What is my life? What is going on?!

One minute I am just a regular college student in Utah and the next I am on a plane heading to New York City for my first time ever. And to compete for a chance to be Diane Von Furstenberg’s Brand Ambassador! I think maybe this is a prank, OK Ashton, you can come out now! I know this is a joke…!

I step out of the plane and see a man standing with a sign with my name written on it.. WHAT! Best day ever, this is just like in the movies! I feel like I need to be jumping around and screaming with my girl friends.. turns out you look kind of crazy when you jump around and scream all by yourself in an airport..

So I am in New York.. what am I supposed to do in New York again? Oh yes.. eat pizza!

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I promise I didn’t apply for this opportunity just for the pizza…

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So a cab picks me up and I may or may not have been instructed to show the world just how excited/scared I was to be in the Big Apple! “Wow..New York is beautiful….! Look, that pile of trash is even taller than the one a couple of blocks back!  Beautiful, just beautiful. In fact I will take a photo of it to hang in my bedroom.”

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I could build a good sized cabin on this pile, who needs the Utah mountains when you have this grandeur?!

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So my cab pulls up to the Gansevoort Hotel, located in the Meatpacking District. Wow.. I could not afford to stay here on a regular occasion. You would most likely find me at some cheap motel 30 miles away if I were to come to NYC on vacation. Then I was told to meet at a restaurant/bar across the street later that night. Am I going to meet the other applicants? I am not excited to be here at ALL!

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I never knew how to pronounce “Gansevoort” so I just opted to say it with a Dracula accent every time. Probably accurate.. right?

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I walk down the stairs in the fancy restaurant and keep my eyes peeled for other girls who may look just as dazed and confused as I am. Well.. I spot three gorgeous, put together girls sitting by the bar. I meet Amanda, Coco, and Rhianna. Throughout the night Brittany, Tiffani, Jinna, Lenore, Abs, and Kier join us. Wow, I sure felt out of my element! 1. We are at a bar, I don’t drink! 2. Cameras? 3. What is happening?! Soon two beautiful women (Stefani Greenfield and Jessica Joffe) walk down the stairs and all ten of us immediately know we are supposed to be scared or nervous or some other emotion like that. We are told that there is only room in the program for 8 of us, so by the end of the week two of us will be sent home.. what, OK thank you for that information! I am not nervous at all. Hold on, I need to run to the bathroom real quick.

The night ended and us girls got together in our hotel rooms and chatted a bit more. These girls were really starting to grow on me! How cool was it that we were all brought together for such an insanely awesome opportunity!

The next day we were told to meet at the DVF headquarters. No big deal. This building doesn’t look like heaven at all.

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It is even fully equipped with a stairway to Heaven.

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We were then told we would be working the DVF Awards at the UN.

No.

Best day ever!!

I got assigned to greet guests and help them find their seats. Seriously I don’t think I could have been assigned a better job,  I got to meet and talk to fantastic people; all while wearing a gorgeous Spring 2014 DVF dress!

When we arrived at the UN I don’t think any of us could speak for a while while we took it all in. Once the Awards started we had the opportunity to stand and watch! I am not going to lie-I cried like a baby.

I was not expecting this to be half as inspirational as is was. I honestly expected it to be a bunch of wealthy, stuck up people getting awards. Yes that was probably quite dumb of me to think, but I had never experienced an event like this! Nonetheless filled with celebrities.

On the first episode of House of DVF they didn’t show clips of all of the speakers, but in my opinion Veronika Scott (founder and CEO of The Empowerment Plan) rocked it.

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Veronika’s Organization gives homeless women jobs creating coats/sleeping bags for homeless people. So they can earn money and gain back their independence.

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She was so inspiring, genuine and real! She is the speaker who brought me to tears. It proved to me there are good, humble people and causes out there doing big things not for themselves but for people in need. It really hit home with me because as a Mormon, I believe that EVERY single person on this earth is so special. We are each children of God and should always be treated as such; no matter our status, color, or gender. Veronika’s message was just that- that we all need to lift up those around us, no matter what situation or walk of life they are in. I highly recommend checking out Veronika Scott and The Empowerment Plan. As well as the other Honorees and their organizations: Gloria Steinem, Alicia Keys, Kah Walla, Liron Peleg-Hadomi and Noha Khatieb.

After the awards we were about to head back to the hotel when Rhianna disappeared. We found her in the bathroom, and she was feeling sick, maybe had an anxiety attack. She has been receiving a lot of rude comments for this, and I would like to remind viewers that we are all human! And that not even close to everything that went on during our time in the program was shown. I had the opportunity to talk with Rhianna the next day and I could totally relate. I have had a few panic/anxiety attacks in my life and they are not something to joke about or make fun of someone for. Especially if you are a fan of DVF and empowering women.. you would not talk bad about Rhianna. Tsk tsk people…

The awards were such a surreal and moving experience, I don’t think it is something any of us will ever forget!

