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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I bet it was pretty hard for you not to see potential projects everywhere you looked! Seriously, you should win this hands down. You have the look and I see why Duluth chose your working photo. You are glam even when you aren’t trying and don’t get me started about your wonderful attitude. Good luck because you deserve it.
Oh, I saw so many projects! But the thing is, Debbie, everything had a story, and I couldn’t even think to paint over something with some much history! Like some nightstands that she had that were her grandmothers or great-grandmother’s (can’t remember which), and they looked like something I would have found at the thrift store and painted in a heartbeat. But knowing that they had so much personal history, I totally think any paint would have ruined them! I think I can only paint things that I am oblivious to their history! LOL
Serena,
What a wonderful opportunity to get outside your normal life and experience something so beautifully different.
I hope you make that catalog – all kinds of folks wear those kind of clothes – even old ones!
Mintchip, you are so right! It was a great experience and made me feel like a superstar, if only for 15 minutes! LOL
And yes, everyone wears those clothes! I was showing my mom some of the Duluth stuff I bought with my gift cards I had won and she was like, “Ooooh, I like that!!” And I was thinking, “Uh oh….my mom likes the stuff I bought?!?!!?” HAHAHA I’ve always joked on her about her love of plaid, and what am I wearing now?? PLAID! LOL
I almost split laughing at you calling 37 middle-aged (I’m 57 and consider MYself middle-aged). Seriously, though, well done, my friend! Though I almost shouted at you online when you posted the Utah pic to tell you to turn off all electronics and just bask in the solitude.
LOL, well, technically I am! I just googled it and it said “35 – 58.” You can read it here:
https://www.google.com/search?q=how+old+is+middle+age%3F&oq=how+old+is+middle+age%3F&aqs=chrome..69i57.2569j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=91&ie=UTF-8
I can’t ever put down electronics. I’m addicted! Plus, it holds the key to my memory: the camera! Without taking pics, I always forget everything! 🙂
Well whew! I just am under the wire at the other end. One more year, I guess, but like hell I’ll consider myself old in two years – no way, no how!
Of course you were chosen, but congratulations anyway! Really, you always look marvelous no matter how hard you are working! It’s good to see strong, vibrant women being recognized. And those pictures you took – just heavenly!
Hey there, Kim! 🙂 I only show you the good pics. HAHA. I delete the bad ones!
I know, that’s one thing I love about Duluth is that they use women that are strong! One of the girls that I was there shooting with (Jennifer, the one holding the blue bucket) is a bow hunter!! She brought her bow along and they took pics of her with her bow and arrows. How cool is that?!?! I’m pretty sure she’ll make it into the catalog! She was really pretty, too!
Congratulations! The whole concept is great. And I’ve always thought you look like an actress or model. You always look so alive.
Oh, wow, what a sweet comment, Margaret! 🙂 Thank you for that!
Ummm…ummmm..nothing nearly as exciting as what you’ve been up to.
I am so excited for you, Serena. What a great opportunity for you and way to put yourself out there. I hope you make it into the catalog, but even if you don’t, what a remarkable experience. You definitely have the beauty, the poise and the height working for you so I’m hoping to see you in the pages of that catalog soon.
As for Utah, I’ve only been through the state by train with no chances to get off, but my oh my it’s a gorgeous place. I enjoy the solitude of the country, the mountains and the beautiful vistas, but I’m a people person too. I think I could enjoy it if I also lived within a drive of civilization (you know, movie theaters, restaurants, crafting stores). As it is I lived in the SF Bay Area and we’re feeling the pinch of a growing populace and the traffic jams that come with it.
Back to you, my hat is really off to you. Congratulations
Alys, that’s the thing–it was definitely a drive to civilization! Funny you should say that, because my Mom said the same thing :). The place we were was within 2.5 hours of Salt Lake City. But there was a little town that I drove through called Logan that had all the same stores that you’re used to seeing along any busy major road: Dunkin Donuts, Michaels, etc. I had my eyes peeled for the local Home Depot, too. HAHA And in Utah, they have these thrift stores which I didn’t know called the DI: Deseret Industries. I stopped in one and the prices were CRAZY good. I’ll post about that on Monday! I didn’t have time to root around because I needed to make my flight. But I liked what I saw when I went in.
So to answer the question of how close is it to civilization, pretty close, and even if it’s an hour drive, it’s a pretty one at that! 🙂
You are truly a beautiful woman, inside and out. So glad you were chosen for this opportunity. Real women aren’t afraid of hard work or getting their hands and everything else dirty. You inspire us all.
Amen, sister! Here’s to dirty hands! 🙂
Thanks, Marilynn!
This is soo awesome! Congratulations! First off you are not a big girl. And you look beautiful like a model because you are officially a model 🙂 I absolutely love the pictures of Utah you shared. So beautiful and going on my list of places to visit.
Yeah, you’d love it, Timisha! I’ve never been a huge outdoorsy type of person, but this state makes you want to pitch a tent and pee outdoors. HA! 🙂
You are beautiful, Serena. No wonder they chose you! And yes, tough women wield tools and paintbrushes, too. That would be you! Congratulations on your photo shoot! I can’t wait to see where you go next!
Thanks, Sue!!!
Hey Serena….Congrats on your contest win and trip! I have lived in Utah my entire life and I always enjoy reading the opinions of first time visitors. While Utah is known mainly for it’s mountains, snow and skiing, and SLC is much the same as other cities it’s size, a drive south of SLC towards any of the many State Parks, can land you in the middle of scenery and varied landscapes that are unimaginable. I’m delighted that you could feel how special it is.
Yep! I believe that’s the direction I was: south of SLC! And it was soooo pretty! Lucky you to live there and see all that beauty any time you want! Do you take advantage of the mountains and stuff?
I admit that when I landed back in Baltimore and was on the highway driving home, I thought, “Oh man, what boring scenary here….” LOL. Oh, and hey! I will be back in SLC at the end of October! I’ve got a conference that I’m attending there for a small part-time job that I work on! 🙂 I’m looking forward to having more time to hit up those DI thrift stores! 😉