Top 10 Favorite Swap Treasures of 2011

Since January of 2011 I have attended at least one or two swaps a month. As a result I’ve pretty much revamped up my wardrobe. I’ve added pieces that I would have never purchased from the store. Either I wouldn’t have purchased them because I thought they were too trendy and not worth the $$’s or just flat-out couldn’t afford it.

Jackets, Suits and shoes have been some of my greatest finds. The best treasures are ones that are versatile and flexible for work or play. Below are some of my favorite Swap Treasures of 2011. I’m looking forward to 2012 upcoming swaps and sharing those great finds with you. Speaking of……. Join me for Swap til you Drop Part 3 with me and Black Eyed Susie on January 20th at 6pm. Our first evening swap. Click the link for tickets. Jen & Susie Swap!

#1 This black velvet blazer by H&M is one that I just adore. Its machine washable, comfortable and stretchy. It goes well with jeans and skirts.

#2 Not the best photo but these purple pants I'm holding were brand new with the tags on them in my size. What a find. The funny thing is I don't like purple which made it even better. I broke outside my comfort zone and these pants went home with me.

#3 I'm always searching for work clothes. Me and Jackie from Nana's in Mt. Pleasant. I found this Tahari two piece suit and I was uber excited. This was my second swap ever attended and I was clearly hooked.

#4 I might have picked up these Joan & David leather ankle boots out of season but they have been right on time this winter. These boots were hardly worn and I love em'

#5 I'm not a fan of red either but this red dress caught my eye and I reworked it a bit with a jacket. It wasn't so bad after all.

#6 This suit from Bloomingdale's was given to me during a swap in the spring by my friend Lily. I just Love love Love it.

#7 Here I am again appearing very excited by yet another fantastic Tahari find. I cannot tell you how much Tahari I have acquired. From coats to shoes to dresses. Just call me the Tahari Hound

#8 This dress I picked up at Dew Drop DC Swap and it too was brand new with the tags on it. Yet another great swap find to add to the collection.

#9 This dress is from the Macy's collection. Still had the tags on it. Whoohoo!

#10 Mos def in the all time top ten. This Soia & Kyo Jacket remains in my regular rotation

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Feast Dispatch by Tobey Ward Sep 19, 12:11PM in Shop

Over Sixty Swappers Cram Black Eyed Susie for Clothing Exchange

Swappers lined the curb on 14th Street waiting for the green light from Saadian.

Photo: Tobey Ward/The Feast

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PHOTO 5/11

On Sunday, Columbia Heights second-hand boutique Black Eyed Susiehosted a clothing swap that packed the tiny shop to capacity. We caught up with event organizers Susie Saadian and Jennifer Mason as they sorted clothing before the madness began.

“We had our first swap in May,” Saadian told us, “and it went so well, we decided to try to do them quarterly. It’s a really great, inexpensive way for people to get new clothing.” And judging from the mountains of clothing strewn around the shop, swappers were eager to clean out their closets for the event.

Of this swap’s selection, Mason said, “I’ve noticed a lot of brand new items with the tags still on and some fabulous accessories. Someone brought 15 amazing leather purses.”

Click through to see the crowd and the goods at D.C.’s latest swapping extravaganza.

Controlled Chaos, Behind the Scenes Before & After: Reviewing DC Sip & Swap w/ @TheSwapaholics

I can’t begin to tell you how exciting Thursday night was at the DC Sip & Swap with the Swapaholics from Boston, MA.

Around 5:15pm we could already feel the energy in the Clarendon Ballroom in Arlington, VA. Ladies were steadily dropping off bags and bags of clothes and picking up their complimentary bag for the swap.  Some stayed around and relaxed on the sofas and others went to the bar.

Check-in table

Swappers lounging in the waiting area

Silver Spring Sewing Sisters showed up for the DC Sip & Swap

Silver Spring Sewing Sisters, Kanisa, Xtine and Hadiya turned Swappers for a night

My girlfriends and I came a bit early to assist with the sorting. This process is no joke. We had to make sure only the best and most current clothing items were to go on the swap floor. Thanks to Lily and a few others for doing such a great job.

