Help forward eco-friendly fashion with a quick vote.

Preloved Apparel has been chosen as the finalist for yoxi's "Trim the Waste of Fashion Competition."

The concept is a community based organization with a website that includes:

1. Styling Guide and Editorials based on local thrift/vintage shops request

2. Thrift Shop Directory

3. Clothing exchange among users

4. Swap Meets hosted by local businesses

They are interested in promoting a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

There are three more rounds and the teams with the most votes more forward in the competitionJ

oin www.yoxi.tv, then become a fan of their team page www.yoxi.tv/teams/412

 Voting is only open this Monday and Tuesday.

www.prelovedapparel.com

www.facebook.com/prelovedapparel

www.twitter.com/prelovedapparel

Help us Celebrate the One Year Anniversary of the Seven TenSwap in July 2011! 

This free swap & community exchange has run a full year– the 3rd Friday of each month at the Catalyst Community Space in Long Beach, CA.

All year – people have come with their once loved &gently used clothing, house hold items & décor, books and games, children’sitems and toys…. anything they had to share ( that is – give away, for free!)

We’ve also swapped Halloween Costumes and décor in Octoberand Holiday Items & decor in November andDecember… and passed any un-wanted gifts we got over the holidays and otheroccasions in January and all year long!

People who come to the swaps have been generous and broughtsome REALLY NICE stuff. Most have had at least one new treasure to claim fromthe swap! We always have left-over swap stuff – every single time!

The Seven-Ten Swap has been such a success - Catalyst isopening a community Free Store – right inside the Catalyst Space.  Now – we will have a home for the left-overswap items, and people can come at other times to drop-off items and getsomething for free.  (We will be lookingfor volunteers to help run the Free Store – email us at lbfreestore@gmail.com if you would liketo get involved.)

The new Long Beach Free Store at Catalyst will open inAugust, 2011. ( Check back for details – don’t miss out on the Grand OpeningEvent!)  But you can get a taste of theFree Store at the special  “PreviewOpening” reception – on July 31, 2011; at the Catalyst Space.  Bring items to give to the Free Store and“shop” for your free item – as we celebrate One Year of the Seven-Ten Swap andthe opening of the Long Beach Free Store at Catalyst.

Don’t forget to join us at the July 15, 2011 Seven-Ten Swapto kick off another year of swapping, sharing and making new friends.  Bring something for the pot-luck, bring anyitems you no longer use (that are clean and in good condition)…and findsomething to take home – for free!  Asalways – you don’t have to bring something to the swap to take from it…but mostof us have some un-loved clutter laying around that we could pass on to someoneelse.

For Details on the Seven-Ten Swap and the Long Beach FreeStore at Catalsy  : www.710swap.com

"I am a Fashion designer dedicated to transforming vintage clothing into new and unique fashion styles.  I also design completely new, one of a kind, dresses and gowns. I have designed clothing for celebrities and the regular gal craving that one of a kind dress. I have been on a long hiatus and am just coming back again, with fresh ideas."

– Fashion Designer, Tatiana Andrade.

Tati’s Back !

Tatiana Andrade was working with vintage clothing and textiles when she opened  her Hollywood Hills studio in 2002, where she designing hand-made one of a kind creations worn by movie-stars and featured on television & in fashion publications.  Her resume includes dressmaking for Bill Blass, working as a designer for Levi Strauss and as a stylist to legendary French fashion designer Thierry Mugler.

Tatiana (or Tati) is bringing back her fashion sensibility…now that the rest of us have finally caught up with her,and showcasing her passion for vintage fashion and re-worked style in a Fashion Blog and on Etsy.  Now that it’s fashionable to be “green” and up-cycle old styles ….her experience at the esthetic of re-worked fashion lends an extraordinary eye to the green re-styled fashion scene.

BOHO At It's Best!  Tatis Vintage Authentic 60's GUCCI Scarf Hippie TOP

“As a fashion designer who loves to make clothing from gorgeous, recycled, imported textiles I finally decided to jump on the blog-wagon. I also want to share my passion for transforming vintage frocks  from ordinary to extraordinary. I don’t follow trends but hopefully create unique clothing that one would want to keep forever."

