This post contains affiliate links.
This past weekend was the 80th Anniversary of the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Pageant. In celebration of the event the pageant was moved from Hot Springs to Little Rock and it was combined with the Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen pageant to create one large event. My friend Diana’s daughter Cameron was in the pageant this year so my usual excitement was upped by a few notches because I actually knew someone who was competing!!
I was on vacation for the first few nights of preliminaries and had to work finals weekend but I was available to go last Thursday night and I had a blast!!
Diana got seats really close to the stage so we could see everything including…
…Miss America herself, Savvy Shields!! In case you forgot, this year’s Miss America is from Arkansas!! This is our first Miss America in over 35 years and our state couldn’t be prouder!! I was also in awe because after she walked the stage at the beginning of the show she sat FOUR ROWS in front of me. I was in the presence of true royalty y’all. HA!!
We technically weren’t allowed to take pics so I didn’t get any of the show except that one rogue shot of Miss America above. Oops!! But after the show I got to go see Cameron! She competed in swimsuit that night and I thought she hour have won that preliminary! Next year for sure!!
Earlier that day I had gone to get a blowout and my eyebrows tamed at my absolute favorite blowout bar in Little Rock, Just Blow. I had just come back from the beach and was in major need of some self care, plus my brows were out of control. Not kidding, those ladies hooked me up so getting ready for the show that night took no time at all!! The only snafu I had was when getting dressed. Apparently it’s good to unzip your dress before trying to pull it over your head, you won’t get stuck or think you’ve gained 20 pounds and your dress is too small. HA!! Here’s a pic of the whole dress…
…and snafu aside I love this dress!! I always forget I have it and absolutely love it when I put it on. It’s just a simple fit and flare dress (with ruffles!!) that I got from eShakti a couple of years ago. Unfortunately they don’t carry that exact dress anymore but I have linked a few similar dresses below.
I also wore my ride or die leopard sandals and carried last year’s birthday splurge GiGi Uber clutch. Those sandals are seriously comfy and go with everything and the clutch is big enough to carry anything you may need for the night and not look bulky. That particular color isn’t in stock anymore (booooo) so I linked a couple of fun colors below.
One tradition at the Miss Arkansas pageant is to wear a button from the contestant you support so here is Cameron’s! This year she is Miss Sweetheart of Arkansas. Do other states do that??
I can’t believe the pageant is over. To see who won and if Cameron placed check out the Miss Arkansas website!!
Have you ever been to a pageant??
*This post contains affiliate links.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That sounds like it was so much fun! You look GAWGEOUS in your little black dress.
candy says
Perfect outfit for wearing at the pageant. Never attended anything like this, but know a few moms who spend every weekend taking their daughters to different pageants. Glad you had a great time.
Jennifer Van Huss says
What an exciting event to attend! You look fabulous! It is so much fun getting dressed up sometimes!
Angela Ricardo says
Oh my gosh … you look oh so fabulous!!! I am sure it was super exciting and thrilling. I used to join pageants back in the day too. ;)
Dawn McAlexander says
That dress is nice! I would love to attend a pageant like this. It sounds so cool! I have never attended a beauty pageant ever. That is weird, I know, but it’s true!
Lisa Marie Heath says
How fun! I’ve never attended a pageant. You look so beautiful, that dress is pretty much exactly one I would wear out.
Jeni says
That is a beautiful dress. It’s so fun to see people get all dolled up for pageants. I wouldn’t want to go through all the trouble to get dolled up for one, but I think it’s great for those who do. Especially when they are for things like scholarships, they truly give those a chance who might not otherwise have them.
Kelly Hutchinson says
I am in love with that dress! And it looks fantastic on you. I am a sucker for riffle too.
Dogvills says
I love the dress! You look gorgeous in it. I have only attended a beauty pageant once and it was exciting.
Madi says
This looks like such a fun event to go to! I just love that dress, it is so adorable! I haven’t been able to go to a pageant before!
Rebecca Swenor says
It sounds like you had a fantastic time indeed. I love this black dress and with them awesome sandals. Your smile tells how excited you were that night. Thanks for sharing the is awesome outfit and your wonderful experience.
Adaleta says
What a cool experience, it is really cool how much work goes into them!
Echo says
What a cool experience! I have never seen a pageant live! I absolutely adore your dress!