[00:00:00] Lori Gouhin: Hello, my friends. I am so glad that you are here with me today because today I want to talk about tapping into your creativity so that how you present yourself on the outside truly reflects who you are on the inside. Do you ever feel like your clothes or your living space don't really reflect who you are?
[00:00:19] Lori Gouhin:You might not realize this, but your personal style and your home style can really be powerful ways to express your true self and boost your confidence. Because by discovering and embracing your unique aesthetic, you can create an identity that really tells your story. So let's dive into how to transform your self image through the art of personal and home style.
[00:00:42] Lori Gouhin:And before you can really, truly express yourself through style, both in what you wear and how you decorate your home, you need to understand what your personal aesthetic is. This is the first step. And it's about exploring who you are and what you love, which will serve as the foundation for all of your styling choices.
[00:01:00]Lori Gouhin: So how can we do this? You can start by creating a mood board. You can gather images, colors, fabrics, and patterns that catch your eye. And you can do this physically with magazine cutouts and fabric swatches,or you could do it digitally, for example, on Pinterest or Instagram and go beyond choosing merely what you like and choose things that really resonate with you on a deeper level. Think about how each element makes you feel and why it appeals to you and the visual representation will help you see patterns and themes that are key to your personal aesthetic.
[00:01:33] Lori Gouhin: Consider things like. Your daily life and your activities. Do you need a wardrobe that's versatile for both work and play or maybe comfort and functionality as important to you as style? Reflecting on these practical aspects will help ensure that your style fits seamlessly into your life and it will make you feel comfortable and authentic in your choices.
[00:01:53] Lori Gouhin: You might want to identify maybe some style icons or celebrities whose fashion sense you admire and that's not about [00:02:00] copying their look but understanding what elements of their style really speak to you. Is it their bold use of color? Their minimalist approach? Maybe their eclectic style? by pinpointing these aspects, you can start to see how you might incorporate similar elements into your own style.
[00:02:16] Lori Gouhin: And just as with personal style, create a mood board for your home. Collect images of interiors that you like, furniture, colors, and textures that resonate with you. Consider how you use your space as well and incorporate elements from places that you love. This will guide you in designing a home that reflects your personality and meets your needs.
[00:02:37] Lori Gouhin: Consider also how you use your home. Are you someone who loves to host dinner parties or do you prefer quiet nights? Do you need a dedicated workspace? Or maybe a comfortable reading nook is more your style. Understanding how you use your home will help you design a home that not only looks great, but also works with you.
[00:02:55] Lori Gouhin: And think about the places that you love. Maybe it's a serene beach or a busy city or a tranquil forest. Incorporate elements from these places into your home. This could be as simple as choosing colors that remind you of your favorite vacation spa or using natural materials that bring a bit of the outdoors inside.
[00:03:15] Lori Gouhin: I personally live close to the beach and it's very common for people to decorate their whole home down here in beach decor. And I often wonder to myself if that many people truly do resonate with beach decor or if it's just maybe an easy design choice for them because they live close to the beach.
[00:03:32] Lori Gouhin: once you have a sense of your personal aesthetic, you can start to experiment with different styles.
[00:03:37] Lori Gouhin: so how can you discover what works for you? really works for you. Maybe you can start with thrifting. Thrift stores and vintage shops are great places to experiment without breaking the bank. You can find unique pieces that you wouldn't typically find in the mainstream stores. You can try on various items, even those outside of our usual comfort zone.
[00:03:55] Lori Gouhin: This will help you discover what cuts and colors and styles make you feel more like [00:04:00] yourself. And don't be afraid to combine different styles For example, maybe a sleek modern blazer and a retro dress.
[00:04:07] Lori Gouhin: Or you could mix a bohemian top with classic jeans. This approach will allow you to blend elements that you love from different influences into a cohesive and really unique personal style. My mother in law used to think that it was really strange that I would wear pearls with t shirts, but it wasn't strange to me at all because I love pearls and I wear them with everything.
[00:04:27] Lori Gouhin: And it's part of my style, I guess you could say. And so think about giving yourself also maybe a small fashion challenge to step out of your comfort zone. For example, dedicate a week to wearing a new color each day or Style a single piece of clothing in multiple ways throughout the week. And these challenges can reveal unexpected preferences and it can help you think more creatively about your wardrobe.
[00:04:49] Lori Gouhin: And so what about for your home? You can engage in do it yourself projects. That can be an excellent way to experiment with different styles. You might try repainting furniture, or creating your own artwork, or sewing custom throw pillows. These kind of projects can not only add a personal touch to your home, but they also allow you to test out different aesthetics on a smaller scale before committing to something.
