Factual Friday

Did you know?

If just 25% of U.S. families used 10 fewer plastic bags a month, we would save over 2.5 BILLION bags a year

Do your 1thing this holiday season

The holiday season is upon us, and while you’re probably thinking about giving wonderful gifts for the special people in your life, there’s almost no better time of year to consider the environment with every gift you give.

With that in mind, [1THING] proudly presents some tips for green holiday gift giving.

1. Not more clothes! Remember when you were young and your parents would wrap school clothing as gifts for you? Remember how you hated that? You didn’t want more clothing – you wanted toys and fun stuff. Well, chances are, you still don’t really need more clothing, and the people on your gift list don’t either. So, scrap the clothing idea and give something else. Consider instead giving tickets to a play, symphony, or other cultural performance that your special someone truly will appreciate.

2. Donate. Does someone on your list love dogs? Why not give a donation to an organization that not only loves dogs, but protects and rehabilitates them. Consider donating to the Oregon Humane Society, or another of the American Kennel Club’s dog rescue organizations.

3. Good Food Is Always Appreciated. Instead of a tired old gift of slippers or some other needless object, why not give someone a gift certificate to one of the Portland area’s fabulous restaurants? Many great restaurants sell gift certificates at half-price – meaning you can pick up $50 worth of restaurant credit for just $25 – and our favorite site for these half-price deals is Portland Perks. Check it out and you’ll be giving that foodie something they really crave, as well as saving some green.

4. Give A Tree. Trees improve our lives in countless ways, from creating more comfortable surroundings to adding value to our homes. Friends Of Trees is a local organization whose mission is to bring people in the Portland-Vancouver metro area together to plant and care for city trees and green spaces. Their Neighborhood Trees program enables homeowners to buy discounted trees to plant with their neighbors at weekend plantings.

5. Give A Championship. The Oregon Ducks have just earned a shot at the BCS National Championship. And like [1THING], the Ducks are green too. So, why not give your Ducks fan a championship experience? We’re not talking about sending them to the game; how about giving the commemorative 2010 Oregon Football DVD that recaps their just-completed amazing season? Word is the UO Athletic Department is releasing this commemorative DVD on December 13, just in time for the holidays.

Want more green gift ideas? Visit www.1ThingPDX.com!

End of Summer Read

NO MORE DIRTY LOOKS: The Truth About Your Beauty Products and the Ultimate Guide to Safe and Clean Cosmetic is an exciting new book from journalists Siobhan O’Connor and Alexandra Spunt.

Your lipstick. Your nail polish. Your conditioner. Most of us don’t realize that the products we use every day can expose us to thousands of chemicals that are readily absorbed through our skin. The impact on your health? It’s not pretty. In this must-read new book, Siobhan O’Connor and Alexandra Spunt leave no bottle unturned. They found out all kinds of things the cosmetics industry doesn’t want you to know, and now they’re going to share it with you.

• The most dangerous ingredients in widely-used brands— and how they’re still not regulated
• Insider secrets from top scientists, dermatologists, and experts
• The 100 best clean makeup, hair care, and skin care products
• Cheap and simple do-it-yourself beauty recipes

It’s easy to make the switch to clean cosmetics. From mascara to moisturizers, shampoos to sunscreens, No More Dirty Looks will help you detox your regimen. Now you can be beautiful inside and out—because coming clean is the best look yet.

The Pledge

I found an amazing website/blog: http://wardroberefashion.net/ I'M TAKING THE PLEDGE! Join me!


The Pledge

I __Keri A. Harker__ pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 6 months. I pledge that i shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoted, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings!

Signed__KERI_.

The Rules

1.
No buying new! (handmade is excepted; So this allows for Etsy purchases etc!!) All clothing must be Recycled, Renovated, Preloved or Thrifted, or Handmade only for the term. Employment related and special needs clothing (ie sports, school), shoes and undies are excepted from the rules, although you are encouraged to have a go at making these.
2.
In extreme circumstances, maybe a special event, or the worlds greatest and most amazing never to be repeated sale that you simply can not pass up, you may use the Get out of Refashionista Jail Free card. You are able to use this card once during the 2 month part of your contract; ie 1 for 2 months, 2 for 4 months etc. Of course you need to fess up on the blog and display the button!
3.
You must post on the blog at least once a week to let the community know what you've been up to. This will not only give you brag points, but inspire and encorouge others! Of course you need to display the button on your blog and have copied the pledge in at least one post, and provide a link to your pledge under the button.
4.
You need to be honest and admit when you've fallen off the Refashionista Wagon! Go directly to Refashionista Jail, do not pass GO and do not collect $200! Apply for parole once there.

