A Week of Glamour Belles

Last Sunday evening, I found the most entertaining new television show on Lifetime- Glamour Belles.  As a young southern girl I enjoyed being in pageants so the situations in this show seem so familiar.  If you haven't ever been in one and gotten something out of it besides winning you might not understand.  I found pageants to be a great way to develop stage presence as well as interview skills.  These skills help me in my career today and I will never regret performing on the stage.  People can say what they want, but most of those young ladies in pageants really enjoy it.  This show highlights a dress shop in Union City Tennessee.  The owner dresses many pageant contestants as they work towards their crowns.  I think it comes on Wednesday nights at 10 pm (eastern)so check it out.

This week as I anticipated my little glamour belle's first dance competition, I made the all important trip to Sally's Beauty Supply to stock up on the necessities- spray tan, false eyelashes, black eyeliner, bronzer, red lipstick and blue eyeshadow.  My daughter was so excited about her tan (not really noticable), even though you couldn't really see it. The garage is a great spray tanning booth just in case you ever need one.  I was told by our instructor to buy spray glitter for her hair and skin, but I could not find this product.  When I went into Walgreens to inquire the person I asked was as lost as I was.  We ended up getting some from our teacher, but we will be more prepared next time.  I borrowed a curling iron since I haven't used one since high school.  I know you can't believe people go to all this trouble for pageants and dance competitions, but it is helpful to the overall look in costume.

We loaded up on Sunday to head to the competition.  Once we arrived (several hours early) our sweetie wanted to get dressed right away as she was extremely focused.  Hubby and I convinced her to watch some of the other performers, but she wasn't very patient as she was ready to get dressed.  We headed up stairs to paint her face, tease the hair and apply false eyelashes.  After hearing horror stories from a few of the mamas about how their daughters reacted to these luscious lashes, I wasn't very excited.  I must say my sweetie is a pro.  We applied them without a problem.  Her quote "Mama, this is not bad at all".  I must agree- so much easier than applying her mascara.  Once we arrived back in the auditorium she cheered on her classmates until the time came for she and her partners to perform.

These little glamour belles have practiced for months to become the sassiest "Supergirls" as they dance to Hannah Montana's Supergirl.  Let me just say- they rocked the stage on Saturday evening.  These little girls had attitude and it oozed from every bone of their body.  While many other acts were timid and did not come past half stage, these little glamour belles got right in the faces of the judges and shook their fingers and hips as they performed the steps they had been taught. 

During the awards ceremony we were excited to learn they had earned gold "excel" medals and the highest score for their division.  Since this was the first competiton for all of them we were overjoyed.  We headed home as soon as it was over.  This morning we prepared for an Easter Egg Hunt, but received a call a little after Noon with more good news.  Our little Supergirls won another award "Most Entertaing" for the entire competition (over 200 performances).  This morning the large group performances occurred and this award was given out during their ceremony.  WOW, What a weekend!  Little sweetie is already planning the song and dance for next year.  We are very proud of all of her hard work. 

At this point you might clump me in with all of those Toddlers and Tiaras' mothers- I'm not sure I fit the bill because I've only seen the show once.  I am a proud mom.  As a parent you wouldn't give a child taking violin lessons a piece of junk violin.  You would arm him with something that would make beautiful music.  I did the same with all of the glam supplies- I armed my sweetie with the best look possible- so judge if you must.   If my sweetie ever seems disinterested we will seek another outlet, but for now she is hooked.  Just as many parents encourage sports, music or other lessons, we will continue to support her love of dance.  As for all of the glamour that goes into getting the perfect look for the competition, I think it really impacts their stage prescence.  I saw many girls that could have used more make-up, a tan and some lashes- not to mention- someone hasn't told them not to wear underwear under those outfits.  It looks awful for your panties to hang out.  If you are going to hit the stage you must play the part and play it well.  What about the glitter?- even hubby said he understands why they need it now- it really does help them simmer under the lights.  No pageants in our future, but dance, dance, dance!

While all of this was going on Sonny Boy got to see a little spring football with his grandparents.  Go Dawgs-we would have been there, but we can't be two places at one time!!!  He would have been bored out of his mind at the dance competition, but he was so sweet to email me during the event to find out how his "Sissy" did on stage.  He is gearing up for baseball season.  Can't wait to take my lawn chair out to  the ball park and watch my boy.

After an eventful day and a half we enjoyed the annual Easter Egg Hunt at a friend's farm.