[00:05:11]Lori Gouhin: Of a larger design or a complete overhaul. Another easy solution is to rotate your decor seasonally to experiment with different looks. It doesn't have to be a complete redesign. You can do small changes like switching out throw pillows or blankets and decorative items. Because that can really make a big impact.
[00:05:28]Lori Gouhin: It'll help you understand what styles you enjoy throughout the year and it can keep your home feeling fresh and dynamic. And also, before buying new items, you can try rearranging your existing furniture and decor. Sometimes a fresh layout can give a room a completely new feel. You can repurpose items from your home.
[00:05:45] Lori Gouhin: maybe an old ladder as a bookshelf or a vintage suitcase into a coffee table. This not only saves money, but it also encourages creativity and experimentation. When I furnished my home art studio, the only new furniture that I bought was a [00:06:00] sofa and an ottoman. Everything else was either shopped from my home or I bought secondhand.
[00:06:05] Lori Gouhin: All right, so now that you have experimented with different styles and have a clearer sense of what resonates with you, now it's time to build a signature wardrobe or a home that really reflects your unique identity. And this step involves curating items that not only look good, but also align with Who you are personally and your personal lifestyle.
[00:06:24] Lori Gouhin: So start by identifying the essentials that form the base of your wardrobe. These are the versatile high quality pieces that you can mix and match for various occasions. Think of classic items like fitted jeans. A white shirt, a little black dress, and then next add a statement piece that showcases your personality and adds flair to your outfits.
[00:06:45] Lori Gouhin: That could be bold prints, unique accessories, or vintage finds that make you stand out. I have a coat from nearly 20 years ago that's unique in its own right. Own right to begin with, but I made it even more unique by switching out the buttons after I bought it with really special ones. You might want to create a personal uniform, so to speak.
[00:07:04] Lori Gouhin: In other words, an outfit formula that makes you feel confident and comfortable. And that could be as simple as having a combination of your favorite jeans and a stylish top and a statement jacket. Because having A go to outfit really does reduce decision fatigue and it'll assure that you always feel confident and your best.
[00:07:23] Lori Gouhin: And don't hesitate to alter your clothes to fit you perfectly either. Customizing pieces can make you feel that they're really uniquely yours, whether it's tailoring a dress to fit your body shape. I'm pretty petite and that's definitely, I should do something more often. Or it could be even adding personal touches, like I mentioned about the buttons that I had added, because these kinds of modifications can really transform an ordinary item into something special.
[00:07:47] Lori Gouhin: And again, just like your wardrobe, your home should also have essential pieces that serve as the foundation of your decor. So invest in high quality furniture that's both functional and timeless. Things like a comfortable [00:08:00] sofa, a sturdy dining table, My friend Sarah just bought a beautiful dining table and I think it's handmade and it's just something classic that'll last them a lifetime and probably even be passed down.
[00:08:11] Lori Gouhin: A good mattress is another thing that's definitely worth spending money on because they're used daily. Adding personality to your home with statement decor items is really important as well. And this could be anything from an eye catching piece of art. And I know a fabulous artist. If you're thinking about investing in original art for your home maybe a unique rug, vintage furniture, all of that brings character to your space.
[00:08:34] Lori Gouhin: And these pieces should reflect your personal style and add visual interest to your home. My husband and I recently purchased a cool statement piece of art from a gallery in Charleston, South Carolina. It's an industrial looking sculpture with hand blown glass, and the artist is also an actress.
[00:08:51] Lori Gouhin: So it has a story that goes along with it. You can also infuse your home with personal touches that make it uniquely yours, like by displaying items that have sentimental value maybe such as your travel souvenirs or family heirlooms or handmade items, personal touches create a sense of warmth and authenticity to your space.
[00:09:10] Lori Gouhin: In other words, you don't want to look like. A home good showroom or a rooms to go showroom. You want to have things, not everything has to be unique, but you want to have a nice mix of unique things that really speak to who you are.
[00:09:23] Lori Gouhin: Because Using your style really does communicate your identity. And another thing that's really important are colors because colors have a powerful impact on our emotions and how others perceive us. You can use color psychology to choose hues that really resonate with you and your personality and the message that you want to convey.
[00:09:41] Lori Gouhin: For example, wearing red can exude confidence and energy, while blue might reflect calmness and reliability. So experiment with different colors to see how they make you feel and how they affect your interactions with other people. And accessories are a great way to add personal touch to your outfits.
[00:09:58] Lori Gouhin: Whether it's a statement [00:10:00] necklace, a unique watch, a one of a kind scarf, or pearls like I mentioned earlier, accessories can really transform a simple outfit into a reflection of your true identity. So pay attention to the details, like shoes, bags, even nail polish. They all contribute to your overall look and can say a lot about who you are.
