Saturday, November 22, 2014

Girls Rock Camp Fundraiser swap next weekend!


Show up with the clothes and any items you no longer want, and leave with a great new haul!

The fun starts at 1, but feel free to arrive any time after 12:30 to drop off your clothes/ books/ records/ stuff.

All clothing, accessories, music, books, and other stuff you no longer use that's clean and in good condition is welcome.

$8 with swap items
$5 for bands only

Performing in the front room:
 

Pins & Needles
HotKid
Terror Lake
Dirty Frigs

 

At the end of the day any unclaimed items will be donated to charity, and all funds raised will go to Girls Rock Camp Toronto (http://girlsrocktoronto.org/)

***All ages!***


Check out the facebook event for more info

Monday, September 8, 2014

Autumn Clothing Swap - Sept. 21



It may still feel like summer, but it's the perfect time to upgrade your Fall wardrobe. Thankfully, the next Swap Don't Shop event is just a couple of weeks away...

Autumn Clothing Swap
Sunday, September 21
12pm-4pm
Location: industREALarts room
Admission: $5

The swap starts at noon, but feel free to arrive any time after 11:30am to drop off your clothes.

As usual, you'll get a ticket for each good quality item you bring (max. 30 tickets). Each ticket can then be redeemed for a new swap find. There will also be on-site alterations, and DIY ideas on display.

Check out the facebook event for updates.

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Summer Clothing Swap in One Week!



The next Swap Don't Shop event is just one week away! Details below:

Summer Clothing Swap
Sunday, July 13
12pm-4pm
Location: industREALarts room
Admission: $5

The swap starts at noon, but feel free to arrive any time after 11:30am to drop off your clothes.

As usual, you'll get a ticket for each good quality item you bring (max. 30 tickets). Each ticket can then be redeemed for a new swap find. There will also be on-site alterations, and DIY ideas on display.

Check out the facebook event for updates.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Toronto Swap Events This Week: March 24-30, 2014



March 30
7th Annual Longboard Swap Meet
12pm-4pm
880 Millwood Rd
The annual skateboard swap meet draws 400+ skaters. This year's event takes place at the Roarockit Skateboard Company's professional deck building school. There will be free giveaways, bbq and new and used gear to swap.

12pm-4pm
Lawrence Heights Community Centre, 5 Replin Road
Swap your seeds with other gardeners (or learn how to do it for next year), learn new gardening tips at free workshops, and enjoy some treats at this event, which also features a children's area, for those with kids in tow.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Sunday Links

 Some tips to up your thrifting game


and some useful advice for reluctant online shoppers


For those who do shop online,  this plug-in that makes it a bit easier to shop ethically is a pretty cool idea.

If you want to reflect on the absurdity of over-priced designer garments, this is an interesting video

Friday, March 21, 2014

Review: Walmer Centre $2 Sale


  

The Basics:
Not a swap per se, but depending on how much stuff you find, it can be just as cheap. Admission to this monthly shopping event is free, and each item costs $2.

Pros:
Convenient location. It's just up the street from Spadina subway station.

Most sizes seem fairly well represented, from XS - XXL.

Cons:
The clothing is Dress your Best cast-offs, so keep an eye out for stains, tears, and other signs of wear.

There are no change rooms and few mirrors, so dress appropriately (layers!), and be prepared to stake out a corner of the room to try on your finds.

An awesome snap-front cord skirt for these last days of cold, and a cute peplum blouse for when it starts to warm up

Good for:
Work-wear. As mentioned, the clothing came from Dress your Best (a charity providing work clothes for those in need), so there are a LOT of blazers, pencil skirts, dress slacks and the like. 

High-end labels. I was surprised to see lots of higher-end brands on offer, such as Ted Baker, agnes b. and Pink Tartan. I picked up a tan pleated Missoni skirt (which I later gave up to someone who loved it more than me) and a cute white alice + olivia blouse.

Vintage. The 80s are alive and well at this sale. So. Many. Shoulder pads. There generally isn't much pre-70's stuff, but if you're into the Working Girl look, you'll be in heaven.
Excited to incorporate my new raffia clutch and oversized blazer into my wardrobe (less sure about the taupe floral skort)!



Bad for:
People looking for an easy, convenient shopping experience. Clothing was piled high on tables. Men's clothing was on a separate table, but other than that, it was pretty chaotic.
 
Much like the average clothing swap, it's important to arrive early to get the best selection, but it's also at it's most hectic. 

If you're able to see the potential in clothes, you'll be rewarded, but if you're just looking for items you can wash and wear right away, you may be disappointed. Most of the garments I found were in need of minor repairs or alterations, so if you don't have the eye or patience your selection will be limited.

So many pencil skirts! So many blouses!

Brought:
Cash and shopping bags.

Left with:
24 items (!) One recommendation I would make is, if you go to this sale, bring a friend. With few mirrors, no change room, and a $2 price tag on everything, it's very easy to leave with too much stuff. Having someone to tell you "no, you do not need yet another romper you'll never wear" or "yes it's designer, and yes it's only $2, but it's still not flattering on you" and other important 'voice of reason' gems is a must.

That said, it's a very social group, so even if you go alone, you're bound to make some new friends.

Charity element:
Money is donated to Live to Give Relief.

Overall:
Such a great experience! I'll definitely return (although probably with a pragmatic friend, and a slightly more discerning eye). It happens the first Saturday of every month, and if you go - get there early!

Contact info@dressyourbest.ca to sign up for their email list or check our Events page for info on upcoming sales.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Toronto Swap Events This Week: March 17-23, 2014


March 19
ATC Swap & Potluck
6:30-9pm
Bizzy B's, 2100 Bloor St. W
This monthly event is a night of Artist Trading Card swapping and creation. The themes to choose from are Trader's Choice and Romance. Bring your own supplies to on other ATCs or other crafty projects. There will also be prize draws.

March 22
1pm-4pm
489 College Street Suite 508
Admission: $5 with clothes, $10 without
Drop off your unwanted clothes in advance, and get a ticket per bag. Bring your ticket to the swap, and fill up your bag with new-to-you clothes. All funds raised will be donated to the Outburst! Young Muslim Women Program field trip to the Allied Media Conference