By Anita (“Musette”)
So….the beauty that is Swapmania, Summer 2011 is Officially Over, though I’m sure there will be emails back and forth for days to come. I swore I wouldn’t get involved in Swapmania this time around – I had a blast last time but had a LOT going on this month. So. No Swapmania.
To channel Doctor Phil ” so Musette, how’d that work for ya?”. March was busy so I stopped in to make sure all was well…..uh….somebody had Diorling….somebody had Cuir de Russie PARFUM….oh, lord…saaaave me! I started pulling out stuff to swap.
And it was fun to pull out stuff I hadn’t paid much attention to since..uh, last Swapmania? And most of the stuff I was willing to swap away was an easy decision – but I enjoyed revisiting them before I set foot in the swap. Of course, after I revisited a couple of them I remembered why I had them in the first place so they came back up front in the Stay section…..but I did decant a few samples, just to be nice about the whole thing – I enjoy perfume more when I can share …..and everyone is always so generous and fun on here…but enough about me and the Diorling etc etc… what I want to know is: “how did this work for all of YOU?” Some questions:
1. Did you find some forgotten loves, get your guts all in a knot trying to decide ‘swap or keep’ …or did you just put it back? let it go? You don’t have to say what it was, if you don’t want to but I’d love to know how you FELT when you respritzed.
2. Haterade. Someone wanted XX . You had XX. You went back to revisit because you’re nosy that way and….bleeeargh. You remembered (Drama Nuuuuui, I’m Talkin’ to Youuuui)! You. Hate. It. Again, you don’t have to say what it was (not that it matters. One gal’s perfume is another gal’s poisson and all that)
3. The” OMG…I really need to suck it up and get this bottle to a loving home because I don’t want to be on Hoarders” . Mine were Olene and Apres l’Ondee. Yeah, yeah…I know. But It. Just. Doesn’t. Work. For. Me. To keep it feels like Bad Juju. And the joy these swaps gave (not to mention a new perfume pal)! Well worth it.
3a. Swapper’s Remorse: “OMG….I can’t believe I just swapped this beauty awaaaaay!” – that one is OUCH! when you have already committed to the swap, resniffed…and….ow. Here’s what happened to me last time. I got Swapper’s Remorse – bad. But I’d already committed. So I sucked it up, packed it up, let it go and wished it well. A few days later, in a totally unrelated swap, somebody sent me another bottle of what I’d swapped away, unasked. I’m totally serious. So let those babies go, with love.
4. Aiiiiy! I gotta pack and MAIL all this! See, that’s why I reined myself in – last time I got carpal tunnel, a blister and a headache from all the wrappingwrappingwrapping.tapingtapingtaping, lyinglyinglying…….my advice to Newbies, if you did more than 3 swaps: Pace yourselves. Email your swappers and let them know when you’re going to get it out…but don’t try to do it all in one day. You will hate everybody, including yourself, by 2:30 tomorrow.
Holla at Evil Auntie Musette and let her know what feeeelings got all churned up this weekend. And put some Neosporin on those blisters! Can’t wait to hear from you!
oooh i just posted a swap request on the last page -_- sorry!
i hope i won’t miss out on the next one!
( if anyone else wants to swap, just contact me ;))
I almost missed Swapmania this time around, but decided to jump in. And I’m happy I did! Fewer swaps this time, and a more relaxed schedule. I had a lot of fun with this, and fun reading all the posts. Many thanks to the Posse for hosting this!!
No remorse, no regrets. I have more perfume than I can wear in my lifetime. But I’m always interested in trying out more. :d
Big love to this community of perfumistas & swappers,
E
The bottles are coming in after my first swap, and it’s been grand (although that much time at the Post Office is not so grand) I love the Courmandel, was happy to see some things go that I was just not wearing (and feeling guilty about) but the best part has totally been the shared experience. Opening packages from strangers filled with my two favorite things (perfume and bubble wrap) has invigorated my week.
This was my first swapmania (I watched the last one with fascination and wary apprehention). Unfortunately, I was traveling for most of it so I could not aggressively watch for other people’s listed items I might want, and much of what I had to offer was very mainstream fare, and did not garner much interest. However, I do have two swaps pending which I was very excited about! Luckily, they are with other people who have been traveling/ busy, so I don’t have any guilt about not getting their packages off already.
This has been an AMAZING experience. I participated in more swaps than last time, and had even more fun! Thanks so much to all my extremely kind & generous swap partners, and thanks to everyone at the Posse who made this happen. What a great way to kick off the summer!
