Monday, January 31, 2011

Interview Day

The girls looked gorgeous on interview day, and the judges were extremely impressed with all of the interviews!

I modeled Jana Kos clothing and Mollye Jewelry that day. If you like what you see, please check it out! A percentage of all proceeds benefit my charity, Frankie's First.

Jana Kos - http://www.janakos.com/, Georgia Stylist: allison.carter@stylepartnersinc.com
Mollye Jewelry -- http://www.mollye.net/

Abigail Jennings, future 2nd RU

Tiffany Marshall, future winner!

Julie Howard, future 4th RU

Mrs. Georgia 2011 Cocktail Party

On Friday night, we had a cocktail party for the contestants and pageant sponsors. It was a fantastic party full of great conversation and dynamite photos! I was eager to meet each contestant and left totally clueless on who would win. They were all gorgeous, articulate, accomplished, passionate women!

Tiffany Marshall, Mrs. Decatur (the future winner!) and Jessi'ka Coley-Davis (future 1st RU!)

Silvia Manning, Mrs. Roswell

My incredible directors, Carl and Faith Schway

The ladies!

Posing outside the Fox Theatre

Contestants' meeting at the end of the night

Here is close-up shot of the Mollye Jewelry pieces I was able to model that night.  I genuinely LOVE Mollye Jewelry and feel so fortunate that I am their model!
If you like the jewelry, check out http://www.mollye.net/.  Designer Marci Fried will work one-on-one with you to create the one-of-a-kind piece you have always wanted!  A percentage of all proceeds benefit my charity, Frankie's First!

Check out the bracelet - wow!

Georgia Special Olympics

My last formal event as the reigning Mrs. Georgia America was escorting the athletes of the Georgia Special Olympics.  I cannot imagine a more inspirational, humbling, beautiful way to conclude my reign.

Jessi'ka Coley-Davis, Mrs. Atlanta and 1st Runner up in Mrs. GA 2011, is always looking for a way to serve.  She has been to several events with me, and it has been an honor to get to know her sweet spirit.

Posing with the athletes

More athletes

Signing autographs

Such a sweet young man!

The Torch Ceremony

Fabulously emotional, I will never forget watching the lighting of the torch!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Vein Innovations Partners with Frankie's First!

Miracle Cream

It was Saturday afternoon. I received a text asking if I could do a jewelry photo shoot on Monday. My first thought was, "Yes!" My second thought was "Oh no! My hands!"

Winter has no been kind to my hands, and I have not compensated adequately.  At this point my hands were very dry, even cracked in places. I called the person I always call when I don't know what to do -- my mom.

My mom suggested I use Mary Kay's extra emollient night cream on my hands. I can best describe it as a very thick vasoline; plus it is pink, of course!  Willing to try anything but skeptical that there was a two-day solution possible, I covered my hands each night.

Needless to say (or otherwise I would not be writing this post), it worked. I now have soft, smooth, feminine hands, and it happened nearly overnight. I am now a devoted Mary Kay intensive night cream fan.  If you have dry skin, maybe you should become one, too.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Check Out LaLona's Picture on Vein Innovations' Billboard!

Check out LaLona's Picture on Vein Innovations' Billboard - 
First location displayed is on Peachtree at Piedmont Hospital Southbound
"This is a wonderful, caring company with fantastic doctors, a fantastic staff, happy customers, and excellent results!"








http://www.veininnovations.com/

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Let Georgia's leading expert on varicose veins and spider veins improve your comfort and confidence with our virtually pain-free treatment options that include: Sclerotherapy, ELAS, Laser and VNUS Closure.
VeinInnovations offers the most comprehensive, state-of-the-art treatment modalities available for varicose veins and spider veins in Georgia. Most procedures take less than one hour and patients can resume normal activity the same day!