In her new blog – Tati gives you a glimpse of the visions that inspire her. She lays out for consideration runway & designer trends and puts a spotlight on styles that drive her creativity, while she gives you a glimpse of her one of a kind  re-designed fashions.

Hi Pussy Cat! This Tunic Mini Dress is an example of beautiful

vintage textiles incorporated with new trims and fabrics.

Tati has also recently opened shop on etsy – with a handful of vintage and re-created styles showcasing her design aesthetic.  She hand picks the best pieces and either restores them, updates them or uses them to create a new fashion piece which recalls its vintage roots in a modern new design.  There are also a few pieces which she deems perfect “as-is” – her love of classic fashion has her hunting down the best vintage finds.

Tati is opening up her vintage fashion vault for a Vintage Fashion Swap on September 19th, 2010. See more about the swap at: VINTAGE FASHION SWAP

Follow her blog at:

TatiTatiStyle Blog

Shop for Tati Styles at:

TatiTati Etsy Shop

Take a look at her official website at:

Tati Andrade Official Website

Review of Fondue Swap Party organized by OC Divas Women's Social Group

On Friday, September 3, 2010, I attended a Fondue Swap Party organized by OC Divas Women's Social Meetup Group  http://www.meetup.com/OCDIVAS/calendar/14173714/. There was cheese fondue and chocolate fondue. The fondues were made in crockpots. There were approximately 15 women who showed up. To determine the order for swapping, we each drew 5 playing cards. The best poker hand went first. I had two aces (which was the best hand in the group), so I got to go first. Then a list was made based on who had the best poker hands.

I enjoyed going in a particular order. The swapping went much slower, but we got to see what everyone was choosing and who was receiving the items that we brought. Many of us tried on the items of clothing that we were interested in and got feedback from the other women at the swap. The other women would suggest items of clothing that they thought might fit or might look good on someone else.

Here is the event description:

It's been a while since we've had a swap party and I've been wanting to have a fondue party so I thought it

would be fun to combine both.

FONDUES

I will be making two Fondues

WHITE WINE CHEESE FONDUE

(yummy, I just tried a new recipe and it came out DELICIOUS! ! )

& CHOCOLATE FONDUE

Please bring something that goes well with one or the other and let me know in your rsvp

Suggestions for the Cheese fondue

(If you have suggestions to add to the list please let me know)

Pretzels

Cherry tomatoes

Bagels

Sourdough bread

Roasted potatoes

Broccoli

Pita

Cold cuts

Turkey sausage

Baguettes

Zucinni

Vegetables

Crackers

For the Chocolate Fondue

Strawberries

Gingerbread cookies

Bananas

Poundcake

Angel food cake

Shortbread cookies

Sugar cookies

Blondies

Marshmallows

Graham crackers

We could also use

Plastic cups, plates, plastic forks, napkins, water, wine, and sodas

(I will bring the ICE)

* * * * * * * * S W A P * * * * * * * *

Bring a minimum of 5 items to swap.

You can bring anything that is in good condition; Housewares, clothing, accessories, home decor, candles, perfume, purses,

scarves, costume jewelry, wine glasses etc etc.

Bring clothes on hangers - I will have a couple hanging racks out Swapping will begin at 7:00 pm - In the meantime we will set up the swapping items, browse, have some fondue. food, drinks, mix & mingle. The selection order will be? Come and see, it will be fun!

Hope to see you there!

2010 Frugal Fest & Summer Swap

Swap, Los Angeles, Swap.

( If you want to skip my rambling complaint’s about the lack of big swap events in So Cal and cut to the meat of this post - look down to the part about the 2010 Frugal Fe$t & Swap)

Did you know that there is a busy and thriving swapping community in San Francisco? Northern California in general has a lot more swap activity than we do here in Southern California.

Another big place for swapping --- England.   Lots and lots of swaps, or "swish" events - as they call them. And Canada- lot’s of Canadian swapping going on.

You can also find swaps in Australia, Scotland and  Ireland.

And in the US there are on-going events popping up in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as areas in Arizona, Texas, Nevada, Washington and Oregon.  It’s happening all over the place.

