A Quick Guide: Buying and Selling Online

Poshmark, Plato's Closet, and Instagram... yes, Instagram!

This Spring I really went through my closet and drawers looking to get rid of the old clothes I've been sitting on and didn't purge in the past years. I'm a terrible closet keeper in that many of the items I found still had tags on them. Being in new condition but not something I could envision wearing I began to search online for ways to sell clothes. Enter Poshmark.

Poshmark

Having been on Poshmark for a few months now I've sold one dress, and have learned a few tips along the way. The mos important is to be patient. Especially when you set up a new account it takes a while for you to get followers - the more followers you have the more likely your items will show up in other shoppers' news feeds. Get more followers by liking and sharing others' posts. Accept invitations to parties and share your items there. Poshmark has helpful tips too right in the app to help new sellers.

I not only sold a dress on Poshmark, but I've also bought a cute red swing dress for track season in Saratoga:

 
When your item comes you have to go back on the app and "accept" it -- a nice way for Poshmark to ensure buyers are getting real items and not knockoffs, or things that are in poorer condition than described by the seller.

Plato's Closet/Clothes Mentor

Since some of the items in my Posh closet have been sitting a while with little or no likes, and i am still looking to get more space in my closets, I thought I'd take a few items to Plato's Closet. I've never been before but I'm glad I went. I sold two dresses and a top for $20 cash on the spot. Now I have to change their status in my Posh closet since they are sold!

Next time I go, I will be calling ahead. Every day Plato's Closet updates what it needs in the store, or what it is looking to stock. I went in July and they were starting to buy items for fall, so I will have to go back. I didn't buy anything but there were some great Michael Kors bags for $75-$100 in great condition.

Instagram and Other Bloggers

I'm not sure how it happened but I am officially following tons of fashion bloggers on Instagram. The best part is when they also have an account for their closet, and post items they are selling at great prices. How those closet accounts work varies person to person but the ones I've been following seem to just have the first person who posts "sold" or emails them their PayPal address, the items get sold.

I recently purchased a bag I've been on the hunt for since it sold out in my store. It's the Phillip Lim for Target large tote -- I am in love with it. Especially because it was only $30! On Poshmark these are selling for over $60 in used condition, and for more if they are new:

I also found the coveted Zara blanket scarf last winter through a different blogger's closet who posted its picture on Instagram. Who knew Instagram would turn into a shopping tool - amazing marketing concept but not good for my wallet. I just can't pass up a good deal :)

Happy shopping and good luck to those of you looking to clean your closet for some cash!

The Smell of Success

Well, I made it through May! I cannot say it wasn't a challenge, but I did it! Kinda glad that long month is over, ha! However, it helped me realize I can make some smarter decisions about what I purchase and made me think twice about buying something. It made me realize what I really need to enhance my wardrobe if anything--instead of just buying what I want on whim--liking it one day, and tossing it aside the next!

While embargoed, I made it my mission to get some things done around home (with the help of my handy hubby no doubt!). One of those items I can cross of my list is my balcony! We moved into our condo later last Summer, and with a wedding right around that corner, the balcony lacked attention. We badly needed a grill, comfortable furniture, and plants! So, I'm trying my hand at a green thumb this Summer! I haven't been so successful in keeping my plants alive. I will let you know how that goes.

Here are some pictures of my small outdoor space decorating skills. Our condo bylaws prevent us from having anything hanging on the balcony railing, so that's where I lost some of where my creativity would come from. There is still some work to do, but we have been enjoying sitting outdoors in the evening for some fresh air. I hope these beautiful plants survive and we can taste and smell the fruits of our labor.

I also cannot wait until my outdoor rug arrives! Check it out HERE!

There is nothing like cooking with fresh herbs. Our cilantro, garlic chives, parsley and basil growing from seeds! 

I purchased these candle holders a couple of years ago from Pier One on sale. I didn't like the color of them--so I spray painted them ivory and lightly dusted gold on top of the ivory. They turned out perfect for our side table. I am also very obsessed with terrariums right now!