And away we go!

xoxo Keri

Shop Smart for Vintage Clothes

Shop Smart for Vintage Clothes

Tip of the Week:

Back to school shopping can be expensive, here's a quick tip to help you along the way!

Check resale shops and your friends’ closets! Several high-end resale shops have opened in the past few years, offering good deals on children’s clothing. Remember that kids grow quickly, particularly younger ones. Checking a children’s resale shop or even swapping clothes with friends who have younger or older children can result in a fresh wardrobe at a fraction of the price.

Happy Shopping,
Keri

Factual Friday

When you make a purchase at a consignment or thrift store, you avoid both the disposal of that item as well as the resources needed to produce any new item you would have otherwise purchased. Nearly two quadrillion (REALLY??) pounds of used clothing is thrown away each year, often in very good condition, which works out to nearly 67 pounds per person.

You can save significant amounts of money at thrift and consignment stores, especially for high-end brands.

Saving $ + saving the planet= HAPPINESS

:) Keri

21 things you should buy used

If you’re looking to get the most value for your dollar, it would do your wallet good to check out secondhand options. Many used goods still have plenty of life left in them even years after the original purchase, and they’re usually resold at a fraction of the retail price.

Here’s a list of 21 things that make for a better deal when you buy them used:


1. DVDs and CDs: Used DVDs and CDs will play like new if they were well taken care of. Even if you wind up with a scratched disc and you don’t want to bother with a return, there are ways to remove the scratches and make the DVD or CD playable again.

2. Books: You can buy used books at significant discounts from online sellers and brick-and-mortar used book stores. The condition of the books may vary, but they usually range from good to like-new. And of course, check out your local library for free reading material.

3. Video Games: Kids get tired of video games rather quickly. You can easily find used video games from online sellers at sites like Amazon and eBay a few months after the release date. Most video game store outlets will feature a used game shelf, as well. And if you’re not the patient type, you can rent or borrow from a friend first to see if it’s worth the purchase.

4. Special Occasion and Holiday Clothing: Sometimes you’ll need to buy formal clothing for special occasions, such as weddings or prom. Most people will take good care of formal clothing but will only wear it once or twice. Their closet castouts are your savings: Thrift stores, yard sales, online sellers and even some dress shops offer fantastic buys on used formalwear.

5. Jewelry: Depreciation hits hard when you try to sell used jewelry, but as a buyer you can take advantage of the markdown to save a bundle. This is especially true for diamonds, which has ridiculously low resale value. Check out estate sales and reputable pawn shops to find great deals on unique pieces. Even if you decide to resell the jewelry later, the depreciation won’t hurt as much.

6. Ikea Furniture: Why bother assembling your own when you can pick it up for free (or nearly free) on Craigslist and Freecycle? Summer is the best time to hunt for Ikea furniture—that's when college students are changing apartments and tossing out their goodies.

7. Games and Toys: How long do games and toys remain your child's favorite before they’re left forgotten under the bed or in the closet? You can find used children’s toys in great condition at moving sales or on Craigslist, or you can ask your neighbors, friends, and family to trade used toys. Just make sure to give them a good wash before letting junior play.

8. Maternity and Baby Clothes: Compared to everyday outfits that you can wear any time, maternity clothes don’t get much wear outside the few months of pregnancy when they fit. The same goes for baby clothes that are quickly outgrown. You’ll save a small fortune by purchasing gently used maternity clothes and baby clothes at yard sales and thrift stores. Like children’s games and toys, friends and family may have baby or maternity clothing that they’ll be happy to let you take off their hands.