You are extremely kind and generous yourself! I always love swapping with you! Hugs! :-)
Sherri, you have made this so much fun with your spirit of giving. I feel truly lucky to have met you here! xo
I loved it, loved it, loved it too — did five swaps, which felt about right. I moved out a bottle that bugs me whenever I *look* at it, so thank god that one is gone and I don’t have to try to like it EVER AGAIN (talking to you, Eau d’Elide). The rest of the swapping was a good mix of bottles and decants.
I also did a mix of international and US shipping: everything coming from me is international, but I’m relying on my nice mother to forward packages on from NY to Malaysia. The only glitch so far is that US customs has held up the packages I FedEx’d to find out what “cosmetics” means. Since we’re all disclosing about lies here, I will say that I’m just saying body lotion and soap.
Finally, thank you to all my swap partners — it’s been a pleasure!
I was away the week of the swapmania and still am but found that people were willing to be patient until I get home to give exact details of quantities, etc. I didn’t list since I forgot to make my list before leaving but asked about some items and it seemed to work. There were definitely some beauties and I am so glad to get rid of stuff I don’t wear enough and get stuff I wear allll the time.
Thanks for swapmania and thanks to all the participants for such a generous and patient swap environment :)
so glad you all had so much fun…..i have got a lot of tips from you guys and hope to be on board for the next swapamania..prepared with a list of perfume i have that need good homes! For us international folk…(especially the other side of the planet ie eastern side of the hemisphere(thanx rapps for the clarification….and… ROTFL for you and Musette)) perhaps we can have a vague idea on the next swapamania(heads up) so that we can jump on board more quickly
Sadly I MISSED everything, but luck me…just got an email from antjie with an option for some TC….
For all the USA folk…I have received perfume from USA USPS at about $12.50 with no problems at all…the packages just say gift, cosmetics! Nothing has been lost or broken!
Hi sweetie, don’t worry — I’ve got you covered. Will be sending some goodies your way before too long!! :)
This was my first time and I ended up doing 5 swaps. It was so much fun. I love getting mail and everyone was so nice. Perfume people are the best kinds of people.
So glad you played along with us! Glad it was fun – we are a nice buncho peeps, aren’t we!
😡
xo >-)
I’m proud of myself for finally letting go of those bottles of DK Gold and an unknown # of Cereus. For 2 years now my ex college roommate and I have done blind beauty swaps of perfume and cosmetic items we don’t or can’t use and I’ve hesitated to let them go even though I can’t wear either because they trigger headaches. I’ve sent her bottles of stuff I loved and thought I coveted much more but for some reason I just couldn’t let go of those two. It feels to let go, ya know?
btw, to my swap partners, I will mail later this week. On the road with the family for a couple days.
THANK YOU, AUNTIE MUSETTE AND AUNTIE MARCH!!!!! This swap is SO fun and a great way to connect w/people. Sharing my ‘fumes makes me appreciate them all the more! I ended up doing a lot more decanting than I thought because I’d weeded out bottles in last fall’s swap. I love the melee of the first couple of days, the bargaining and bartering and craziness.
I pulled out my Cuir de Lancome for decants, and I’m just loving it all over again– can’t wait to wear it in the fall, ‘specially layered w/ orange blossom and iris…
Since I have to order more supplies after this is over– do people prefer spray bottles or splash? Does it depend on the perfume? Myself, I like splash decants of heavier ‘fumes and sprays of, say, Olivia Giacobetti’s stuff because they are too subtle to be dabbed. But i don’t know what people’s expectations are…
Thanks, everyone! Posse peeps rule!
😕
interesting question: I like your delineation, I think. Cuir de Russie parfum should be dabbed, Cuir de Russie edc/edt prolly sprayed. The concentration should dictate, perhaps?
Glad you had such a good time!
xo >-)
I managed to get into less swaps this time around (only three!)- and I am pleased as punch about them all (especially that bottle of Apres L’Ondee headed my way!!!Who-hoo!!! Cyber Hi-5!!!)
Thanks Musette, Ann, Katie and the Posse :)
I’m going to get it out to you as soon as I can, I pomise!
xo >-)
A HUGE shout-out to Daisy from me, too! You were incredibly generous with your shipping/paypal knowledge. I think you calmed a lot of folks’ nerves way down. Many thanks!
To all of you: thank you SO much for playing. Playing Fair. Playing Fun!
xoxoxo >-)
A shout out to Auntie -not so evil- Anita (Musette).
She generously parted with her Olene. BIG FAT SMILE on my face.
Thanks too to Sharon C.
