Author: yourg724

Right now your wardrobe may be transitioning from winter to spring and summer. Having pieces that can easily change from cooler to warmer days will give you more versatility in your closet.

I loved the floral pattern on this London Times dress. It is bright and cheerful and makes me ready for spring. It retailed for about $118, but my cost was $5.50 at my local Goodwill Keystone Area store. I could wear it with a variety of colors and even black. For the cooler days, I paired it with this red vegan leather jacket from Baccini which retailed for around $125 but sold for $5.95 at Goodwill. The petite ruffled trim and the zip pockets gave it some interest and flair.

Also on cooler days, I would wear it with knee high boots (and possibly tights). These leather Lucky Brand boots were a fabulous find. They are already broken in and have great western detail. New, they would have sold for around $120, so I didn’t mind paying $19.97 at Goodwill for something that can be a classic closet staple.

When warm spring days arrive, you can shed the coat and boots and accessorize it with simple vintage sandals. These Bruno Melli (made in Italy) red and gold sling-back sandals are straight from 1983. I couldn’t find any comps on them, but I imagine from the quality of the construction they were fairly expensive back in the day. My cost was $6.97.

Finally, a simple cream clutch from Express works for both outfits. This one was $2.97 and holds just enough for a day out.

When shopping at your local Goodwill, think about how your new purchases can be used for multiple looks and through various seasons. If you can style something in at least two different ways, you should definitely give it space in your closet!

From my closet to yours,
Kirsten

Dress: $5.50
Jacket: $5.95
Boots: $19.97
Sandals: $6.97
Clutch: $2.97
Total: $41.38
Retail: $550+

About The Blogger

Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill Keystone Area stores to decorate her home and wardrobe.

Maybe you or someone you know has already purchased a prom dress for later this spring. If not check the racks at your local Goodwill Keystone Area store for a unique and affordable option. Many times people buy items like fancy formal-wear, shoes and clutches to only use them once and then end up donating them to Goodwill. Today I’m highlighting a few perfect Prom accessories that will set you apart and make you stand out.

Staring at the top, you might need some bling. Things have changed since my day (I went to the Prom in the 80s), but I still see girls sparkling and shining on their special night. These silver rhinestone chandelier earrings will help you trip the light fantastic without breaking the bank. They were just $1.97!

If your dress has an ornate beaded neckline, you obviously don’t need these, but statement necklaces never seem to go out of style. While these have a vintage feel, they are both brand new. The silver one was found new-with-tags from Sugar Fix by Bauble Bar from Target. It retailed for $36.99, but I picked this up for just $9.97. It is well made and besides making a statement on Prom night, it would also elevate a classic jeans and t-shirt look for everyday. The gold and pastel jeweled necklace (found for $5.97 with matching earrings) would look fantastic with a black dress. Add a gold clutch and shoes and you are out the door.

Speaking of clutches, here are two truly vintage options. They were both $4.97. The clear Lucite one with inlaid rhinestones is probably from the 1960s. The silver and rhinestone metal clutch has a longer strap inside to be able to slip it over your wrist.

Finally, just like Cinderella, you’ll need some amazing shoes to dance the night away. I’ve showcased the silver Guess platform heels at New Year’s. They originally sold for $99, but were just $6.97 at my local Goodwill.

The Badgley Mischka gold strappy heels were a shoe lovers dream find.

New, they would have sold at stores like Nordstroms or Lord and Taylor, for around $245. My cost: $9.97. Not a bad deal.

Visiting your local Goodwill Keystone Area store to look for vintage or unique pieces to finish your Prom look is a great way to save money – spend the rest of your budget on a fabulous hairstyle or professional make up!

From my closet to yours,
Kirsten

Earrings: $1.97
Silver necklace: $9.97
Gold necklace (set): $5.97
Lucite clutch: $4.97
Silver clutch: $4.97
Silver heels: $6.97
Gold heels: $9.97

About The Blogger

Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill Keystone Area stores to decorate her home and wardrobe.

This week all things green and Irish will be celebrated by many people, Irish or not. From green outfits and accessories, to food and beverages… a bit o’ green is just what I needed to complete this look!