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After the awards in my DVF dress.

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The next day was the day we got to meet Diane. I don’t think any of us really thought we would ever get the opportunity! She is such a classy, genuine and real woman. She made us all feel instantly at ease. Diane and her team went over our jobs with us, and critiqued how well we each performed our respective duties. They also critiqued our clothing choices for the event. I was pleasantly surprised when I was complimented for my choice of dress for the event, and how I wore a shirt under it to make it more modest to fit my beliefs. You CAN uphold your values and still follow your dreams!

Next we each got sent upstairs one by one to have individual interviews with Diane. She talked with us about personal things such as our upbringings to more factual things such as our experience working the DVF Awards. It was pretty funny to me while we were all downstairs waiting for our turn to talk with Diane, we were all having a sob fest on the couch. We had all grown very close and each experience we had together had been quite emotional.. in a good way! All of us had gone through different trials and pain in life, and it was so neat how we all came together through this program and were able to connect on such a deep level. These girls are all INCREDIBLE. I wish our conversation on that couch would have been shown on TV, I really do. Speaking of things I wish would have been shown…

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 LOL

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It would have been nice if this statement was put into it’s correct context haha! But what can you do? Nothing.. except sit back and laugh at myself! I have always wanted to have an embarrassing meme made of myself, so hurray! One bucket list item checked off.

In all seriousness, my individual interview with Diane went very well. She first asked me about my family- who I called after the awards and why I called them particularly. I told her I first called my husband, because I shared everything that happened in my life with him, we were a team. Next I called my mom because she is the person who taught me about love, and the importance of each person; so I wanted to tell her how the awards were all focused on just that! Diane also asked me about my beliefs, and why I cry; she asked why I was sad. I told her I wasn’t sad, I cry when I feel something strong.. when something inspires me. It wasn’t a sad cry, it was a happy cry! Haha I am guessing this is where the “tears are power” line came from. Yes, I cringe I even said that in any context, but I do think embracing your emotions is a good thing. I found a quote that perhaps says what I was getting at much more eloquently.

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Why thanks Mr. Irving, beautifully said!

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I don’t think anyone should ever be afraid to cry. Maybe I should have been a little more afraid since I was on National Television.. but to everyone else, don’t you be afraid, you hear?!

Once we all had our interviews Rhianna and Coco soon came down the stairs each carrying a bag, they were going home. It was such a pleasure to meet these two women, they each have skill sets and talents I only wish I had!

Coco was always pleasant to be around… and was so proper in the way she talked and presented herself! She held the title of Miss Calabasas, and is a very successful model. Coco also had a very rough upbringing and past. She decided to take her life by the reigns a few years ago and rewrite her story with confidence, knowing the woman she wanted to be! I seriously look up to her bravery and go-getter attitude. She will do great things, I am thrilled to see where she goes!

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But seriously? Look at this girl!

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Now to miss Rhianna. When I first met Rhianna I didn’t think she liked me! The first comment she made to me was about how I was wearing fake fur, and if I knew more about fashion I would wear real fur. I was like.. OK! I know nothing alright! As time went on I got to know Rhianna quite well. She is so.. refined! She just knows SO much about the fashion industry already. She has even written a book! Parisienne French:Chic Phrases Slang & Style soooo I mean, go girl!! Before Rhianna went home she called me and wanted to come say goodbye. She came to my hotel room and we talked and laughed for a while. I was truly surprised how our friendship came about, and how much I related to and looked up to her. She is truly a talented and special woman!

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Not the best photo of us, but hey we look happy at least!

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Rhianna texted this to me a bit later:

“You are a truly genuine girl with integrity, passion and creativity. Some people are born to be on tabloid covers. Those like you and I will make our mark through a more glamorous and diplomatic path :)”

Love her. I hope her words are right! I am so grateful for her friendship.

So guys.. that was it. It was the 8 of us in the “Program”, Me and 7 insanely talented and inspiring women.

We were all elated and decided we needed a photo after Diane congratulated us and welcomed us to the DVF family.

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So here is our high quality cellphone photo. How surreal.

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So there is is.. my experience through the first episode of House of DVF! Have I said the word “grateful” enough in this post yet? I don’t think so. I am so GRATEFUL! To Diane- for this unreal opportunity. I never dreamed of having an experience of this magnitude in my life. I still can’t remember what I ever did to get so lucky! I am so grateful for all of the 9 women who participated in the first episode. Every single one of them teaches me something new each day! I am in awe over their accomplishments. Can’t wait to see where we each go from here. Can. Not. Wait!!

Thanks for reading!

Love, Codi

P.S…..

LOL