Stepping Up for Ouachita 2011.

Thursday was the 2nd annual Stepping Up for Ouachita women's luncheon and style show to raise money for women's scholarships at OBU.  I was honored to get to serve on the planning committee both last year and this year.  Also our salon has volunteered to style the girl's hair for the style show both years.

This year the event was held on campus in Arkdelphia to celebrate OBU's 125th anniversary.  Laura and I got an early start Thursday morning, arriving at 8am to style hair and apply make-up to the 9 models.  After we had all the girls ready, we enjoyed the luncheon at our table with Amy, Gary's grandmother, Betty Jo Grant, her friend, Mary McBeth, Gary's aunt, Shirley Hardin, my mom, and her friend, Suzanne Sims.  The food was wonderful and there was a packed house.  I'm looking forward to hearing how much money was raised for young women to come to school at OBU.

After the lunch, we got to visit with my brother who is a sophomore at OBU this year.  Ouachita holds such a special place in my family's hearts.  I was thankful to be a part of giving back so that other girls can have the opportunity to experience what I did at OBU.

Stepping Up For Ouachita.

Thursday was a fun day for us at Katherine Grant Salon.  We arrived at work early to style 8 ladies' hair for the Dillards fashion show during the 1st annual "Stepping Up For Ouachita" women's luncheon. 

I was honored to be asked to serve on the "Stepping Up" planning committee this year.  When the idea for a fashion show came up at one of our meetings, I saw an opportunity to help by providing our hairstyling experience at KGS to polish off each model's look.  Both Laura and Kate also have OBU connections, and were gracious enough to also volunteer their talents to help.

Kelsey's hair styled by Kate for the style show.


Katherine Grant Salon and Jenkins Enterprises went in together to purchase a table at the luncheon.  Our table held: My mom, Gary's grandmother (Betty Jo Grant), and his Aunt (Shirley Hardin), Brooke Hayes, Laura Shaefer, Molly Banks, Karen Watts, Kate, Laura and myself.



Brooke and Mrs. Laura.



Molly, Mrs. Watts, and Mom.

Me with Gary's Aunt and Grandmother (both OBU Alumni).

The luncheon was held at the Chenal Vallley Country Club, and the money raised will go toward providing scholarships for the women of OBU.  During the luncheon, the Dillards' style show featured fall trends modeled by Ouachita women.  Miss Arkansas (OBU Alum) closed the style show, modeling a purple formal gown.  Rebecca Jones, the style show emcee, was kind enough to give our salon a shout out at the beginning of the show.  All of the women looked beautiful, and we were all proud to be a part of this new OBU tradition.

After the luncheon, Kate, Laura and I enjoyed a glass of wine and appetizers at YaYa's, followed by some down time shopping at the Promenade at Chenal, before going back to work at 5. 

Friday night Mom and I had a mother/daughter date with Brooke and Mrs. Laura.  We had dinner at the Capital Bar and Grill, followed by shopping at the Jr. League's annual Holiday House.  I didn't buy much, but I enjoyed spending time with them looking at all the neat stuff. 

Yesterday after work, I watched the Hogs whoop up on South Carolina with the fam at Mom and Dad's house.  John Allen came  home with two friends from OBU and Jessica brought her new boyfriend, Richard. 

Today is a lazy Sunday for me and the animals.  Gary has been in Gatlinberg, TN at the Smokey Mountain Gift Show since Wednesday.  I'm looking forward to having him home Tuesday night!