Goodwill Tips

How To Make T-Shirt Flowers

2012-02-13T16:09:00.000-08:00

Today I wanted to share with you an easy and fun project you can create from some common items that you can find at your local Goodwill Store. Today's inspiration came from a bag of clip on earrings that I found when browsing through the jewelry section of the store and the sea of endless t-shirts in every variety of color that you can find on their racks.

For this project you will need a t-shirt (any size), spray paint in a contrasting color, clip on earrings, hot glue, glue sticks, scissors, a piece of card stock to make your template, and one piece of felt.

To begin, you will need to cut out eleven circles out of your old t-shirt. I used a large circle punch and created my template out of scrap card stock. You could also just trace a lid to a canning jar, if you don’t have a circle punch handy.

Grab your piece of felt and cut a heart out for the base of your flower or you can cut a simple felt circle.

Let’s make some flower petals. Fold your circle in half as shown.

Fold up one side of the circle that has been folded in half.

Fold up the other half of the halved circle and have it meet with the other side to form a petal.

Now hot glue the seam just a tiny bit together where the petal is gathered and then hot glue the end of the petal to the felt heart.

Repeat this with all four ends of the heart.

In the spaces left, fill in with three or four more petals.

Spray paint your clip on earrings in your favorite color. Allow this to dry.

Remove the back of the earring with a pair of pliers. Hot glue the earring to the center

On the back of your fabric flower, you can attach a simple jewelry pin that you can find in the jewelry section of your favorite craft store.

Wear your thrift store pin proudly!

Have you ever done anything fun with thrift store t-shirts? Feel free to share your ideas for ways you craft with Goodwill supplies here. We would love to hear them!

Question: What do I do with this holiday weight?

2012-01-25T08:48:00.000-08:00

I thought about making a New Year’s Resolution to lose weight – but really…would I? Is weight a matter of something to be “lost” or something to simply deal with once and for all? It seems that losing something implies you will find it again. I am deciding to deal with the weight thing – whatever medical, psychological, caloric, emotional thing it is…it will be dealt with once and for all!

But how to start?

I assume I should start by making myself feel better. Ever notice when you feel like you look OK, you seem to be more motivated? Looking your best at whatever weight will do more for your psyche than any diet I have ever tried. A visit to Goodwill for some new items to add to your wardrobe can do wonders without breaking the budget.

Step 1: make sure we feel like we look our best…every single day!

This means employing a few “hide weight” tricks. Here are the tips I plan on living by:

PATTERN - When you are trying to disguise a little extra weight, pattern can help you or really hurt you. Pay attention to where pattern and detail lies on your outfit. For example, if you don’t want people to notice your midsection and hips, then don’t put any detail (pattern, belts, color contrast) in that section.

However, some pattern can act as camouflage. For example, an all over pattern on a wrap dress. This option is a very slimming and is forgiving of bumps and bulges. If the pattern thing seems too complicated, and if you are worried about making a mistake – for the time being, skip it and go with outfits that are monochromatic.

COLOR - I would be lying if I said monochromatic (all black) wasn’t a good option…especially since I live in this community, and see so many of you out and about – you’d bust me (since I wear all black a lot - it is a problem, and it another New Year's Resolution). In our quest to keep attention away from trouble areas, lets strategically wear pops of color; for example a colorful scarf or a bright red shoe. This will bring the attention to your face, or bring it down to your feet. That tactic is one of my favorites, as long as you don’t notice lumps and bumps in the middle, I am OK with face and foot attention!

STYLE - When we put on a few pounds, we seem to hibernate and pull out the muumuu from the back of our closets. This is a mistake. It is important when you’ve added a few lbs that you wear the right style for your shape; things that fit as opposed to oversized and baggy (non structured) pieces. Concentrate on defining your waist, be sure the cut of clothing you wear is flattering to your shape rather than hiding it. Choose clothing that creates an hourglass silhouette…rather than a bowling ball silhouette.

FABRIC - When you feel a little thick in the middle, be conscious about what kinds of fabrics you wear. Avoid overly heavy fabrics, and likewise, avoid very thin fabrics. Heavy fabrics (like tweed) can add extra weight to your look. Thin fabrics have a tendency to cling…in all the wrong places. Thin fabrics are OK, if you are using them as first layer pieces…but definitely not as the statement to your outfit.

Remember – extra fabric will translate (visually) to more weight. It seems to me, this is the opposite of what our goal is (to look thinner!).

FINALLY...
The simple fact is looking your best lies in your attitude and the presence you have in your clothing. Embracing WHO you are under the jackets and jeans will make those jackets and jeans look amazing on you…the you today, and the you of tomorrow!

...and when you become the 'you of tomorrow', go through your closet and donate all of the clothing you don't need to Goodwill!

___________________________
Photo Credits:
http://gigabiting.com
http://health.com
www.clker.com
http://flatstomachplan.com

Creating a No Spend Challenge for Your Family

2012-01-07T07:21:00.000-08:00

Does taking a No Spend Challenge sound like a daunting project? It is actually easier than you might think. Our family tries to go on this little adventure every February and have made a commitment to have a month of no spending.

The technique of giving yourself a break from spending, whether it is a weekend or a year, is a popular technique among personal finance writers and financial advisers to aid in getting your budget back on track.

Money-free weekends are nothing new to our family. We often make commitments verbally that we will forgo spending for a weekend, but no spending for an entire month? This will be a new one for us.

To make a commitment to our no-spend month, we have budgeted exactly what we need for gas and groceries. We will, of course, pay all of our monthly bills, but will go without any incidental spending that usually occurs during the week. That means no trips to Hobby Lobby for me, no dinners out when I am too tired to cook, no drinks out with the girls. As you can see, it will be quite the commitment to not spend carelessly.

What can be gained though from a no-spend month can prove to be of great value for families. When you are not able to spend, you suddenly see how plentiful your life already is. The richness of what is around you and how little you truly do need to be happy quickly comes into focus.

As a consumer, we become conditioned to spend so those initial first weeks can prove challenging, but the rewards are great for families who can overcome that hump and break the cycle of spending. A no-spend month does come with challenges, but it also comes with the gratification of knowing that you have let your bank account grow and have become aware of where your money is going.

Would you like to take a no-spend adventure with me? Just think of all of the free time you will have if you are not out shopping and spending for a month.

Here are a few ideas for how you could spend all of that free time!

- Get your finances back on track by trying out a free program like Mint.com and get in better touch with your past spending.

- Dust off those old board games and spend an evening playing them together.

- Watch free movies on Hulu.com or take out the DVD collection and watch your favorite movies again. If you are really craving a new release, sign up on Redbox.com to get free movie codes sent to your cell phone to use towards a fun new release.

- Break out that really old game system and relive those games again with your kids.

- Dig through your old cookbooks and try out recipes using some of the ingredients in your pantry.

- Play a game of Iron Chef with your spouse and let your children be the judge of the best dish by having your very own cooking contest. You might be surprised that even dad’s toasted Pop-Tart might be the judge’s favorite in this contest.

- Actually use the craft supplies that you have bought and start tackling some of your crafty ideas for the holidays.

- Find the floor in your laundry room.

- Look for free community activities that you could do as a family.

- Volunteer or find things in your home that you could donate to Goodwill to reclaim that space in your home.

- Visit the library and actually read the books.

- Clip coupons and plan your grocery shopping in advance for next month.

- Take a wonderful and delicious nap.

- Learn a new skill set or check out books on self-improvement to help make your life better or easier. I love to visit You Tube to get great video tutorials on everything from doing my hair to discovering a new craft.

- Get free museum passes from the library or check the local museum’s websites for information on their free admittance days. Don’t forget to pack a lunch!

- Have a potluck-style swap night with your friends and exchange three of your things for three of theirs.

- Read that pile of magazines or newspapers that never gets read.

- Exercise.

- Listen to free music on Spotify, Pandora, or Groove Shark and make a fun mix of songs you listened to when you were dating your spouse.

- Take a bubble bath.

- Play on the floor with your children.

- Organize your closet and take inventory of your wardrobe. Be sure to start a great stack of items to pass on to Goodwill!

- Recharge those batteries and put them in the children’s toys to make them “new” again.

- Tackle a home improvement project that you bought supplies for, but still haven’t finished.

However you decide to spend your no-spend day, weekend, week, month, or year, I hope that it brings into focus how great it can truly be to not spend and that it gives you the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with those around you.

Have you ever tried to go without a period of not spending money? What did you learn from that experience? Please feel free to share!

Please click on the above pictures for photo credit and to access the photographer information for each image.

Thrifty Ways to Package Holiday Gifts

2011-12-14T07:21:00.000-08:00

I love to wrap gifts creatively for the holidays and am always on the hunt for cute ideas for embellishing gifts without spending a lot of money.

You may not have thought of Goodwill as a great place to find items for adorning those holiday gifts, but it is the perfect place to check for creative gift wrapping solutions.

Here are a few of my favorite creative ways to wrap gifts for the holidays!

Wrap it In Wallpaper- I love to hunt for wallpaper when I do my Goodwill shopping because it is such a beautiful (and durable) way to wrap your gifts. Hunt for patterns that can double for your holiday wrapping and for all of those other special occasions. I can usually find huge rolls of wallpaper for a dollar or less and it lasts me forever. You can make each gift unique by switching the colors and styles of your bows and use this paper for years to come.

Use a Wallpaper Border- Wallpaper borders are also a wonderful way to wrap your gifts, particularly for the small jewelry boxes or for recovering small gift tins. The best part about using wallpaper borders for small packages is how easy it is to work with when wrapping small boxes and it costs just quarters at Goodwill!

Upcycle a Vintage Tin- Old vintage tins can make the perfect packaging for your favorite holiday treats. Recover the tops with scrapbook paper or vintage wall paper. I also love to use cans of spray paint in bold colors for making tins monochromatic.

