April showers brings... LOTS of opportunities :-)

Good afternoon! My goodness we are less than 2 months away from Miss Iowa, EEEEEK! I am so excited!!  So much has happened since New York not only in Muscatine, but also across the State!  The first weekend in April I was in a fundraising event for Child Serve called the Bubble Ball.  It took place in Des Moines, and was a WONDERFUL experience! I met so many kind people and got to strut my stuff on the runway.  I was a lion’s tamer... in heels.  It was certainly an event to be at! Not only was it entertaining, but it was for such a beautiful cause.  I was fortunate enough to meet a family that was directly effected and benefits from Child Serve.  This is what makes my job so wonderful.  The following week I had my official Miss Muscatine photo shoot.  Ben Shirk Photography is amazing.  He was such a joy to work with!  We attempted to get a few shots of me on a piano, however I happen to be afraid of heights... yes, I am aware that pianos are not very high off the ground, but I was still terrified! We eventually made our way back down to the ground. AMEN! The thing I loved most about Ben was that he was willing to be creative and take chances with my photos.  My favorite photo is of me praying... in my Miss Iowa gown! Absolutely stunning. THANK YOU BEN!!! Pictures to come :-) This week I made my way to Pella to speak to their Rotary Club concerning eating disorders.  They were all very kind and welcoming!  This was my first time speaking to an audience that was not filled with students or those openly struggling with an eating disorder.  What an extraordinary gift that I was able to have an opportunity to bring awareness to this community.  Not only was I able to share my platform, Indulging in Hope, I was also able to inform them of the Miss America Organization and what it stands for.  I explained to them the four points of the crown and that we are the largest provider of scholarships to young women in the world.  I had many of the members come talk to me after asking me questions and thanking me for sharing my inspiring story.  Knowing I was able to share God’s hope and light is an indescribable feeling.  Did I mention I love my job?  To top off my week, I then had a fundraiser at Francesca Vitale’s in Muscatine where I raised $250 for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals! It was quite a sight to see me cooking in the kitchen and delivering a tray full of water glasses! I can’t believe I didn’t drop anything!!! I am so grateful for Francesca, Sam, and all of their wonderful staff who made it possible.  Also, for all those who came out to support me and the cause.  I am truly blessed.  Next week I speak at schools in Des Moines AND Muscatine.  Let’s not forget about Miss Iowa Orientation next weekend! Woohoo! More to come... Happy Thursday everyone! 
Blessings,
Isabella

Happy Spring!

Happy Sunday!!

