Tuesday's Tips ~ How I Scored Miu Miu Pumps for $40 and How to Stretch Your Leather Shoes

Hiya lovelies!  So today I thought I'd share with you how I scored my amazing Miu Miu pumps, seen in yesterday's post.  

I got them at a high-end consignment boutique in Ormond Beach, FL, called Miss Priss.  They were brand new, and only $40.  I'm guessing they retailed for over $500. Insane, right?  I'm such a fan of thrift and consignment shops because of steals like this. My tip today is to go to your nearest thrift or consignment shop and sift through what's there; you never know what you'll find!

I've got another tip for ya too :)  Sometimes those new leather shoes are a wee bit tight.  Wear them around the house for about an hour while wearing socks with them and it will stretch them out.  Now this will only work if they are only a little tight.  If they need some major stretching, either take them to a cobbler, or give up on them.  This has worked like a charm with nearly every pair of shoes I own, and I swear by it.

What's been your best thrift/consignment store find?
xx
Lia

Vintage Love... and a Signature Necklace

Hello lovelies!  I hope you all had a fabulous weekend!  I wore this outfit on Friday, and I'm already dreaming up the countless ways to style this shirt, as well as the necklace!

I found this vintage Lee Riders polyester shirt at my local thrift store for $3.50, such a steal!  It's a little snug on me so it looks as though I'll be wearing it as a jacket for now.

Now the necklace is by one of my faaaavorite jewelry designers, Amrita Singh.  What drew me to it is its name, which is my name!  It's the Amalia necklace.  Uhhh of course I bought it right away!!  How amazing is it??

And check out my amazing shoes.  I scored these gold and brown Tommy Hilfiger driving shoes about 3 years ago at Ross for $9.  Ahhh I love them so!

So ladies, I must ask, how do you think I should style either the necklace, shirt or shoes next?  I am feeling as though all three will be staples in my fall wardrobe!

xoxo
Lia

Polka Dotted and Spotted

Hello my lovelies!  Today's look is super retro inspired!  I only wish I had some high heeled saddle shoes, it would be perfect.  Somebody needs to make those, seems like something Tommy Hilfiger may do....

I am in love with the dress.  And this above pic, it's my fave.  The dress is the red version of Julia Roberts' Pretty Woman one, isn't it?  I got it at a thrift store a while back (post here) for $6.  Such a find, right?  It didn't come with the matching belt, which was fine by me since I'd rather use a different color to break it up.  I wore my black oxfords to complete the look.  Finally, I wore my hair curly in a very high ponytail to finish the 60s vibe.  I'm totally bringing back the curly bangs, I love how it looks!

I don't know what I'm doing with my right hand here.  

Here's a view of my vintage accessories.  I got the two wooden beaded necklaces at the thrift store for $3.

And my Fendi sunnies, which go so well with the look!

Here are the vintage bracelets I wore as an arm party, you may recognize them from my Bloggers Do It Better Arm Party post, here.

What do you think of my retro inspired look?

xxooxoxo
Lia

A Day Late and a Dollar Short.... BDIB Arm Party Post

Soooo I completely forgot to post this yesterday!  Grrr....  Anyways, here it is a day late...  My arm parties!

I apologize for the picture quality, all of these photos lived on and were taken with my iPhone.

Top to Bottom: Bealls, Daytona Beach Antique Mall,  Jewelmint Mumbai

Top to Bottom: Tiffany's, Daytona Beach Antique Mall, Bealls

L to R: DIY, Target, Jewelmint from the Tulum set, Jewelmint Corsica

L to R: Tiffany's, Daytona Beach Antique Mall, Bealls, BaubleBar, Bealls Outlet

L to R: BaubleBar, BaubleBar, Jewelmint Mumbai

L to R: DIY (variation on this), Loft (I won from a giveaway on BravoeRunway.com), Nixon watch, vintage belonged to my grandmother

All these bad boys are vintage, I picked them up at the thrift store yesterday!  The top one is woven ribbons (looks like leather doesn't it?!), then a brass bangle, then two wooden bangles


What do you think of my arm parties?  Loving them or what?  I know I am!
xoxo
Lia

Outfit Monday - Boho Punchy + Mesa Mountain Hike

Hello my lovelies!  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!  I tell you, I am so out of shape, but I feel great!  I went for a 3 mile walk/run with the hubs (yes, we are reconciling sloooowwwwllllyyyyy!) on Saturday and then Sunday we took the kids on a 3.5 mile hike up Mesa Mountain (it's a hill, don't let the name fool ya!)  Here's a few pics....

Don't let this pic fool you, it was seriously like a 30 degree incline.  I thought I was going to DIE.  It was almost a mile of that.  But, the kids were doing it without complaining so I sucked it up...

Amazing views.  The snow line was at about 7000 feet, I think this "mountain" peaked at 6200 or so, it was pretty cool looking out at the snow line... 

The craziest thing was the terrain up there at the top.  It was a prairie!!  This is grass.  So cool right??

 

I love the colors of this moss. 

There were so many succulents growing.  I liked this guy.

About halfway across the top and the whole descent it was mud.  My boots each weighed like 10 pounds I swear.