Wrap it in Maps- Maps can be a really unique way to wrap those gifts. When visiting in different cities and areas, be sure to pick up some maps from the visitor’s bureau and save them for wrapping your presents. To make gifts more personal, save maps from your special trips or places that you would like to remember.
Likewise, you can save maps from the recipient’s local area and wrap them in that. Maps can also be printed for free from places like Google Maps or MapQuest.

Wrap them in Fabric-Look at Goodwill for great fabrics to use to wrap your gifts in over by the table linens and bed linens at the store. You can easily make a no-sew bag using hot glue and the fabric. Leave the top of the bag open and tie it up with a little bit of ribbon. This would be a great way to wrap items that tend to be more difficult to wrap because of their odd shapes.

Make the Wrapping a Gift in Itself- Don’t forget that your gift itself can also be used to wrap your present. For example, a pretty scarf can be used to wrap a new pair of gloves or an apron can be used to wrap a new dishtowel set. Look at your gifts as wrapping elements and see how you can use them.

Add a Small Embellishment- Add a special element to finish off your gift that you have found when doing your Goodwill shopping. For Christmas, I love to find mini-ornaments to use to decorate my gifts. For other occasions, you can tie something little that goes along with the theme of the party. Be creative and it can add another dimension to your gift.

Wrap it in Newspaper- Newspaper is a great way to wrap gifts and can also be tailored to the recipient. For example, I love to wrap children’s gifts in the comics section of the paper. This is a fun and frugal way to wrap their gifts and, let’s face it; kids do not care about the expensive gift wrap anyway. Likewise, you can use different sections of the paper to go along with that person’s particular interests. For my favorite finance guy, I love to wrap the gifts in the Business section and add a Monopoly Money gift tag. Similarly, a foodie might enjoy a gift wrapped in the Food section and a whisk tied to her gift. Go nuts with the themes- it makes your gifts completely unique and more interesting to open.If you have children, have them get in on the decorating fun. Let them decorate computer paper or large sheets of construction paper to wrap your gifts in.

Repurpose Old Greeting Cards- Save the greeting cards that you receive and make new gift tags out of them. I save cards that I receive that have interesting pictures on them for these kinds of occasions. You can hole punch them and loop them through with ribbon or mount them to card stock and add an extra layer with stamps around it.

What are some of your favorite ways to creatively wrap gifts? Have you found anything at Goodwill that you wrap your gifts with? I would love to hear your suggestions!

Photo credits- Please click on the photos to access the photographer's Flickr pages.

Pinterest - great for Goodwill repurposing ideas!

2011-12-07T18:45:00.000-08:00

Have you heard of Pinterest? http://pinterest.com? According to the website:

What is Pinterest? Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard. Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web.

It is addicting.

As I was poking around on the site the other day, I found this: http://pinterest.com/goodwillindy/goodwill-for-the-holidays/

Some GREAT ideas on snazzing up Goodwill finds for the holidays! Check this out:

Glitter holiday shoes!

I am in love with this shirt, and desperately searching for someone who can sew to help me recreate this look for the holidays. Picture it with an oversized chunky fishermans sweater, sweater knit tights and boots. SO CUTE!

And finally - don't you LOVE LOVE this? A t-shirt quilt! What a great gift idea!

Thanks GoodwillIndy for posting such GREAT things on Pinterest!

What to do with ties

2011-12-01T06:49:00.001-08:00

A few months back, I became obsessed with ties. I saw a skirt that someone had made out of old ties, and decided that I needed to have one. Thing is...I have no skill with a sewing machine, so the notion of having all these great "tie" things has been dashed (insert big sigh...).

But I am sure many of you have been blessed with the crafty-gene, so here are some great ideas:

OK, really? How adorable is this? Adding this tie detail to the collar of a tee? INGENIOUS!

Love the notion of re-purposing not only ties, but this vintage chair. So cute!

Yes, this dress is made out of ties! Can you imagine? LOVE IT!

This is so creative! What a great holiday gift for that guy who has everything!

This skirt is so cute, and the thing I like the most is the face that the ties don't look like ties!

Thanks Pinetrest for the images and ideas!

Goodwill Fashion - winter coats!

2011-11-18T05:47:00.000-08:00

Goodwill is a great place to pick up a fashion-forward vintage coat. Look for quality fabrics and signs of wear. Also search details that make a piece unique. Remember, anything can be altered. Buttons can be changed.

This is my favorite Goodwill jacket find. It is the perfect weight for this time of year...and is also a great jacket to wear in the rain.

I've been searching for some fun funky vintage buttons to add to this jacket for a long time (haven't found the perfect set yet). I change the pins from floral to something with sparkle...depending on my outfit that day.

I paid around $5 for this jacket.

Be on the look out for leather. Leather jackets are always in style. Search for something with details that make it unique, like this biker jacket. Love the way this fashionista paired it with a skirt! Super cute!

PHOTO: chictopia.com

PHOTO: www.shopgoodwill.com

This style harkens back to the 60's and 70's. I am pretty sure I have family photos where my Mom is wearing a coat just like this (hey, maybe this is HER old jacket?!).

A tie waist wool coat is a smart addition to any wardrobe. If you find one that doesn't have a fur collar, that can be added later.

PHOTO: www.thedressrecycler.com

PHOTO: www.shopgoodwill.com

Finding Thankfulness in a Simple Holiday

2011-11-10T12:09:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. What other holiday do we just eat and sit around being thankful for what we already have? While Christmas really should be about that, I find that Thanksgiving is the holiday where our family seems to focus best on all of the blessings in our life. There are no presents to distract us from our thankful hearts and the focus is all about being together as a family.

We don't have very many Thanksgiving traditions in our family other than a morning spent watching the Thanksgiving parade in our jammies and just being together. The beauty in Thanksgiving, for me, is finding simple ways to give thanks for all that we have in our lives.

As Jacqueline Winspear has said though, “Grace isn’t a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It’s a way to live.” I want to live thankfully, to be aware of every blessing (great AND small), and the more aware I become the more thankful I am. The more thankful I am, the more blessed I feel. It is a richness that money can’t buy.

Here are a few ways to embrace a life of thankfulness in the little things this holiday season:

Say Thank You With Simple Gifts- Contrary to popular belief, even though I blog abut saving money, you won't find this girl at the Black Friday sales trying to score the best deals. My favorite thing to do is to spend the day after Thanksgiving lounging around in my pajamas, sipping coffee, and starting my holiday crafting for those I love.

Instead of making a plan of attack at the store this year, embrace a DIY mentality towards your gift-giving and start jotting down the crafts you want to try this year. I don't know about you, but nothing means more to me than someone taking time out of their day to create something beautiful and unique just for me.

Make a list of supplies you need for making those crafts happen and hit Goodwill first to see if you can find the craft supplies for less or find a vision for what to do with these thrift store items. If you need a little inspiration to get you started, be sure to read my entry on, "Breathing New Life In Thrift Store Items."

With those beautiful handmade gifts, jot down a note to say thanks and tell that person why they are so important in your life. In a day and age where we barely write anymore, just imagine what a little note included with a handmade gift could mean to someone you love?

Start a Simple Christmas Stocking Tradition- Tired of trying to find a home for all of those useless items in your stocking? Why not start a new tradition that will remind you what the holiday season is all about?

On the first day of December, I set out a basket with small slips of paper. Each person in the family is supposed to write something about someone else in the family that they appreciate about them and stick it in each other’s stockings. On Christmas morning, we have something fun to look forward to opening, which centers on family rather than gifts. If you have smaller children, have them draw pictures for each family member and jot down the sweet things they say about their family members. It is truly a highlight of my Christmas morning and brings us all closer together as we share our family breakfast.

Give Simply to Others- Even though I have the best intentions to keep gift-giving simple, we always receive so many wonderful gifts from our family that we have to find a home for. Use this time leading up to the holidays to bless others with the abundance in your life.

Talk with your children about the importance of giving back and have them help you weed through their books, toys, and electronics to make room for the gifts that they will be receiving and to reclaim some much needed space in your home.

Want to visualize how much your Goodwill donation will mean for others with your children? Visit The Donate Movement page and you can use their calculator to discover what your impact will have on your community and the amount of hours your simple donation will provide to educate and train employees at Goodwill. Head on over to their page today and see what a difference a simple day of decluttering could do for someone in your community.

Instead of Gifts Create Simple Family Moments- Last year we started a new tradition with the money we received from our grandparents. In year's past, I would spend an entire day shopping and trying to find gifts that the kids might want even though they really didn't need anything.

Instead of buying gifts, we put the money toward an experience that we could do together. Last year we all dressed up very fancy and took our children to see, "The Nutcracker." We finished the show by having hot cocoa at The South Bend Chocolate Cafe. It was a memory I hope they will never forget.

Consider asking for gifts like money to put toward a pass to a local museum, zoo, or a special show that you would love to see at the theater. Not only will you have had a fun experience together bonding as a family, but you will also have a memory that will last far longer than another gift under the tree.

What are some of your favorite simple holiday traditions? Feel free to share them here!

Creating Fun Family Nights In

2011-10-25T07:33:00.000-07:00

If there is one thing that our family loves it is a good old-fashioned board game night, in fact, some of my most favorite childhood moments were spent around board games. I still remember the Sweet Valley Twins board game that I would play with my best friend and the endless rounds of Skip-Bo that I played with my sister when we were kids. Later, when we were first married, we had little to our name other than a futon for our bed, a card table for our kitchen table, and a stack of board games to keep us company. Those are still some of my fondest memories of those newlywed days.

Now board games are the ultimate frugal family fun night in our house. I try to get our board games at Goodwill because it is a great way for me to try them out without making a huge investment. Sometimes I buy games and we discover that it isn't something we would want to play over and over again, but I know I don't have to worry about it. When the games cost us only $1.50, it makes it much easier to donate it back and try something else out.

Here are a few of my favorite board games to look for when doing your Goodwill shopping.