I apologize for it being so lengthy since my last post, it has been a very busy month!  Not only did I find the gown of my dreams for Miss Iowa, but I also spoke at the National Eating Disorder Awareness Day event in Des Moines on March 2nd.  What a wonderful and inspiring event.  Each time I am able to tell my story of recovery, I feel myself accomplishing the plan God has for me.  Although experiencing an eating disorder was a life threatening and devastating time in my life, I would not change it for anything.  Each day I see myself grow into the special creation God has intended for me to be and I find myself helping others discover the same amazing light that sometimes is not so easy to see.  My favorite part of speaking is being able to connect with others.  Answering questions and letting them know my personal story and feelings so they can grasp that it doesn’t always have to define you nor be a downward spiral.  I think that is what made Eating Disorder Awareness Day so inspiring.  There is one young girl I was able to help that I still remain in contact with.  She had a story very similar to mine.  Being able to guide her through the first steps of admitting and accepting her eating disorder was life changing.  I could see myself in her.  She wants to fight and wants to recover.  My heart goes out to her and all the hard work she is doing to fight this deadly illness.  At the end of the day we all gathered in a circle and released balloons in memory of those who have not survived, in celebration of those recovered and in thought of those currently struggling.  What an impact that had while watching hundreds of balloons be guided by the wind in many different directions, yet all with one destination in mind... up.  My grandma always says “Chin up Izzy, chin up.”  I take that everywhere I go.  Leading up to March 2nd, I was able to spread more awareness and hope by being on News Channel 8’s morning show and also on Star 102.5 radio.  I then was able to tape a 30 second PSA that airs on the Muscatine Radio.  Having the opportunity to spread God’s love, light and hope is surreal.  I also had the pleasure of going to the Muscatine Book Fair at McKinley Elementary, a National Blue Ribbon School, where I was able to donate a children’s book by Tana Goertz titled “I’m Bigger Than This”.  Truly a touching and encouraging book!  I met the principal and signed many binders, hands, arms, books and more! Children are a true blessing to this world.  As I mentioned before, I did find the gown of the my dreams... Happy Birthday to me! (I celebrated my 24 birthday the day before I found my dress). It was not what I expected to feel like an absolute rockstar in, but the minute I put it on there was no question about if it was the right one or not.  I would sleep in it if I could! I also was able to buy all of my wardrobe for Miss Iowa week! As much as I love to shop, I am glad that is out of the way.  Now I can keep focusing on my platform and training for my talent.  Watching my dance evolve has been so exciting! I can see myself getting stronger and definitely can feel it! Doing one handed push ups is a liberating feeling.  My brother is a marathon runner and I think I might be able to keep up with him in the gym! Last week I was on B100 Radio with Red Hot and Tucker which was an absolute blast.  Not only are they funny and entertaining, they are also very humble.  That weekend I then attended a JDRF Charity Event for a little girl named Ellie.  She has type one diabetes and is probably one of the strongest little girls I know.  Her smile lights up an entire room.  I presented her with her very own sash, crown and “I’m Bigger Than This” book.  It was themed around Zumba and we danced the afternoon away!  Congratulations Ellie on being such a humble and strong girl.  You are a gift from heaven.  This next weekend I fly to New York to work with a coach on walking! Being new to pageantry, I am not afraid to say I do need a little help in the walking department.  Hopefully we will be able to get down to Atlantic City so I can see the official home of The Miss America Organization!  An absolute dream come true would be competing there for Miss America in September.  Fingers Crossed!!! I don’t know about you all, but I am ready for summer!! Enough with the snow. Happy Spring! 

Blessings,

Isabella

Happy Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday!

I am so excited about everything happening in preparation for Miss Iowa!  Not only have I had the honor of watching Miss Greater Des Moines be crowned, I have also had the opportunity to reach nearly 60 students from Waukee High School concerning eating disorders.  Indulging In Hope is making it’s way across Des Moines, and I look forward to speaking in Muscatine soon!  This last weekend I was on KCCI Channel 8’s morning show discussing Indulging In Hope and promoting National Eating Disorder Awareness Day on March 2nd.  Saturday, March 2nd I will be speaking at the event three times throughout the day.  I am so excited to spread God’s love, light and HOPE! What a blessing.  I will also be on the radio Friday, March 1st on station Star 102.5 and also on Vintage Radio on February 26th which is a Tuesday.  Aside from all these wonderful experiences, I have also been training for my talent!  I will be doing a musical show piece which is officially choreographed.  Now it is time to build some endurance :-) Another thing I am looking forward to in the next couple of weeks is finding the gown of my dreams for Miss Iowa 2013!!  I will be posting pictures soon from all the events I have had the honor of being apart of! 

“You are not ordinary. You didn’t come off an assembly line. You weren’t mass-produced. You are an original design. Nobody else in this world has your fingerprints.  You are a masterpiece!” -Joel Osteen

All my love,

Isabella Blaine

Miss Muscatine 2013

Latest Appearances!!

Good Morning!!!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful week, I know mine has been amazing and CRAZY!! Last weekend Anna (Miss Outstanding Teen) and I were emcee's at The Bridal Expo in Muscatine... What an amazing event! There were so many beautiful brides to be and a few brave gentlemen that joined them.  Thank you to everyone who took part in putting the show together!! So lovely.  Monday morning I joined Tony Tone from Vintage Radio (93.1) and was able to share with him my experience thus far being Miss Muscatine.  I had so much fun with him! He is an extremely funny, caring and light hearted man.  Such a pleasure to be around!  I do have a little secret... on my way to the radio show, I found myself driving around town oblivious to the station being RIGHT in front of me!! I felt so silly, but everyone was so helpful when I called.  At the end of the show, I was able to take pictures and talk with a few different people who make Vintage Radio so amazing.  I am so honored that they asked me to come back in February and shoot a 60 second PSA for my platform on eating disorders.  I am SO excited and cannot wait to have the opportunity to spread an air of hope over the radio!! Thank Vintage Radio for this memorable opportunity!

