How’s your week been going so far? Thank goodness it’s almost the weekend, right? I had a rough day yesterday, but today has been so much better. I even made it a point to get out in the sunshine with Travis and the kids for a bit. Then Michala and I ran some errands. We made a quick trip to Dollar Tree and I got lost looking at all of the 4th of July decorations. I went ahead and bought a few decorations so that way I’m not stuck doing at the last minute (like I usually do).

It’s just been a busy week, you guys! Have you found any interesting things this week? Here are five things I think are worth sharing.

1. Miss America Candidates Will No Longer Be Judged on Physical Appearance #ByeByeBikini

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – SEPTEMBER 10: Miss South Carolina 2017 Suzi Roberts in a Swimsuit challenge participates during the 2018 Miss America Competition Show at Boardwalk Hall Arena on September 10, 2017, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Donald Kravitz/Getty Images for Dick Clark Productions)

Did you hear about the new Miss America Competition? Earlier this week the Board of Trustees of the Miss America Organization announced they are throwing out the swimsuit competition and will no longer judge the candidates on their physical appearance.

I remember when I was a little girl I used to watch the Miss America pageant and dream I was a candidate on the stage. At the time, it never really occurred to me how offensive it was to judge a woman on her outward appearance. Of course, once I was an adult, I realized judging a woman (or even a man for that matter) on her physical appearance is unfair. I’m happy to see the Miss America Organization update their competition policies and focus more on women empowerment.

Gretchen Carlson, Chair of the Board of Trustees, on the new change of the Miss America Competition:

“We are no longer a pageant. Miss America will represent a new generation of female leaders focused on scholarship, social impact, talent, and empowerment. We’re experiencing a cultural revolution in our country with women finding the courage to stand up and have their voices heard on many issues. Miss America is proud to evolve as an organization and join this empowerment movement.”

What will change about the competition? The Miss America candidates will participate in a live interactive session with the judges. According to the Miss America Organization, each candidate will have the opportunity to “highlight her achievements and goals in life and how she will use her talents, passion, and ambition to perform the job of Miss America.”

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – SEPTEMBER 10: Newly crowned Miss America 2018 (Miss North Dakota 2017) Cara Mund celebrates during the 2018 Miss America Competition Show at Boardwalk Hall Arena on September 10, 2017, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Donald Kravitz/Getty Images for Dick Clark Productions)

In place of the evening gown competition, candidates will have “the freedom to outwardly express their self-confidence in evening attire of their choosing while discussing how they will advance their social impact initiatives.” The talent portion of the competition will still remain.

“The 2019 Miss America Competition” airs live on ABC, Sunday, September 9th (9:00–11:00 p.m. EDT), from Atlantic City’s historic Boardwalk Hall.

What about you? Do you think we should still have a Miss America Competition? 

2. Comerica Bank Invited the Detroit International Academy of Young Women to the Detroit Grand Prix

Detroit International Academy of Young Women students enjoyed an exclusive view of practice laps from the Belle Isle Club grandstand during a day-long tour of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear on Comerica Bank Free Prix Day. (Photo courtesy Franco PR)
 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar driver Christina Nielsen
Detroit International Academy of Young Women student presents a Comerica Free Prix Day cookie to IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar driver Christina Nielsen during a unique tour of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix’s racing paddock June 1. (Photo courtesy Franco PR)

Last weekend, the young women of the Detroit International Academy got a behind-the-scenes experience of the Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear. The students enjoyed an exclusive view of practice laps from the Belle Isle Club grandstand during a day-long tour on Comerica Bank’s Free Prix Day.

Other activities the young women enjoyed were watching the teams race, checking out Christina’s Porsche 911 GT3 R, and learning the importance of tire technology and racing strategy in the pit lane.

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to attend Detroit International Academy’s special presentation when select students met IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Driver Christina Nielsen. Comerica Bank and the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix surprised the students by announcing they would get to go on a special field trip to the Grand Prix! What a great way to inspire young women!

3. Puckerd’s Haute Nights Collection is Just What the Summer Ordered!

Looking for a hot, new lipstick color for the summer? Puckerd just released its newest collection called Haute Nights. The lipstick has a matte finish for long-lasting wear and a comfortable feel. The names are just as provocative as the colors, embodying power and demanding attention.