Apples to Apples- If you have not played Apples to Apples before, you are really missing out on a treat. It is my new favorite game to tote around to all of our family functions and any opportunity where I can get a few friends together. Simply deal the cards out to each player and one person gets to be the judge. The judge will share a card and you select from your cards the best match to that card. Once everyone has given their card to the judge, the judge decides which card best fits the card they shared.

The fun is in the variety of unexpected comparisons people make, sometimes apt, funny, creative, or simply absurd. For example: people might match "Awkward" with "Oil Spills," "My First Kiss," "Dandruff," and "Gold Chains. " Or: "Painful" with "High School Reunions" and "Regis Philben. " Strategy comes into play since, because each player takes turns being the judge, you begin to pick up on the preferences of each player and tailor your choices accordingly.

Honestly, if you find yourself hosting a dinner party where you are worried about conversation or a family gathering that you don't have very much in common with, this is the game to break out to get through those awkward silences. Kid versions of this game are also available. (Age Recommendations- 12 and up)

Skip-Bo- As I mentioned before, this was my favorite game growing up and my sister & I would play this for hours and hours. Created by the makers of UNO, this card game is a delight for anyone of all ages. The game is a sequencing game of skill and strategy intended for two players or more and ages seven and up. Players create sequential stacks with cards on the board, the first player to use all the cards in their stack wins. The deluxe edition has a board with placeholders for all of the stacks of cards and score sheets to keep tabs of the winners. I love this game because it is easy to still have conversations while playing, making it a great game to socialize with other couples.

Trouble- Trouble is a great game for younger kids because it is a very simple concept and the playing time is perfect for shorter attention spans. Adults may remember this great game from their childhood. With this game, you just move your four pegs around the board and put them into the finish spots. If you land on an opponents peg while going around the board though, you can boot them back to the beginning and make their piece start all over again. Instead of rolling dice, you push the “Pop-o-matic,” in the center which throws the dice for you. My kids really love this game and you will too! (Age Recommendations- Ages 4-9)

Connect Four- Connect Four is one of our favorite games and both the kids really enjoy it. The game is a vertical version of tic-tac-toe. Each player has a color and you drop the pieces in and try to get four in a row. The other player can block your moves with their pieces and this is a great game for strategy building to see if you can outsmart your opponent. This is another game that is short and sweet so it is perfect for children with short attention spans or for a quick game before bedtime.

Rummikub- This is a game that my husband loved to play when he was growing up, and now he has me addicted to it too! The game is intended for ages eight and up and can be played with two or more players. With rules similar to gin rummy, Rummikub is a classic tile game that’s guaranteed to get at least a million kid-hours of use in any family. Players take 14 numbered tiles and try to get rid of them as fast as possible by creating runs (for example, 7-8-9) and sets (7-7-7). The link provided is for their deluxe edition (which we do not have). This deluxe edition is cleverly designed so that the four plastic tile racks fit together to form a carrying case for the game. Junior editions of this game are also available.

Scrabble- What is not to love about this game? Intended for two players or more and recommended for ages eight to ninety-nine, you can play this game for years with your children. The game has been improved with a swivel board (less stretching required!), raised holders to rest the tiles into, and a bag to store all of the tiles. This is one of my personal favorites and we play this a lot in our house. Don’t forget to purchase a copy of the Scrabble Dictionary and store it with your game board. Take some time to study some words and really beat your opponents! Want to see what Scrabble obsession looks like? Rent the movie, “Word Wars.” It is all about the Scrabble championships that are held and people who attempt to make a living from this sport. Junior editions of this game are also available.

Upwords- Along the same vein, this is another fabulous word puzzle game, but with a twist. You build words just like Scrabble, but you can build up and up (five letters high) to change words into new words. The more you stack, the more points you earn. I think it is more challenging than Scrabble, but the scoring is much easier to do. This game is for two players or more and recommended for ages eight and up. This game can be a powerful tool when your children are beginning to read because it can help teach them how to change words using different letters. Consider it a cheap version of “Hooked on Phonics” and a game that they can enjoy for years after they have learned to read!

Yahtzee- A classic game of dice that has been around since 1956 and is still played in millions of homes today. You can play alone (which I don’t think would be as much fun) or with more players. The ultimate in this game is to actually get Yahtzee or five of a kind. This game is so much fun and also a great teaching tool for children. Children can learn basic addition and subtraction, as well as sequential ordering.

Monopoly- I had never played this game until high school, and I can honestly say that my husband is always the winner, which is why we don’t play it as much! This game is a great teaching tool in money-management and in buying real estate. We have a couple of different versions of this game, but my favorite is the Dot Com Monopoly, which we purchased when Dot Coms were ruling the world. Few of the companies on the board exist anymore, which makes for interesting conversation and fond memories before the dot com bomb hit for computer nerds and geeks alike!

We have many more games in our collection and the last time I hit Goodwill, I picked up another stack of new ones. Our collection keeps growing and we hope to have a game collection that our kids will enjoy someday with their friends. In a day of technological bliss, game nights now seem “retro.” Why play on a board when you can just grab your game system or play a computer game online? I hope that board games will last the test of time because they can be an essential part of family bonding and creating a family night to remember!

What are your family's favorite board games? Have you ever found any great ones at Goodwill that have become part of your family night? Please share here!

Reclaiming Your Garage

2011-09-20T07:42:00.000-07:00

You may not realize that Goodwill experiences a dip in donations around this time of year, but it does! When summer winds down people often do not donate as much and this creates a shortage of product for Goodwill. That is why I think it is the perfect time of year to discuss cleaning out your garage and making room for your cars before the winter season approaches, while creating donations that will help Goodwill thrive during this time of year.

Pull Everything Out- The first step towards getting that garage truly cleared of clutter is to pull everything out and assess what you have. You may find that you have multiples of items like yard tools, mechanical tools, or parts and equipment for household projects. Remove any multiples you have and add them to your donation bin to help reduce that extra clutter.

While you have everything out, I like

to assess the items that get stored higher up in the garage or rafters. Are these item really something we need to be storing and just how often do we get these items down to be used? If they haven't been used in years, you likely don't need to store them!

Clear Out That Electronic Clutter- I talk a lot about getting rid of the electronic clutter on here, but electronic clutter seems to gather in every corner of our home, including our garage. You may not be aware of what electronics Goodwill accepts, but you can learn more about their program with Goodwill by reading this post on the Dell Reconnect program that Goodwill offers.

For example, Goodwill will happily process those cords and cables (power cord & USB cables) that no longer have a use in your garage. They also accept your ink & toner cartridges (either full or empty), computer speakers, telev

isions and software. They even take your old cell phones! If your garage has become a warehouse for your old televisions, cords, and outdated computer equipment, load them up in your car and take them on over to Goodwill.

Items where the glass could be broken, like computer monitors and scanners, just need to be placed into a trash bag or box and clearly labeled that they are broken and the date of your donation. Isn’t it nice to know that even those broken items in our home can be processed for donation?

Sort Like Items Into Clear Bins- Once you have gotten rid of all the clutter and duplicate items, you can begin sorting the items that you want to keep into clear bins. I try to keep in mind that if I can reduce the amount of items that we need to keep, we can reduce the amount of bins we will need to buy! Label the items clearly and then place them back into your garage.

Try to be strategic about where you place the items when you put them back in. For example, seasonal items can be stored higher up, and then keep items that you need more often lower and into easier reach.

Use the vertical space and wall space for mounting shelving and sorting items upward and along garage walls to get items cleared from your garage floor.

Get Rid of that Clunker- Now that all of your like items are sorted into bins, why not assess the bigger items that might be gathering dust in your garage. Is there a car in your garage that you were hoping to repair one day, but know that you never will? Why not free up the space in your garage for the car you really do love to drive!

You may have a car of humble means that you could offer as a donation to Goodwill that could give a new lease on life to someone e

lse. Even if your car is not drivable, it could make economic sense for Goodwill to take the donation to their auction site . There is no need to detail your car before donating it, just clear it of the clutter and contact Goodwill to let them know that you have a car that you would like to donate.

The vast majority of these vehicles are sold at dealer auctions and those donations help Goodwill’s mission to provide jobs, training and placement services for people with barriers to employment.

Clean Out the Garage & Join a Movement- You may see cleaning out your garage as just cleaning out your garage, but you are actually joining a very important movement of people! Goodwill has started a movement called The Donate Movement and they are encouraging everyone to participate in it. By visiting the page, you can use their calculator to discover what your impact will have on your community and the amount of hours your simple donation will provide to educate and train employees at Goodwill.

Photo credits- Please click on the photos to access the photographer's Flickr pages.

Best day to head to Goodwill

2011-09-15T10:59:00.000-07:00

There are optimal days to head to your local Goodwill stores to get great deals.

Many times, 50% sales are announced on the NEWS AND EVENT page of the Goodwill website. Another great place to check, is the Goodwill Facebook page.

Here are some other thoughts on WHEN to head to a Thrift Shop

Sale days - ask for their regular sale schedule. A $4 pair of shoes is cheap, but when they’re $2 – even better!
Stocking days – ask if they exist
Late spring – after college gets out
After garage sales - if there is a big neighborhood garage sale that ends on Saturday at 4, head over to the Goodwill in that neighborhood the next morning!
During the week – Monday – lots of donations from weekend cleaning and sales
Often! If you don’t find anything one week, try again in a few weeks. A stores’ inventory changes constantly, so you might strike gold one week, and come up with nothing the next. Make thrift store shopping part of your regular home management routine.

PHOTO CREDITS

http://kwtv.images.worldnow.com

More Thrift Shop Shopping tips

2011-09-05T10:52:00.000-07:00

I seem to have a lot of tips to share with you on Thrift Shop Shopping. Since this is the topic that is on my mind, every time I head into my favorite Goodwill stores I think of something I want to share with you.

On today's shopping adventure - here are the notes I collected for you:

NUTS and BOLTS

1. Look for clothes new with tags.

2. If you won’t wear it, don’t buy it.

3. Wash clothes when you get them home.

4. Take your time.

5. Look for signs of wear and/or alterations

6. What TO Buy is as important as what NOT to buy!

PHOTO CREDITS

http://sewfrugalandfashionable.files.wordpress.com

How to Shop at a Thrift Store

2011-09-01T11:00:00.002-07:00

One question I get asked quite a bit is "how do your shop at a Thrift Store"?

