Hello August!

Dear friends,

The last couple of weeks have been a blast and quite eventful, so get ready!

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First, I visited Lasting Impressions in Columbus, GA to pick up a few additions to my appearance wardrobe. I have always loved working with Keith, Miss Joy, and Mr./Mrs. Scott at the shop; this has just been more than I could have ever imagined. Cathy has been altering a few dresses at a time, so I add a few more to my wardrobe whenever I'm in town. It feels like Christmas! I have never before said to a man, "Oh, I'll just wear this gown for both of those appearances." and have his response be, "No, no, there's no need to wear the same dress twice!" I officially want to be Miss GA forever. **Thank you a million times, Keith, Joy, Cathy, and Mark for making me look and feel fantastic! You are THE BEST!

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On Thursday, I met Julio of Julio Cesar's Salon and Spa in Atlanta. We discussed some ideas for my hair, and now I have an excellent stylist nearby who can help me style my hair for appearances! He has already done my highlights and lowlights, and I love his work! **Thank you so much, Julio!!

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The next day, my Miss Southern Heartland Director, Stacy Wagner, took me with her to visit our dear friend and hair stylist, Rodney Hullender (Splash Salon in Chattanooga, TN). The appointment was made for her, but she was SO kind to let Rodney work miracles with my hair that afternoon. My hair has never been so full and thick in my life! **Rodney and Stacy, you are beyond amazing to me, and I'm so blessed to call you my friends.

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Sunday was a very special day, as I got to design my Miss America "Dream Dress." I visited Keith at Lasting Impressions; and between myself, Snooky, Alta, Shana, Greg, Galen, and Joy-- we put my vision to paper. I CAN'T WAIT to see how it turns out! **Thanks again to Keith and the Miss GA crew for spending the day with me and sharing your creative ideas!

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Tuesday, I visited Dale Carnegie of Atlanta, Georgia about the scholarship they have awarded me. I am absolultely thrilled to be participating in their program, and I had so much fun getting to know some of the crew! **Thank you so much Don David and Wendy Johnson! This experience will be life-changing!

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Wednesday, I met with Meredith Boyd to practice our makeup and hair ideas for my Miss Georgia photo shoot. Meredith prepared SO well, and she nailed the look I wanted to portray in my photos! Last night we did the shoot, and I am very excited to see how the pictures turned out! Of course it wouldn't have been the same without my personal stylists and entertainers of the evening, Greg and Galen. It's a good thing we were on the final look when I started tearing up from laughing so hard. **Thank you Matt and Meredith for a fabulous shoot and FUN experience! Also, thank you Miss Alice Surber and Kathryn Coffee for letting me borrow your beautiful Christmas props for my Miss GA Christmas Card pictures!
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Thursday, I had lunch at Marlow's Tavern (yum!) with Debra Day (Director of Development at Kennesaw State University's Bagwell College of Education). She was truly delightful and informative to me on recent developments at KSU where I will be pursuing my degree in Early Childhood Education. **Thank you, Debra, for a wonderful afternoon and delicious veggie burger! :)

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More exciting news...my ARTISTRY products came in! I am so excited to be using Artistry Skin Care. **Thank you so much, Susan McGary!
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Lastly, this past weekend I was invited to perform at the Miss Warner Robins Pageant. This was my first trip to Warner Robins, GA; and it was such a neat place! Therisa and Charles Patton accompanied me on this trip, and they are the sweetest couple ever. We had a delicious dinner with the judges, and the pageant was so much fun. I loved getting to know some of the contestants backstage and getting to know Marcy Waugh, director of the pageant. She was also very sweet to me, and her new queens are lucky to be working with her! Congratulations to the new Miss Warner Robins, Mandy Best! **Therisa and Charles Patton: Thank you so much for your kindness and hospitality! Marcy: Thank you for inviting me to be a part of your pageant! I had so much fun getting to know you, and I wish you a wonderful year!

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That's all for now, my friends!

Love always,

Christina

Miss GA 2010