Get in the Best Shape of Your Life with LaLona and IQ Fitness

Get in the BEST SHAPE OF YOUR LIFE
with Mrs. Georgia America 2010 and Fitness Award Winner, LaLona Richards

Experience Buckhead’s premiere personal training studio,
IQ Fitness: Intelligent Exercise, conveniently located in Buckhead at the intersection of Roswell Road and Peachtree Street

Private and small group sessions are available
Mention this ad and receive 30% off your first 10 sessions!
Schedule your free trial class now by contacting LaLona at mrsgeorgiaamerica2010@gmail.com, 404-906-4664, or visit www.iqfitness.net

TESTIMONIALS:

“I have defined arms and abs for the first time in my life, and I am 47 years old!”
-- Peggy: Musician, educator, entertainment business owner

"I drive 45 minutes to get here and pass a hundred gyms on my way, but it is worth it to work out with LaLona!"
– Angie: Advocare Distributor and mother of children ages 3 and 8


Click on the following link (this will take you to LaLona's You Tube Channel) to see interview with Scott on his first day and his reasons for signing up for the Bootcamp at IQ Fitness with LaLona:





Friday, January 14, 2011

LaLona's Nutrition Tip #2: Nutrition on the Go

You’re busy. Whether it’s kids, work, school, or a combination of all three, you are on the go and often eating on the run.  So what do you eat? A Nutri-grain bar?  Pretzels?  Leftover Goldfish from the diaper bag?  A candy bar? 

Here are some healthier options that will leave you full and fit:




1. Green apple (less sugar than other apples) with 6 almonds
2. Other fruit -- peach, pear, orange, etc. -- but watch portion sizes.  Some fruit portions are ½ the fruit or ½-3/4 cup cubed.  If you are wanting to lose weight, limit bananas to ½ 3x per week.   
3. 1 cup (about a handful) of baby carrots, cucumber, or any other raw vegetable, coupled with 1 T. raisins if you want a treat.
4. Protein powder (all you need is a bottle of water to make a shake!)
5. Edamame is also a healthy snack.

      Health bars such as Zone or Think Thin can be an option when the above-mentioned ones are not available. They are not as good for you as eating the natural foods, but they are tremendously better than most alternatives!

If you have a lunch box that will help keep things cool:
·    1. Reduced-fat all-natural cheese stick
·    2. Plain Greek yogurt sweetened with Stevia (I have the “purse size” stevia bottle. You can get it at Whole Foods and the Farmers’ Market.)

Try to stay away from the empty carbs and high sugars (listed in the opening paragraph) that we often are tempted to grab. I keep a bar and a baggie of protein powder in my purse at all times, and I try to never leave home for a long period of time without taking a fruit and a bag of veggies. When I go work out in the mornings, I often take a yogurt to have in the car before heading home. The key is that I never let myself get hungry, yet I keep myself fit by always having healthy foods around me! 

If you have specific nutrition questions, please send them my way on this blog. I would be delighted to help!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

LaLona's Beauty Tip #3 - Hair!


I’ve had long hair most of my life, but it has not been until recently that I have been bombarded with questions about how I care for and style it.  I attribute this entirely to two stylists who have taught me everything I know – Geoffrey and Jennifer Frost of Robert Frost Salon.  If you live in the Atlanta area and have not yet been to their salon, book your appointment now!

My number one advice is to have an excellent hair cut and to have it often enough to maintain your style. Despite my long hair, I have layers that have to be regularly maintained or the whole look goes down in shambles.  I use various shampoos and conditioners depending on what style I am seeking. If I am curling my hair, I opt for a volumizing set, whereas if I am going to wear it straight I use a “sleek” set or even one that deep conditions to give a very shiny look.  Although not particularly attached to specific shampoo brands, I am married to my products.  I love Rusk.  

After towel-drying my hair, I apply “Thicker” all over my hair and massage it in. I then apply Rusk’s volumizing moose, and, if I am wearing my hair curled and want extra body, I then apply Rusk’s root boost.  After drying but before applying any additional heat such as a straightening iron, curling iron, or rollers, I apply Str8, a product that protects my hair against the damage of the heat and adds shine to it.  No joke, these products transform my fine hair into incredible volume and provide gorgeous shine!  When people say, “You have such thick, great hair!” and I smile, silently thanking Rusk. 

If fine, flat, or even dull hair sounds familiar to you, pick up some Rusk samples and watch the magic unfold!