Well - I'll tell you - it is a mix of science, research, art and...GOOD LUCK!

Here are some basic tips that will help you as you head out to fill your closets with fab finds for Fall!

1. Be patient The biggest tip I can offer is to be patient! I can't tell you how many times I've frequented stores searching for an authentic vintage Louis Vuitton (anyone out there have one? message me!). But many times on those "scouting trips" I find something else amazing...like Gucci sandals, 7 (seven)-jeans, Anthropologie skirt. All things I would not have in my closet (all for under $20, by the way!) if I hadn't stopped in searching for that vintage LV.

2. Be ready to dig Think of this kind of shopping like an archeological dig, or treasure hunt. You really don't know what you will find until you dig through a lot of other stuff. This means your Thrift Shop shopping trips may take some time. Be prepared to invest that time. What you invest in time you will save 10-fold in your wallet!

3. Be friendly Everyone who’s worked in a customer service position knows what a big difference one nice person can make in your day. Besides, being nice pays off; in return for your smile the person checking you out might tell you about a 50% off day or suggest a "preferred customer" shopping program!

4. Avoid binging, shop with cash It can be tempting to stock up when you go to a thrift store - I've done it, and end up with all kinds of things that end up getting donated back to Goodwill. If you are on a tight budget, it is wise to seek out sale days, and implement a 'cash only' policy.

5. Go in With a Plan Know ahead of time what you need. The organization of each store can be a bit different, and might be overwhelming. So if you go knowing you’re looking for 12-24 month-old boy’s khakis, and size 8 black dress shoes, it can be a lot less stressful.

6. Be Open-Minded That said, keep your eyes open for any surprising deals. It’s hit-or-miss with thrift stores, so sometimes you really hit the jackpot (remember my note above about the Gucci sandals, Anthropologie skirt and 7 (Seven) jeans?). You need to make sure what you find is actually something you need – otherwise, you’re just over buying. Think about unexpected gift ideas. You could find birthday gifts for all your nieces and nephews, or you might find throw pillows in just the right shade your friend is looking for.

7. To Brands or not to brand It is true that there is a coorelation between quality and price - which means know your brands.

8. Try Things On Always try things on. Just because it’s a beautiful silk Ann Taylor skirt doesn’t mean you should buy it. If it doesn’t fit well, then it’s a needless purchase and will only clutter your closet. And different brands size things differently, so you can’t assume anything by the number on the tag. One last comment on this - many people alter clothes. Just because the tag says it is a size 10 doesn't necessarily mean it is a 10.

9. Don’t Go With Kids Sure, you may have to bring them sometimes. But if you’re armed with a detailed list, it can be hard to get much accomplished at a thrift store when you have little ones to watch. Shopping at thrift stores means having to sift through lots of aisles of crammed-full racks. If you have to bring your kids, plan on just shopping one of the store’s sections, and then come back another day to shop the rest.

10. Find Ways To Repurpose Think creatively when you head out to your local Goodwill store. I read about a woman who was looking for a Christmas tree skirt, but she happened upon a perfect vintage tablecloth with red and green flowers. It was thick, durable canvas with a beautiful red fringed border – and it will work better as a tree skirt than she had originally planned.

PHOTO CREDITS:

http://blog.oregonlive.com

http://media.goodwillindy.org

http://goodwillsp.files.wordpress.com

Shopping Goodwill for Back-to-School

2011-08-17T05:55:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe that summer is coming to a close, but our children will be heading back to school in no time flat. The month before school is always such a busy season of preparations as we stock up on our school supplies, pick our cool character backpacks, get our new school shoes, and select our school uniforms for the year.

Goodwill might not be the first place you think of when you are doing your school shopping, but if you are a family on a budget, it can be a fantastic resource for families during this expensive season in our lives.

Today I wanted to share with you just a few ideas for items to look for at your local store that you may not have thought of before.

Stock Up on a Back-to-School Wardrobe: Goodwill carries loads of name brand items that can get your kid's year started out in style and with your budget in mind. Name brand jeans, t-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, coats, dresses, pants, and leggings can all be found at Goodwill for a lot less than you would pay at the mall.

For stylish girls that need a little persuading to shop at Goodwill first, I recommend having them pull together a style file or poster board with their favorite looks from their favorite magazines for this year's season. Encourage them to come up with a list of their top pieces that they would like to start the school year out with and challenge them to replicate the looks that they created in their style file with pieces from Goodwill. Issue a fun reward for them if they come under budget like a gift card to their favorite store or even an actual piece from the style file that can add that extra sparkle to their Goodwill wardrobe.

For children that are required to wear uniforms, like my own, Goodwill often has uniform pieces for a fraction of the price than you would pay retail. I keep my kid's clothing sizes on my phone so when I see a particularly great deal on an item at the store, that I know exactly what sizes to buy when I see them.

Embrace Refashioned Style- Refashioned pieces and handmade accessories are the latest rage this year. You may not think of Goodwill as a fabric store, but I do! No matter what the size of the item, look at the pieces as material to create chic back-to-school accessories out of items that you purchase from the store.

Consider using pieces from Goodwill to make items like a fabric flower pin that could accessorize your daughter's hair or clothing, try using fabric to create rolled rosette rings for a cute accessory, whip up cute ruffled t-shirts from the clothing at your store, or add a leather label to your son's backpack or hat with his initials burned in.

Half of the fun for me is thinking outside the box with items that might be overlooked and creating new pieces that will make your children the envy of their classmates. The possibilities are endless at the store and every day is a brand new day with daily donations coming in.

Get Those Back-to-School Papers Organized- The one thing I dread the most about school starting is the unbelievable amount of papers that come home and the homework paper trail that comes with it. Start thinking now about what types of systems you would like to use to control the paper chaos in your home and jot down the items you would like to find at your Goodwill store.

Items like magazine organizers, binders, hooks, storage ottomans, and baskets can be found at the store and I love to really hunt on the sale days for these items. When doing the rest of your back-to-school shopping this year, be sure to visit the Housewares section of the store to see what you can find to house the paper chaos in your home.

Stock Up for Teacher Gifts- I love to spoil our teachers, but I also love to do it on a budget. Goodwill is my favorite store to look for cute elements to add to our teacher gifts throughout the year. The store offers a plethora of gift baskets, mugs that can be painted and filled with treats for our favorite teachers, jars to package our favorite drink mixes, and adorable plastic containers that can be filled with bath salts for a fun gift to give.

You may also be surprised to find that there are many fabulous items that are new and still in their package that could be stored away in your gift closet for the holidays or Teacher Appreciation Day.

I hope this entry gives you just a few fun ideas to begin saving for the back-to-school season with Goodwill. Be sure to take advantage of their wonderful sales and find new ways to save at your store today!

What items do you buy for the back-to-school season at your local Goodwill? We would love to hear what you love to hunt for this time of year! Please share!

Fashion Day - this Saturday in Rochester!

2011-08-05T09:38:00.000-07:00

beating the heat…fashionably speaking

2011-08-01T07:53:00.001-07:00

It has been so HOT outside this summer that the outside temperatures are leading to some questionable fashion choices.

You know what I mean…bathing suit tops worn as regular clothing, short shorts in the work-place. It is hard to determine what to wear when it is so stinkin’ hot! I mean, I get it…I don’t want to sweat through my clothes, and I want to do what I can to be somewhat comfortable.

I have been giving this a lot of thought, and have come up with some simple tips on beating the heat…fashionably speaking.

1. Dress in layers. It seems that would not be the answer to beating the heat, but the secret is to keep the layer closest to your skin a natural fiber (like cotton or linen). The layers will allow you to take off a jacket or sweater when you are outside, but still have your shoulders covered inside…covering your shoulders is the most appropriate for the office. And, you can pick up simple cardigans at Goodwill for about $5.00

2. Dress in a dress! Or a skirt. Dresses and skirts are infinitely cooler than pants or shorts. If skirts aren’t your thing, and you are worried about investing in something like that just to keep cool…skirts and dresses run about $5.00

3. Loosen up! Simply stated, stay away from tight or clingy things. The more floaty the fabric and style is, the cooler you will be!

4. The color story. Keep the color of your clothing light. White is best. Remember that darker colors absorb light (heat) and lighter colors reflect light (heat). Every little trick helps, right?

5. Skip the beach. At least, the beach clothes, for work. The general rule of thumb (regardless of the outside temperature) is if you would wear it to a picnic, to sleep in or to the beach…do not wear it to work. This goes for flip flops too.

GOT A FASHION QUESTION?!
I’d love to answer it, AND to send you a coupon for 30% off the next time you visit one of our local Goodwill stores! Simply post your question in the comment section of this blog post, and we will randomly choose a few of your questions as winners! Be sure to include your email address so that I can get in touch with you to get the coupon into your hands!

PHOTO CREDITS:
http://www.janellelee.com
http://ecoquisitive.files.wordpress.com
http://wxgeekchic.blogspot.com

Goodwill Fashion Day - Saturday August 6th in Rochester!

2011-07-28T10:29:00.000-07:00

Goodwill Fashion Day - tomorrow in Valpo!

2011-07-22T17:15:00.000-07:00

Fun Ways to Save at Goodwill

2011-07-20T04:43:00.000-07:00

In last month's blog entry, I shared three surprising things you might not know about your Goodwill donations. I really wanted to shed some light on what possibilities your donations hold for Goodwill and how much of an impact even one bag of donations means for the company.

Of course, I am also a frugal girl at my very core and while donating is very important to me, saving money when I shop is just as important. You would be correct in thinking that Goodwill is a fabulously frugal place to shop, but what you might not realize is that there are big ways to save, that can maximize your shopping dollars further. Even in places like Goodwill, I would rarely shop without a coupon because I want to get the absolute best bang for my buck.

