Selling Your Stuff - the good, the bad and the ugly of consignment

We have all been there - you buy something, it sits in your closet, and sits. Every time you walk into the closet you are reminded of a bad purchasing decision (brown suede platform heels after a day of wine tasting) that haunts you the morning after. When you wake up the next morning and peel your eye open, and the brown heels remind you of bad wine induced shopping decision.

Technical term - shoppers remorse.

So what do you do with the shoes/bag/clothing after the fog of remorse subsides? You sell it.

The question is, where.

Ebay, online consignment or in store consignment. If you are a newbie, the options can be daunting and paralyzing.

The good news is that I have tried them all, and am here to save you from the missteps that I made.

Over the next two weeks, I will take you through selling through ebay, store and online consignment. Some are more involved, but give you better return. Stay tuned for the next 3 blogs - the good, the bad, and the ugly of selling your stuff.

Antiquing - the Art of Sifting Through Old Stuff is Making a Comeback

Antiquing is making a comeback - and I am leading the charge. Stop the eye rolling and judging of my geriatric shopping habits - antiquing is fun. I swear.

Case in point - this teacup and saucer I got for $1.50. What was once a boring pot of trader joe's coffee has now become a hipster worthy cup 'o coffee.

Back to antiquing...so what is it, anyway? According to webster's dictionary, the art of antiquing is to hunt or shop for antiques.

Full stop here. I admit that I was once an antique hater. You know when your mom drags you to all of these stores at a young age - the horrible smell of old - not being able to touch anything - pure misery. But, as you get older, it can be a fun shopping experience to sort through older knickknacks and furniture. So mom, you were right.

One of the biggest questions people ask about antiques, is what is an antique, vintage or just plain junk?

Antiques: an old collectable item. It is collected or desirable because of its age, beauty, rarity, condition, utility, personal emotional connection, and/or other unique features. It is common practice to define "antique" as applying to objects at least 100 years old. 

Vintage: can mean an item is of a certain period of time, as in "vintage 1950's" but it can also mean that the item exhibits the best of a certain quality, or qualities, associated with or belonging to that specific era.  Vintage' should not be used in reference to objects less than 20 years old. (source: Ruby Lane) 

Junk: old or discarded articles that are considered useless or of little value. For example, that Barbie’s collectable 2000 Christmas is junk. 

Now, I am no antique/vintage guru, but I do enjoy spending time at antique stores rifling through jewelry, collectables and furniture. And while some things can be fairly pricey, there are lot of reasonably priced items that can add character to your home or wardrobe. All items below are $40 or under.

And, antiques or vintage furniture can always be given a second life with a bit of stripping and refinishing.

So, check out your local antique store some afternoon - you never know what you'll find. If you do go, just don't tell your mom - she will say I told you so.

What YOU Need to wear...While Watching the World Cup This Sunday

In a nail biting final minutes of game, the U.S. pulled ahead of Ghana Monday to win 2-1 in a match in the "Group of Death."

Not that the World Cup isn't challenging enough on it's own....but you add in being a member in the "Group of Death"...and getting out of the first round can seem daunting.

With the cards stacked against the U.S. (key player Jozy Altidore will be out this Sunday with a pulled hamstring), Portugal will be a tough match. Rumors are that Cristiano Ronaldo may also be out with a tendinitis of the knee - but most skeptics say that he will be on the field, and a force to be reckoned with.

So, how do you play into this U.S. winning equation, you ask? By showing your support with shirts, accessories, and of course, shoes. Here are my MOST wanted items to wear while watching the U.S. vs Portugal game this Sunday (6 EST).

Clockwise, from top left:

// U.S.A. Leggings // U.S.A. Soccer Ball // U.S.A Heart Tank // Converse U.S.A. Sneakers // Official World Cup Scarf // Flag Socks//

Girl Shoe Crush...Sophia Webster

Have you ever had a shoe crush...you find a line that you love, and then become totally obsessed with their shoes?

The feeling can be somewhat overwhelming - to both the mind and the pocketbook. There is just something so tempting about finding a designer you love - and lusting after every shoe.

Meet new-comer designer Sophia Webster. I starting seeing her shoes late last year, and they always stopped me in my tracks - or my fingers online - every time I saw them. Whimsical, smart, interesting and artful, her shoes are really pieces of art. 

I wasn't surprised when I found out that the designer Sophia Webster started in the industry working as a design assistant to Nicholas Kirkwood (also enviable shoes). She graduated with a specialized MA footwear degree from the Royal College of Art and a BA degree at Cordwainers college (Jimmy Choo trained here). 

Her first collection started as Spring/Summer 2013, and each collection gets better. They range in price from $400-800, but would be an investment piece that would stay in your closet for years to come. 

Or, you can do like most people do with a crush - online shoe stalk in hopes that your size would soon go on sale. 

Below are a few of my current favorites:

(Marissa Calf Hair Fringe Sandal)

(Athena Butterfly Gladiator Sandal)

 (Chiara Sandal)

 (Blake Jewels Sandal)

(Carrie Feather Sandal) 

 (Samia Tribal Calf Hair Mule)

(Yinka Sandal)

Cha Cha Living: YOU Voted...the Best Panama Hat is...

Cha Cha Living: YOU Voted...the Best Panama Hat is...: With over 50% of the vote....your winner is the middle hat, a Pachacuti original Panama Hat. Results are below! #1 Pachacuti Vo...

Shoe Thoughts:

YOU Voted...the Best Panama Hat is...

With over 50% of the vote....your winner is the middle hat, a Pachacuti original Panama Hat. Results are below!

#1 Pachacuti

Votes: 51%

Cost: $112 (20% off with code HAPPYYOOX)

Country of Origin: Ecuador

Details: Beautifully made hat by a great company. Certified by the World Fair Trade Organization - a hat you will keep for ages

Find it HERE

#2 J. Crew

Votes: 31%

Cost: $58

Country of Origin: Ecuador

Details: Woven by hand in Ecuador. A very well constructed Panama Hat

Find it HERE

#3: Forever 21 Hat

Votes: 16%

Cost: $14.80

Country of Origin: China

Details: For the price, it's a great summer hat - perfect at the pool or lake

Find it HERE

It's Time to Vote....for your favorite Panama Hat

Panama Hats...seriously...how different can they be? A bit of straw here...a black ribbon, and you are done, right?

I tested out three of this seasons Panama Hats, priced between $20 and $100.

So, most expensive hat wins, right?

Wrong.

I took three hats on a test drive with those fashionable and non, and all responses were the same...

First blog lays out the three hats. You vote in comments on your favorite hat, and then we compare prices with fan votes.

Vote on the blog, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter! Votes will be counted on Wednesday, June 11th.

Hat 1:

Hat 2:

 Hat 3: