She Does Better

Emilie Burke

Where did I go? Well, to West Point!

// Personal

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Last Saturday my handsome boyfriend graduated from college! Isn’t that so exciting?! 

Join me as you can follow us through the week:

It all started on Wednesday. Casey’s brother Kyle was coming into town. He flew into EWR, which is on my way from school to West Point. I picked him up just after noon, after a crazy morning of errands. We drove up to West Point where Boyfriend was getting out of an event. The timing worked out absolutely perfectly! We waited for him to change and then headed to the PX for some errands and things. Then we went to Brother’s Barbecue for some late lunch.  

After lunch, we hung out some before heading down to the dock where we got to go on the Superintendent’s boat. One of Casey’s buddies booked the boat back in January and it was a nice way to bring everyone and their families together before the hecticness of the week to come. 


Can you tell they’re brothers?

After a wonderful boatride, we took Kyle to the Firstie, which he had never seen, since it was only his second time at West Point (the last being A Day in Casey’s plebe year). We didn’t have a hotel Wednesday night, so I had to drive all the way- aka, an hour and a half- home. 

On Thursday, Casey spent most of the day moving out. When I came up that afternoon, we just hung out until we went to dinner at a fancy steakhouse that we had never been to before. It was something Casey’s grandma picked. I was just along for the ride. 

Friday was a bit more hectic with the Parade first thing that morning. We got there an hour and a half before step off only to find out that the bleachers had been full for over two already. That meant that we were standing. I really didn’t mind but mostly because the weather was perfect. If it were raining, I absolutely would have passed on the Parade. This one was certainly unique, but not worth standing in bad weather. We are definitely passed that stage in the relationship. 

That evening was Casey’s graduation banquet. It started off with a wonderful cocktail hour, followed by dinner. It concluded with a speech by General Ray Odierno, Chief of Staff of the Army.

It was an absolutely amazing time! I was so glad that I got the chance to go. General Odierno’s speech was beautiful. At one point he called out a girl’s name during the speech and called everyone’s attention to her. Whispers suggested this was the moment that she was going to get proposed to. Instead he said roughly “I graduated 611th in my class, like you will. I have high expectations for you.” Really, it was a great speech. 

Saturday morning was graduation! After being there bright and early, I was so glad that I got to not only attend this special day, but share it with my Dad and Sister. 

That’s them, in case you couldn’t tell. 

I was so honored that Casey gave me the chance to attend his graduation and share this special day with him. Like all things West Point, the ceremony itself was beautiful. The Keynote speaker was General Martin Dempsey who emphasized the importance of leadership and spoke anecdotally about his first salute. 

After a quick bite of food, we rushed back to the real highlight of the day- Casey’s commissioning! Casey, along with three other fellows in his company commissioned together. I know two of these three guys pretty well and can attest to what wonderful people they are. I was so glad that I got to be there on this special occasion. 

This was not the first time I attended a commissioning. After graduation in 2013, I attended my friend Olivia’s Commissioning into the Marine Corps. Then after graduation in 2014, I attended the ROTC Commissioning  to support my sorority sister Kelly, as well as one of my sister’s boyfriends. This commissioning, though, was so much more real. The pomp and circumstance was in the graduation ceremony, so this part of the day was about the guys- just the guys. It was such a beautiful ceremony and the day was perfect to math.

Here I am with my 2LT. Congratulations, not only to Casey, but all the graduates this weekend!

 

You mean, there was a horse race too?

// Personal

Reading Time: 4 minutes

You may remember me complaining about how I wasn’t going to see my boyfriend for a while after our last wonderful date weekend. Well, finally, I got to see him again!

For a couple of weeks now, we’ve had plans to head down to Baltimore for the Infieldfest at Preakness. We bought our tickets over a month ago before the prices really started skyrocketing. Boyfriend was even lucky enough to get a Mug Club Ticket for under $100.

