Wednesday, October 29, 2008

two new blogs

for the past two years, i've tried to keep this blog as focused as possible on clothing, shopping, and design. i've decided to start two other blogs, one which is devoted to the baby, and the second which will be a space for giving away neglected clothing and shoes.

blog no. 1, future*perfect will be open to invited readers only. i don't feel like inundating everyone with pregnancy and baby related news (some people find it boring, sometimes it bores me, too), and considering i am pretty easy to find online if you're one of my students or on a job search/fellowship committee (yikes!), it's probably better for me to know who is reading it. email me if you'd like to be included. hopefully this doesn't come off sounding exclusionary. obviously you don't have to know me in real life before i let you look at endless photos of the baby or pregnant me, i just don't want completely random people to have access to personal stuff.

blog no. 2--still working on a name--will be open to everyone who is interested in giving away or swapping clothing and accessories online. my only rule is that if you'd like to participate, all you can request for compensation is a small amount to cover shipping and handling ($5-25ish), plus a nominal amount if it's something that was ridiculously expensive. if you would like to post several items over time, i can add you as a team member so i don't have to spend too much time uploading your photographs and descriptions. anyone else can email me their postings, but obviously my life will be a lot easier if i don't have to become the sole site adminstrator. it should hopefully work on its own, more or less.

i don't think there will ever be an easy solution to online swaps, so i'm going to encourage members to do random giveaways instead. if you want to do a swap, that's up to you. it's a pretty simple thing, no? if you're a recipient, it's always nice to offer up something as a giveaway or swap in return. obviously, everything should be gently worn and in wearable/usable condition. it's a place for people to give away neglected but lovely things that deserve better than the goodwill racks but can't be sold for whatever reason on ebay (plus i hate ebay's fees and rules). it should be like a craigslist, but based on trust and not really for profit or self-promotion. if you're new to the blog, be sure to introduce yourself so we don't feel like we're giving things away to total strangers who may turn around and sell it.

i love buying clothes, and i probably spend too much time and money on it. i started this blog hoping to curtail my spending habits--obviously it hasn't been successful! it has, however, taught me to be more careful about what i buy. being able to give away some things is another way of reminding myself both to be cautious about future purchases and to be happy that someone else is going to enjoy something that didn't work out for me. i suspect that others are in the same boat as me, so maybe we can use this new blog to do justice to our unworn or neglected sweaters, necklaces, bags, and boots.

hopefully i'll have the site up and running in the next few weeks, maybe after the election madness blows over. email me if you're interested in being a team member.

20 comments:

Moya said...

I'm interested in both, Erica. I'll email you when I get out of this 9 hour teaching day. I could fall asleep right now--and one more three hour class to teach.

erica said...

oy, good luck with the marathon teaching! i'm about to fall over, and all i've had to do is work on a presentation.

Moya said...

But you are pregnant so you have a reason! I just have loaded my teaching up so I can write and, alas, today my students lack energy and I am just tired. Midterms do it to us all I guess!

jess said...

i am definitely interested in the clothing swap blog. my name is jess and i recently stumbled upon your blog.

thanks!

jessmeller@gmail.com

leanne said...

Hi Erica - I'd love to be included in your clothing blog - and the baby/pregnancy blog as well (as long as you don't think it is strange since we have never met). I'm just going to keep my fingers crossed through the election madness!

erica said...

leanne- if you send me your email address, i can invite you to both of the blogs. the clothing blog will go up in the next few weeks, but i'll start posting on the other one now.

d.goligorsky said...

Erica! Keep me posted on the wee one!

Claire said...

I just gave away a shirt and some trousers to a friend last night - but I'm sure I'll have more to give away. It's true, it feels so much better to give it to someone you like than all the hassle of ebay just to get a few $$$s. x

erica said...

david, i owe you a call! i'm going to blame the baby.....



i agree, ebay can be SUCH a hassle when after all that work and anticipation, you only make $10-20 after ebay takes its cut. after this conference next weekend i'll go through my closet and start sorting out the goodwill v. blog piles.

sk said...

I love the clothing swap idea! I am totally down for participating-- I have a few things I'd love to find homes for. I'll look forward to the blog opening! Thanks!

AM said...

Wonderful idea. I'm too lazy for ebay. And, anyway, I'm just going to spend whatever I get on more clothes! And I'm willing to bet most of your readers have some great stuff.

I'm a longtime reader and infrequent commenter (see: lazy, above). You're in my "transplanted Californians now living on the East Coast" favorites folder (I'm SoCal born and bred now living in miserable DC). Great blog!

evencleveland said...

yay!

i am so excited about both of these i can hardly stand it.

official email requests will follow ; )

erica said...

i agree, ebay requires way too much effort sometimes.

also, this clothing blog should also be a forum for people to swap things that are unwearable but could be refashioned into something interesting.

Kristien said...

Erica, I'd love to be part of your clothing blog! I try to clean out my closet every six months or so and usually end up giving away several bags of clothes, but I would love to set aside some of my more loved but not so often worn clothes for a swap. I've been reading your blog for about a year now and really have enjoyed being introduced to all of these lines I had never heard of. Not so easy on the wallet, but great fun! :-)

Janette Crawford said...

LOVE the clothing swap concept! Can't wait to see how you'll pull it off. I'll definitely stay tuned.

Unknown said...

Hi Erica,

I'm delurking for the first time -- I discovered your blog and many others this summer, and I've had fun avoiding my writing by reading about fashion. Your clothing swap sounds great. I love great finds at second clothing stores and handmedowns and I also like passing on my stuff.

Stephanie

SASHA said...

would definitely be interested in both blogs. have much to sort through in an unavoidable-yet-avoided stagnant pile in my closet, and would love to see photos of your 9 mo. progression (and how your pregnancy influences what you wear, i have some ideas for belly-accomodating clothing i want to try out) even though we've never actually met!/ email: waterandwool@gmail.com

Jeanette said...

Erica,

I am interested in your baby blog, even though we've never met, I am about the same age as you are and we share the same star sign, I've always loved your clothing blog,would love to be included and share your journey!

erica said...

jeanette-

if you send me your email address (spinningjennie47@gmail.com), i can add you to both.

Jeanette said...

Hi Erica,

My email is jeanette.ye@gmail.com

Thanks