Lisa and Lily sorting clothes before the swap

Lily was very focused on sorting clothing. Eventually she had to remove her shoes for more comfort

By 6:30pm we were in full swing. The bar and the waiting area was buzzing with anxious women who couldn’t wait to get their hands in some fabulous clothes. Many were ordering appetizers and making new friends

Ladies waiting patiently

At the bar sipping before the swap

We were slowly but surely getting things sorted and put out on tables.  Such helpful volunteers who were focused and dedicated.

Almost done. We're getting there

The jeans table was beginning to grow

More dresses

At 7:30pm the intensity was up by ten times and most were sitting on the edge of their seat or standing near the curtain. I was concerned folks might get trampled on the way in. It sorta reminded me of the Running of the Brides at Filene’s Basement. Total craziness!!!!

About 15 minutes before the curtain gets pulled back

One last look at the room before the swappers come in. Everything looks good and we are just about ready.

Moved the tables closer to give swappers more room

At 1 minute to 8:00pm as I sent my final tweet before the swap Melissa from the Swapaholics went on the other side of the curtain to say a few words and set the ground rules. Then the curtain opened and that was all she wrote.

Posing for the camera before entry

This is the only pic I have from the mad dash. See the full video later in another blog post

By 8:05pm the women were already pulling accessories from the stage and finding plenty of clothing on the tables. The selection was endless.

These ladies were going to town

Even I was getting in the mix of things. I picked up a couple of tank tops. That was all I managed to grab

Controlled chaos is what we like to call it Photo from The Swapaholics

17 minutes later the racks were empty, the tables were almost cleared off and most of the shoes and purses had been stashed in the ladies bags. Whew! I was worn out just watching them.

Empty Racks

Empty hangers in 15 minutes

All that was left of the shoes. Completely wiped out

Toward the end of the swap the women were taking pictures

in their fabulous finds and most were all smiles.

This swapnista looks fabulous in her new halter dress

Lily after putting in all that work found some great items

These ladies were so happy with their finds

One of Silver Spring Sewing Sisters walked away with this stylish coat

Pretty blue dress

My friend Georgiana found this great designer skirt

In the end nothing but table clothes and a few miscellaneous pieces

After the swap ended the Swapaholics moved on to the raffle. Four participants won great giveaways

Melissa getting ready to pull for the raffle but always prepared for a photo op.

Overall it was a good time had by all and we can’t wait to do it again. The next Sew Frugal and Black Eyed Susie Swap will be in mid-September. We will be announcing the date very soon and we hope to see you all there.

From left to right: Yours Truly Jen from Sew Frugal and Fashionable; Melissa and Amy from the Swapaholics, Lisa Rowan of QuarterLife; Amy; Shanna Gadwani of Goodwill of Greater Washington; and KT Boyle, Speaker of the Blouse at the Washington Post.

Fun Swap Stuff

Enjoy the rest of pics!

Me on the phone around 5:20 on a conference call from work. Don't they know I have serious fashion business to deal with JK it was important

These ladies were going to town

No pushing or shoving. Everyone swapped peacefully

After a few minutes there was no more chattering. All you could hear were feet going pitter patter on the hardwood floors

Me and Lily

Swappers going through the short sleeve shirts

Clothes going to Goodwill

All done.....After all that it was sad to see everyone gone

The Goodwill truck came to pick up the left over clothing

Kaarin having a little fun with the balloons

Kaarin trying to keep balloons steady for the word SAP

PAWS - Made me miss my dog, who by the way has been at home waiting patiently for me to come home. I think I should leave now

Eventually we had to say goodbye to all the SWAP balloons

Can't leave until me and the organizers take one last picture

Giveaway- Two tickets to The DC Sip & Swap

Today’s giveaway is 2 tickets to attend Swap.com’s Sip & Swap on Thursday, July 14th.  I know, exciting right?  Two lucky readers will join in for a fun night of summer swapping & socializing at the historic and uber chic Clarendon Ballroom.  You bring a bag full of all those like-new and gently worn clothes, shoes, accessories, and jewelry just taking up space in your closet and trade them in for a new bag full of finds from fellow DC fashionistas. Everything left over at the end of the night goes to support Goodwill of Greater Washington, to be sold in their shops to raise money for their important education & employment programs.  Here’s the link to see more information:

For a chance to win, leave a comment on this blog post no later than 3pm Wednesday July 13th. Two winners will be selected at random. The winners will be announced at 5pm July 13th . Good luck everyone!

