Wendy's Words: Introducing Audrey

I would like to take a moment to officially introduce Audrey (my daughter) to you, a loyal reader.  Although I'm usually very transparent online, my pregnancy felt like something I wanted to keep to myself, and those I interact with in face-to-face life.  Audrey is just over 9 months old now, and my life has evolved.  It feels like the right time for you to meet her.  She's an absolute joy - a social butterfly like her mommy.

I'd also like to introduce you to the new me.  The core is the same, but some focuses different.  I am adapting, changing, evolving as a person, and my style is moving with me.  As my attention shifts to different subject matter, you may notice a change in the articles here too.  My eyes have been opened to a whole new world, and I'm excited to share this part of my journey with you.

Until next time,
Wendy xo

Holiday Spirit

image source

One of my absolute favourite family traditions happens at the large Woods' Christmas Dinner with all of the extended family present.  Instead of buying insignificant gifts for each other, years ago we decided we would do a Secret Santa with a twist.  Each family member draws the name of another - aunt, uncle, cousin, etc - but instead of buying a gift for one another, we buy a toy that represents that person in some way. 

The toy can represent anything from the person's job, to one of their hobbies, to an inside family joke... anything.  Each person unwraps their gift, and the hilarity ensues!  It's great fun for everyone in the family, because when people get creative, the laughs are abundant.

Once everyone has opened their gift the toys get placed in a bin, and are donated to Toy Mountain.  

We love that we all get the fun of opening gifts, and keeping up traditions, but most of all it feels amazing to donate the gifts to charity and really get into the essence of the holiday spirit - it's just awesome!

Happy Holidays!
Wendy

Wendy's Words ~ Blushing

photo from tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com

I love when I come home to an email that genuinely expresses how a client is feeling about her new wardrobe... and more than that... how that makes her feel about herself.  It's why I get up in the morning.  It's what motivates me. Helping women to find their inner smile, and to glow from the inside out.  Words like these  make my own heart smile.

"Thanks - as usual after two hours with you I feel amazing about my closet and I feel like I get it. I really hope you know how much your time is a gift to me as it always makes me feel so much better. The confidence I gain from just a little time with you is fantastic. So thank you as simple and best as I can put it." ~ Isla

With gratitude,
Wendy

Wendy's Words: Birthday Bash

a party pic from years past

 

 

Today is my birthday!  To start the big day, a private group shopping tour with a wonderful group of women - I think I will treat them to some Delight chocolates to celebrate the day; then I'm off to play in Toronto, doing whatever tickles my fancy at the time; followed by dinner with the fam at Enoteca Sociale.  You'd think I'd go shopping, but I've already bought myself a few early birthday presents (5 pairs of shoes to be exact), so I'm already feeling pretty spoiled.

Enjoy the sunny day!
Wendy

Wendy's Words: One of a Kind

all photos sourced from www.oneofakindshow.com

 

I had the pleasure of heading to the One of a Kind Show in Toronto with my creatively inclined mother on opening day.  We managed to see most of the show (although with so much to see, it's hard to say for sure).  These are a few of my faves!

ARTISTS

Vicki Carruthers "Be Yourself" - acrylic paint on paper

Vicki Carruthers, booth U-06: her colourful art is so playful it makes me smile!

Erin Vincent, booth R-37: vintage inspired mixed media art

Tammy Shane, Booth Q-34: her poppy paintings are beautiful

ACCESSORIES

Lemon Park - resin bangles, small and large

Lemon Park, booth O-36: colourful resin work and semi-precious stone necklaces

Lilliput Hats, booth P-07: loved trying on all the stunning hats. They transport you!

HOI BO, booth S-19: the hand-waxed cloth bags blew me away 

FOOD

Forbes Wild Foods - pickled milkweed pods

Forbes Wild Foods, booth D-21: crazy wild foods that taste delicious!

Coach House Shortbread, booth D-24: perfect hostess gift for the holidays

Sweet Truth Candy Co., booth C-47: melt in your mouth delicious toffee

If you're heading to the show I hope you have a ball and get some of your shopping done at the same time - I know I did!

