Seattle area clothing swap! 25th Sept., 10:30AM

[simplehome]

Time to clean out the closets again, and make room for new things for the littles!

Come on over to my place in Bellevue for a clothing swap----bring whatever you have that you're ready to get rid of that is kid or pregnancy-related. The condition doesn't matter----someone might want it for playclothes, even if it is stained or has a few holes. If you want, I can take the left-overs to charity or you can take them home with you.

It doesn't matter if you don't have much to contribute---the main goal is to give the clothing more life, hang out and get to know each other better. Also, feel free to come if you're pregnant and don't have ANYTHING to contribute. I'm sure there are a few folks who will have little baby stuff that needs a home.

Last time I took the leftovers to Eastside Baby Corner because it was convenient for me. I'm up for suggestions of other places as well.

Thursday, September 25th, 10:30AM. PM me for address and phone number!

ETA: The way we're running things is pretty low-key: bring what you have, take what you need, and if more than one person wants something just work it out. Feel free to take more than you came with----most people are bringing things they would otherwise donate or would be cluttering their house.

[darciedoodle]

I'm so excited. I've got some fall maternity stuff I'll bring along too! I'll PM for directions. Thanks for hosting!

[OMama]

Thanks for hosting, Sara!

I hope to be able to make it. DD does need to be in Kenmore at 11:40 AM for school so I don't think we'd be able to stay long, but hopefully for a little while. I've given away most of my girl stuff (I have four friends with girls younger/smaller than DD is!) but I do have some boy stuff. I have one friend with a baby boy that I have been giving most things to but I do have a few shirts and lots of pants in the 12 - 18 month range. And I am always in need of stuff for Finn. Looking for 24 months and up stuff now.

Sadly, (or not so sadly) all my maternity stuff has been passed on.

As for donations, I like to give stuff to the Children's Hospital Thrift Store in Bellevue. I like to donate to them because Finn is also a patient at Children's. And because you can just pull up back and don't have to get out. They've also been very nice when we've donated in the past.

[Vortexing]

We'll be there! Thanks for hosting - I've never been to Bellevue.

We'll be bringing some 18/24/2T stuff, mainly girlie or GN and looking for anything 3T (girl, boy, stained, whatever - we just need playclothes and DD is a messy little girl).

Meanwhile, I'll be wishing that I could take the newborn stuff off people's hands... maybe by the spring swap, who knows?

[simplehome]

Originally Posted by OMama

As for donations, I like to give stuff to the Children's Hospital Thrift Store in Bellevue. I like to donate to them because Finn is also a patient at Children's. And because you can just pull up back and don't have to get out. They've also been very nice when we've donated in the past.

I used to enjoy shopping there when Reid was little---I'll make that the donation location this time! Last time I also held a small bag of nicer things to bring back to the fall swap, so I'll do that this time, too. Mostly because those of us who came to the last swap worried we wouldn't have anything to offer at the next one! Luckily I have the little one who is growing so fast---I'll be able to offer her things. Hopefully someone who is pregnant or has a smaller baby will be able to come!

ETA: I say "when Reid was little" because it isn't the most kid-friendly store. But the people who work there were always so nice, and they have nicer things than many of the area thrift stores.

[simplehome]

Originally Posted by OMama

Thanks for hosting, Sara!

I hope to be able to make it. DD does need to be in Kenmore at 11:40 AM for school so I don't think we'd be able to stay long, but hopefully for a little while. I've given away most of my girl stuff (I have four friends with girls younger/smaller than DD is!) but I do have some boy stuff. I have one friend with a baby boy that I have been giving most things to but I do have a few shirts and lots of pants in the 12 - 18 month range. And I am always in need of stuff for Finn. Looking for 24 months and up stuff now.

Feel free to come early, if it will make things easier for the kiddos. I know sometimes it is so hard for them to leave somewhere after having just arrived! I'll PM you with directions.

[simplehome]

Originally Posted by BambooMama

I've never been to Bellevue.

Well, I live so close to the highway that you'll still feel as if you haven't been to Bellevue.

But I'll be happy to see you!

[Sometime]

Wish we could make it, because it sounds like some of you have exactly what we need, but we have a class starting that morning...maybe next time!