Swapping has been around forever , since the beginning of time. Smaller private groups or community gatherings have brought people together to exchange clothes and cookies - and that’s great.

But I’m talking about big swaps, with a lot of people and a lot of stuff - big selection. Social events with swapping as a big part of the theme, but there may also be other activities. Or - specialized swaps, with on-going events catering to specific groups or styles or activities. Like Plus Sizes or Crafting or Sports Equipment or the Metro sexual Man.  There seems to be a bit more effort around Childrens Swaps - and that’s good. At least there is that. But what about the rest ofus?

There are a few businesses' that have popped up to promote regular on-going swaps , but the *regular* part of it hasn’t been so regular(in So Cal)  I think there is only ONE that’s based in Southern California - Pandora’s Closet Swap Shop, but I don’t know WHEN they last had an event. ( If I am wrong - if there are any other SoCal Based groups or organizations promoting regular swaps in the area PLEASE let me know).

So want happened to all the LA natives living Green? Why don’t they represent?  It seems there should be a much larger swapping community in Southern California, with large reoccurring swap events all over the place - from the Valley to the City to Orange County and beyond.

Enter : the 2010 Frugal Fest & Summer Swap.  This is exciting.

Brief background. Local blogger www.BargainBabe.com  gives tips and tricks relating to all things budget friendly in Southern California - and the world.   Bargain Babe hooks us up with the Frugal Fe$tival  last summer , agreat little event celebrating all things budget friendly - including a SWAP. 

The Frugal Fe$t is BACK , bigger and better , and the Bargain Babe has teamed up with the gal’s at The Swapaholics to make this the biggest , bestist swap we’ve seen in this area! This event is family friendly, budget friendly, eco-friendly -and - dare I say, I’ll bet its even hipster friendly! 

This is a low cost , well organized , well publicized , sponsored large swap event. There will be free prizes. There will be other stuff worthy of the spotlight of an event entitled Frugal Fe$tival; and     *hopefully* -- this will become a regular thing. An annual event - at the very least. How cool is that!

The Frugal Fe$tival and Summer Swap is Saturday, June 19th in North Hollywood.

For event details - look at our calendar listing HERE.

For more information about The Frugal Fe$tival - see the website at frugalfestival.wordpress.com

For more great tips about squeezing the most out of your budget - visit the Bargain Babe at: www.bargainbabe.com

And to get your swap fix - you can try The Swapaholics and their Swap Sheet listings of swaps - everywhere ! at theswapaholics.com

Swapping is really gaining in popularity – and new fun ways to swap are popping up every day!  A great new option for families with children is Peace Love Swap.

This swap was founded by Meg Franz in Grass Valley, Ca.  The mother of 3 noticed the same thing a lot of mothers do – she had a lot of items her children had grown out of that were in perfectly good condition. Kids grow out of their clothing and toys at a fast rate –and you are left with items you don’t need any more. A lot of these things are in great shape and really shouldn’t be thrown away just because your kids no longer have a use for them.

 – You also have to keep up with the demands of growing children by getting them clothing for their new size and toys or activities to stimulate their growing minds… this can be costly.

A lot of families hand down items from older siblings to younger … that can help stretch the budget and help get full use out of things you spend your hard-earned money on. The only problem with this – is that you may not have children in the right age range to hand down to --- or your older girl’s clothes can’t be used for her younger brother. 

Another problem is that children might complain about getting their older brother or sister’s hand-me-downs… even if they are in perfectly good condition. Having seen the older sibling use the items, or even just knowing the item was originally purchased for someone else (even if it was never used!) may make the younger child feel they have nothing of their own –all their “stuff” is from someone else.

Herein lays the genius of swapping! Especially when it comes to families with children. With swapping – you take those items that are in good shape and have a lot of life left in them , and pass them on to others who can use them. At the same time – you are able to get new (to you) items for your children without busting your budget. 

It’s like taking the concept of hand-me-down, and extending it to the greater community – you are now tapping into the resources of multiple families, and it benefits everyone!  With a greater pool of people to swap with – you have access to a greater variety of items, which means you can now account for different likes and styles for your children rather than having to rely on the hope that what works for your older child will equally work for your younger child. 

