I Won a Modeling Contest at 37 Years Old!
I’m a Duluth Trading Company model. It’s still hard to believe that three years ago, at the age of 37, I become a model. And not really because of how I look (although I’m sure Duluth Trading Company wouldn’t hire me if I were butt-ugly). But the fact that I’m a model because of what I do: I’m a DIY do-it-yourself blogger.
There’s something about getting older.
The way it creeps up on you.
It’s that moment when you notice the hood of your eyes drooping a little too much and you’re starting to look like your Grandma Charlotte.
Or the moment when you snap a selfie and realize your face is starting to resemble a wrinkled, deflated balloon.
I’ve seen the changes creeping up on me. Albeit small, but they’re still there.
In a society where we place everything on how we look, we can’t help but to note these changes. We also realize that at nearly 40, there are no televised Miss America contests for the 30-Somethings and Beyond who rock fine lines and rough, DIY-calloused hands.
But wait.
There kinda is.
I’m proof of it.
Because I won a Duluth Trading Company modeling contest when I was 37!
In April 2015 I entered into their Duluth Trading Company’s 2015 model search contest at the ripe age of 37.
And I was one of the 9 winners!
It didn’t matter that my hair was undone in that pic.
My lips looked a little parched, too, like the dust from my garage had dried them out. LOL.
I wasn’t looking particularly “dolled up” while cutting tile for that cute tiled table top I was working on.
But they liked me. They saw my moxie.
In fact, they chose nine tough winners with moxie. Here are all of us that won:
Deep Down in Utah
For the prize, we got some cash and new clothes, but we also got to do a modeling test shoot, which took place in Utah.
We shoot on location at the farm where one of the winners lived with her family.
It was a family property that had been passed down to her from the 1800’s!
Everything was old and soooooo awesome! I’m talking authentic homes, barns, and furniture handed down from generation to generation. It was such an honor to walk that property and see the original structures and stuff sitting around the land!
One of the winners, Krista (there in the black), and her son, lived in the other home, but this home on her property was built by her great-great-grandfather. I loved its originality!
(That was Kyle, the photographer, on the left, with his assistant, Ron, on the right).
And look what I found in the kitchen of that house! That fridge was awesome!!
Krista, one of the model winners, is to the left, with her hubby. And Michele in the black jacket was the Art Director.
I’m a suburban girl, but after this week in Utah, I have to admit that part of me yearned to have a piece of land like this.
I always thought I loved having people around, but seeing that solitude of their own land… ahhhh…..made me reconsider where I could see myself living.
I had asked Krista’s awesome 8-year-old daughter what she liked best about living there on that land, and she gave me the best response: “I like being free.”
She was such a Taylor-Swift-loving sweetheart!
Almost made me wish for a daughter! LOL #donehavingkids
And the fact that Little Miss Sylvia had climbed up on the roof of one of the old properties was proof that she, indeed, was quite free!
See her there on top of the house?! LOL
A couple of us glanced over to see her on top of the house and were like, “OMG!” for her safety, but of course, it wasn’t the first time she’s climbed on the roof. She was quite the farm girl pro ;).
Although it was a beautiful property….
…we couldn’t just hang out all day ogling the land. We had to get to work and do our photo shoot.
This test shoot didn’t necessarily mean all the winners will end up in the Duluth Trading catalog. If they got some great shots they can use, we will. But it was to see how we did in front of the camera and if we’re photogenic, how the clothes fit us, etc. And hopefully, they’ll use our shots and want to work with us more on upcoming shots!
(That’s Mike, the media guy. And don’t forget Starsky, one of the dogs).
I felt a little self-conscious at some points, I admit, because I don’t have that classic “Duluth” look. Plus, I’m not a hunter, farmer, or gardener, which is predominately what the Duluth models are.
But DIYers are working women, too, and hats off to Duluth for choosing me to not only represent a diverse look but also representin’ the power-tools-paint-brush-wielding women of the world!
I got up early on the day I was leaving and watched the sunrise, which was magnificent! And so peaceful. No one else was nearby!
(Same view during the day)
I ended up having to leave later that day, which was a day earlier than everyone else, so I could get back in time for Open House at my kids’ schools.
But on the 2.5-hour drive back to the Utah International airport by myself, I kept stopping on the side of the road to take these amazing shots. I had never seen such mountainous beauty quite like this!
Every turn in the road unveiled another scene even more lovely than the first!!
At one point, I found myself at a rest stop on the top of a mountain and not another person was in sight. It was the most peaceful thing ever, being truly alone on that breezy mountain!
I wonder if this is a sign of getting older and wiser? You know… appreciating solitude more than the hustle and bustle of city/suburban life? I’m not sure….
Other Projects With Duluth Trading Company
I’ve since gone on to do more photo shoots with Duluth, and even did their “No Yank Tank” commercial in 2016, which has run from 2016 – 2018. September 2018 I’ll be shooting another commercial with them and amazingly, my youngest son will be in the commercial, too!
