About a month ago, I received an early morning phone call as I was groggily checking my email and waking up. It took me a good minute to comprehend what was going on, but once I did I promptly jumped out of bed and did a little happy dance: Harper’s Bazaar had selected me as the 20s finalist in their Fabulous at Every Age contest!
After a bit of last minute scrambling (and coming back from London a few days prior), off I went to New York, where I experienced two days of things more amazing than I could have ever imagined. From meeting the amazing editors of a magazine I’ve been reading for years to getting styled by the talented Roxane Danset (in a Dolce & Gabbana dress and Fendi heels, no less), from being dolled up by the Estée Lauder and Aveda teams to being chauffered to the Hearst Tower for a luncheon with the beautiful Brooke Shields, it goes without saying that I was pinching myself for the entire duration of this trip.
The grand prize winner was 50s finalist Teruko Burrell, who is just about the most radiant woman I’ve ever come across. And the greatest reward to come from this experience? The inspiration that I received from every single person that I met. Because I was the youngest of the group, there were so many great qualities in each finalist that I looked up to. These women, though very different, each had a strong sense of self and glowed in their own way. I also developed a new sense of determination to bring back to Vancouver thanks to the kind, innovative, driven, and genuine Bazaar editors.
The entire experience was nothing less than an absolute dream and whenever I think back to last week, I am still shocked that they chose me. Thank you, Harper’s Bazaar for celebrating diversity, unconventional standards of beauty, and “female empowerment at every age”.
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All photos thanks to Kristen Somody Whalen
Click here for more images of the styling process &event!
Wow! So exciting – how beautiful 🙂
you look lovely!
xoxo from rome
K.
kcomekarolina.com
amazing photos! 🙂
ChocolateFashionCoffee
Wow, fun! I didn’t even know Canadians could enter this – so many of these contests are for US residents only!
Wow so amazing!! Congrats girl.. and you look absolutely stunning!
iambornlippy.blogspot.ca
That is SOOO exciting! You look amazing! 😀
http://www.closet-fashionista.com
Unreal!!! What an amazing experience – congratulations to you & that is one beautiful group of ladies!
Looks like so much fun, you look stunning! xx
http://rosalindatj.blogspot.com
such an amazing experiece, you look stunning.
bacardichaser.blogspot.com
that’s sooo cool! you look amazing and beautiful pictures. xx
Congrats and you look amazing! I’ve been following your blog for a while now and I think you are an amazing inspiration to all girls in their 20s and I can only imagine what you’ll bring to the blogging community when you’re in your 30s! Your blog has only become increasingly popular and this is definitely so well deserved! Have a great day!
xo,
Christine
thefashionpledge.com
Oh I am suuure it was a great experience, and goodness, that dress really suits you wonderfully! 😀
That is so awesome pretty lady! Sounds amazing! Also why is your skin so perfect? 🙂
Happy almost weekend!
<3 Kastles
Oh my goodness that must have been an opportunity of a lifetime! Congratulations on being the top finalist!
Michelle
http://www.michelleesque.com
Congrats, Jen! I’ll keep an eye out for the issue, because I am IN LOVE with Harper’s Bazaar. It’s like a cross between Vogue and Vanity Fair – a magazine of style and substance with real journalism and something for EveryWoman who dreams of being that glamourous icon. Of course, you’ve always been a glam icon to me, so this is so fitting. Congrats, you deserve it.
<3
Love + aloha, Mae Xx // thereafterish.com
What an amazing experience, Jen! You looked amazing!
Congratulations! Great experience! x
http://www.joyyiu.blogspot.ca
Sounds like an awesome experience – and you look great too. It’s so wonderful that you were able to meet such inspirational people.
First of all, I have to comment on how perfect that winged eyeliner is! Congrats on such an amazing opportunity. I’m sure this experience is going to stick with you for a life time and I’m glad to hear that you’ve arrived home with determination and drive. You are truly amazing!
Marisa
http://style-rhapsody.blogspot.com
Congratulations Jen! You do Vancouver proud 🙂
Congratulations Jen! You do Vancouver proud 🙂
Congratulation Jen!!! You look amazing!~
amazing blog and outfit
xx Michelle
mich-ette.blogspot.com.au
This is seriously so amazing Jen – congrats again, a million times over! It looks like it was an INCREDIBLE trip (can we just have a moment for the hotel room filled with bags & shoes?!) and you looked absolutely gorgeous! Representing 20-somethings very well! xo!
A huge congratulations on getting selected as a finalist – so well deserved! You look absolutely lovely in that dress too!