I Won a Modeling Contest at 37 Years Old!

Love this post? Share it! :)

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!

 

duluth_women_model_contest_winner_serena

 

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:

Duluth Trading Company Model Contest 2015 Winners - ThriftDiving.com 2

Duluth Trading Company Model Contest 2015 Winners - ThriftDiving.com 2

 

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!

 

Duluth Trading Company model shoot - Thrift Diving0259

 

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!

 

Duluth Trading Company model shoot - Thrift Diving9436

 

Duluth Trading Company model shoot - Thrift Diving0273

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).

Duluth Trading Company model shoot - Thrift Diving0263

 

And look what I found in the kitchen of that house! That fridge was awesome!!

Duluth Trading Company model shoot - Thrift Diving9422

 

Krista, one of the model winners, is to the left, with her hubby. And Michele in the black jacket was the Art Director.

 

Duluth Trading Company model shoot - Thrift Diving9420

 

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.

 

Duluth Trading Company model shoot - Thrift Diving0274

 

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

Duluth Trading Company model shoot - Thrift Diving0271

 

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 ;).

 

Duluth Trading Company model shoot - Thrift Diving0272

 

Although it was a beautiful property….

 

Duluth Trading Company model shoot - Thrift Diving0266

 

…we couldn’t just hang out all day ogling the land. We had to get to work and do our photo shoot.

Duluth Trading Company model shoot - Thrift Diving0257

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).

Duluth Trading Company model shoot - Thrift Diving0279

 

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!

 

 

Duluth Trading Company model shoot - Thrift Diving9479

 

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!

 

Duluth Trading Company model shoot - Thrift Diving9498

(Same view during the day)

Duluth Trading Company model shoot - Thrift Diving9482

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!!

Duluth Trading Company model shoot - Thrift Diving9512


Duluth Trading Company model shoot - Thrift Diving0297

 

Duluth Trading Company model shoot - Thrift Diving0313

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….

Duluth Trading Company model shoot - Thrift Diving9501

 

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!

 

 

Signature

Download the 5 freebies!

Thrift Diving inspires women to decorate, improve, and maintain their home themselves...using paint, power tools, and thrift stores! Use these 5 printables, checklists, and ebooks to get started!

Now go check your email for those freebies! Powered by ConvertKit

Love this post? Share it! :)

Similar Posts

63 Comments

  1. Wow! Beautiful views and a beautiful YOU! Many congrats to you and I hope to see you in their catalog. Very exciting! 😀

    1. Thanks, Julie! My husband was turning the pages in their latest catalog and all the models (including me!) are in there! Starting page 48! WOO HOO! 🙂 LOL

  2. Another wonderful and very beautiful trip for you. I am so proud of you and I love seeing the pictures of all the woman picked for the Duluth catalog. May have to order one just to see you all in..hope you had a wonderful time. You are one awesome Chick!!!

    1. Thank you so much, Leslie! 🙂 I’ll keep you posted on if and when I end up in the catalog so you can get a copy! Would be so fun to see myself in there! 🙂 Thank you for the support, girl!

  3. You are one amazing young woman! Congratulations!!

    What a wonderful experience you’ve had. Hope your shots get into the catalog!!!

  4. It all seems to go so fast!!! It’s already over and it seems you were just going. I’ve been through lots of parts of Utah but oh wow. The Arches National Park was breathtaking!! There’s so much in America we don’t take time to see!!! Like The a Badlands of South Dakota are BAD looking!!
    You looked great and you’ve been practicing your modeling in front of bathroom mirrors for selfies for as long as I’ve known you so I know you know how to move your head to get your best angle. Aren’t you glad you took all those GW outfit photos for us?!! I think it gives you a bit of an edge. ( maybe I’m a little biased but I don’t believe I am!!) so excited to find out!! Oh you asked what I’ve been up to!!! I went to Target twice!!!! In two days!!! And took advantage of clearance items for the patio. And my side table. I’m going tomorrow too! I felt great to be out!!! Still HOT though. Have a happy week????????

    1. Hey, Gwen!

      Yes, it did go so fast!! Oh, and the good news is that they have contacted me just a couple days ago and want to see about bringing me back for the next photo shoot–in Minnesota!! How cool is that?!? I sent them my schedule, so we shall see!

      Can’t wait to see how your patio looks!

      P.S. LOL at those comments about the selfies in front of the mirror! You are so right! LOL

  5. Patricia B says:

    A big hardy CONGRATULATIONS to you!! How exciting, how beautiful is that scenery!! So glad they picked all strong, confident, women who know who they are and what they want out of life!! Enjoy and have fun.

  6. Beautiful photos and I know you rocked your photo-shoot! I can see and understand the draw of the wide open space, every single photo is breathtaking!

    1. Hey, Wendi! I thought about you tonight! Are you guys surviving Erika??
      And yes, it was so pretty! It was my first time going to Utah so I loved the new experience! I’ll be in Louisville, KY in October and looking forward to exploring yet another new area! (for a conference).

  7. Wow what an awesome opportunity, to see Utah AND model!! I happen to love your unique style & can see why Duluth chose you. Congrats!

  8. BEST blog I have read ALL summer! You go girl! We’ll(my husband sat beside me listening as I read)will be watching for you in many Duluth cat. to come! I loved seeing a new area through your eyes, it wasn’t your age, it was Utah! I think you could feel that love many places in our wonderful USA! When we travel, with kids, we always rent a house, best way to have that time alone with nature. You are beautifully and wonderfully made!

    1. Awww…Barb, that’s such an awesome compliment! So great to hear that. Now that the kiddies will be in school and daycare come Monday, I’m hoping to have much more time to work straight through for a good 6-7 hours and get so many projects done!!! Cross your fingers for me. LOL

      And that’s so much for the wonderful praise! “Wonderfully made.” That sounds cool! Thank you!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *