Nothing makes us happier than when a client tells us what a difference we have made in her life. Like many of our clients, Sandra was a woman who wanted to be able to move seamlessly with confidence and ease between the many roles she plays. Sandra wished for a wardrobe that reflected who she is. She wanted to look put-together, feel beautiful and confident while including elements of her artistic, playful side. It was especially important to her that achieving this on a daily basis be uncomplicated. She sent us this testimonial:
 Testimonial of a Woman in Search of Ease
BEFORE
“Before my style consult with Dee and Mara, I faced two options when getting dressed: angst or denial. The angst option saw me struggle anxiously through various combinations of ill-fitting, formerly tried-and true, and optimistically acquired odd-ball items hoping that I’d eventually hit on something I could feel presentable in. The denial option – more time efficient, but every bit as emotionally taxing – required that I put on any other thing and pretend I didn’t care how I looked.
The Closet Consult
Enter Dee and Mara. With their gentle, thorough, and professional approach, Dee and Mara helped me identify what I longed for in a wardrobe and – in what feels like a miracle – made that dream come true. What did I long for? Ease. I wanted getting dressed to be easy and I wanted to feel completely at ease in my clothes. Their consult process gave me the support and tools I needed to envision the styles, textures, and colour that would suit me, body and soul. With the vision in place, I faced the daunting prospect of actually shopping.
The Shopping Trip
Up to this point in my life, shopping for clothes meant psyching myself up for the harsh glare of change room mirrors and fluorescent lights, cranky or absent sales staff, and all-round torture on the racks. It is any wonder I hated to shop? Dee and Mara revolutionized the shopping experience. I’d hoped for ease in my wardrobe, but I didn’t expect the process of getting there to be easy too! They picked the stores, picked the clothes, picked the accessories, set up the change room. All I had to do was show up and give the thumbs-up or thumbs-down. Over and over again, they presented me with options that felt good and actually fit! I surprised myself by trying on items that I would not have chosen on my own, happy to discover that some of the styles I assumed could never work for me were both comfortable and flattering. In a matter of hours, I acquired exactly what I needed to transform my wardrobe.
The Cost
On the shopping front, Dee and Mara worked well within my budget. Not only did I come home with a beautifully functional wardrobe, I came home with far more options than I’d imagined possible given the financial limits I’d set. These women are both style-finders and bargain-hunters!
AFTER (aka the best part of the testimonial!)
I no longer torture myself with hours of angst-ridden clothes tossing before leaving the apartment. There is no longer risk of being late in the hopes that one more clothing combination might feel even just a little bit better. I no longer run errands hoping I won’t run into anyone I know. Instead, I get to engage with the world feeling good in my skin because I’m wearing clothes that feel like me. I consider it an investment in sweet sanity. (My partner would probably add how great it is that I’m ready to head out the door in a fraction of the time it used to take, without being frustrated or steeped in insecurity.)
No more clothing angst. No more forced numbness and denial. Dee and Mara are on my team now and I couldn’t be more glad for their company.”
~Sandra Vander Schaaf
Could we make life a little easier for you, or someone you know?
Contact us today and let The Joy of Style be a sanity saver for you.
Eschelle
December 12, 2016 at 11:25 amThat is amazing, it is so hard for me to feel comfy in things based on my completely measly budget for myself. Big fan of handmedowns though!
Dee Clarke
December 15, 2016 at 7:25 amThanks for your comment Eschelle. I’m a fan of hand-me-downs too, but only when they work for my body type and style direction. It’s easy to end up with a hodge podge of items that don’t go together. That’s when we end up with a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear. Thrifting and consignment is another way to extend a wardrobe budget. I love the thrill of the hunt!
Melissa
December 12, 2016 at 8:24 pmSuch an amazing testimonial…way to go Mara and Dee!!!
Dee Clarke
December 15, 2016 at 7:30 amThanks so much Melissa!