Here are a few easy ways to save on your next Goodwill trip. After all, who wouldn't want to get a little more in their shopping cart for a little less?

Take Advantage of Store Sale Days- Goodwill offers lots of great savings to their customers with discount shopping days for senior citizens and the general public. Discount days can be anything from a set price for a bag of items to a designated fifty percent off day in the store. Before you plan your next shopping trip, visit the Sales Calendar on the Goodwill website to discover which days to hit your local store and save big.

Sales days are the busiest days at Goodwill so I have learned over the years that it is good to still have a shopping strategy in place. I begin by jotting down a list of things that I am specifically looking for when I shop. Next, I arrive as soon as the store opens so that the selection is at its premium and to avoid the crowds that may develop later. Third, I take a reuseable shopping bag with me when I go. With sales days being the busiest days at the store, shopping carts can be at a premium. Bringing my own shopping bag not only saves me from taking home one more plastic bag, but it also helps me carry what I need up to the register without having to maneuver around the people with my cart, or holding all of the items in my hands. Keep one of these tucked in your car and you will be very glad you did for these occasions!

Additional event promotions are featured on Goodwill's Homepage and feature Goodwill's own fashion blogger, Kathy Friend, who assists the Goodwill store with fashion events for the entire family. When you make donations on the days that Kathy arrives, you can receive her services and consultation at a discounted price, just for cleaning out your closet!

Join Michiana Goodwill Boosters- Michiana Goodwill Boosters is truly a Michiana hidden treasure that you will be happy to discover if you are a regular Goodwill shopper. For a mere $5, you are entitled to coupons for $5 off of a $10 purchase for every single month of the year. Basically, after you pay your $5, you will recoup your investment with just one coupon of the twelve you receive for your shopping throughout the year at Goodwill. Not only do you save $5 each month, but Michiana Goodwill Boosters also enjoy special discount shopping days. Instead of battling the crowds on 50% off days, you would be entitled to exclusive sale days just for members.

To join Michiana Goodwill Boosters, simply inquire at the checkout counter to register your membership. It is a $5 investment worth making to save your family money all year long.

Make a Donation- One of the easiest ways to score savings at the store is to stop by and make a donation. An employee will happily hand you a tax receipt when you drop your items off at the Goodwill Drive-Thru Donation Center. The bonus, that makes the trip and decluttering your life entirely worth it, is that our Michiana Goodwill Stores attach a coupon to your tax deduction form that will save you a percentage on your next shopping trip.

Many times when I make a donation, I park the car and head right on in with my coupon to take advantage of my savings. Anything that gets me organized and helps me save on my shopping is a very good thing, in my book!

Check the White Board- Each day shopping at Goodwill is like a brand new adventure. Not only is the merchandise fresh daily, but the savings are fresh daily too. I always check the white board at the front of the store that will tell me the specials that day. Specials can be anything from pink tagged items, to toys, to books, to housewares. When you see the sales happening that day at the store, try to focus your shopping efforts on the deals highlighted, and you will come away with a lot of great stuff for very little money.

There is no excuse to not save money at Goodwill! For more great shopping tips visit the website for additional ideas on how to save and navigate the store.

Photo credits- Please click on the photos to access the photographer's Flickr pages.

What are your favorite ways to save at Goodwill? Any tips for new shoppers from our regulars?

3 Suprising Things You Might Not Know About Your Donations

2011-06-14T06:55:00.000-07:00

The summer months for our family means oodles of birthdays, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, and so many extracurricular activities that we have to pay for during these warmer months. It can often feel like we are completely tapped out by the end of the summer. Regardless of our situation though, I am always looking for ways that we can continue to support charities and organizations that need our help, even when we don’t have the financial means to always support everything we can.

I started referring to this giving in my house as my, “scraps of life giving.” There are so many things that I have within my possession and that I can do with the limited talents and budget that I possess that the possibilities for good old-fashioned giving are endless.

Goodwill is a great example of a “scraps of life giving” project that you could be doing with your family and I just love sharing easy ways that you can make donations with items you already have in your home. Today I wanted to showcase 3 surprising things you may not know about those donations you are giving and how they can impact others.

What a Clothing Donation Means- Of course, it comes as no surprise that you can donate clothes to Goodwill, but what might surprise you is how much of an impact that clothing donation could be to others.

It is shocking to know that a single pair of donated jeans can provide someone in your community with about 10 minutes of resume preparation services. If just one pair of jeans can provide that, think what a good old-fashioned closet cleaning would do for others.

Goodwill has started a movement called The Donate Movement and they are encouraging everyone to participate in it. Visit The Donate Movement page and you can use their calculator to discover what your impact will have on your community and the amount of hours your simple donation will provide to educate and train employees at Goodwill. Head on over to their page today and see what a difference a simple day of decluttering could do for someone in your community.

What an Electronic Donation Means- With two gadget-geeks living in our house, we have accumulated a lot of electronic clutter in our home. I am ashamed at the electronic clutter we have gathered, but it is nice to know that my electronic clutter could have a purpose as a Goodwill donation.

Just a couple of months ago, I shared with you how to spring clean the electronic clutter from your life. This post showcases what happens to your electronics and what you could be donating.

Goodwill has a partnership with Dell to process electronic waste in a technology recycling program that can greatly benefit our community and reduce the waste in landfills. The program is called Reconnect and it offers you an easy, convenient and responsible way to recycle your used computer equipment. You can drop off any brand of used equipment - working or not - at Goodwill's Drive-Thru Donation Centers at their retail stores.

Look around your home and see what electronic waste you can clear from your life today. Not only will you help the environment by not dumping your item in a landfill, but you also will be supporting Goodwill’s mission to provide jobs for others.

What a Car Donation Means- When I was young, I thought anyone who could donate a car had to be a millionaire to be able to do that. Just this summer though, our family had a car that we had paid off and we were able to give to my brother who needed a set of wheels to get him back and forth to work. Our humble Ford Focus was a Mercedes compared to what he had been driving, and he told me he felt like he got an upgrade and new lease on his life.

You may have a car of humble means that you could offer as a donation to Goodwill that could give a new lease on life to someone else. Even if your car is not drivable, it could make economic sense for Goodwill to take the donation to their auction site . There is no need to detail your car before donating it, just clear it of the clutter and contact Goodwill to let them know that you have a car that you would like to donate.

The vast majority of these vehicles are sold at dealer auctions and those donations help Goodwill’s mission to provide jobs, training and placement services for people with barriers to employment.

The honest truth is, you don’t need to be a millionaire to be a giver.

If there is anything I have learned, it is that those scraps of life giving can often have the most impact to others.

(Photo credits- Please click on the photos to access the photographer's Flickr pages. The last photo is my own)

Amy Allen Clark is the Founder of MomAdvice.com, a web community where she shares advice on parenting, money-saving ideas, recipes, and solutions for work-at-home moms. Visit her site for more ideas on ways to live on a frugal budget!

ROAD TRIP JUNE 18th!

2011-06-10T09:29:00.000-07:00

Join me at the NEW St. John Goodwill store. St. John is in north/western Indiana-ish (kinda close to Merrillville). Honestly, you will NOT be sorry you made the trip! Lots of goodies at this store...can't wait to see you!

What To Do with Old Jeans

2011-06-06T10:40:00.000-07:00

I hope my previous post inspired you to NEVER EVER wear Mom-jeans again!

Remember, I said don't WEAR them...not don't purchase them from Goodwill and turn something frumpy into something fabulous!

Meet Liz. You might recognize her from her debut on the runway as one of our models from the Little Black Dress Fashion show in April (2010 and 2011). She loves finding old denim at Goodwill. The older the better...the more material (in other words, the horrible high waisted kind she LOVES!). Look at all these great things she has made out of old jeans she has found at our local Goodwill stores! Now THAT is some serious crafting talent! AMAZING! Check out her creations up close:

Aprons


bags

aprons

bags

Here are some other ideas:

Kim said, "I'm searching for great old jeans to make a quilt someday"
Leah said, "I love finding old jeans that are about 2-3 sizes too big. I make them into skirts. Take the waist, stitch together the legs, cut short and leave the hem frayed...super cute!"
Kris said, "I am locker hooking wit them"
Joan said, "My mother quilts with them."

There are some great blogs out there with other fund ideas. Check these out!

From Tip Nut: 20+ Crafty Thing to Make with Old Jeans
From All Free Crafts: Denim Craft Ideas
From Wisebread: 25 Things to Do with Old Jeans:

What creative ideas do you have in the effort to re-purpose things from Goodwill? We'd love to hear about them!

p.s. Thanks Liz for allowing us to use some of your photos!

ATTENTION MOM-JEANS EVERYWHERE!

2011-06-01T09:41:00.001-07:00

ATTENTION MOM-JEANS EVERYWHERE!

Do you know what mom-jeans are?

If your jeans snap (or button) above your belly button – LET SOMEONE ELSE LOVE THEM, DONATE TO GOODWILL. If the back pockets of your jeans are so big that they completely cover your back-side, please, DONATE THEM TO GOODWILL!

We’re all friends here, right? I don’t want to see your backside in next month’s edition of Glamour magazine in the “Fashion Don’t” section!

Trinny and Susannah, fashion gurus from the UK "What Not To Wear" TV show, appeared on the Oprah Show (in 2006). They perfectly describe what mom-jeans are:

Mom jeans always are tapered or high-waisted. Plain and simple - they make your legs look shorter, your stomach bigger and your rear longer! Who wants a long rear? And if you're pear-shaped like Trinny, tapered jeans exaggerate the width of your hips. If you have a flabby belly, don't wear super-low hipster jeans. Unless you want to look heavier than you are, never wear light colored jeans.

The ONLY time to wear peg-legged (tapered) jeans is if you are very thin and have great ankles...and want to show them off. This can (and I emphasize the word CAN) be a fashion forward look...but isn't flattering for 99.9% of the women who try to wear them.

