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Interview with Lilliana Vazquez – Part Two

I am so glad that you enjoyed meeting Lilliana yesterday. Isn’t she fascinating? I loved hearing about her journey to where she is today, and details about working on television. I know that a lot of you also enjoyed reading about her shopping and finance philosophies, so I think you are really going to like the next part of our interview. Here it is:

Do you believe that it is especially important for women to be financially independent? 

I think as a woman it is so important to be financially independent. For me, I take a certain percentage of what comes into my account, and put it into my savings.. It just makes me feel so much better to have that in cash. That’s the biggest measure of my success – my savings account. Of course it varies – some months, I put away 20%, some months it’s 30%.

This savings is completely independent from our joint home income. You just never know what may happen. As a woman, you want to make sure that you have that savings, and that it’s yours. And any husband/partner should be completely supportive of that.

Where is the most surprising place you shop for deals? Can you share some of the biggest sale deals you’ve ever gotten?

I did get a Dior Tuxedo blazer at a thrift store in Philadelphia (Cherry Hill Thrift). It was three sizes too big for me, and I took it to my tailor and paid her $30. The blazer itself was like $3.99. It was during a sticker deal so I got 50% off the 3.99 and paid $2. Total needle in a haystack situation. There’s plenty of times when I go thrift shopping and all I leave with are mismatched plates..but one day I came home with Christian Dior blazer! For me that’s half the fun, to dig, hunt and rummage.

Can you share some overall shopping/budgeting/style advice that you’ve learned over the years?

For the most part, if it’s not classic and timeless and something that I’m going to be happy and excited to wear in ten years, its not worth the investment. We have so many stores now. When I was growing up Dallas, we didn’t have access to Zara, or H&M. And no way did we have online shopping. Now you can get a lower priced version of anything you see on the runway. There are so many stores and websites that cater to that “look for less’ approach to shopping.

I never splurge on trends. I love colored blazers but got them at Zara for $49 during a sale. Anything seasonal and trendy I tend not to splurge on. Same with shoes. My investment pieces are all very classic, and items that I should be happy to be wearing ten years later. I have black pumps, tan pumps, and peep toe pumps.

I also try to invest only in items that I’m going to wear a minimum seven to ten times a month. That’s important. How many times can you wear sequin dress that you fell in love with? Invest in items that you can mix with other cheap pieces and that elevate the entire outfit. Mixing high and low well is all about having your high pieces be really timeless. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t to trendy pieces. Nobody wants to feel like their clothes are dowdy, etc. For me, I keep my trend items under $50, and rarely do I spend over that. I buy the cheapest jewelry and accessories ever.

What do you think are some of the most overpriced designers?

Balmain is ridiculous. Chanel is ridiculous. Anything that’s clothing that’s around $1k and up is completely overpriced. Unless it’s something like a Burberry trenchcoat that they’ve been making a zillion years, it’s just not worth it. For me, if you’re going to spend a ton of money, it should be hand crafted, or a well made pair of shoes, or jewelry. I do strongly believe in a beautiful watch that you’re going to have for the rest of your life.

When it comes to clothing, I’m shocked at how much stuff costs. I was looking at puffy coats a few months ago at Bloomingdales – there were $1500 Moncler jackets. I don’t understand because I can buy a puffy coat at Old Navy for $19.99 that looks the same. They’re both going to be black, and have long sleeves and a hood. What’s the deal?

What are some of your other passions and hobbies?

I love to bake. Any day that I have a little bit of free time, I’ll bake something. I love to travel. I love interior design and am obsessed. I love interior design books, I love fabric, and if I could do anything anything else, I’d want to be an interior designer.

Finally – please share something surprising about yourself 🙂

A lot of people don’t realize, I’m five feet tall. I don’t know why people don’t think I’m this little, but then they meet me in person and they’re like “OMG YOU ARE SO TINY”. I guess people look bigger on TV? Again, I am five feet tall!

I really enjoyed getting to know Lilliana and I hope you all did too. I love how frank and balanced she is around her beliefs on being financially responsible while still spending on things you enjoy. Thank you to Lilliana for taking the time to chat with me, and for more of her, check out Cheap Chicas or her personal style blog, here.

27 Comments

  • Reply
    Call me M
    January 26, 2012 at 2:52 pm

    She's fabulous! And I enjoyed reading her interview! 🙂

  • Reply
    Amandita
    January 26, 2012 at 3:30 pm

    I enjoyed this interview so much, to the point that I feel I found my identical self! I have the same beliefs in every aspect, and I am also 5 feet tall!

  • Reply
    Aesthetic Alterations
    January 26, 2012 at 3:51 pm

    A fabulous interview and full of great tips. I love the suggestion to spend serious money only on those pieces you'll have for a decade. That's a sharp understanding of luxury and the difference between fashion and trend.

