Dewdrop Fall Swap & Shop

Dewdrop Fall Swap & Shop

Dewdrop DC is hosting their 3rd Annual Fall Swap & Shop! Yay!  I for one am ecstatic!  As you know from my Revamping the Wardrobe post, I really need some fresh threads in my life.

The event is Saturday, October 5th from 4-7pm at the Durant Arts Center in Alexandria, VA

More information about the event:

THE EVENT

Our guests will enjoy mingling with like-minded women over yummy treats and refreshments during our massage bar hour (yes, you get a free massage!), shopping a multitude of pop-up shops of emerging designers and retailers, and viewing a blogger style challenge highlighting the hottest fall trends and a fashion swap. The event will be filled with lively music and hosted by the energetic on-air personality, Wild Kat of the Wild Kat Show. All unswapped items will be donated to Goodwill of Greater Washington and donations collected will benefit the Tigerlily Foundation and Doorways for Women and Families.

Donations

If you would like to donate to our causes, we are accepting hats, scarves, journals, pens, organic lotions, soaps, aromatherapy packages, socks, gift cards (all kinds), inspirational books and bracelets/necklaces, household supplies, toiletries and pampers.

Donations should be at least $5 in value. You may contribute an assortment of items as long as it equals to $5 or more. Remember, you will get the discounted admission price of $15 if you come with a donation! We will also have donation boxes for those who want to donate a monetary value.

SWAP 

 FAQs:

1. What can I bring to swap? 

Bring items for the fall/winter season ONLY. Bring sweaters, tops, bottoms, dresses, jackets, shoes, handbags and accessories. The items have to be current and fashionable. We will accept vintage items if we feel they are swap-able. Items should be in good to new condition, with working zippers and no missing buttons. Items should be clean. We will not accept any items with holes, stains, or pilling.

 2. What should I NOT bring?

Gym wear (sweats, sports bras, etc), hair accessories, bathing suits, and undergarments are not accepted, unless the tags are still on. Golden rule of swapping is swap items that you would be proud to give to your best friend. 

 3.  Do I have to bring swap items to come to the party?

 No, just rsvp and come join the party for fun!

 4. How does the swap work?

 Here's an easy step-by-step process: 

 1) Go through your closet and find stylish clothes, shoes, and accessories you no longer wear. 

 2) Bring in as many items as you want to the swap. In order to avoid long lines, we will have an express line for people with 15 items or less and a regular line for those who bring more than 15 items. 

 3) Drop off your items from 4:00-5:30PM. We will stamp your hand so we know you’re there for the swap. You will get a voucher with the number of acceptable items you bring in.

 4) Swap begins at 5:45 sharp. Remember, swapping is not a contact sport! Swaps are fun and a great way to meet like-minded people, so please be nice to fellow swappers. To make your swapping experience easier, items will be neatly organized by type of clothing (sweaters, tops, bottoms, etc.). 

 5) Enjoy your fabulous, new-to-you wardrobe!

  5. Can I try on my clothes? If so, where?

 There will be a covered area where you can try on clothes.

  6. What happens if I don't find anything I like?

Swap at your own risk. Bring in items you wouldn't mind parting with. If you didn't find anything, at least you got to purge your closet! Of course, we understand if you change your mind. You can still grab the item when the swap starts, if it's still there. But once you drop it off, you've given up ownership of that item.

 7. What is the check out process? 

Staff will check your voucher when you leave to count the number of items and ensure you got the same number of items you came in with. You can leave with items that are equal or lesser quantity, but not more. 

 8. What happens to the items that aren't swapped?

You'll go home with a good conscience knowing your clothes will go towards a good cause--we donate all remaining clothing from the swap to Goodwill of Greater Washington.  On the other hand, we are not a clothing drive. Please leave extra items at home (this goes for men's and kids' clothes, too).

This is going to be an awesome event! Now I have to find some swappable items in my ratchet closet!  Get your tickets here http://shopforlove.eventbrite.com/ and I will see you there!

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Adventures in Spa World, USA

Adventures in Spa World, USA

Poultice Rooms at Spa World USA

I have spent the better part of my morning, steaming, bathing, getting scrubbed, and having the living {insert four letter word here} beat out of me via shiatsu massage...at Spa World, USA.

For those unfamiliar with Spa World, it is a jimjilbang, a Korean-style bathhouse. The jimjilbang is a recent cultural phenomenon that grew out of a centuries-old public bathhouse tradition. Spa World is a 24-7 complex featuring a Korean restaurant, smoking and sleeping rooms, a gym and a child-care center. And boy, do those Koreans know how to party.  Nestled in an inconspicuous strip mall off of route 28 in Centreville, VA (DC Metro area), it looks like a...well, a restaurant.  However, when you step inside, a whole other world awaits you.

Entrance at Spa World USA

This place has bade pools, saunas, salt rooms, crystal amethyst rooms, blue onyx rooms, massage rooms, sleeping rooms, locker rooms; you could spend the weekend there, literally!