Duluth Trading Company has been a great company to work with and I’m impressed with not just the quality of their clothing, but the strong women models they use in their advertisements. I’m proud to be one of them!
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How very cool and exciting!!!! Ah your beautiful girl!!!
Thanks so much, Anne!
You make a great model and I’m glad you liked that country living. Although I’ve never been to Utah, my home is on 185 acres on a dead end road in Mississippi. We are 5 miles outside of the nearest town (and that town is pretty small). I just got back from checking on my husband who was bush-hogging the back field and saw the most precious whitetail deer fawn on my walk. Any time you need to get away just come on down. Southern hospitality is not just a saying……we would be glad to have you! Keep having adventures and you will stay forever young. It has worked for my 91 year young mom!
OMG, 185 acres?!?! I couldn’t even imagine! My home is on about 0.25 acre. HAHA! Have you lived in the country your whole life? Do you think you’d ever trade it for bigger city life? It seems so much more peaceful having all that land to yourself! And the fact that you can walk around buck-naked……Hmmmm….Pretty cool!
Congratulations! How exciting. Not only are you gorgeous, I do believe your inner beauty shines through and adds to it. As well as the excitement in what you are doing. Very happy for you. Can’t wait to see the pics!
Aww…thanks, Lisa! They told me that if by some chance they don’t use any of the pics, they’ll send me some of the good shots they took of me. In any event, I’ll share them here!
Thanks!!
Congrats to you for winning! The photo shoots of you look good – great gig and you represented the clothing line well. Looks like a great time was had by all. Thanks again for your spirit and inspiration.
Thanks, Tammara! It was definitely a good time! One of the highlights was getting to meet Krista’s kids. Since I have kids around the same age, it’s always interesting to see how other kids act compared to my own. And these kids were smart as whips!! And very mature, but still kids, if that makes sense. 🙂
I love it all! So happy for you – If they don’t put you in – then their “picker” is broken! 🙂
LOL, crossing my fingers they chose well! 🙂 Thanks, Kelli!
Hey there,
For what it is worth, I think you are a fabulous human – lovely, singular and talented! The older I get the more I realize that those “cliched” platitudes about age are actually true (age is nothing but a number, etc.). Thank you for your inspiration. And, I hope to see you on the cover of the Duluth!
You are so right, Allison! Age is nothing but a number. We can only hope to keep moving, keep learning, keep laughing, and keep being adventurous! That’s how I felt on this trip–adventurous. And it made me want to continue to be involved in activities that ignite that sense of wonder and making me think differently about things.
Thanks for that comment! 🙂
wow! I think I need to go to Utah! 🙂
congrats on the gig, and I sure do hope for the best. Serena… you’re so pretty, and I think VERY photogenic. If they don’t choose you, it’s their loss.
Can’t wait to follow along.
gail
Awww….you’re so sweet, Gail! Thank you for that! I’m crossing my fingers they select some of the pics! They seemed really positive about it, so we shall see. They did ask if I would be interested in working with them again, so that’s promising! 🙂 And the fact that they have ELASTIC WAISTBANDS??? Ahhhhhhhhh….Seriously–ahhhhh…. LOL!
LOL! That made me grin from ear to ear.
Oh, and did I mention my favorite pair of pants from them have ELASTIC?? 😉 HAHA
Serena. Those pictures you took are amazing! I have never been to Utah, but anyone who I know who’s been there talk about the beautiful mountains and the serenity. Your pics are additional proof! I love the country….{sigh}. Congratulations on winning the photo shoot. And congratulations on surviving the summer with the boys home. Happy first day of school on Monday!
Sheri, you should see the video I took!! I shot video clips of driving up and down the mountain going to and from the location, and OMG….every turn was more amazing than the previous bend! It was soooo nice! It really made me reconsider country living! You should really consider going! Where do you live?
And yes, I survived summer!!! WOO HOO!! I have a 4th grader, a Kindergartener, and I’m sending my 3 year old back to daycare so Mommy can work! 🙂
WOW! you look great and i love your hair!
Thanks, Jackie! 🙂 It has taken many years to finally accept this hair! I used to straighten the heck out of it from age 12 until 22, and then finally embraced its natural state after graduating college! 🙂 I’m just glad that Duluth loved it, too! 🙂
Thanks for commenting!
I’m so proud of you. You looked good and I’m glad you felt good. Keep on keeping on. That’s how you stop the age creeping up thing. YEAH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Awww….thank you, Kathy! 🙂 I think the pictures turned out okay! Their clothes fit really well, so I think they hit my Mom Gut pretty well. HA! 🙂
And thanks for that tip on aging! If I can just keep this energy going…I’m hoping to keep aging at bay! 🙂
Thanks for commenting!!