Category: Fashion

Shop Goodwill Offers Online Auctions

February 27, 2013

This East African bottle topper is hand carved out of a rare wood and is about 50 years old. — This East African bottle topper is hand carved out of a rare wood and is 55 years old.

Goodwill stores throughout the 22-county region comprising Goodwill Keystone Area receive all sorts of interesting donations every day. After processing and pricing, donations go directly into stores for sale to customers or to shopgoodwill.com. The profits from these sales are used to help people with disabilities and other challenges to employment through job training and other activities.

More than 80 Goodwills across the nation have online stores that auction merchandise on shopgoodwill.com, including five in Pennsylvania. You can search the site by item, category or seller. Goodwill Keystone Area (GKA) has two online stores. (Click here to view merchandise currently up for auction at the Berwyn and Reading online stores.) Each online store offers brand name clothing, shoes, antiques and collectibles.

To browse merchandise on shopgoodwill.com, you can search specifically for items available online at GKA’s two stores, click the magnifying glass and browse by seller. one your search specifically for items for sale by the Berwyn or Reading online stores.

Proceeds from these online auctions are maximized, adding additional funds to Goodwill’s mission to support persons with disabilities and other barriers to independence in achieving their fullest potential as workers and as members of the broader community.

Don’t Sweat it – Inexpensive Workout Clothes at Goodwill

January 11, 2013

Lose 15 in 2013

Let’s face it, most of us feel like we need to lose 15 pounds. Eating better is part of the equation, but exercise is another. To exercise, you need workout gear.

Workout Clothes for Less

Brand name running jackets at Goodwill at 4880 Carlisle Pike in Hampden Township, Cumberland County.

Can you ever have enough workout clothes? We don’t workout in our work clothes. We don’t workout in the clothes we go to the mall in. We workout in what I like to call “grungies.” We sweat in them over and over until they are too grungy to even go to the gym in. Then we buy brand new workout clothes and start all over.

Sweat It Up at Thrift Store Prices at Goodwill

Why pay premium prices for workout clothes at a sports store? Why shell out hard-earned cash at a high-end retail store gear when you’re just going to get them really sweaty? Goodwill always has a huge variety of quality tee-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants and running clothes. Brand names too. I’ve even found the original tags on some of the clothes. They may have been gifted, but never worn.

Enjoy the Fruits of Your Workout

The money you save on workout clothes can be used to buy fruits and veggies! When you get smaller and your clothes get bigger, look on the Goodwill clothes racks for an outfit that is a size smaller. When you decide never to go back to those ‘mom’ jeans, consider donating unneeded clothes to Goodwill!

Things to Do to Beat the Winter Doldrums

Get outside during the winter. Just being outside makes you feel healthier.
No matter the temperature, go for a walk, run or play a sport.
Download a workout app if you own a smartphone and keep track of the calories you burn.
A mile walked at a decent pace takes about 15 minutes and burns off about 100 calories.

Need a Party Dress for Less? Think Goodwill.

December 13, 2012

Let’s face it, sometimes, last minute invitations come up. Your schedule clears and you are able to attend a holiday party you had not anticipated going to. Sometimes your daughter comes to you and says she needs an outfit for the school dance tonight and has nothing to wear.

027 — These dresses were available during a recent visit to a Goodwill in Lemoyne, PA.

You’ve done all of your holiday shopping already and came in at or near budget. You’ve fought through the Black Friday crowds and braved the parking lots packed with Christmas shoppers at the mall. Now you want to get yourself or a family member a last-minute special outfit without paying retail. What do you do? This is the perfect time to think Goodwill.Our stores specialize in women’s fashions.You don’t have to pay $50 or more. Feel free to brag a little. ‘I paid $8 for this dress from Jones of New York at Goodwill.’ AND I used my Shop-N-Save card to save on this Liz Claiborne purse. Next time, bring along an envious friend to shop Goodwill with you.

020 — Liz Claiborne, left and Tommy Hilfiger, right. Purses to accessorize any outfit and they won’t empty your wallet.

While you’re there, you may want to look for a housewarming gift for the party host. A serving dish. A decoration. A game. You’ll leave knowing that you can still afford a bottle of wine for the hostess. Look for it and find it. At Goodwill.

038-crop — Silver-plated candy dish. Perfect holiday impulse buy.

Christmas Decorations at Goodwill

December 5, 2012

For many years, it was a tradition in my family to add one or two special ornaments to the Christmas tree each year. It didn’t have to be something store bought. It was often something one of the children made. As this tradition continued, we had more ornaments than we had space on the tree, so inevitably, some would stay box ed and unused, some were given to friends and family, and some were donated to Goodwill.

Many families must donate unused ornaments because every Goodwill store I have been in recent weeks contains a bounty of high-quality – often vintage and collectible – Christmas decorations that are no longer sold in other stores.

I recently found a bunch of NFL, NHL, NBA and NCAA team logo Christmas ornaments, which I know once went for $6, $8 or even $10 a piece in other stores. Now, you can’t find them at all. Except at Goodwill, where they were just 97 cents.

Penn State and Minnesota Team Bulbs — On a recent visit to a Goodwill store, I found a Penn State ornament, three Minnesota pro sports team bulbs and many other Christmas decorations.

You really can’t beat these prices.

Ready for Prom?