Still not convinced? You should know this...tapered denim only accentuates the width of the hips. In other words, it makes you look heavier than you are, and makes your backside look wider than it is. Plus, the tapered effect often leaves women looking like ice cream cones. Hold your jeans up and look at the shape – this is the shape they’re going to give your body! If I have said this one time over the past 15 years...I tell you, I've said it a MILLION times! Clothes DO NOT change shape...the illusion of YOUR SHAPE changes based on what shape clothing you wear.

Now...let's talk about the rise. The rise of a jean is the length of the zipper, or the distance from the cross-point where the lege come together to the top of the waistband. A common mistake I see with the Mom-jean lovers out there is wearing a rise that is just TOO high!

If the waist band of your jeans is above your belly button...you are wearing Mom-jeans! Wearing a jean with a waist this high will make your backside look like a pancake. It will also shrink the length of your torso, and make you appear shorter and stockier. Now...I can bet most of you want to look taller and leaner - right?

While moms may not want to wear their daughters' trendy, low-rise jeans, there are plenty of brands out there that cater to mature women with good fashion sense...in a very VERY flattering way.

So - what to do with all those Mom-jeans you find at Goodwill? Stay tuned...I have some ideas for you!

Photo Credits: Honestly, I can't remember where I found these pics! I am sure they came from Trinny and Susannah or Oprah...so let's give them credit!

Spring Trends

2011-05-16T05:07:00.001-07:00

I love Spring and Summer. Honestly - I just took out all of the winter clothes out of my closet to make room for the Spring Summer things, and I have a TON more Spring Summer than I do Winter! Guess it is time to weed through it all, make a donation to Goodwill and look for some new trends to add to my wardrobe!

Let me walk you through some of the big trends for the season:

Color:
Honeysuckle is THE color of the season. It is a bright pink...but not shocking neon pink. I love this color. Start looking for it! You are going to see it EVERYWHERE! Little dashes of this pink mixed in with your neutral palate will add that little something extra that will take your outfit from drab to fab!

The neutrals this season range from a mocha chocolate to grey. Grey is still a very important color in fashion this season...if you are looking to add one thing, consider a grey jean!

Many colors of the season are more subdued with bright pops of color that will really make a bold statement in this season's outfits. Wearing all neutral (all white and khaki, for example) is a trend that you will want to jump on board with once the temps stay above 70!

Citrus hues are still around with a bright splash of orange (tangerine) - mix this color with the season's hot color (Honeysuckle) with a white jean - hot!

Ocean hues of blue and green are something everyone can wear. The blues range from turquoise to a royal / purple blue.

Mixing alike tones of the same color is also very popular this season. This is a new take on a monochromatic wardrobe. So many of us love LOVE to wear all black - for those black-only gals, i would like to challenge you to try wearing an outfit of all blue...different shades of the same tone of blue. You will love it!

MILITARY:
This trend has a distinct masculine feel to it. The strong lines and very structured nature of the "military" look should be balanced with something feminine. Likewise, don't pair your favorite military jacket with a pair of camp crop pants. That is simply too much military! People might stop you on the street and ask if you have enlisted rather than to stop you and compliment you on your outfit!

We are seeing this influence everywhere from color to embellishment and style. The khaki-green color we are seeing is attributed to the military trend. To add a little of this trend into your wardrobe, look for chunky metals in your jewelry, or for button detail on shirts / jacket, especially epaulettes.

LADY LIKE:This trend has the opposite feeling from the Military one. This trend is all about being a girl: heavy lace, eyelet, bows and floral patterns. Skirts have made a resurgence into popularity with many designers introducing great a-line styles that everyone can wear.

I found a TON of on-trend pieces recently when I went shopping through some of our area Goodwill stores. Honestly, I felt a little guilty that I got so many on-trend great pieces at such an AMAZING price!

STRIPES and NAUTICAL
Stripes and anything with a Nautical feel are big this season, and I believe this nautical feel comes from the inspiration of the Military feel. Anyone can wear stripes...if you feel it is too much, then tone it down by wearing a striped tee under a cardigan.

Check out the newest Goodwill store in St. John, IN. I'll be there in June with a Kids Fashion Show! Want to know more? Stay tuned!

SOME IMAGES FROM:
from http://www.fashiontrendsetter.com

Join us, won't you?

2011-05-13T17:39:00.001-07:00

Great Items to Stock Up on For Your Next Family Vacation

2011-05-09T07:29:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: Simple Tess

Summer brings those fun annual family vacations which can also bring along with it lots of cost and stress to a family. With all of my traveling for my business, we haven’t had the opportunity to take a family vacation yet, but are looking forward to doing a little jet-setting of our own this summer.

Certainly, thrift store shopping might not come to mind when buying items for your next vacation, but if there is anything I have learned when it comes to saving money, Goodwill is my first stop when I need to do a little shopping for a trip.

Here are just a few things to check your store for when off on your next vacation.

Upgrade Your Luggage Pieces- Does your suitcase and carry-on bag need updating? Goodwill is a fantastic place to check for these items and you will be surprised at the variety of great choices you will have. Bring a tape measure along with you and measure the suitcase to see if the suitcases you are looking at can meet TSA standards. If you are planning to carry-on your luggage with you, the largest allowed size for carry-on bags is 22×14x19 inches. With careful planning and strategic packing though you can maximize your thrift store suitcase and shave approximately $50 off on your next round trip flight by carrying on your luggage versus checking it in.

If you are traveling as a family, divide the luggage up between each family member and consider hunting for one small roller bag for each child that they will be able to maneuver themselves. The bonus is that they can use that bag for years to come, making it easy to recoup your travel investment within just one trip!

Photo Credit: Marcus Lam

Fight Hotel Boredom- If you are planning a road trip, there is nothing worse than being stuck in a hotel room with nothing to do. Consider adding a few new-to-you board games to your collection just for your trip. I try to get our board games at Goodwill because it is a great way for me to try them out without making a huge investment. Look for classic games like Scrabble, Upwords, checkers, Yahtzee, Connect 4, Clue, Monopoly, Life, and Rummikub for family entertainment on the go!

You can also look for books for the kids to read, DVD's for the car ride there, and even a few new tunes to listen to along the way. No road trip was complete in my family without a little Ray Charles and, "Hit the Road, Jack." Perhaps, you can find an album that your kids too can moan and groan about just as me & my siblings did when my dad would pop in that old cassette tape. Ah, vacation memories!

The entertainment possibilities are endless and the thrift store prices will allow you to splurge on a little bit of great fun for your trip.

Photo Credit: Whitney Arlene

Save on Souvenirs- If there is one thing that can break the vacation budget, it is definitely buying souvenirs at the souvenir shops. Consider putting away a few fun toys that you can give to your children in lieu of the pricey souvenirs. Planning a trip to Disney? Look for a few Disney souvenirs at Goodwill rather than splurging at Disney! Focus your souvenirs on free items like shells from the beach, or taking funny photos in the souvenir shops, grabbing a little sand from your favorite beaches, or substituting with a few well-chosen thrift store pieces that will help to keep the budget on happy and keep the kids content.

Create a Fun Vacation Wardrobe- The need to splurge on a new wardrobe always happens when I have somewhere new to go especially if the climate will be different than the Midwestern weather I am accustomed to. Check the store for a few wardrobe updates that won’t cost you a lot. Accessories like sun hats, scarves, a skinny belt, sunglasses, jewelry, or sandals can all be found at Goodwill for your entire family. I love to spice up the pieces I already have with these easy accessories that won’t take a lot of space in my luggage.

Don’t forget to also look for layering pieces like cardigans or shawls that you can use to keep yourself warm in the evenings or on your flight. A good basic layering piece is worthy of every inch of space in your carry-on bag and can make your flight and the cooler evenings much more comfortable.

What are some ways that you use Goodwill to save on your vacations? We would love to hear your ideas!

Little Black Dress - it's a wrap!

2011-05-06T12:52:00.000-07:00

Did you miss it? Oh, I am so sorry! I would have loved to meet you! What a huge bummer! Well, this year's event was amazing! And, I happen to have some highlights to share with you! Watch this...

Meet the models (part 4)

2011-04-18T20:48:00.000-07:00

Yes, I accidentally left out a few of our amazing models!

Cher!

Maxin!

Meet the Models (part 3)

2011-04-18T18:02:00.001-07:00

And finally, the remainder of the models for the Little Black Dress fashion show and luncheon on Thursday. I can't believe that the event is only a few days away!

Cathy!

Kelly!

Corrie!

Breathing New Life Into Thrift Store Items

2011-04-14T07:06:00.000-07:00

Walking into a thrift store can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. There are so many amazing items on the shelf, but it can be a challenge to look at all of those items and see the potential in these used treasures. Luckily, for those of us that are more thrift store challenged, there are so many great blogs filled with fabulous inspiration for transforming those common thrift store pieces into true masterpieces.

Truly, my best craft materials come from Goodwill and the best part is the money you will save by acquiring those materials at the thrift store rather than paying the full retail prices.

Today I wanted to show three fun new ways to breathe a new life into Goodwill pieces that you may not have thought of. Let's see if you don't rush off to the store this minute after this craft inspiration!

Furniture- Furniture deals abound at Goodwill and I love to look for pieces that can add a little bit of sparkle to our house. My most prized furniture possessions include an '80's desk that we transformed into a hutch for our dishes and a cute bench that was recovered in faux leather for our bathroom. I have more love for those pieces than anything else in my house because they were made by me. It also feels good to know that they are pieces that others overlooked, but I saw the potential in!

