Our makeover winner, Christen Riedy, has been busy these past few weeks. At Ciao Bella in Madison, Riedy gained a formal outfit plus matching accessories—a black sequined skirt and layering necklaces—along with a casual outfit. In addition, Janice Briguglio at Ciao Bella provided Riedy's daughter, Bethany, who just turned 15 last month, with formal attire for the Reveal.

Next on the list was Shoetique in Branford, where Riedy picked out shoes to match—a flat, blue suede to go with her casual jeans and a red, suede pump to go with the more formal skirt.

Coming up, we'll follow Riedy through the part she's anticipated the most—a new hairstyle—plus visits to spa, salon, and even the dentist.

Check out what Riedy's been up to in her diary below:

You can also find her diary entries from last week in the related links tab to the right.

20 Days to the Reveal

20 Days to the Reveal

Spoke to Kim at Shore Publishing this afternoon. She called to give me some of the dates for some of the other services I will be receiving. Ciao Bella in Madison will be giving me two outfits! Not one but TWO! I have an appointment to see them on Wednesday, Feb. 17. But Ciao Bella has gone one step further – not only are they giving ME two outfits, but they are giving my 15-year-old daughter an outfit to wear for the unveiling! She is SO excited!!!!!! Not only am I excited to get the clothes, I am excited to share the experience with my daughter! I feel like a model getting ready for a photo shoot!

15 Days to the Reveal

Today my daughter and I went to Ciao Bella for the fashion part of the makeover. My daughter got a beautiful dress to wear to the reveal on March 4. She is SO excited! We were there for about an hour-and-a-half. I got two outfits: a dressy outfit I will wear the night of the reveal and a casual everyday outfit. Janice and Sheila were very nice and VERY generous to both me and my daughter! I even got two necklaces to wear the night of the reveal! Robin and Jess from Shore Publishing were there for the entire fashion fitting. Jess set up a video camera and took a TON of still shots! The video camera was set up at the opposite end of the fitting room, so that upon my exit from the fitting room in an outfit, I walked down a "catwalk" for all to see. I sometimes watch America's Next Top Model with my daughter and think how easy it would be, but after today, who am I kidding! Modeling is harder than it looks! It takes a lot to look natural! I had a lot of fun and hope Jess got some good video footage and photos.

12 Days to the Reveal

I keep thinking about the one outfit I received—the one with the black sequined skirt. It is definitely out of my comfort zone, so I sometimes think I am crazy! But then again I know this makeover is all about change and getting out of your comfort zone! Everyone liked the way it looked, so I will trust their judgments!

8 Days to the Reveal

This afternoon, it was off to Shoetique in Branford to get shoes to go with my Ciao Bella outfits. There I met Lora-Jean, who was very warm and friendly and welcoming. She has a GREAT store! We picked out two pairs of shoes—a flat blue suede to go with the casual jean outfit, and a red suede pump to go with the black dressy outfit—the red really compliments the black! Jess from Shore Publishing was there to take pictures, and Kim from Shore Publishing stopped by to see how things were going. Pilates tonight at 6:45 p.m.!

As a footnote to something I wrote back on Feb. 20, I really like the black sequin skirt. I took it out of my closet for the first time since I got it (so I would remember to take it with me for shoes), and it really is nice. I put it on again today with the shoes, and it looks great!

Sponsored by: IM=X Pilates Studio; YOLO Aesthetic Boutique; Dr. Laura Miller; Madison Avenue Hair and Skin Salon; Ciao Bella; Shoetique; Rain Wellness Spa; and Café Allegre.