April 7, 2010

Spring is in the air and along with that means that it’s also Prom season. This is everyone’s big chance to make that one lasting memory of his or her high school. It is a extraordinary time with friends or that special someone. Prom is a memory that can last a lifetime.

But there is so much to do to get ready for it. My advice is to start thinking ahead as early as possible. Make a checklist and cross off the things as they get accomplished. These can include getting tickets, limo service, dress or tux, and hair appointments among other things. Never fear, however, because there are people here to help you.

The Patriot news posted a blog yesterday about how to help get ready for Prom and some advice. Check it out here. http://blog.pennlive.com/life/2010/04/post_5.html

Here at Goodwill we want to also help you out. In the next few days and weeks we will post all kinds of tips and ideas to help you out. You can also find all kinds of dresses and accessories at affordable prices for Prom at your local Goodwill. Check back for all that info to come soon.

Make your Prom a memory that will last a lifetime!

red_prom_pottstown — One of many prom fashions at Goodwill!

Goodwill Runway Show

April 6, 2010

I missed the Goodwill Runway Show last year because I was away on vacation. But I’m definitely making sure that I’m in town this year. I heard it was phenomenal!

A few friends of mine went and told me there were delicious hors d’oeuvres from restaurants in Berks County and a silent auction filled with designer purses, gift baskets and jewelry. Then the pièce de résistance : the trendy Goodwill Runway Show that featured more than 100 outfits! After the show, they opened a boutique where you could buy Goodwill clothing AND the outfits fresh off the runway! Here are a few pictures that my friend sent of models on the runway:

Pretty cool, huh? All the clothing in the show came from Goodwill Stores! There were outfits “off the rack” and some that Berks County designer, Susan Golembiski re-fashioned. I absolutely love fashion and that I can find it at Goodwill for a good price!

The 2010 show is on September 9. Don’t miss it!

Designer labels are here!

March 25, 2010

Designer labels are all the rage today in fashion. Designer label prices are not. They cost so much for a name, but Goodwill has them all. And at discount prices.

There was a recent article from the NY Times showing that many designer labels are showing up at many Goodwill stores across the country. Shoppers are coming out to Goodwill now because it is shedding the image of carrying only old clothes. It’s now perceived as a high-end second-hand shop. What could be better than that?

Well… you asked, and now I’ll tell you. What’s better than discount brand names? Knowing that money raised from sales funds people with disabilities find and keep jobs.

Interested in the article from the NY Times? Check it out: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/11/fashion/11goodwill.html?_r=2

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This Spring means Scarves and Cardigans

March 11, 2010

Can you believe it?! Spring is almost here! This is my favorite season of the year. Why, you ask? Because, I can finally start letting my feet breathe by trading out the boots for sandals. Because, I don’t have to wear a sweater and coat on top of my stylish shirt. Because even though I love hats, I am ready to let my hair flow freely. It’s time to go and update my closet for the new season.

Every year we see fashion change. I wanted to clue you in to some of the new fashion for this season. First are capris or hemmed pants. You can even hem your own pants.

Next try some scarves that are lightweight fabrics, which are all the rage this spring. It is the chic way to accessorize. It will also be a nice change from the thick scarves of winter.

And last, to help with the transition of seasons, cardigans may be your best friends. These sweaters are not only fashionable but helpful as the weather starts to warm up. You can even try to knit one yourself!

For more fashionable spring ideas you can check out this helpful website:

http://diyfashion.about.com/od/diyfashion101/tp/2010_Spring_Fashion.htm

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Decorate your home with local thrift store finds

March 5, 2010

No one ever said redecorating your home had to be hard. You know what YOU like. Make your home the way that you want it to be. Check out these pictures. Rooms just like these can be fashioned with items from your local Goodwill.

It is so simple. Just go in with an idea in mind and see what you can find. You may be surprised at all the decorating options that are available at thrift stores. Here are some easy tips that you can follow.

Have some measurements of your walls, windows, doors, etc. that you can go in with to make sure the items you find will fit your vision of your room properly.
Have a design layout in mind and you will be a shopper on a mission. Your room will not know what hit it.
Make sure you inspect all the items you find at the store just to make sure they are in the acceptable condition that you and your room deserve. All in all, have fun and enjoy the excitement of adding some flare to your décor!

Remember, stay trendy.

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Finding your Fashion Treasure

February 16, 2010

We live in an ever-changing world. Cars run on corn. News is received on your cell phone. Fast food restaurants offer healthy choices. Just like these trends, fashion is always changing. When current fashion trends leave us, the clothes get discarded and passed on. But what happens when fashion trends come back?

This is where thrift stores come in to play. Fashion can always be found at your local Goodwill, you just have to know how to look.

Tip 1– Designer products can be found. People will get rid of anything for many reasons… Too big, too small, don’t wear, the list goes on. Just because someone else doesn’t want it, doesn’t mean that it can’t become your treasure.

Tip 2– When buying jeans, make sure you check the size. One easy trick for doing this is you should be able to wrap the waist of the jeans around your neck and the ends should touch. While this may look silly, it will save you time from trying to slide into jeans that are too tight. Plus, it makes you that much wiser to know fun facts like this.

Check back later for more tips on how to stay in fashion while shopping at your local thrift stores. Until then, stay thrifty.