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Thursday, March 21, 2013

Buying and Giving



I've been blogging a little bit less lately.  I love blogging and I love my community of blogging friends.
Blogging, like dance and like reading, is a hobby that helps to keep me happy.  It gives me mental emotional fortification. Reading your blogs and your comments uplifts me.

Having lunch on Tuesday afternoon at my favorite little retro lunch spot.  They only take cash; old school style.
......and like the rest of you; there are days when I REALLY need the boost I get from reading (and writing) blogs.  Not only does it give me a forum to put my two cents into, but its a place to vent and to share joy in other's good news.  Its a place to celebrate with strangers who've become friends. Its a place to share ideas about wardrobe, accessorizing and to get feedback on what works and doesn't work. Sometimes my blog posts regress into rhapsodizing about clothing and outfit vanity......but my life is so much more than just the everyday vanities I often post about. 

Just goofing around...
I'm just having a good time posting about outfits, accessorizing and dance.  

My Monday outfit
I also recognize the fact that I am fortunate to be in the position I am in...I have many choices in life.  I recognize that many people do not have so many choices and so I want to be sensitive and not make my blog a constant diary of "look at me, look what I have".


A LS piece from the 'Sisters' line; appropriate for girls of all ages; one of my samples for shows
I need to point out that I'm a committed thriftier. Retail shopping is a rare thing for me these days.  I still enjoy hanging out with girlfriends, having lunch and a girl's day out at the mall or other retail venue, but thrifting is my primary wardrobe source.


My very favorite Lia Sophia piece "Love Dust".  If I could keep only one piece, this would be it.
Most of you know I am a Lia Sophia advisor.  I do this for a number of reasons; 1. I love the jewelry, 2. I can't afford the jewelry if I had to buy it retail, and advisors get a HUGE discount so that we can take samples to our shows, 3. Because I make a little bit of money, 4. Its really a blast to do these shows.

I love the pattern on this thrifted skirt.
My point is that, I'm doing what I can to cut corners and still be fashionable.  I also sell Mary Kay skin care and cosmetics....for the exact same reason.  I'm try to SAVE money and still indulge in the things I enjoy.  This means I have to work a bit to do so...but its worth it.

Ralph Lauren.  Yes.....I was kind of bad....but I will have it forever.  Perfect and classic.
This IS a retail purchase, and a fairly pricey one...but I did have a coupon.  Bags are a different story when it comes to thrifting.  I rarely find the bag that I will love and will suit my particular needs.  I like function,quality, ease of use, structure, beauty, and durability (in that order) when it comes to bags.  So I rarely purchase a bag at a thrift or consignment.  I will have this purse for a very long time.  

LS 'Privy' earrings
But I digress.

My first manicure ever.  I love that its so simple and pretty.  I just can't do crazy colors!
I do pamper myself.  Sometimes too often.  But I also give what I get.  I give back to the community, I work hard.  I work at school with my teaching and research assistantship which in turn pays a small salary and pays for my degree.

My keychain....which is a conversation starter to talk to interested people about my LS and MK businesses
I volunteer a significant amount of time every month to two human service organizations.  I donate my time, I donate jewelry for fundraisers.  

At my book club meeting on Tuesday...love the sweater...HATE the jeans!  To the thrift pile!
I uplift and support my friends.  I'm not perfect, and I do indulge a bit too frequently.  

Lia Sophia 'Interlink"
But I am also committed to doing my part to make life easier for others....and leaving a positive impact.

Lia Sophia 'Scripted'
I enjoy the bling and the sparkle and the clothing and the dance.  But its not without doing my part to the best of my ability to to be mindful about my choices, my spending and my giving.  Yes, I do love pretty things and I do purchase them; but always in the most  mindful way.

I tried this Nicole Miller dress on, but didn't buy it

Another try on, but not a buy.  

Love Dust and Brocade detail

Love Dust and Brocade layered.  Lia Sophia advisors get an unbelievably huge discount to purchase samples.
By the way...if you are tempted to sell LS....you can send me a message and I will give you details.  

Oh...my pretty little thrifted skirt.....

I needed to add a a few items to boost my summer wardrobe.  I adore this!  It was $3.00!

Banana Republic top for $5! I'm sorry for the poor quality of the pictures....

Fun, flirty hi-lo dance skirt...thrifted for $3.00!

Thrift!

Thrift!  

Fun and funky LS 'Coil' necklace......for girls who like an edge to their bling....

Glaminator......more blingy-edgy Lia Sophia 

I think we all need to make our own choices regarding thrifting and retails spending.  I was driven by the choice to put a stop to all the mindless retail spending I was doing.  I was never happy with my purchases but was relegated to purchase whatever retail stores were selling at any given time.  Now, I find treasures that suit my style.

Sometimes, I miss the mark...as is the case with the awful jeans posted above.  
Most of the time I feel that I nail it!
Either way....I believe that is is crucial to share whatever gifts we have with others....whether it is time (volunteering or uplifting others), money (donations) or knowledge.


I don't think that this means I 'earn' all the blessings that I have; I just believe that if I have an abundance, I must give in return.

I need to acknowledge that I was nominated for two blogger awards...the "Leibster" award and the "Versatile Blogger" award.  I do intend to "do" them......so I will post on that soon!

Thank you everyone!

26 comments:

  1. You seem to have a good balance in life which is difficult to do. I can also see you have a fun personality in your candid photos :) Don't you just love getting a manicure? It's one of my once in a blue moon splurges on myself! Heather

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    1. Heather....that manicure was awesome. I want one every week now!

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  2. You don't need to apologise, your thriftiness is impressive with some lovely new buys.

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    1. Thank you......I usually get lucky and find some nice things!

