Thredup. Kids clothes swap website review.

I'm always on the lookout for ways to get my kids clothes for cheap.  They grow so fast they only wear them for a short while.  Why should I spend the same amount on clothes for me that I can wear for years as the clothes for them?  I signed up for the site off a referral link from a friend.  A few days later I got a shipment of boxes to fill.  I had no idea they were going to send boxes, it was a pleasant surprise.  It probably said in the fine print somewhere. 

The basics of the site.  You fill a box and someone buys it.  You get a credit that you can use on a different box.  Great recycling plan.  You pay $5 plus shipping which is $10.95 flat rate for the boxes they supplied, so $15.95 for a box.  Its free to send they boxes on the senders end since the buyer pays for it.  When you get a box you review it and give it a rating. 

Since it is a swap site there is a balance thing they have I have not discovered yet but read about.  Something to the point of buy as many as you sell to keep it even.  I have way more clothes then I need so I guess I will find out. 

I have just filled my first box.  I have not purchased on yet though.  I filled it up with clothes of the same size and gender and made a detailed description of them.  I also took a picture and put it up on flickr so that people could peek before they buy it. 

I got a referral link that said I could give my friends a $5 credit and get a $5 credit the first time they buy a box.  I'm not sure how that all works into the swap balance but I thought I would share it.  It can take your box down by $5.  http://www.thredup.com/270657  I also got an email after a week or so of signing up that offered me 30% off a box.  I don't yet know if these are able to be combined. 

I still have a lot to learn about this site but I am going to give it a try and let you know.  It may be a wonderful way to get my kids dressed at a discount.  It may be a waste of my time and money.  So far so good.  I will post part two as soon as my box is picked and rated. 

ThredUp

  XOXO Mist

Product Review: Cricut Paper Cutter

I know everything is going hi-tech these days but let's just say I'm cheap. I'll be honest. I buy a lot of things because I'm going to "make do" until I either break down and buy it or I decide to live without it.

I don't scrapbook very often, if at all and I don't generally do paper crafting and therefore do not own many gadgets to "make my life easier." When I made my baby gift box I needed something to cut with so I went to Joann's and bought this paper cutter.

It came with a blade attachment and a paper scorer and it was only ten dollars when I purchased it so I figured I'd give it a go. Since then I have used it many times and frankly, it sucks. The measurements are off and the ruler arm when extended makes the paper slightly crooked. I made a baby shower card and tried to use the scoring attachment only to have it scratch a hole through the paper. I couldn't even lay down the clear ruler arm to hold the paper in place because it put too much pressure on the paper when I used the scorer. I resorted to just going back to the store and buying an embossing pen and using a straight edge. About the only thing I have found this good for is letting my daughter use it when she wants to do school projects.

So really, if you need anything to be measured exact like I did when I made the gift box for my Sani-tie-zers, then don't buy this.

                                     

                                        Eve

Love my Bobble bottle.

The more the news talks about BPA being in our plastics the more I panic.  How do I quit using plastic? I am a water lover and always have a bottle with me.  That can be a costly way to do things.  I filter my water at home and store it in a BPA free container in my fridge.  Wouldn't it be nice to have the same system but purse sized? It is, and I love it!

Let me introduce you to my favorite way of drinking H2O.

It's the Bobble Bottle and it's a life saver.  A simple, clear, plastic BPA free bottle with a filter lid.  This carbon based filter removes taste and odor from my water which means I can order water at a restaurant and be able to drink it too.  The filters come in a variety of colors so your family can each have their own favorite.  You just need to switch the filters every two months and go again.  That is a lot of water bottles I don't need to buy, store, and throw away.  

My first bottle was $9.99 and the filters were $9.99 for a two pack at a local store.  You can get them in many stores or online at their website Water Bobble .  They also have different sizes now and that makes me excited!

The filter has a lid that snaps down to stop the flow of water and it works great.  I trust the lid in my purse to not leak on everything else and I keep a computer in there so I need to really know the bottle won't leak.  To drink from it, you hold it up and squeeze.  It was different at first to squeeze the bottle but I love it now.  There is no tipping up and pouring water into your mouth though.  It's great for exercising or just everyday life.  I do worry slightly about how long the bottle will last with all the squeezing to get a drink from it but so far I'm on my fifth month and it still looks and works like brand new.   I enjoy the water I drink and the bottles make it so easy. 

I'm loving the savings.   Ive managed to cut Diet Coke out of my life.  I don't buy case after case of bottled water.  I am also doing my health a favor buy getting the water I need in a BPA free way!

XOXO Mist