Going shopping with my mother is always an adventure because she finds these cool places that I’ve never heard of…an activity she was notorious for when I was a kid because she, my dad and I would end up driving to Miami’s city limits to find the best Mexican food, or the best shoes.  Now that I’m in my 30s, I get it, and now I’m the one instigating the drive.
Thankfully, many cool places have popped up close by in the MiMo district, and Midtown.  And now the adventure is not spending money on my afternoons with my mom!  On this afternoon, however, we had breakfast near the MiMo district, at Yiya’s (which is my second blog…scroll down to find out about this treasure!), and then we drove into Midtown to a consignment store called, Las Tias.
Just so you know how hip this place is, there was a gorgeous armoire and hutch sold to Shakira, and being shipped to her home in Colombia.  Yes, Shakira shops there, but no, the items for sale are not only at prices that Shakira can afford…regular folks like you and I can afford them as well, which is how I walked out with a beautiful, elegant gray dress from an Italian maker that I only paid $35 for.  Ummm…it would have cost 4 times as much usually.
Now that we’ve established the great, affordable prices, let’s talk about the customer service.  I was greeted by Desiree, who deserves many kudos for the way she deals with customers.  She makes you feel like you’re a friend.  She’s sincere, informative and attentive.  The rest of the staff seems to be very much the same way.  You can’t beat that!
Desiree then told me about The Lotus House, and that they donate a lot to the Lotus House, which is an amazing homeless shelter for women and children.  For many women, it’s the first time they are able to choose something as simple as the chair that will go in their new homes.  They empower these women by helping them find a home, and work, which some of them find in the same place that helped them find their voices again.  Constance Margulies, art collector and art patron, formed the Sundari foundation, and the Lotus House was its first project, because bettering a community takes more than new stores and art galleries, it takes helping & empowering the community itself, which Mrs. Margulies is doing.  So, if there’s clothes you no longer wear or furniture you longer use…take it to The Lotus House and do your part in helping your community.
So, I give Las Tias 4 Shakira-style dances and The Lotus House 4 Avalokiteshvara Empowerments!

Here’s the info for Las Tias: 2834 N. Miami Avenue, 305-573-4198, http://www.lastias.com
Here’s the info for The Lotus House: 217 NW 15th Street, 305-576-4780
http://www.lotushouseshelter.org/
http://www.lotushouseshelter.org/art/press/Miami_Today_10_29_09.pdf