 

SWAP.COM PRESENTS:

DC Sip & Swap

Thursday, July 14th, 2011
Clarendon Ballroom
Arlington, VA 22201

Clothing Drop-Off:
6 to 7:30 p.m.

Pre-Swap Mix & Mingle Reception:
6 to 9 pm

Swap:
8 pm SHARP!

 

Join The Swapaholics, America’s favorite swap hostesses,
for a fun night of summer swapping & socializing
at the historic and uber chic Clarendon Ballroom.

We’re coming to the Beltway for the first time, bringing together swappers from far & wide
for a fun night of retail therapy and recycling — and everything left over at the end of the night
goes to support Goodwill of Greater Washington, to be sold in their shops to raise money for
their important education & employment programs.

 

Bring a Bag, Get a Bag:
Bring a bag full of all those like-new and gently worn clothes, shoes, accessories, and jewelry just taking up space in your closet and trade them in for a new bag full of finds from fellow DC fashionistas — all for just the cost of admission!

Show Off Your Swap Style:
Take pictures with your friends and all your new favorite scores in our Swap Style Photo Booth. Pose with swap finds then tag yourself on Facebook to share your swap scores with your friends & post them to Twitter with the hashtag #DCSWAP to @Swap or @TheSwapaholics, or both!

Feel Good & Do Good:
All the clothing left over at the end of the swap will be donated to Goodwill of Greater Washington,helping to support their mission of transforming lives & communities through the power of education & employment.

SPONSORS:

Only 14 more days until DC Sip & Swap with the Swapaholics

ONLY 14 more DAYS!!! Get your tickets today

Don’t be tardy to the party ladies!!!

SWAP.COM PRESENTS:

DC Sip & Swap

Thursday, July 14th, 2011
Clarendon Ballroom
Arlington, VA 22201

Clothing Drop-Off:
6 to 7:30 p.m.

Pre-Swap Reception
6 to 9 pm

Swap:
8 pm SHARP!

 

Join The Swapaholics, America’s favorite swap hostesses,
for a fun night of summer swapping & socializing
at the historic and uber chic Clarendon Ballroom.

We’re coming to the Beltway for the first time, bringing together swappers from far & wide
for a fun night of retail therapy and recycling — and everything left over at the end of the night
goes to support Goodwill of Greater Washington, to be sold in their shops to raise money for
their important education & employment programs.

Bring a Bag, Get a Bag:
Bring a bag full of all those like-new and gently worn clothes, shoes, accessories, and jewelry just taking up space in your closet and trade them in for a new bag full of finds from fellow DC fashionistas — all for just the cost of admission!

Show Off Your Swap Style:
Take pictures with your friends and all your new favorite scores in our Swap Style Photo Booth. Pose with swap finds then tag yourself on Facebook to share your swap scores with your friends & post them to Twitter with the hashtag #DCSWAP to @Swap or @TheSwapaholics, or both!

Feel Good & Do Good:
All the clothing left over at the end of the swap will be donated to Goodwill of Greater Washington,helping to support their mission of transforming lives & communities through the power of education & employment.

Best of Guest Blogger: Could you go one year without buying “new” clothes?

Hey there readers! My guest blog post for Goodwill of Greater Washington, DC Goodwill Fashionista was re-posted today as “Best of Guest Blogger”. Just in case you missed it.

DC Goodwill Fashionista Blog

 

guest bloggerTags: Catherine Pulsifer, DC Goodwill, Rockville, Sew Frugal and Fashionable,sewing, thrifting

Well, I’m giving it a try with Goodwill by my side. At the start of the New Year I made this extreme resolution to refrain from shopping department and specialty retail stores for one year. For the past 90 days I’ve reignited my sewing skills, sharpened my Goodwill and thrift store shopping skills and gained a new best friend in clothing swaps. In many cases I have found brand new designer clothing. However, uncovering these “Fabulous Finds” requires time, patience and determination.

 

“Being frugal does not mean being cheap! It means being economical and avoiding waste.”

 

–Catherine Pulsifer

 

So, how did this self-imposed challenge come about?

 

Quite simply, I realized I had become a clothes hoarder. The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. I’ve been sewing my own clothes since the age of 9 and as a result I have added to my custom wardrobe in excess. Coupled with regular shopping trips with my girlfriends over the past couple years I’ve accumulated more than my fair share of items that have become unworn. I had to find a solution that would help me get rid of clothes/shoes that I no longer use and find items that I needed without breaking the bank. I began by cleaning out my closets, donating to Goodwill and taking other items to clothing swaps.