This week I had the honor of being apart of the Muscatine Capital Day.  I was able to meet a lot of special individuals that made this experience incredible.  One of the highlights was having someone drop their food in attempts to shake my hand and take a picture with me.  We laughed for what seemed like hours! :) There were many connections that I made that will allow me to voice my concern on eating disorders and get Indulging In Hope out into the communities.  I am anxious to pursue these connections and also help Senator Beall from Fortdodge, Iowa to work on passing a piece of Legislature concerning advanced treatment for eating disorders.  Senator Beall also gave me an honorary Iowa pin that is now on my sash and asked me to take an oath of not only serving Muscatine and our wonderful State, but also having fun while doing so.  What an extraordinary honor! I not only was able to spend time with the Muscatine Delegates, but I was also able to meet some of the Iowa Legislature.  The Iowa Majority Leader, Linda Upmeyer, was an absolute DOLL!! She had this glow about her and we could not help but enjoy each others company.  I was also able to spend a descent amount of time with the Mayor of Muscatine, DeWayne Hopkins, and talked about everything from the amazing Mariah Cary, to gun control and political matters.  The two of us had the opportunity of being blessed with the presence of a Veteran from WWII.  I then met with Representative Mark Lofgren where he introduced me to the House of Representatives at the beginning of their session.  WOW.  An extremely humbling experience! They all stood for me, thanked me for joining them and congratulated me.  This is a day I will never forget! As I was leaving, Representative Lofgren asked me if I would be interested in coming to speak to his wife's library classes at four different elementary schools.  I think I squealed when he asked me I was so excited! This is, IN FACT, my dream job.  I cannot thank everyone enough for all their love and support and for the Muscatine Board and community for making this possible.

Have a great weekend!!

Blessings,
Isabella

The beginning of an amazing journey!

Happy Tuesday!

I am so honored and excited to be the new Miss Muscatine 2013! I cannot wait to see what this year has in store! God has been guiding me every step of the way and it would truly be impossible without his unconditional love. This last weekend was a dream come true... Not only was I able to dance on stage for the first time in four years, but I was also able to advocate for and share my platform, Indulging In hope, with everyone I had the pleasure of meeting.  Indulging In Hope is an opportunity to provide knowledge, support, and hope to all those affected by an eating disorder.  Overcoming an eating disorder myself, I find it imperative to spread knowledge of this life threatening illness and also to offer an air of hope that an eating disorder does NOT define who you are.  What an extraordinary opportunity becoming Miss Muscatine is.  Along with promoting my platform during this year, I will also be able to work closely with the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals!  This is seriously my dream job!! :-)

I do have a confession... with this being only my second pageant, I was absolutely TERRIFIED and unsure of what to expect.  I felt inexperienced in this industry.  However everyone at the pageant, including the other amazing contestants, made me feel right at home.  Their kindness and genuineness demonstrated exactly what the Miss America Organization is all about.  I am so blessed to be apart of this family! I ended up having the time of my life and meeting so many wonderful people.  My first appearance will be next Sunday, January 20th in Muscatine.  I am so excited and cannot wait to fill you all in!! Until then, I will be training for my talent (dance), and working on becoming a better ME every single day.  I hope you have a wonderful week and be sure to watch Mariah Cary shine at Miss America 2013 on Saturday! She has a beautiful platform and heart.  GO MARIAH!!!

"Strive to be a righteous person opposed to a perfectionist.  A perfectionist attempts until perfection is met and is constantly finding disappointment.  A righteous person performs his task until it is right and then moves on to the next task finding peace and joy in his accomplishments."

All my love,

Isabella