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With feather boas, shades, tiaras and wings, you can be a diva or princess at My Party Palace, 209-G Century Blvd., Kernersville.

Parties at the palace can include pedicures, karaoke stage performances, princess visits, makeovers and tea - whatever a young, or mature, diva or princess wants.

Don't worry if your clothes aren't diva or princess material. My Party Palace has a walk-in closet filled with bright diva outfits and soft-colored princess dresses in sizes 2T to 14 adult.

You can take home some diva and princess goodies from the palace boutique: T-shirts, robes, purses, picture frames and stuffed animals.

"Who doesn't love to be fabulous?" said owner Katina Rice . "My husband says I'm a girly-girl. It's so me," she said of the business. "I love to encourage women and (I love) having fun."

That's the basis for Rice's business plan. Positive, self-affirming messages are repeated throughout the party. Palace walls are decorated with messages such as "Good Girls Always Win."

Rice's goal is also reflected in the goodwill the business extends into the community. My Party Palace hosts one charity event each quarter. Recent beneficiaries have been March of Dimes and cancer research.

Rice recently co-hosted an event for teenage mothers who take part in a program that teaches about pregnancy and child care, deters a second pregnancy and teaches teens how to land a job.

The teens soaked their feet, fixed their hair and enjoyed an evening of fun. Gifts for the girls included dresses so the young women could go to job interviews looking sharp.

At the end of the party, each girl stood on stage while their hopes and dreams were read aloud. "There was not a dry eye in the house," Rice said. "It's amazing to me how a party can touch people. I can encourage girls while they are having fun and they don't even know it."

Rice has been planning parties and weddings as a certified wedding planning since 1998. My Party Palace started out as something to do in addition to weddings, but it now eats up most of her free time. She said she misses weddings, although she pulls out the wedding planner hat for friends from time to time. "For some reason, I'm more patient with a whiny 4-year-old than a whiny bride," Rice said laughing. "When I'm in the midst of a party, and I look around, I say, 'This is what I'm supposed to be doing.'

"I love being in charge. I love having my own business. I'm very creative and love thinking of new things. And I have a real heart for encouraging girls."

Party divas and princesses can choose from among a list of predesigned parties, such as pajamas with bling, spa parties and diva or princess parties, but Rice can customize an event to each diva's specifications.

Rice, who would love to host more parties for women, recently held a pumpkin spa party for adults, complete with special sugar scrubs she made herself. Rice's blending bar, where women can make their own scented lotions and shower gels, is always a hit.

"I absolutely love to work this business all the time," said Rice, who works as a pharmacist four days a week. "My goal is do to enough parties, sell enough merchandise so I can do this full time."

Contact E.A. Seagraves at 883-4422, Ext. 241, or elizabeth.seagraves@news-record.com