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  3. Aw, Lisa, I want to hug you. You are a lovely, lovely person, and I hope you know you don't have to justify anything to us. We love you as is.

    My primary source of clothes now is secondhand, for so many reasons. I've actually worked hard to edit down to a smaller office, and try hard to stick to the one out for every one rule.

    I have one piece of LS jewelry I've worn constantly for about three years. You are lucky to get so much of it!

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    1. Hi Lynne,
      Thank you for your sweet compliment.
      I am happy that there are people like you to show others that we can wear beautiful and professional clothing that are purchased at the thrift store!

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  4. Very nice post! You certainly are a busy gal, I am tired just reading it. :-) I loved the black sweater with the b/w skirt. I dislike buying retail too. I live in a small town and our thrift stores don't have many high quality items...but I can still find things that work for me.I live in jeans...mostly awful jeans....I just hate to spend a lot of $ on them but maybe I should invest as long as that is what I wear.

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    1. Thank you, Linda. It is hard sometimes to find thrifted items if you live in a smaller town. There are about 8 thrift stores within 5 miles of my home...so there is a lot to choose from here!

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  5. Aww it was nice to find out a bit more about you as a person! (as well as the secret behind all that gorgeous jewellery!) Wow, I'm amazed you have time to blog! You are one busy lady. I admire your energy and drive. Gorgeous thrift finds - I love the little skirt and the black dress.

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    1. You know.....when I found that black dress I thought of you you! I seem to recall a post you did in the summer wearing a similar style dress!

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  6. You are so sweet Lisa! I am sure that you are just as sweet in reality as on the blog. I agree on every word! I only wished I had a little more energy to give away. Currently, I am facing a bad spring tiredness and not even a lot of sleep, walks in daylight. healthy food, or thrift shopping (yes, I am currently able to do some good thrift shopping) have been able to chase it away. But I have to say that your sincere post did light up my day! Except agreeing what you say, I also agree on your style! I especially like your new bag, the butterfly pendant, and the patterned skirt! Last but not least, no colored nail polish beats a nice french manicure!

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    1. Anna....I agree with you about the manicure!
      Thank you for the compliments.
      You are also very busy; I know how hard the professors work at my school (Purdue University Calumet in Indiana) and I know you must work as hard as they do. I know how hard I work when I teach just one class....I can't imagine grading papers for several classes!
      I am happy that my post put a smile on your face today :)

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  7. You know you should feel proud of your accomplishments. You deserve them and you've earned them. People are looking at your blog for fashion too so you shouldn't have to feel any guilt about sharing your style. I see some blogs where a pair of shoes costs more than what you would spend in a year lol. I say be proud and happy with your accomplishments, you look fabulous:)))

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    1. Hi Joanna....
      Oh, I've seen those shoe posts too! Wow! I'm not slick and polished, but I enjoy my real life blog and I most enjoy other blogs that are real life and realistic also!

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  8. You don't ever need to explain why you do what you do, whether it's shopping, selling or working, however you do them. It comes across in your writing that you are a thoughtful and caring person, Lisa. I agree with the writer above that you must be just as sweet in person!

    I love seeing the things you own and buy (I would paw through all my friends' closets if they would let me). I just love seeing all the beautiful things.

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    1. Thank you, Sheila. I appreciate your kind words.
      Boy, it would be fun to paw through peoples closets. I suppose that is one of the great perks of blogging...its a peek into other people's closets!

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  9. This was so fantastic to read. I think sometimes all we see of blogs is the vanity side of it and we forget about the other sides to people, the sides where we do volunteer, give to charity and on. I do really enjoy clothes but I feel silly just talking about them with my family and friends so it's nice to have a hobby where I can do just that and man, you nailed it on the head about the great community of women who do blog. Eveyone is very supportive and kind and it's really uplifting to have a bad day and then get on the computer at night and read a really sweet post like this.

    I see what you mean about handbags! They can be really hard to thrift, I've been lucky that after hunting for the past few years that I've found some bags that I love and could never afford otherwise but handbags are one of those things worth buying at retail. (Same with boots!) that new bag is so pretty and I bet it will last you forever.

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    1. Thank you, Katie. Blogging is a great forum to share our passion for clothing and style. And I do love my blog friends :)

      I have a confession...that wasn't the ONLY bag I purchased.....I also bought a beautiful Coach Willis and I am in LOVE with it. It was definitely worth the splurge!

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  10. I am the same way about manicures. French is good enough for me.

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    1. Kathleen...they're so classic, clean and beautiful!

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  11. Hi Lisa,
    You are a doll. I feel your posts are real and practical as well as pretty. You have an authentic voice that shines through. By the way, that thrifted print skirt is a gem.
    Happy weekend!
    xx, Heather

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    1. Thank you, Heather, for such kind words.

      Also, thanks for the compliment on the skirt. I just fell in love with it and would have been so disappointed had it not fit me!

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  12. I like it when i read that someone loves what they are doing and see all the positive !
    Lisa I always think of buying a bag as an investment piece. I have no idea how much you paid for it, but it's so great that you will probably take it to a minimum of a dollar per wear !
    Have to say that printed thrifted skirt - is gorgeous. Look forward to see you wear it.

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    1. Hi Lorena...I think you are correct; it is good to think of a high quality bag as an investment. I will get years of wear out of it and its a classic style.

      Thanks for the compliment on the skirt. It was a very lucky find and I just love it. Can't wait till its warm enough!

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  13. I love that you enjoy all of those things, and even more so that your joy in pretty things emanates from you and encourages others to enjoy them too. That is a rare gift.

    As for buying bags full-price, I wholeheartedly agree that it is necessary. So easy to get stuck with a cheap-looking one from thrifting!

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    1. Its just fun to enjoy pretty things...I'm trying hard to rein it in though!

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"When you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect"--Mark Twain