Animal prints have been very popular in the past year.  Have you added any to your wardrobe yet?  Adding one bold, interesting piece can really spice up your personal style.  It's easy to do this with an animal print top, shoes or bag.  Cheetah, leopard, zebra..they are all fun and available in many colors.

In this look I've added a fun red leopard shrug to some basics.  Even if your wardrobe is pretty basic it doesn't mean your outfits have to be tame.  I found this animal print top from PinUpGirlClothing.com. This is a top I would not have considered 6 months ago but I've come a long way in expanding my style horizon (and my willingness to wear bold items).  What new item have you tried recently?

The shrug is worn over a black v-neck t-shirt (Old Navy) and some black cords from TJ Maxx.  The hair is pulled up and back with a clip.  The jewelry is a shiny, silver Lia Sophia necklace and parallel earrings from JC Penney (the earrings are hard to see in these pictures).  Makeup is black eyeliner and red lips over basic foundation and blush.  The overall look without the animal print is very basic.

To the left is an (almost) full length picture.  The outfit is paired with black boots.  The Tote on the chair is from eBags. Normally I wouldn't have deliberately paired the bag with this outfit.  It is too similar to my eye with the red/black but I am not used to switching bags and I didn't think about what bag I was using until I got to work and it was too late!

Most importantly I felt good in this outfit.  I enjoyed it and felt put together and fun.  I enjoyed trying something new.  If your style makes you feel good you project an air of confidence.

It isn't hard to add a bit of punch to your personal style.  Just pair some basics with one fun animal print to make an eye-catching outfit.  How about a zebra print scarf?  

Have you added an animal print to your wardrobe? Tell me about it in the comments.

Lori Thayer is passionate about finding ways to optimize life, from nutrition to exercise, savingmoney and improving relationships. She is excited to share these tips and tricks with others. Start optimizing your life with her FREE article "5 Easy Habits To Improve Your Health".  Sign up now in the upper right corner of this page.

What is your personal style?  Do you have one?  Style is what we watch on the celebrities and the red carpet.  It isn't for us regular folk.  

Do you often feel it is takes too long to pick out an outfit in the morning?  Not to mention adding accessories and doing your hair right.  It's just not worth the aggravation.  Why should we even bother?  I have to admit I often HAVEN'T bothered and later cringed every time I caught my reflection.

How long does it take to make an impression? 10 seconds!  Are we communicating with others in the way we want to by our personal style?  Does your outside appearance reflect who you are inside?  Why does it matter?  

It matters because impressions happen so fast and are very hard to change.  It matters because how you look on the outside affects how people treat you and what they expect from you. (e.g. if you dress in clothing that is soft and flowing and have to be authoritative in your workplace your inner and outer energies are incongruent.  Most importantly it matters because when you are happy with your outer appearance you feel good.  It will put a smile on your face and an extra bounce in your step.

My goal here is to show you that putting together your personal style doesn't have to be hard, time-consuming or expensive.  I want to inspire you to start finding your own style and really express your inner self through your outer appearance.  

I'll be posting some of the looks I put together for myself.  I wear regular clothes like you.  I am not a fashionista.  I am just interested in finding my own personal style and looking a bit more put together.

Lori Thayer is passionate about finding ways to optimize life, from nutrition to exercise, savingmoney and improving relationships. She is excited to share these tips and tricks with others. Start optimizing your life with her FREE article "5 Easy Habits To Improve Your Health".  Sign up now in the upper right corner of this page.