Swap Talk

Spring Cleaning!

swaphandbags — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 01:25:04 +0000

Spring is our favorite time of year – it signals new beginnings: fresh fashion, palettes & new trends. I enjoy the “purge” of my closet each year, because I know that cleaning out the old, makes more room for the NEW! And, that of course, means shopping!

It’s time to clean the closet out at Swap. We have just under 50 bags that we will mark down to liquidation pricing & will be available Saturday, March 26 from 12-4 PM at monarch boutique located at 1222 East Blvd in Charlotte. For our out of town shoppers, the remaining bags will be featured on our site at www.swaphandbags.com until March 31 at the liquidation pricing.

The deals are A-mazing. Burberry Diaper bag for $300 (retails at $545), Gucci Indy for $429 (retails at $1800), the Bodhi Harmony Envelope for $260 (retails at $580). The labels range from du jour to couture, Hype to YSL and Dior to Linea Pelle & Bodhi. Some of the bags have been previously rented & therefore the discounts are deep & oh so affordable!

It’s time to “swap” out your old & usher in a new handbag for Spring!

Junk In The Trunk - Inventory Liquidation Sale!

Gucci Goo?

swaphandbags — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 01:42:50 +0000

A chronic lover of all things fashion, glitz & glamour, I’ve recently ran into a hitch – how do you carry or should I say “marry” your beloved Gucci with your child’s sippy cup? Throughout pregnancy I claimed that being pregnant was not a time to start getting “frumpy” as my dear friend, Kristen reminded me just the other day. As well, I (like many other of my mom friends) have firmly declared that we will never break down, despite the practicality & function, and get a minivan (Mary Jo – I just read your blog today & was fist pumping & “uh-huh-ing” all the way through the post!) What it is, is not that I think I am better than anyone else, or that by having a minivan, having a frumpy day (or even a day that you barely make it out of your sweat pants) is a bad thing at all – it’s my own struggle with keeping my own identity & blending that with my much loved role as a mom.

In the industry that I am in, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to carry around the hideous bag I formerly did, which I treasured & adored, but even my husband called me out saying, “I can’t believe you would carry that around in public - it’s orange with strings hanging off the seams & looks like the car ran over it…” While I liked to use the words “a rich, weathered patina” I think I could probably agree that it really was just a bad, faded orange – but it didn’t matter if milk, baby wipes or an entire bowl of cereal (yes, I said bowl) landed in the bottom of it! Long story short, I had to retire the ole girl. We had a good ride.

But I can hardly justify the thought of putting a sippy up or any of the other, um, “interesting” things that sometimes need to be quickly stashed away in your bag on a daily basis into the beautiful Gucci I cherish. Which, brought me to a line of bags that I have really fallen for – like a highschool crush – giddy & a little obsessive! The line is Bodhi. Creative director Joseph Janus has designed a line of bags that I love for several reasons: the pebble grain leather has a thick, sumptuous feel that wears extremely well. I’ve been carrying the Bodhi Modern Top Zip Tote in black with gold chains as my every day mom/diaper bag for almost a year now & I mean this when I say it, it looks like it did on the very first day. The leather rarely shows a mark or scuff, but when it does – a damp paper towl or cloth has always been enough to make the bag like new again. Functionally, the bag is like a big bucket with inside pockets & is so easy to throw things in, grab things out & is of the right shape that somehow even without zipping it, things never fall out. It’s slouchy but dressy all at once. And while I thought the gold would throw me off, it’s actually changed up my accessorizing a bit. A welcome change!

Finally, I am in LOVE with the mantras sewn individually into each bag. As an always striving to be better yogi, mother & person in general, it adds just the right bit of whimsy + enlightenment to justify the sippy cup in a luxury handbag! This bag’s mantra; “Know that you know nothing. That is the true meaning of knowledge.” And that, my dear fashionistas, sums it all up. Om.

Mamacita! Bodhi Modern Top Zip in black.

