Billings, MT

Billings, Montana
Saturday, June 8th

Our drive to Billings was anything but boring. During our 13.5 hour drive we experienced an extreme lightning storm. The rain was so severe that it forced us to pull over until the rain died down. Though frightening, the lightning was quite beautiful.

Lightning storm in Montana. 

After a long and tiresome drive we arrived in Billings, Montana at 5:30 in the morning! Luckily, shopping appointments didn't begin until noon. So we were able to get some much needed sleep before the girls arrived. When the girls did arrive they came excited and ready to shop. All of our shoppers were taken back at the selection they had to choose from. The social workers that brought the girls were just as delighted by the mobile boutique and experience all together. All in all a good day in Montana! And yes the sky really is bigger here.

Girls shopping in Billings Montana. 

The sky really is bigger here. 

And we're off! Stay tuned for an update re: our stop in Cheyenne, Wyoming. 

Sioux Falls, SD

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Friday, June 7th 

We had a very exciting day in Sioux Falls, South Dakota! Our day began at 5 am this morning as we woke to prepare for a jam packed schedule. As we were getting ready we turned on the television to KSFY (ABC) and what did we see? News reporter Rachel in front of our trailer filming a teaser for her scheduled 6 am interview with Allyson. Rachel had certainly done her homework! We were impressed. And, according to KSFY Threads for Teens in Sioux Falls was the top story of the morning!

Threads for Teens on Tour being featured on KSFY. 

At about 5:30 am, we walked to the truck to set up and were happily greeted by Sioux Falls' news reporters Kellee, from KELO-CBS and Rachel from KSFY-ABC, and Sioux Falls CASA director, Amy Benda. KELO and KSFY filmed us as we set up the boutique. Meanwhile, Amy Benda was interviewed so that the audience may better understand the CASA perspective. Once the boutique was ready, Kelly and Rachel interviewed Allyson at 6 am for their live broadcasts. Both interviews went very well and can be seen/ read about online!

Allyson being interviewed by KSFY's news reporter Rachel. 

Read more about the story here, http://www.ksfy.com/story/22536724/threads-for-teens

Allyson being interviewed by KELO's news reporter, Kellee. 

See the interview online at, http://www.keloland.com/newsdetail.cfm/california-teen-helps-foster-girls-across-usa/?id=149126 

KELO's news reporter Kelee. Happy birthday Kelee!

Allyson's interviews wrapped up at around 7 am, just in time for all of us to head up to the room for a much needed nap. We returned to the truck at 10 am to host the first appointments. Amy, the Sioux Falls CASA director, met us at the boutique with coffee and breakfast food! She and her staff/ volunteers then proceeded to set up a picnic bench of snacks and water bottles for us and the clients! The hospitality we received was simply superb. They truly rolled out the red carpet for us. 

                     Allyson being interviewed (left). Amy setting up the picnic table (right). 

Between the news stations, clients and CASAs, there was such a big commotion at the Hilton Garden Inn, Sioux Falls that passerbys and those who had seen us on the news opted to stop on by to take a closer look at the mobile boutique and meet Allyson! In particular there was one group of young fans who came out to meet Allyson and see the mobile boutique in person. 

Allyson mingling with young "fans" from Sioux Falls.

And of course, in between/ during the commotion of guests and press we conducted our scheduled shopping appointments. Throughout the day twenty girls visited the boutique. All of which were polite, respectful, well mannered, and oh so gracious. These young ladies were certainly the ones who remind us why we do what we do. Truly a pleasure. Highlights of the appointments included various girls loving their new outfits so much that they opted to wear them out. 

One of our shoppers rocking her new Miss Me jeans!

One of our shoppers fell in love with one of our favorite Francesca's dresses.

One of our shoppers created a fun, chic outfit by pairing her new skirt with her cardigan. 

As the day progressed KELO news station returned to do a second round of interviews with Allyson, Natalie and Amy Benda. Sioux Falls news station KDLT (NBC) also came out to interview Allyson for their mid day broadcast. 