We got down to Baltimore on Friday afternoon. We stayed at the Motel 6- Baltimore West, which I booked through Hotels.com. I have a special affinity for Hotels.com and wish that I had started using it sooner. You see, for every 10 nights you book in a hotel with them, you earn one free! At first I was so off put by this- I would never actually earn it. It wouldn’t be worthwhile, etc. Well, between traveling for football games, weddings, business trips, and everything else going on, I’ve already accumulated 12 nights this year! That all being said, I redeemed one of them this weekend. How cool is that? The hotel we stayed in was slightly more expensive that the $79.99 credit I earned, but they subtracted the credit and we only had to pay the difference. Our total for two nights of stay at what was actually a really, really nice Motel 6 (but really, we probably spent an hour discussing how nice it really was), including taxes and fees, was under $120. Also, I just printed (and will mail tomorrow) a rebate form for $20 back! Not. too. shabby.

If you’re interested in a $40 coupon towards Hotels.com, fill out my contact form here and I will email it to you!

The “we” I’ve been referencing is the we you see pictured below. (AT&T, if you’re reading this, we would make the perfect “Raising the Bar” commercial.) It was my boyfriend and I, as well as my boyfriend’s roommate and his girlfriend (who is a cadet). Maybe I was the only civilian in the room. Okay, I was the only civilian in the room. Anyway, the four of us had discussed briefly going to the Orioles game since it was student night at tickets were dirt cheap ($6!). When we sat down and discussed it, though, we realized that none of us had an affinity for baseball.

We decided instead to just go out to dinner at the Inner Harbor. We took an Uber downtown. Uber is an on-demand taxi-like service. In Baltimore, it is way, way, way cheaper than any cabs, so it was absolutely the smart move. If you’re interested in signing up with Uber, I’d appreciate it if you used my referral code. It will earn you $20 in free credit! Really, sign up here!

 

Down at the beautiful Inner Harbor, the boys got wrangled into participating in a street performer’s show. Really, they just were being used for their muscles. Street performers are (usually) so great to watch. It’s such a great show and for such little money (just tips!).

Next, we decided, when in Baltimore, must do seafood. Rather than the typical, overpriced chain restaurants, we hit one that had a sign out front that said “#1 Happy Hour in the Country.” Hate to break it to y’all but they lied. The food was great. Even reasonably priced, considering where we were. The folks at the bar, though, where we sat for Happy Hour Drinks before being seated at our table. Nope, not happy at all.

After that and a long walk around the downtown area- exploring some malls, sharing some cheesecake, and running through fountains, we decided it was time to head back because the next day would be an early morning.

We went to Erin’s friend’s home in the morning because we would be driving with them to the stadium (parking was $65!!!). His mom welcomed us with some delicious homemade breakfast that was to die for.

Eventually, we made our way off to the stadium and into the Infield where we spent the rest of the day. It was crazy how many different people were there from so many different parts of my life.

In this picture, for example, you have my boyfriend and I. To the far right, though, is a gentleman who is high school friends with one of the guy’s in Casey’s company and also happens to be a high school friend of one of a member of my Venture for America cohort! The guy next to him is a 2014 VFA fellow. There were a ton of fellows there and it was so nice meeting so many of the non-Baltimore fellows who I hadn’t met yet! But really, how small is the world?

The night ended in a bit of a rain disaster. The sky opened and fell on us- but even worse, on my phone. We were completely soaked to the bone. As was my phone. Lucky for me, it was off the whole time and is, at least, working. There is, though, visible water damage to the screen. Last night the camera was also fuzzy, but I think that’s pretty much dried out. Fingers crossed that another night in rice will do the trick.

Apparently, American Pharaoh won the race. We never really stuck around to watch it. Overall, though, I had an amazing time with amazing friends. I would do it over again (but with a plastic bag for my phone) a thousand times.

Currently // May

// Personal

Reading Time: < 1 minute

How is it May already?! Where is the time going?!

