Carol

Elementary School Teacher

Lately I had been wondering if some of the styles I was wearing were right for me. I hated shopping for clothes and found it overwhelming. I had bought clothes on impulse and then wondered "What was I thinking?".

I was a bit nervous going into the workshop, having no idea what to expect. I was met with a warm reception and soon became comfortable with the small intimate group. As the day progressed, I was gradually able to start seeing my clothes more objectively. Having clothes selected specially for me was awesome!

The Before and After photos of my makeover were great too. From the before...yikes! To the after... wow! My updated look was startling and uplifting.

Going home I was then able to remove the dated, questionable and unworn clothes from my closet without guilt. Taking my simplified wardrobe to the followup Wardrobe Appointment was exciting too. It confirmed some of my own choices and helped clarify how to look for pieces that would compliment my current wardrobe. I came away feeling happy and more confident about my wardrobe.

This whole experience has given me a much needed boost, both internally and externally! I now open my closet and know what to wear and feel great. Thank you!

Carol

Bobbi Jo

Destination Wedding Planner

I felt that it was time to update my look because I wasn't getting the types of sales that I was used to in the past and I have always wanted to learn what colors looked best on me.

I would go shopping when I was depressed about something and I was the queen at buying sale items.  I would get them home and rarely would I get the same satisfaction out of the outfit once it was on my body.  Sometimes in the case of sweaters I would just buy them for comfort and apparently not for style.

My appearance has always had an impact on my life as I have always been in positions where I am on the front line working with customers.  I never realized that I did not look my best until my co-workers started asking me if I was feeling alright most of the time.  I thought that I was looking like I had spent hours when in fact it looked the opposite.

I attended Patti's Workshop and we were all asked to provide honest feedback to each other.  I was really shocked when Patti asked the group whether or not they would feel confident purchasing my services and they all said no.  That really hurt and I knew at that point that everything needed to change.

I had much apprehension but as soon as I had completed the Workshop and tried the suggestions that Patti had given me, I felt different and confident and ready to take on the world.  I trusted her after that so when it was time to do the closet cleaning I was open to everything.

I get compliments daily now from co-workers and clients alike.  I have changed my hair and I love the way I feel in my clothes.  The clothes Patti picked out for me while shopping made me feel 10-15 pounds lighter than I have in years.  I also did not feel that I was wearing something too old or too young and I still felt sexy.

I have had little or no budget for myself but I learned that rather than buying quantity, it was better to add a few quality pieces a little at a time. This was a truly hard lesson for me as I have never had a lot of money for clothes and I always thought I could buy the same look cheaper.  NO NO NO this is not the way to think because I ended up spending far more money and the clothes did not last as long.

I spend more time now getting ready and I think it is worth it.  I have had several job offers come my way since I have taken the Workshop and I was not even looking for a new job.

The clothes I wear now fit my body type. I will continue to recommend Patti  to my friends because she really has given me a new outlook on clothes and how they can really change a person's opinion of you.

If you are scared about taking her Workshop or doing a Style Assessment, just ask yourself "what do I have to lose?"

Bobbi Jo

Judy

City of Vancouver Advocate

When I was asked to be the speaker at the Alberta Premier's Breakfast Meeting - speaking was easy - but WHAT TO WEAR! The occasion was corporate, and - there is not a corporate bone in my body. And certainly not a corporate outfit in my wardrobe. I NEEDED help!

I work for City Hall in Vancouver, as the Advocate for low-income tenants and the homeless.

I'm a grandma, and I have a very fluffy tabby cat so cat fur and cookie crumbs are always an issue.

In a single day - it is not unusual for me to spend time sitting on the sidewalk with a panhandler, visit a disabled senior in a Downtown Eastside hotel room, attend a meeting in an office tower and another meeting in the Mayor's office. In the evening on the way home, I might play with grandbabies, or have supper out with a friend, and then spend more time looking for a homeless person in the streets.  I could never get the outfit right so it covered all this. 

