Style File: Kimono

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I have become entirely obsessed with the magic of Swapdom.

The main reason I signed up for it right away, after browsing for only a few minutes, was because of this:

The moment I saw this kimono I knew I had to have it!

The colors, the pattern, the lightweight rayon fabric...

also it's got a bohemian vibe but is still sophisticated enough for a woman who's about to turn 40.

So I requested it and offered up all of my items and ended up making an even swap with a pair of shoes that were a bit too snug on my feet (and had only been worn once) to get my kimono.

Shipping was about $12 and I have already worn it 4 times so if you average the 'per wear' cost it's $3 per wear and I have gotten so many compliments on it so it's practically paid for itself in that sense alone!

Yesterday's outfit

Hair bun, gold hoops... just need a head scarf and a crystal ball.

I might have stolen this owl necklace from my daughter's jewelry stash because it goes perfectly with my kimono and now they love each other and are BFFs.

Since I work from home 99% of the time, jeans are my wardrobe mainstay but I like to add something to dress them up a bit and feel a bit more polished so this was really a great wardrobe addition for me that I can use year-round.

I can see myself wearing it like this:

In the summer with a t shirt, jean shorts, flip flops, and some accessories handmade by me.

In cooler fall months with a shimmery silver scarf and pink loafers I picked up for $4 at a local thrift store

Another cold season idea paired with wedge boots and some gold jewelry though I might be more likely to wear the jewelry with the pink loafers above and stick the scarf with the boots for wintertime!

I have lots of other ideas on ways I might wear my kimono but you get the general idea.

Also, I was able to trade something I would never wear for something I really love which is the best part!

À la vie et à l'amour

-Cortney

Thirfty Thursday: Swapdom

So, have you heard of Swapdom yet?

It's basically the most bestest thing since sliced bread or Tom Cruise's assault on Oprah Winfrey's sofa!

Okay, it's actually better than both of those things.

I heard about it through one of the blogs I read.

Here's how it works:

1) You declutter your stuff (clothing, shoes, accessories, baby & kid stuff, and home goods) and you list the items you no longer love, but that are still awesome, on Swapdom for FREE with photos and a description.

2) Then you browse Swapdom and request stuff you want, and you offer up your stuff in return and the Swapdom team goes to work to find a swap for you.
(I think they have tiny gnomes do this part.)

3) Once a swap is found you pay the shipping cost, which includes a small fee that gets paid to Swapdom for their hard work, for the item you are receiving.

Don't worry - you'll know the cost before you request an item so there are no surprises.

(This isn't one of those fancy restaurants with no prices on the menus like you went to for your first Prom that was super awkward because you inadvertently ordered the most expensive thing on the menu but that's a story for a different day.)

4) After everyone has paid, you print a prepaid label from your home printer and ship your item to the winning Swapper.

5) Then you wait (rather impatiently) for your item to arrive in the mail so you can behold it in all its glory and cry little tears of pure joy and then wear it when you go on a date with your husband and again to your son's choir concert the following week and then again on the second to last day of school (today) for no reason at all because you love it so very much!

Be warned though...

Swapdom is highly addictive and you may find yourself considering the idea of purchasing items that you will never use or wear for the sole purpose of listing items that would be perfect for swapping which is actually the complete opposite of what the whole premise of Swapdom is so you really shouldn't do that.

Also, it's a good idea to read the Tips & Tricks page on the Swapdom blog for some really helpful information before you start swapping your life away!

I'm already a lost cause.

À la vie et à l'amour

-Cortney