Tweet, Tweet

swaphandbags — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 19:21:04 +0000

For those of us who were slow adopters of Facebook, we likely found it hard to plunge into the social media world of Twitter as well. It took me a while to feel comfortable with the Facebook platform, but once I was – I was on fire with status updates & witty remarks to other’s notifications. I often find myself chuckling throughout the day at the random things I think, hear or observe, all the while “logging” it into my idea book for future Facebook posts. Countless hours I have spent reading, clicking, “liking” and viewing pictures of friends both old & new in Facebook. So, when I heard about Twitter, I was hesitant. Why would I need a second platform to connect socially with others? And only in 140 characters? Including spaces??!!

A year later, here I am, addicted to constant, real time “tweets” as much as I am fountain diet coke over crushed ice (mmmm…..)! There is something habit forming about it that I can’t put into words. What other avenue do I have to know where Kourtney & Scott celebrated their birthday (that’d be Butter in Charlotte, NC!) or find out almost as soon as it happened that Snooki has a new boyfriend? Waiting 7 whole days for next week’s UsWeekly is so far in the future, when Twitter allows me to have a type of “relationship” with these people in real time.

But, the best part of Twitter that I have found, is the updates from my favorite stores & websites. Tweeting was fun, and now it’s also functional! Updates on sales, promos & giveaways run rampant on Twitter. And, the early bird most definitely gets the worm!

Follow Swap on Twitter @swaphandbags to find out about an AWESOME promotion that runs from now until the first day of fall (Sept 21)!

Now if only I could figure out foursquare!

The clutch is well, clutch.

swaphandbags — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 16:22:55 +0000

The clutch has made it’s comeback in the past couple of fashion seasons, but even more for this fall, we’re seeing fabulous variations on the standard, classic clutch. One of our favorite modifications is the over-sized clutch. Think large, bold statement, eye catching clutches. We have a passion for Bodhi as you all know, and creative director Joseph Janus tickled us pink when he released the Bodhi Harmony envelope. While small loops on the inside can attach to a shoulder strap to make this bag easy to carry on the shoulder during the day on the way to the office or running errands, the strap can be tucked away for a “true” under arm carry for evening & night life. It screams uber-sophisticate, powerful, intense, yet chic, with a feminine ladiness all at the same time. Now that’s a multi-tasking lady if I ever saw one….In this look by one our Swap Team Stylists, it’s paired with a very feminine, vintage look & in our opinion is the perfect balance to keep this look fresh & current. Click here to browse our current collection of clutches for sale or for rent.

Vintage is Clutch

Smarty Mom – Loves bags, may love Mexican food more?

swaphandbags — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 03:41:27 +0000

We’re proud to share the following link to a local blog that many a mom follows in the Queen City – Charlotte Smarty Pants. One of our own, Kari Kalgren, Owner & Founder of Swap was featured as the Charlotte Smarty Mom! Her affection for bags we know is true, but when push comes to shove, would Mexican food win out?! Read more to get to know our lovely, leading lady…

Smarty Mom: Kari Kalgren

The Kalgren Family - soon to expand!

The Ice Queen Swaps!

swaphandbags — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:48:59 +0000

She’s a local celebrity on ice and is the face of the Charlotte Checkers. Anna Skidmore is the director of corporate and Team Services but when she isn’t in the ice rink, you’ll find her relaxing poolside or enjoying her all time favorite hobby: shopping. When we heard Anna is a self professed shopaholic, we knew she would love the chance to try out Swap Handbags and find out what the experience of renting luxury bags is all about. Here’s what she had to say: “Renting is such a fabulous experience because it allows you to have what you want without the commitment of a purchase. You can have four different bags a month if you wanted, for less than the price of purchasing one designer handbag. Swap was prompt and efficient in making sure that my entire experience was flawless.”

