You most likely know a few people who have their own unique way of expressing themselves to the world through a multitude of ways including fashion and home decor. Both of these things speak volumes in regards to signature style and communicates an important message to those who cross your path. From the colors of the walls, the cleanliness of your floors, the trinkets on your shelves, your shoes, your hair, your jewelry…everything you own and wear translates into a part of your style. Maybe you are one of them, or maybe you are like me and are still in self discovery mode. I would love to be able to say that I have a signature style, a style that expresses my personality and creativity and helps to create the life that I desire to live. But my journey at getting to that ‘place’ has just started to reveal itself.

During the past 10 years or so, style/fashion/design have played a big role in my life. Whether or not I was conscious of that fact is another story. Between college and working I was constantly surrounded by creative, fashionable people, some fully content on where they were in life and others still self discovering.

Eight years ago, we had just moved into our first home and I was dying to decorate! I was flipping through a Home Decor magazine ripping out inspiration, when I found ‘the’ room! It was classy, neutral and beige on beige. I though, this is it, this is how I want my room to look..So that weekend I spent time going through all of our stuff keeping out the classy, brown things and packing up our colorful stuff. Our brown living room was taking shape, and you know what…BLAH…I hated it! Three months later we bought a bright red sectional! Go figure…

I remember doing a project in college, I forget exactly what the course was, but the project was to create a collage/visualization/inspiration board for the next 5 years of your life. The deal was that you were to put this somewhere where you would see it everyday. Do you believe that what you put out in the universe, you will get back? It was a really interesting project and I’ve used the same idea when trying to pinpoint certain decor ideas and style thoughts. With so much creative inspiration all around you there are tons of ways of going about making your very own personal signature style inspiration board. I still do this every now and then, and sometimes I rework what I had before and fit some new inspiring images in…it’s just a fun and creative way to build a ‘look’…

 

Hi! My name is Lish-nice to meet you!

I’ve always been the type of person to just know what I like, no explanation, no right or wrong, I just knew. But what I didn’t know was how to pull it all together to create ‘my’ style. I would spend tons of time ripping out pages in magazines, dream, bookmarking things on the internet. However, when it came to interpreting those pretty things into anything more, it was a bust! I could dress a mannequin like no ones business and I could pull together outfits for clients, but for myself I always felt like something was missing.

Earlier this year, we did major renovations on our house. It was wonderful-the outcome, not the actual reno! I had a blank slate when it came to decor. Aw…every creative persons dream! It was my test, my test that life handed me to see if first, my marriage could survive a reno-check!And second to test my signature style. What would I do with this empty slate? Would I fill it with things that I loved, colors that spoke to me? Amazingly enough I was in the right place of self discovery, trying new things, figuring out where I fit in. So ya, it was perfect. It was me. Check! Had I had to conquer this a few years ago, my kitchen would have looked totally different then what it does today and would not reflect my signature style at all.

Kids…that’s what did it…having kids made my style evolve and change direction. A perfect direction.

My priorities changed, my life changed, the way I viewed myself changed and opened me up to who I truly am…although I may not be fully embracing it clothing wise, being at home everyday doesn’t require much more then yoga pants and a t-shirt! My home sure has benefited the most by my sudden found signature style and is my drawing board for trying new things.

I know that I love color! I love being creative and having a blank slate…canvas, paper, wall, rock…anything that I can add color too! I’m happy, I love to goof around and laugh, a DIY’er at heart, I admire a minimalist style but would feel so bare living with it, instead my home is filled with family photographs, children’s paintings, colorful quilts, handmade things with a story! Rustic furniture with bits of bling. I like wearing statement jewelry and I would be lost without nailpolish. I am a Pieces girl thru and thru…blue hues from the ocean, bare feet and soft worn jeans, layers to complement the sea breeze-these things all pull at my heart strings. Comfortable is the way to go. Neutrals are the base of my signature style but I have to have color somewhere, deep rich, jewel tones and sea blues make me feel at ease. So am I Modern Country? No…Boho Chic? Nope. Beachy Quirky? Maybe… I really don’t think I could describe my signature style in a few words…What about you? Do you have a signature style? How did you figure it out?

My journey of self discovery and signature style are far from over but I know that once I capture it, I am going to embrace it, love it and show it off, because half of the fun is in the presentation of it to to the outside world and I think that should be nothing short of inspiring!

I’d love for you to join me in my journey of self discovery, the chaos of motherhood, the demands of being a WAHM…come on over to my blog, Imprintalish, where I can share tons of photos with you, show off my inspiring pretty finds, make a few crafty things and say hi…:)