I know it's been a while but just been a busy bee and wanted to put a lot of effort into this blog so it reflects how good my first pageant experience was and how it pushed me to do things out side my limits and how it can pay off in your favour .
Ashleigh was the director of the pageant she is so young and inspiring her fashion is to die for and really put her heart into making this competition one to remember , she motivated us in ways she doesn't even know and I can't wait to see what she does next .
So after sharing my weight loss story http://glamandglitzybitz.blogspot.ie/2017/07/my-weight-loss-journey.html , I wanted to push myself and learn to love my body , as some days I look in the mirror and still see my body the way it was 8 and a half stone ago .
On the 15 of September I ventured to Connolly station to board a train to Derry to compete in the "The Miss Intercontinental Ireland " competition , the butterflies in my belly were unreal and as I sat there I contemplated just getting up and going home as I was out o my dept , but as the support came flooding in I got on the train and just told myself , "I can do this " .
As I travelled towards Derry through the beautiful county of Ireland I was practising my smiles and my answers to questions like a mad woman talking to myself , but it calmed my nerves so after three hours I got off at Belfast Central and waited to get the train to Derry , at this point standing there on my own I felt so scared and still thought about turning around going home , but I spoke to my Mam and as all mammies do she picked up my spirits and told me to soldier on and she's there with me .
So I reached my Hotel in Derry , I stayed in the Travelodge the staff and room were fabulous ,it had a nice and cozy feel which put me at ease .I gathered my thoughts on Friday and sorted my outfits out for the weekend and went to sleep not knowing what the nest day had in store .
Saturday arrived, I got up put my gym gear on and headed to Corinthian Ballroom at the city hotel for orientation where the nerves were bubbling in my stomach , as I entered the room I was greeted by smiles from a lovely group of ladies who were feeling the same .
We gathered with Russell who was going to put us through our paces with circuit training by god I thought I was fit but after a session with Russell I felt muscles I never knew I had after a two hour work out we all bonded and it was lovely to see a young group of ladies encourage each other as we got down to the wire with our planks and kettle bells , Pageant girls don't get enough credit there work outs are HARD , t he Gorgeous Emer won "beauty boot camp"
later that evening we all got dressed up and had a lovely time at afternoon Tea where we had cakes, scones and tea to beat the band , we also did the fun catwalk were Alexandra won "Bubbly Beauty" for her sassy catwalk she was amazing .
Each of us had an interview later that day , my heart was in my mouth normally I'm grand with talking but when people ask you to describe yourself it can be very hard especially when you've only learnt to love your self so I entered the room To be greeted by Ashleigh Coyle the director of the competition , Michelle the sponsor and owner of She's fabulous Boutique and George Hutton PT and an Irish Tenor , so as I got asked tell us about yourself I explained to the panel why I was there to encourage people to push there boundaries and show them selves they don't have to settle and that you don;t have to fit in a particular little box to be a Pageant girl , I told them of how I started my own business and am just aiming to better myself which I feel they all could understand , I walked out of that interview with a new appreciation for myself knowing I am good enough .
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| This was my Interview outfit |
SOOOOO the day was here the Grand Final of " Miss Intercontinental Ireland " we showed up for rehearsals and Ashleigh coached us through the day and how it would unfold,
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| my natural shot |
Only for Sarah Carr I potentially would have pulled out at this stage she sat with me calmed me down , and told me I'm here for a reason she watched my walk and we both had melt downs and laughs as we went on , so Sarah to you I give a special thank you as you really opened my eyes and showed that genuine people are still out there .
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| Sarah Carr a true beauty |
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| Fab even with no make- up |
Lights , Camera Action so were ready for the first walk the " little black dress number " all we had to do was walk out on stage and introduce ourselves sounds easy but your heart is pounding so fast you don't even remember what you said , got that one down the crowd were phenomenal and absolutely got behind me which gave me the pip in my step I needed
But in the back of my mind I knew it was coming the DREADED swimsuit round as I popped it on and tied my sarong I was going back and fourth with the idea of do I take it off or leave it on , I thought I will never get this moment again so as I graced that catwalk a wave of emotion came over me and I wiped that thing of and the crowed went wild in my head I was thinking " Oh god my wobbly bits are on display " but guess what no one noticed
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| This photo still makes me cringe but I look at it and remember how I felt |
so last but not least came Evening wear , Debbi 's dress was outstanding Along with Arlene who is just a beautiful lady and that gown she had on won her" best dressed evening wear" well deserved .
so this round is a it more relaxed I kept practising the tear drop in my head( it's a shape you walk in) I glided down the catwalk to little Mix Acoustic version of Touch and again felt like I could do anything .
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| My dress is from Quiz |
The whole night went in to quick if you ask me , but as the judges deliberated we were could back out for top 15 at this point I has rang home and said expect me home earlier I'm gone out now but to my surprise my name was called for top 15 so I was happy I didn't even expect to place some of the girls like Nadia and Jasmine gorgeous ladies full of class and handy tips were standing there right beside , so I was over the moon to even be considered on par with them , so again we went away only to be called back for top 9 and yet again low and behold my name was called at this point in utter shock I was thinking how did I even manage to get this far never having done a pageant in my life I just thought Sarah keep going .
So it got down to the nitty - gritty and we all had to answer a question Joelle spoke so lovely of her mother making us all emotional while Dearbhla wowed us all with her exceptional answer , so Ashleigh asked me How would I try and change the Stigma attached to pageants ? , for a second I panicked and then I just said I am the prime example as after never competing before here I am in the top 9 with beauty queens and that as long as you have a message and a positive vibe I feel people will follow, so crossing everything I had hoped I had done my best so as we walked away a small part of me was in utter shock that little Aul me had come this far .
We all sat there with what felt like FOREVER till Hannah came in and said there ready , us 9 hugged and wish each other luck , we war all so proud .
one by one each name and title was called then Gerry says 2nd Runner up Miss intercontinental Ireland SARAH KENNY , my mind was blown the cheers I had a million emotions run through me as I greeted Ashleigh in pure shock to get my sash , I felt such validation in that moment that we can be different and stand out and people will notice for the right reasons .
So we all went through and came out the other side and I am so ECSTATIC I didn't get of the train that day because I had myself defeated before I even got there so morale of the story always believe in yourself as cheesy as it sounds some days you only have YOU .
Too Asheigh and Hannah Thank you for picking me to be apart of this great emotional journey it truly was life changing and has memories I will never forget , and too all the lovely ladies Alexandra , Arlene ,Cara , Ciara , Deabhla , Debi , Emer , Jasmin Y , Jasmine O ,Jessica , Jodie , Joelle , Lauren , Lisa , Lorna , Nadia , Sabina , Sarah , Shannan and Zara A big huge Hug and a massive thank you for making the whole weekend so comfortable and funny from start to finish but girlie's we need a reunion soon .
So guys I'll love you and leave this blog post here any questions send them on and as usual you can add me on
Photography courtsey: Michael Bradley
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Mwah have a lovely week
