Feb 10th-Feb 15th - NYC & Miss USA Headshot Photo Shoot!

On Monday I was supposed to have a casting for First Niagara Bank but I had to head out of town for a modeling job. Michael Evans from Miss New York USA set me up with Click Models Pennsylvania so that I could continue to do some modeling while being a titleholder. I found out that I had a direct booking for Boscov's so I left Rochester on a bus and went back to New York City.

My good friend Dennise let me stay at her apartment again and the next morning I took a bus to Reading, Pennsylvania for the photo shoot. 

The whole team was so nice and I had a great day working with them! After, I took a bus back to the city and decided to stay there since my Miss USA headshot photo shoot was scheduled for that weekend. The next couple of days I hung out at the apartment and worked on filling out my Miss USA profile where I had to write a lengthy paragraph for each question and there were over fifty questions. The pets at the apartment kept me company while I worked!

  

Meanwhile Mike was in Las Vegas because he is friends with Daughtry and they were performing at the Cosmopolitan. I wanted to be there and I also wished that we could be together because Friday was Valentine's Day! Mike went to dinner with Daughtry at STK and they brought a diamond knife to their table for them to take a picture with. Then Mike and some friends went to the show and had a great time. 

Mike's cousin David and his wife Casta knew that I was alone in the city and they were so sweet to invite me over to have dinner with them. The food was delicious and we had fun catching up!

Even though I couldn't be with Mike on Valentine's Day we constantly celebrate our love and I don't take a single day for granted. I love you so much Mike! <3

The next morning I had my photo shoot with Fadil Berisha to get my Miss USA headshot! My teen, Corrin, and I went in together and we had a fun team with the wardrobe stylist Blair Berisha, the hairstylist Erol Karadag, and the makeup artist Yuko Takahashi. I had followed Yuko's work in the past so it was fun working together!

Fadil took some pictures of me by myself and some with Corrin. Miss Tennessee USA, Kristy Landers Niedenfuer, was also there shooting so we did an extra look together which was cool. 

Corrin and I had a great time and we were excited to see how the pictures came out! The shoot was near Gramercy Park Hotel where I used to work at Maialino so I asked Corrin and her parents if they wanted to go there to eat after we were done. It was busy there for brunch on the weekend but the maitre d' Roger was so kind to accommodate us. Some of the managers and staff I knew from when I worked there too and they were so sweet telling me of their support of my journey. We had an incredibly delicious brunch. I had been craving the ricotta pancakes! 

Afterwards they dropped me off at Dennise's on their way out of the city and I packed to get ready to go to Connecticut the next day!

Feb 3rd-Feb 9th - New York Fashion Week!

On Monday I woke up at my good friend Dennise's house and headed to dentist Dr. Connelly's office to talk about making my teeth Miss USA ready. I took the train to Central Park and walked to his office in the beautiful snow.

He was not there but another Doctor that works with him met with me and took molds of my teeth to get the process started. Afterwards I hung out with Dennise and her kitty Puma and we got ready to go to a charity event. We met up with my friend Rosalie who I know from when we were in Miss New York Teen USA together! We all went to Bottomz Up bar and grill to support the Meriwether Foundation which was created by former Miss USA Nana Meriwether's family. 

We had The Bachelor playing on the televisions while we all talked. Then a writer for a food and beverage blog was there and asked me to do an on-camera interview which was fun. Lastly Nana had a raffle for different items like jewelry. I had a great time with everyone and was glad that I could make the trip to the city!

I stayed with Dennise again that night and then I went to the bus stop to go home to Rochester, New York.

When I got home I had a package in the mail from my pageant director when I was Miss New York Teen USA in 2006! Thank you Kim, that was very sweet!

The next day I went shopping for clothes for appearances and for Miss USA. Thursday I had a meeting at Scott Miller and then got my nails done there to go to Fashion Week that weekend. Afterwards I stopped by my alma mater to pick up the newspaper that I did an interview for. They did a great job with the article and I was honored to be on the front page.

On Friday I went to Scott Miller to get my hair blow-dried and hair extensions put in and then Saturday my bestie Sarah and I went to New York City for Fashion Week, thanks to the Meriwether Foundation! I felt bad that I would not be able to see my best friend Liz on her birthday but she understood and I told her that we would celebrate another day. Scott Miller was so helpful by doing my makeup that morning because I love how they do it! 

We drove to the city and got dressed at Dennise's house and I wished that she could come with us but we only had two tickets. We took a taxi to the Lincoln Center and it was beautiful. We were outside taking some photos when a photographer from Reuters saw me wearing my banner and asked to take my photo. It was exciting when later I saw his photo posted in several countries.

Photographer: Andrew Kelly

Then some representatives from WWD were outside with Google glasses on which were really cool and they recorded me shouting out to Women's Wear Daily. When we went inside we saw the Mercedes display and then we got to do the E! GlamCam 360 and it was really fun. 

Then we went to the press room to meet up with stylist Nathan Hesel who Nana Meriwether put me in touch with. Him and his friends were really nice and the press took some pictures before we headed into the Venexiana show. 

Photographer: Mike Coppola

We sat in the front row and each of the gowns were beautiful! 

After the show I did an on-camera interview on the runway with the Fashion Institute of Technology. Then we left the venue and it was freezing outside so Sarah and I hopped in a cab and went back to Dennise's place. Our trip was short but sweet! On Sunday we headed back to Rochester so that Sarah could go to work the next day and I made it back for a dinner at Mike's house that night. His family surprised our friend Alexandra with a cake to celebrate her birthday. We all had a great time and then I got ready to go back to the city!

Feb 1st-Feb 2nd - Designing My Miss USA Gown!

