As a “lifestylist” in the Harrisburg region, Shannon Paul spends her days helping other people bring beauty to their world. She’s a floral designer, does interior design and staging, and is a wardrobe stylist as well. Here’s what makes her happy in her personally styled world.
Where are you originally from? Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Where do you live now? Lower Paxton township (three miles from the house I grew up in)
Where did you go to high school? Central Dauphin High School
Where did you go to college? University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and Central Pennsylvania College
What do you find most fulfilling in your job? That I am able to affect my clients’ lives in such a positive manner. Whether it be creating the perfect setting and florals for their wedding day or special event, designing a home or business space that every time they walk in makes them smile, or teaching my clients how to look their best in their clothes, I get to be a part of my clients’ best life and milestones.
Do you have another job? Freelance virtual wardrobe stylist
What makes you happiest in your personal life? Spending time with my family
Favorite jeans: Rock & Republic skinny jeans
What perfume do you wear? I am a body spray gal, pretty much love all of the Victoria’s Secret scents!
Favorite piece of fashion: Knee length, a-line white Calvin Klein coat that literally goes with everything and works for all seasons; I love pieces that I can style with virtually my entire wardrobe.
A staple in your wardrobe you buy over and over again: Jeans; I am always looking for the perfect pair of distressed jeans.
What shows are you planning to see? Theresa Caputo, LIVE the Experience
What films are you looking forward to? McQueen
What are you reading now? The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
Netflix addiction: House of Cards
Favorite movie: Forrest Gump
Best thing you ever ate? Pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant) in Paris
Favorite Central PA place to eat? Mangia Qui in Harrisburg
What do you do to unwind? Put my earbuds in and go for a walk outside
Tea or coffee? Tea
Beer or Wine? Champagne!
Salty or sweet: Spicy; I put hot sauce on everything.
Most meaningful possession: A painting of peaches that my parents bought inGermany
Pets: Blue beta fish named Finny Blue
What’s one thing people would not guess about you? I am scared to go down escalators.
Who are your style icons? Tom Ford, whose philosophy on style is to just keep it simple, find a good tailor, buy nice things, and don’t try to reinvent the wheel every morning. Michelle Obama, who showed us how to wear a dress from the Gap and look like a million bucks. Jackie O, who is the epitome of chic and effortless style. There is literally not an outfit that she wore that I don’t love and wouldn’t wear today.
A few of my favorite things:
- Brown Prada booties
- Tom Ford coffee table book,a style lover’s dream book
- Black and white striped salt and pepper shakers from Johnathon Adler; I am a collector of salt and pepper shakers, and I found these at the cutest home décor store in Philly.
- Essie nail lacquer in Wicked
- Stainless steel Gucci watch
- Gold Pooja ring by Just; this ring was designed by a friend of my niece’s
- Peppermint lip scrub from Bona Dea Apothecary located in Lancaster. The owner/operators are the sweetest.
- This Fendi was my very first designer bag, which I have had so long it is now vintage.
