In this month’s Style Spotlight we are featuring Jacqueline Thomas, one of Kirsti’s clients! Jacqueline hasn’t been a client for very long, but she sure is immersing herself in our Diff culture quickly. We love to hear from Jacqueline in her Instagram comments & when she pops in for an appointment with Kirsti. Read on to learn how being a client has made her feel!
Name: Jacqueline Thomas
Your Stylist: Kirsti Calhoun
How long have you been a client of The Difference? Not long enough!! Approximately 6 months…… and now forever!!!!
Profession (or previous profession): Registered Nurse in Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, and most recently Covid, for 52+ years. Too long and not long enough. Yes, there are stories, there is laughter, there were tears and there was anger. I would not trade any moment, would do it all again.
How do you describe your lifestyle: Now I am “retired” (though once a nurse, always a nurse, just like “once a stylist, always a stylist”). I love ALL animals and would spend every day with many animals if I could…. MAYBE even (if given the chance), come back as a Zoo professional.
How did you hear about The Difference? It was total serendipity. I was scrolling Instagram and happened on one of The Difference’s reels. I was taken with the elegance and simplicity of the presentation. I did the preverbal “Well that’s nice, but I would never do that. I’m not sexy enough, stylish enough, organized enough, or just……. enough.” Obviously, I came to my somewhat diminished senses and took the leap.
Describe some of your favorite things about your Stylist and experience at The Difference? Kirst is full of giggles, but with ferocity and fervor for her passions of styling. Kirsti is positive, helpful, and laughs a lot. I happened to mention something that I believed about fashion, which was at odds with Kirsti’s viewpoint. Immediately the giggles did an about-face turn and the sergeant major (AKA Kirsti & her style expertise) gave me the reasons why that did not work well at this time. It was impressive to see her knowledge and passion for ‘the right thing’ for me. She did not fear speaking her mind AND it was explained with emphasis and examples. So, though she may appear giggles and sunshine, I truly gained respect for her very professional side that day. She also went above and beyond to help me find pants that work with the orthotic brace on my left lower leg and foot. She continues to help me with resources that will allow me to wear a wider range of things with the brace. Her heart is giving and caring. I wasn’t expecting that. Prior to Kirsti, I was a leggings-and-scrubs girl, with a whole lotta tomboy, part lazy, part non-visionary, and part chicken when it came to clothes… I would take a magazine picture into Nordstroms and say, “Can you put me in this?” I had imagination, just not execution. Actually, I must say in my working days my scrubs were very colorful and classy at the time. I would even wear rhinestone earrings on days I was in clinic and even in the emergency department.
Do you have a favorite outfit/product/memory associated with The Difference? The memory of Kirsti showing me how to put MY OWN clothes together was life changing. She then showed me how to put my pieces with pieces she had selected for me. THEN TOOK PICTURES OF EACH OUTFIT AND SENT THEM TO ME. Truly above and beyond. After that session I told her that it was the first time in my life I felt like a grown-up woman who could actually look like a grown-up… with style. What a relief!!!
What’s something you’d share with women to encourage them to shop at The Difference? Put away the fear and self judgement of “I’m not worth it”. Be secure in knowing that you will be listened to, you don’t have to buy ANYTHING (but you will eventually because it will be such a relief). You can just be yourself as you are, or you can reach & soar to be version 2.0 of yourself.
