A Makeover Team in Pittsburgh on a Mission

What a blast we had today Ambushing our 4th person for a free day of beauty.  Meet Marilyn - we surprised her early this morning at Pamela’s Restaurant in the Strip District where she was enjoying a quiet breakfast with her husband and two children.  With the restaurant pretty packed we had to look around but then spotted Paige waving for us with a big smile on her face.  After introducing ourselves we informed Marilyn that she was nominated for a deserving day of pampering and that she was coming with us after breakfast for a full day of fun!  Needless to say she was a little surprised! Her daughter even said that on the way to Pamela’s she was talking about how much she needed her hair done ~ we couldn’t have planned it better if we tried…LOVE IT.

“I’d like to nominate the most deserving and selfless person in the Steel City: My mom! My mom has been an amazing mother to eight (that’s right eight!!) kids and one grandson for many years! She never does ANYTHING for herself and would SO enjoy getting a make-over. She gave up her career as a special education art teacher after I was born to be a mom! She thought she was done having kids, but six kids later she learned differently! In order to give us all the opportunity for private schooling, my mom has taught PRO BONO at a school where she exchanges her teaching gifts for tuition. All eight of us kids are EXTREMELY blessed by her sacrifice.” ~from her daughter, Jaime

The surprise

Marilyn with one of her EIGHT kids, Paige…she helped us coordinate this and it turned out perfectly, thanks Paige!

Makeover Madness ~

With a complete haircut, color, wax and makeup … we think Marilyn looked great! It was now time to go shopping

Marilyn was able to get two complete outfits at Target … her kids came together and got her a pre-Mother’s Day gift card for a little shopping spree.

The team of the day (Brooke Rockwell & Julie Marckisotto) with Marilyn ~ Thanks to everyone who made this day go so smooth.  Even the strange man behind the desk at the fitting room – you were memorable!

If you know someone who deserves to be our next AMBUSH PITTSBURGH makeover, please email us.  We can’t do this without you, so keep them coming!

Yesterday was our 3^rd Ambush and I think I can speak for the rest of my team when I say…they are getting so fun and exciting to do!  There’s nothing like completely taking someone off guard at work (especially early morning on a Monday) and telling them they get to leave for the day so they can get a day of pampering.  Even though Becky already looked super cute when we ambushed her, she sounded like a perfect person when her friend Jenny nominated her…everyone needs a special day now and then don’t you think?

“Becky is the classic definition of a Pittsburgh woman. Intelligent, outgoing, sassy, fiercely independent, and BUSY. Becky has been an amazing friend throughout the years. She is always bubbly and up for an adventure. She is so giving of her time to her family and friends, that she doesn’t leave much time to do anything for herself. I would love to see Becky surprised with a day of pampering and fun. I know she is always looking for ways to update her look and style to match the time constraints and demands of being a mom.” ~Jenny Dixon

This is my favorite part of it all … the surprise factor!

Becky with her friend Jenny who nominated her.

Hair & makeup begins…

We were so thrilled that this month ModCloth gave us some select pieces just for Becky! She got to keep her dress, shoes, bag and winter coat.  Becky loves visiting the ModCloth store online so she was super excited when we showed her the goodies

Some of our favorite shots of Becky working her new look!

 Becky with her mom and Jenny…

A special thank you to Aire Plichta from ModCloth for helping us coordinate this surprise for Becky! Visit their site at www.modcloth.com for these and so many other great pieces!  Jewelry on Becky is from Stella & Dot (Chantilly Lace Collection), www.stelladot.com/juliemarckisotto.  If you know someone who deserves a makeover please email us at ambushpittsburgh@gmail.com and be sure to include a small letter & photo!

So yesterday was our second Ambush!  With such great success of the first one last month we were hoping the second would go as smoothly…and it did!  With the exception of our fabulous photographer, Kathy Wolfe, being under the weather , I tried taking some good pictures as best I could.  I can say…I am better at makeup than photography…but I think you can get the gist of it.  Meet our Ambush-ee Peggy!

“I would love nothing more than to see her feel really good about herself and smile. She really deserves this.  She is one of the hardest workers I know and deserves so much more! She is the best mother to her kids and sacrifices clothes for herself just to keep her kids happy. I have had many conversations with her and I know that this would lift her spirits and show her that there are people who care and recognize all the hard work she does.” ~nominated by her friend and co-worker, Vanessa Marcellino

Peggy with Vanessa at their office where we ambushed her…

  In Brooke’s chair, getting a fresh haircut and color…

 Getting the first glimpse of her hair and makeup all put together!

Back in the Ambush-mobile she goes…off to Kohl’s in Monroeville for a little shopping!