More about Anna & her personal style:

Favorite Designers – Ralph Lauren, Versace, Paul Smith, Roberto Cavalli

Anna’s Wardrobe Must Haves – A great pair of shades, platform shoes, a gorgeous handbag, a traditional piece of jewelry, classic sweater set and the perfect pair of skinny jeans to wear with her favorite heels

Anna is pictured with the Balenciaga Medium Motorcycle Bag

“I loved the bag because of how comfortable it was no matter where you were going. I chose black to wear primarily with the bag because the contrast was amazing in pictures,” says Anna.

Power In Numbers

swaphandbags — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:00:45 +0000

Where do we even start with Groupon? There’s so many wonderful things to say, we can barely type straight thinking about them all! A NKOTB, and we’re not talking about Mark Wahlberg, to the internet in November of 2008, Groupon was started in Chicago & has rapidly spread to cities across the Nation. The concept is simple & based on the idea of “collective buying power” – think power in numbers here, ladies. Choose your city, subscribe & get a daily e-mail each morning in your Inbox with a coupon to an amazing business or service in your area. If enough people show interest in the deal, everyone one wins & gets the discount. The Swap Team has heard you roar, and we have reached out to Groupon to request to be a featured business. But, if you’d like to rent your handbag at an even more affordable rate than we already offer, petition the fine ladies & gents at Groupon here to feature us! Any suggestions on the sale or structure of the coupon you’d like to see if we get the opportunity?

“TOTE”ally Tory Giveaway

swaphandbags — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 07:34:33 +0000

Please forward to your friends! We’ve just started our Facebook Ads as well – if you’re not a fan, you will see them. If you hear of one of your friends seeing one, please let us know! We appreciate any feedback that we get!

Happy Friday, Bag Lovers!

XOXO

The Swap Team

Rockin’ or Racin’?

swaphandbags — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:36:31 +0000

Laid Back Rocker Chic - Swap Team Style!

One member of The Swap Team had this to say about the Hype Roisin Envelope Clutch, and we couldn’t say it any better!

This Hype Roisin Envelope clutch screams “show me off!” Dress up for a night out with the girls or down for a day at the races (yep with a pair of metallic flats and that cute little seersucker dress)….we see laid back rocker chic, out with the girls to hear some fabulous live music! All eyes will be on you, so pair with a great ankle boot, black leggings, a long, metallic racerback tank and the perfect biker jacket with tons of zippers. It will look so effortlessly cool, no one will ever know how much time you spent getting ready! Top it off with an armful of this season’s hottest bangles, a chain necklace…then all you need is cash, lipstick, and your phone, tucked into this great piece of arm candy…minus the drama! Channel Kim Kardashian for any other hot going-out styles…that girl’s got it down to a science!

Casual Day at the Keeneland Horse Races - Swap Style!

What do you think bag lovers? We’d love to hear your feedback!

In search of sunny days…

swaphandbags — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 01:31:05 +0000

With a second snowstorm pounding the mid-Atlantic, we thought this look would be welcomed by our bag loving snow angels to the north of us! The Tory Burch Brewster Tote is a bright cobalt blue with goldtone hardware & most recently received the accolades of Charlotte’s own Brooke Gibson, editor & founder of waxMAMA – the daily inbox of AWESOME in the Queen City. With the coated cotton twill, it’s perfect for any type of getaway – it wipes down easily, has a vibrant color to add playfulness to your ensemble & it’s extra large size means you can pack more trash mags to read on the beach (or by the fire if you’re on a ski trip!). Also, for the new mommies out there – this is a great way to haul around all the necessities of the newbie in your household, while maintaining your MILF status. In short, it “tote-ally” rocks. Luxury, designer handbag rental: it’s large &; in charge.

Warm Winter Getaway with the Tory Burch Large Brewster Tote by swaphandbags featuring Tory Burch

Items in this set:
Paisley Bandeau Tankini Top from Alloy, $40
Red Hipster Swim Bottom – Alloy, $26
AUGUST THONG METALLIC, $68
Tory Burch Large Brewster Tote from swaphandbags.com, $115
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