Thursday, November 29, 2012

Gearing up for the Holidays

I'm all wrapped up in the holiday spirit, aren't you?  Even when I go out on the weekends, I am searching my closet for something with a little sparkle or shine. One of the HOT pieces this holiday season is the sequin skirt.

I had this outfit idea in my head that requires a gold sequin skirt.  Seemed when I wasn't searching for one, I saw gold sequins EVERYWHERE.  Of course now, I can't find one anywhere.  So I got busy looking online.  The one I found that seemed to be the right gold was well over $70.  This Mom's budget can't afford $70 for a skirt she'll wear a few times!  Then I wondered, could I make one?

Again, back to the Google searching, and voila! Why didn't I think of this weeks ago?  Of course...find the perfect fit in a skirt at Goodwill, and simply sequin it! 

Here are the quick and easy steps:

STEP 1
Go to Goodwill and find that perfect little skirt.  The color doesn't matter, just make sure that the fit is exactly what you want.

STEP 2
Head to the craft store (or if you find something that is sequined at Goodwill, that might work too...rework what is already done?).  Choose a perfect color sequin fabric.  Make sure the sequin fabric has some stretch. Sequined fabric can be a little pricey, so before you hit the stores, look online for a coupon.  I found a 40% off coupon and used that...making my "holiday gold" MUCH less expensive!

STEP 3
My step 3 is a bit different than the inspiration (link below). Cut your sequined piece of fabric about1-1.5" bigger than the "pattern skirt".

I then used a fabric glue to seam the sides of the sequin fabric together.  I stitched the sequins at the waistband of the skirt, and only about 2" down the sides.  This allowed the Goodwill skirt to act as a sort of slip for the sequins.

DONE!



Here is a 'how to':
(from: http://toothfairyfashiontale.blogspot.com/p/diy-sequined-skirt.html)




Monday, November 26, 2012

Donations... Step 1 - Organize!




I think we all can agree that donating our used goods to Goodwill is a good thing.  We all want to help people in our communities gain the resources necessary to go to work and become self-sufficient.  But the reality of 'doing that' means we need to motivate ourselves to clear out some clutter.

Overwhelming?  Not really.

I talked to a professional organizer friend of mine, Donna Roland.  She is simply amazing!  She offered the following very simple step-by-step process to get started with a closet organizing project. 

(photo from Donna's website: http://www.faithfullyorganized.com/)

STEP 1
Set aside the proper amount of time you will need to tackle this project.  If you don’t have time to do it all at once, take a section at a time.

STEP 2
Determine what your “style” is and what clothes need to be kept in your closet to fit your style. Having this information helps determine which items should be kept

STEP 3    
Remove and sort everything from your closet so you can start with a clean slate. This includes shoes, purses and accessories as well.  This will require trying things on and asking yourself several questions which include:  Does it still fit?, Is it still in style?, Do I like how I feel in it?,  Does it fit my style?, and Would I buy this today? 

Sort the items into piles of “Keep”, Donate” and “Toss”.  Once all the items are sorted into your piles, immediately throw out the items in your “Toss” stack and take the “Donate” items to Goodwill so they are out of sight and you no longer have to think about them.
 
STEP 4
Storing your “Keep” stack.  Now it’s time to place the “Keep” items back in your closet.  Arrange the items in your closet by categories such as: season, purpose, color, style and length.  Make sure the items are all hanging so they face in the same direction.   Hang your items so that you can “shop” your closet and see exactly what you have.
 
STEP 5
Be proud of your accomplishment!   Stand back and be proud of what you have accomplished and enjoy your new closet and how it makes you feel.  Now you can use your new knowledge when you go on your next shopping trip and know exactly what to buy!

Remember... place your "donate" items in the car right away and head to Goodwill. 
You'll feel great having the extra space in your closet.  And, you've helped others in our community at the same time.

 

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Fall/Winter Trends - Leather

 

Nothing says Fall/Winter like LEATHER! The thing that I think is so unusual this season, is I'm seeing more and more pleather (fake leather).  Pleather is much more affordable, and very easy to alter or re-work.

The 'rocker chic' look is a fun one to incorporate into your holiday looks.  Think about pairing a motorcycle leather jacket with a flirty ruffled or lace skirt.

For the office, take the same motorcycle jacket and pair it with a tweed skirt.

Fall/Winter Trends - Global Details


I am in love with Global Details in fashion (home fashion and wardrobe fashion) this season. The thing I love the most is the eclectic and vintage feel those details bring...and what better place to get great vintage finds than Goodwill!

Global Details simply means, well, DETAILS!  Tapestry, colorful woven designs, heavy knitting.

When you are wearing a piece with these kinds of details, be sure to make THAT piece the statement of your outfit and keep everything else very monochromatic and simple.