[MarchMummy]

I've put in my request with DH to have the car that day.

Hopefully this will give me the motivation to finish sorting baby clothes...

[darciedoodle]

I've got a big bag set aside for the swap already! I'm on the fence about bringing the purple snow pants, can't the boy wear those next year? I'm thinking if I do swap them, I'll just be wanting them back and they may still fit Lily... It feels really good to go through all this stuff!:

[Vortexing]

You know, I could really use some help while we're there with figuring out what we'll even need this winter. (I'm guessing I'm not the only one too, since there are a few newbies to the area who lived in colder climates previously).

Anyway, I used to get ready for a frostbite battle every Sept, but now what do I do? Is the snow suit around here mainly to keep them dry? Is there really snow? Do you just layer, or buy a real winter coat?

See, I just have so many questions - hopefully someone will guide me. Can't wait for the swappage to begin!

[Alathia]

oh, we plan on being there as well! I have a ton of maternity stuff, plus newborn and 0-3 month stuff (mostly boy and gender neutral) to give away, and some L women's stuff too. I was going to haul it to goodwill but this seems better. thanks so much for hosting! i'll PM you for directions

[buglette]

Oh, I have been away from MDC for awhile, but I'd love to get in on this, if that is okay. I have a TON of baby girl stuff to bring and could use some maternity clothes : I will pm for directions.

[simplehome]

Yay for new people coming!!

Okay---so far I have:

Me
Alathia
Vortexing
darciedoodle
MarchMummy--?
Omama--maybe

Does anyone else need directions? PM me if you do. I hope you don't mind, but I also invited people from an Eastside AP group I belong to. I figure the more stuff to swap, the more likely it is that we'll all find something that we need.

[darciedoodle]

I'm going to mention it to a friend who is pregnant. The small stuff is pretty abundant!

To answer Amy, lawyering works here in the winter. It snows rarely, we had a vest and snow pants for Lily with a rain coat over the top and a sweater underneath for playing in the snow. And then the vest and raincoat would work on non snowy "normal" days. It's not like the midwest at all. You will rarely use winter gear here unless you go to the mountains all the time. Actually, a sweater and rain coat can work on alot of the Seattle normal winter days. Unless global warming changes that all!

Oooh, I need to go though the winter gear in the closet, I have a couple hats that I know are too small for Lily and way too pink for the baby.

[kylesmama]

thank you Sara for pm ing me about this as I would love to come & should be able to. We've been awfully busy with oot house guests for the past month & a half so haven't been checking in here...

does anyone have boy 4/4T clothes? I just realized during our rainy cool week we had earlier that I don't have any pants for my ds!! Usually I am ahead of the game but don't have any hand me downs for him! yikes!! I think he might be the biggest of the group...not sure...

Amy, I am interested in looking at your stash as we're right behind you in sizes

I will bring a plethora of stuff...not sure what...I have to go thru the piles in the closet...:

[simplehome]

Glad you can make it! I'll PM you my address.

[MarchMummy]

Originally Posted by simplehome

Yay for new people coming!!

Okay---so far I have:

Me
Alathia
Vortexing
darciedoodle
MarchMummy--?
Omama--maybe

Does anyone else need directions? PM me if you do. I hope you don't mind, but I also invited people from an Eastside AP group I belong to. I figure the more stuff to swap, the more likely it is that we'll all find something that we need.

Yes, planning to come! I will PM you for directions right now.

[Vortexing]

I'm considering bringing my pile of non-maternity mama clothes that I'm not wearing anymore for whatever reason. I don't have tons of kid stuff to bring (though more than last time), but I could contribute my own stuff.

What I'm wondering is if that would just be too much stuff? Perhaps this time we should find some open space and put each of our stuff in piles then we can work our way around the piles. Last time I couldn't remember what I'd gone through and what I hadn't.

[lisalulu]

90% sure we are coming! Our dishwasher is having issues and dh is making an appt for them to come look at it-tues and thurs are the only good days for us. Hoping it won't actually take them that long to get out here though.

I also have non maternity clothes too that I could bring as well. I would rather swap them/give them to someone first. I'm having a really hard time parting with them even though they don't fit me