We Aim To Slay

This week I’m in Maine with my mom as we both compete in the International and American Woman of Service pageant! Since deciding to compete again in February, I have been slowly but surely preparing to get back on the stage.

In order to keep my head in the game, I’ve pre-written this post, chronicling how I prepped physically, mentally, and sartorially to compete!

Physical Preparation

Not only does consistent exercise help you craft your ideal body, it helps with all sorts of everyday health – better sleep schedule, time management, training for all sorts of activities and for life in general, this list goes on and on! 

After two years of lounging about and getting adjusted to married life, I finally got back to the gym on New Year’s Eve and was going consistently for several months. But, as so often happens, I have fallen back off the gym wagon.

Currently, I am participating in the American Red Cross’s Swim 15 Miles in July challenge (you can learn more by clicking this link!)and it has been quite the butt-kicking workout! I’m supplementing my swimming with lots of cardio – be it a long run, or a hike with my puppy Dante – and yoga, in order to strengthen and lean my muscles as well as stretch and recuperate them.

Mental Preparation

Ever since I started competing at 11 years old, I’ve liked to keep myself organized by creating my pageant binder. This is where I keep everything from the pageant’s rule book and expectations, an account of payments made and funds raised, the hours of community service I’ve logged, and my notes and plans for my competition wardrobe!

Another great thing about having a physical copy of my thoughts and plans, is I can easily make a packing list! 

I also get my mind into the pageant headspace by listening to pageant-focused podcasts – such as the Pageant Planet Podcast and the Pageantry Magazine Podcast – and listening to the pageant-themed playlist I’ve made, featuring songs perfect for practicing your evening gown, modeling and swimwear walks!

Sartorial Preparation

In preparation for being on stage, I’ve been curl training my hair, so that it will lay properly with a side part, rather than my typical lazy styling of a center part – I’ve also updated the products I’ve been using, and I’ll be sharing those products and how I use them in an upcoming post!

I’m not going to share all of my competition wardrobe here – I’ll share that in next week’s recap post – but I will show the rehearsal and special event outfits I’m planning to wear! This pageant is unique in that many of the rehearsals have themes, and will require certain outfits!

Rehearsal and Event Outfits

During pageant week there will be several rehearsals, giving us the opportunity to practicing walking on the stage before competition begins. Several of the rehearsals have themes, so here’s what I’m wearing for those!

Platform Rehearsal – One of our rehearsals is dedicated to sharing our personal platforms. For most pageant contestants, a platform is the area of concern for you for focus your volunteer and fundraising efforts. For some, their platform is focused on one topic such as cancer research. For others, such as myself, our platforms tend to be more broad reaching; I’ve always considered this blog space to be the basis of my platform, as it allows me to share so much information with so many people!

As an avid beginner surfer, I will be wearing my SurfRiders Foundation shirt paired with white linen trousers and khaki colored espadrille wedges. The SurfRider Foundation was founded by surfers, working tirelessly to keep our beaches and coastlines clean and safe for all who want to enjoy them!

Pajama Rehearsal – Sticking on theme with ocean conservation, my mom bought me the cutest set of blue ocean themed pajamas! I’ve decided to add the jammie jacket from my Temu jammies, but I haven’t decided what shoes or slippers I’ll be wearing.

State Rehearsal – I was born and raised in Connecticut, and it is with great pride that I represent my home state as I compete for the national title! My mom ordered the most adorable t-shirts that feature Connecticut-specific graphics – such as our state flag and state flower, the Mountain Laurel! I’m pairing it with the black tutu skirt I recently purchased from Renee’s Resale Clothing Outlet!

Crown CARE Gala – When I first tried on this Huey Waltzer kimono-style dress at the CT Vintage Market Days, I instantly knew it would be perfect for the Crown CARES Gala! I recently wore it to judge a pageant, featured below, but I will be styling it with my hair up to best feature the neckline details. I’ll be pairing it with the most perfect pair of black strappy sandals that I got from TJ Maxx!

Circus Murder Mystery Party – This year, one of the parties is a Murder Under The Big Top party, a murder mystery game taking place at a circus! Each of us was assigned a character and I’ll be playing a roustabout; one of the circus workers responsible for cleaning up at the end of each performance and setting up in each new town. To achieve that classic 1950s working class look, I opted to wear my SheIn trousers, paired with a white linen button down and a white tank top, a pair of rhinestone booties that I got in Greece, and a maroon bandana that I got from Claire’s.

Last but certainly not least, I had to prep my nails to be stage ready! It’ll come as no surprise that I chose to give myself a DIY gel manicure and pedicure using my Le Mini Macaron gel set! Because I wanted my nails to be polished by inconspicuous, I opted for two thin layers of the builder gel, with a coat of the sheer pink shimmer shade “Sugar Crush”, and sealed it with the Gel Shine Top Coat.

What Do You Think?

I’ll be back next week to share my competition looks, all of the activities, and the results of the 2024 International and American Woman of Service Pageant! In the mean time, take a look at this profile written by Mike Chaiken (my former editor!) for CTFashionMag.Com, where my mom and I discuss why we wanted to compete in this system, and what we’re most looking forward to!

You can keep up with the competition by following my official pageantry social media accounts – Instagram (@MrsCTAWOS24) and Facebook Page (Mrs. Connecticut American Woman of Service 2024 – Taylor Adams).

Have a great rest of your week, and remember to SLAY!