Style Statement: Live by Your Own Design [Bargain Price] [Paperback]

Danielle LaPorte (Author), Carrie McCarthy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 8, 2008

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 STATEMENT presents a series of inquiries that lead readers to the personal words that guide the spirit, look and feel of their life. The first word represents your foundation, your 80%. The second word, your 20%, is what motivates and distinguishes you.

Via Carrie and Danielle's Lifestyle Map, readers then explore how their own unique Style Statement can generate momentum in every area of their life.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Carrie McCarthy is a graduate of the London College of Fashion. A former fashion model, award-winning interior designer, and head of "Robe," a successful wedding dress company, Carrie is a regular design personality in the media. She is featured on a regular basis in Canadian House & Home, Style at Home, Coastal Living, Western Living and Vancouver Magazine (where she was dubbed "one of the hottest designers in Vancouver"). Carrie is married and lives in Vancouver. Her Style Statement is Refined Treasure.
Danielle LaPorte is a writer and seasoned marketing strategist in Vancouver. She has worked as Executive Director of the Arlington Institute--a think tank in Washington, DC--where she led a team of world class analysts in studying market trends for the liked of IBM, The Pentagon, and The World Bank, and was granted a position on the White House Council in 2000. She also headed her own communications agency for ten years, providing branding expertise and national publicity campaigns for clients ranging from Pulitzer Prize winners to pop stars. Danielle has appeared in The Globe & Mail, Fashion Magazine, and Washington Post, to name a few. Her Style Statement is Sacred Dramatic.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; 1 edition (April 8, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316067164
• ASIN: B002B55XDG
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #131,310 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 94 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Even at "Bargain" pricing, not worth time or money December 11, 2009

By LovesAgoodRead

Format:Paperback

Maybe the ideas in this offering have helped some people sort out their issues with personal style. I found it ambiguous and trendy. Unless you come across it in the library (or donation pile where I just left it), I wouldn't suggest spending money on this book, even at a discount. Even then, to invest time in trying to understand their approach as how to evaluates one's statement of style, would be (in my opinion) a waste of energy. You'd probably find more fulfillment doing a crossword puzzle.

In the framework of spotty layout, adjectives-as-buzzwords galore and slick photography, Carrie and Danielle declare themselves as "style" experts. I did find them skilled in presenting pseudo-psycho babble and focused marketing efforts by advertising their consulting services through local (Canadian) TV appearances, networking events and a website. I used to visit their webpage as it offered good guest articles and poetry. There was a subtle "sell" of their services that I found annoying and stopped reading their webpage for a few months.

I returned to visit their site and found Danielle's daily posts were gone (upon reading previous posts, I found no explanation). Eventually, Carrie's posts no longer appeared. The website remains online (at this writing) as a spam-field of advertisements. Apparently, C&D are no longer a team, and the friends-forever hype has vaporized.

Danielle now has her own website. As in this book (which she now refers to as "her" book, without any mention of Carrie) she remains a marketing tool and appears on Canadian TV, writes for a magazine, and is still full of self-promotion and promises.

Hopefully, someone else would better appreciate my discarded copy of SS.... I'd rather have spent the time and money invested in this book on several visits to the local cafe for a good coffee and genuine conversation. Read more ›

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful concept for finding a personal style, but a little contrived August 7, 2010

By Roxanne Mchenry TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I really looked forward to receiving this book after getting Danielle La Porte's "Fire Starter Sessions" from her blog, White Hot Truth (steep price, but excellent BTW). It's a beautiful book and an intriguing concept of selecting a personal style. There are no questionnaires or left-brained exercises (a good thing), mostly page after page of example people and accessories to match.

That's great, but it starts to feel like "I don't see my combo here." Logically, that's not possible with innumerable "Style Statement" word combinations--so I was left feeling confused, instead of exhilarated like I'd hoped. This concept probably works better with a facilitator, like Danielle, to personalize the experience (which she offered with her biz partner when they worked together).

This book is a good one to share or check out of the library for a fun few hours, but it's not a lifestyle changer.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a must read: carrie and danielle's new style statement April 30, 2008

By caroline donahue

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

some of you will remember that one of my "entering the thirties" celebrations was to treat myself to a style statement session with danielle laporte, of carrie&danielle, two fabulous ladies i refer to often on the site. well, the sad thing about people having a great idea is that it tends to get found out and more expensive. while i was able to get a consultation at a discounted $450 last august due to a deal for domino magazine readers, their incredible explosion onto the scene has moved their personal consult fee up to $2000 canadian dollars. wow. (and yay for them- i am dreaming for that day in my own career).

what to do for those who just can't shell out that much? (or those for whom $450, paid in monthly installments like i did was even a stretch.)

read the book. seriously. you will get so much out of just the book.

i had been excited about this book for a long time, partially because i love books, but also because i have wanted to have a way to send my own clients to a resource for the style statement experience. and at twenty-five dollars, this seems quite a reasonable recommendation.

the book is lush, weighty in a nice way, and beautifully laid out. case studies and their simple and direct language make reading the book a little retreat in itself. it seems to be the one that gets pulled off the coffee table the most often with cries of "ooo. what is this?"

the opportunity to crystallize your preferences and style is about much more than just fashion, as they make quite clear. having a sense of style includes values, both visual and otherwise. i have found that knowing i am "creative refinement" helps me orient in a world that has increasingly too many choices not to be overwhelming. having a little question to ask, "does this fit?...", helps me find myself on a little raft that ensures i will be happy with whatever purchase or choice i have made.

so- don't wait. it's out and available now. make it your next indulgent read. i promise you will be much the richer for it. Read more ›

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Brand called YOU April 21, 2008

By Elizabeth Talerman

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Style Statement takes you on a journey of articulating who you are -- both the parts of you that are overt, fully formed and figured out; and as importantly, the parts of you that are in your core being but not always out in front for the world (or for you) to see. Two small words are where you end up after going through this delightful and insightful process. Two small words that clearly define who you are inside and outside. I am Constructive Nurture, and since learning this I've cleaned out my closet, gotten over morning wardrobe crises, merged my analytical being with my nurturing one, and changed my career focus. Its spectacularly gratifying and liberating.