These ladies inspired me to “Pay the Kindness forward” to a couple of people.
Good, Good Kharma!
And I got a new Perfume Pal out of it!!! Yay!
You just wait. That ‘perfume pay it forward will come back in spades’ – it always does.
xo >-)
What a blast! Thank you so much for enabling us!
I ended up doing a moderate 5 swaps and am eagerly awaiting my packages.
A big shout out to Daisy for the info on the paypal shipping tool – you made my weekend.
After reading AnnS comment about doing ‘inventory’ in spring (genius!) I was wondering if we could get a heads up for the next event. That would help in determining items for swapping up front and maybe even stock up on supplies. Just my two cents.
Antje: Well I always appreciate when someone calls me a genius, but it was less glorified than that. During the winter when we are holed up in the apartment, the exponentially growing house clutter drives me crazy. Rather than spending time on our horrible “office”, I thought it would be more fun to organize and inventory my fragrance collection – samples & decants too – and get them in ship-shape. I am so proud of my spreadheet. Don’t ask about the state of my “office” or closests… I think I’d need some advance warning to get all my decanting supplies ordered!
Antje – you were FAST! I got my package already and will be sending yours out in the next day or so. Thanks!!!
AnnS – That spreadsheet thing is scary. I couldn’t believe how much “stuff” I had lying around until I logged them all in. No wonder people call us nuts, LoL!
Must remember to use it as a handy tool to evaluate the inventory from time to time….
OperaFan, yours from moi is in the mail today! :-)
GASP!!! Everybody is beating me to the PO… I promise it will be out soon. Yours is already packed up. I just need to hightail on over…
Ha! Not ‘everybody’. I am sloooow. And proud of it! [-( :”>
but I’ll hightail it on down to the PO in the am, I swear!!!
xo >-)
No worries, it’s not like I am going to RUN OUT OF PERFUME anytime soon! :-D
(BTW, today is NATIONAL CAP LOCK DAY! ENJOY!)
Hi all you sweet Posse-ites! This has been great fun. And to all my swap buddies, I’m sending stuff out this week (had to get more supplies — guess I need an BIG organizational makeover!!).
I second the comment(s) about doing inventory beforehand. Next time I will do a thorough checklist on everything and be much more organized. My swap list was embarrassingly short because goofy me forgot many of the things I love, and I overlooked so many things to offer other folks. It was fun all the same though! Thanks Musette, March and everyone!!
I keep thinking of the Hollywood lore of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith.
When they first got together they spent an entire week (end) in bed romping around emerging only to grab a bite to eat (food).
I had several partners, some easily satisfied, some I had to work a little harder to please.
Right now, my legs are up, ankles crossed, head back with my fingers entwined behind my neck.
I have a big grin on my face, knowing that until the next swap, I have only myself to please. (DH doesn’t count!)
=))
that is a wonderful visual!!!
xo >-)
This was my first swapmania and it was fantastic fun! Just popped by to read…see what people were trading….ended up in 5 swaps! two went out, two going out as soon as I can haul butt to the PO and the last one is waiting on an item to arrive via Fedex so I can send it over the ocean. Luckily my PO is one that doesn’t ask too many direct questions. All in all –it was a blast. Thank you Perfume Posse for hosting!
Our pleasure – I was thrilled to see you on here. I know your ‘stash’ – it is AWESOME – at least what I’ve seen you host.
xo >-)
Loved it all again! Swapping with 2 of the same posse people from last time round ( hi Ines and Dinazad!) and some new US posse people – fortunately I am heading out to the US in July so we avoided the whole Customs palaver. Whew! ( Does this make me a ‘fume mule??)
Thanks March and Musette- you guys ROCK! :x
Oooh, that’ll be FUN! coming, bearing perfumed gifts like the Magi (I want to be Melchior, okay?). I have a friend who is Paris right now…and I’m being VERY good, not asking her to mule stuff…yet…;)
xo >-)
The Magi is a much better way to describe it! You can of course be Melchior- I’ll be Gaspar smelling of lovely frankincense. You are strong in the ways of The Force if you are resisting goodies from Paris! :d
FragrantWitch, *waving happily*, I’m so glad we are swapping again.
