A Deserving Mom from Ohio

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To get the ball rolling, Chic Mom Magazine offered a makeover to a deserving mom from Ohio. The makeover took place at Square One Salon in Dayton, Ohio. The recipient was Dair Arnold of Oakwood, Ohio. (Dair is an old family name that means ‘to give of oneself’ which is an appropriate fit for this sweet lady.) At the time of the makeover, Dair was 35, married, and her two daughters, Hannah and Emma were 4 and 2. Dair and Eric have been married since 1994. For 3 & ½ years, they tried to conceive Hannah and did so after infertility treatments. They were then blessed to have their second daughter, Emma. After three months, they started having problems with Emma, which subsisted until Emma was 21 months. At the time of Emma’s birth, Hannah was 14 mos.

Emma had an incessant cry, which was inconsolable. Her parents took her back and forth to the Doctor until it was finally discovered that she had a severe adenoid problem. During those many months of crying, the family suffered tremendously. Dair and Eric were lead to believe that Emma was a ’spirited’ or ‘difficult’ child, though deep down, Dair was unconvinced of this analysis. They were continually advised to let Emma cry it out. This never worked for Emma, and she would only sleep being held by her 6′7″ Dad at a certain angle and for two-hour increments. To say that this family was sleep deprived is an understatement. Their sleep was dysfunctional for month after month, day after day. Hannah’s personality became affected, and Emma was just a disaster!

During this time, the family moved to a bigger ‘fixer-upper’ house since Hannah and Emma had been sharing a room. They had clothes at both houses, regular Doctor’s appts, and lived a life of chaos. Dair likens it to having a newborn for 21 months.

Suffice it to say, Dair’s style greatly suffered during this time…it was not a priority. She was lucky to pull one of Eric’s clean shirts out of the closet to throw on each day. And, of course, a shower was a luxury. Dair remembers literally feeling like she looked terrible, and was in a mode of desperate survival.

Although the family had a lot of support from family and friends, when Emma was 20 months, Dair had a physical breakdown. She could not catch her breath, and it turned out she was having an asthma attack induced by anxiety. She was in the hospital for three days, and it was at this time that Eric and Dair demanded proper X-rays be taken of Emma’s head. Emma was diagnosed with such swollen adenoids that she had a growth in her throat. She underwent surgery immediately, and was literally instantly a different child (including her appearance). Dair learned to NEVER doubt her instincts again.

The joy Dair and Eric felt at getting to know the “real” Emma – one without pain, who could sleep – actually longed to sleep- brought such relief to the family. Since then, the family has been enjoying sleep, sleep and more sleep as well as a leisurely, unhectic lifestyle. Emma is a delightful, gentle spirit, and her sister loves her (most of the time) like crazy.

Dair was ready to get back on her feet and make herself more of a priority in her life. She wanted to be a good role model for her girls, and she wanted her husband to see a glimpse of the ‘girl he married.’ She wholeheartedly surrendered to this makeover, and enjoyed every ounce of well deserved nurturing and attention.

The Makeover:

During Dair’s makeover at Square One, she received a luxurious manicure and her first ever pedicure, and had her hair highlighted with shades of honey and blonde. Her brows were shaped, which the aesthetician told us changes the face as it opens up the eyes. Makeup was artfully applied, and Dair was coiffed from head to toe. All products used were from the Aveda line.

Clothes:

Next, we focused on Dair’s style of dress. We reminisced about a time in her life when she liked what she wore and felt confident and beautiful. Dair had taught literature at a university for 5 years and felt great in her style of long skirts with boots and fitted sweaters. After spending the afternoon at the upscale shop, Elan, Dair recaptured that feeling and couldn’t take the smile off of her face. The shop owner, Julie Shone, advised us to use the sales person as your best girlfriend. We don’t get to shop with our girlfriends as much as we used to once we’re moms, so rely on the salesperson. That’s what she’s there for! Let her know what your budget is and what you are shopping for, and that you are looking for an honest, candid opinion. Let her know if you’ve been away from the shopping world for a while, and that you need direction.

Synopsis:

Makeovers have become the rage in recent years and for good reason. It is hard to imagine another group more deserving of a makeover than mothers. Dair LOVED her day. She was already a joyful person to begin with, but as the day went on, her joy grew immensely. For her to recognize herself as she had once been – that she’s “still got it,” and can maintain it, was thrilling. She felt inspired to start working exercise into her days, to clean out her closet, and to take some fashion risks that she had all but forgotten about. She was so excited to go home and show her husband and girls her new look. However, the MOST unexpected rewards of the day came in the form of nurturing people touching her in a non-needy, nonsexual way. To have her feet, hands and scalp massaged and a make up artist gently apply make-up to her face practically put her in a trance.

We all need attention. We all give attention. All of the time. Remember ladies, you are wonderful.