 

My Goodwill store in Rockville, MD is where I find some of my most impressive items. They have a small space but they get in really great merchandise and display it well. Shopping on Tuesday’s when it’s Customer Appreciation Day gets you 25% off. How fantastic is that? Recently I have been taking my friends to Goodwill and local thrift stores teaching them how to develop a keen eye for spotting great deals using time, patience and determination.

 

Here are products of my Goodwill determination:

 

 

Fully lined pants by Banana Republic, 100% wool ($3.49) and Ann Taylor Jacket ($2.49)

 

This H&M skirt was $2.49 during the Sweetheart Sale at Goodwill in Annandale, VA. The blouse came from the Goodwill Trunk Show for $5.98

 

 

I picked up this BCBG Blouse at the Goodwill Trunk show in Arlington, VA for $5.98. It pairs perfectly with an Anne Klein two piece suit for a mere $7.80. A great outfit for under $20.

 

Vintage black TAHARI Coat for $23 falls in my top ten “Fabulous GW Finds”. The fabric is synthetic boucle and I spruced it up with a belt and a bit of bling.

 

Italian made leather ankle straps shoes for $7.98.

 

“Sew Frugal and Fashionable Jen” teaches Sewing Classes twice a month in Silver Spring, MDhttp://www.meetup.com/Silver-Spring-Sewing-Sisters and features her “Fabulous Finds” and self imposed fashion challenges on her blog: www.SewFrugalandFashionable.wordpress.com and on Twitter @SewFrugal.

 

All photos courtesy of Lily Valle at www.lilydc.tmblr.com

 

 

 

 

Shoes, Shoes, Shoes…..Can a woman ever have too many?

My emotional response is absolutely not! My logical answer is “of course not” besides how does one define “too many”  :-)

After my 30 day challenge I gave away about 7 pairs of shoes that hurt. I loved these shoes, they were fabulous but two hours into my day my feet were screaming for relief. I decided no more band aids, no more blisters, no more limping and no more having to bring slippers to work in order to give my feet relief. Off to Goodwill and Swaps go my painful shoes .

Since shoes are such an essential aspect of the wardrobe one should always take them into careful consideration. A good pair of shoes can be worn for many years if you take good care of them.

A few tips for caring for your shoes:

1. Keep them shined, buffed and/or cleaned

2. Keep the heels repaired

3. Don’t wear your good shoes while driving

4. Keep them in a box or shoe rack when they are not being worn. Not on the closet floor

5. It’s a good idea to keep a spare pair of walking shoes in your purse, bag, at work or under your car seat, especially if you are someone who walks a lot.

6. Try to refrain from spending too much time walking on the concrete in your good shoes. This really wears out the soles and heels.

7. Invest in good insoles. Over time while you pound the pavement, literally, even the insides of your shoes can take a beating. Insoles keep your      feet happy and lengthen the time you can wear your favorite pair.

Back in February I acquired these pewter flats with a buckle from Goodwill in Annandale, VA for $4-5. They are extremely comfortable and I keep them in my car under the seat. Mainly they serve as my driving shoes but they are comfortable and cute enough that I occasionally wear them with a pair of slacks or in the rare instance I don’t feel up to wearing heels. Yes it does happen…

These cute little numbers below I swapped with a friend at a Clothing Swap back in March. They are Ann Taylor suede flats and are just perfect for the transitioning months.

Buying Shoes at Thrift and Consignment Stores:

When it comes to buying shoes at a thrift stores I tend to be pretty selective. I always look for shoes that have either never been worn or have very little wear. The idea of wearing a shoe with a run over heel that’s scratched up is quite unappealing.

When shopping for shoes at a thrift or consignment store it’s important to remember a few preliminary points:

1. Pre-worn shoes are not for everyone. If you are squeamish about wearing another persons shoes I would say thrift store footwear is not for you.

2. Pre-worn shoes can be more comfortable for some people because they have already been broken in.

3. Always bring a pair of socks or knee-hi hosiery when shopping. You probably don’t want to try on shoes in your bare feet. Especially not running or tennis shoes.

