S Ines Costa

🌟 Countdown to the Crown Day #9 - #SelfCare 🌟 Balancing work, family, and business can be challenging, but it’s crucial to escape our busy schedules and take care of ourselves. I love the mind-body connection to keep my stress, anxiety, and hectic schedule in check. I enjoy taking time to meditate and pray outside in my backyard, which I call my happy place. This is where I can disconnect, find inner peace, and relax while enjoying the sounds of nature and doing my daily affirmations. Remember to fuel your body and soul. Take time for yourself—you deserve it! 💖🧘‍♀️✨. @intlpageants #CountdownToTheCrown #MrsInternational2024 #SelfCare #MindBodyConnection #StressRelief #AnxietyManagement #FuelYourSoul #HealthyLiving #Balance #YouDeserveIt #Meditation #Prayer #NatureLover #DailyAffirmations #innerpeace💫

Barcelona maravilloso! #tapasbarcelona #gaudi #travelingqueen

🌟 Countdown to the Crown - Sponsor Shoutout! 🌟 A huge thank you to Ashley Lauren and Ashley Rene’s for sponsoring Mrs. International 2024 class with the stunning opening show dress and fabulous fitness wear! The designs are beautifully made, and the fitness wear is incredibly comfortable, allowing women of different body types to rock it on stage. ✨👗💪 @intlpageants @ashleylauren @ashleyrenes #CountdownToTheCrown #MrsInternational2024 #AshleyLauren #AshleyRenes #SponsorShoutout #FitnessWear #StageReady #BeautifulDesigns

🌟 Countdown to the Crown #GRWM 🌟 First thing in the morning, I enjoy a cup of Colombian coffee to kickstart my day. My skincare routine includes hydration from the MD Ventures skincare line, and if my under eyes are puffy, I apply a hydrogel under eye mask. I never leave the house without moisturizer. Today, I was getting ready to make an appearance at Fox News Chicago. ✨ @md_wellness_and_health @mdventures__med_spa @intlpageants #CountdownToTheCrown #GRWM #MrsInternational2024 #SkincareRoutine #MorningCoffee #ColombianCoffee #Hydration #BeautyTips #foxnewschicago32

🌟 Countdown to the Crown Day #6 - My Platform, My Why 🌟 My upbringing was centered on serving others, which has been the cornerstone of my values, family, and career. From a young age, I developed a strong desire to help people. This passion led me to become a psychologist and later apply these principles in my career in Human Resources and Capital Management, spanning over 20 years. However, not everything was joy and happiness. Before marrying Craig, there was a traumatic moment in my life when I became part of the statistics of being a domestic violence survivor. This dark period of my life was incredibly challenging. Trying to heal and going through a divorce while raising my daughter as a single mom was very difficult. But keeping my daughter safe and ensuring her well-being became my driving force. Believing that God was my rock, I held onto my faith and the hope that there was a light at the end of that dark tunnel. Through sheer determination, I rebuilt my life, finding strength I never knew I had and ultimately using my experiences to help others facing similar traumas. As a survivor of domestic abuse, my personal narrative of resilience and triumph over trauma drives my purpose for advocacy, shared in a powerful message: “My scars tell a story; my story saves lives.” My objective is to integrate family support, community engagement, and awareness into the core of my advocacy efforts. I aim to inspire others with my story, emphasizing the strength found in solidarity and the importance of creating safe spaces for survivors of domestic violence. As Mrs. Illinois International 2024, I carry the torch for domestic violence awareness. My reign is not about a beauty queen title but a platform to advocate for change, support survivors, and contribute to a world where love does not equal harm. @wings_program @intlpageants #countdowntothecrown #mrsinternational2024 #domesticviolenceawareness #survivor #advocacy #resilience #strengthinsolidarity #SupportSurvivors #enddomesticviolence💜

🌟 Countdown to the Crown Day #5 - Meet Mr. Illinois International 2024! Love for me was a fine line. Trusting someone and building an intimate relationship after suffering a traumatic domestic abuse at the hands of my ex-spouse was tough. Unexpectedly, I met my husband, Craig, at a work event. While we were both executives—him leading operations and business technology and me as the head of the HR team—I felt an instant connection. Beyond the executive image and our work-related relationship, I felt so comfortable, respected, and safe with Craig that I knew I could be vulnerable and share my personal story. I showed him my scars without fear of being judged or rejected as "damaged goods." Fast forward, together, we have built a beautiful relationship based on love, trust, and respect. We coach each other personally and professionally and support each other in celebrating our accomplishments and through difficult times. In our free time, we enjoy our empty nester status with weekly movie nights, watching old classics, traveling, working out, enjoying nature, and spending as much time together as possible. We also love to ride our Harley, feeling the freedom and thrill of the open road together. Craig, you are my best friend, and I love you deeply! @intlpageants #CountdownToTheCrown #MrsInternational2024 #LoveAndTrust #DomesticViolenceSurvivor #StrongTogether #BestFriend #EmptyNesters #MovieNights #TrueLove #SupportAndRespect #HarleyRiders #OpenRoad