KELO interviewing Natalie re: the tour, her job on tour, her friendship with Allyson, etc.

KDLT interviewing Allyson for their mid day broadcast. 

KELO doing a second interview with Allyson. 

In between the chaos of appointments, press, and visitors- Amy Benda took a quiet moment to let Allyson know that her daughter, Angelina, had seen her on television, was a huge fan and quite jealous that her mother was meeting her. Amy shared this information with the hope that Allyson could possibly write her an inspirational note. However, rather than merely write a note Allyson suggested that Angelina come out to the mobile boutique so that she could meet her and share the Threads for Teens experience. So that was what happened! Amy brought Angelina out to the truck in the afternoon and boy did Angelina get the full Threads for Teens experience. Not only did she get to meet Allyson, she got to watch and help with shopping appointments. She was such a joy to have! We were all so happy she was able to join us for the day. 

Angelina and Allyson. 

Amy, Angelina, and Allyson. 

There are not enough words to describe how kind, hospitable, welcoming, and gracious Amy Benda and her staff/ volunteers were. Truly a wonderful group of people being led by an outstanding woman. Sioux Falls will certainly be a tough act to follow. Thank you Sioux Falls! And thank you Amy Benda!

Amy, the Sioux Falls CASA director and Allyson. 

And now we are off to Billings, Montana. But first, Mount Rushmore! Though we have a ten hour drive ahead of us, it was certainly worth the stop. 

Threads for Teens made it to Mount Rushmore!

Amy, Allyson, Auntie Abbie, and Natalie at Mount Rushmore, South Dakota. 

Stay tuned for tomorrow's blog post re: our day in Billings, Montana. 

Lincoln, NE

Lincoln, Nebraska 
Thursday, June 6th

When we arrived in Lincoln, Nebraska late last night we received a warm welcome from Staybridge Suites Lincoln Northeast. The staff's hospitality and warm cookies were superb. And it was oh so convenient to have access to a laundry room!

Staybridge Suites Northeast welcomes Threads for Teens 

We woke up this morning well rested and ready to meet the lovely ladies of Lincoln! We were greeted by Codie Meehan, general manager, and Michelle Cobb, director of sales. It was great to get to chat with such kind, supportive ladies! 

Allyson, Codie Meehan, general manager, and Michelle Cobb, director of sales

Allyson, Codie Meehan, general manager, and Michelle Cobb, director of sales

The girls who visited the shop today were just as kind, appreciative and excited! It was great to be surrounded by such positive energy. In particular, one of our shoppers recognized Allyson from the Disney Channel. The young lady had seen Allyson on television and and was so thrilled to be apart of Threads for Teens. Another highlight of the day was a young lady who was so pleased with her new outfit that she opted to wear it out. We were happy to see that she loved it so much. All in all it was a great day in Lincoln! Thank you to all of the pleasant ladies we met today. 

Our excited shopper who loved her outfit so much she chose to wear it out!

Allyson and Natalie updating social media in between shopping appointments 

And now we are off and headed for Sioux Falls, South Dakota! Enjoying the scenic drive. And getting some much needed rest. Stay tuned for tomorrow's blog post re: our stop in Sioux Falls, SD.

Enjoying the drive from Lincoln to Sioux Falls

Allyson and Natalie getting some much needed R&R on the way to Sioux Falls 

Kansas City, MO

Kansas City, Missouri 

Thursday, June 6th

We woke up Thursday morning well rested and excited after a relaxing night at the posh Ambassador Hotel in Kansas City. Thanks to the fabulous manager at the Ambassador, Micheal Hammontree, the truck and trailer were parked directly in front of the hotel- an ideal location for the girls, advocates, mentors and curious onlookers to spot us! 

We had a wonderful day today chatting and laughing with the the girls, advocates, foster parents, and mentors during the shopping experience. The ladies were excited and gracious- so many were taken back at the authenticity of the mobile boutique- the decorations, fitting rooms. It was truly wonderful to see the girls' elation as they found clothing and accessories that they felt great in. In particular, Miss Me jeans were a huge hit today among the girls! 

