I’ve spoken previously about my love for the book Style Statement: Live by Your Own Design. Well, I finished it several weeks ago & much to my delight, I’ve discovered what my style statement is. (& it couldn’t ring truer.) I am so excited that I’ve finally finished this book, although I feel it was more than a book. It was a journey. & as soon as I found out my style statement, it was like I came home. The experience was amazing, to say the least.
I’d like to share my style statement here, in the exact format that the profiles in the book are presented: the definition of each word of my style statement, the material things in my life that are most treasured & influential, & the questions & answers that perfectly portray who I am, & what I’m about. So, without further ado, my style statement is…
[Genuine Eloquence]
Cape dress, from Cali; vest, from Target; pants, from Ross; shoes, from DSW; jewelry is miscellaneous.
genuine
SPIRIT: Authentic & real, Genuine wants to be fully itself & deeply appreciate people & experiences that are free of hypocrisy or dishonesty. Sincerity is sweet music to their souls. They gravitate to those who are down-to-earth & unpretentious. They are expert at sensing the discomfort & needs of others, & so excel at putting people at ease, drawing on their humor, good manners, or tenderness to do so. Genuine has a knack for taking the best & leaving the rest. They want the facts. They rarely suffer fools, & don’t make much time for situations that go against their grain or distract them from their goals. It’s fairly easy for them to walk away from situations that aren’t serving them. Genuine’s motto tends to be “Live & live.” Ironically, Genuine can struggle with balancing outer image with its inner desires &, for better or worse, will fake it to make it. They have a special fondness for originality & appreciate things that last & endure as well as people & principles that have stood the test of time.
LOOK & FEEL: Comfortable & comforting. Strong craftsmanship, standing the test of time. Almost anything goes with Genuine’s fashion as long as it feels right. Genuine adores tried-&-true brands & things, & places & people steeped with history & character. Replicas, rip-offs, & imitation designs & material are out of the question.
eloquence
ability, appeal, articulation, dramatic, expressiveness, fervor, flow, fluency, forcefulness, gift of gab, grandiloquence, loquacity, meaningfulness, mellifluousness, passion, persuasiveness, poise, power, rhetoric, spirit, style, vigor, vivacity, wittiness.
1. my favorite books: The Great Gatsby, Entre Nous, my personal journal, & Jane Eyre.
2. vanilla scented tea-light candles.
3. my grandfather’s camera that he bought from Germany.
4. a dried rose from Jonathan.
5. a green bottle.
6. my engagement ring box.
7. stones from the Mediterranean Sea; a gift from my friend Sharon’s trip to Europe.
8. miscellaneous jewelry: a novelty key, a ring my father gave me when I was young, & handmade earrings from an art student.
9. a porcelain elephant I named Lucky.
10. a tea set from my grandmother.
Things I love: I love the ocean; the vastness of it leaves me breathless. I love dogs. I love good hair days. I love a home-cooked meal. I love being in the arms of my husband. I love writing — especially if it’s composed honestly without much thinking. I love sunsets, orchids, the color red & staying in my pajamas all day.
I feel most at home: Wherever my husband is. He is my home. He keeps me grounded, connected & satisfied.
I looked most fabulous: On my wedding day. I’ve worn that dress so many times before, but that day I wore it especially well. I was floating & glowing.
My definition of sexy: A fearless, risk-taking woman who can dress like a boy, but still look amazing.
I nourish my well-being by: listening to music, reading a book (keeps my mind in the right place), watching classic, black & white movies, going for a drive, talking to my mother.
What I’d like more of in my life is: Freedom. To not think so much. To live & love without fear. I need that.
What I want less of in my life is: Anxiety. Fear. Doubt. Insecurity.
The negative qualities in people that I can hardly tolerate are: Racism. Hypocrisy. Pessimism.
If I were going to write a brilliant book it would be about: Beauty & its taboos. Self-esteem & the important role the media plays when it comes to subliminal persuasion. Staying true to yourself would tie into this book, also.
I tend to get stingy about: How to spend money; whether we should or shouldn’t.
The ultimate celebration or party that I’d like to throw would be: A real wedding, on the beach; barefoot, in a flowy, gauze-like dress with flowers in my hair. Dancing to drumbeats, jazz guitars & haunting cellos. I would want it to last all night.
I describe my inner rhythm as: quiet, but strong.
I resist exercise because: I hate sweating. I hate the daunting routine of a workout.
I am completely uninterested in or bored by: women’s magazines, celebrity gossip, fashion designers (who’s-who).
A tiny part of me secretly wants: to make love like a porn star.
Suffice it to say, If any of you are searching & longing to pinpoint your inner purpose, from the bottom of my heart I strongly recommend this book. & no, the author’s aren’t paying me money to say so. :]