Memphis City Beautiful Curb Couture Trashion Show

Attention all Memphis Fashionistas!!  I am so excited to be on the Host Committee for the Second Annual Curb Couture Trashion Show to benefit Memphis City Beautiful.  Local designers will be showcasing their creative and beautiful designs which they will create out of everyday materials and products which generally end up in our trash (think soda cans, newspapers, milk cartons, trash bags, etc.).  It is basically Memphis' version of a "Project Runway" challenge.  The event will be held in downtown Memphis on Sunday, October 7, 2012, and there will be food from the Majestic Grille and drinks; all included with the purchase of your $50 ticket to the event.  What a deal!  You can buy your tickets to this fun and unique event from me, so contact me today so you don't miss out!
http://memphiscitybeautiful.org/programs/curb-couture-trashion-show     
    

Tonight is the finals of Mrs. International 2012!

This time last year, I was sitting in the amazingly talented and unbelievably kind Cari Baker's makeup chair putting on the final touches for the Mrs. International 2011 Pageant.  I have ALL good memories from my week in Chicago last year.  I will always appreciate the opportunity to be in the presence of the 52 other impressive and inspirational contestants and the opportunity to be, and put forward, the best me I could achieve.  My goal was Top 12.  To finish as the third runner-up and also receive the fitness and evening gown awards gave me such a feeling of overwhelming appreciation and pride.  I worked as hard as I could and crossed all my "t"s and dotted all my "i"s.  I left with no regrets, and I will eternally be a fan of this amazing pageant system.  Good luck to the Class of 2012!  May you leave Chicago inspired to continue to be the good you want to see in the world and feeling as wonderful about yourself and your experience as I did :)

Mary-Marsha Riley
Mrs. Tennessee International 2011

      

Newly Discovered Memphis Treasure

Yesterday, at the invitation of my friend and client, Brittany Fitzpatrick, who is also Miss Shelby County International 2011 and the Communications Director for the Ronald McDonald House of Memphis, I spoke to the employees of the Ronald McDonald House about the benefits of and the best ways to live a healthy and active lifestyle.  After my speech, Brittany treated me to a tour of their wonderful facility.  While on the tour, I was reminded that although we hear about so many bad things happening in Memphis, there are so many absolutely amazing organizations working tirelessly every day to improve our city and world.  The services and kindness provided by the RMH to the families of children suffering from illness are extraordinary and life altering.

I will forever be a supporter of this wonderful organization and will encourage others to do the same.  For those of you who do not know, the RMH provides all the resident families with food, toiletries, paper products, and laundry detergent free of charge.  Of course, all of these products are provided by donations from the public.  If you are looking for a place to donate or a cause to champion, I encourage you to learn more about your local Ronald McDonald House. 

        

Another Great Year with Devon

My boy Devon has successfully completed the fourth grade, and I am happy to say that this has been his best year yet.  He had a wonderful teacher in Ms. Eddings, and his new school, Denver Elementary, was a blessing.  I am so proud of this little dude (who isn't quite so little anymore), and I am honored to watch him grow into such a kind and thoughtful young man.  I have been asked to start tutoring his little brother, Kevin, next year as well.  I met Devon when he was in the first grade, and I will start working with Kevin when he begins the first grade in August. 

I leave Denver Elementary each week feeling better than I did when I walked in.  If you have an extra hour in your week, please consider tutoring in the Memphis City Schools.  It is no secret that these kids and their teachers need help.  If you would like to make a difference and build a sustaining relationship with an amazing kid, contact Streets Ministries or Memphis City Schools about becoming a tutor for the 2012-2013 school year.

         

Angry Blowfish

I walked in my very first runway fashion show last night for the ever so classy Laurelwood Shopping Center.  I modeled beautiful clothes from Bella Viaggia and Talbots.  I had an absolute blast (cannot believe they pay me to do this stuff), but I learned a lesson.  I MUST relax my mouth while I am attemping to appear "sultry" on the runway.  I looked a bit like an angry blowfish!  Today I have been practicing "sultry" in the mirror.  Just for the record, "sultry" is not a natural look for me, but I'm working on it.  Next time, I will look far less like a character from "Finding Nemo."  I am having such a great time realizing dreams I never thought would come true!  Are you still chasing your dreams?  You are never too old, and it is never too late!  

 

Happenings of a Happy Has Been

Have I mentioned how glad I am not to have the pressure of preparing for a pageant this Summer?  Well, I AM GLAD!!  Memphis Pizza Cafe was GOOOOOOD today at lunch!  But, even though I don't have to worry about being tiny, tiny to fit into that Nazi Mrs. International fitness outfit, I do have to rediscover a little bit of discipline in order to make sure I am ready for the modeling jobs coming my way.  I had one today, and I'll be honest...I felt a little puffy.  So, I have to get semi serious.  Not super serious mind you; just semi serious.

I've started running again, and it feels great.  Running gives me such a fabulous mood lift.  I ran my first 5K of the season yesterday, and I finished in under 30 minutes which was my goal.  That made me happy, and it motivated me to keep improving.  I always have to be competing at something.  I thrive on it.  Without a goal; something to work for and improve upon, I feel a little lost.  Strangely, my running isn't exactly maintaining my weight like it should be, but I know that will come...once I put down the Oreos.

My life is so different than it was a year and a half ago; different in a good way.  I have my own business, I'm a working model, I'm making a positive difference, and I'm not miserable in the practice of law.  When I say I never saw any of this coming, I REALLY didn't see any of this coming.  Dreamed about it?  Maybe.  Allowed myself to believe it could actually happen?  Not so much.  My year as Mrs. Tennessee taught me how to believe in dreams again, but mostly it reminded me how to believe in myself.  I am very happy with my "has been" pageant queen status, but I am SO thankful it all happened like it did.  I feel so lucky, and I feel like I've just scratched the surface of my potential. 

Keep moving, keep improving...that is what this year is about for this "has been."

Modeling vintage Chanel jewelry for Mednikow Jewelry and Laurelwood Shopping Center

Me and David with Devon...MVPs at the Grizzlies v. Timberwolves game...great night :) 

My family hiking at Petit Jean Mountain...great day :) 

Be Good and Be Happy!       
Mary-Marsha Riley

Thought for the Month of April

In life, I try to pay attention to things that inspire me, and I am constantly intent upon improving myself and my outlook on this life.  I am the first to admit that sometimes life becomes heavy.  If you pay attention in life, you cannot escape seeing all the pain in the world.  Sometimes that pain is difficult to overcome and challenges hope and faith.  But, we can't let the hurt and pain in the world handicap us from making positive change in our own lives and in the lives of those we share this planet with. 

I am the kind of person who always needs a goal.  Obviously last year at this time I was in full on preparation mode for Mrs. International.  This year, my goals are to become happier and place in the Top 3 in my age group in a 5K race.  What is pretty convenient about those goals are that they work together.  When I run, I am happier!  But, I truly want to commit the next year to self discovery and improvement.  I made huge strides toward that goal last year, and I want to make even more progress this year.

I think the following thought from the inspiring Dale Smith Thomas gives all of us a jump start to improving our outlook and our perspective on life.    

"What you focus on gets bigger." Those 5 words if we truly understand them, believe them, and act on them can totally change our lives both personally and professionally. Are you focused on what you have accomplished and the things that are going right or are you focused on what isn't going right? Are you focused on your dreams and goals or are you "focusing" on the opinion of others and allowing it to slow you down?

-Dale Smith Thomas

Happy April! 

God Bless,
Mary-Marsha Riley