Style Statement: Live By Your Own Design

Style Statement: Live By Your Own Design

3.88 of 5 stars 3.88  ·  rating details  ·  212 ratings  ·  36 reviews
STYLE STATEMENT is an inspiring take on the power of style and authenticity. Deemed "style psychotherapists," Carrie and Danielle are the creators of the Style Statement: a two-word compass that helps you make more confident choices in life -- from your wardrobe to your relationships, your living room to your career plans.

Part workbook, part inspirational narrative, STYLE...more
Paperback, 256 pages
Published April 8th 2008 by Little, Brown and Company (first published 2008)
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Laura
I liked this book but didn't love it. I think it rambled a lot and gave a lot more examples than necessary, but there were also a lot of good questions that got to the heart of what this book was about: defining your own style statement. I ended up skipping over large portions of this book... I would say I probably only read about 50% of it in the end... but I was still able to come up with a style statement that I think really defines who I am and captures everything the book intended. So, miss...more
Erika RS
A style statement is a two word phrase that is meant to be a guide to help bring your life together. It is meant to be freeing not limiting. A style statement should apply to all areas of your life. It helps you answer questions from "What was I thinking when I bought this shirt?" to "Why do I get upset when my partner behaves in a particular way?" to "How should I shape my career path?".

The first word of the style statement is the foundation word. This describes your inner essence. Your foundat...more
Jenny Wells
I found this book confirming, thorough, thought-provoking, and fun. It provides open-ended exercises I would enjoy exploring with friends or in a workshop environment. As a word person, I couldn't imagine distilling all my exploration down to a two-word style statement, and wrestled through the narrowing down process quite a bit. But once I did, the end result felt strong enough to stand up to their charge, "Live by Your Own Design". I took a number of weeks to pick up the book and work through...more
Debbie Zubrick
A nice introspective that inspries the creation of a "style statement" that is a two-word phrase that defines Me. I was skeptical, but had read glowing reviews of the original process that takes place via phone interview. Not wanting to pay $400 for the personal telephone version, I settled for the book.

I found my style statement and have found that it has helped me make decisions about clothing and decor -- but the amazing part is that the style statement has also encouraged my personal life o...more
Natalie
It's not as much a book as it is a workbook and a getting to know yourself guide. I really enjoyed writing out answers to some deeper questions and seeing the connections throughout. I was surprised at how clearly my "style" come out at the end. You definitely have to do the work and think through the answers though or else the book will have very little worth for you. My style is "Genuine Contemporary". Putting it together yourself really helps to claim it and I find that it does help me in my...more
Jenni Pertuset
After sorting out several items from my closet that just seem like they aren't "me" I was attracted to this book in the hope that it could help me say what is "me" and avoid unfortunate purchases in the future. The book's objective is to create your own two-word "style statement" that describes your approach including not only the things we think of as expressing our style (clothing, household) but also things of greater depth. It's non-amazing, but it does offer some food for thought about the...more
Joslyn
This is so much fun!! So 5 stars for fun -- not to be compared with the 5 stars of literary fiction. The title of this book is deceiving. It makes it sound like it's all about design and style, but it's actually a workbook to help you discover what is authentic for you in all aspects of your life. After completing all sections of the book, you arrive at a 80/20 style statement... the 80% is the foundation and the 20% is the creative edge or flair.

My Style Statement is Natural Refined

NATURAL is g...more
Sibyl
I need a little more time to get to my own personal 'style statement' figured out. Maybe 'confused agression' ...its difficult for me since it requires you to know what you might want to choose if you spent much time making choices for yourself in a retail environment...I think its an interesting approach to the whole self-definition process and it specifically resonated with me since the authors focused a little on women who were facing the challenge following the birth of a child. Those littl...more
katie
How I love a workbook! Enlightening guide to elucidating and articulating your personal style in two key words, from the way you present yourself to others to the way you interact in your world. Interesting questions I've never asked myself before. Fascinating revelations about who I am. A reminder to choose to surround myself with only what resonates with me, to live with intention.
I'm Sophisticated Kooky.
Emily
Feel free to find me corny, but I'm way into this book that makes me think about who I am and how I would describe it. Also, there are all these cool profiles of people - beautiful portraits, with pictures of their favorite stuff and questionnaires. It's a calming, beautiful book, and it's not just about things. I'd actually really like to own this book and do some of the exercises on my own time.
Terry
Love, love, love this book! Makes you really explore yourself - what you love and don't love. It's not just about the clothes you wear or how you decorate your home, but identifying your true self. I am still working on my Style Statement - the two words that define you.


