Dear Faye
I do not have any expectations of you and I being pen pals, (although it would be wonderful) but I appreciate how busy you are in your endeavors to make us all look as great as possible. Short story, which I know will turn into a long one.
I am 62 years old and this summer had another spinal surgery and 3 types of other surgeries in 2011. In 2008 I had breast cancer, I know, poor me. I always remember how grateful I am to only have small pot holes in life where others have huge sink holes.
My husband realizing the miserable summer I had, suggested I find some help with items in my closet. Immediately I became defensive and wondered if all these years I had been dressing like a clown.
He knows I watch the program, "What not to wear." As I have grown older, (notice I did not say - old) My goal is to dress age appropriate, fun and stylish without looking like I am tying to recapture my youth and look foolish. Although I wish someone would have told me, things will fall, shift, wrinkle and pucker. If I had know that I would have flaunted more. Anyway, back to my husband suggesting I have been dressing like a clown, my words, not his.
One day I was across the hall from your Mequon store at Allure. Another remake I needed, new bras that fit properly and conceal some of the side effects of a lumpectomy. While I was at Allure, my husband wandered into your store. A store I have never stepped foot into. Your clothes were always a delusion that I either thought I could not afford or fit into, the sizes seemed like they were only for Barbie.
My husband had been admiring a purse, and asked if I liked it as well. To which I replied, "I have enough purses." I looked at the price tag and started to hyperventilate. He put the purse back on the shelf. Then I did a 360 and said to myself, are you nuts, I would love to have that purse and he wants to buy it for you. As we were checking out, and by now I am manic about the the purchase, I am babbling to Amy about how I watch the show "what not to wear". I mentioned I have been looking for someone to come to my house and go through my closets and tell me what to get rid of and which items had hope of surving. (after all, I had been in a hospital gown and pj's for months. Amy said that Faye's does this very thing. Studdering and stammering with excitement. I said "how can I make this happen"? Linda F and Amy B. were by then deciding what date and time they could make it to the house and go through my needy closets.
That night as I lay in bed a few days before the closet clean out, I told my husband I thought I should cancel the appointment as I knew it would be an expense that maybe we did not need to make at this time. (I am really getting closer to the point of this e-mail, just not yet.) He lovingly said, go ahead, you have had a tough couple of years and you deserve it. When you look good, you feel good about yourself. That is all he had to say.
Linda and Amy arrived and promptly went up stairs to my closets. Immediately I liked Linda with her bluntness mixed with dry humor as she went though my items like a hot knife through butter. ( I am from New Jersey and so appreciate the east coast, tell it like it is attitude)
My husband came home from work to find 4 garbage bags full of clothes to be dropped off at St. Vinnies. He was elated and said "God, I like those ladies". I had never seen the back of my closet and there was literally about a dozen things left Linda and Amy let me keep.
Linda and Amy brought several items of clothing to my house as I could not yet drive after having the surgery. I wanted basic items that could be dressed up or down and used for several different occasions. My life style has changed and I no longer work out side of home. I am so thankful I did this because I have fewer items in my closet, but have basic, well made pieces that I will have for a long time. After a healthy investment. I can now interchange the Faye items and have several options as well as getting dressed quicker than before while at the same time, feeling great.
I never thought I could afford to shop in your store, but I am seeing whether I stop in for a scarf or a pair of jeans, your staff treats every one the same and to have someone actually get another size to try while still in the dressing room, is such a luxury. I am telling people, there is something in your store for everyone, regardless of price.
In closing, I want to say how thankful I am to have Faye's be the only store I will now shop in, knowing that your staff will tell me honestly if an item is for me and is in my price range. It makes it so much easier to get dressed now. Your staff even knows my name when I walk into the store, which stills amazes me and I look behind me to see if there is someone else by the name of carol. On no, they are saying hello to me.
Forge on Faye and know I am so appreciative of you, your clothing lines and your staff, especially Linda F. who will call, and say I should have a particular item in my wardrobe. When my husband sees a Faye's shopping bag coming into the house, I say that I have to listen to Linda, she said I should have it. Not sure how long I will get away using that line but I will ride the wave.
I feel terribly lucky to have such a great closet and sometimes feel guilty as I know others are less fortunate.
Thank you and sincerely
Carol Maumee