Blazers are back in this spring. I’ve seen slim cuts in bright colors and boxy, menswear styles in plaid. My outfit is based around this vibrant, velveteen paisley blazer from Talbots. The fabric is soft and the colors and patterns are bold. Structured jackets like this retail at Talbots from $159 – $179, but I snagged this one at my local Goodwill Keystone Area store for just $7.25.

To balance the boldness of the blazer, I paired it with a basic pleated ivory peplum blouse from Ann Taylor, which was only $3.95 (retail $49.99).

The classic dark denim from J. Brand – Skinny Cut “Eclipse” – were only $10.00 but sold for $188 when new. I haven’t decided if I want to properly hem these or give them a raw edge, so for now I gave them a wide cuff. Dark skinny jeans are a staple in my wardrobe. They’ll transition from boots now to heeled sandals for the summer.

I layered on the necklaces with two different styles – a beaded blue collar ($3.97) and a longer tasseled necklace ($1.97). These accented the blue in the blazer, as did the patent leather navy clutch, which was originally from Nordstrom and probably retailed for around $60, but my cost was just $4.97.

Finally, the bit o’ green I needed to complete this outfit was the kelly green suede peep-toe heels from Nine West. Their vibrant color stands out and makes a statement. They were $6.97 at Goodwill, but would have cost me around $89 at the mall.

You don’t have to have the luck of the Irish to get great deals like this. (I saved 94% off the retail cost of this outfit!) Visit your local Goodwill Keystone Store to find your own pot of gold clothing and accessories.

St. Patrick’s Day Sale Announcement!
Sunday, March 17 get 17% OFF your purchase of $25 or more, see full details here! 

From my closet to yours,
Kirsten

Jacket: $7.25
Blouse: $3.95
Long Necklace: $3.97
Short Necklace: $1.97
Jeans: $10.00
Heels: $6.97
Bag: $4.97
Total: $39.08
Retail: $625+

About The Blogger

Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill Keystone Area stores to decorate her home and wardrobe.

Not one to miss an opportunity to shoot a blog in a new and interesting place, on a recent trip to see a fashion exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, I, of course, wore a thrifted ensemble. The exhibit I saw was about couture, but being that I was going to be walking for hours and an impending storm was making its way into town, I opted for a sensible and comfortable look.

I’ve talked before about how to wear a cropped top – in this case, a sweater – and not feel over-exposed. As you can tell from my blog, patterns and colors are definitely friends of mine. I loved the bold stripes on this open-weave chunky sweater (which had the tags removed), but for me, it needed something to layer under it. I used a simple white t-shirt but could have chosen any of the colors in the pattern.

The skinny, distressed black jeans were a fabulous find. This type of denim seems to not be waning in popularity, so they were a good investment. I found the Bullhead jeans new-with-tags from PacSun for only $6.50. They would have retailed for around $30 – $40. I can see these being my new favorite for casual looks through the spring into summer. They’ll be perfect with tank tops and sandals when the weather (finally!) warms up.

Another new-with-tags find was these patterned gold flats from Dr. Scholl’s. Comfy with some bling! They held up well as we spent several hours wandering the museum and the “Rocky steps” in the front of the building. The tag from DSW said $49.99 (down from $69.99), but Goodwill’s price was just $9.97.

To pick up the looks on the stripes of the sweater, I added a strappy bag from Loft. I like smaller bags when sightseeing so I don’t have a heavy bag full of everyday necessities. Oversized gold hoops complimented the gold stripes in the sweater to complete the look.

While not an haute couture look (which you could find at Goodwill Keystone Area stores!), it was perfect for a Sunday afternoon of wandering around Philadelphia. And hopefully, this is the last time you’ll see a sweater on the blog this season! Bring on Spring!

From my closet to yours,
Kirsten

Sweater: $5.25
Jeans: $6.50
Flats: $9.97
Bag: $4.97
Earrings: $1.97
Total: $28.66
Retail: $200+
Kirsten

About The Blogger

Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill Keystone Area stores to decorate her home and wardrobe.

ANNOUNCING: Goodwill Sale Fri., March 1 through Sun., March 3
CLOTHING AS LOW AS 99¢ DETAILS HERE!

