Tag: Personal Style

Goodwill Glam in Miami

Last weekend, we did a little staycation in Miami and stayed in a nice hotel, ate at a Michelin-star restaurant, and saw a comedy show.

I wore Goodwill head-to-toe and the girlies were loving it.

First, I packed my overnight stuff in this straw bag I found at Goodwill a few weeks ago.

A cutie passing me by the hotel elevators shouted out, “I love your bag!”

It’s by far my favorite thrift snag of late.

Elaine gravitates to the sparkle in the Goodwill aisles and usually brings me sequin pieces to consider as I shop.

It’s almost always a swift “no,” but when she brought me this silver sequin skirt it was an immediate “hell yeah.”

I paired the skirt with an oversized GAP button-up and black strappy heels, also sourced from Goodwill.

The secondhand Prada bag was a complete steal at a nonprofit fundraising event.

I felt fab!

I visited the comedy club restroom after the show and was immediately transported back to my 20s clubbing days when a cute girl saw me emerge from the stall and said, “You look amazing, I love your outfit!”

Nobody pumps up a girl’s self-esteem like a fellow girl, two cocktails in, in a club bathroom. IYKYK.

I even swapped thrift stories with the girl selling merch at the door! There are thrift sisters around every corner if you look. 😉

I loved the juxtaposition of a full Goodwill look against the backdrop of fancy venues.

Elaine did her own partying at home.

Of course, we couldn’t leave Miami without making a stop at the local Goodwill.

Because what’s a glamorous weekend away without a little treasure hunting?

Shopping reel coming soon to Instagram and TikTok.

Last Week’s Thrifted ‘Fits:

Bag from Goodwill West Palm Beach
H&M Button Up from Goodwill West Palm Beach

Diana’s Coastal Chic Home in Hypoluxo, FL

I have incredible admiration for people who can look at a space and, in their mind, knock down walls, lay down floors, paint walls, and see a clear vision for its transformation.

I do not have this skill.

When Vince and I were house hunting, I got the major ick walking into some spaces.

If a place is dated, dark, ugly or — God forbid — smelly, I have a hard time seeing past that to the grand possibilities.

That takes a special skill, and homeowner and interior designer Diana Pierre-Louis has it.

She purchased her home in Hypoluxo, Florida with a vision to transform it into a quietly coastal haven for her family.

When you watch her home tour, you’ll hear all about her design choices, DIY tips, and bargain finds, but what you won’t hear about is what first sparked her interest in home design.

Diana grew up in her father’s carpet shop. She remembers being five years old and playing hide-and-go-seek with her cousins between the carpet rolls in the warehouse.

She observed her father work with interior designers, and realized at a young age what most kids probably don’t notice — there are lots of choices for what goes on a floor.

As she got older, she’d spend her summers helping in the shop and deepening her love for design.

As an adult, Diana always styled her interiors with intention, but she didn’t pursue it professionally until the age of 40 — during the COVID-19 pandemic, with two kids and a husband.

She was able to tell her father that she graduated from her program before he passed away, an accomplishment they could proudly share.

Diana’s kitchen when she and her husband first purchased the house.
Diana’s kitchen post transformation.

I’m amazed by the before and after photos of Diana’s home — seeing the transformation and her incredible talent.

But what felt even more amazing was learning more about her, and understanding that her bond with her family is at the root of who she is as a designer.

That family bond is what cultivated her interests, which developed into a passion.

Now, Diana is creating a beautiful home for her own children, carrying forward her father’s legacy.

When you walk through her home, you see beautiful finishes, creative DIY projects, and a designer’s eye for detail.

But underneath all of that is something even more enduring: a daughter’s love and a father’s influence.

And it all started in a carpet shop.

A photo of Diana and her father at her wedding is displayed on a kitchen shelf.
This cabinet had to be repaired and repainted after one of her boys rode his skateboard into the side, creating a large hole. Diana often repaints pieces to give them new life.
The bar area is Diana’s husband’s pride and joy. The couple repurposed kitchen cabinets to create this space.
The turf and tile was also a DIY project, and the fence covering was ordered on Amazon.
This sign in Diana’s living room reminds her of the dreams she’s accomplished, and of the importance of continuing to dream.

>> Watch Diana’s full home tour on YouTube.