My story began in early January 2005, when a phone call to my mobile gave me a wake up call. It was from our daughter and her partner announcing their engagement.

By early July the date had been fixed for the wedding for June 2006, and I knew that I had to do something. I was 56 years old, 5 foot 2, and weighed 12 stone 8 pounds. I had been overweight and self conscious all my life and really didn't want this for the wedding of my only daughter.

My husband bought me the journey for my Christmas present and on January 13 2006 I arrived on my Consultant's doorstep very nervous and wearing my "most flattering" clothes. She later described me as a "symphony in beige". Well I thought it really suited me! I was hoping to be Autumn as I wore predominately those colours.

It is a real shock when you are analysed, my dyed hair was covered and we discovered I was a Jewel Winter.

I was even more surprised when I was shown the lipstick and colours to wear - very bright - and given the advice to let my grey hair come through - very scary! My hair was too warm, very dark and ageing. I had always thought I would know when it was time to go natural.

Never one to resist a challenge I went for it and could not believe the difference it made.

The next stage was to discover my Clothing Personality and on the Image Day we worked out that I was a Gamine which means I look better in neat clothes so out went all the soft and frilly stuff. I'm still a bit naughty though, despite being over 50!

By March I had completed my course and began the most exciting phase of my life. I truly could not believe how differently I was treated, and how many compliments I received just by changing the colours and styles I wore.

My confidence improved tremendously too. By then a size 10 everything I tried on fitted, and by choosing the correct colours I looked transformed.

I got used to coming out of a changing room and someone saying "that looks great on you". The down side for my husband was that I developed a bit of a shopping habit!

In June of 2006 our daughter got married in Mallorca, between us my husband and I had lost almost 7 stone and we looked very different, people we had not seen for a long time, hardly recognised us, friends said I looked wonderful and I felt it and we looked good in the photos.

Just recently on a holiday to Namibia - knowing what to wear means you can pack smart for holidays - I was asked by the courier "Had I had my colours done?" She also was a graduate!

I really can't ever thank my Consultant for what she did for me, and I'm sure that I am not alone in saying that The House of Colour changed my life.

Are you ready for the challenge of change too?

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