Sponsor Highlight: Expressions Tanning! Come check it out on Saturday, 5/31!

I see friends every week who ask me where I've gone on vacation due to my great glow from Expressions Tanning! 

Expressions Tanning has MANY tanning solutions to fit every person's needs.  As a red-head, I burn easily and prefer the UV-free tanning options Expressions offers - both the Mystic (machine-sprayed tan) and the professionally airbrushed tan. Both have given me great color - I have NEVER looked 'orange'! 

I update my UV-Free tan weekly for a look of sun-kissed skin year-round!

Before a recent trip to Southern Utah, I spent a few short sessions in a non-burn ray tanning bed to build up a little color to avoid the painful, skin damaging 'first burn of the season' which really also helped me enjoy my Southern Utah trip.

Expressions Tanning is more than a tanning salon.  It truly is a spa experience.  I have the lotions from Expression Tanning that help my tan last longer and help the color fade evenly between weekly sessions.  I have utilized their teeth whitening service - which in 3 exposures leaves your teeth a beautiful white (which goes great with the sun-kissed skin)!  They also offer facials to keep your face and pores clean and gorgeous!

I highly recommend that you check out Expressions Tanning!  They have two locations which are conveniently located and you can get in and out and on your way quickly.

I will be at Expressions Tanning this Saturday, May 31st signing autographs and taking photos with anyone and everyone stopping in to check out Expressions Tanning!  If you come in to Expressions Tanning on Saturday - you get a FREE Level 1 or Level 2 Tan!  And there are many more specials that are only revealed when you stop in!

Come check out Expressions Tanning this Saturday!  You have nothing to lose and great color to gain!  I look forward to seeing you there!!

I will be at Expressions Tanning the following times on Saturday, 5/31:

- South Jordan Location - 10344 S. Redwood Road, South Jordan, UT  - 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

- West Jordan Location - 3812 W. 7800 S., West Jordan, UT - 1:15-2:30 p.m.

check out their website:

http://www.expressionstanning.com/

Two great locations: South Jordan and West Jordan!

Expression's Manager - Anna and I!

 Mystic Spray Tan Booth....

Upcoming Event: Join me on June 14th to Support The Center for Grieving Children

I will be supporting a great event on June 14th at the Reign Boutique (1310 E. Hwy 193 #A-7 in Layton, UT) to benefit The Center for Grieving Children (familysummit.org).

Here's a link to more information about the event and to register to attend - there will be both a fashion show and parking lot Zumba! 

https://www.facebook.com/events/320517718098436/?source=3&source_newsfeed_story_type=regular&fref=nf

For those of you wondering, how does The Center for Grieving Children relate to my platform of Youth Service?

The Center for Grieving Children actually supports many youth who have lost family members to suicide.  I'm sure all of us know someone who has been impacted by a friend or family member who has chosen to take their own life.

I know ALL of us have times where we feel nothing we do is good enough.  When we compare ourselves to others - there is ALWAYS someone more talented, prettier, kinder, more popular, etc. 

While there are certainly situations of depression that need medical and professional counseling, I feel that we can make a difference in the lives of others by starting to serve others when we are young.  Reaching outside of yourself to give to others takes the focus away from ourselves and puts it on someone else.  When we aren't focused on the challenges in our own lives we are giving to others and can truly find the joy we seek in our own lives.

Am I saying that youth service will conquer all suicide?  Of course not.  What I am saying, however, is that youth service will make a difference!  Youth who serve become adults who serve.  I believe that if we instill the love of service in youth, it WILL matter and make a difference in their lives and the lives of others. 

So - use your handz for good!  Find someone and something you can do every day to make a difference in the life of someone else (or the environment or animals)!

Serving Brings Joy!

I hope to see you on June 14th!!

PS - It is important to take ANY hint or threat of suicide seriously.  This is also providing a great service by being a friend and a support system for others.  Don't ever think someone is joking when they talk about death.  You can help; you can serve them!  Here's a great link for information:

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/suicide_prevention.htm

Days for Girls - Service Night

I had the great honor of being invited to join a large gathering of women earlier this evening in Lindon, Utah! 

(I did experience the challenges of the Orem-Lindon streets crossing and was late in arriving - but through a helpful voice navigating me there, I finally arrived!)

I really feel passionate about the Days for Girls organization and the feminine hygiene kits that make a huge difference in the lives of girls and women worldwide.  Check out their website for more information:

 http://www.daysforgirls.org/

I love their desire to help: Every Girl. Everywhere. Period.