This line is made for the exceptional girl who likes to walk on the bold and trendy side. Four colors to start with and a new color added each week in the month June. Puckerd says these “lippies will leave you kissable and won’t dry out the lips.”

Hydra gloss $15

Liquid matte lipstick $19

Matttastic matte lipstick $16.50 (Haute Nights Summer Collection)

Mattastic metals $21.00

Galactic gloss $18.50

Sylvia Russell founded Puckerd to empower all women of color and different ethnicities. Made in the U.S.A.,  Puckerd is a cruelty-free and a vegan-based beauty product. Yay! The lipstick brand is also gluten, paraben, and sulfite free. Promising hours of kiss proof wear and a soft silky texture with a flexible feel. Check them out here if you like!

4. Fourth Annual Currents Music Festival Returns to Milford

Stone cold funk artist Nadir Omowale was recently selected as a 2018 Detroit Music Award winner in the “Outstanding Urban Artist/Group” category. (Photo courtesy Nadir Omowale)

One of the many things I love about summer in Metro Detroit is the endless amounts of summer concerts you can enjoy. From the Detroit Public Library’s Jazz and Java series to summer concerts at the farmer’s markets, you can find many free concerts to attend. Make it a date night with your love or take the family for a picnic to enjoy some feel-good music.

Milford’s 4th Annual Currents Music Festival is this Saturday, June 9th. The music festival is an all-day event so get ready to dance the day and night away!

Check out this year’s lineup:

For more information about the Currents Music Festival, you can get all of the info here.

5. Zechariah Turns 3 This Saturday! Where Did the Time Go?

Look how cute and plump my baby boy was at 14 weeks! And that hair! *heart*

Zechariah’s third birthday is on Saturday! BRB while I go cry my eyes out. Seriously, though, I am very happy to celebrate my baby’s third birthday. The BIG THREE! Woot! But you know, it’s a little bittersweet for me because I’m a mom and I always get a little melancholy when my kids have a birthday. I think back to when I was pregnant with them, the day I went into labor and the first year of their life. Such sweet memories!

This year, we’re planning on celebrating Zechariah’s special day at a playground. Not sure which playground, yet. I’m torn between Belle Isle and Stony Creek Park. Why the playground? Because Zechariah LOVES the playground! That’s all he wants to do when he goes outside.

I ask him if he’d like to go to the city. He replies, “No, I want to go to the playground.” I ask if he’d like to go out to eat. He replies, “No, I want to go to the playground!”

Me: “Would you like to go get some ice cream?”

Zechariah: “No, I want to go to the playground!”

Me: “Did you know your birthday will be here soon?”

Zechariah: “No, I want to go to the playground!”

Last year, we celebrated Zechariah’s birthday at Campus Martius.

So I think I can take a hint. Zechariah wants to go the playground 24/7, even at night. 🙂 He literally asks me when it’s nighttime if he can go to the playground. “Zechariah, it’s dark outside!” He doesn’t care. He still wants to go! LOL

We plan on getting Zechariah two PJ Masks toys and a few trains because he LOVES trains. I still need to order his birthday cake and get the decorations for the house.

Last year, we celebrated his birthday in the city at Campus Martius. We bought pizza from Slices and brought our own cake. After we sang Zechariah “Happy Birthday” in the park, people came up to us to wish him a happy birthday. It was really sweet.

What interesting things have you discovered this week?

Also, check out an exclusive interview with actor and music artist Lenny Kravitz and 5 Things Worth Sharing (5.24.2018)!

Written by

Jennifer Hamra

Freelance creative Jennifer Hamra created her blog Good Life Detroit in 2015 after relocating from Tennessee to Southeast Michigan.

Inspired by her love for personal blogging and photography, Jennifer likes to share her favorite Detroit things, from cool places to visit (the hidden gems are her favorite!) to the amazing people she has connected with over the years.

When she's not busy juggling family life and her creative projects, you can find her at an art gallery, community event, farmers market, or spending quiet time at home with a good book and cup of tea.

Jennifer lives in the metro Detroit area with her husband Travis and their six children.

Connect with Jennifer on social media @goodlifedetroit on all social media platforms or via email at [email protected].