I was going to call this post, “A Clothing Swap with Tiny People Who are Way More Outdoorsy Than Me,” but that seemed cumbersome.  This weekend, I had the pleasure of participating in a clothing swap with the staff, lady board members and other board members’ wives at Frontier Lodge which is a Christian wilderness adventure camp on the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies!  I fall into the latter category and am still getting to know everyone, and when they said they were going to have a clothing swap, my first thought was, I hope people bring scarves because that’s all I’ll be able to swap with these tiny outdoorsy women.  Though scarves at a swap are indeed awesome, I was forgetting something, something magical.  Swaps are the like the sisterhood of the traveling pants: somehow, things fit different shapes and sizes.  Somehow, it all works out, as was true of this “Camp” swap!

Ready to go with my bag for swapping and my box for sharing!
Ready to go with my bag for swapping and my box for sharing!
The fact that others were having some wine made it a lot less awkward that I brought a whole box!
The fact that others were having some wine made it a lot less awkward that I brought a whole box!
I even landed the "special" glass - cheers to you, Joyce and Angus, and thanks for helping me keep my glass straight!
I even landed the “special” glass – cheers to you, Joyce and Angus, and thanks for helping me keep my glass straight!  This just made thrifting for wine glasses a lot more fun!

The Frontier Lodge ladies are some of the nicest I know and they are truly concerned about sustainable living.  This was their second swap and will be an ongoing tradition!  Swaps are a great way to get some novelty in your wardrobe without spending anything – especially when you live in a remote community with few shopping options.

Pretty good selection - categorized by pieces!
Pretty good selection – categorized by pieces!
Becky the BOSS took home several of my still-loved pieces! I was ready to see them go to a good home!
Becky the BOSS took home several of my still-loved pieces! I was ready to see them go to a good home!
Have fun with these retro stripes! They want a little more wearing action, they wanted you to know.
Have fun with these retro stripes! They want a little more wearing action, they wanted you to know.
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My friend Kim found several very Kim-style pieces including this chambray perfection!!
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Kimono scarf, perfect for my upcoming Tuesday Try on March 29th – ROCK A KIMONO!

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Host Jessica walked away with a few pieces and cleaned out her scarves right then and there!
Host Jess walked away with a few pieces including a dress WITH POCKETS and cleaned out her scarves right then and there!  Thanks Jess!
Jess was kind enough to let us rifle through the clothes in her room where I spied a wonderful DIY jewelry display!
Jess was kind enough to let us rifle through the clothes in her room where I spied a wonderful DIY jewelry display!  I, er, would require a whole tree.
So glad Nadine took this new-with-tags star print skater dress! She looked amazing - this would be perfect with a little cardi or denim jacket!
So glad Nadine took this new-with-tags star print skater dress! She looked amazing – this would be perfect with a little cardi or denim jacket!  And if she doesn’t end up wearing it, she can just bring it to the next swap – no harm done, no money down the drain!  

Of course I found several great pieces!  I don’t know why I ever doubted!  In order of discovery…

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long pink layering tank…
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A few signs of wear but who can resist a little love? Not this girl.
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And who can resist stripes? Definitely not this girl!
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This open weave cardi will be perfect over maxi dresses!
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And these, er, open weave leggings will be perfect UNDER a dress or tunic!
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Dainty accessories, welcome to my collection!

The swap was a resounding success and then the night got even better as we all bonded by watching Gem and the Holograms.  FYI, I am one year younger than Juliette Lewis.  And 5-10 older than all the other ladies in the room, but that’s not the important part.  Several of us wore our new wares today…

If Jesus wore graphic sweatshirts, I'm pretty sure he'd wear this one.
If Jesus wore graphic sweatshirts, I’m pretty sure he’d wear this one.  (Photo op after the Passion Play at Millwoods Assembly – there are still performances Monday and Tuesday – admission is free and graphic sweatshirts not required.)

Thanks again to Jess and all the Frontier Lodge women!  Let this be a lesson to YOU to have faith that there is something for everyone at a clothing swap!

Start them young!
Start them young!

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