My Life as The Fayette Woman cover girl!

www.facebook.com/fayettewoman

This was one of the most exciting experience of my life.  It all started in December with an email that said I was nominated to be on the cover of Fayette Woman magazine would I be interested?  WOULD I BE INTERESTED?  Who would say no?  I almost fell off my bed, after I stopped saying OMG, OMG, OMG.  I calmly responded in the most unprofessional email that began with OMG.  I called and texted my husband, dad and closets friends and spent the rest of the day with the biggest smile on my face.
A couple of years earlier I met a group of ladies in a web design class and we just hit it off well.  One lady in particular and I stayed in touch and we became friends, that's my friend Maggie.  Maggie makes you feel like you can do anything, she is such a sweet positive influence.  I have to be careful when talking to Maggie she is probably the friend that encourages you so much that you feel you could go on American Idol. (you know those poor people that feel they can sing, has a friend that told them you can do it)  Anyway Maggie was the beautiful person that nominated me to be Fayette Woman's cover girl.  THANKS MAGGIE ZERKUS!

A few weeks later I got an email saying they would need to schedule a photo shoot and an interview with the writer.  OK & OMG!  What will I wear?  What should I do with my hair?  What about makeup? What will I say?  Did I think this thru?  Well they are great at what they do so, the writer sent a questionnaire and Maggie gave me advise on clothing and a makeup artist was going to be at the shoot.
I have great friends, God has blessed me in that way.  My stylist, aka Betty Booker one member of the three amigos and a shop-a-holic took me shopping for the many outfits I would need.  I must say even though I own a gown boutique I HATE SHOPPING.  My shopping tolerance is 30 minutes.  Our strategy was I would stay in the dressing room at Macy's and she would just pull hundreds of items off the racks.  Three hours later we were at the register and the clerk commented about the crazy lady that was running back and forth with clothes as they wondered where and who she was giving them to.
Got my eye brows threaded (painful but beautiful) got my hair done.  I was ready to go.

My Stylist setting up wardrobe

Accessories must be right.

Time for Makeup

Lashes (I don't like people messing with my eyes) but I feel so grown up with them.  lol

How do I look?

Now that the makeup was done, there was a last minute decision to put me in a ballgown.  I was not too happy with that idea but I decided to go with the flow and boy was I happy.

Couple of test shots with Maggie

Retouch of makeup

Ballgown by Jovani

such a diva princess look, I'm happy I went with the flow.

Remember the cover? This is what it looked like when it was being shot.  

Outfit #3 another touch up, I must be the oiliest person on the planet. 

Break for a little soap opera, because we started at 9 am and it's now 2 pm.  

A little coaching from Maggie on how to pose.

She was so good we had to get her in this shot as a back model.

Any magazines needing a back model she's available.

FINALLY! Shoot was in December and I had to wait till February I thought I was going to bust.

Big reveal with the fabulous Joyce Beverly the publisher.

The crew doing our Diva Shot.  You just have to pray for us.  

My heart skipped a beat when I saw it on the rack at the grocery store. My friends thought they were funny by asking for my autograph.  I guess they think that maybe it would be worth more than the $1.25 it's worth today.  From your lips to God's ear.  lol

Let me just say if you have ever worked at my shop, painted it, hung a dress, swept the floors, cleaned a counter, taken out the trash, cleaned the windows, if you have ever shopped in my store, window shopped, bought the smallest item or the most expensive dress, if you have driven by my windows and admired the display, voted for your favorite dress or color in the window, if while you drove by you said a prayer that my business will be a success, if you recommended a friend, and all those who took the time to call the shop to say how much you enjoy driving by every day or every week and watching the window changes.  Even if you don't like my business or choose not to support it.  I LOVE EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU and I would not be here if it wasn't for you.  From my heart I say THANK YOU and may God bless you greatly.

I hope you will visit www.fayettewoman.com to read the article or pick up your copy at the local grocery store, doctors office, library or if you have never been to my store I have extra copies.  

Divas Give Back

Here at Once in a Lifetime Events we have been so blessed over the years by our customers, the ones who return year after year because they can't imagine buying their gowns anywhere else or the first time buyers who fall in love with our boutique.  We have always looked for ways to give back to the communities we serve.  In the past 10 years we have donated over 400 gowns to various charities like Caroline's Closet, Operation Prom Atlanta and Newnan High School to benefit young ladies who could not afford to attend prom or purchase a gown.
We are currently working to create a program in our area that would help young ladies in our community wanting to go to their senior prom but due to some challenge cannot afford to do so.  Our program will not just provide prom dresses and services to these girls but will serve as a "Pay it Forward" style program.  As the owner of this company I believe in and commit myself and my business to the scripture Luke 12:48 ...from everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
I have been blessed with so much and in 2013 I would like to start this prom season off with a BIG (I LOVE YOU) to my supporters.  The clients who buy and the ones that admire our windows every week
So I say all this to say; here is an opportunity for you the community to help us give back.  We are giving away three gift certificates valued at $300 for the purchase of a gown.
Here's what you must do: 

• Nominate a senior high school girl
• Email us her picture and a brief description of why you think she deserves the gown
• She must have a financial need
• She must have good grades (verifiable by a letter from guidance counselor)
• She must volunteer within the community, school or church

NOMINATIONS ACCEPTED FEBRUARY 1st to FEBRUARY 13th ONLY.

Pictures of the ladies will be posted on our Facebook page on February 14th, be sure to post comments of love for any of the girls when their pictures are posted.
On February 14th check out our blog to see how you can support the girls featured.  Because all the girls featured will be deserving of the gowns the winners will be chosen randomly.

The winners will be posted on our blog and Facebook page on February 28th.
www.facebook.com/onceinalifetimeevents

We welcome any vendors who would like to partner with us to make this a very special moment in the lives of these ladies.

Love always,
Paul-Ann