The first time I went to Spa World, I went with my mother.  We were strictly there for massage, so we walked into the womens locker room, complete with hard wood floors, leather furniture and well, lockers and headed up stairs for a 30 minute deep tissue massage.  I will not lie, shiatsu is not for the faint of heart, but after the endorphins kick in you feel amazing.  When my mom headed out of her session, her disheveled hair and easy appearance made me ask her if she had a happy ending!  She had not, she just felt marvelous.

Reception area at Spa World USA

So my second time around, I wanted to explore what else this spa wonderland had to offer.  I paid my $85 ($35 for all day access to facilities and $50 for a shiatsu massage) and immediately changed into my citrus tangerine prisoner uniform.  Yes, your uniform (the mandatory Spa World uniform) looks as if you should be picking up litter on the side of the road.

I decided to start with my massage.  A young lady with a small frame, worked my back and legs with force and deadly accuracy.  It was borderline excruciating at first, however, after the adrenaline started pumping, it was heaven.  I stumbled out of my massage room and decided to head to the bade pool.  Now, when entering the bade pool, nudity is not an option, it is mandatory. 

Poultice Rooms at Spa World USA

I admit, I am a bit of a prude.  I am not stripping for anyone except the mirror, or my husband.  When, I reached the locker room, there were ladies in different stages of undress, ages and body types ranging from slim to quite large.  All of them seemed perfectly comfortable with their nudity.  I stripped, and gave myself a pep talk, which consisted of, {insert expletive here} it!  The great thing about being in to fashion is, it teaches you that everything in life is how you play it!  Meaning, if you act like your feces smells like roses in a neon green sheath dress and black tights and neon yellow heels most people will believe you. (Hint, hint-you know that was plain ugly, I don't care what designer grafitti'ed their name across it),   So armed with my {expletive} it attitude, I strode (rather quickly) to the bade pool.  It was delicious.  After my deep tissue massage, the bade pool was warm, relaxing and inviting.

Bade Pool at Spa World USA

Spa World calls says their bade pool is state of the art water therapy.  They even have a routine for the bade pool!  You spend so many minutes on each part of the pool which has a variety of jets and fountains, that are designed to offer different types of hydrotherapy.  Because I was mildly uncomfortable with my nudity and the shiatsu massage turned my muscles into jelly I was perfectly content with the bubble jet.  

Amethyst Room at Spa World USA

While sitting there,  I realized no one else was bothered by their nudity (nor mine).  There were no creepy gawkers and the bade pools are separated by gender, so my own self consciousness, slightly subsided.  After about ten minutes of pure relaxation, a large group of women came to the bade pool. I decided to peel myself from the bubble jet so they could enjoy the bade pool routine.

From there I moved to the Dream Bath which consisted of high pressured water streams directly on my calves, soles, waist and shoulders.  I really could have stayed in the Dream Bath for the rest of the day, but the large group of women seemed like a feisty bunch and they moved rather quickly.

Next, I tried the Hydro Jet.  You stand and jets from all sides massage your body from the shoulders down.  IT.WAS.AWESOME.  After the Hydro Jet I decided to exit the bade pool, because the group behind me, made me feel rushed from station to station.  My personal motto is, if I am naked, I will NOT be rushed. (smile) Plus, I really wanted to relax, so I made a beeline to the locker room, put my prison jumper on and headed to the poultice rooms.

Red Clay Room at Spa World USA

First stop, the Amethyst room.  All of the poultice rooms look like earthen igloos and inside they usually have murals and designs on the wall made from whatever stone the room boasts.  In the Amethyst room the walls are made with obviously amethyst, rose quartz, and green quartz.  Supposedly it emits oscillating energy waves.  I don't know if it did all that, but it definitely made me sweat.  I lost all track of time gazing at the murals.  By the time I realized I had stayed a little too long, I was light headed and dizzy.

Instead of hitting another poultice room, I headed to the restaurant/juice bar ordered Bubble Tea and Chicken Wings...yes I know, out of everything in the world to order at a Korean bathhouse!  In my defense, if you have ever been to a Korean barbeque...you know Koreans know a thing or two about chicken wings.  And these wings were no different!  I found the nearest couch and literally pigged out.

Onyx Room at Spa World USA

I would like to end this post, saying I hit all the poultice rooms...but in actuality, after my meal, I fell asleep on the couch and woke up 2 hours later.  I can't make this stuff up.  No one woke me, nor bothered me.  It was two hours of the best sleep I have had since I was a baby.

With daily routine deadlines approaching, I had to go.  While changing, I felt remorseful, I did not want to leave this water oasis in the middle of a strip mall in Centreville, VA.

I walked to the front desk, retrieved my shoes, and immediately headed out of the glass doors, back to the big box stores, cookie cutter housing developments and suburban sprawl reality that is northern Virginia.  

I shall return, Spa World. I shall return.

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