Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Goodwill Success Story - meet Roberto!

A gang lifestyle. Convicted of a crime. Serving time at the Juvenile Justice Center.  High school drop out. Ready to make a change.  This was Roberto's reality in February, 2014.  

Isaac Hunt of Goodwill Industries of Michiana began working with Roberto.  One of Roberto's first goals was to achieve his high school diploma by passing the GED test. In April, Robert met his first goal. He is the first member of his family who has received his high school diploma.




Since then, Roberto was released from the Juvenile Justice Center and has enrolled with Goodwill's  Violence Intervention Program.  In just 3 months, he has completed the required classes: anger management, resume building, financial, and conflict resolution. He is now part of the work experience program and is looking forward to starting college at Ivy Tech in the Fall of 2014. 

His willingness to change through hard work has changed the trajectory of his family for generations to come. Way to go Roberto!  We are very proud of you!

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

8 Fun Dresser Makeover Ideas


I have so much fun gathering up ideas for repurposing items on the Goodwill Tips Blog and look forward to showcasing these ideas for you each month. Today's post is all about a furniture staple...the dresser. I have gathered 8 fun ways you can you can makeover a Goodwill dresser that I know you will want to run right out and find this thrift store gem to create a new fun piece in your home. In fact, I can't wait to snag a dresser myself so I can implement these ideas in my own home.


Create a Unique Kitchen Island

Kitchen islands can be quite pricey, but they don't need to be. A dresser can be made over into the perfect kitchen island for your home with a fresh coat of paint. A kitchen island made from a dresser offers ample storage for table linens and silverware as well as a generous top for a cutting board, fruit bowl, or cake stand. I love this beautiful mint green kitchen island made from a dresser by You're So Martha


Make a Cute Dog Bed from a Drawer

As we showed off last month in our suitcase makeover piece, cute dog and kitty beds are all the rage and can be styled to match the interior of your home. DIY Show Off takes it to another level with an adorable detachable parasol that offers your pooch shade in the summer months. If you spy a dresser that isn't in the best of shape at Goodwill,  don't dismiss the piece. Dresser drawers are just as valuable for fun DIY projects. Dare I say, in fact, sometimes even more fun than finishing an entire dresser piece?  I adore this DIY dog bed and the adorable details for your fashionable 4-legged friends. 


Make a DIY Costume Closet

Who knew girls came with so many costumes? When my daughter was small, our dress-up clothes resided in a drawer in her room that often exploded all over her floor. I love the idea of creating a space just for these outfits and Rambling Renovators made a DIY Costume Closet out of an old dresser that is just too adorable for words. I particularly love that there is a mirror on the side for a quick costume check and that there is storage for jewels and footwear. The floral wrapping paper interior also adds a special girly touch that any little girl would flip for. This is a DIY-must for moms of girls!


Create a Planting Station

Although I was not blessed with a green thumb, I do have an appreciation for beautiful pieces that add beauty & function to our outdoor living. Although I couldn't find the source for this image, I just had to share this fun idea for a way you could transform a mirrored dresser into a planting station.  

By adding peg board to the mirror stand, you now have the perfect storage for your gardening tools. The top is the perfect stop for planting, or even for decorating outdoors. The drawers make ideal storage for items like seed packets, small pots, gardening gloves, and your gardening cushion. 


Turn It Into a Vanity 

As we have found with our sixties home, bathroom renovations can be expensive even with the most basic of remodels. Have you ever considered a dresser the perfect source for a vanity? I know I hadn't until I saw this incredible DIY Vanity made from a thrift store dresser from An Oregon Cottage

The best part is that you can customize this to the size of your home, add a splash of color (or not), and a scratched-up tabletop basically disappears once you insert your sink. How fabulous is that? 


Create Unique Storage 

Storage is always something I am thinking about and I love the idea of using dresser drawers for storage particularly in a guest room. Liz Marie shows off her two beautiful drawers that have been stenciled with numbers as storage underneath the bed. I can picture spare linens in here, a few basic toiletries, or even reading material for a rainy day. Again, look at the bones of the pieces and find what is in the best condition and most valuable to you for your project needs. This is a perfect example of an element you can use from a furniture piece. 

Put a Number On It

Numbering things continues to be a trend and one simple addition that you can add to a dresser is numbering whether it is stenciled, applying house numbers, or getting creative with paint. I love this modern dresser makeover with fresh white paint and modern numbers on each drawer from Cozy.Cottage.Cute.