  • Reply
    dietingfashions
    January 26, 2012 at 4:00 pm

    What a gal! She really knows value and luxe and when it's good to mix and match. Very good sense.

  • Reply
    Sabrina T.
    January 26, 2012 at 4:02 pm

    really nice interview!she is adorable

    Patchwork à Porter

  • Reply
    Adele
    January 26, 2012 at 4:11 pm

    She seems so lovely xoxo
    http://www.intotheblonde.com/

  • Reply
    Fashionable Memories
    January 26, 2012 at 4:34 pm

    She has great style and great personality!

    http://www.fashionablememories.com

  • Reply
    Diane
    January 26, 2012 at 4:55 pm

    LOVE HER!!!

  • Reply
    Champagne Cocktails, Cashmere Dreams
    January 26, 2012 at 5:14 pm

    Can't believe she is so little! Love that she is so responsible and thrifty-with impeccable style!

    http://champagnecocktailscashmeredreams.blogspot.com/

  • Reply
    LV
    January 26, 2012 at 5:41 pm

    Great interview! Love the tips and I could not agree more about investing in classic pieces and spending less on trends. That is exactly how I shop.

    http://foodfashionandflow.blogspot.com/

  • Reply
    Chocolate, Cookies & Candies
    January 26, 2012 at 6:13 pm

    Wonderful piece of advice for women.

  • Reply
    makeupandpearls
    January 26, 2012 at 7:13 pm

    she is spot on with the financial advice. great interview!

    laurafornerphotography.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    katattack2000
    January 26, 2012 at 8:15 pm

    Awesome interview 🙂 I like her philosophy about spending money and she scored a great bargain at the thrift store 🙂

    katattack2000.wordpress.com

  • Reply
    SS
    January 26, 2012 at 8:59 pm

    Great Interview! Love it!

  • Reply
    Amy
    January 26, 2012 at 9:19 pm

    This is probably one of my favorite interviews. She seems so down-to-earth and honest about her spending and savings habits – it seems like a realistic, yet still fun way of having it all and doing things wisely.

  • Reply
    Susan
    January 26, 2012 at 11:13 pm

    Yay, back to regular posts tomorrow! I'd love to see you with your new Celine tote. 😉

  • Reply
    Anna G
    January 27, 2012 at 12:46 am

    This girl is so adorable. I love her shopping experiences. Also it great to read about other petite fashionistas. I get so frustrated about buying clothes for my size.

  • Reply
    littlemissandrea
    January 27, 2012 at 3:02 am

    Thank you for bringing this interview to your blog! I absolutely loved reading it – Lilliana is fantastic!

  • Reply
    Latkes and Dim Sum
    January 27, 2012 at 5:25 am

    What a fun lady! Thank you for this interview, and please keep up the wonderful posts!! 🙂

  • Reply
    elleandish
    January 27, 2012 at 6:20 am

    "I also try to invest only in items that I'm going to wear a minimum seven to ten times a month." That's brilliant advice! 😀

  • Reply
    Cee Cee
    January 27, 2012 at 7:35 am

    Thank you for this interview! It's nice to hear that people are actually saving up rather than spending all of their paychecks 🙂

  • Reply
    Mongs
    January 27, 2012 at 9:02 am

    she offers really good tips. I can't believe she thrifts too. And she doesn't spent above $50 for a piece of clothing, isn't it amazing? She is a smart shopper, very inspiring.

    mongs
    mythriftycloset.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Lisa
    January 27, 2012 at 9:42 am

    she's adorable!! and i love her thoughts on shopping and spending!!

  • Reply
    Teresa
    January 27, 2012 at 1:11 pm

    this woman is so pretty, chic and smart! perfect combo!! great interview.. congratulations!!!

    xx
    teresa
    http://www.trend-ish.com

  • Reply
    Lindsay K
    January 27, 2012 at 5:52 pm

    Lovely interview. This might be my favorite yet and I think they're all really good:)

    Could she be any more HUMBLE, adorable, sweet and charming?! She's absolutely AMAZING. Her ideas were really refreshing to read.

    I can't believe she's only 5 feet tall. She looks so lithe:)

  • Reply
    Jannine
    January 27, 2012 at 9:16 pm

    i really enjoyed both parts of this interview! i have to agree with her on shopping decisions! despite the fact that i admire high end design i believe that their prices are absurd. unless you make a whole lot of money it´s almost impossible to purchase anything, specially when you think that for the same amount of money you could be getting 20 to 30 items in regular stores. i think it´s smart to buy timeless pieces. i love that Celine baggie!
    XX jannine

    http://fashionistArg.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Ana
    April 8, 2012 at 12:47 am

    Oh I can totally relate on the overpriced clothing thing and that investment pieces should be classic.
    Coming from a low-mid class range, I only really started investing in handbags and a handful of shoes – all pretty much classic.

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