Until next time!
Wendy

Wendy's Words: Walk the Walk

Michelle Germain, Ashley Wiinnington-Ball and Wendy Woods enjoying the festivities!

Walk the Walk Fashion show is such an amazing event, and a fashion show like no other.  The focus is on the women, and showcases each of their diverse personal styles with the help of the beautiful Canadian designs available at Shopgirls.  One such beautiful design is the navy dress I'm wearing by Individual. This dress makes me feel like a lady, confident & sexy, and makes me smile.  I got a lot of compliments on this dress throughout the night so I'm very excited to wear it a lot during the Holiday Season!  

"Models" final walk at the end of the show.

All the models in this fashion show are Shopgirls' customers, and each have their own unique personal style.  I worked with each of them to put together 2 outfits that made them shine on the runway.  They all did amazingly well and owned the catwalk!

Video by Cliptheory.com

The show is a fundraiser for Windfall, Canada's only new clothing bank, which helps men, woman, and children feel confident through outfitting them with brand new clothes.  To get a feel for the essence of the event, take a peak at this amazing video by cliptheory - a progressive video company producing content that counts! 

Until next time!

Wendy

Wendy's Words: Speedy Encounters

I am one of those few people who actually really enjoys networking.  For me, networking is comfortable and familiar.  I treat the events like the cocktail parties I have attended all my life, wandering from group to group getting to know each of the people as individuals. 

At this SPEED networking event organized by The Fuchsia Factory I was thrown out of my comfort zone.  I had 3 minutes to talk to every woman there - 1.5 minutes for me, 1.5 minutes for her.  Only 3 minutes! Imagine!  I either made a connection, or I didn't.  I found myself just getting interested in a person when a bell rang and it was time to move on.

After I got home, I was amazed at how much I had learned from these 30 other women (many small business owners) in such a small amount of time.  There are a few I want to highlight below for my REFINED. readers. 

Kim - Mother's Core Fitness

Training the muscles inside your body before, during, and after pregnancy that will help with delivery, incontinence, etc. - AMAZING! 

Elke - Cake For You

She can make a cake that resembles a Chanel purse - 'nuff said. 

Melissa - National Film Board (NFB)

Did you know that the NFB has over 5000 titles you can view for free and $6 screenings every Thursday?  They also offer animation classes for kids and adults where the group designs and films a short animation flick together.  I was amazed! 

Marlen - Marlen James Photography

Boudoir photography - sexy pics for sexy women!  How liberating! 

Carrie - Pink Elephant Communications

An amazingly honest and open communicator, who blew me away with her ability to express.  Her own first impression is as brilliant as the one she creates for brands. 

Evangelina - At Your Home Cooking

Imagine coming home from work, groceries bought, dinner made, table set, kitchen clean.  These women do that for you.  They are the complete package.

Wendy's Words: Fall Trends

I'm always really hesitant to use the word "Trend".  There is a misconception that women need to add many different pieces into their wardrobes each and every season in order to keep up with what everyone else is doing/wearing.  If you play this game you will always lose.  There will always be another new thing.

 

That said, it is important to add a couple new items to your wardrobe each season to add life, and inspire creativity.  

 

So where's the balance?

 

The balance lies in finding one or two things you like about what's happening in fashion this Fall, and interpreting them to work for you.  Every woman is different, every woman's style is different, and therefore the trends you incorporate need also to be different.

 

For example, a few trends that speak to me personally this season include:

 

Cuffs. I love the way they look best when worn on both wrists, are the same size, but different colours.  This look is unexpected yet elegant.

 

The Cape. Although totally impractical for cold Canadian winters, I can't help but fantasize about a camel cape with long leather gloves up to my elbows - if I can find the gloves in coral I will be in heaven! 

 

Winter White. I've always been a winter white person, so it's even more fun now that it's in style.  I often get questions as to why I'm wearing white after labour day.  My usual answer, "I like to break the rules".  My new answer, "It's on trend".

 

More on great Fall fashions to come!

Wendy

Wendy's Words: 1M bucks... or 20.

People fascinate me, so I tend to observe them from afar on a regular basis.  One of my favourite places to do this is in the hall of the change room where I stand waiting for clients to try on their next piece.

