Exchange Your Ways is two days away!

If the bags of clothing and shoes stacked up in my bedroom are any indication, the swap on Saturday is going to be a pretty great celebration of the first-ever National Swap Day.

If you already have your tickets, here are a few reminders about how to get the most out of the swap:

-Nana's new location doesn't have fitting rooms built yet. It may behoove you to dress in layers (with leggings and a t-shirt at the most inner layer) so you can try things on in the middle of the store.

-It's every swapper for herself this time around, which means....no coat rack. We understand that bulky winter gear is expected, so here's a potential solution: You're bringing a big reuseable bag anyway to be able to cart off your swap haul, right? Once you get into the store, cram your bag and coat into that bag and try not to whack anyone with it.

-All the leftovers will be picked up by Goodwill of Greater Washington. If you have additional bags of clothing, shoes or accessories that aren't particularly swap-worthy, feel free to bring them and we'll stick 'em in our donation bins for Goodwill.

-If you have a question during the swap, look for a volunteer wearing an orange tag. They're on hand to help!

-Remember to fuel up! There's a great selection of food and drink in the Mt. Pleasant/Columbia Heights area, so make plans to grab lunch between drop-off and swappage. New Columbia Heights has a reader-developed map of Columbia Heights eateries that's worth a peek. On the west side of 16th St., QL recommends the following locations:

-Dos Gringos (Coffee for a buck all day! Just ask for it!)
-Haydee's (We'll have coupons for each and every one of you)
-Tonic (Brunch!)
-Ercilia's (Pupusas!)
-Mayflower (Fortune cookies!)

Okay that's all I got. If you want to recommend any other eateries, coffee shops, or places you can drink before noon, leave 'em in the comments.

See you Saturday! :)

♥

Field Trip: Tari

1525 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington DC 20007
202-621-7500


Tari snuck into Georgetown this fall, and if you ask owner Sara Mokhtari, the store isn't quite ready for its grand opening. Oh sure, you can come in and shop, but the speakers haven't been installed, and there are holes in the ceiling where vents will go. When she dashes into the back of the shop to look for something, it sounds like an avalanche of boxes. But it's just an organization system coming to fruition. Slowly.


And then there's the matter of a sign. Tari has a beautiful, multi-paned window at the front of the store. Sara's mother likes the old-fashioned window, and I agree with her. But due to Georgetown's strict business regulations, a window sign seems to be the only option. And you can't spell T A R I out across four window panes unless you want it to look like S A L E. 


But, it will come together.


For now, the clothing speaks for itself in this consignment boutique. During my visit in late December, a regular customer walked out with a Diane von Furstenberg dress—tags still on—and a pair of YSL heels for about $400. Out of my personal budget? Just a bit. But a veritable steal for the seasoned shopper.


Mokhtari has a background in interior design that comes out in full force as she darts around the shop, arranging items and setting them just-so. The regulars bring in their items to consign, but Tari also has connections in the New York and LA fashion scenes that provide much of the tags-on designs.


Menswear is a focus at Tari, with affordable prices on men's suits, tuxes, and casual clothing. Mokhtari is working on plans to expand the shop onto the building's second floor, which means.....entire men's section. If I were a dude, I'd find this very exciting. (Still, as a lady, it's pretty cool.)

The photos can say more than I can, so check 'em out after the jump.

The Find: Thanks to Goodwill for this lovely coat

Please ignore my serious face, I was trying to look not-excited about my outfit.

The Look: Get away, snow...I'm Paddington Bear.

Label: Gap

Location: Goodwill Travelin' Trunk Show at Caramel ($10! $10! $10!)

Likewise: I don't care, wear anything if it'll keep you warm out there.

♥

Rock it Again showing signs of life on U St.

They weren't open when I passed by on Friday night around 7, but it looks pretty convincing that Rock it Again is open for business for realsies.

Go go go go go!

♥

Press club: Get ready to swap!

Thanks to the following blogs and publications for highlighting the Exchange Your Ways swap happening next Saturday. This long weekend is your best chance to clean out your closet, put a bag or two aside, and get ready to swap!

If you're still on the fence, catch up with these bits and pieces:

True to Style 
DC Goodwill Fashionista
NBC Washington

Also note: I am holding in my spindly piano-playing fingers, gift certificates for Haydee's restaurant, a stone's throw from the swap location. They'll be given out to the first bunch of ladies who drop off their clothes at 11 a.m. Lunch on us! Well, at least a part of your lunch.

♥

Great success in alterations

Sometime in the fall, I bought this jumper from my favorite Etsy seller, Tialey Vintage.

Very cute, but looks a little big, right? So I did some alterations thanks to my handy sewing machine and my more handy sewing lessons, and turned it into this fine number:

I took an inch or two from the sides and shortened the hem and I'm good to go. HOORAY sewing skills.

♥

Breaking news: Eastern Market's Rock It Again coming to U Street

Vintage clothiers Clint and Aviyah of Rock It Again are coming to U Street with a planned soft opening this weekend. They're taking over Nana's spot at 1528 U St. above Millenium. Aviyah explained that Clint has been focusing on men's vintage for four years at Eastern Market, adding some women's vintage last year when Aviyah joined him.

The couple focuses on looks from the 50s through the 70s in America and in Europe, with some older pieces in the mix from time to time. Timeless pieces will be featured, ranging from high-end fashion to vintage you could wear every day without looking costumey. Men, you must visit this space when it opens. You have not been forgotten.

If you're in the area this weekend, stop by to see if Rock it Again has opened its doors, and welcome Clint and Aviyah to the neighborhood.

♥

Monday shopping announcement

One item of note as you ponder your supply of toilet paper and milk in preparation for tomorrow's flurries.

Ginger Root Design is offering abridged hours for the winter in order to satisfy demand for their tailoring services, original designs, and sewing classes. Hours will be as follows:

Monday:  Closed
Tuesday:  Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday:  12-7
Friday:  12-7
Saturday:  12-7
Sunday:  1-6

So don't go shopping today! Or tomorrow, or Wednesday. Use these days to work on your personal projects. And on Thursday, pop by the store to see what the gingers have been working on.

Winter coats half-off at Treasury

Word on the e-mail subscription street is that Treasury is having a sale this weekend: 30 percent off everything but jewelry. It gets better: every single coat is half-off through the end of the month. It's certainly worth a look.

When you're done thinking about winter wear, check out Pantone's "official" color for 2011: Honeysuckle. The Goodwill Fashionista has some examples of where you can already find this shade, which could also be called "magenta," "light fuschia," or my personal favorite, "pink."

Whatever you call it, this color is not hideous in my book. I just don't think I can wear it. Perhaps shoes and accessories for us pinkish pale ladies.

♥

Field Trip: Hella Tuff

Way back in 2010, I stopped by the Hella Tuff super-secret shop operated out of a Columbia Heights basement. We could say many things about the legality of this setup, but after visiting I see it this way: Private pop-up shop with limited hours. Yes, it's open to the public, but unless you have your finger on the pulse of vintage shopping, this place flies totally under the radar.

Jessica Dye is a vintage lover who seems to collect out of pure fondness for fine older things. I couldn't find anything that fit me when I stopped by, but everything was priced reasonably with women's separates starting at about $10. This basement is about fun, individual pieces, not about idolizing famous brands.

Pictures! We have some. You can find Hella Tuff on Facebook.