Centsational Girl is one of my favorite resources for transforming rooms on a budget and I absolutely love this easy dresser makeover. She purchased the details that were added to the dresser and then finished it with a fun painting technique. This would be the perfect addition to any room and I love that a simple piece can be so lovingly embellished. Think of how paint and a few appliques could transform a piece of Goodwill furniture into something that people would be envious of for their own homes. Any piece with good bones can be created into a masterpiece with a can of paint, elbow grease, and a whole lot of imagination. (Photo Credit: Centsational Girl)

Other fun furniture ideas: Use an old drawer for a serving tray for a family night (@ Farm Chicks)

Makeover chairs in a fun way with a little chalkboard paint (@ Pretty Ditty)

Think outside the box with a fun kitchen stool makeover (@ A Soft Place to Land)

Transform a worn out coffee table into a large ottoman (@ Little Green Notebook)

Create a beautiful kitchen table set from Goodwill furniture (@ Pink and Polka Dot)

A nightstand to a play kitchen is both inventive and inexpensive (@ My Little Gems)

Clothing Refashioned- If there was ever a year to try your hand at adding detail to Goodwill pieces this is the year to do it! This year's style is all about delicious feminine additions- ruffles, appliques, and rosettes are all beautiful and easy details that you can add to Goodwill pieces to give you that elegant Anthropologie look on a Goodwill budget.

Bloggers everywhere are adding fun details to simple cardigans and this ruffled cardigan from say YES! to Hoboken is one of my favorites. Look for plain cardigans or even shirts that can be cut in half to make a cardigan, and use these pieces to add a little bit of ruffles and fun to your wardrobe. (Photo Credit: say YES! to Hoboken)

Other fun wardrobe refashions:

Transform a shirt into a cute DIY Cardigan with a Twist (@ Happy Together)

Turn a t-shirt into a fun summer tote for the kids (@ giver's log)

Make an Anthropologie-inspired scarf out of fabric found at Goodwill (@ Sewing in No Man's Land)

Add a flower collar from clothing or fabric found at Goodwill (@ katie did)

Turn men's shirt sleeves into quick & easy toddler pants (@ luvinthemommyhood)

Create an unbelievably beautiful DIY J Crew ruffled cardigan (@ Mighty Girl)

Add doilies to a stained cardigan and add a little vintage flair (@ one pearl button)

Whip up an easy ruffled t-shirt (@ Tea Rose Home) Make a summer sweater from a t-shirt (@ Angry Chicken) Housewares With Style- The housewares section at Goodwill is a crafting mecca of ideas and there are tons of great tools for gift giving and creating beautiful crafts for your home. I love to visit this section for pretty baskets, platters for giving treats to friends, organizing tools for my craft storage, and even used craft supplies that someone has lovingly passed down.

One thing I keep an arsenal of is white mugs from Goodwill for a fun craft project with the kids. I let my children use a ceramic paint sets (purchased at the craft store) to decorate them for cute gifts for teachers and grandparents. Of course, I absolutely love anything with a monogram on it and these monogrammed mugs from Design Mom are absolutely beautiful and would make a very cute & creative gift. (Photo Credit: Design Mom)

Other Housewares Recreated:

Create a fun mud pie kitchen for the kids out of vintage housewares (@ Pepper Paints)

Create cute labels out of chalkboard paint to label mason jars (@ Wisdom of the Moon)

Paint mason jars to elegantly decorate your patio (@ tatertots and jello)

Add fabric yo-yos to adorn a wicker basket (@ Tea Rose Home)

Recycled pickle jars get a whole new life with glass candlestick holders (@ eighteen25)

Pull together a tiered cake stand from odds and ends in the housewares section (@ giver's log).

What have you transformed from Goodwill that you are proud of? Any tips or tricks for things to look for when doing your thrift store shopping? I would love to hear your ideas!

Favorite Places To Shop

2011-04-13T05:59:00.000-07:00

Where is your favorite place to shop...I mean, BESIDES Goodwill (of course!). Do you love local boutiques? Maybe Flourish, Jules or Inspire Me? Or are you more of a Nordstrom or Anthropologie girl? I know some of you LOVE Talbot's and White House Black Market too!

Guess what... you will see pieces from all of these great stores at the Little Black Dress Fashion Show on Thursday, April 21! Do you have tickets yet? GET THEM TODAY!

There are only a handful left (seriously, VERY few tickets remain). Simply go to the Goodwill website, and you can purchase your tickets online!

Photo credit: www.sheknows.com

Meet the models (part 2!)

2011-04-12T18:37:00.001-07:00

Here are some more of our great models who will be featured next week at the Little Black Dress Fashion Show!

Chelle!

Ali!

D'Nisha!

Meet the Models

2011-04-12T10:58:00.000-07:00

WHEW! What a search! We are overwhelmed by the number of models that wanted to help us with our Little Black Dress Fashion Show! In the coming days, we thought we would introduce you to some of the models you will see at this year's luncheon...which is NEXT WEEK!

(drum roll please!)

Meet...

Joy!

Nancy!

Laurie!

Liz!

Lisa!

Did you miss the Fill-A-Truck Donation Drive?

2011-04-02T08:12:00.000-07:00

On April 2, the Grape Road store had a Fill-A-Truck donation drive!

Did you miss it? That is OK! Keep cleaning out your closets and get those donations to a Goodwill store!

...and remember, all you need to do is load up your car! The good folks at Goodwill do the rest. Pull your car in to the drive through donation area, and they will do the rest! SUPER EASY!

The best thing about donating? The items you bring to Goodwill provides jobs, training and placement services for people with barriers to employment.

Photo: www.goodwillno.org

MODEL SEARCH IS ON!!!

2011-03-08T19:03:00.001-08:00

2011-03-08T18:47:00.001-08:00

It's that time of year, isn't it. Time to clean out the closets - out with the old, in with the new...or something like that.

On B100 last week, I told you about some easy ways to start cleaning out and organizing your closet. I also promised that I would list some quick 1-2-3 to wardrobe organization here...so here ya go!

When it comes to wardrobe organization, it is very simple to tackle this item on the 'to-do' list with 3 easy steps:

Step 1 - Separate tops from bottoms, and make some piles
Keep all of your skirts and pants together in your closet. Separate these pieces from your tops, sweaters and jackets. As you are going through your clothing, look at each piece and consider if that piece is something you’ve worn in the past year. If not, then set it aside. Look at it and determine if it needs to be cleaned, is it stained? Does it need repair? If so, set it aside.
photo from: http://navaniknows.com

Step 2 - Separate colors
Next, go through each section created in step-1, and separate each item by color. For example, your closet should have all the white tops together, and then cream, pink, red, blue on to black. For patterned or striped items, fit those in with the dominant color in the piece. A white striped blouse would go with the white section. A red tartan plaid shirt would go with the red section and so on.

Step 3 - Separate lengths
First, shirts. Put all the tank tops together, then short sleeves, ¾ sleeves, long sleeves and then blouses, sweaters and jackets.

With pants and skirts, start with skirts, again by length. Then move to cropped pants, casual pants and dress slacks.

TIP: Hang pants on pant hangers (not folded over a shirt hanger). Folding your pants will leave a crease, and the part of the pant that is folded over the hanger will collect dust.

OTHER TIPS

Shoes - There are several schools of thought to how you organize your shoes, and it all depends on how many shoes you have. Some organize shoes by brand in the original box. Some people can’t remember (or don’t care) what brand of shoes they have in their closets, or don’t keep the original boxes. In this case, purchase clear plastic shoe boxes.
It is important to keep your shoes covered or in boxes. Closets are dusty places, and those shoes you are not currently wearing (out of season) will get very dirty if left sitting on a shelf.

Belts / Accessories - belts should be hung on hooks or on a belt hanger.

Storage - Plastic or woven storage tubs are great for things like handbags, shawls/wraps/scarves, and seasonal items like holiday sweaters, bathing suits.

Hangers - One fast way to make your closet look better instantly is to have nice hangers (all the same kind of hanger). The ones I like are Ultra Slim Flocked hangers from Bed Bath and Beyond – use one of those 20% off coupons you get in the mail!

Good luck in your wardrobe clean up! I'd love to hear what you decided to keep, and what you decided to donate to your local Goodwill store!

Kathy Friend is a wardrobe coach and fashion stylist. For over 15 years, she has consulted with thousands of men and women all over the world to help improve their self esteem through image. She is the Fashion Editor of The Family Magazine and regularly provides information on the WSBT Morning Show as a Fashion Expert. Kathy provides fashion advice regularly through FASHION DAY events at Goodwill stores in Northern Indiana. For information on upcoming Goodwill events, please visit the Goodwill Website.

Get ready! MODEL SEARCH!!!

2011-03-08T13:42:00.001-08:00

Keep your eyes peeled for details on our GOODWILL LITTLE BLACK DRESS FASHION SHOW model search! Details on how to enter to be released soon!

photo from http://www.tamicollins.com

Spring Cleaning the Electronic Waste From Your Life

2011-03-07T06:46:00.000-08:00

photo credit: dio5

In a world where your phones and electronics become obsolete within a year, it should come as no surprise that there is a lot of electronic waste lying around that could be put to great use and recycled today. In fact, the EPA estimates that in 2007, 157 million computer products were discarded (CPUs, monitors, notebooks, keyboards, mice, printers, faxes, and copiers). Just imagine if those items would have been donated and processed by Goodwill instead how much we would be able to keep out of our landfills?

As the season for spring cleaning is around the corner, consider a spring cleaning of the electronic warfare that is taking up residence in your basements, garage, and home office. Today I wanted to share with you the beauty of donating your electronic items to Goodwill and how some of the items gathering dust in your home could benefit someone in your community!

What is the Dell Reconnect program?

I never truly understood how amazing the electronic donation program was at Goodwill until I took a behind-the-scenes tour of the facility and got to see the processing of donations as they were happening in real time. It should come as no surprise that the donations that come in aren’t all in the best condition, but the way that Goodwill looks at donations is that every component of that donation has a valuable part to it. Some of the items that cannot be sold in their stores are processed simply as raw materials, such as metals, plastics, and textiles.

Goodwill has a partnership with Dell to process electronic waste in a technology recycling program that can greatly benefit our community and reduce the waste in landfills. The program is called Reconnect and it offers you an easy, convenient and responsible way to recycle your used computer equipment. You can drop off any brand of used equipment - working or not - at Goodwill's Drive-Thru Donation Centers at their retial stores.

photo credit: tiramisu_addict

What types of items does Goodwill take?

