Heart Throbs & Heroes Fashion Show

Well, the weather is quite different then when I wrote my last entry in mid-Jaunary; it's barely above zero and there's a foot of snow on the ground! It may be February (which in my mind means the end of winter) but it is definitely still winter. Like, really. Anyway, today I am writing about the Watercolors High Fashion Heart Throbs & Heroes Fashion Show I walked in a few weeks ago that benefitted St. Luke's Health System at Harrah's North Kansas City Hotel & Casino. It was so much fun!

A few weeks before the show, I drove to Watercolors High Fashion in Kansas City to pick out my two looks. It was so hard to decide! There were hundreds of dresses to choose from, all from top brands. I decided on a fabulous MacDuggal pageant gown (my first look) and a Sherri Hill cocktail dress (my second look), and a blue light-up dress as my back up. After leaving, I was really excited for the show.

I arrived bright and early the day of the show and went to the VooDoo Lounge at Harrah's North Kansas City to get my hair and makeup done. After a few hours of hanging out and getting to know the other models, we started rehearsing. And then we rehearsed, and rehearsed ... and rehearsed! There were hundreds of models, a live DJ, the COMPANY MEN, an emcee, and models from St. Luke's (former patients), so it was critical we all knew when we were supposed to walk and with whom.

After rehearsals, the guests were allowed in the ballroom, and all the models were lined up in their first look. I donned my crown and lined up with Megan Johnson, Miss Johnson County and Alexis Rewalt, Miss Kansas United States and former Miss Kansas Teen USA. We hit the stage for our first look, changed, listened to the intermission performance by the COMPANY MEN, and then went out for our second look. Finally, it was the grand finale, after the three queens were introduced and that was a wrap! I was so happy to see my husband, Alex, cheering for me in the crowd and that I got to catch up with friends and family who came to see me. It really was a great day!

There were models of all ages in the show; from elementary-school-aged girls, to ladies like me, to young men who were professional models, to an 80-year-old former model who was lovely inside and out and her husband of 40 years. Just amazing! I am so happy we could all come together to support such a great cause. It was the least I could do to support the patients of St. Luke's Health System. Check out the pictures below to see one of my dresses (the awesome Sherri Hill dress).

I also have to say the staff at Watercolors High Fashion and the volunteers were amazing -- so patient! I can't say enough about the selection and knowledge of the staff at that store, I'm very lucky to have Shelley Wood and Watercolors High Fashion as one of my official sponsors!

Hope your February is going well and that you enjoy Valentine's Day next week!

All the best,

RYK

Backstage after changing into my second look from Sherri Hill.

With Alexis Rewalt, Miss Kansas United States, in the ballroom. 

With my husband, Alex, after the final walk. Glad he could come!