I was walking into the salon where I get my hair and nails done one day a few months ago. This striking woman with this incredible mane of gray hair whished by me. I was struck by how she owned that beautiful head of hair. She had beautiful skin that complemented her gray locks which gave her an air of confidence, and power. I did not know Susan personally. She is an esthetician at my salon and I knew of the tragic death of her only child. I approached her that day and asked if I could interview her for Ageless Style. She probably thought I was a nut case. I am certain she questioned (the two Lynn’s, my hairdresser and manicurist) to make sure I wasn’t a crazy stalker. She agreed to be featured to encourage others. Welcome to Ageless Style Susan Remey Dakis. We can’t wait to hear your story,
Let me tell you a little bit about Susan, and how she has managed to reinvent herself. Her journey has led her to hell and back. Her only child Bella died in a tragic car crash at the age of 16, in April of 2010. Susan says she shouldn’t be here today. She experienced such devastation that first year that she could not get out of bed. Her heart was broken and she could not find the strength to heal. At the time of her daughter’s death, she owned an antique store and offered design services, which was then her passion. Finally, in 2012 she sought therapy and spent years trying to find herself and inner peace. Her therapist encouraged her to write a book to confront her grief, find meaning in her life, and to try to help others who have experienced such a loss. The book titled Memoirs of my Grief (by Charlotte Remey) was published in 2017. That helped her find purpose in her life and move forward. “My girlfriends pushed me to go to school and become an esthetician. At the age of 57, I went to beauty school with a group of young men and women”, many half my age. I passed the exam and began a new phase of my life.”
How would you describe your style?
Haha… classy/hippy I love wearing kimonos with classic jewelry
Do you have a style muse?
Ali McGraw and Sophia Loren…” wear your clothes tight enough to show you are a woman and loose enough to show you’re a lady”
What is your favorite accessory?
Hands down my grandmother’s aurora borealis necklace!
What are your favorite color combinations
Color combo (I’m Italian!) Black & royal blue or a soft blue or soft pink and camel.
Do you have a signature piece that defines your style?
My grandmother’s necklace, so ladylike, with beautiful colors that look great on my skin. If I’m in a fiesty mood I have a pair of rust/brown leather pants I adore.
What are your favorite beauty products and why can’t you live without them?
I have seen wonderful results and positive changes to my skin since I have been using Le Mieux. It’s the product line I use as an Esthetician.
Do you have any style rules that you live by, or do you break the rules?
I look better when I show some skin, and I always pull up my sleeves. I like to stick with a complementary color palette. I rarely wear black shoes. I typically wear a nude/bone color shoe that doesn’t break up the line so my legs look longer. I need all the help I can get as I’m 4′ 9 1/2″ tall.
What are your favorite online or boutique sources?
I very rarely buy online. I’m a Marshall kind of gal as well as second-hand stores! (where I have picked up two St. Johns jackets). Both offer me the opportunity to have my own stylized look rather than that of a cookie-cutter.
Do you have a particular diet and or exercise regime that you follow?
Yoga baby! It makes me strong and aware of my body and it cools my jets, pushes me forward!
Do you recommend any anti-aging foods or supplements that are your go tos?
I encourage collagen powder for my clients and lots of water. I stay out of the sun! I do indulge in alcohol but not very often. It bloats, dehydrates and makes me feel sluggish.
What advice do you have for women over 50?
Most importantly, stay true to your style, if it works stick with it. And most importantly find inner happiness…that is the true game-changer! The best thing I ever did was let my hair grow out grey and embrace where I’m at today.
I hope you enjoyed Ageless Style with Susan Remey Dakis. Susan owns Skin Care by Susan Remy and works at the Allure Salon in Salinas. She enjoys helping others through her work. Click on the link if you would like to schedule a facial or engage any of her other services.
Don’t forget to pop over to visit the Vintage Contessa and see who she is featuring this month. We never share that information with each other, which makes it all the more fun.
Katie Clooney says
What a great looking lady. Her hair is beautiful!!! She’s got style. Have a great week, Cindy!
kim says
What a lovely woman. I can’t fathom what she’s been through. She inspires by what she has done and sharing her journey. Good for her reinventing herself and trying to find meaning in life after something so devastating. Hugs to her. She has wonderful style too. Thanks for sharing this Cindy.
Mary Ann Pickett says
OK…that’s weird that my comment never posted. Anyway, Susan is gorgeous and I love that she is shorter than I am! And this just says it all…”WEAR YOUR CLOTHES TIGHT ENOUGH TO SHOW YOU ARE A WOMAN AND LOOSE ENOUGH TO SHOW YOU’RE A LADY” Perfect. Thank you Susan and Cindy!!!
karen says
Sorry
Bravo Susan!