The whole experience just feels so easy, everyone is great and getting into swaps with people from last time is even more fun. :)
This was my first time. I’m not sure what it was supposed to feel like. I was carried away at first, swept up in the excitement, my swaps are already mailed (both FB’s padded with a few nice samples), and now I’m a little nervous about having just sent full bottles of perfume off to people (albeit very friendly people) I don’t know at all! Sure, it was stuff I couldn’t wear, but still it was stuff! *Looks at empty spot in drawer, bites fingernails nervously*
Andrea, as one of those slow but good for it swappers, I encourage you to give your fingernails a rest and enjoy a cup of tea. :) It *is* a bit agonizing, I know…but it should all be good. ::runs off to see if Andrea is on the list of people am preparing packages for today::
Thank you. *sipping tea* Honestly, I’m pretty new to perfume (well at least obsession with it) and this whole blog community is awesome; very friendly, excited about perfume, rather funny… I’m glad I participated, and can’t wait for some new scent experiences to arrive.
Andrea, another good for it swapper here. Not too slow, though – your package went out this morning. You’ll soon be surrounded by a fragrant cloud of Un Lys.
Yay! That’s the one I’m most excited about! I didn’t mean to sound like I was doubting anyones credibility… I was just nervous, I really haven’t participated in anything quite like this before. (and Lisa you have been great to communicate with!)
Of course you were nervous – you don’t know me from Adam, and you very graciously sent first, and early!
Oyy I luurve the Swapmania but my poor hands are FN killin’ me.
I swore I wouldn’t but I simply could not sit back.
And then when my HG URC came up for adoption well HELL to the NOOO it’s coming home to me!<3
I am in for about 10 swaps so major overload on my RA and fibro- but I figure good perfume karma will come back to me in so many ways and I love it all- the bartering ,the fin-dangling, the hoping!
I love PP peeps and I'm getting so many lovelies and I'm super excited. Already got one and it was awesome! Thanks Lisa D!!- plus I convinced a certain mamas to trust me even though I have no MUA or swap feedback except from my dear friends on my Facebook- but you can trust me- ask anybody! ;)
I am hoping everyone I swap with is totally diggin' their end of it and I always try to be generous and loving- you get what you give right?
I live by that.
xoxo~T
hey girlfriend, if your hands are swelling and feeling really badly, just take the swaps a little slower…people will understand! It’s no good if you get to the end of the day and cannot even hold your toothbrush, right? Dr. Daisy advises rest!
Love to Daisy dearest<3
Tamara: SEE NUMBER 4.
Pay Attention! :-w The whole point of this is to have FUN. You flaring isn’t fun. So settle down. Everybody who swapped with Tamara: SHE WILL BE SLOOOOWING DOWN FOR A FEW DAYS, OKAY?
okay.
Don’t make me come over there. ;)) Go take a lie-down.
xo >-)
I hate the bartering. Hate it.
But that’s just me, right?
Oh Mals you know you secretly like it! ;) lol
Uhhhhhh… nope. Really.
Mals –
You know YOU can set the boundaries for your swapping, right? If bartering makes you queasy, don’t do it. Let people know up front that you don’t want to do it – folks either agree or you can decline to swap with them. Whatever works for you is how you set your swaps, sweetie!!! Tell ’em I said so.
xo >-)
The bartering was for something *I* wanted. (Swaps for stuff I had for offer: not a problem, worked out smooth.)
yah.
been there.
b-(
xo >-)
Hi Tamara – No swappies between us this round but I’m willing to vouch for you!
I second Daisy – am a bit behind myself but as long as you keep in communication with your swapmates, everyone understand. This is just a hobby in the end.
Hugs!
a:)
Hello Operafan,
Thanks for the vouching sweety.
It really is all about trust in times like this and I like to think I’m a trustworthy sort and that everyone else here is too.
I know I could tell peeps that I can’t get it out to them today or tomorrow but I just hate to make them wait for their goodies. Waiting in our circle is very hard! teehee
Love you and yours. xoxo~T
You’re welcome, Tamara! Far be it from me to stand between you and Une Rose Chypree. It’s fun to think that all this week and next, so many people will be gleefully opening up boxes of perfume goodies…
This was my first Swapmania (sat out the last one because I was too intimidated to jump in), but since we had so much notice that this one was coming up, I had a bunch of bottles all lined up that really needed to find new homes… no regrets at all about parting with them. I was amazed at the response (I’ve sent out 11 packages so far, some with more than one bottle in them, and have another one to mail today). In return I’m getting a whole lot of things I was really looking for, and a few things I didn’t even know I wanted before I saw them listed here.
It seems like most of the swaps were arranged on the first or second day and everyone was just wonderful—thanks to the Posse for hosting this and to everyone who made this work so smoothly! Looking forward to the next one.
And I will jump in right now and say Janice was one of my swap partners and I just couldn’t ask for better–she is AWESOME!!