While you may already be aware that you can donate those computers, printers, & scanners, there are some items that you might not realize Goodwill will take for you. For example, Goodwill will happily process those cords and cables (power cord & USB cables) that no longer have a use in your home, your ink & toner cartridges (either full or empty), computer speakers, televisions and software. We even take cell phones!

photo credit: Taran Rampersad

What do I do about the confidential information on my hard drive?

Unfortunately, Goodwill cannot be responsible for the information that may exist on your hard drive. Just imagine if they had to process that along with the millions of donations that they process each year?

Before wiping your hard drive clean, be sure that you back up whatever you might need from it. Remember that when you clean the hard drive that you will not be able to get anything back from it that you might need later down the road.

It is easy and free to erase your hard drive and there are many free online programs that can help you with this process. This site, for example, offers easy instructions and a program that you can download to help you erase your confidential information. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, you can always hire a third party company to assist you.

photo credit: goodwillsp

Where do I drop my donations off?

To get your tax donation form, be sure to drop those donations off at Goodwill's Drive-Thru Donation Centers at your nearest Goodwill store. The bonus that makes the trip entirely worth it is that our Michiana Goodwills offer coupons for every donation that you make. After you create a little space in your home from that donation, you can do a little shopping for another great piece to continue organizing your space!

If your donation is a bulky one, you can call 574.472.7334 and Goodwill will be happy to pick up. There are some areas they cannot pick up from, so call ahead to see if your location is within their range.

Basically, there are just no excuses for not getting rid of the electronic waste in your life!

photo credit: Goodwill International

Why should I donate my items to Goodwill?

All of that electronic equipment that you donate to Goodwill has value. Whether it is an entirely working operating system or it is simply your empty ink cartridges, your items help Goodwill’s mission to provide jobs, training and placement services for people with barriers to employment. You can feel so proud that you finally weeded through your electronic clutter, happily accept your tax receipt, keep your electronics out of the landfill, and provide jobs for others.

I can think of no other reason than that to make Goodwill a place to unload the electronics gathering dust in your life!

*****************************

Time to confess! What electronics are you hanging on to that you haven’t been able to part with? I will start the discussion with our Super Nintendo, a whole bin of random cords, an extra printer, an extra scanner, and two old cell phones. What is gathering dust at your house?

Little Black Dress Fashion Show - behind the scenes

2011-03-04T20:02:00.000-08:00

We've been hard at work for months! Yes, MONTHS! Pulling together amazing outfits, finding the perfect items for the Boutique...well, it all takes time! See what we've been up to:

OOO LaLa! So cute...anyone have a formal event coming up? This is the season's IT color...Get it now, well, get it at the Little Black Dress Fashion Show Boutique!

Some of the looks event fashion expert, Kathy Friend, has pulled together! These models are going to look AMAZING!

Our resident fashion guru is really talented...at SHOPPING! Her goods on this Goodwill shopping trip were so much that they didn't fit into Goodwill bags, she needed boxes!

Yes, Little Black Dress Fashion Show preparations have begun...look at all the goodies! All hand picked by our fashion expert, Kathy Friend.

The event is called 'The LITTLE BLACK DRESS Fashion Show', isn't it?

LBD Fashion Show 2011 - SAVE THE DATE!

2011-02-17T19:10:00.000-08:00

You've heard about it - you were sad you missed it last year...be sure not miss out on THE event of the season! Goodwill's Little Black Dress Fashion Show!

Check out the video below for every reason you need to save the date for this year's event!

50% off Weekend - THIS WEEKEND!

2011-02-11T05:43:00.000-08:00

Need something to take the chill off of these crazy cold temps? Get some HOT deals this weekend!

Come to any one of our stores, this Saturday February 11th for our 50% off Saturday sale!

Find local store locations HERE

Be sure to FAN us on Facebook!

The Perfect Valentine’s Day Look

2011-02-08T17:22:00.000-08:00

by Kathy Friend

When it comes to finding the perfect outfit for Valentine’s Day, I always seem to be stuck somewhere between what I want to wear, and what I should wear.

Because of the weather here in Northern Indiana, Valentine’s Day usually means frigid temps. However, Valentine’s Day evokes ideas of frilly dresses.

Here are some ideas of what to wear…to stay warm and to look super fashionable at the same time!

CASUAL VALENTINE'S DAY
Here is an idea of what to wear if you and your sweetie have decided to do something casual...

This look features a basic trouser cut jean (which is flattering on EVERYONE!).

We've pulled together some romantic pieces that feature feminine details like bows, ruffles and lace.

Here, we simply paired a ruffle front white tee (this tee is sleeveless) with a bright red rouched sweater.

The necklace would be super easy to make, simply take a simple chain - double it and add a black ribbon. EASY!

The look is grounded with a super sassy shoe-boot with a bow detail

DRESSY VALENTINE'S DAY
Got big plans at a fancy restaurant? Here is an idea how to be appropirate for the venue, but still warm!

Here, we took a strapless ruffly dress (might be an old prom dress?) and found a great red cashmere cardigan to pull over the top.

With some ribbon and a simple chain, we were able to create a neat necklace for this look.

Because it seems to snow 3-5" every day here, boots were a MUST! These are a great simple black heeled boot that will be perfect with the outfit, weather and dancing!

Finally, the little ribbon belt. These are easy to find at retail stores, but don't discount your own creative abilities! Look for a chain belt or skinny leather belt at a Goodwill Retail Store, add some wide ribbon and make your own!

Hope these looks spur on some ideas for you. I wish you the best, most fashionable Valentine's Day!

In fashion and friendship,

______________________________________________________

5 Things I Love to Buy at Goodwill

2011-02-08T16:28:00.000-08:00

It is no secret, I am a Goodwill addict and there is nothing I love more than pouring over the Goodwill deals and finding new ways to repurpose thrift store items. In honor of Valentine’s Day, I wanted to share with you five of my favorite things that I LOVE to purchase at Goodwill so that you can begin hunting for them at your own store.

Clothing- My little secret to being the best dressed that I can be on my budget is that I love to purchase my clothing at Goodwill. I am also, admittedly, a brand snob and I love to have great pieces in my wardrobe that will last the test of time. Thankfully, there are many great brands to be had on my budget at Goodwill. Don’t just look at the clothing only as wardrobe pieces though, but try to think beyond that.

Even the items that aren’t in your own size can be made into amazing things. I love to turn that beautiful fabric from those thrifted items into elegant accessories for my daughter or use fabric to embellish other pieces in my wardrobe. With items like ruffled t-shirts and embellished tops being at the height of fashion, consider the clothing section as an opportunity to find some great fabric for very low price.

photo credit: Linda Scannell

Small Appliances- The small appliance section at Goodwill is unbeatable and I love to browse this area of the store. I can find some of the best deals on items like bread machines, mixers, toaster ovens, and more in our store aisles. This is a great way to try out an appliance you have been eyeing at the department store without making the big investment.

Once you select your favorite small appliance, be sure to visit your local library to find books on creative ways to put those small appliances to work in your house. Armed with your inexpensive appliance and your free book, you will have a fun way to kill those winter doldrums.

photo credit: msinnott

Board Games- Our family is nuts about board games and we try to add to our collection regularly. I can never guarantee how much we will really love a board game until we have given it a test run and Goodwill is a mecca of board game fun on a frugal budget. I love to find great classic games at our store and always am on the hunt for fun retro board games that we can add into the mix. Thankfully, board games are very inexpensive and they can add a lot of variety to your family nights without a big investment.

Board game boards and pieces can also make fun decorations and art in your child’s playroom or as a fun way to spruce up the mantle. Scrabble tiles can spell out cute holiday phrases while Monopoly pieces in a glass jar can be a fun way to decorate and offer a little nod to your favorite games of all time!

photo credit: lorises

Baskets- I have quite a collection of baskets from Goodwill and if you witness the prices in the retail stores, you will know why Goodwill is the answer for storage solutions in your home. Not only do I use these baskets for organizing the chaos in our house, but I also rely on their amazing basket section for making beautiful gift baskets for the holidays and for creating great Easter baskets for the children. Remember that any tired basket can look brand new with a fresh coat of spray paint and can fit into any room in your home.

Cookbooks- Are you looking to add a new cookbook to your collection? Well, Goodwill is the best spot for gaining some inspiration in the kitchen. I love to pick up vintage cookbooks from Goodwill to help give me some new ideas for things to cook up in the kitchen. My, “How to Cook Everything,” by Mark Bittman was nestled among the books at our Goodwill and remains one of my most used and loved cookbooks.

Once you have your new cookbooks, enjoy browsing the houseware items and find a new platter, cake stand, or fun new dish set to bring your new feast to life. I guarantee that your family will find a new love for Goodwill too when they see your beautiful feast so lovingly prepared for them!

Amy Allen Clark is the Founder of MomAdvice.com, a web community where she shares advice on parenting, money-saving ideas, recipes, and solutions for work-at-home moms. Visit her site for more ideas on ways to live on a frugal budget!

Sparkle...the Goodwill way!

2011-01-15T07:09:00.000-08:00

PHOTO: http://tangarangblog.blogspot.com

This time of year, we’re all looking to add some glitz and glam into our holiday wardrobes. I have an idea…put on your crafty hat, and get to bedazzling! Find a perfect tank, or perfect blouse and add a few sequins. Adding just a touch of glitz can transform something that is rather boring into something that is fabulous!
PHOTO: http://www.chictopia.com

You can also purchase glitzey appliques from any craft or fabric store. You could also purchase sequin fabric, and add a band of sparkle to a skirt, top, gloves or anything!
PHOTO: http://www.recycledlovelies.com

Even adding a little pop of shine with a hair accessory can bring up the wow factor in your holiday garb.
PHOTO: http://www.prudentbaby.com

Tips on how to add sequins can be found at: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-sew-on-sequins