Las Vegas Fashion Council and Fashionista
To those that don’t know, I’m a movie buff. I can enjoy nearly anything from a Marvel flick to a love story. My mind immediately thinks back to ‘Moneyball’ that stared Brad Pitt. It’s not a Pitt line that draws my attention; however, it’s a Stephen Bishop, playing David Justice, line. Justice asked Scott Hatteberg, played by Chris Pratt, what’s his biggest fear of playing first base. Hatteberg’s response was “A baseball being hit in my general direction.” He was transitioning to first after being a catcher throughout his life. That’s what I think when I’m asking someone for an interview. I don’t want to flub it; I don’t want to misplay it. Most of all, I want to avoid the error.
Flashing back to last weekend…
At most, it had been two minutes since I sent her an interview request and when I received a response that read, “Hello! Yes, I have looked at your blog. Beautiful pictures and posts. You’re more than a survivor… you’re a thriver.” I blushed; I do that a lot now a days, yet I try to keep focused so that my humility doesn’t all but vanish. Those words were followed with, “I’m very interested in joining you on your journey,” she had added.
Now, after, fielding it cleanly, let’s ‘Meet: Mary Murphy.’
Youth
Her hat, ‘Damn Yankees,’ but who am I to judge? I have one too, on my ‘Wall of Hats.’ (I wonder if she’s seen it) And, yes, that’s the reasoning behind my opening monologue. Unscripted, until I began typing.
Mary was born in Syosset, New York and raised in Lisbon, Connecticut. “Growing up,” Mary begins, “I would say I had the best of both worlds. During the summer and winter breaks from school, I would go back to Long Island with my sister to visit my dad and that side of my family.”
When she and her sister were at her fathers, they enjoyed things like block parties and bicycling to Carvel’s and delicatessens in Long Island. “The remainder of the year, I would be “home” with my mom and stepdad in the country,” she adds. There, “it was all about my friends on the block and staying out until the streetlamps came on, sleep overs and going to school. Very typical and a wonderful childhood of city and country.”
Education
Mary attended business school in Connecticut, and says, she wanted “to begin my professional life doing “something” in business. I really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do but it seemed like this was the way to get into the front door. It was in this business school that I found I had a panache for computers and really where I began learning and understanding how technology would eventually change the course of my professional life.”
“From then, I went on to more academics,” she adds, “Pursued my bachelor’s degree in business management in New Haven, CT, pursued my bachelor’s degree in digital arts, a lot of pursuing but never finished college.”
She was well into her professional career when she changed routes by going after certificates. “I did this because I learned that companies needed people with relevant skills to help support their needs. This meant, for me, getting certificates such as Scrum Master, Six Sigma, Lean, etc.,” said the IT Project Manager. “I continue to acquire certificate programs as the technology sector continues to develop. Staying relevant is key in this industry and having a college degree that is over twenty, heck, five years old, is just simply not enough anymore.”
Mary is now employed by an insurance company based on the east coast, while living in Las Vegas with her two dogs, Sadie and Tobi.
Las Vegas
Living in Las Vegas has kept her close to her stepfather and not overly far from her son in Oregon. “My son lives close to us in Oregon City, Oregon with his wife and their dogs and cats,” Mary shared. “The majority of my family still reside on the east coast, all the way from New York and down into Florida, but that’s pretty common. It seems if you’re born in New York, Florida living is inevitable at some point in your life.”
“There is so much here,” she says. “My favorite places, and most frequented, are within the Art District. It is what I would call a “pocket neighborhood” located just north of the Strat. Main St. has great restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops. It’s very eclectic and is expanding as we speak! This is where I recommend people visiting go if they want a more local scene and vibe. It is so close to the hotels on the strip and near Freemont St. so driving or Ubering is pretty easy.”
We had been speaking like old friends to this point, her reasoning for saying it was more like a conversation as opposed to an interview. I agreed but then I actually directed the nature of the interview. ‘I see you’re a ‘Kid Rock’ fan, yes, he’s from Michigan, and I enjoy his music too. What’s your favorite song of his,’ I tossed her way after seeing one of my home state stars in her feeds.
“Kid Rock!” excitement entered Mary’s tone. “Well, now you’re taking me back in time! I attended a Kid Rock concert in California many years ago with a friend of mine. I didn’t listen to a lot of his music before the concert so I didn’t even know if I would like it. But by the end of the concert, I was up on chairs dancing and trying to sing the chorus of the songs. There was just this crazy energy going on from everyone there. It was intoxicating!” she added and then continued, “Since then, I listen to his music now and then, it takes me back to that moment of pure joy and happiness. My favorite song? Oh, that’s a tough one. I would say it would be “Cowboy”. I just can’t help but dance to that song every time I hear it.”
“I thought the last question was hard, this is even harder!” Mary proclaimed, when I asked what the best concert and show, she had ever attended, was. “Okay, well if I have to choose, it would be seeing Journey for the first time in my life here in Las Vegas. I’ve been a fan of Journey since I was in junior high school and to finally see them live was nothing less than incredible.”
“My favorite show, a Las Vegas show?” she added to the remainder of that question, “Is much easier, Beatles Love. I have been an avid Beatles fan since I was a kid listening to them with my parents. They have, and forever will have, a very special place in my heart because of all the memories I have of them in the background growing up. Not to mention the artists in the show! Simply an incredible show to see for anyone who enjoys entertainment and legendary music.”