 

And now we are leaving Kansas City, driving through Iowa, headed for Lincoln, Nebraska! Looking forward to another great day tomorrow. Stay tuned for tomorrow's blog post re: our stop in Lincoln, Nebraska. 

DAY 2: Las Vegas Tour Stop

Las Vegas was a lot of fun! 19 super awesome fun girls came to the mobile boutique and got some really cute outfits. Even though it was very hot, the girls all seemed to have a really great time. Thank you to everyone at the Hilton Grand Vacations on the Las Vegas Strip for making our stay really comfortable and for being extremely accommodating.

Stay tuned for more updates!
Thanks,
Allyson Ahlstrom

Threads for Teens on Tour Kick-Off in LA @ Hilton Universal City & FORD C-Max Hybrid Donation

Tuesday, May 29th 2013

On Tuesday, my mom, my nana, my friend Natalie, and myself all flew into the Long Beach airport so that we could meet at the Ford Western Regional Headquarters to pick up the donated C-Max Hybrid as the Chaser car for the tour! This is absolutely amazing, as the C-Max is a really incredible car, and all of us volunteers don't have to ride around in the truck ;). Thank you to everyone at Ford, including Henry Ford III. In the picture, from left to right, we have Stephen Parini of DenBeste Motorsports, myself, and Henry Ford III.

Wednesday, May 29th 2013

Today was the very first stop on the tour! The stop was a lot of fun, and the girls were able to take some really fun items. Also, everyone at the Hilton Universal City was extremely accommodating toward Threads for Teens. I would absolutely highly recommend this hotel to anyone!

Next stop! Las Vegas. Stay tuned for more blog updates.

-Allyson Ahlstrom

HALO

The Halo Awards was such an amazing experience! I had so much fun and I feel very blessed to have been selected as one of the five honorees.

On Friday, the 16th, the day before the taping of the show, I was brought into a room filled with racks of beautiful dresses and heels, all chosen by stylist Katja Kahill. I was able to pick any outfit I wanted! Of course, the many different stylists there helped to choose just the perfect outfit. After choosing a gorgeous metallic burgundy dress and matching sparkly purple heels, the producers took us to the Hollywood Palladium for dress rehearsal. This was for about an hour. It was awesome to be able to see the set, which was decorated gorgeous. All of us honorees practiced our speeches, then we went on our way.

Saturday was the big day! At 11:30am, I went down to a room at the hotel set up specifically for hair and makeup. First, the makeup artist did an absolutely fabulous job with my eyes. Then, the hair guy did something a bit different, but I ended up loving the style. Then at 3:45pm, we headed over to the Hollywood Palladium, to walk the orange carpet.

Walking the orange carpet was definitely a surreal experience. There were so many photographers, all wanting to take our picture. There was also a lot of press, so for a good forty-five minutes, we did interviews on the orange carpet. Finally, we were escorted into the venue, and straight to the Champagne Lounge, which was for VIPs. In the Champagne lounge, me and the three other honorees, Matt Ferguson, Kylie Lan Tumiatti, and Taylor Waters, hung out and took pictures.

Finally, it was time for the awards show to start. It began with "Halo Style" by the LXD. This was absolutely incredible. Then, the award show progressed and all of our individual honoree segments were shown. The other winners are incredible, I definitely encourage everyone out there to check out their segments and work. When it was my turn to go on stage, Heather Morris from Glee presented me with a $10,000 college scholarship. Then, Nick Cannon told me that Chevrolet is going to sponsor Threads for Teens on Tour by providing the fuel and lodging for the tour!!! Lastly, Victoria Justice came on stage and presented Threads for Teens with a bunch of brand-new clothes from the set of the show Victorious.

The HALO Award Show was incredible, and I am so blessed to be a part of it. I would like to thank Nickelodeon for providing me with such a fabulous opportunity.

XOXO


Allyson Ahlstrom