Orlando Day 1: Regalia

Well, everyone. It’s done and a wrap. I FOUND MY DRESS FOR MISS AMERICA!!! Ms. Linda and I left my apartment in Brooklyn this morning at 3:00 am to head to Newark for our Jet Blue flight to Orlando. Our flight was quick and easy (mostly because I was asleep) and after we got our rental car, we were off.

We are staying at the Rosen Center with the rest of the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen audience, but our room wasn’t ready when we got here. What to do? IHOP, of course. Okay- usually that’s a never, but we were starved and that was about our only option. By the time we were finished, our room was ready and we were on the fast track to the pool. After about an hour of sunshine and pool time, my mom arrived!! She came to help me look for the perfect gown for my Miss America experience and…well I already told you.

Regalia, my official evening gown sponsor, sets up shop here at the Rosen Center each year at MAOT so that the Miss America contestants (and other girls) can shop for their gowns more conveniently. I met Carry and David at 3:00 for my appointment and we were on the move. The very first dress I was drawn to on the rack is exactly the one I chose….after trying on nearly twenty (if not more). Imagine that. Today’s adventure with Carry and Regalia was without a doubt the best dress shopping experience I have ever had. It was nice to be there, one on one, with Carry and focus solely on what I wanted for my Miss America evening gown. I couldn’t thank Carry enough for his honesty and undivided attention for the duration of my appointment. They truly are one of a kind.

In the midst of my appointment, Miss America, Laura Kaeppeler, stopped by the shop to see if she could find some gowns for the MAOT stage this week. It was a really incredible experience to be in the same room with her in such a casual way. She was so nice and really a joy to be around. I loved meeting her traveling companion, Mrs. Marcy. We had a few laughs about my new favorite show, Suits, and the scale at the Doctor’s office. Haha she really seemed like a lot of fun. I can imagine how spending a year on the road with her would be! No really…i’m seeing it now.

After deciding on my gown, Mom and I made our way to the mall for a quick bite to eat and some serious shopping. We browsed for a bit before stumbling upon Forever 21. I’m pretty sure I just completed my entire fall wardrobe in a two hour span. We tore that place apart, but came out with some awesome finds! I feel more prepared for my next couple of months as Miss New York now. Yay!

And now…we’re off to bed. I’m looking forward to going to the Trade Show in the morning before finding my way back to the pool.

I’ll keep you updated. Nighty night!

xoxo

Mal