If your children are spaced out in age enough to make it difficult for the younger child to use the older kids cast offs, or if you have a girl who has no need for items passed on from older boys…or if you have one child – this solves all those dilemmas and allows you to swap for many of the things you need for your children, instead of having to shop for them all.

Swapping will also benefit the children. These items are coming into your home for the first time for that child you got them for – so they will really feel like these things are their own. You will also be able to help your child develop their own sense of style and tailor your choices to their likes – rather than obliging them to use or wear things that they would never select for themselves – simply because they are still in good condition. 

Peace Love Swap has taken this truly useful strategy and turned it into a fun family event where the children can be included --- or they can play with other kids while you search through the swap stuff.

Oh – and, did you get that swapping is about recycling? It’s good for the planet. You keep items out of landfills and extend their use… thus potentially reducing the need to manufacture as many new items (and eliminating the taking of natural resources and pollution caused in said manufacturing of new items)!

So – pass on your gently used items to others who need them….extend their life and help the environment…. save some money and get something new (to you) for free ….. and pass on a cleaner world to your children in the process.  How’s that for a bargain!

Meg and Elle Beyer - her swap organizer / partner, are on a mission to keep gently used baby, kid and maternity items out of our landfills, and to donate to local charities by producing fun, affordable, family  friendly swaps on a regular basis.

Check their website for more information and event listings:

peaceloveswap.com

Join us at the PeaceLoveSwap event on June 11th in Arcadia CA

See the calendar listing or event page for more details!

Helping Neighbors Swap on May 1, 2010

- In Westminister, CA

Event Starts 12:00 noon

Since This Swap is at a Private Home - You Need to RSVP To Get The Address

You Can RSVP With a YES or a MAYBE and you will be emailed the address.

Just Reply to this Blog Post ( comment) 

with a [YES]  or  [MAYBE] and your Name

You Must Be A Member - So Sign Up if you are Not (It's Free) and RSVP.

You are welcome to bring people with you - they do not need to RSVP

BUT - HELP US GROW THIS SITE - Have your friends Sign Up / Become a Member - and RSVP

- While You Are Here... add a comment about this swap / event - any suggestions? Any requests? Any ideas about how to make this more fun or sucessfull? Let Us Know!

Give+Take Swap Boutique in Playa Del Rey, CA (that’s only few minutes out of LA) is a Permanent Clothes Swap Party with a large selection anda host with a discerning eye for the best fashion trades.

PLEASE NOTE – This Swap Boutique Accepts only High-End / Pricey/ Designer Items to Swap… Bring only your Best items --- and have access to the Best Items Available to Swap! 

Dora ( the friendly, fashionable and fabulous proprietor)has taken the concept of the clothes swap to the Next Level, with an actualbricks and mortar - permanent location for an on-going fashion swap.  It’s like a Swapping Store - but you don’thave to buy anything. 

You bring in your nicest unused fashion items to swap - and you are awarded points /or credit - based on the value of what you bring in. You then get to spend your credits on anything in the store.

There is a main room with most of the swap fashions, including the high end and designer stuff. A one-for-one trade room which is more like an equal exchange  [item for item] for things that are nice but not so high end.

There is even a FREE swap area with stuff that you can just take.

( And I saw some nice things in the Free Swap area - it’s not junk.)

There is a monthly membership fee to swap which is $20.00--- but that is MORE THAN FAIR - Because she’s got to pay the Rent!  In exchange, you get to be part of a great club which lets you step into the closet’s of all your new girlfriends ( the other members) ---and you get a great place to swap in with dressing rooms and a wonderful host to keep it all organized and fair.

I think this boutique is the FIRST of its kind. It’s not like a consignment store where you get only a (relatively small) portion of thevalue of things you bring in - and the store gets the rest.

This Fashion Boutique doesn’t take a commission from theswaps - so it really is more of an equal trade. And you can swap as much as you want.  You can choose to swap one month andthen come again a few months later, or do it every month.  If you don’t find something you like  you keep your points and come back. You can bring in a number of lower credit items and trade up to one special designer piece --- or you can trade in that designer gown you wore once (and will not wear again) , and get a few new great outfits for it!

