Devouring

We all know Dooce, right? Of course we do.

Heather B. Armstrong herself has been posting some home decor and fashion style boards on her blog recently, as she puts it,  "to inspire my own creativity".

Well, how very... creative... of her.

{Um, yea, she is so effing creative, it is crazy. I am in love with her ecclectic and colorful ways. Likely because that is TOTALLY opposite of my muted and neutral ways. ::yawn:: }

FINALLY Dooce revealed that she was using Polyvore to create her style boards.

It is so incredibly paper-doll-loving-AWESOME! 

I anticipate spending many hours of the many days to come window shopping for things I will never, ever be able to afford, and when I am finished, I will have a collection of outfits whose pieces are all in one, nice concise view. Like this...

I have been saying around here and there and everywhere lately that the cupcakes and cashmere blogger chic has the life. A girl's dream. She essentially fashions ultra chic clothing in front of the camera 'all day' and then she blogs by posting those pictures. She does post some other stuff... like how to make a messy bun...  and other girlie stuff. THE LIFE, I tell you.

Anyhoo, now I can be just nothing like her on my very own blog by essentially making body-less paper dolls. I find it nothing less than entertaining.

For now.

I can't wait to window shop tomorrow!

Oh, and the word "polyvore"? Let's break it up. "Poly" means many. "Vore" means to devour and swallow. Mwahahahahahaha... Now go have some of your own Dooce-like fun at over at Polyvore!

A day late and a dollar short

I should have pulled these suckers out yesterday for the royal wedding, although not very fitting.

These are my new super discount hats for summertime!

I love that both of them (and the photo edits!) covered my freshly washed/masked/zit-picked face this evening!

I am so darn excited for summer, that all I can think about it wearing these hats... to the pool... in the backyard... where-ev-a!

What are you excited to wear this summer? One day, it will be warm enough and the sun will again shine. I promise.

I am also excited for cotton. T-shirt material flowing in the wind. (Like a tae in da wind. ---> Name that movie!)

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Y'all, I don't know how you did it, but I was at #15 today (and don't forget about On the Fence, too! Clickety-click-click!). I do believe the top 10 is calling my name... and only you can get me there!

Phat

Audrey and I were out and about shopping (in my very own personal hell) to find her something not made of denim or fluffy cotton for her to wear on Easter.

My brother, Mike, kept texting Audrey asking her to take a picture of me, head on. Not too close. Not to far away.

Doods, a couple bites of perogies do NOT look good on me. 

Back to Easter shopping.

Last Easter, Audrey and I compromised on white denim for Easter. This year, black soft, brushed denim. I love shopping with Audrey.

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Y'all are coming to my blog, but I am not so certain you are voting... tsk... tsk... all you have to do is click on the bar. ONE CLICK. 

Validating his coolness

Do you remember the red shoes that Matt bought?

He would like you to know that Will.I.Am wore them on American Idol this past Thursday. (My apologies if you actually watch this. I don't really get what was going on... but do not put Jamie Foxx with Will.I.Am ever again.)

If that isn't enough for you to validate my husband's coolness, Jack Black also wore them last night on Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards.

However, Jack Black also wore this last night on the show.

Enough said. Except don't forget to vote!

Children's Clothing Consignment

If you have following my blog for any amount of time, you know that  I am a huge advocate of clothing consignment... heck, consignment of any nature for that matter.

The last time I went through the kids' closets in our house, I was super-duper organized. Audrey's outgrown clothes were put in totes by seasons - warm and cool - so that I would know what to pull and when for the consignment store. Isaac's (age 8) were toted for Ian's (age 5) later use, and Ian's were sorted into seasons but then by 'consignment' or 'to Griffin', our three year old nephew.

Spring is almost here and I have an upcoming trip to see my sister, Griffin's Mom, on the schedule so it was time to pull out the totes. 

After about 30 minutes of re-organizing and re-sorting, because that is what I do, I ended up with two totes of boys' clothes for Griffin, and two totes for the children's consignment store up the street from us.

The store called this past weekend to let me know they had sorted through my goods, so I went yesterday to cash in.

The store ended up not taking about 3/4 of a tote, so those items were donated to the Special Olympics bin that sits in the store parking lot. Easy skeezy.

And, I ended up with $62 and some spare change in store credit for use in the consignment store. Had I taken the cash, it would have been forty something. Details, details.

Doods, $62 for one tote of clothes.

With the $62, I bought a Hollister tshirt that is GREEN (for St. Patty's Day) for Audrey, an Aeropostle hooded zip sweatshirt for Audrey, and enough shorts and shirts to dress Isaac for the entire summer. Oh, AND... I did pick up some NWT (new with tags) boyfriend jean shorts for my bad self. The brand looked all fancy-like, so they were a must, although I have no idea what brand they are. Brands-shmands.