4. Pay close attention to the soles of the shoes. I you can still see/feel the no-slip ridges then you are most likely in good shape however a lot depends on the brand.

5. Examine the shoes throughly. Check the connection between the fabric of the shoe and the sole

6. Always use a deodorizer and clean the shoes before wearing them. Febreeze, Lysol, Alcohol wipes, baby wipes or a cloth. If you buy tennis or running shoes and decide to throw them in the wash add a little vinegar to the wash cycle. This helps remove odor.

7. General rule of them “check the brand”. The better the brand of shoe the longer it will tend to last you. Leather shoes and boots tend to last a bit longer than the man-made uppers.

8. Lastly, If the shoes hurt or feel too small in the store you will most likely be in even more pain after an 8 hour work day. Leave them in the store and keep it moving.

Below is some of my shoe collection. Most of what you see here has been acquired through swaps and Goodwill shopping. The selection process is tedious and time-consuming but worth it when I find shoes barely worn for $4-10 that would have normally cost be minimum of $50-80 in the store.

In July I will be attending a Show Swap in Silver Spring, MD. I will post information in the coming weeks.

Franco Sarto Suede Round-toe sling backs – $7 Goodwill Rockville

Assortment of summer sandals and mules

Nine West single back sandals – $6 Salvation Army Canada

Franco Sarto black peep toe pumps – Salvation Army Canada – $6

Bandolino beige sing backs with pink bows – $5 Goodwill Central Florida

Nine West sling back peep toe satin shoes – $8 Goodwill Rockville

The heels are two toned silver and clear (I can’t wait to rock these)

An assortment of swap shoe finds

Dollhouse silver pumps – $8 Goodwill VA

Issac Mizrahi satin ankle straps – $8 Goodwill Rockville

Ann Taylor flats – Free Clothing Swap

Bandolino patent leather heels – $10 Frugalista DC

Ann Taylor flats – Clothing swap – Free

I’m grooming a Swapnista

After several months of attending swaps everywhere from DC to VA to NYC and beyond I had the awesome opportunity of co-hosting Swap ‘Til You Drop with Susie Saadian the owner of Black Eyed Susie earlier this month. I’ve been encouraging my friends to adopt this frugal way of shopping and expanding their wardrobe. Many of them are catching on but a few remain skeptical. Unfortunately my friend Serena was unable to attend the swap earlier this month however she was game to swing by the Frugal Fashionista clothing Swap in Alexandria the following weekend. This is where she found these great pair of shoes. With a little encouragement to seize the moment Serena quickly moved toward the shoe table and nabbed these cute little numbers. She wore them to work last week and I wanted to show off her great swap finds!

Shirts and Blouses are Essential

Well, I have officially stocked up!

Among the many lessons learned during my wardrobe challenge was how important it is to take stock of what you have in your closet. When meeting with my test client I explained, this eliminates having excess clothing you don’t wear and that feeling of  ”I have nothing to wear”. Personally I have no excuse. I did however recognize  my lack of shirts and blouses along with the fact my wardrobe was somewhat devoid of sufficient color. I’ve given away so many shirts at swaps and to Goodwill over the past few months I really needed to restock.  One of my recommendations for adding a little color in a more conservative wardrobe  is to couple those brown, black, blue and gray business suits with a nice blouse or shirt that really pops. I am incorporating some oranges, greens, purple, light blue and even pink into the mix.  Check out some of my great finds!

Swap Find – Free (Macy’s INC black and white stretch shirt)

Goodwill- $3.37 (White Shirt with wrap around tie)

Swap Find – Free (100% Silk Ann Taylor)

Goodwill – $3.37 (100% silk – Ralph Lauren)

Swap Find – Free (crisp light blue long sleeve shirt)

Swap Find – Free (Rene Derhy Paris -Silk and Viscose Blouse -beautiful detail and design)

Goodwill – $3.37 (Burgundy Sheer long sleeve blouse)

Swap Find – Free (Forever 21-Purple polka dot sheer blouse)

Goodwill – $3.37 (Banana Republic blouse)

Goodwill $4.98 – (Metro Style -Black & mauve long sleeve shirt)

Swap Find – Free (Olive Banana Republic Short Sleeve shirt)

Tossed & Found (Approx $2-Anne Klein long sleeve striped shirt)