A lot of items still have the tags on them , and you can tell they have not been worn. Others look new and unworn even without the tags.  There are also items that havebeen worn - but they are in great shape and not like used items at all.

It’s not like a thrift store ( which I’m not knocking) ,it’s more like a good friend’s closet out on loan to you - a friend with great taste, designer and hardly worn stuff you get to tap into!

This Boutique is still new - so there is a limited selection of sizes right now. There aren’t many larger sizes or plus size items. ( Well- there are a few now - I took some in!) But as it grows and increases in membership, the potential is awesome. 

If you love to shop- or to switch up your look and change your wardrobe...if you get bored of wearing the same ‘ole thing- this boutique will be your new best friend.

Think of it - you can constantly swap your wardrobe and refresh it. You can swoop in and score a beautiful gown for a special event - and then swap it back after the event for more fabulous fashions!

And  if the shopping bug still bites you , you now have a wonderful solution to those lapses in judgment you can not return. You can swap them.

Everyone has things they are holding on to because they are Valuable - but you don’t wear them --- you might not even LIKE them. They may look TERRIBLE on you or just not be your style or size.

You might have some high end items that you Just HAD To Get because they were a STEAL! (Like that new little Coach bag I found on super double discount clearance after the holidays for $25.00! The original price was $160.00. I couldn’t pass that up! --- But I never used it. I have my favorites, and it’s never made it into the rotation - so it’s just sitting there. Unused.) 

NOW you can get credit for the full retail value of those unused  lonely items - and trade them for something you WILL use! (And if you don’t , you can trade THAT again!).

This is also a great way to get a bit more adventurous with your style and try on some new things you might not be willing to pay cash for because it’s a little out of your comfort zone. It’s a RISK FREE way to try out new styles!

This place is SO COOL! But it’s only going to work if WE ALL work together to keep it going and give it our support. 

So here is what you need to do:

1)      Get together your BEST fashion items - make sure they are all clean and in great condition. Bring them in and become a Member.

* Bring Clothes, Shoes, Bags,Belts, Jewelry - any fashion accessories. Bring it ALL.

2)      Tell all your friends about it and tell them to do the same. Tell your family - tell strangers. Put together your own little list of swappers who share your size or style and encourage the WHOLE GROUP to join.

3)      Keep going back, and keep up on your membership. If you have to skip a month or more - go back when you can. If you can stay a constant member and swap every month - do that.

4)      Help get the word out in any way you can - promote the place. Tell people about it. Put up flyers on public billboards. Talk about it on line. Ask Dora for some cards or promo materials to hand out or to leave out at places that let you.  Advertise it for us all so that it stays open and grows.  As it gets bigger - it will only get better - and it’s already pretty damn good!

5)      If you run out of things to swap , or if you don’t have many to start with ---raid the closet of your aunt / grandmother / friend... Offer to help people organize their closets or homes in exchange for some item’s you can take to swap.  Help people with garage sales or moving in exchange for getting some items to swap!  You don’t need to swap your own stuff - if you get your hot little hands on anything that is a great fashion find but it doesn’t fit you or it’s not your style ---- even if you get a designer item that you think is UGLY but it IS a high end piece...you can bringit in to SWAP IT! SO - be on the hunt for new swap stuff to keep it going... Swap your Skills for Fashions to Swap!

>Oh - and while you are at it - put aside everything else you have to swap that is not appropriate for the Fashion Swap Boutique and bring it to an HP Swap Party ( Or Host an HP Swap Party !) --- And you might as well let people know about US TOO - while you are telling them about The Boutique. Life can not be lived on designer clothing alone - so help us swap our target duds ( lot’s of those are pretty cool) or books, games, household items, kids clothes , sports equipment.... With HP Swap. Ask for some of our Postcards or Cards to hand out too. Help us grow.

SPECIAL  SWAP DEAL ! Right Now - you can join and swap in February at the Give+Take Fashion Swap Boutique for FREE!

The membership fee is waived. So now is a great time to check it out and get started.  Bring 5 to 10 of your Best swap fashions and give it a try. Bring some friend’s with you and have them do the same.

