What's your Style Statement?

I recently read the book "Style Statement: Live By Your Own Design" by Carrie McCarthy and Danielle LaPorte. I'd been intrigued since reading an article about these ladies in Domino Magazine a few years ago. Sadly, the cost of a consultation was out of my price range, but I was in love with the idea. I really wanted to know my style statement! Needless to say, when I saw the book displayed in my local Barnes & Noble store last year, I snatched it up immediately!

The book uses questionnaires and lists to distill your unique natural style into just two words. These words, your "style statement" are carefully chosen to guide you in the expression of your truest essence.

I've answered the questions, made countless lists, and finally arrived at my very own Style Statement, which is Elemental Refined.
I've been reminding myself what these two words mean to my evolving creativity, and finding that it's actually helping me stay the course...who knew!

I'm including the Style Statement "Style Manifesto" below for further inspiration, but I highly recommend that you read this fun and enlightening book!

Manifesto of Style
By Carrie McCarthy and Danielle LaPorte

1. Communicate who you are in all you do.
Consistency is power. When the various parts of your life reflect your essence, your life moves in the direction you want it to.

2. Style is multidimensional.
Visual and sensual choices are driven by self-perception. Our image is a composite of our beliefs, history, and desires.

3. Style matters.
The design of your life can inspire you or mire you. Every aesthetic and material choice sends a message to the world about who you are and the world responds accordingly.

4. Authenticity is energizing, economical, and efficient.
The better you know yourself, the clearer your choices. Self-awareness leads to true style.

5. Accentuate the positive.
Give your attention to the best in you and around you and the best will flourish.

6. People are like snowflakes — uniquely beautiful because of the details.
To compare snowflakes is not very productive. Instead, celebrate what sets you apart, what’s most particular and true for you, and your own specialness will become clear.

7. Pay attention to what attracts you.
One of the most powerful questions you can ask is what am I drawn to?

8. Working from the outside in can create deep transformation.
Surface changes have the power to alter your inner landscape. (So yes, sometimes a new hairstyle or a work of art can change your life.)

9. Feel free to change.
When you discover something true about yourself, put it into action, regardless of who you were yesterday.

10. True style is not dependent on wealth, and wealth does not necessarily create taste.
Authenticity is not dependent on funding. Whether you’re on a budget or on easy street, you owe it to yourself to find a way to be genuinely you.

11. Cheap is expensive in the long run.
Why buy twice when you can buy once? Commit to quality and it will commit to you.

12. Use your best every day.
Life is too short to wait for a special occasion to bring out your finery, your treasures, your brilliance, and the best of your love.

13. Choose from your heart, and your life will fill up with things you love.
What works is what feels right.

14. Beauty transforms.
Beauty’s capacity to generate pleasure, healing, and connection is divinely powerful. Beauty affects its maker and beholder every time.

15. It’s always a good time to be yourself.
And it’s never too late. Possibility exists all of the time, everywhere. You haven’t missed your chance to be your most beautiful.

16. Only love is free — everything else costs.
Whether it’s with time, space, emotion, or earthly resources, we pay for what we choose. Be selective about what you need.

17. Creativity + Restraint = Beauty.
Overdone style leaves little room for newness, appreciation, or reciprocity. Hold back a bit. Allow for breathing space. Trust in the power of subtlety.

18.Contrast makes things interesting.
Too much sameness dulls the senses. Create a twist.

19. Living is sensual.
Engage life with all you’ve got.

20. Make more choices — moment to moment, day to day.
You are the designer of your life. Be selective, creative, and intentional in every possible way.