JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) — A Joplin woman whose home was demolished in the May tornado has won a trip to New York.

Chris Zar won a Christmas decorating challenge contest from Real Simple magazine. Zar responded to the magazine’s online request for holiday decorating challenges by explaining that the tornado swiped her home, pets, cars, business records and, of course, all her holiday trimmings. She and her husband have moved into a new Joplin home.

Real Simple selected Zar as one of four winners for a trip to New York. They will take part in a demonstration with home decorating editors. Zar leaves Friday and returns to Joplin on Sunday.

She says given the devastation around her, she’s a little embarrassed by the win, but she hopes to enjoy the trip.