Hometown

🌟 Countdown to the Crown Day #4 - City Girl Meets Country Charm! 🌟 Welcome to Sugar Grove, Illinois, a tranquil and picturesque village that offers serenity, nestled amidst the scenic landscapes of Kane County. As a city girl who grew up with the hustle and bustle of urban life, I have found my heart in this town, which is my sweet home. After a long day of work, I come home to the quiet, relaxing environment of the small-town vibe, which I call my happy place. Located on the western edge of the Chicago metropolitan area, Sugar Grove is a haven where the beauty of the countryside, clear skies, and a close connection to nature create an idyllic backdrop for sunset pictures. 🍁🌲 During the summer, you will find me enjoying the sunrise, listening to the birds chirping, with a cup of Colombian coffee in hand. Sometimes, I even catch a deer eating from my rose garden! 🦌🌹☕️ Sugar Grove, named by the Potawatomi for its abundance of sugar maples, now boasts the Bliss Woods Forest Preserve, where you can lose yourself in the beauty of nature. Here, life feels a little more genuine, where simplicity brings true contentment, and lasting bonds are formed with neighbors. 🏘️❤️ This charming community is not just about scenic beauty but also rich experiences. Visit the Air Classic Aviation Museum to explore aviation history, hike through the serene Bliss Woods Forest Preserve, or enjoy a round of golf at the Bliss Creek Golf Course. ✈️🌲⛳ @intlpageants Sugar Grove is a place where cherished family memories are made, and the allure of small-town living is alive and well. It’s where a city girl like me has found true contentment in the embrace of country charm. #CountdownToTheCrown #MrsInternational2024 #CityGirlMeetsCountryCharm #SugarGroveIL #HometownPride #SmallTownCharm #CommunitySpirit #PeacefulLiving #NatureLovers #FamilyMemories

🌟 Countdown to the Crown Day #3 - Meet The Costas! 🌟 I was born and raised in Colombia, and I have had the honor of calling the US my home for over 20 years. I am proud to say I am an American! As a first-generation immigrant, my journey has been filled with challenges and triumphs. While my family stayed behind in Colombia, my new family in the US became my community, my church, and my coworkers. ❤️ I am married to the love of my life, Craig, and together we have a beautiful blended family. Our four amazing daughters—Lexi, Tori, Cassidy (who proudly serves with the San Antonio PD), and our youngest, Jenny—fill our lives with joy. We are also blessed with six wonderful grandchildren. 🥰 One of my favorite things is having our 5-year-old twin granddaughters sleep over and watching our 2-and-a-half-year-old twin grand babies play with our dog, Miss Xena. They love saying hi to Nemo and Dory in our fish tank, and of course, getting lots of love from Pops and Gma! 🐾🐟👵👴 Family is everything to me, and their love and support fuel my passion and drive as I continue on my journey to the Mrs. International 2024 crown. 🌹✨ #FamilyFirst #CountdownToTheCrown #MrsInternational2024 #ProudAmerican #BlendedFamily @intlpageants

🌟 As Mrs. IL International 2024, I had the honor of attending the WINGS 3rd Annual North Shore Ladies Luncheon at the beautiful Westmoreland Country Club in Wilmette, IL. 🌸🌿 This garden-themed luncheon was a heartfelt celebration of the incredible work @wings_program is doing to support families suffering from domestic violence. Suzanne Le Mignot, CBS News Chicago Anchor/Reporter, emceed the event, and a WINGS graduate bravely shared her inspiring survival story. 💜 Attendees generously donated gently used clothing and accessories for WINGS Resale stores, contributing to a great cause. 👗👠 I enjoyed sharing my platform and my own survival story, and meeting incredible women who are tirelessly working within the community to raise awareness about ending domestic violence and abuse. Together, we can make a difference. 💪✨ @intlpageants #MrsILInternational2024 #WINGS #EndDomesticViolence #WomenEmpowerment #CommunitySupport #SurvivorStory #GardenLuncheon #WestmorelandCountryClub #WilmetteIL

Rise and shine! 🌞 Getting all glammed up by @yadira.amador.hmua and her amazing team. 💄✨to attend a women’s luncheon/ fundraiser benefiting @wings_program

🌟 Day #1 : Get to Know Me 🌟 Hey everyone! I’m so excited to kick off the countdown to the Mrs. International 2024 crown! 🎉 I am Sandra, Mrs. Illinois International 2024. I was born and raised in the beautiful Caribbean coastal town of Barranquilla, Colombia. 🌊 I learned to swim in the ocean and miss very much the relaxing sound of the waves and the fresh breeze messing my “Shakira’s hair.” 🌴 Growing up, I pretty much ate seafood every day—straight from the catch of the day! My absolute favorite is a delicious mahi mahi with a mango pineapple glaze. 🍍🐟 I enjoy going back home, scuba diving on Colombia's coral reefs near Cartagena, and kayaking on the ocean. 🐠🤿🚣‍♀️ This silly picture was taken during our last trip to San Diego. I couldn’t believe the size of the stone crab claws—they were bigger than my hand! Ha! 😂🦀 Stay tuned for more fun facts and stories as we count down to the big day! 🌟👑 #MrsInternational2024 #GetToKnowMe #Barranquilla #Colombia #SeafoodLover #Countdown #ShakirasHair #sandiegomemories . @intlpageants