Where:

200 Culver Blvd, Playa Del Rey CA 90293

Upstairs, above Tanner’s Coffee 

- There is a parking lot on Culver - go up the stairs at the back of the building to the top floor from the parking lot to get to the boutique.

Phone: 310-482-3398

Email: giveplustake@yahoo.com

Website: http://giveplustake.com/ 

Swap Hours:

Saturday: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Sunday: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Monday through Friday:

Wardrobe Consultations and Swap Parties byAppointment Only.

This is not an event hosted by HPSwap - so it doesn't have its own page....but we wanted you to know about it.

ClothesSwap Details!

Here are the details for theupcoming clothes swap for Los Angeles:

Public Transportation: Either take the Yellow/Gold Line tothe Pico Aliso station or the Metro Bus Local Line 31 to Mission/1st Street.

$10 donation for food catering. Catering service TBD (please give suggestionsby all means).

Clothing racks and hangers are available on a first come, first serve basis.Tables and clothing racks are provided.

Items chosen must be tried on to be seen as acceptable unless the donor deemsit unnecessary. If it doesn't fit, it can go to the next person. Choices are ona first come first serve basis unless the item doesn't fit or the first personto choose it decides they don't like it.

Please keep "like new or just bought" items separate from"gently worn" items. If you want something to be donated, please putit in the donation boxes before the swap begins. You have the ability to donateonce more after the swap.

"Gently worn" items can be freely swapped. "Like new or justbought" items are one for one unless the donor deems it unnecessary.

See the Website for All Details : CLICK HERE

On Line Clothes Swap Service – thredUp is launching thredUp Kids, and they are extending an invitation to HPSwap Members to become Founding Members of the new site and get the first swap for FREE!

Here is the invitation:

thredUp is an online kids clothing exchange community for parents.  They are offering HPSwap members an exclusive invite to become founding members of  thredUP kids.

With thredUP moms can easily exchange clothes that no longer fit their children for items that will.  List gently used clothes online, tell us what youare looking for (brands,sizes, gender etc), and we'll make the match. It's all done through pre-paid mail and home delivery.  Think Netflix meets kids consignment.  Affordable,fast, easy and fun!

We are launching the service in February.  The 1st 1,000 thredUP Kids members get the first swap for free!  (a $20 value).

To get in on this – you need to use this link to signup:  (CLICK HERE),

HPSwap members will have a chance to swap their first boxf or free.  First 1,000 founding members get their first swap for free.  If you’re getting to this late and  you don't make the 1,000 founding member cut –they will offer a 50% discount and allow you to swap their first box for only $10.  But this offer won’t last – once the service is up and running … this offer is over – so JUMP on this NOW.

Oh – and the original thredUp site is worth a mention  as well ---

thredUp is an on-line Clothing Swap Community and Service –where members take their quality swap items and exchange them with others by mail.  Here is how it works:

1)      Members give thredUp information about their size / style / brands / and fashion preferences… they also give descriptions of the items they have to swap ( photo’s are not necessary.)

2)      thredUp takes the member information and swap item information and uses it to set up matches of Members to particular swaps.

3)      Members are instructed where to send their swap items (via the pre-paid envelope they purchase from thredUp)--- and they will receive an item by mail from a thredUpmember in return.

If you love getting a surprise in the mail – and you love to swap – and you love to recycle…this service sounds like a lot of fun.  It’s like having your own personal stylist pick out items for you to replace those things you have that are great items –but just not for you.  This service is only for your best swap items – what HPSwap calls “top swap” stuff.  To find out more about thredUp go straight to the source at : thredUp.com

HPSwap members that sign up and try it out – give us a shout and let us know how it goes…. Add a comment to this post or write a review and post it yourself.  If you do – we will add your name to the drawing for a TOP SWAP ticket at the next HPSwap event!

P.S…. if you aren’t an HPSwap member you can still use the link to try and get in on the deal – but RIGHT AFTER you do that you should go to  hpswap.com and sign up (register)right away….. You Really Should.  You canuse this link to go straight to the sign up page:   SIGN UP HERE