Smelling like biscuits

 

“Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.”  Dalai Lama

 

 

H&M black Jumper

Topshop Neon skater skirt-similar here

Topshop black & gold cord necklace

 

 

This time four years ago, I meet the two best friends I have or will ever have, three years ago I got my first proper catwalk job, two years ago I felt that I had made it as a model in Northern Ireland and this time last year, I first laughed and sung along to Justin Timberlake with my now boyfriend.  All because of Miss Northern Ireland.  It is an event that is definitely close to my heart.  Miss Antrim 2009, I didn't even make the top 8 but the ripple effect from Miss Northern Ireland has been amazing.  It gave me confidence, got me noticed and worked wonders for my CV.  The Face of Belfast Fashion week, my now full time job as a PA for a fashion agent and even my love life, the chain of events that taking part in Miss Northern Ireland set off is still being felt four years later.  Alison Campbell, the organiser of the competition for twenty seven years, always says everyone is a winner.  When she said it in 2009, I thought yeah, ok, sure.  But she was right.

 

 

So at the minute I am sitting in my office smelling like biscuits.  I stink of fake tan but tonight I am taking part in the fashion catwalk show at the Miss Northern Ireland Gala Final.  The nationwide search to find the Open + Direct Miss Northern Ireland 2013 will come to an end tonight after 2 months searching across the length and breath of Northern Ireland for a potential winner.  Twenty six gorgeous hand picked finalists will battle it out tonight for the crown at the Europa Hotel. And I will be there backstage having a nosey at all the girls.  I have my winner picked, do you have yours??? Check out tomorrow's blog on backstage photos and who the winner is!! Exciting!

 

Pictured at Open + Direct Miss Northern Ireland finalists’ photo shoot are 26 local beauties, who gathered at The OUTLET, Banbridge for the shoot ahead of the gala final on Monday 13 May, when this year’s winner will be crowned. 

 

 

IN! with a chance

"I always knew I would be successful. So there was no element of surprise.  I'm just average woman with average concerns.  I don't believe in proving a point to anybody. Nobody is that important." Aishwarya, Miss World 1994

Topshop Leigh Navy Skinny jeans

Stills Blue Tshirt

Zara Navy Boucle blazer-similar here

 

 

Girls.  We are all the same, confident yet insecure, we want to be the centre of attention but at the same time, we love to sit back and watch other girls do their own thing.  We are our own worse enemies sometimes.  I experienced this myself on Sunday morning. Face painted with make up, hair washed  (well it was washed the day before by the orders of my mother who practically pushed me under the shower.) and dressed to the nines (more on my outfit later.), I walked through the door of the Culloden Hotel with my head held as high as I could get it.  Why you may ask? Well I was walking into a room where the individuals are some of the most beautiful, witty, confident girls that Northern Ireland has to offer.  I was walking into the In Magazine Miss Northern Ireland finalist shoot. Definately should have worn high heels instead of converse. Facepalm.

 

 

 

 

All stations were go! Paddy Mcgurgan's make up angels were on hand to do the make up, the lovely ladies from Michele International were teasing the girl's hair into gorgeous soft curls and the fabulous Eve Brannon was styling the shoot with gorgeous cocktail and formal dresses from shops like Beverly Hills, The Outlet and many more.

 

With 4 more heats to go, I was excited to see the talent so far! And what talent it was! I was a finalist in Miss Northern Ireland in 2009 and since then have always went to the Gala Final.  This year the girls are all so different! It is refreshing to see and I am excited to see who wins!! So any gossip??? Most of the girls have legs up to their necks and all figures to die for. (I felt so sorry for them as I had a good perve on them in the nude underwear.  I am not a lesbian I promise!!!)  I introduced myself to some of the girls and explained about the blog.  Most thought I was crazy, which is true!  They were all lovely, very down to earth.  Sarah McKenzie, Miss Gillies commented that the one thing she would miss buying in a fashion fast would be converse or vans! A girl after my own heart. The gorgeous Miss Sweet, Justine McEleney who I was gawking at with legs that were probably the same height as me, got her dress stuck in her rollers and couldn't stop laughing. Nice to know the girls can still be silly when they are so nervous! Nicole Sutton, Miss Spice had done it last year as well so I wanted to know what she might do differently this year. She told me that she just wanted to relax more and have more fun with it. It is such a nerve wrecking experience, you are putting yourselves up against 24 other amazing girls & you become friends with all the girls but at the same time you are battling them for the crown. The girl who holds the crown at the minute, Tiffany Brien was kind enough to give me a sneak peek of her dress for the Gala Final on the 13th of May and it was stunning on her! That is one girl who understands her shape & what works for her perfectly!

 

 

Here are two of the gorgeous girls, on the left Courtney Moore, Miss Cookstown and Seanin Corrigan, Miss Coach.  I loved Seanin's style on the day! She wore a gorgeous slouchy white shirt from Topshop, me and my white shirts!!! She seemed a bit scared that I staring at it and knew excatly where it was from.  I may not be able to shop but I am still looking!!!  Courtney was very upbeat, not nervous at all! Never done anything like this before either so I was impressed by her attitude! I just remember giving myself pep talks that I would get through it and everyone was as nervous as me.  (Granted by the time the final came around, I had relaxed enough to draw rude pictures on Jenny Curran's chicken fillets which transferred on to her skin during the practice!!)

The girls weren't the only people who were rocking their own style and attitude! Joleen, Alison Clarke's right hand woman is looking fabulous at the minute!! Working the neon and floral print 2013 spring trends to a T! The girls need to take a few leaves out of her book! To help Joleen on the shoot from Aca was Miss Holly Duncan! I've known Holly for years so I can say this but never employ Holly to steam dresses! She is crap!! Her taste in handbags is way better though. A lover of a designer bag, I was scared to ask Holly were her gorgeous yellow neon bag was from but it was from Zara! Definitely on my long wish list of things I could buy!

Hats off to the In Magazine team! Another amazing cherographed shoot! Wish we had it back in my Miss Ni days!! Here's a photo of all the girls! Who do you like?

Check out the May Issue of In! Magazine for all the scoop!