Saturday was my Dad's birthday! I really wanted to be home to see him but my flight a few days prior was canceled and I had to go to Atlanta that weekend to pick out my Miss USA gown. He understood and didn't care about celebrating his birthday but I care and I love you Dad!

I flew from LAX to ATL and headed to the hotel that my coach Michelle Holmes was staying in.

When I got there we walked over to where the Atlanta Apparel Mart where we would be looking at gowns the next day. We quickly peeked through the Sherri Hill dresses off to the side while Miss New Jersey USA was in her appointment to pick out her gown. Then Michelle, her sister Nicole, and I went to eat dinner together. We talked about pageant information while enjoying the view of Atlanta from the top of a rotating restaurant!  

The next day I met Lexi Atkins, Miss Illinois USA, who was going to be looking for her gown with Michelle after I left. She rested in the room while Michelle and I went over to the apparel market to look at jewelry and meet with Mac Duggal. When we got to the showroom I met Emily Shah, Miss New Jersey USA. We both tried on gowns in separate parts of the showroom and I found two that I liked certain things about each. 

 

I liked the mermaid type bottom on both dresses. I thought that the peplum waist was interesting and I liked the idea of a brighter green but I also liked the silhouette of the other gown especially when I let the shoulder straps drape down on my arms. I walked in the gowns on the runway in the showroom and Mac Duggal was there. He was very nice and it was a pleasure meeting him.

Then we went to Jovani and I tried on several beautiful dresses and found one that I was thinking about as an interview dress for Miss USA. We liked the color and shape but would have to get it altered to above the knee.

Then it was time to meet with Sherri Hill! We went to the showroom and picked out several gowns to try on. They were all beautiful but I liked certain things about different dresses. Michelle picked out a very interesting color dress that I had not thought of trying on but when I did everyone there was saying how the color was amazing because it made my eyes stand out and looked great with my dark hair. I really loved the color and how it was unique. Then I got to meet Sherri Hill and she was amazing! 

I told her my favorite parts of a couple of her dresses and right there in front of me she started sketching a custom dress for me! I was very impressed and absolutely loved the sketch of the gown! 

They took my measurements and I was so excited for this dream dress! Sherri Hill said that she liked my look and took a photo of me to send to photographer Fadil Berisha. I had a great time at the market in Atlanta and it was huge!

Then it was time to fly to New York City for a meeting and an appearance!

Jan 25th-Jan 31st - Visiting Los Angeles for Mike's Birthday!

On Saturday I flew to Los Angeles to see Mike and his parents who were visiting him!

They had been looking at apartments for Mike and the next day I went with them to a couple of places that they had narrowed down to. Later we went to Spoon by H which is my favorite restaurant and I have become very close to the owners. Mike and his family, his cousin Sylvie and my friends Lindsay, Autumn, and Mikayla came to celebrate me becoming Miss New York USA!

We had a great time and it meant so much to me to get together at my favorite place! Afterwards Mike's family and I went shopping at American Rag and then went to dinner at Red O which has gourmet Mexican dishes. 

The next day we ate at the Andaz where we were staying and I loved the pasta! Then I headed back to the hotel room because I was expecting a call from the Miss Universe Organization. They called for a Road to the Crown interview where they asked me a lot of different information about myself.

That night we had a nice dinner at Osteria Mozza which was our first time there.

Back at the hotel I did some research for appearances that I wanted to make as Miss New York USA and things that would help me towards Miss USA. The next day Mike's family and I went to stores to look for furniture that would go in his apartment that he was pretty sure he was going to get because we all absolutely loved the building and the apartment. During the day I stopped into FORD to see my former bookers and show them the crown and banner! They were happy for me and understood that I wanted to put my modeling career on hold while I did everything that I could with my title. That evening we had dinner at the Andaz and we had an early birthday celebration for Mike since it was past midnight New York time!

The next day was Mike's birthday and it was exciting because he signed a lease for an incredible apartment in Hollywood!

We brought in some little things that we bought and then we went to Beverly Hills for lunch at South Beverly Grill that we love! After shopping around there we went to West Hollywood to pick out a matress and since we were the only ones in the store Mike had fun testing the beds out haha

Mike always keeps me laughing :) Later we all got ready for dinner and celebrated the birthday boy at Katana on Sunset Boulevard. We love the ambiance and the food there so we had a great time! Since Mike loved the dessert at the Andaz the night before we decided to go back and we went all out trying almost everything! We had such a nice time celebrating together!

HaPpPy Birthday Mike! I am so happy that you had an amazing birthday, you deserve all of the best! I am beyond blessed to have you in my life. <3

The next morning we all went to breakfast at the hotel and then they took me to the airport so that I could go home before I had to go to Atlanta to pick out my Miss USA gown! While I was waiting at the airport I found out that my flight was canceled! I had trouble finding another flight back home that day and I only had one day before I was going to Atlanta so I changed my plans and made a flight from Los Angeles to Atlanta. While I waited at the airport for Mike and his parents to pick me back up I worked on things I needed to get done for the pageant. Later for dinner we went to Spoon by H and ate a ton of amazing food.

The next morning I worked out in the hotel gym and then Mike and his Dad went to test drive cars while Mike's Mom and I went to the Beverly Center. I was excited that I found a dress that I could wear in Atlanta since I wasn't going home anymore and I also bought a beautiful full-length dress to save for an event at Miss USA. Then we went back home and we were surprised when the guys showed up with a new car! Mike made a great choice and I was happy for him! Then we finished setting some things up in the apartment and all went to Cafe Med for dinner. While we were eating a man with long hair walked in and sure enough it was Fabio haha We were still celebrating Mike's birthday and that he got an apartment and car. Also, it was my last night in LA so of course we got dessert!

I had such an amazing trip but it was time to pack to go to Atlanta!