I’m currently…

Ordering // I just ordered my Erin Condren Life Planner and some stickers from Creating & Co. I’m waiting for those to come in. I just got my brand new Green Foxy Dori from Foxy Fix that I paired with travel inserts from Yellow Paper House. They are so beautiful and I really am loving them already. Make sure to follow my creative insta for more pictures of them and how I”m using them! I also signed up for The Creative Planner Online Workshop with Christy Tomlinson of Scarlet Lime Shop and Cori of The Reset Girl. I spent wayyyyy too much money last week, so I’m on a long-term spending freeze and am really just taking advantage of the things I splurged on!

Celebrating // I don’t want to jinx anything yet, so… ask me again in a week!

Tasting // This week is Restaurant Week in town! I’m making plans with a couple of my sisters to get at least one dinner. It’s a shame that Boyfriend can’t be here to take advantage of this week, but I’ll still have to enjoy at least one meal! I’m a big fan of Despaña!
Protip: Book as many dinner reservations as possible through Open Table. You earn points at some restaurants that can lead to free dinners! If you’re going out anyway, why not accumulate points for it!

Now, May, slow down!

Miss New Jersey International 2015

// Personal

Reading Time: 5 minutes

As you know by now I competed in the Miss New Jersey International 2015 pageant this weekend.

On Friday at 1.30, we arrived for Orientation. We went over the rules and typical Orientation-y things. That evening we had dinner and a meet and greet at The Chelsea, a senior citizen community. I was honored to have the chance to speak to a WW2 Vet, as well as a number of other fantastic, inspiring individuals.

Photo Credit: Richard Krauss Photography Photo Credit: Richard Krauss Photography

Saturday morning began with my oversleep my alarms and showing up the my hair appointment 20 minutes late. Whoops. After hair and makeup, I made it to the pageant just in time for my 10.30 interview. (I will be writing more about my platform and interview later this week.)

The pageant itself started at 7 PM. I am still waiting for the official pageant photos. That being said, these are good for now. I can’t wait to get the better pictures back!

The pageant began with an opening number!

I rented this black dress with feathers from Rent the Runway. It is Elizabeth and James’s Freedom Sheath.  It was the perfect size and length. I always love Rent the Runway. I have yet to have a negative experience with them.

Next, after opening number was fun fashion.

When I first heard about Fun Fashion, I was totally freaked out, completely unsure about what it meant. With the help of my pageant coach Kailee Hardy of Studio Sash, I found this wonderful dress. I feel so good about how I did on stage. I can’t wait to see the pictures from this. I got the skirt tailored to exactly my size and it moved with me so perfectly.

I paired the dress with Badgley Mischka Showstopper Earrings. Perfect touch.

Afterwards was aerobic wear. I wore a one piece outfit that I apparently didn’t take a picture of. It is the standard one piece that International Pageants requires of its contestants.

For the on-stage interview, I wore the same outfit that I wore earlier. It was a Lilly Pulitzer Candy Striper Bow Shift dress that I also rented from Rent the Runway.

After a brief intermission, the show ended with evening gown.

This photo is from after the pageant, but you can see the evening gown I wore. It is a Tony Bowls gown that I rented from Claire Hodgson a MAO competitor in Arkansas that I discovered through the @promresale Instagram account (previously @pageantresale). I got complimented on this dress all night long! I paired it with the earrings I rented from RTR and a necklace that matched perfectly from one of my pageant sisters.

Overall, I had a really great experience and I’m so glad I competed. I’m honored to have been named First Runner Up.

My Platform: Female Political Empowerment

My platform was- and still is- female political empowerment. I find it really disconcerting that we live in American where women make up 50% of the population but hold less than 20% of congressional seats.

Given the opportunity, I would have leveraged my title to run more workshops for middle school-aged young ladies to participate in the classroom more, as a beginning step to political participation.

The emphasis on platform is a large part of what separates the International Pageant system from all the others. For Teen and Miss Contestants, your interview make up 40% of your score. For Mrs Contestants, it’s 50%. This emphasis on interview and platform (and no bikini) is what attracts me to the International system. I don’t do pageants because I want to parade around in fancy clothes. I do it because I want to leverage my title to actively change my community.