Getting styled by Vanessa in great pieces that Peggy can easily add to her wardrobe…

The finished look! An entire outfit for under $60, she looked and felt amazing!

The Makeover Team… From left to right (Vanessa Joseph, Brooke Rockwell, Peggy our nominee , Julie Marckisotto & Chris Corcoran from Stella & Dot) Chris styled Peggy with some amazing jewelry and also gave her a bracelet as a gift ~ Thank you so much Chris!

If you know someone who would be perfect for our next Ambush, don’t wait to write in and nominate them! We’d love to hear why they deserve a day of pampering.  Email us at ambushpittsburgh@gmail.com

Finally after planning, reviewing candidates and coordinating schedules…the first Ambush took place yesterday.  What a day it was!  We received the nomination from Janice Stitzel and Joe Scalamogna from Giant Eagle in Monroeville.  The letter about MaryBeth made us realize that she is exactly the type of person we were looking for!  The thing is…I think we all got just as much out of this as MaryBeth.  The look on her face from the beginning till the amazed look on her face after her makeover was absolutely priceless!

…”Ask anyone and they will tell you how giving MaryBeth is.  She has for at least the last 5 years taken care of her mother-in-law and grandmother.  Both passed away last year.  MaryBeth actually took a random customer to their doctors appointments because no one else could help them.  These appointments went on for a year!  Because MaryBeth does so much for others she never takes the time to do things for herself.  No one deserves and needs a makeoever more than her.”

(Click on images to zoom in) Below…she couldn’t believe what was happening…it took some convincing but we finally got her to come with us!

 MaryBeth with her co-worker Janice, who nominated her!

A still shocked MaryBeth in the Ambush-mobile and off to Shadyside for some retail-therapy!

Brooke working her magic on MaryBeth’s locks which were in need of some TLC.

Julie bringing out MaryBeth’s natural beauty with a little makeup!

 THE FINAL RESULTS!!  We all couldn’t believe our eyes.  Within just a few hours, MaryBeth was a new woman!

Below with MaryBeth, The Makeover Team

 Kathy Wolfe, the amazing photographer who took all of these photos ~  Julie Marckisotto, Makeup Artist ~ Brooke Rockwell, Hairstylist.

Special thanks to the Banana Republic in Shadyside, and our Stylist for the day, Gillen (below) who helped us pick out some new clothes for MaryBeth! Also to Jae Lee Paredes for donating a beautiful pair of earrings for MaryBeth to keep.  This was amazing…an anonymous person from Giant Eagle donated $200 to MaryBeth’s shopping spree…and she was able to keep all of the clothes in the shoot.

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU to all of the CONTRIBUTORS who have generously donated to Ambush Pittsburgh.  We couldn’t be more thankful and because of you we were able to do this.  If you are interested in donating a discount for a service, product or even your time…please contact us, we would love to have you on board! Also, WANT TO START AN AMBUSH IN YOUR OWN CITY?  Email us at ambushpittsburgh@gmail.com for all of the details and how to get started!

It started with 2 friends at lunch chatting about things they love ~ photography, makeup, makeovers.  It quickly blossomed into so much more.  The idea ~ ambush people in Pittsburgh who are in need of a little pampering and well…some guidance from the professionals.  Give them a day to remember…an entire makeover from head to toe in less than a few hours.  An outfit change, makeup, haircut or style, and a fantastic photoshoot to showcase their new look.  Ambush Pittsburgh wants to give this deserving person not just a makeover, but also to inspire them to keep up their new look with great discounts from our contributors. 

The Core Makeover Team:

Photographer: Kathy Wolfe of Kathy Wolfe Photograhy & part creator of Ambush Pittsburgh!

Makeup Artist: Julie Marckisotto of Pittsburgh Makeup & part creator of Ambush Pittsburgh!

Hair: Brooke Rockwell of Brooke Rockwell Hair Design

Stylist: Vanessa Joseph of The Bombshell Suite

Visit the ABOUT page to learn more about each of us .

Stay tuned for so much more, we’re just getting started!  To get the ball rolling we need to get some nominated people in need of an ambush. Please email us at AmbushPittsburgh@gmail.com  if you are in the Pittsburgh area and know someone in need of our help.  Include a small story about why you nominate this person and a photo if possible. The person you nominate should be available on the last or second to last Monday of the month.  Once we get several nominees we’ll pick out someone who we feel is perfect for an ambush.  We’ll do one makeover candidate per month and keep all stories we get for consideration in the following months. Right now we are looking to do the first ambush on October 24th, 2011 but we need your help so get nominating!