day we met! We were actually roommates at the Miss Illinois Teen USA pageant in December, and let me tell you - we were a blast! She is the most sincere and genuine girl that you will ever encounter, and I am so lucky to know her! Get to know more about Grayson by checking out her Pageant Favorites!!

Favorite pageant snack: Special K protein bar - double chocolate ;)

Favorite former Miss USA: Alyssa Campanella

Favorite former Miss Teen USA: Danielle Doty

Favorite former Miss Universe: I love the current Miss Universe, Olivia Culpo, but I also love Ximena Navarrete!

Favorite pageant system: USA :D

Favorite pageant designer: I like a lot of them but Ritzee designed my nationals dress this year and I LOVE IT!

Favorite charity: Best Buddies, Special Olympics, and St. Jude's

Favorite Quotes: "Don't worry, God has a plan way bigger than anything you could ever plan for yourself :)" (my family came up with this quote)

Favorite pageant workout/diet: A workout class called boot camp! The class is devoted to helping sculpt and tone your body! Oh and Brazil Butt Lift video ;) hehe as far as diet goes, a lot of protein, no bread, fruits and veggies, greek yogurt, and a handful of dark chocolate chips for my sweet tooth :)

Favorite Starbucks drink: Non-fat chai tea latte with half pump!

Advice for pageant girls: The best advice I could give you is to be yourself! Always put your best foot forward! Being prepared helps you feel more confident... to a point where you can do things in your sleep and it just becomes second nature! Remember to have fun and trust the plan for your life :)

Wish Grayson luck as she competes for Miss Teen USA in August! Go Illinois :)

xoxo TTT (IL)

Pageant Favorites: Miss Jr. T.E.E.N. United States 2011, Rylie Spicker

Pageant Favorites:

Miss Jr. T.E.E.N. United States 2011, Rylie Spicker

Rylie is a super precious little girl with a massive heart and future to match... not to mention she's Tiara Teen Abby's favorite person on the planet. Get to know Rylie by checking out her Pageant Favorites!

Favorite pageant snack: Cookie dough protein bars!

Favorite former Miss America: Katie Stam 2009

Favorite former Miss Teen USA: Hilary Cruz

Favorite former Miss Intercontinental: Jessica Hartman :)

Favorite system: Gaspar's! :) Jr. T.E.E.N., Miss T.E.E.N. United States & Miss T.E.E.N. 

Favorite pageant designer: Gaspar Cruz 

Favorite charity: Animal Refuge Center (ARC) It's a no kill animal shelter. 

Favorite quote: "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, just felt within the heart." -Helen Keller

Favorite pageant diet/workout: I love to run!

Favorite Starbucks drink: I like caramel frappes.

Advice for pageant girls: To believe in yourself and to always be a role model. It's a great experience to make new friends so be nice to everyone! Rylie

xoxo TTT

How To: Get Ready for Rehearsals

How To:

Get Ready for Rehearsals!

Rehearsals make up a large portion of pageant week! Prelims and the final show would not be near as perfect as they are without the hours of rehearsals that are put in. What I have noticed is that there is always the debate of what one should wear to rehearsals. There are some girls that get super dressed up, some girls that wear sweats, and some girls that are in between. Most rehearsals are casual. Although a cocktail dress may look adorable on, it is not necessary for hours of rehearsals. Plus, I am sure it is not the most comfortable thing to wear. On the opposite side of the spectrum, baggy sweats and t-shirts should most likely be avoided. Rehearsals are when you give a first impression to the staff, and possibly even the judges, so make it count! You can make comfortable look cute! Sundresses, jeans and a cute top, the possibilities are endless! But always make sure to bring the shoes that you are planning to wear on stage to rehearsals, you'll be happy that you practiced in them later ;)

IL & NJ having a blast at rehearsals

roomie love <3

xoxo TTT

A Day in the Life!

A Day in the Life!

Look who The Tiara Teens got to meet at their national pageant! The reigning Miss Teen USA, Logan West! Isn't she gorgeous?! She was super sweet & gave great advice to us all before our big day. We love Logan!

xoxo TTT