I Did NOT Wake Up Like This

It's been a crazy few days getting ready for my GRAMMY trip. A girl has to look her best, especially in LA!  From dress fittings to beauty to travel arrangements, I've done it all in the past few days. There is a whole lot that goes into putting the whole package together and it's not as easy and effortless as we want you to believe.

Who are you wearing?  We all know that is the first question asked on the red carpet. I don't have any fancy designer gowns, but I do have a secret weapon - an excellent seamstress. I was able to save some money by borrowing dresses, but it was a bit on the big side. Cue Pam Losey, a lady I met when working on the Mrs. Michigan pageant. Pam has mad sewing skills and I enlisted her help to make sure I didn't have a wardrobe malfunction. I had to go back a couple of times to get the fit perfect (to meet Pam's standards) but it was worth the drive. Now I can step out on the red carpet knowing that there is no chance of anything slipping, unless it's me in my shoes.

My great seamstress, Pam


Speaking of shoes, as a girl who wears Chucks on the regular, strutting around in 5 inch heels for these events could be problematic. So I started what I affectionately call "Shoe Practice" early in the week. It involves basically wearing my shoes around the house during all of my daily activities. This leads to some questionable fashion choices - glitter shoes and pajamas are not a combo one usually sees on the red carpet. I also had to make sure my piggies were in tip top shape and headed in for a pedicure. No easy feat in Michigan. During the winter with two feet of snow on the ground. I was dodging snow mountains in the parking lot just to get there. Then came that awkward shuffle walk thing back to my car. Those paper flip flop things were not made as snow shoes!

Poor Pedicure Planning - Michigan Winter


I'm lucky enough to be going to GRAMMY events this weekend because Jody Quine invited me to the party she is emceeing at the House of Blues. It was also on her suggestion that I was hired by Elizabeth Butler to help work the red carpet press line. Jody was batting a thousand, so when she told me about eyelash extensions I knew I had to give it a try. I was able to find a lovely professional in Metro Detroit who hooked me up a full set of very glamorous lashes. The salon is called Wink Lash Lounge and it was a really cool experience going there. It reminded me a lot of the beauty salon in Steel Magnolias. There were some super fun ladies there and the conversation ranged from face lifts to cute guys and everything in between. Apparently, Wink is the Go To place for GRAMMY prep. There was a woman there at the same time as I was whose brother was nominated for a GRAMMY and she's flying out for the event as well.

The whole lash process took about 2 hours and it involves a very steady hand and medical grade glue.  Nikki and her staff were awesome. I hopped up on a massage table and relaxed with my eyes closed while she attached individual lashes directly to my own lashes. The end result was amazing (see below), and I was very impressed with how knowledgeable Nikki was. I highly recommend getting lash extensions if you have a fun event or even if you just need to boost your own natural lashes a little bit.
 

These Peepers are POPPIN'!

So now I'm all primped, scrubbed, buffed, polished, glued and packed. It's been very exciting and a bit exhausting just getting ready to go. As much as I hate to admit it, looking good in the crazy superficial world of LA is a big part of the game. My job depends on showing the public what they expect - from both my clients and myself. It's time to get my costume on. I can't wait to experience my first red carpet press line. Suit up!!

P.S. I'm totally going to In-N-Out Burger in my Chucks after this weekend!