9. Musical Instruments: Purchasing new musical instruments for a beginner musician is rarely a good idea. (Are you ready to pay $60 an hour for piano lessons?) For your little dear who wants to learn to play an instrument, you should see how long his or her interest lasts by acquiring a rented or used instrument to practice with first. Unless you’re a professional musician or your junior prodigy is seriously committed to music, a brand new instrument may not be the best investment.

10. Pets: If you buy a puppy (or kitty) from a professional breeder or a pet store outlet, it can set you back anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. On top of this, you’ll need to anticipate additional fees and vet bills, too. Instead, adopt a pre-owned pet from your local animal shelter and get a new family member, fees, and vaccines at a substantially lower cost.

11. Home Accent: Pieces Home decorating pieces and artwork are rarely handled on a day-to-day basis, so they’re generally still in good condition even after being resold multiple times. If you like the worn-out look of some décor pieces, you can be sure you didn’t pay extra for something that comes naturally with time. And don't forget, for most of us, discovering a true gem at a garage sale is 90% of the fun!

12. Craft Supplies: If you’re into crafting, you probably have a variety of different supplies left over from prior projects. If you require some additional supplies for your upcoming project, then you can join a craft swap where you’ll find other crafty people to trade supplies with. If you have leftovers, be sure to donate them to your local schools.

13. Houses: You’re typically able to get better and more features for your dollar when you purchase an older home rather than building new. Older houses were often constructed on bigger corner lots, and you also get architectural variety in your neighborhood if the houses were built or remodeled in different eras.

14. Office Furniture: Good office furniture is built to withstand heavy use and handling. Really solid pieces will last a lifetime, long after they’re resold the first or second time. A great used desk or file cabinet will work as well as (or better than) a new one, but for a fraction of the cost. With the recession shutting down so many businesses, you can easily find lots of great office furniture deals.

15. Cars: You’ve probably heard this before: Cars depreciate the second you drive them off of the dealership's lot. In buying a used car, you save money on both the initial cost and the insurance. It also helps to know a trusty mechanic who can check it over first. This way, you’ll be aware of any potential problems before you make the purchase.



16. Hand Tools: Simple tools with few moving parts, like hammers, hoes and wrenches, will keep for decades so long as they are well-made to begin with and are well-maintained. These are fairly easy to find at neighborhood yard or garage sales. If you don’t need to use hand tools very often, an even better deal is to rent a set of tools or borrow them from a friend.

17. Sports Equipment: Most people buy sports equipment planning to use it until it drops, but this rarely happens. So when sports equipment ends up on the resale market, they tend to still be in excellent condition. Look into buying used sporting gear through Craigslist and at yard sales or sports equipment stores.

18. Consumer Electronics: I know most folks like shiny new toys, but refurbished electronic goods are a much sweeter deal. Consumer electronics are returned to the manufacturer for different reasons, but generally, they’ll be inspected for damaged parts, fixed, tested, then resold at a lower price. Just make sure you get a good warranty along with your purchase.

19. Gardening Supplies: This is an easy way for you to save money, and all you need to do is be observant. Take a look outdoors and you’ll likely find such gardening supplies as mulch, wood, and even stones for free or vastly reduced prices. Used garden equipment and tools are also common goods at yard sales.

20. Timeshares: Buying timeshares isn’t for everyone, but if you decide that it suits your lifestyle, purchasing the property as a resale would be a better deal than buying it brand new: on average, you’ll save 67 percent on the price for a comparable new timeshare. If you’re new to timeshare ownership, give it a test run first by renting short term.

21. Recreational Items: It’s fairly easy to find high ticket recreational items like campers, boats, and jet skis being resold. Oftentimes, they’re barely used at all. As long as they’re in safe, working condition, they’ll make for a better value when purchased used than new.

Don't stop at 21! There are opportunities everywhere to purchase items already in circulation. Just because it's new DOESN'T mean its better.

xoxo,

Keri

You have to start somewhere

I have a dream. Somewhere out there, is a little brick retail space in a line of other quaint shops and businesses. Lonely, empty, waiting for me. I find it, and fill it with beautiful pre-owned fashions at an incredible price, and decorate the store a la Keri! Everything is recycled...the clothes, decor, and the fixtures. I can finally let my hair form dreadlocks and get that nose ring i've always wanted- It's my store!

Everything starts somewhere. This is my somewhere. Wish me luck!

Keri