Today, we capped off an amazing trip in Italy with a visit to Hearst Italia. It was a fashion fantasy.
I always dreamed of writing for a fashion magazine – especially in my teen years. For me, fashion had always been a way to express myself. I loved finding interesting pieces at thrift stores and small boutiques – my style choices in high school were sometimes odd, but it was fun to experiment. Between DIYs and darn good buys, I created my own style.
But then, at a very difficult time in my life, fashion became more than just a way to express myself.
When I was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2013, I wore a different outfit to each of my radiation treatments. Every day I got up and put on a cute outfit, it gave me the strength and confidence I needed to power through.
My oncologist and radiologist would always comment on how cute I looked. When I arrived at radiation every day, the technicians would always say, “What is she wearing today?”
It’s true what they say – if you look good, you feel good.
When I qualified to receive a wish with Make-A-Wish, I knew my wish had to have something to do with style. With the combination of my passion for writing and fashion, I decided that I wanted to be a writer for a fashion magazine. I ended up going to LA Fashion Week where I got to cover the week of fashion shows for Glamour Magazine’s online blog. It was a dream.
So when we visited Hearst today, I reminisced on that wish – a truly special time in my life that I will never forget. Today, I work with Make-A-Wish Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia on its marketing/communications team.
Hearst publishes magazines like Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Elle, Women’s Heath and more. It was so exciting to get the chance to talk to editors, journalists, photographers and more. (The editor in chief of Cosmo’s name is Francesca – the only Francesca I met this entire trip!) I loved hearing where they get their inspiration, what their daily routine looks like and what makes them enthusiastic about their job.
I still think it would be cool to write for a magazine like the ones Hearst publishes. Who knows where the future will take me.
But for now, I will continue to develop my passion for storytelling…
And wear clothes that tell my story, too.
Also, here’s some pics from our last meal in Italy!