The gentle descent :)

I love science.  So much.  I majored in Physics/Astrophysics/Math in college up through my junior year, and dropped the first two and wrapped up my last year with just Math.  Anyhow, I'm in awe of Geology and really want to learn more.  So when I saw this lava rock, I just stood and stared at it for a while, thinking about how areas and things are formed...how these mountains formed.  It's amazing sometimes.  Remember: admire nature, but leave it as you found it.  And never remove anything from its habitat!  Leave it there for everyone else to enjoy.  I love this rock.

And here's what I wore today :)

Slouchy thin pink tee - Old Navy (used my 50% off coupon Friday and got this for $8!!)

Bell bottom jeans - thrifted, mens Navy uniform dungarees!  (love these)

White purse - Target, years ago

Scarf - vintage, belonged to my mom

Espadrille wedges - Forever 21

White bracelet - BaubleBar, FREE!!!

Watch, Nixon, 8th anniversary gift :)

I have no makeup on, hence why my face seems to be dodging the camera :)

Happy Monday lovelies!

xxooxoxo

Lia

Dressing to Kind of Impress...

Today I had to go meet with my recruiter to sign my contract for the new job I'm starting next week.  Last night it hit me:  What do I wear???
Since it wasn't an interview per se, I quickly ruled out a suit.  Although I prefer to be overdressed than underdressed, it just was not appropriate for the situation I thought.  I felt even a typical work / business casual outfit was too much.  Again, I was just filling out paperwork.  So I decided upon a 'Casual Friday' type look, and since the weather went to hell here today, it was perfect!
I'm wearing:

• London Fog trenchcoat ($50/Burlington Coat Factory)
• Vintage Kate Spade Tote ($5/thrifted)
• DKNY skinnies ($15/TJ Maxx)
• Banana Republic Cheetah Print Pony Hair pumps ($30 on clearance!!!)

• Forever 21 Sweater ($10)
• Forever 21 Necklace ($4)

Yes, that is a framed picture of Tim Tebow, running for his first NFL touchdown as a Denver Bronco I have hanging up.  Good eye :)



I'd like to thank Isabella and JT for once again playing photographer!  They get to fill in a box everytime they help out/do a chore.  (It's a grid, they color in a box.  Each box is worth 25 cents.  It's like a bank, they can cash out when they've earned enough for what they want.  Works REALLY well!!)



Keepin it Classy... My First Outfit Post! YAY!

I love this blouse so much, I found it at a thrift shop (brand new!) for $10.  It's so loud, it screams my name!  Neon green and bamboo print?  Yes please!

The spike fringe necklace, earrings (and bracelet) I actually got at Walmart all for less than $20.  I nearly flipped!

The amazing Handcuff Bracelet I got from BaubleBar.  You should check them out, AMAZING!

Yeah, I'm displaying my jewelry around a can of PBR.  Yahhh that's how I roll.  Always keepin it classy!

Love this jewelry soooo much!  Hope you love my outfit!  I really look forward to doing more outfit posts and would *love* some feedback!!

xxooxoxo
Lia

Thrifting Haul

Last weekend I did some amazing thrifting.  Here are my fashion scores I found, I'm super stoked!  Now I just need to find more skirts, I guess I'll have to go to some more stores this weekend!

This blazer is unbelievable.  I'm so in love with it, not quite sure about the shoulder pads, but I'm kinda liking them.  It's so lightweight it's perfect for spring!  $5.

I fell in love with the print on this blouse, it's pretty loud and bright and obnoxious, which is so me!  It's a little matronly when I put it on.  I may DIY something to it, I may leave it as it is.  $4.

I thought this was so beautiful with the lace trim.  It's rather dressy, which makes me want to instead wear it with jeans and flip flops :)  I love wearing something in a more unexpected way.  $4.

This beautiful silk Banana Republic tunic was only $6!  It's in such perfect condition, I cannot wait to wear it!

I totally remember having tops like this in the 80s, so I needed to get this.  I'm going to DIY it a little, probably cut out the neckline and cut the sleeves much shorter.  $4.

This lovely white linen with lace trim blazer/tunic is so perfect for a light cover up at work or as a tunic with a cami under it for work.  It was $3

How fun is this?!  Hot pink linen blazer.  $2.  Nuff said.

This dress looks sooo much better on than it does on the hanger.  It reminds me of the brown polka dot dress Julia Roberts wears in Pretty Woman.  The silhouette is gorgeous on, kinda has a Mad Men vibe to it.  I paid $6 for it.

 I found these in the men's section {always look there!} and found these incredible vintage navy uniform dungarees.  The rise is a little high and long, but they fit so perfectly throughout the leg that I'll wear them with longer tops.  So amazing! And for $2.50, couldn't pass them up.

 This vintage Carla Marchi bag still had it's tags attached!  And I paid all of $5 for it!

 I love the shape of the bag itself, but I hate the handle so a little DIY restoration is in order.

 I really wanted a snakeskin clutch, so finding this vintage bad boy was beyond!  And it was only $2!

I am such a sucker for vintage clutches, and this was no exception.  I think I may jazz it up a bit with a little DIY action.  $3

 These bangles, one wooden and one lucite, were only $1 each.

This is my faaaavorite.  It reminds me of rose gold.  I paid $4 for it.

I am utterly obsessed with thrifting.  It's so much fun, and the pieces you find are so unique and beautiful.  Yes, it's a pain sifting through everything, but finding those hidden gems really makes up for it.  Here, I got nearly a new wardrobe for less than the cost of a new pair of shoes.  I'm thinking of branching out to some thrift shops farther away, because I'm ready for more amazing finds!
xxooxoxo
Lia