[00:10:19] Lori Gouhin: It's funny because I was at the airport the other day and I ran into my friend and she was so put together and I noticed her nails were done in a perfect French manicure. And I had to laugh as I looked at my own nails that had spotted random colors of acrylic paint all on top of them and under them.
[00:10:36] Lori Gouhin: And I thought to myself I guess they tell a story about who I am and what I do. But anyway, so you can also incorporate elements that have. Maybe a cultural or a personal significance to you. And this could be anything from traditional clothing from your heritage or jewelry passed down through generations or symbols that hold personal meaning to you.
[00:10:56] Lori Gouhin: And these items not only make your style unique, but also carry stories and memories that are special to you. And again, just as with your wardrobe, use color schemes in your home that reflect your personality and create the desired atmosphere that you want. Soft pastels can make a space feel serene and inviting while bold colors can add energy and vibrancy.
[00:11:17] Lori Gouhin: So choose a theme or a style that really resonates with you, whether it's minimalistic, rustic, eclectic, it doesn't matter. And then carry that throughout your home to create more of a cohesive look. Again, fill your home with art and decor that speaks to you.
[00:11:32] Lori Gouhin: And don't be afraid to mix different styles and mediums. Eclectic collections often, in my opinion, tell the most interesting stories. And don't forget about personal collections that you might have that really showcase your interests and passions, whether maybe it's a collection of vintage books or souvenirs from some of your travels.
[00:11:50] Lori Gouhin: These items add character to your home and serve as conversation starters, and they can also remind you of your journey and your achievements. And that all boosts [00:12:00] your self worth and your sense of self /
[00:12:02] Lori Gouhin: confidence is really the cornerstone of a positive self image and your style both. Personally, and in your home can significantly boost your confidence when you feel good about how you present yourself and how you present your space.
[00:12:14]Lori Gouhin: It naturally enhances your self image. The right outfit can make you feel powerful and capable./
[00:12:21] Lori Gouhin: So choose clothes that fit well and make you feel good about yourself. Pay attention to how different styles make you feel. Do certain styles make you feel more professional and energetic and relaxed?
[00:12:31] Lori Gouhin: Dressing in a way that aligns with how you want to feel can have a profound impact on your confidence. Comfort is also really important for your confidence. If you're constantly adjusting your clothes or feeling self conscious about your outfit, it's hard to project confidence. So choose styles and fabrics that you feel comfortable in and allow you to move freely and focus on what's important.
[00:12:52] Lori Gouhin: And don't forget to incorporate Positive self talk into your routine. When you look in the mirror, focus on the aspects of your appearance that you like and affirm them. Remind yourself that you are unique and worthy. Say things like, I love how this outfit shows my personality, or I feel strong and confident in this look.
[00:13:10] Lori Gouhin: Your home should also be a place where you feel safe and at ease. Design your space so that it reflects your needs and desires. This could mean having a cozy reading nook, a vibrant workspace, or a really serene bedroom. When your home environment is tailored to your comfort and preferences, it really boosts your overall sense of well being and confidence.
[00:13:30] Lori Gouhin: And speaking of bedroom Someone that I follow on Instagram, my friend, Jenny, she's another artist. She made a post the other day about not having family photos in your bedroom. It's a personal choice of hers, think what you will, but she said, your bedroom should really be. a serene spot for yourself, you and your partner, whoever, and that having family photos in the bedroom can really be distracting in a lot of ways.
[00:13:57] Lori Gouhin: So anyway, I thought that was an interesting take. another [00:14:00] thing you want to think about is clutter because a cluttered space can lead to a cluttered mind. So organize your home to create a sense of calm. Decluttering will not only make your space look better, but it also helps you to feel more in control and less stressed. You can use storage solutions that blend in with the decor that you like so that it seems tidy and fresh and stylish.
[00:14:22] Lori Gouhin: And lighting also plays a really important role on how you feel in your space. So use natural light, Whenever possible to create a warm and inviting atmosphere supplement with soft ambient lighting or non toxic candles in the evening to make your home feel cozy and relaxing because the right lighting can enhance the mood of a room and really make you feel comfortable and confident in your space.
[00:14:44] Lori Gouhin: Building confidence through your style really is all about consistency. Make choices that consistently reflect who you are and how you want to feel both in your wardrobe and in your home. and so to wrap it up, using personal style to build your confidence It's an ongoing process, as I just said.
[00:15:02] Lori Gouhin: And by dressing in a way that makes you feel good and creating a home that reflects your personality and consistently making choices that align with your true self, you can really enhance your self image and boost your confidence. Remember, the goal is to feel comfortable and authentic in your skin and in your space, allowing your true self to shine through every day.