Tossed & Found (Ann Taylor Silk Camisole)

Goodwill $4.98 (BR 3/4 sleeve shirt)

Tossed & Found – Approx $2 (Anne Klein 100% Silk Cami)

Tossed & Found Approx $2 (brown scoop neck sleeveless shirt)

Goodwill – $4.98 Ann Taylor Loft (Beige/Navy Blue long sleeve Wrap around Blouse)

Swap Find – Free (Ann Taylor- Silk short sleeve blouse)

Great Swap Finds

I snagged this Tahari dress and White House Black Market sling-back shoes at “Swap ‘Til You Drop” this past weekend. The dress still had the tags on it. $99!!! The shoes were barely worn and the box said the shoes retail at $88. What a frugal deal! In addition to these great finds I picked up 4 suits and 2 dresses. All these items I found after everyone else finished swapping. It pays to stay until the end of a swap. Sometimes you can find great treasures the longer you hang around. I can’t wait until the next swap

The Swapaholics May 2011 Swap Sheet

We are so thankful to Melissa and the great folks over at Swapaholics for mentioning our event in the May Swap sheet. Thanks much!!!  We really hope to see everyone there!!

May 2011 Swap Sheet

Posted by Melissa on Apr 28, 2011 in Blog, Swap Sheet | 0 comments

Swap season 2011 is ON like Donkey Kong! While we recover (and restock our closets) after an amazing times swapping with you at Earth Day, and get ready for our Jazz Fest Sip & Swap tonight, check out all the swap action other swap hosts have in the works for May:

SUNDAY MAY 1ST

Washington, DC
Swap ‘Til You Drop Clothing Swap
with Sew Fashionable & Frugal
Drop off: 11 am to noon
SWAP: 1 to 3 pm
Admission: $10 with at least 3 items to swap; $15 empty handed

at

Black-Eyed Susie Consignment Shop
3443 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC

FRIDAY MAY 6TH

San Francisco, CA
15th Anniversary Culture Swap Meet & Dance Party
Swap: 8 pm
Admission: $5

at

CELLspace
2050 Bryant (at 18th St.)
San Francisco, CA

SATURDAY MAY 7TH

San Francisco, CA
High Tea & Swapping Spree
12 to 3 pm
Admission: $75

at

Palace Hotel
2 New Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA

WEDNESDAY MAY 11TH

Brisbane, Australia
The Clothing Exchange
6:30 to 8 pm
Admission: $25, includes a glass of bubbly

at

Sling Lounge
153 Boundary Street
West End
Brisbane, Queensland
Australia

THURSDAY MAY 12TH

Sydney, Australia
The Clothing Exchange
Community Swap
Drop off: 6 pm
SWAP: 7 pm
Admission: $25

at

Surry Hills Library
405 Crown Street
Sydney, Australia

SATURDAY MAY 14TH

Worcester, MA
Canal District Swap & Shop
with Swap.com
Drop-off: 11 am to 1:30 pm
SWAP: 2 pm SHARP!

at

Crompton Place
138 Green Street
Worcester, MA

Atlanta, GA
Swapnista Day Party
with Fashion Envy & Pretty Girls Rock Dresses
2 to 6 pm
Admission: VIP is $20 for two, $15 for one; General Admission is $5.

at

Emerging Art Scene at Castleberry Point
321 Nelson Street SW
Atlanta, GA

Portsmouth, NH
2nd Annual Women’s Clothing Swap
with Goodwill of Northern New England
10 am to 3 pm

at

Portsmouth Public Library
175 Parrott Avenue
Portsmouth, NH

London, UK
The Swap Shop 2011
5:30 to 10 pm
Admission: £6 to £25 (see Eventbrite for more details)

at

The Tabernacle
Powis Square
Notting Hill
W11 2AY London
United Kingdom

SATURDAY MAY 21ST

Portland, ME
SWAP Maine
with Goodwill of Northern New England
11 am to 4 pm
Admission: $5 with a bag of stuff to swap; $10 without

at

Head Games Salon
116 Free Street
Portland, Maine

FRIDAY MAY 27TH

Sacramento, CA
Peace Love Swap Kid’s Clothing & Gear Swap
6 to 9 pm
Admission: $5 with a bag of stuff to swap

at

The Bounce Spot
2939 Promenade St.
West Sacramento, CA 95691

As always, if you know about a (public) swap going on that we don’t have listed here, leave us a note in the comments or send us an email at swapaholics {at} swap {dot} com!

