EARN $10 RUFFLE SWAP BUCKS!!!
We are really looking forward to a long fun-filled weekend. There are so many BBQs, festivals and activities going on!
So, what are you doing this weekend? Grilling, baking, party-hopping, vacationing at the beach, cleaning, catching up on errands, seeing MacGruber (hilarious, btw)... Maybe the last thing you want to do is that above-mentioned "cleaning" thing. But if you are, we want to help motivate you: For every dress to post this weekend we will give you $10 RUFFLE SWAP BUCKS for use toward a future purchase! So drag out those gently used red, white and blue dresses (or any color!) and get some of your hard earned money back.
Post your dress now!
Be proud that by posting your dress you are helping another girl somewhere in the U.S. afford the same dress you have in your closet without the hefty price of a regular bridesmaid, prom, or other formal dress. We love making our customers happy and we love when they tell us how happy they are with their swap, too. Read what girls are saying here.
XOXO
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Mother Nature Sabotages European Weddings!?!
Wow, so lately I have been freaked out by all the curve balls mother nature has been throwing at us. We've had more sizable earthquakes in the past year than I can account for in my lifetime. And our most recent event, a volcano spewing enough ash into the sky disrupting airline flights! I have never witnessed that before. It really got me thinking about our local flower growers.
I found it really surprising how the flower industry was affected by this recent volcanic activity, and how dependent we are on foreign flower exports. About 1/3 of the cut flowers sold in the European Union are grown in Kenya. Under normal circumstances, produce is same day harvested, packed, chilled, and trucked to Nairobi's international airport where it's loaded on passenger flights to Europe. Kenyan produce is typically in shops in Paris or London within 72 hours of being pulled from the fields in Kenya!
This really got me thinking: Why are we so reliant on foreign grown flowers? Do we need those perfect red roses off season for our wedding? At the cost of our environment?
Where are your flowers coming from? Ask your florist about what flowers will be in season locally at the time of your wedding. Why not try to incorporate them into your bouquets? And no, I am not predicting that a volcano will pop up and stop flowers from being delivered on your wedding day... But I think that this story shows us how reliant we are on foreign flower supplies. And that we should really try to support our local flower growers. They are our neighbors. We can lessen the environmental cost of freighting, trucking and shipping long distances and reduce the carbon footprint the wedding industry leaves behind. Hey, it can't hurt to ask your florist, right? Every little bit helps.
information from: the associated press
P.S. For all of my fellow Bmore gals, the Flower Mart is coming up on May 7 & 8 in Mt. Vernon! There's sure to be some local flower power there! http://www.flowermart.org
AND the Baltimore Farmers Market starts back up May 2nd and will run every Sunday through December. Vendors set up under the JFX at Holliday and Saratoga streets. http://www.bop.org/index.cfm?page=events&id=3
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Finding your size when buying a used bridesmaid dress.
One of the hardest parts of buying a bridesmaids dress is the sizing! Why don't they just make them the same size as every day clothing?!?! Many bridesmaids and wedding gowns are sized small. So if you normally wear a size 8, in bridal fashions you might wear a size 12!!! Wow, thanks a lot bridal industry, that makes me feel goooor-geous... Why do they do that to us?
Don't get me started! Instead, I'll talk about what we are doing to help girls save money and get the right fit for bridesmaids and wedding gowns.
We know that when you are shopping used and online predicting the fit can be a difficult task. So, in order to help you out we have been compiling a list of sizes from different manufacturers. It can be easy and fast to get the best measurement for you without leaving your house. The only thing you will need is a measuring tape (or if you don't have one a string and ruler will do). It's best to have someone, like a friend or your mom or sister, help you measure yourself.
HOW TO MEASURE YOURSELF FOR PROPER SIZING
Bust: Measure at the fullest part of bust and around the back.
Waist: Measure around your "natural" waist (this is the narrowest part of your waist, above where your pants sit).
Hips: Measure 8” down from your natural waist, at the fullest part of your hip, this may be 7” for petites. (fyi: Your “Low Hip” is 8” below your waist, this is most commonly used as the Hip measurement. Your “High Hip” will be only 4” below natural waist.)
FITTING TIPS
• If possible get a friend to measure for you, or use a mirror to make sure the tape is straight.
• Go with the largest measurement, if its not a perfect match (it most likely won’t be). It can always be taken in if needed. It's easier to take something in rather than let it out.
• Take into account the cut of the dress. Usually the hip measurement is not a factor in sizing, unless its a tight fitting dress at the hips. If its an A-line dress, for example, you will be ok just using bust and waist to size.
• When buying a strapless dress it's more important that the bust size matches and is fitted. This can easily be taken in as well.
Here is a link where you can find our measurement charts: http://www.ruffleswap.com/servlet/the-template/sizingtips/Page
See a popular dress maker that's missing? Or have your own fitting tips? Let us know by commenting! We are always updating and adding to the chart to keep it up to date! Good luck and don't let those exaggerated sizes make you feel not-so-gorgeous. (Seriously, can someone tell me why that is industry standard?)
xoxo
Don't get me started! Instead, I'll talk about what we are doing to help girls save money and get the right fit for bridesmaids and wedding gowns.
We know that when you are shopping used and online predicting the fit can be a difficult task. So, in order to help you out we have been compiling a list of sizes from different manufacturers. It can be easy and fast to get the best measurement for you without leaving your house. The only thing you will need is a measuring tape (or if you don't have one a string and ruler will do). It's best to have someone, like a friend or your mom or sister, help you measure yourself.
