Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte's Girls Night Out Event

I had the incredible pleasure of heading up the Fashion Show committee for this first year event for the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte. My labor of love for almost six months — I secured retail partners and sponsorships, cast all the runway models {thank you Wilhelmena/Evolution in Charlotte + my friends Dave Kennedy, Ervin Ledbetter and Anne Marie Rhodes} styled all 60 runway looks, produced the fashion show + chose set design (don't you love those chandeliers?!).

The other four ladies responsible for putting on such a fabulous event with me were (above, pictured left to right): Ari Harris {Community Director for RMH of C}, myself, Melissa Klinberg {Silent Auction Committee Chair}, Michele Boisvert + Debra Hall {Event Design + Logistics Committee Co-Chairs}.

In our first year event, we raised a net profit of $22,059 for the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte — enough to cover 259 nights of operating expenses at the home that is currently under construction. The support we received from our guests, the retailers, sponsors and friends and family was incredible and I personally THANK YOU and know we couldn't have done it without them!

I cannot rave enough about how awesome my dear Andrea Sylvia is: she kept me in-check, sane and laughing the entire week and is the best set of second eyes I've ever had. Julie Hough, the most organized friend I have, was incredible to step in and help me produce the show and run things backstage while I was out front. You TWO are incredible and I really can't THANK YOU enough either.

The hair team from Salon Vivace {Larry Webb, Andrea Early-McNeely and Jennifer Arnold}, along with my darling mother {Robin} were fast and fabulous. Heather Bryson of the Look (who pretty much rocked out all 12 model's make-up solo) did an amazing job, too. Thank you all for lending your time and talents to such a great event.

The models {Amy, Kristan, Anna, Gemma, Kacey, Alyse, Dave, Brittany, D.J., Darcie, Anne-Marie, Yandrick and Ervin} ... rocked. it. out. on the runway! And my committee members and volunteers — way to go backstage! It was a flawless, fluid event with no major hiccups and it's a big THANKS to you.

Christopher Frederick {a.k.a. Brotha' Fred of 96.1 The Beat} was our Master of Ceremonies (left) and Diane and Vinnie Esposito of Split Second Sound were on-hand for the music. Vinnie and I worked together to put the music together for the runway show — he's incredible and tons of fun to work with!

Oh, and thank you Best Impressions Caterers for our delicious, delicious food.

Now some of my favorite shots from the runway!

Again, a huge THANK YOU to all who were involved in this fabulous event. It was probably the best night of my life {if not most important so far} and I'm so blessed to have been such a big part of it.