:-) Loving the Philosykos and if I get Fiore di Riso I will send you some! xoxo
See, you guys are Just That Awesome~ every single swap I did was a pleasure. I’m so glad folks had a good time!
xoxo >-)
Oh – Swapmania was so much fun. It was the perfect stress relese/mini “I’m pretenting to work” work-cation for me. I was so excited that first day – there are so many things languishing in my collection. I warned my husband I would be glued to the internet, and that was that. I got in 12 swaps, with one still pending. Wowzers. I was glad I’d already done an inventory in the spring and knew what I wanted to get rid of. I didn’t regret letting go of any of them.
I was surprised how much decanting I ended up doing from my permanent collection to sweeten deals. I ran out of decanting bottles, so that’s a mistake I won’t make again. I also was kind of dumbfounded at the amount of packing I ended up doing, but it was cool. The postage bomb all at once was a bit much, but overall average of what I would have spent anyway to ship things out piecemeal. I am, as mentioned above, always kind of bummed about lying at the PO – esp. b/c I insured my full bottle items. (I’m thinking: can I claim if something I lied about gets lost? Hm.) I only fessed up on one (won’t tell which) but it was heavy and I really wanted to make sure the insurance took. Mostly I just said they are used cosmetic supplies. My post is kind of ho-hum about it. I also ran out of bubble wrap.
I only wish I’d nabbed one of those bottles of Amoureuse…
I can’t wait until the next swapmania. It keeps me from being a crazy, smelly, hoarding woman. And now I have bunches of new stuff coming. Yeah! Slide it on, slide it on.
You are the best!! Ann
I hear you on decanting supplies, Ann! I really would loved to have been able swap decants of my niche perfumes. I could justify buying these high end perfumes because they’re beautiful and bring me pleasure, but I have a hard time seeing them languish on my shelves, because I have so many I will never use them up in this lifetime. So much better if someone else could enjoy a part of them! :-)
I hear you Sherri! Last year I calculated how many years worth of fragrance I have, and lets just say it rounded out to some sort of Biblical age for me. I realized I better get on it – get rid of some things and start wearing larger applications!
Yep. I hadn’t expected to be swapping (um…) and had to do some funky things with my decant supplies, but folks were very understanding.
That’s a LOT of swaps! I’m sure the decant suppliers are scratching their heads over the sudden spike in orders!
I did the same with doing more decants than I expected, and ran out of supplies, but I love sending out decants from things I love, it just makes me love them more.
oh i am learning from you
I didn’t play last time – I was askeered! – but jumped in this time, and I ended up getting rid of everything, including a couple of non-listed vintage items that did give me a brief twinge. They got swapped for an unsniffed bottle too! Am I crazy?!? But I have back-ups of both and like you said, I don’t want to be on Hoarders!
The hardest part for me was when folks asked what I wanted. Wha??? I don’t want anything; I want to clean this stuff out!! So I ended up quite happily giving a few things away.
This is a really great group of people – thanks Posse for hosting!
I know what you mean about not wanting to be on Hoarders! =)) I’m glad you jumped in, Rapple! You had an awesome list.
xoxo >-)
Thanks, A. You know I’m jealous every time you use the ROTFL guy? I love him – he’s my favorite!
mine too!…i am jelous of all..how do we work it out to use them?
i HAVE to get on the wagon at next swapamania…so many bottles needing to go to good homes
Dear Aunty Musette, you were a fabulous “accidental” host! I had fun reading your comments and chatting with you. Still can’t believe you’d be willing to let a whole bottle of Apres L’Ondee go. (faints again)
I caught several of the syndromes you listed and ended up with over 10 swaps (hyperventilates….) even though only a few of the items I listed actually found homes. It was a case of –
“Wow, they have THAT to offer???? Oh, what can I decant or cough up from my precious hoard to trade in for it?”
I promise to send your stuff out this week, btw.
a:)
Sweetie, NO worries. I really am so easy (not cheap – but reeeeal easy, just ask anybody! 😉
One of the fun things about not everybody shipping at once is it gives you a chance to enjoy the packages. What I didn’t list was the flipside of the mailing – and that’s the receiving. First 2 packages are a job – but when 10 come in at once it can be overwhelming. I’m fine with getting stuff in the next couple of weeks!
xo >-)
Sounds like you all had a grand time! Sorry I missed it – vacation. Darn. ;-)
we’ll do it again, don’t worry!
xo >-)
Glad to hear it was fun again. As I was away during the swap on a visit to friends in the UK, internet access for any length of time was not possible. So I had to pass on this one and will have to wait till another one occurs.