In any case, if you haven't tried clothing consignment, especially for your kids, it is a must!

It makes sense, is economically responsible, and you are recycling! If you are somewhat of a nut about wearing someone else's clothing, fear not. They can be washed. I know. I have done it. Plus, I know at my local store, many, many, many pieces are NWT. Teenagers are crazy and buy stuff they never wear! Snots.

What is the best find you have scored at a consignment store?

(My best find was a $200.00 pair of Joe's Jeans for $11.00 H to the O.L.L.ar.
I have since outgrown them, but they made their way back to the consignment store to be re-purchased by another deserving consigning soul.)

lia sophia Upcoming Specials

Click to enlarge.

Represent

Remember in my last post how I had said, at times, I tend to give our area a bad rap simply because the weather has a tendency to suck?  Well, I should be representin' with one of these awesomely cool T-shirts from the C.L.E. Clothing Co. I was JUST thinking this morning that I will need a Browns T-shirt for this coming season... and I may have found the source!

Booker Hookers

Yes, you read that right. Booker hookers. That is what we, awesome lia sophia advisors, call these beautiful pieces of jewelry.

You see, I have all of these pieces on my trays right now to show during my jewelry parties. But, in two very short months, all of these pieces will be retired. :: GASP ::  That means, I can no longer use them during my shows, because they will not be available for purchase through lia sophia after retirement.

But, here is the GREAT news! Anyone who books a show with me can choose any of these items for FREE - that means you get one piece of jewelry valued at $22-100 retail for NOTHING - and you choose what you'd like (first come, first dibs --- I only have one of each to give away!). And, that is for just booking a show with me! You will get your piece on the night of your show. Booker hooker, get it?

On top of getting one of these for free, as a hostess, you also receive 20-40% of show sales in free jewelry, four-(4) items valued at $100 or less for $15 each, plus up to 5 pieces at 50% off. My hostesses typically are spoiled with about 10-15 pieces of jewelry of their choice for around $100-125.

THAT, my friends, is alot of jewelry, just for inviting a few friends over to your home for an hour or so of retail therapy.

Even if you have hosted a show in the past, you can still schedule one for this summer!  It's a new summer, which calls for new jewelry!

Don't live in "my area"? I will travel up to two hours in any direction to do a show, OR you can consider doing a catalog show. You don't need to clean your house or think of what to serve - just pass a catalog or the website link around to all of those you know!

Again, don't wait to schedule your show with me and pick out your FREE retiring piece of jewelry... the "hot" items (i.e. most expensive!) will go fast! Due to some rescheduled parties, I have June 24 and 28 open, along with three dates in July. Let's get yours scheduled TODAY!

Miche Bag - May & June 2010 NEW Shell Releases

I dabble in some direct sales with Miche Bag and lia sophia jewelry... it consumes about one night a week, and it has been an awesome experience for me. It is so fun to see women (and some men!) get excited over accessories... and EXCITED they do get!

The Miche Bag company seems like it is growing faster than it can keep up with, so many times, new shells are released, and then sell out very quickly. However, these MAY NEW RELEASES are in stock and ready to come home to you! Email me for pricing ( sorry, Miche Bag corporate declares it a big no-no to post pricing anywhere online! ) at anne.liasophia@gmail.com.

Brianna (Big Bag) and Jayne (Classic Size)

Wendi (Big Bag) and Erica (Classic Size)

I found the JUNE NEW RELEASES online last week and wanted you to see them... but don't get TOO excited until I know that we will actually see them. Sounds like they will make their debut in late June.

Grace and Abby (both Big Bag)

Alyssa and Mindi (both Classic Size)

Naomi (Classic Size)

swatch this

Server @ Luchita's:  Great watch!

Me: Thanks! I got it for Mother's Day. It's a Swatch watch.

Server: ::: blank stare ::: Um, yea, I don't know what that is. Never heard of that brand.

Matt is rolling laughing.

How old is this chic? Like twelve?!? I mean really. Who does not know what a Swatch is?

Then he tells me never to do that again. It sounds as if I am gloating about a Rolex.

My Miche Bag NEW Hostess Benefits

Don't wait! Email me today to schedule your own Girls' Night Out and earn some free Miche! I am now booking for June/July, however, I could possibly squeeze one more May show in! anne.liasophia@gmail.com

{ click to enlarge }

My Lots

Taking the cue from my friend, Colleen, I have been bidding on lots of clothes on ebay. Not alot of clothes, just lots, as in batches.  It has been incredibly fun, yet terribly addicting. Why is it that other peep's clothes look so much cuter than my own?!?  And, as long as they are clean without armpit stains, I am game. It is all about recycling and reusing, after all. Right?