Fashionable and 50 Plus
It was Mary’s style sense which led me to ask her for an interview. Simply put, she dresses fabulous for a woman her/our age and I am thoroughly impressed. It’s not every day, here in the Midwest, that you see someone ‘dressed to the nine’s’ day in and out.
Have you been stylish your entire life or was it something that you kind of grew into as life came along, I asked first.
“For me, style is always something I admired but never really came into until I was much older,” she began. “Growing up, I think most of us just try to “fit in”. Now, many years later, the last thing I’m wanting to do is “fit in”. Funny, isn’t it? The older we get the less we care about going with the crowd and the more we care about how we feel about ourselves.”
Mary continued to explain to me that she believes fashion is an expression of who she is an individual and chooses her wardrobe as she feels on a daily basis. “Every day my style is different,” says the newly appointed member of the Las Vegas Fashion Council. “It depends on my mood, where I’m going and what I’ll be doing.”
Shocked and Thrilled
I sensed Mary was ‘shocked and thrilled’ more than the one time she’ll explain about to me, in a moment, that I even brought this up. While researching for this article, I had come across information that she was on the Las Vegas Fashion Council. And sure enough, I asked about her position on the council and here’s what she told me.
“Yes! Las Vegas has a Fashion Council. Who knew? I certainly didn’t,” she said excitedly. “Funny story about this. I got a feed in Facebook for an event they were having in a week called the “Lil Black Dress” event. It was in the Art’s District and there were going to be local designers and models. Oh, I was immediately interested and bought my ticket right away.”
“I remember going to find the perfect dress and accessories that fit my personal style, not knowing anything about a contest I would soon be involved in,” Mary announced. “Sitting in the row of seats near the runway, a gentleman came up and asked if he could take my picture. I didn’t know who he was or why he would want a picture of me but soon, very soon, found out that he was one of the council members and declared me as the “Best Dressed” for the evening.”
“Long story getting shorter, I promise, at the end of the evening, the MC announced that the ‘Best Dressed of the Evening.’ goes to…drum roll…‘Mary Murphy!’ I was ‘Shocked and Thrilled’ at the same time! (now for a second time as I have asked) I got up in front of the crowd and stood next to the founder of the council to accept my award, which included a year’s membership with the council. She and I then walked down the catwalk and took pictures.”
“It was by far the most exciting moment in my recent memories. This all took place a month ago and since then, I have my card 😊 and have been in contact with the team to begin learning about the council, upcoming events I can get involved with and attend. So, lot’s more to come on this one,” she concluded.
Leading up to my final question, Mary offered up some advice for ‘our’ fifty plus crowd and dressing stylish. “Go For It,” she says. “Seriously, just go for it. Put down all of the ‘rules’ you’ve been told on how to look, take a deep breath, and feel what is going on with you. Then select that outfit that fits that mood. Confidence is then inevitable because you are being true to yourself. If you do this, then no matter what you are wearing you will feel good, and it will show to others. Have fun; be a kid again!”
About Rick
Sadly, another fun interview has come to a conclusion, but there’s always that final question about me and why they’re interested in my platform, my writing and myself as a friend. This time though, I’m asking someone the very same question yet have only known her a few days as opposed to others I’ve known for years. And here’s Mary Murphy’s response.
“Your stories are engaging and really capture the essence of your subject matter,” Mary begins. “I feel like, when reading the posts, that you understand how to capture the spirit and inspiration each person is contributing to their lives and the lives of others.” And after a breath, goes on. “I also appreciate how transparent and open you are in your journey of surviving cancer. Again, inspirational for all of those who have either been through it or are going through it. I said it before and I’ll say it again, ‘You are more than a Survivor, you are a Thriver!’ Because you didn’t let cancer beat you down and dim your light and for that reason, you give me hope and inspiration to overcome life’s challenges and perceived roadblocks.”
WOW
Full Circle
As always, the end brings us full circle. From my opening monologue to the final ‘inning’ it’s about me. Yet this time it comes with a promise I made, early on, to Mary before she answered a single question. That is to send her a Detroit Tigers hat, to outshine the Yankees cap that she wears in my favorite photo of her, if ever we were to become good friends. Which, although I’m not a gambling man, I believe will happen.
Her words made me think. It’s supposed to be about her but, in the end, it was kindness to a near stranger. One who had fought too many battles over the past year to even count. One still trying to regain his own life and learn to trust and of love once more. Too many people are hurting in this world. This world needs more Mary’s. more empathy, more friends and forgiveness. Life is too short not to love one another. Thank you, Mary, for your time, candor, grace and kindness. Most importantly these words you began our ‘conversation’ with, which I’ve withheld to truly make this a ‘full circle.’
“Thank you, Rick! I feel very honored and blessed to have met you and for this invitation to have this conversation with you. You are a true inspiration to me.” – Mary Murphy
Thank you, Mary, from the bottom of my heart!
You can find Mary at the links below.
Mary Murphy (@mjmurphylovinglife) • Instagram
mjmurphylovinglife (@mjmurphylovinglif) | TikTok
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