Patti magically put together clothes that work through my whole crazy day. AND Patti found me shoes that look good, that I can wear comfortably for 18 hours with othotics - and don't make me feel frumpy! 

Patti was able to make me look slimmer, pulled together, different, but still very much myself. - Now, it is even easier. Everything goes together. I spend a little more time doing make-up - and it actually shows. And my hair - sometimes I run a blow drier over it before I leave the house, and pull some product through it - the cut is amazing. 

People say "you look 10 years younger", "you look really good", 'you look more relaxed and happier" and "this is the new you!" The compliments are constant. I start to forget about it and then someone who hasn't seen me for a few months reacts.

I'd recommend a day with Patti, rather than spend years trying to pull it together on your own. Sometimes you just need a real teacher, who really knows what she is doing and I think most of us have never had one.

Jan

Retired Teacher - Community Advocate

"It is what is on the inside that matters." This was a common theme in my upbringing.  I interpreted this to mean that the time spent on your outward appearance should be kept to a minimum; otherwise, it was self-indulgent.  My "minimum" was the closest thing to zero time that was possible.  My wardrobe was an odd assortment of sale items.  My makeup was for special occasions only,  my hairstyle was practical (wash and wear), and my glasses were nondescript, enduring many fashion seasons.

After years of feeling increasingly invisible and insignificant, I have been on a journey of learning who I was created to be. The most visible way has been with the knowledge and encouragement I have received from Patti.  If you present yourself to the world as colorless and closed, you are not noticed beyond a brief encounter.  This is very limiting.  If you present yourself to the world as dynamic, open and eager to be engaged in life, new opportunities and possibilities open up. 

Patti has gently guided me to look at myself through the eyes of those who meet me.  She has challenged my concepts about the components of my outward appearance.  She has helped me find a style that feels like "me".  I am beginning to see a new confidence taking root.

I remember hearing an interview with Princess Grace many years ago.  She instructed her children to present themselves with thought and care.  She said that you are not doing this for yourself but for those around you.  

Thank you Patti, for helping me through this personal metamorphosis.

Jan

Gail

Toronto

I work for the local police service and I have contact with the public so it is important to look professional. I work with mostly younger women in their 30's and 40's and, as I reached middle age, I began to feel like I was the old girl and not part of the "in group".

Up until about age 45 I felt confident that I knew how to dress and what worked for me and I felt I could accomplish anything but as I hit my 50's I seemed to lose my confidence and had a hard time accepting my age and physical appearance.

I wondered if my hair was the right cut and color for my age. I hated shopping because I didn't know what my style was anymore and all those clothes that once looked so good now seemed to be very unattractive with my change in body shape.

Meeting Patti has been a very special gift. I was feeling so bad about myself and I just wanted a "makeover" or just someone who could help me to be me again.  I needed to be shown what direction I should be going in this phase of my life and how to have a more feminine look.

Patti first sent me to a hair stylist and I absolutely loved the cut!  With that part over and with such fabulous results I couldn't wait for the next stage - make up.   I had learned the basics years ago but just couldn't be bothered - too many decisions to make about the right shades, skin types, too much time to put it on etc. Patti promised me it would only take me 10 minutes a day and the results would be well worth it.  She sat me down with the products I would need and said use this and this and this and applied it for me the first time. I have to tell you she was right - in fact not only is it really easy but it takes me less than 10 minutes a day and I feel 100% more confident about how I look and feel.

Finally, it was off to the clothing store. I had a blast.  Patti kept bringing clothes for me to try on and it was so much fun. I learned so much in such a short span of time about what works and what doesn't. She convinced me to try clothes I would never have considered and - guess what? - they worked and looked great! She was also sensitive to my tastes and did not try to force anything on me that I was not comfortable with. It's truly amazing what you can disguise with the right article of clothing. And the best part is I have a lot of new clothes that I love wearing, knowing I look and feel good.

Thank you Patti for taking the time you spent with me and teaching me that I am still a hot chick!! Thank you for being honest and pointing me in the right direction. Thank you for your professionalism and knowledge that you shared so enthusiastically.

Sincerely,
Gail