Y
Great Book about developing your own style and giving it a unique name that fits not just your image but also your personality. It does feature many truly insightful questions that become increasingly tedious to answer.
Heather
I ended up putting this on my wish list at amazon because I want to use it as a workbook. It helps you figure out what you're all about so you can convey that to the world in your style - clothes, home, etc. loved it!
Rebecca Tolley-Stokes
Overwhelming actually. It left me more confused and unable to determine or refine my style statement. But otherwise a useful exercise which offers guidance and insight into your past present and future.
Phoe
Sep 16, 2012 Phoe rated it 5 of 5 stars
Shelves: 2012, learn
Found this book incredibly helpful, not just in determining style but how I work and think and live (and want to). Highly recommend it.
Elaine
About half of the book is profiles of two word women, the rest is pages of exercises to find out who you are. If you know nothing about yourself, then this might help. If, however, you have a pretty good sense of who you are, your preferences, and how you affect the world, then flip to the last pages, choose a couple of adjectives and have at it. In fact, you could probably find a list of resume verbs and narrow those down to two as well.

The book is really pretty and well done.
Kristine
Sep 16, 2010 Kristine rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Leslie Manion
Recommended to Kristine by: Tara Swiger
My review is on my blog:
kadyellebee blog: Structured Fanciful.
Rebecca Walker
Fun. Deep. Aesthetic as map of the soul.
Ashley
Feb 24, 2010 Ashley marked it as to-read
Shelves: nonfiction
Rec'd on Unclutterer.
V
Mar 14, 2011 V rated it 3 of 5 stars
Shelves: 2011
The approach to figuring out ones own style makes sense to me. I would have really liked to have seen examples of each style. There are more styles described in the glossary than there are throughout the book.
hannah
Ack! I accidentally read a self help book thinking it was about how to dress better (which, I suppose, is also self help, but generally without the social stigma and obnoxious written voice. Still, I'm glad I read this book, even if I could do without the self helpy harpyness and the too many portraits of people I don't know, because it offered really great prompts for journaling and self reflection.
Shanna
This book is very inspiring. It makes you feel good about being true to yourself and being who you really want to be. It's a fun journey in self-discovery. However, I didn't actually find my style statement, and I think it's because I am just so indecisive and I still don't really know what I like and what I don't like. I will return to this book, hopefully with a clearer picture of who I am.
Kristina
May 23, 2013 Kristina rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Megan Ferguson, and anyone who wants to know more about their true selves
I loved it! It was monotonous and difficult, but really really true and helpful!
Jenny
Sep 07, 2008 Jenny rated it 4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Jenny by: Mary
Shelves: read08
I like the idea of having a style statement, and felt the questions McCarthy and LaPorte pose are a good way to help you along on the journey of discovering what yours might be. I'm still mulling over a group of words that might become my style statement, but I think I'll get there soon.
L'Tanya Durante
If you're familiar with the style statement work of Carrie and Danielle, you'll love this book.

I took 30 minutes each day to do the exercises. It was well worth the effort to discover (re-discover) what really makes me tick. I was introduced to Elemental Sacred.
Traci
Jul 27, 2008 Traci rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: anyone who feels a little lost
Shelves: fix-me
Constructive Nostalgic. It sounds hokey, but finding my style statement has been really helpful so far. It makes editing your life just a little bit easier, and decisions come a little more naturally. Worth the time.
Astrila
Jun 10, 2008 Astrila marked it as to-read
Recommended to Astrila by: Carrie & Danielle
I went to a talk these two gals gave, and I can tell you, they certainly do each have their own style statements, and live by them! :) I'm looking forward to reading it.
Lisa
Gorgeous book, and finding my statement was fun. I wrote about the experience here: http://satsumabug.com/2011/08/18/find...
Tia
I needed more time with the book then I can devote at the moment. I do like the concept though and look forward to trying it again
Lisa
i am LOVING this book and what i am learning about myself. i'd love to hear from anyone who has read it. what's your style statement?
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