HOW TO MEASURE YOURSELF FOR PROPER SIZING
Bust: Measure at the fullest part of bust and around the back.
Waist: Measure around your "natural" waist (this is the narrowest part of your waist, above where your pants sit).
Hips: Measure 8” down from your natural waist, at the fullest part of your hip, this may be 7” for petites. (fyi: Your “Low Hip” is 8” below your waist, this is most commonly used as the Hip measurement. Your “High Hip” will be only 4” below natural waist.)
FITTING TIPS
• If possible get a friend to measure for you, or use a mirror to make sure the tape is straight.
• Go with the largest measurement, if its not a perfect match (it most likely won’t be). It can always be taken in if needed. It's easier to take something in rather than let it out.
• Take into account the cut of the dress. Usually the hip measurement is not a factor in sizing, unless its a tight fitting dress at the hips. If its an A-line dress, for example, you will be ok just using bust and waist to size.
• When buying a strapless dress it's more important that the bust size matches and is fitted. This can easily be taken in as well.
Here is a link where you can find our measurement charts: http://www.ruffleswap.com/servlet/the-template/sizingtips/Page
See a popular dress maker that's missing? Or have your own fitting tips? Let us know by commenting! We are always updating and adding to the chart to keep it up to date! Good luck and don't let those exaggerated sizes make you feel not-so-gorgeous. (Seriously, can someone tell me why that is industry standard?)
xoxo
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Making "Used" Work fo You!
ATTN: Nearlyweds! Make "used" dresses work for you and your bridesmaids! We know you ♥ your bridesmaids and you want the best for them! That's why you chose these besties to stand next to you on your big day, duh!
There is soooo much controversy around how much is "too much" for a bridesmaid dress. And if you, the bride-to-be, should compromise in choosing that perfect Vera Wang bridesmaids gown because you know it is slightly out of reach financially for your girls. Well, you don't have to...
2. Be lenient with style and/or color. This will make it a lot easier to find great used dresses. I've seen some girls create a color palette and tell girls get whatever dress they like within these colors! (This is great even when not buying used)
4. Tell them to sell their dresses afterwards. Through Project: Ruffle Swap, we are able to help girls make between $60-$100 on each dress they sell! We can help your girls recover some of the money spent on dresses. So that $250 Vera Wang dress ends up only costing $150! And you end up helping another girl get a great dress for considerably less than that $250 price tag! A true win-win.
I am a firm believer in having your day, your way. While, of course, watching finances (for everyone). That said, buying used dresses is a great cost-effective and eco-friendly option!
Since your besties will ultimately buy what you tell them to, let them know they have options. Tell them it's okay to buy gently used. In fact, encourage it. It's a great new trend that is making an impact on the 9.9 million bridesmaids dresses purchased each year! Your friends may or may not wear that dress again. So, even if your girls don't buy used, tell them to help another bridesmaid-to-be get her dream dress by selling her yours!
xoxo
~ Sam & Beth
There is soooo much controversy around how much is "too much" for a bridesmaid dress. And if you, the bride-to-be, should compromise in choosing that perfect Vera Wang bridesmaids gown because you know it is slightly out of reach financially for your girls. Well, you don't have to...
HERE ARE A FEW TIPS FOR MAKING USED WORK FOR YOU AND YOUR BRIDAL PARTY:
1. Go online as soon as you know which dress you want. Try to find that dress pre-owned first! There are so many lightly used dresses out there, you just need to find them! So, do a little research before you pay full price.
2. Add small personal touches to dresses to create a common "thread." A great colored sash could add a unifying color to dresses ~add a great brooch ~add a flower or feather hair piece. That way, you can have any style red, navy blue, tan, black, etc. dress and there is still a common element! 
I am a firm believer in having your day, your way. While, of course, watching finances (for everyone). That said, buying used dresses is a great cost-effective and eco-friendly option!
Since your besties will ultimately buy what you tell them to, let them know they have options. Tell them it's okay to buy gently used. In fact, encourage it. It's a great new trend that is making an impact on the 9.9 million bridesmaids dresses purchased each year! Your friends may or may not wear that dress again. So, even if your girls don't buy used, tell them to help another bridesmaid-to-be get her dream dress by selling her yours!
xoxo
~ Sam & Beth
Monday, February 22, 2010
Weddzilla Flash Mob, Say What?!?!?
Steve Kemble (America's Sassiest Lifestyle Guru, Us Weekly Magazine Top Cop, TLC's "Battle of the Wedding Planners" winner, and Golden Globe Awards correspondent) is leading the dance flash mob. He will begin the dance and then our mobbers will join in! You saw Oprah do it. Now it's your chance to be a part of a local wedding related flash mob.
How to become a part of the mob:
~ There will be a You Tube video coming out soon to teach all you dancers out there the moves. (no rhythm required!)
~ The theme of the dance is top secret- but will be emailed out to you next week.
~ The flash mob will be in a well-known public place in Washington, DC during a busy time of the day
~ It will be taped and immediately made available on You Tube following the Flash Mob.
~ Our goal is to be the biggest flash mob to EVER hit DC!
~ T-shirts will be provided to participants
If you can't be a part of it, be sure to check it out on YouTube later. We'll post a link to it here, so you can share with all your friends!
And be sure to join us at the Weddzilla "Rock the Launch" Party on Thursday evening! Details here: http://event.pingg.com/Weddzilla-Launch
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