Vote for Kayla!

This year, Barbizon Instructor, Kayla Martell was crowned Miss Delaware. Now, she is going on to compete for the title of Miss America and needs your votes!

Much like Caressa Cameron, currently holding the crown as Miss America, Kayla was a Barbizon Instructor in Virginia. A native of Milford, Delaware; Kayla has dreamed of becoming Miss America since she was a child but at the age of ten she experienced what she thought may be a set back, she was diagnosed with alopecia areata and subsequently lost her hair. Persevering and believing in her self and inner beauty, Kayla competed four times in the Miss Delaware Pageant, three times competing with out her wig, before being chosen to wear the crown.

Focusing on children who she shares her experience with, Kayla's platform is the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. She has received national attention for her platform and her experience, appearing on national television programs such as as CBS and such print publications as The Huffington Post.

To learn more about Kayla's upcoming Miss American Pageant and how to vote read the following letter from Kayla herself.

LETTER FROM KAYLA:

Hi Friends!

I just wanted to take a moment and update you on the return of an exciting tradition that will allow the American public to have a hand in the selection of the next Miss America! As we celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the Miss America Pageant, and the pageant's return to network television, the organization is promising this year's broadcast to be unforgettable.

Based on the votes of America, four Miss America contestants will be selected as the "People's Choice" who will then compete as four of the Top 15 Finalists LIVE on ABC January 15th! The judges scores will decide eleven of the Top 15 Finalists! It would mean so much to me if you would take four minutes to vote each way, and spread the word to your friends, colleagues and family to do the same.


First, visit www.Facebook.com/MissAmericaOrganization Click "Video Contest" and scroll down to Delaware to watch and "LIKE" my video!

Second, visit www.MissAmerica.Org/VideoContest Scroll down to Delaware to watch and vote for my video!

Third, visit www.YouTube.com/MissAmericaOrg Click on Delaware and then Sign In (or create free account) to hit "LIKE" to cast your vote!

Lastly, please text "MADE" (Miss America Delaware) to 24470 as often as you can between now and January 13th! Votes are free!

I knew I wanted to be Miss America when I was three years old. But, when I began losing my hair at the age of ten, my parents and I were unsure if that dream could ever come true. And as Miss America I hope to show the world what the Miss America Organization truly represents, as an icon of inner and outer beauty. I get chills all over, each time I consider the impact I can have and think about all the young girls who have something that they feel may keep them from achieving their dreams. But I will be proof that even a ten year old girl,with no hair on her head, really can dream of becoming Miss America. My dreams already have come true. Now that is the American Dream.

Since my crowning as your Miss Delaware I have given every part of myself to this job and to my Miss America journey. I know in my heart that I am ready for this, and that God has a greater plan for me. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers between now and January 15th, that I can stay strong mentally and physically and allow the judges to see the real me.

Have a safe and happy holiday, everyone! Thank you for all of your support and positivity!

Warmest Wishes,

Kayla Martell
Miss Delaware 2010

Barbizon USA Shares Our Holiday Gift Guide

It's the most wonderful time of the year! With just a few weeks left for gift buying, we've got you covered with ideas straight from our Barbizon JMT Staff! See what we're giving this year!

Our gift buying list:


Keitha is giving her BFF the gift of beautiful hair with a smoothing iron from Paul Mitchell, found at your local Paul Mitchell school or salon.

Makeup bags from MAC Cosmetics are so much cute and totally practical! Karlie and Megan love these makeup brush bags and say they are giving these to each other and all their friends!



Whitney is giving books this year! Priceless by Nicole Richie to be exact. We're thinking a great Christmas Break read, get it on the Kindle or in hard cover for under $15 from Amazon.com.

Rachel is also giving the gift of books this year, with the ultra compact Kindle! Rachel's making her mom's bag lighter this year with the Amazon Kindle..so small it fits neatly in your purse! Starting at just $139.

Jamie recommends an Apple iPad for your significant other. Available through the Apple Store and starting at just $499 this is a device we want for ourselves!

Our Panel of Expert Gift Buyers:

Jamie - Dir. Advanced Scouting / Rachel - IMTA


Lily - Asst. Placement Dir. / Keitha - Agency Dir.


Karlie - IMTA / Megan - IMTA Dir.


Whitney - Administrative Dir.

Presenting...Elle!

A few months ago we posted an update on Danielle Veenstra, Barbizon USA grad from Florida, doing Elle Girl Magazine. The cover is out and Danielle is on it! During her tour of Asia, Danielle landed this Elle Girl Cover in Korea!

Take Your Summer Wardrobe Into Fall and Even Winter!

Post By Barbizon USA Instructor Miss Summer

As the weather changes and gets cooler, it seems like clearing out your closet of strappy summer dresses and making room for bulky winter clothes would be the smart move – wrong. This fall and winter, it’s all about transforming summer outfits and accessories into chilly weather-friendly fashions. With only a couple added extras and maybe some DIY projects, your wardrobe will be just as cool-weather friendly and (maybe even MORE) fashionable than your summer threads.

First transformation – that adorable go-to summer dress that made appearances at the county fair, family get-togethers, and movie nights. Pair the dress with a long casual sweater in a neutral color. Try the AE Cable Knit Toggle Cardigan (pictured below) in gray. At only $69.95 it’s an investment piece that you’ll get a lot of wear out of this season.

(photo from ae.com)

Grab some flat riding boots with a classy buckle on the leg to really make your look take you into the cooler months. Again, find some in a neutral brown or black and make your purchase worth it.

To finish off your summer dress transformation – find a summer scarf and use it to accessorize. This is going to be the pop of color that the look needs and what people will notice the most. Find one that really fits your style and shows off your personality. With so many different scarves to choose from at such affordable prices, it’ll be the easiest part! For a great scarf selection try www.gap.com, or www.oldnavy.com to find colors and patterns that you didn’t know existed in the scarf world.

Another big trend that we’re seeing this fall is leggings. After seeing them all over the runways and streets of last fall, we thought that would be the end of them, but to our surprise, they’ve made a huge comeback and are better (and easier to wear!) than ever. Forget the boring basic leggings that only come in black and grey. Use them as a bright accessory and find colors and patterns to take your outfit to the next level. With patterns, lengths, colors, and even textures (shiny, leather, sweater-y!) – they are definitely a must-have for this season. Pair them with sweater dresses, boots, and some bulky accessories to make people notice you’re fabulous outfit!

Just be careful not to overdo it. If your dress is loud with lots of colors, stick to a more neutral legging or maybe just a black lace. Only have one (two at the very most) “notice-me” pieces on at a time. You don’t want to overwhelm your audience! Almost all stores have a huge variety of leggings so keep an eye out for some that really scream your name. You’ll be a fall fashion icon in no time!

About the Author

Miss Summer has been a Barbizon Instructor in Tampa, FL for over a year. Launching her modeling career while she was just a teenager, Summer got her start when she competed in the IMTA competition. Putting her modeling career on hold, Summer found her niche as a Barbizon Instructor, Barbizon Director of Education and as a college student studying magazine journalism. A true fashionista, she's inspired by Michael Kors.