Double your swap options

Double your swap options.

Thanks Lisa and Quarterlife for your plug for our upcoming event!

I’m so close to calling them “swapportunities” but I just can’t. I think I may have done it once in the past. But I just can’t let such frivolty go on. So I’m just going to say it this way: I’m excited to tell you about TWO swaps happening next weekend.

I ran across the Saturday’s swap on the website for Ebenezers Coffeehouse. How convenient!

Clothing Exchange Saturday, April 30, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM Ebenezers Coffeehouse

Not wearing what’s in your wardrobe? Bring your gently used clothing and exchange it for someone else’s

What: Women’s Clothing Exchange

When: April 30 – 10-11:30am

Where: Ebenezers Lower Level

Who: Any woman who needs to clean out her closet!

How: Just bring in your bag of gently used clothes that you’d like to add to the exchange and “shop” to find something “new” for yourself.

No charge. Leftover clothes will be donated to Goodwill.

Then on Sunday, join Jen, a favorite thrifter/crafty lady as she teams up with Black-Eyed Susie’s in Columbia Heights.

Tickets available via Eventbrite.

I’ll have to miss both these events, but I’m excited to see what YOU find if you go. Do share your photos and experiences with us! And, as always, happy swapping.

Why Buy New When You Can Swap? – NASDAQ.com

A twitter friend tweeted about this article this morning and I’m passing on to you as I’m on my soapbox about Frugal Fashion in these tough economic times. But it doesn’t stop at fashion. In the month of May Sew Frugal will explore various thrift shops in the DMV and not only focus on clothing but household goods, furniture and a variety of other useful everyday items you can save money on. Swap.com is one of my favorite apps and websites. You would amazed at what you can find there. Enjoy the article.

-Jen

Why Buy New When You Can Swap? – NASDAQ.com

Why Buy New When You Can Swap?

Posted 4/14/2011 9:00 AM by Cameron Huddleston, Contributing Editor from Kiplinger in Personal Finance, Insurance

0 comments | Like itDon’t like it

The May issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine, which hits newsstands today, features 32 ways to stop wasting money. Among the tips is to borrow or trade items rather than buy new . An easy way to do this is to use a Web site such as Swap.com. And if you have an iPhone, you can download Swap.com’s new free mobile app that makes trading your unwanted books, CDs, DVDs or video games for other items you crave really simple.

Launched April 1, the Swap.com app lets you scan barcodes on your media items then see what you can get in exchange for them. You also can scan barcodes in stores to see if the items are available in Swap.com’s inventory.

You can set up an account through the app or at Swap.com and create a list of haves and wants. You will get an e-mail alert when there is a swap opportunity or you can simply click on the “what can I get?” link next to the items you have and search by media type to see what book, movie, CD or game you can get in exchange.

I used the app to scan the barcodes of several children’s DVDs my kids no longer watch and found out instantly that I could get any of nearly 83,000 items in exchange for Alice in Wonderland , for example. Now I have to decide whether I want to get a new DVD for the kids or a book for myself.

If you accept a trade, you are responsible for shipping the item to the recipient and will be charged a swap fee of 50 cents for low value items and $1 for high value items, such as video games. Swap.com makes shipping easy, though, because its database has the weight of items and can generate a U.S. Postal Service shipping label (with the recipient’s address) that you can print at home. Shipping costs average $3.20.

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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.

Read more:http://community.nasdaq.com/News/2011-04/why-buy-new-when-you-can-swap.aspx?storyid=71122#ixzz1KjH3kBg2

Preparation for Swap til You Drop

Hoping to see everyone at the Swap on Sunday! If you have items you would like to drop off in advance of the swap please feel free to drop them off at Black Eyed Susie between 12-5pm Tues thru Saturday. Mark your bag “Swap” visit: http://swapblackeyedsusie.eventbrite.com/ for tickets.

Potential Swappers, you may be new to this and have never attended a swap before or have no idea what swapping is all about. Below are a few of my personal suggestions to consider if you are planning to attend a Clothing Swap. If you have swap experiences please share your helpful hints too.

First thing you want to do is get a large bag (we’ll call this your swap bag) and start going through your closets and drawers and looking at all those clothes.

