Dearest Everyone,
So this week’s tote bag challenge is a little different. I’m really excited to announce a big initiative that we’re starting next Monday called THEN and NOW. Basically you submit a picture of yourself from high school, a picture of yourself now and answer three questions. For every submission we receive, 32 Candles will make a donation to FFAWN, an organization that promotes good decision-making, problem-solving skills and self-esteem in young girls. So by telling us your THEN and NOW story, you’ll be doing both yourself and the women of tomorrow a boon.
And here’s the really big news. Not only will we give away our usual tote bag to the winning THEN and NOW submission. We’ll be giving away 20 T-shirts to the first 20 people who submit!!!* So if you haven’t won a 32 CANDLES T-shirt yet, submit your THEN and NOW here sooner than later.
Meanwhile check out the inaugural THEN and NOW submission by yours truly:
Then:
Did you consider yourself an ugly duckling in high school?
I was such an ugly duckling in high school. I was awkward, could barely keep my hair together, and my mother refused to buy more than two or three new school outfits every year. I remember wanting to crawl out of my skin my first year of high school. It felt like everyone was cooler and dressed way better than me.
Now:
When and how did you officially “swan?”
Strangely enough, I officially swanned while still in high school. My sophomore year, I joined the school’s Thespian troupe and received major roles in school plays, not because I could act, but because I “spoke well.” It was very interesting to go from huge nerd to commanding the stage and hobknobbing with the popular kids. I wasn’t a great (or even good) actor, but I loved working with language. And since we were such a poorly-funded troupe, I was allowed to direct and even sell space in the program to local businesses. What great life lessons. I learned to embrace all of the qualities that had made me feel awkward before, and now I fully represent for fierce nerds everywhere — though I have since invested in designer jeans and a few Anthropologie items to offset my mostly H&M and Target wardrobe.
Advice:
What advice would you give to the Before you?:
I often think about what I would say to my past self if I had a time machine. And I always come to the conclusion that I wouldn’t give myself any real advice, because I just love where I’ve ended up, and I wouldn’t want anything to change that.
Tell us your THEN and NOW story here!
*If you’ve already won a t-shirt, we would still love for you to submit, but you cannot win another T-shirt.