I appreciated the opportunity to speak briefly to the group about my platform and focus for this year as Miss Utah International.  Everyone received a paper hand and the goal to use their 'handz' for good every day.  

I shared the story from WWII in France where due to a bombing the Christus lost His hands.  A local sculptor offered to add hands back and the leaders of the local church determined that it was better to leave Christ without His Hands as truly WE are His Hands.  I love the power of that great example and the good we must do for others!

I met so many wonderful girls and women this evening - they were truly using their 'handz' for good in serving and providing the kit contents to improve the lives of girls and women all over the world.

Thank you to those who were serving this evening!  You are a great example for girls and women everywhere. Period. 

Zumba For ALS

After the Race for the cure, I was able to stop in at the Zumba Charity Event: Together We Dance to Cure ALS!  It was held at the Central City Recreation Center just blocks away from the Race for the Cure!

What a great site to see all these Zumba Dancers staying fit and having fun for the great cause of finding a cure for ALS!

Here's a great site for understanding ALS:

https://www.alshopefoundation.org/understanding-als/

It was fun to see a lot of the same instructors teaching Zumba who had taught Aqua Zumba for the same great cause last month!  Wow - can these instructors dance! I think I really need to take up Zumba for all the great moves and music!

I loved to see some mothers and daughters also at the event providing service.  

Thanks to my friend and fabulous fit zumba instructor, Masuda, for inviting me to come and support this great cause!

Race For The Cure

In my pink dress, wearing my breast cancer support pin, I joined thousands of other participants in Salt Lake City who were participating in the Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure.

The weather was a little chillier than I anticipated and I did get a little wet from the rain, but the enthusiasm for finding a cure for breast cancer made braving a little weather worth it!

I met so many great people today - breast cancer has touched the lives of so many women and their families.  I know this personally as my dear, loving grandmother passed away earlier this year from metastasized breast cancer.  I thought of my grandma today and all her love and devotion to her family and to me as her granddaughter.  She was very involved in my life and loved to support me in any way possible.  I know that she was smiling and proud of her granddaughter for being at the race for the cure today.  

I enjoyed seeing the survivors and the joy that their loved ones and they have for the treatments they've received.  I loved that many survivors wore the dark pink colored shirts so they could easily be supported and cheered.

Races for a cause are a fabulous way for youth and kids to serve! I really enjoyed seeing all the youth walking with friends and walking with family members.  I loved all the great opportunities I had to take pictures with these incredible youth who are using their time to help and serve others!

It was fun to support the sports teams (I played Lacrosse in high school, too!) and cheerleading squads!  I had a great time seeing the cheer squad from Skyline High School- where I graduated!

Not only were youth participating in the race, but there were many who were volunteering for the race to ensure that the event ran smoothly!  

Sadly, at this time there is no sure way to prevent breast cancer - I add my hope and prayer to the rest of those who participated in the race today that through funds raised and generous donations that a cure and prevention can be found.  In the interim, it is important that if cancer does occur, it is found at an early, more treatable stage.

The Susan G. Komen site has a great tutorial on understanding breast cancer:http://ww5.komen.org/bsl_kbc/en/kbc_01_01a.htm

Wear pink! Support finding a cure!

And...keep using your Handz to serve!

Race For The Cure This Saturday May 10th

I will be at the Race for the Cure in Salt Lake on 5/10 particularly recognizing youth who are volunteering and running for this great cause!  I hope to see you at the finish line on May 10, 2014! Susan G. Komen for the Cure - Utah Affiliate

This year, I registered for the Komen Race for the Cure because I want to make an impact in the fight against breast cancer. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today in support of my fundraising efforts.

My loving grandmother passed away on 3/28/2014 due to metastasized breast cancer.  We need to find a cure.

You can donate online with your credit card by clicking the button above my fundraising thermometer.

Your support helps us get one step closer to a world without breast cancer. 75 percent of the money raised through the Race stays in Utah to fund local breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs. The remaining 25 percent supports groundbreaking breast cancer research. 

Together, we are fueling the best science, boldest community and biggest impact in the fight against breast cancer. And we will not stop until this disease is gone forever. That’s our promise. Will you please join me in this fight by making a donation today?

Granite Technical Institute News

I had a great visit last month with Granite Technical Institute!  They even featured me on their news and I appreciate all their kind words they had to say about me.  To see the article click on the link below:

http://gsdnews.org/2014/05/01/miss-utah-international-using-skills-learned-at-gti-to-kick-start-career/