In life, have you ever felt as though the universe is leading you? When things just seem to fall into place without much effort? Well, I'm going to tell you a little story. Since my early teens, I've had a passion and admiration for the fashion and beauty world. In fact, while in College, my dad allowed me to take a few summer courses at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC) so that i could somehow be in touch with that world. He felt strongly about me pursuing a career that would promise me a job after graduation and so this is the compromise we made... i would attend college during regular semester for an undergrad degree in Education along with a double major in English Literature, however in the Summer I'd attend FIT and take a couple of courses. After graduation, i decided to give myself a year to work in the fashion industry because i didn't want to go through life wondering
what if? I immediately got a job working for Frederic Fekkai, however, this was just a retail job in the summer while i interviewed in NYC for a more stable position. Well, i landed a job at Liz Claiborne Inc, working as a showroom manager for Liz Sport. Shortly after, i was promoted to assistant to the President of Sigrid Olsen. I worked for Sigrid Olsen for three wonderful years. I did a little traveling to Boston which was fun, since she was based out of there. And although the job was not entirely creative, it was still in the heart of the fashion district. After September 11th, everything changed. I, as many other Americans, suffered a major catastrophe that day. One that would affect me for a long time. I believe i worked in NYC for another four months or so before calling it quits. It was just too difficult emotionally at the time for me. In addition, i wasn't
really doing my dream job by any means and my creative needs were not being met. So i decided to go back into teaching. Teaching is certainly a job i love, particularly pre-k because it enables me to get in touch with my more creative side. I liked it so much, i decided to obtain a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education.
So, here i was, great job, wonderful marriage and two beautiful twin girls. Who could ask for more right? Well, to be completely honest, there was a part of me that didn't feel fulfilled. My thirst for fashion and beauty was not fulfilled. For years, I'd been searching for the one thing that would fully complete me. I've thought about perhaps having some sort of related side business, but it just wasn't
it. At the end of last year, it dawned on me... i could BLOG! From that very moment on, everything changed! EVERYTHING! I felt as though i could finally exhale. I'd found it, the one thing I'd been searching for was here! Blogging is a wonderful outlet for me to talk about all the things i love! One in particular is product reviews! When i find something that i love, i
have to share it with the world and this was the perfect venue!
So one of the things you need to do when you have a blog, is to promote it. This was certainly a challenge, but i was determined. Besides, even if I'd only reach a handful of readers, it was OK because i was doing what i loved to do! Well, a couple of months in, i noticed that my blog had a large concentration of beauty review type posts. So i picked up an issue of Allure magazine since they are the leaders in the beauty industry, in hopes of finding a contact person that i could perhaps submit one of my reviews to. It was a long shot, but who cares! You don't know 'til you try right? Well, a few pages into the magazine, there was a double page spread advertising Allure's Beauty Blogger of the Year awards. Um remember i mentioned the Universe talking to me? Well, i think at this point, it was literally shouting at me! So i took this as a sign and applied, even though I'd only been doing this a couple of months. What did i have to lose? Well, what do you know! They actually contacted me!!! I spoke to one of their super friendly editors who told me that they had already selected the 15 contestants who would be competing in the challenges of this contest. However, they loved my blog so much, they didn't want to let it slip through the cracks. SO, she asked if i would become an alternate and complete the challenges in hopes that perhaps someone did not complete theirs, in which case I'd be placed as a contestant. They told me they had a 'bagillion' entries! How my little blog was recognized, I'll never know but i was SO excited to do this! I knew immediately this was a long shot, BUT was also aware of the amazing opportunity I'd been given. Here i was, two months into blogging, and already getting a nod from this iconic magazine! This confirmed the fact that i was on the right path and needed to continue following my heart! The past month has been a whirlwind! I had a blast completing these challenges and being in constant communication with Allure. I should also mention that i received a very generous box of goodies to complete one of the challenges which in itself makes me a winner already! I mean.... hello! Who doesn't love free stuff right? As expected, i did not make the final 15 as everyone submitted their work in a timely fashion, however, i was contacted by an editor at Allure informing me that they were impressed with my work and enthusiasm, therefore would like to possibly either incorporate my challenges or me in some sort of future project. This would be an absolute dream come true if in fact they follow through. For this reason, I'm not going to post my challenges just yet. I certainly don't want to ruin a great opportunity. But I'm hopeful that at some point, i will be able to share them with all of you. One of our challenges involved shooting a video, which Allure now owns rights to. Maybe one day, they'll put it on their website? Either way, i promise to keep you posted on any future events. I am however, incredibly grateful to those who helped me along the way. Millie, Deanna, Joey, Ana, Manny, my mom and dad, and
CHRISTINE for their incredible support! Your help will never go unnoticed! I'm sorry for not being able to share this information sooner as it was confidential. Allure's micro site is now up and running which means the official announcements can be made.
Lastly, i'm very proud of myself for making it this far. I truly believe that when you find something in life you love to do, all the stars allign themselves and things just work out. This event, was one of hopefully many that will prove Fashion Maven Mommy to be a success! Also, thank you Allure for believing in me and giving me the confidence to move forward with this little journey of mine.
(BTW the picture i used here was one that didn't make it to my challenges... kind of a fun shot!)
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