Swappers attending the Frugal Fashionista Clothing Swap

Rule number 1. If you haven’t worn it in a year, chances are you aren’t going to. And there is most likely a very good reason why. The item might be too big, too small, uncomfortable to wear, not your style or just have an improper fit.

As you go through your closets and drawers any thing that causes you to hesitate should go into your swap bag. Only keep the clothes that really work for you and all the rest let them become someone elses treasure.

After you have removed all unwanted clothing you should begin to think about what additional items you are in need of.  This helps to plan ahead so that you can be focused when you arrive at the swap. If you know you are short on sweaters you might want to start at the sweater table first and rack up. If you find yourself always wearing the same jeans over and over maybe you are due for a new pair. Jeans are always very popular at swaps

Swap day is right around the corner. What do you need to keep in mind?:

1. Wear comfortable shoes. This not the time to be cute and fashionable, this is work and you will be on a mission. You will be on your feet standing in one place for a couple hours. Wear flats or tennis shoes to keep your feet happy

2. Only take items to the swap that are clean and odor free

3. Keep and open mind. Sometimes you will find many items to add to your wardrobe and sometime not so much. Look carefully at the clothing items at the swap. Many items have great potential

4. Take a friend or two to swap with you

5. Bring large bags for your goodies and a separate bag for shoes

6. Wear leggings, jeggins or a tee shirt under your clothes so that you can try things on before you leave the swap. Anything you are unsure of throw it back so that you are not taking items home unnecessarily

7. Shop the brand. You will find that name brand clothing tends to hold up much better. If you are looking for longevity when it comes to gently worn clothing the higher end the item

8. Move swiftly and don’t spend a lot of time on one item. You can throw things back later.

9. After you have gone through all the racks and table you are now ready to try on. Take your time to go through and make sure items are not torn or stained.

And lastly

Happy Swapping!!!!

Swappers attending the Frugal Fashionista Clothing Swap

Swap til you Drop

Black Eyed Susie and Sew Frugal & Fashionable 

presents
Swap til you Drop

Clothing Swap

Click here for Tickets

Black Eyed Susie and Sew Frugal & Fashionable 

presents
Swap til you Drop Clothing Swap

Time to to gather up all that unwanted clothing that has been sitting around with tags still attached or has been gently worn and time to be replaced. Clean out those closets and get prepared to find some great items to add to your wardrobe. Swap til you Drop Clothing Swap will be held at Black Eyed Susie consignment shop located at

3443 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20010

(14th and Meridian in Washington, DC)

Date: May 1st.

Clothing Drop off is from 11:00am-1pm

We will take your bag of clothes and mark your ticket. You can then place your name in the box for the raffle

Take the next hour or so to explore the neighborhood. Have some lunch and enjoy the scenery

Swap begins at 1:00pm sharp and ends at 3:00pm

There will be door prizes so please be sure to arrive early

You must purchase a ticket to this event and have the paper ticket in hand in order to enter. Visit: http://swapblackeyedsusie.eventbrite.com/ to purchase your ticket

Swapping guidelines:

1. All swappers bring as many articles of clothing as you like (at least 5) and you can take home as many items you desire.

2. Make sure the clothes you bring are clean and odor free.

3. If possible bring dresses and suits on hangers.

4. Bring shoes, accessories, purses, jewelry, etc.

Bring any of the following:

pants, skirts, shorts, boots, tennis shoes, ties, belts, tee shirts, sweaters, shirts, gloves, hats, jackets, coats, vest, blouses, dresses and hats. All season clothing welcome.

5. Underwear (bras and panties) and swimwear will not be accepted

6. Soiled clothes and clothing with a bad odor will not be accepted

7. Men are welcomed to attend and bring clothing items. Jeans, suits, ties, shirts, shoes etc.

8. All clothing will need to be dropped off between 11-1pm

9. Swapping will begin at 1:00pm.

10. There will be door prizes so please arrive early.

11. There is a $10 fee and you must have a printed ticket to attend this event

12. Be sure to bring an extra bag or two to carry away your great finds.

13. If you need more swapping tips visit: Sew Frugal & Fashionable for Swap Prep Guidance

Save money, be green, shop and support a good cause!
Many items leftover from the swap will be donated to  

We look forward to seeing you there! Happy Swapping!