Celebrating lockdown in style. Birthday - Dec 12, 2021 Well, what can I say? It has been a 7-year hiatus from writing on my blog. My last entry is from 2015. Lots to say, lots of twists, turns, and just a ride, bringing me to a full circle that I'm excited to share. Where can I start my blog post is the question so I will write this with whatever comes to mind first and whatever just flows as this is the way I've been determined to live my life, in the flow.
If you go back to my past blog posts you will notice I began this blog in 2013 when I was a fashion business student. Some of my past blog posts included my bed head saving the day and surviving my day on 5 hours of sleep, visiting the Louboutin Exhibit at the Design Exchange, my evening at La Maquette that at the time was an award-winning restaurant, invited as a guest by the owner to eat a 3-course dinner and write about my experience. I also wrote about sustainability and corporate responsibility - which is such a passion of mine that I will get into later, maybe in another blog post.
Needless to say, since then I did graduate from the Fashion Business program with honours and ended up working corporate in the industry of retail & fashion. I've worked in the departments of buying, merchandising, and license operations with luxury and iconic fashion brands and businesses. I also worked as a reporter/writer for a fashion magazine called FAJO Magazine. You can see some of my articles in the Fashion writing tab up top. With everything that came my way, all the people and opportunities I've had, I've never stopped being grateful. I am so grateful for everything.
The last 2 years especially were the toughest I think on just about everyone - the global pandemic, COVID-19 that began several lockdowns for us in Ontario, Canada began in 2020 which seemed never-ending. It was 2 years of celebrating in lockdown mode for my birthday including my 40th birthday that I have just decided to stop counting my birthdays from here on :) Thankfully during the lockdowns, my mind was occupied but also exhausted with studying, reading, and researching as I was at the time trying to complete a Master of Arts Degree in Higher Education from Royal Roads University which I did end up successfully completing and formally graduating from (online) in July 2021.
If you go back to my past blog posts you will notice I began this blog in 2013 when I was a fashion business student. Some of my past blog posts included my bed head saving the day and surviving my day on 5 hours of sleep, visiting the Louboutin Exhibit at the Design Exchange, my evening at La Maquette that at the time was an award-winning restaurant, invited as a guest by the owner to eat a 3-course dinner and write about my experience. I also wrote about sustainability and corporate responsibility - which is such a passion of mine that I will get into later, maybe in another blog post.
Needless to say, since then I did graduate from the Fashion Business program with honours and ended up working corporate in the industry of retail & fashion. I've worked in the departments of buying, merchandising, and license operations with luxury and iconic fashion brands and businesses. I also worked as a reporter/writer for a fashion magazine called FAJO Magazine. You can see some of my articles in the Fashion writing tab up top. With everything that came my way, all the people and opportunities I've had, I've never stopped being grateful. I am so grateful for everything.
The last 2 years especially were the toughest I think on just about everyone - the global pandemic, COVID-19 that began several lockdowns for us in Ontario, Canada began in 2020 which seemed never-ending. It was 2 years of celebrating in lockdown mode for my birthday including my 40th birthday that I have just decided to stop counting my birthdays from here on :) Thankfully during the lockdowns, my mind was occupied but also exhausted with studying, reading, and researching as I was at the time trying to complete a Master of Arts Degree in Higher Education from Royal Roads University which I did end up successfully completing and formally graduating from (online) in July 2021.
It's been quite a ride that I've made it a habit for a few years now to be thankful when I wake up, I literally say thank you out loud and I do also have a little booklet where I jot down my thoughts and what I'm grateful for. What I really value in life is living a balanced life where I can do the things I love and not solely focus on the grind because it is possible to do it all. I enjoy being creative, while also being analytical and strategic and I've been fortunate enough to work in areas, of creativity, business, and arts.
Oh, and I almost forgot! I got back into music as an artist, singer, and songwriter. If you didn’t know, I released a physical album, “Through the Rain”, which is a 12-track album back in 2010. I grew up with a love of music in my household so my journey into music was inevitable. I took a break from music in 2012 and I re-emerged back into music in 2019 and released a digital album “Out of Office” and several singles under the artist’s name, The Prof. I released several music videos and visuals that you can find on my YouTube Channel. About That ft. artist Digydon, and award-winning producer, Medylandia is one of my favourites.
Oh, and I almost forgot! I got back into music as an artist, singer, and songwriter. If you didn’t know, I released a physical album, “Through the Rain”, which is a 12-track album back in 2010. I grew up with a love of music in my household so my journey into music was inevitable. I took a break from music in 2012 and I re-emerged back into music in 2019 and released a digital album “Out of Office” and several singles under the artist’s name, The Prof. I released several music videos and visuals that you can find on my YouTube Channel. About That ft. artist Digydon, and award-winning producer, Medylandia is one of my favourites.
My latest single, which I released on May 16th, 2022 is called “Luna” – by Jennifer Cortez, The Prof. Be sure to check it out!
Finally, I called this blog post that you are reading, "a full circle" because that's how my life has gone. In 2017, I began teaching at Humber College for the Media Communications program, then later for the Journalism and Public Relations programs until this year, in January 2022, I began teaching for the Fashion Business program, the same program that I graduated from and how and why I initially started this blog - to write about my love on fashion, business, and the arts. I just knew in my mind I wanted to teach fashion one day and 2022 was the year that also led me to meet new contacts and re-connect with others. In most recent news, I’m now part of the selection committee for CANIFFF (Canadian International Fashion Film Festival). I never thought I would be saying that I critique films (fashion films) - Again, I’m grateful for everything that has come my way.
Clarity and mindset have a lot to do with how things just flow in your life. When I was younger, more so in my 20s I didn’t have much control over this or a clear vision but over the years it seems like I’ve just become more connected and aligned with myself and I truly believe a lot has to do with when I started to learn how to meditate back in 2016. In addition, sometimes you just have to turn off the noise and that noise includes social media or just too many energies around you – giving yourself a break to just focus – these steps have really impacted my life to become more aligned with “my higher self” or “the universe”, whatever term you want to call it. Okay, I think this is long enough - until next time.
- STAY FAB!
Jen. xo
#fashion #arts #music
Clarity and mindset have a lot to do with how things just flow in your life. When I was younger, more so in my 20s I didn’t have much control over this or a clear vision but over the years it seems like I’ve just become more connected and aligned with myself and I truly believe a lot has to do with when I started to learn how to meditate back in 2016. In addition, sometimes you just have to turn off the noise and that noise includes social media or just too many energies around you – giving yourself a break to just focus – these steps have really impacted my life to become more aligned with “my higher self” or “the universe”, whatever term you want to call it. Okay, I think this is long enough - until next time.
- STAY FAB!
Jen. xo
#fashion #arts #music
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