My first week of vacation was spent in Brittany, France. I got myself a bottle of the new Divine extrait; l’Eternel Féminin. It will never be swapped, that is for sure!
swoon…Brittany and L’Eternel Feminin ? OMG…and to be in Brittany pigging out on seafood…!
I skipped the seafood! It’s one of the things I always feel I should like, but I don’t.
L’Eternel Féminin is Beautiful! It’s the original Divine but in Extrait. Softer, smoother and more “Opulent” as the SA kept telling me.
It was a crazy, distracting blast, and I would do it again next weekend. I have about 10 swaps going, and I’ll be “that person” in front of everybody else at the post office today and tomorrow.
I’m doing one international swap (that’s you, dinazad! And if there’s anything unique to the US that you need, send me an email; I’ve got about a pound of clearance left in your package), and numerous exchanges all across the US with some very friendly and generous people.
I felt some brief, small twinges as I let go of a couple of items – but they passed almost immediately when I reminded myself that those bottles stay in the cupboard because they just don’t work for me, and in return I was going to get a veritable boatload of perfumes that do (or might, which is even more exciting). I didn’t even need to re-spritz.
Just as fun as the exchange was rediscovering several items I’d forgotten about. Some of these are getting shifted to the “currently in use” shelf, some are on their way out the door, and some will go back to their dark corner (can’t believe not one of you vintage Shalimar lovers wanted that pretty bottle with the sticky stuff inside), to languish a bit longer.
I’ve already received one of my swaps, and I’m in a tizzy thinking about what’s coming in the mail! A treasure trove of gorgeous scent is on its way (my mind is seeing little golden boxes held aloft by downy wings, fluttering over the rooftops on their way to my house), and life is good.
A huge THANK YOU to the Posse for hosting this swap, it was great fun.
Sounds like you had a blast, Lisa! Glad I’m not behind you at the PO, though ;))
xo >-)
The stages of Swapmania:
Curiosity, Denial, Tentative Step, Maniacal Immersion, Regret, Excitement, Doggedness in Packaging, Reward.
Repeat.
:-D
A Perfect Description.
xo >-)
Precisely!
Shelley,
The Haie Fleurie is now available, the other swap fell thru. Are you still interested?
Have a great day.
Tara
(I hope this post is OK..sorry if it’s inappropriate)
It’s okay! I mean, it’s okay by me. ;) Have contacted you.
If the Haie Fleurie falls through again, I’m interested.
Cheryl, I just blind bought a bottle (WHAT came over me? Oh yeah, the L’Artisan sale…) so if it doesn’t work when it arrives I’ll keep you in mind.
Thank you!
It’s totally okay – you guys just carry on!
xo >-)
I listed a few lame mistakes that I really need to just take to Goodwill; full bottles, but mistakes. I was already in the middle of about half a dozen swaps on MUA when Swapmania hit and honestly, I was burned out. I always feel badly about not shipping overseas, too; I had one request for a big honking bottle I listed and as I thought about the expense, lying, etc – I had to refuse. Another very patient and lovely person wanted a couple of things, I requested an item on her list, and as I was digging through my massively unorganized perfume cabinet, found a fb of what I requested (thought I’d swapped it away a couple of yrs ago and had regretted it. Oops.) So, it hit me again – I have waaaaaaaaaaaaay too much stuff as it is, and have no business trying to get more. Time to stop the madness! But I loved reading everyone’s comments and lists. :)
Yeah, the problem with perfume is always the weight. and it can get pricey – even within the US.
Maybe we should rename this Pillow Posse and ship feathers (reminds me of the old quiz: which weighs more: a pound of feathers or a pound of rocks – remember that one? ;))
how’s your riblet, giblet?
xo >-)
I had a great time with the Swap! Thank you for sponsoring it once again! It’s been wonderful knowing things that were setting here collecting dust will now go out and hopefully bring someone else joy, and I’ve loved making new perfume friends in the process (I just got the greatest people to swap with!!)
I did eight swaps with a ninth pending, which is twice what I did last time. It was a little overwhelming, but hopefully everyone got the right package. I had such fun making them! Oh, and even dh got involved (tell him you want him to show you how he can handle a tape gun; after all he, too, has to get some enjoyment out of this!)
We’ve already received two packages, and they were both awesome (many thanks again Linda & Janice!)! Some of the packages have been things for my girls so the whole family is having a good old time with it! I actually still have plenty to swap, now that the dust has settled, I may try to go on and see if I can’t find new homes for my remaining “orphans”.
THANK YOU, PERFUME POSSE, FOR DOING THE SWAP!!!