My fingers went crazy with Charlotte>
karen says
What a story. I read it three times. The Power to Change is really very astonishing. Wish I could meet this diminutive giant. What a beautiful person inside and out. She took on two huge plans , dealing with the loss of a child , an only child and reinventing herself. Bravo Charlotte. Thou art the man!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Karen
So glad you enjoyed this post. Susan is an inspiration to us all.
Sandra Sallin_ Apart From My Art says
Bravo Susan!! !You are a beacon for others. Just getting out of bed is an accomplishment. But reinventing your life and then writing about your horrible tragedy is a gift. You are also gorgeous and giving. So lovely reading about you today. Thank you.
Susan Marie Dakis says
Thank You for your kind words. 💗
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Sandra
The world traveler has returned. Thank you for the kind words about Susan pal!
Lynne Short says
What a wonderful person to feature on your blog! Of course I am envious of her hair and her darling style but as a dear friend of hers I am envious of her strength and determination to go on and make the best life she can after her devastating loss! Thanks Cindy for all you do to lift women up and encourage others to live their best life by sharing stories of beautiful strong women!!
Susan Marie Dakis says
And you my sweet Lynne, thru these years you have lifted me up and loved me! You let me cry, rage, fed me, taken me in when I didn’t have the strength to move, and always be a crazy woman at times. You always support me and I’m forever grateful your my buddy 💞
Cindy Hattersley says
Thank you pal I really enjoy this series. I have met some fascinating women.
Karen Bunch says
I love the women you find to introduce us to. They all have such style and it’s encouraging to read their interests and what the do to say young!
Thank you.
Karen
Cindy Hattersley says
Thank you Karen! Maybe we need to do a feature on you!!
Lori Ward says
So inspiring…I love her comment about inner happiness!
Susan Marie Dakis says
Lori, I had to go within to find someone to love me. The most important person I was ignoring and the love that I needed most. Me
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Lori
Thanks so much for weighing in!
Celia Becker @ www.AfterOrangeCounty.com says
Such a heartwarming story of recovery. I feel her pain as I watched my parents suffer through the loss of not one but two children, my sister and brother, when I was growing up. My parents were destroyed and never fully recovered, you never do. I’m sure my own heartbreak could not compare to my parents, but the loss of 2 siblings and then the pain of living with two grieving parents was beyond belief. I am going to look up her book, as even though this occurred many, many years ago, the pain is ever-present when I think of the siblings I don’t have today. Thank you Cindy for sharing her story.
Susan Marie Dakis says
Celia, I kept thinking that a couple more months, years I would feel more grounded to my new reality. But the truth is a person never gets over their loss. How can you? It hurts because the love you have is displaced, with no where to go. When the love is strong so to is grief. I learn each day to live this tremendous loss and try to go on. But my joy is the reunion one day I will have with my beautiful Bella.
Cindy Hattersley says
Celia
Thank you for sharing your story how tragic. I had no idea. I can’t imagine how catastrophic that must have been for your family. How old were you Celia? You should do a post about it. I am sure it would help others who have gone through the same thing.
Pennie Teal says
What an interesting & uplifting “feature”! I wish
her the best! What a beautiful person!
Taste of France says
She does have glorious hair. What is it with these hip women and their beautiful long gray hair? I love it!
I can’t believe she is so tiny–not even 5′! She looks so much taller in the photos.
Wishing her great success.
Susan Marie Dakis says
Its all about the angles baby! But I truly feel like I’m 5’9 1/2″ and not 4’9 1/2″.
Cindy Hattersley says
She is a tiny one! Great advice about the neutral shoes! Thanks so much for your support!
Lark says
Susan is an amazing woman. For the tragedy she endured, I’m so proud of her for reaching out to life. Thank you, Cindy, for sharing this beautiful reminder of precious life. I’m sure Susan’s daughter is guiding her through life.
Susan Marie Dakis says
I would love for you to have a facial by me…if your ever in town. Thank you for your words of support.
Susan Marie Dakis says
I live each day hoping Bella is proud of me each and every day.
Cindy Hattersley says
Thank you Mary for your kind comments. Susan is one to admire for sure!!
LA CONTESSA says
GOSH, I feel I know HER!MAYBE when she had the ANTIQUE SHOP I BUMPED INTO HER AT SOME POINT!LOVE THE NONNA”S NECKLACE!
I AM SO SORRY…………..I CANNOT IMAGINE HOW I WOULD DEAL WITH A DEATH IN THE FAMILY!
Well, I would be there in a HEART BEAT for a FACIAL if I lived closer!Perhaps, the next overnight at CINDY’s CASA we do a SPA DAY!!!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU for being one of OUR VICTIMS!NOW POP Over to MY GAL AS YOU TWO HAVE THE SAME SHOES I THINK!!!!!AND BEAUTIFUL LONG GREY HAIR!!!!!!!
XX
Susan Marie Dakis says
I would love for you to have a facial by me…if your ever in town. Thank you for your words of support.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Eliz
I can’t believe we both chose women with long gray hair. Great minds (or old minds) wait you aren’t old …think alike…