Speaking of numbers, I am also madly in love with this numbered dresser that your child's date of birth on it. I found this adorable idea on To London With Love and it makes me want to do this adorable idea on a dresser for my kids. What kid wouldn't love to see his birthday everyday and what mom wouldn't feel nostalgic every time she went into her child's room. I adore this! 


Add Unique Hardware

For today's final idea, I love the idea of looking for unique hardware made from other items you might find at Goodwill. merrythought showcases a beautiful masculine detail on this dresser makeover utilizing leather belts for drawer pulls. The same idea could be used with leather pieces from purses or purse straps too. I love that this is such a simple detail, but can transform a dresser into a real showpiece.

Have you ever made over a dresser from Goodwill? We'd love to hear about it! 



Thursday, July 10, 2014

Free Job Search Workshop in Granger!







Have you heard about the...
FREE Job Search Workshop?

If you are considering searching for a new career or advancing your current career, you won't want to miss this FREE workshop.  

Goodwill Job Specialists, Omeria Sibanda and Danny Marshall, will partner with Image and Wardrobe Expert, Kathy Friend to offer tips on how to present your best first impression to get an interview, get the job and keep the job! 

Tuesday, July 15th

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm  Resume & Job Search Workshop
6:30 pm - 7:00 pm  Personal Shopping with Kathy Friend







Monday, July 7, 2014

Style Tip - Shorts! Which are best for your body type?



Hot Trend Alert: Shorts! 
For years, we’ve been told by the fashion world wearing shorts isn’t trendy.  The tides have certainly changed, and shorts are all the rage!   Shorts are becoming more and more accepted in casual office environments and for ladies of every age.  But the question seems to be…what shorts look best on you?

In this month’s fashion post, I’m answering your short questions with some easy and practical tips to help you look your best this summer.

I DON’T LIKE MY LEGS



The most flattering cut for every body type is the walking short.  This is a mid-length short is  perfect to pair with a suit jacket and heels for the day, a silk blouse for evening or flip-flops and a tank top for the beach on the weekend.  The length of the short is about an 8” inseam, and should hit you right above your knee cap. 


BEWARE IF:  You are petite (under 5’4”) – be sure to balance your silhouette with a wedge sandal – the higher the better!

STYLE TIP:  Look for a walking short that has a slimmer fit.  This will be the most flattering, and not overwhelm your silhouette. 


I HAVE SHORT LEGS

 ** Shorts from Goodwill Industries



The best short for someone who is petite (under 5’4”) or who has an inseam under 31” is a mid-thigh short.  This would be one with an inseam of about 5”, that hits your leg right where your fingertips touch your thigh. 

BEWARE IF:  You have very long legs, or are tall.  The shorter length of this style can off-set the proportion of your silhouette.  If you choose to wear this shorter length, be sure to finish your look with a flat sandal.  

STYLE TIP:  Choose a short that does not have a cuff.  A cuffed hem is a design detail that brings attention to a part of the body (your hips) that you may be trying to camouflage.   

The best short for someone who is petite (under 5’4”) or who has an inseam under 31” is a mid-thigh short.  This would be one with an inseam of about 5”, that hits your leg right where your fingertips touch your thigh.
  
I DON'T LIKE MY THIGHS



 ** Shorts from Goodwill Industries


The best short for curvy gals, or ladies who have heavier thighs is a longer length.  A walking short (sometimes called a Bermuda short) is a good choice.

BEWARE IF:  If your body shape is “A” shaped, or pear (in other words, if you carry your weight on the bottom half), be sure to bring attention to the top of your silhouette with a brighter color of top or jewelry. Keep all the details on the top of your outfit, no stripes on your shorts, no fancy pockets, cuffs or contrast stitching.  The simpler the better.

STYLE TIP:  A heel over 2” will always elongate your leg, and make you look thinner. It has been said for every inch you wear on your feet, you will appear 5lbs thinner! 

I HAVE SKINNY LEGS



For ladies who have long thin legs, bring some oomph to your bottom half with either a rolled boyfriend short or a short with some swing or interesting detail like a skort.  This idea of additional fabric will balance your thinner bottom half with your shoulders.  Keep the top of your outfit simple, and focus all the attention on your bottom ½.  

BEWARE IF:  If you have wider hips check the length of your shorts.  You want to be sure they are longer than your fingertips.

STYLE TIP:  When wearing a floaty unstructured short pair it with something more form fitting on top.

Stop by Goodwill to find the perfect pair of shorts to flatter your shape and show off this hot trend. To find a store near you, click here!

I would love to hear what your favorite summer short looks are!