Be sure to keep this trend within your style personality. If your style is natural (in other words, you like natural fabrics, love the comfort and ease of jeans and t-shirts.  Your shoe choice would be Crocs or maybe a Toms)...then choose your Global Detailed piece carefully.  Keep this trend in your accessories (scarf, hat).

If your style is more sassy (people ask you how you came up with outfit combinations, you aspire to be the local Carrie Bradshaw) then go wild in this trend!  This style will easily pair a fair aisle sweater with a tulle skirt and cowboy boots.

And if your style is tailored and polished (you love a trouser and sweater set, you prefer to not make a statement with your clothes, you know what looks good on you and what flatters your silhouette and you stick to it) then a great tailored piece is best for you.  You are most comfortable in cuts of clothing that are generally the same.  Stepping out of your style-box-comfort-zone and adding a pencil skirt with a subtle tapestry would be perfect for you.  Even a jacket will add some pizazz into your wardrobe, and mix very well with the other pieces in your closet. 


To see more ideas on this trend, visit: KATHY'S PINTEREST PAGE

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Creatively Wrapping Gifts With Goodwill Items


Christmas is quickly approaching and this is the holiday where the crafter in me rejoices not only for the Christmas crafts I get the opportunity to create, but the opportunity to package those gifts beautifully under our tree. Goodwill can be a great place to check for, not only your gifts, but also items to creatively package those gifts in a unique way.

Yarn Embellishments- It is rare to stop at Goodwill and not see craft supplies that have been donated. Yarn is one of those inexpensive craft supplies that I love to use when packaging my gifts. Whether it is a yarn pom pom in lieu of a bow, multiple colors of yarn that have been woven together to create a unique packaging detail, or even knitted or crocheted embellishments can make beautiful gift toppers. (Image Source: Persia Lou)

Gift Card Snow Globes- Gift cards can often feel impersonal, but are often just what the recipient has asked for or needs. Package those gift cards creatively by vising the Housewares section at Goodwill and hunting for jars that can be used to create your very own gift card snow globes. Little ones can participate in the fun in creating these adorable craft. Look for small items to decorate the inside of your snow globe and spray paint those thrift store lids with a festive green or red spray paint to spruce it up. (Source: The Creative Mama)

Fabric Flowers- Visit Goodwill on the half off days or select items that are on sale that week to find material from clothing items that can be used to creatively embellish your gifts. Cut scraps of fabric to create homespun bows or cut the fabric into easy circles and create a fabric flower that can be personalized with unique buttons or costume jewelry for creatively topping them. Even items like t-shirts can be used to make elegant flowers for a unique addition to boxes or kraft paper gift bags. (Source: MomAdvice)

Book Page Rosettes- Book pages are the ultimate in frugal craft materials and are a fantastic resource for creating your very own gift toppers. With a simple pair of scissors and a little glue, you can top your gifts beautifully and inexpensively with rosettes made from book pages. (Source: Under the Table & Dreaming)

Beauty Gift Additions- Gifts of beauty items like sugar scrubs or bath salts can be a fun and thoughtful gift to give and made with materials in your pantry. I love to add a simple addition of a vintage spoon and package these items in a mason jar found at my Goodwill store. Find a jar you love, but can't find a lid? Simple bands and jar lids can be found at your local discount store and freshen up a jar with a tired lid or be the perfect topper for a jar that might be missing one. (Source: MomAdvice)

Salt & Cinnamon Dough Toppers- Remember making simple salt dough ornaments or cinnamon-filled dough ornaments for the holidays? These are still a fun way to top gifts and can be made from some simple ingredients in your pantry. Grab a salt dough recipe here or look for the cinnamon dough recipe over here. Tie these on with scraps of fabric from Goodwill items. The best part about these toppers is that they later can be used as an ornament to adorn your tree. (Source: Simply Savannah Events)

What are some creative ways you love to package your gifts? I would love to hear from you! 

Monday, November 5, 2012

What to Wear NOW! ...the white shirt



The classic white shirt.  There are a thousand ways to wear the white shirt:
·        Tucked
·        Untucked
·        Untucked and belted
·         ½ tucked (tucked in front but not the back)
·        Open like a jacket
·        As a layering piece under a sweater or jacket
·        Oversized and tied in the front

A great white shirt is something you will have in your closet for a long time.  It is also something that once it wears out, you realize how much you really wear this classic piece.
The best white blouses I have found were at Goodwill.  Looking for some with a variety of details and cuts will let you have even more options in your closet.  Look for:
  •       No signs of wear, specifically stains (look closely in the arm pit, this is where stains and pilling show up first) 
  • Missing buttons?  No problem, changing out the buttons may make this classic really sassy and hip. 
  • Straight hem – as opposed to a shirt-tail hem.  This will give you more options to wear it untucked 
  • Oversized and longer – wearing your shirt as a tunic? A great idea! 
  • Something more structured and fitted. Perfect as a layering piece.