Wow! That was FAST!
And fun for the whole family! how cool is that!
Glad you had fun.
xoxo >-)
I cooked up eight swaps and have been delighted by the two that have already arrived in the mail. My kid is off snowboarding in Oregon for three weeks, and my husband and I are in massive declutter mode. I listed a million books on Amazon Marketplace yesterday, I swapped lots of perfume for fragrances I wear almost daily, and next weekend we will clean out the garage for a garage sale. Lots of movement of STUFF.
So glad to have participated again this year!
We’re glad you did, too! It’s fun, isn’t it – and it has the added bonus of being a great way to pare your collection (if you set it up that way. I always end up with more than I send out which is fun – but my armoire groans…)
No ‘Hoarders’ episode for you! ;))
xo >-)
can u come and help me…i cannot even get started!!!!!!!!
So, Auntie Musette, I still haz the stuffs we discussed last time; duz you still haz those cowboy boots? :d
😮
Oh, my darling! I thought about you early on and then got caught up doing roof work (I hate heights and I hate the manlift – but it must be done. El O says I need to open my eyes if I’m going to operate the bucket – and he’s right – but it b-( me.
YES! on the c-boots. Let me pull them out and get back to you!
I haz other fun things, too! thanks for coming back on – and for not hating me for being a ditz.
xo >-)
Oh, I’m so sorry about the Drama Nuui, I’m sure it’ll find a lovely home with Dangerous Daisy though:-)
I had a ball swapping and getting to know people, since I didn’t join the event last time.
Perhaps a few of us Europeans felt that there was a bit much of the “US ONLY” going on…
LOVE SWAPMANIA:x
Hey there, dropping by early — so glad everyone had fun! I did want to say: please, please don’t think the US only thing is a trust issue. We’re not legally allowed to ship perfumes, so each box and customs declaration involves a certain amount of practiced lying. Also, depending where you live (I’m in the DC area — potential “terrorist” hotspot) the questioning they put you through is like talking to the FBI. :)>-
That means that the US-toughies that I did swap with are Federal Agent potential, very cool B-)
b-)
Hey, I’m also in the DC area. Are there any really good places to go perfume shopping? I’ve been sticking strictly to online, but I’m considering branching out, even though SAs scare me a little!
I don’t know if folks will see this so I’ll respond, even though I live in Cowtown, IL….
I do know that Art With Flowers is the go-to place for a lot of niche.
xo >-)
ps. don’t let SAs scare you, even a little. Give ’em the ol’ stinkeye and just keep sampling. Honey, I beat ’em down at CHANEL! [-(
Hey Kit,
Wanna open a perfume shop with me? There is NOTHIN’ in Dc itself — believe me, i have looked. I usually wait for a trip to NYC and then go hog wild.
Hah! Thanks, Musette. I’ll have to check out Art with Flowers sometime, when I’m feeling in the mood to put on a good imitation of a battleship. Sail in and shed SAs right and left. I think I need some practice before I’m ready to brave the ones at Chanel, though. You have me impressed there!
Mariekel, you’d think there would be more options in our august capital! It’s good to know that there are other folks in the same situation, though.
I suspect many of the “US only” ladies were also worried about the price of postage (althought that’s generally higher from Europe to the US than the other way round). And while I understand the shipping and postage issues, it did make me feel like the unpopular kid nobody wants to play with this year:( Nevertheless, a few of my perfumes found a great new home, and the contacts I DID make were/are great :x . Looking forward to the next event and thanks, March and Musette, for letting us swap away! >:d<
Price of postage is not a big deal for this “US-only” swapper. But I am sick and tired of going through the post office inquisition. Swaps are supposed to be fun, and the crap I have to go through just to put the darn box in the mail is NOT, what with the lying and paranoia (there is a small military installation in my town as well). It is a huuuuuuge pain in the butt, and at this point I’m only willing to suffer sending a package internationally if it’s a small padded mailer.
Sounds just TOO annoying! I can certainly understand that you want to avoid that!
It is a drag – It would be so much fun to be able to make swaps and other trans ocean deals more easily with fragrance friends around the world. I’ve done a swap to Canada and one to Australia, and I was wringing my hands the whole time. It’s a very stressful affair. What we need to do is draw straws for someone to be an international courier. That would be fun! Sorry – too much caffeine this morning.
do u have to tell them what is in the package…could u not just say gif, cosmetics?….ugh I am one that has so much to send to good homes and missed the whole SWAPAMANIA….thought it was cause i was on another planet>>(my friends have been known to call me spacey) but Rapple kindly let me know that I am just on the other side of it!!!!
What Mals said. Let’s face it, we are a group of fairly law-abiding people, whether or not we think the law is stupid. It’s bad enough standing there under the FORBIDDEN ITEMS poster with a bottle of perfume on it; filling out a scary-looking US CUSTOMS SERVICE form on top of it (listing criminal penalties etc.) and then going through the inquisition is a line some folks just aren’t going to cross.
I had NO idea it was as bad as this. Are samples and small decants allowed?
No. Which is why it’s such a pain. fortunately some of us have a PO full of folks who are reasonable and couldn’t care less (they are da womenses, of course 😉 or else we are accomplished liars ;)) – since 9/11 and beyond, things have gotten very tight – especially in high-profile places like DC and military towns. Sad fact of life, alas.
xo >-)
No, samples and decants aren’t really allowed. It’s just that my PO is less likely to give me the third degree about a padded mailer, and those things are small enough to fit in there. Anything bigger than that is going to get me into the whole “What’s in here?” deal.
I print all my shipping labels online and just put the packages in the mailbox . Filling out the forms entails a certain amount of avoiding the truth , but at least not to anyone’s face…
Did you catch Daisy’s tip on putting in tic tacs to mask the sloshing sound of the perfume? EVIL GENIUS. She’s the Mata Hari of swappage!
That’s BRILLIANT!!! That’s been a problem for … uh, people I know.
I felt the same way, Dinazad. International swaps do take more effort for both participants, but the PO experience varies by location. I think it would be sad if everyone gets scared off and this becomes an exclusively American Swap.
The Posse has laughed long and hard about me and the Nuuuui! =))
That stuff hates my guuuuts. b-(
xo >-)
Oh, I see:-D (can’t do the emoticons from this computer)hihi
I just counted – I ended up doing ten swaps – all great – with one more pending ( Shelley are you still up for the Jacomo ? ) a few need to be mailed today . But hey I do this almost everyday on MUA ans Basenotes . i’m an old pro at it , and I still love doing it !
And Auntie A , I need to get some love-in-the-mail to you too !
I figured you would blow us all out of the water! When you posted your swap list I nearly plotzed. Luckily I wasn’t on the roof! #:-s
yet.
ook! on the roof. I hate open heights.
You ARE a pro – everybody who is getting a swap from you is in for a treat! 😡
xo >-)
Indeed, I am one of Carol’s lucky Swappees! (No idea if that is even a word but hey, sometimes we just need to make something up!) I can’t wait! :-)
Yes I am! Sorry…Big Life Event week coincided with Swapmania. I mostly kept up, but Monday is catch up day!!
no worries , it is here for you !
Unfortunately, I no longer have the time to check during the day, and by the time this baby gets rolling, it’s hard to follow. So I took a look, got overwhelmed and backed away. Same thing happened to me last time. Maybe I’ll call in sick next time? For two days? :)
I’ll give you a note!
xo >-)
Last year I got so askeered and overwhelmed that I ran away. Not that I don’t have a need to move out some perfumes.
This time, it was easy-I found something I really wanted way early in the posts, and the other party was really interested in what I had. Both ends went out within 2 days-mine has arrived, and her’s should be there right quick. Perfect!
Thanks, PP!
Glad it worked for you this time!
He, he, I thought I was going to pass on this one as I was on vacation and the connection wasn’t very good.
Then I decided I’ll post some of the stuff I’m willing to let go just to see if anyone is interested and now I’m in for 3 swaps. :)
No remorse last time nor I suspect this time.
;))
Swapmania is Quing! < ):) glad you had great swappage! xo >-)
Well it did not quite get to 1,000 comments this time but it was close! Thank goodness for the Find feature!
I did not swap as much this time, but that’s fine. I did not have any really good FBs to give away, so I put up what I was willing to decant and asked for samples or small decants in return. So far so good and I did end up getting several things that were exactly what I said I wanted, and one BIG thing that was a delightful surprise. Yes, I gave up something pretty major for it, but if you don’t let your good stuff go, you won’t get anything good back! So no swapper’s remorse here, because I know I will love what I am receiving. I also enjoy it when I can provide someone with their first experience with one of my vintage favorites and spread the love!
Once again, THANK YOU to the Posse peeps for hosting this! I hope it happens again in another six months or so! You guys are the best!
Swapping with you is da bomb! (maybe I shouldn’t say that, just as we are all sending out contraband b-) – swappers new to you are in for a real treat!
glad you had such a good time. I’ll chat with you next week, when I get your stuff.
xo >-)