We enjoy spending warm Summer evenings on our balcony!

Shopping Embargo

Hi Everyone! I hope you are having wonderful weeks so far. Recently, I've been doing some reflecting on what I have been purchasing / shopping for over the past couple of months. And we aren't talking groceries or gas. We are talking C.A.S.: clothing, accessories, and shoes. Along with my ever-evolving style, I find a hard balance in between wanting to appear trendy and stylish, but at the same time investing in quality pieces that I will wear in more than one Instagram post (ha!). Now, I feel like I've come miles since even a couple of years ago, when I would make a trip to Pentagon City in Arlington the day of a party, girls night out, or happy hour and buy a hot dress (or three, just in case I couldn't decide) for the evening. And so the vicious cycle begins, wear it once and throw it in the closet to never be seen or appear in a picture again. Well, times have changed. And, rightfully, so have my priorities.

In order to get a grip on my habit of impulse-buying (thank you, Nordstrom.com for free shipping, AND returns), I decided to present myself with a challenge so I can start to make better choices: Could I go the entire month of May without making a C.A.S. purchase--not only online, but also in-store? So far, I've made it 13 very long days. I can't say I don't have some items stacked in my Nordstrom shopping cart, or I'm not eyeing a couple of items from my favorite online boutique, but I haven't bought a thing!

I am trying to think about what I would have purchased, and by now, what I don't even want anymore but would have bought. I know you may think this contradicts a lot of what I practice and preach. However, if you never set a goal, it can never be properly attained! I also feel if I have enough will power to overcome an entire month WITHOUT shopping, I should probably be hitting the gym 6 days a week to get into the shape I'd like to be in as well. Hopefully, I can apply this experience and challenge to multiple facets of my life. Hopefully this will inspire you to set a goal to attain! I can't say I don't have the shakes, but I know I can make it the rest of the month--including a trip to DC over Memorial Day, with a real life, brick-and-mortar Nordstrom to tempt me! Wish me luck.

Bathroom Bliss

I've always dreamed of a girly bathroom. Pinks and poofs, perfume, you name it -- all that is womanly! However, the husband gets in the way sometimes and, well, we just have to compromise! What's mine is your's, right? Ha!

We added a storage cabinet to our master bathroom for the extra storage space and to take up a corner of the bathroom that would be useless otherwise.

After the wedding I had extra candy jars from our candy bar. Why not reuse them instead of having them collecting dust? Now they are functional by holding my fingernail polish, make up samples and tampons! I added a mason jar to collect those pesky buttons that you never know you may use someday.

By adding some candle holders, and a basket for holding extra t.p. rolls, I feel like my bathroom has very functional, yet lady-like qualities, and isn't so feminine my husband thinks he will go in and come out smelling like aromatic body lotion.

My Inspiration: Oma Hess Knows Best

Time to get personal! If you know me at all, you may be very familiar that I'm very proud of my German heritage. A lot of that stems from growing up spending a lot of time with my Grandma, Augustine, a person I will always look up to and consider a courageous and admirable woman. While working in post-WWII Germany in Munich and Nuremburg beer halls, she raised 5 children on her own. Life did not come easy for her. My Grandma and Grandpa met while he was in the Army, and in 1955, they were married in Nuremburg. He swept her off her feet, and brought her and her children back to Iowa with him to live on the farm. 

My mom and I were going through boxes of vintage photographs that we obtained while moving Grandma out of her apartment, and into assisted living this Fall. What I found was amazing, and told me so much about her--and a lot about myself. I'm beginning to wonder that if my sense of thrifty fashion stems a bit from the hours spent digging through her closets and jewelry boxes as a child. Memories I will cherish forever, that shaped me into who I am today. With what little Grandma had, she always managed to appear happy and fabulous, despite her hardships. Please note the webbed-wedge platforms, and the mink coat! I hope she can be an inspiration for us all...