Wanted to share my new goods with you...

A couple weeks ago, I bought EIGHT skirts for $26.00 (S/H included in that amount). Do the math... waiting... waiting... yes, $3.25 per skirt. And, they are CUTE. Most fit perfectly, and one of the eight will be sold at our garage sale because it looks like something my younger sister, Cathy wore at a homecoming dance in 1991.

And yesterday, apparently as a gift to myself to use the money that Matt saved on the dishwasher, I recieved a box of 30 pieces of clothing/purses. We know I won't use the two purses because I always have my Miche on... and some of the clothes I knew I wouldn't/couldn't wear. But, the price was right, and I hate to lose. Seems I have gotten more competitve with age. Go figure.

Out of the 30 pieces, I couldn't wear what I thought were the three cutest shirts, so that sucked. One had a broken zipper, one was too big, and one was way too small. Takes me to 25 pieces, because we also took out the purses. I CAN count. 

I couldn't wear one pant, two jeans and two shorts. Two items looked like something my Mom would wear (and she may!). One tank top was attrocious, and the other Audrey can wear.

Down to 17 pieces of wearable, fashionable clothing. With shipping/handling, it comes to $7.50 each. And, I never had to leave the comfort of my keyboard. I may have paid a tad too much, but I will recoup some of it when I sell the unused at our garage sale... or at the consignment store. It is one big tranfer of crap for goods.

Here are the ones that survived the paring.

my take on the ShaToBu

I have been wearing my ShaToBu for a couple of weeks now, and this is my official "review" of the product.

{ Note: This is my blog, and I will share my educated opinion about this product. Negative comments will be removed. Play nice or don't play at all. If you have worn the ShaToBu and would like to contribute your opinion, even if it differs from mine, I welcome your comments. }

For those of you that missed my post about the ShaToBu, you wear the shape-slimming, muscle toning garmet under your clothes. Per the company's website, it is designed to wear every day for twelve hours a day, which will allow you to burn up to 12% more calories while doing your daily activities or working out.

The ShaToBu has definitely improved my posture over the past couple of weeks, and I honestly do believe it is helping to tame my mid-section "issues". But the best part of the ShaToBu, which is actually comfortable to wear, is that it allows me to wear clothes in my closet that I have been shunning because they were fitting too tightly. That alone is a confidence booster, even if I won't be wearing a bikini this summer. { Not saying I won't, because it MAY be more than possible - hollar! } It feels GREAT to be able to pull out some pants that I haven't been able to get much use out of!

I have been wearing the high-waist design, and the one suggestion I have for the company is that the band that goes around your ribcage needs to be thicker and stronger. Often throughout the day I do have to re-adjust it because I can feel it slipping down. Not a huge problem, but more of an inconvenience, and I could see that some outfits, such as dresses, would be difficult to deal with this issue.

For now, I will continue to wear my ShaToBu proudly! And, maybe if you are lucky, you will get the chance to check me out in a bikini this summer - :wink:wink.

my spring wish list

Thank goodness Mother's Day is coming up, 'cause Momma got alot on her wish list!
A girl can dream, can't she?

We shall start with the least expensive, and move to the less-attainable...

All three of these lovely kicks can be found at Famous Footwear,
and they are having an awesome BOGO sale right now! 

Found online at ALIBI
Once there, you can also check out my friend's
one of a kind handbag designs.
{ i.d. internoscia design }

I have been looking high and low for a big, clunky, white watch, and when my friend Kim said she bought a Swatch watch on her way out of Cleveland this past weekend at the airport, I went online to see what Swatch was offering these days. LOVE this white Full Blooded Swatch watch. Must. Have. Matt.

This is the Volvo S40 and evidence that I am in an all-out mid-life crisis.

I don't know what it is with me and the Swiss {and white? but white is what I want} but one of these passed me on the road the other day, and I fell in love. Yes, it is small, but it is so cute! And, it would be the perfect alternative to the gas guzzling SUV I am driving right now...Don't you think?

ShāToBu, say what?

A few months ago, my sister tried to pass some higher waisted black mom pants along to me. I tried them on in front of her, and although they fit, I was like, "Dude, what is up with this waist? I cannot wear these!" 

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New MICHE for March 2010

LAUREN

{ Big Bag Shell }

It has a tea stained background...very elegant.

MADELYN

{ Classic size }

Fun silver trimmed in a bright purple.

ELIZABETH
{ Classic size }

 
 
 

With new shells, comes new HOSTESS incentives!

Book a show for APRIL & you will recieve:

 One of the NEW March shells for FREE (if show sales are $600 or more)
One of the NEW March shells for 1/2 Price (if show sales are $400 or more)