Last weekend we served as celebrity judges at the California Gold Coast Pageant in Costa Mesa.  The hit TLC reality show Toddlers and Tiaras was also there to take in all the glitz and glamour!  Watch for our episode coming up in January 2010.  Sashes and Crowns also had a booth at the event, and many contestants were eager to sign up for our upcoming workshops.  Be sure to reserve a spot now by emailing us at sashesandcrowns@gmail.com.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS:

November 15, Santa Monica, CA- Last Minute Miss CA USA and Miss Teen CA USA 2010 Bootcamp $200

December 12, Santa Monica, CA- Little Miss & Mister Pageantry Workshop $100 (12 and under)

February 6-7, Phoenix, AZ- The Hollywood Weekend Workshop- Breaking into the Business $500 (all ages)

Last night Cristina and I were lucky enough to attend a fundraiser event at Terry Rossio’s home (writer/producer of  Shrek, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Mask of Zorro among many others).  The festivities took place at Terry’s gorgeous home in Topanga Canyon…it was a crisp fall night, and Cristina and I were terribly underdressed for the weather, but we thought warm thoughts, and enjoyed the full moon which beautifully illuminated the celebrity party-goers.

Besides rubbing elbows with tinsletowns elite, we also sat down for an entertaining Real TV Films interview with Spencer Garrett (an actor best known for roles in Transformers-Revenge of the Fallen and Public Enemies.  The star-studded get together was actually an effort to raise money for a short film that Garrett will be appearing in, and which is starring the beautiful Shevaun Kastl, called Conversations with Lucifer.  And though Spencer was pretty hush-hush about his role and other details regarding the film, he certainly piqued our interest and we will anxiously await the premier.  But in the meantime, we can all enjoy the videos that Gordon Vasquez from Real TV Films has produced, documenting the making of the film through interviews (http://www.realtvfilms.com/conversations-with-lucifer-the-concept.html).

Besides being terribly fun, last night was just another reminder that Sashes and Crowns Pageant Coachingis in the right place, doing the right thing.  The entertainment biz is never easy to break into, or maintain presence in, and it’s always encouraging to meet actors and television personalities who have stuck it out and experienced longevity…just as we also hope to attain.  ~Tara Darby

Cristina Nardozzi and Tara Darby with Spencer Garrett

When Cristina and I were first introduced, we already knew we had a lot in common. Not only were we both former beauty queens (who also happened to compete on Fear Factor) but we also worked in the same industry as professional models and TV presenters. I still remember the night Cristina introduced me to the famed Italian lover’s dream, Fritto Misto, in Santa Monica, CA. It was over a steaming plate of ravioli that the concept of Sashes and Crowns first developed.

Several months later, here we are doing the very thing we set out to do. There were many times along the way that I would get impatient or anxious, but it just couldn’t be rushed, not if it was going to be done right. We had both coached girls before, but there’s something to be said for strength in numbers. And although there are just the two of us, I know that together we are doubly committed to our clients, and with twice the experience and know-how to share, we offer a service that is particularly unique. These days Cristina and I have even more in common; we’re across the street neighbors, friends, entrepreneurs and now business partners… moving onward and upward!