Pageantry

“But you’re a bright girl, why would you want to do a pageant?”

And that’s exactly the problem. Yes, there are beauty pageants out there. I am not competing in those systems. Yes, there are people who are in pageants for the wrong reasons. But one bad apple should not spoil the reputation of the bunch.

I want to leverage my title to further my platform. I want to do more than look pretty on stage. Don’t get me wrong. I feel great in a dress. It feels good knowing how to walk in in 6 inch heels confidently. It feels good to feel good in your skin. Talking on stage and walking confidently are important skills for any young lady.

The International Pageant System’s emphasis on platform is absolutely amazing. That’s why I wanted to be Miss New Jersey International 2015. Now the opportunity has come and gone, and I’m okay with how it went.

My goal, obviously, was to win. But just because I didn’t, just because I don’t have a crown on my head, just because I don’t have that state title, doesn’t mean I can’t keep working. It doesn’t mean that I can’t continue to encourage young ladies to be more politically engaged.

This weekend I got to speak on stage to hundreds of people about why this was important to me. I am grateful for that opportunity. I hope they took my message home.

What comes next?

I really loved competing in the Miss New Jersey International Pageant. In case you’re not all pictured out, here’s another…

Yes, I would like to compete again. Unfortunately, I don’t know that it’s in the stars (and wallet) for me right now. Just as a PSA, the Emilie Burke’s next pageant fund is taking donations.

I’ve got a pageant on my radar that the director is really coming after me for, but the timing for it is terrible and it certainly is a lot of money. I will have to think long and hard about whether or not this is something I can do right now.

I am sure that I will definitely compete again. I just don’t know when or in what system (though, I hope to bring it back to the International system).

Until then, thanks for following this Pageant Week on the blog! I hope you enjoyed learning more about pageantry and why it can be actually something more than Honey Boo Boo.

I was very intentional in my language. Pageantry can be more than Honey Boo boo. That doesn’t mean it always is. By sharing the right side of it and encouraging women to participate in pageants with real platforms, we can help young ladies develop role models who are more than just what they look like but also what they do.

Lots of new updates coming for you and really awesome guest writers this month. Get excited!

Starting on a steal

// Personal

Reading Time: 2 minutes

You know that fuzzy feeling you used to get in the gut of your stomach right around August. It was so nice. If you’re like me, just the thought makes you exciting and giggly. As a kid, it means new stuff. As a big girl, it means an expensive time of year.

Back to school. And this is my last one.

Next Monday- well actually, Tuesday- is my last first day of school, at least for a year. I am having all the feelings right now, to say the least. I won’t bore you with my feelings, though.

Instead, I want to tell how about how I killed my trip to Target today. I don’t have a lot of money, and the beginning of the semesters are tight times of year. It seems like Christmas has barely passed when textbooks, food, and everything else is due at once.

I was really proud, though, of this trip. I really knew that I had to spend under $200 because I did not have more than that. This was a hard line in the sand.  Goal: Maximize my $200 using only sales. This was an impromptu trip, so there was no time for coupons and planning.

Half way through the trip, my cell phone died! I hadn’t even noticed it was dying, but one minute it was on and then it wasn’t. I had been tallying up my total, which I didn’t even know at that point only to have it disappear in my hands. poof. gone.

I had to wing it, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous when I pulled up to the register. I had a cart full of stuff- literally, FULL- and a hard spending limit. I mentioned to the wonderful cashier that I was going to be watching the total as he went because I lost count. He laughed it off and said it wouldn’t be a problem.

Needless to say, I was very, very relieved to find that I spent exactly $150.16.

It’s still a lot of money, but there are at least 14 dinners and 12 lunches in their entirety. That’s not to count the snacks, apple sauces (one of my faves!), two boxes of oatmeal, and bits and pieces of meals.

I cannot wait for the day where my ItWorks business has given me a comfortable financial income, and I won’t have to worry about the price of feeding myself. I’m working my business every day to help people live better, healthier lives and gain financial freedom.

Here’s to starting the year on a good note!