Most recently I observed a mother and daughter trying on shirts and reacting to the new pieces they picked out.  The daughter had a shirt on that she wasn't sure about, so she asked her mom's opinion.  Mom said, "It looks good for 20 bucks."

I've heard women speak this way before, but it struck a cord with me on this particular day.  I couldn't help but think, "If you settle for something that looks good for 20 bucks, you are never going to feel like a Million!"

We all want to look, and feel, like a million bucks, so it saddens me when women are willing to settle for less than that.  Pieces don't have to cost a fortune to look spectacular, but they do need to make us feel like we're worth a fortune!

Until next time!
Wendy

Wendy's Words: A Fully Functional Wardrobe

Over the years I've had many women come out of the closet, and admit they need help purging, organizing, and letting go of some of the hidden items they have in their closet.  After a while it became very apparent to me that closet cleaning was the most personal service for clients.  The clothes in every closet represent gifts, memories, and money spent - they act as remnants of a life that once was, and now is.  

Although every closet is a little bit different, and every client is a little bit different, there are patterns.  I've noticed 5 different types of closets, and therefore, 5 potential cleanup phases a closet needs to go through in order to be fully functional for a client.  

1. Purging old pieces. I've spent hours with clients just tackling the purging of dated and worn-out clothes that they don't even wear anymore.  These pieces are just clutter in a closet that prevent you from getting to the good stuff!

2. Perfect Fit. Everything in a closet needs to be tried for fit at least twice a year.  If something doesn't fit it needs to be altered or let go.  For those clients who's weight fluctuates often, I suggest taking the sizes that don't fit out of their closet and storing them in marked containers.  When their sizing changes they can easily do a swap.

3. Organize. The best way to organize a closet is first by item - ie. pants, skirts, blouses, etc. - and then by colour.  This way a client can easily see what she has, and go straight to what she wants to wear.

4. Take Inventory - Once a closet is organized by item and colour, it is easy to take inventory and get rid of multiples of things.  My general rule is that 5 of something is more than enough! For example, if a client has 7 black skirts it's time to pare down and take at least two out of the closet.  This is also the time I take inventory of the "holes" in a closet and make a shopping list of the items needed to complete a wardrobe.

5. Filling in - Shopping! Time to head out on a focused shopping trip for the pieces identified in phase 4 to create the fully functional wardrobe. 

At any of these phases I suggest building outfits that work in my client's lifestyle.  I highly recommend every woman have a bunch of go-to outfits that make them feel great, and are already put together.  I makes getting ready in a rush so much easier!

If you're unsure what phase your closet is in, and therefore where to start, you can complete this online quiz, or give me a ring to help - 416.262.4116.

Wendy's Words: Cleanout Jitters

Opening any part of your home to someone can be a nerve-wracking thing to do, especially when you're asking that person to help you clean things out! I recently had my kitchen cupboards cleaned out by a nutritionist. She rid me of all the unhealthy foods I had in my cupboards - knowingly or not.  

I was QUITE nervous before she came to the house.  What was she going to say about the past choices I made?  Was I going to have any food left after she was done?  How would I let go of some of my most favourite food choices however terrible they were for my health?

It was a great exercise for me, as I realized that this must be what some of my clients are thinking before I come over!  Here are a few things I learned from being on the other side of a cleanup consultation, and what I know my clients realize after their experiences:

1. A professional consultation is designed to help you, which means a good consultant creates an open and accepting environment.  There is no need to worry about judgement!

2. It is likely that you've made quite a few great choices along the way!  If, by chance, you need to replace a few items that are not the best for you, a great consultant will give you the tools you need to find those replacements.

3. A good consultant will let you make the final decisions.  She can give you as much reasoning and knowledge as possible, but in the end if you really want to keep something it's your choice.

My kitchen closet cleanup was a few months ago.  For me, the end results were well worth the bit of nerves I felt before the consultation.  I've taken everything I've learned and applied it to my daily life.  I feel happier, healthier, and a few pounds lighter - sweet! 

*** THE REFINERY Spring Cleaning Special ***