It’s not often that I take style cues from my fifteen year old. But lately, she’s been shopping at a new-to-me store at the larger malls in our area. It’s called Garage. It clearly caters to the tween/teen/twenty-somethings. There are lots of tank tops, cropped sweaters and “mom jeans” (I’ve become a denim trend!). The website is full of social media photos and plenty of visual graphics. Their prices and quality are in line with American Eagle.

While I would not have thought about shopping at the mall store, a pair of their leggings caught my attention at my local Goodwill Keystone Area store. They are mostly black with abstract patterns of mustard yellow, burgundy and gray. I liked them before I discovered what brand they were. When I wear leggings, I typically wear them with tall boots and longer sweaters and that is exactly what I did here. These retailed for about $29, but Goodwill’s cost was $4.25.

Basic black sweaters are always great to partner with printed pants or skirts or even simple jeans. This turtleneck/poncho-style cotton sweater from Old Navy was perfect. I layered it over a tank top, but the shorter sleeves make it great for warmer offices in winter or early spring days. Old Navy produces classic and trendy pieces that work well in a variety of environments. I picked up this from Goodwill for $5.95.

Classic flat black leather riding boots from Nine West gave the outfit some style and a butter-soft leather and metal chain burgundy oversized purse from B. Makowsky added a needed pop of color. The boots were priced at Goodwill for $9.97 but retail for around $149 and the bag was just $6.97 but sold for $200-$300 when new.

Lastly a chain necklace (or is it a belt?) was substantial enough to compete with the turtleneck and patterned leggings. My cost at Goodwill was $3.97.

Never discount a style or trend or brand when shopping, you may discover a way to convert it into a great look that works for you and that is exactly what happened to me. Keep your eyes open at the mall, but save your purchases for your neighborhood Goodwill Keystone Area store!

From my closet to yours,

Kirsten

Leggings: $4.25
Sweater: $5.95
Boots: $9.97
Bag: $6.97
Necklace: $3.97
Total: $31.11
Retail: $450+

About The Blogger

Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill Keystone Area stores to decorate her home and wardrobe.

NOTE: 50% OFF SALE TODAY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18…DETAILS HERE!

Smart little suits make a come back every few years and I’ve always been a fan. I first purchased a few suits in the mid-90s when I started working in an office environment. I liked the professional look they gave me as a new college graduate and I loved how you could mix and match the pieces to bolster my career wardrobe.

Back then I played it safe with solids or pinstripes in black, navy and brown. Now I enjoy the fun textures and prints such as this adorable retro-cut Talbots animal print suit. The fabric is a soft and thick cotton velveteen, which is perfect for winter. I can mix and match these pieces such as wearing the jacket with jeans and a blouse or pairing the skirt with a chunky knit sweater. I layered the suit over an eggplant colored tank top to break up the busy pattern. This suit retailed for approximately $250+, but I snapped it up for just $12 (only $6 per piece)!

The chocolate brown leather Banana Republic heeled boots were the perfect partner for the suit. The sturdy heel is good for winter weather and the slouchy style makes the formal suit a little more casual. Similar Banana Republic boots like this are selling for $228 online, so my $10 investment was well worth it.

I added a large cream Coach bag to keep the look neutral. I have featured this bag before and for $20 I have gotten my money’s worth from it. Coach bags of this size retail for about $250 or more. A gold beaded bracelet and earrings coordinated with the gold and brass hardware of the bag.

Suit up when you’re shopping at Goodwill Keystone Area stores. Check the racks for a few matchy-matchy pieces to make your work wear stand out from the crowd.

From my closet to yours,

Kirsten

Suits: $12.00
Boots: $10.00
Bag: $20.00
Bracelet: $1.97
Earrings: $1.97
Total: $45.94
Retail: $750+

About The Blogger

Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill Keystone Area stores to decorate her home and wardrobe.

February is the month for pinks and reds for Valentine’s Day and Go Red for Women (Heart Health) and I’m embracing those colors right now. The past blog two posts have featured vibrant reds and today I’m feeling “Pretty in Pink”.

This outfit started with these new-with-tags White House Black Market denim. I typically would have passed these jeans by (priced at $20 at Goodwill), but because I was looking for exactly this type of distressed denim I at least decided to try them on. In the fitting room, they checked all my boxes and sparked joy – faded color, inset floral fabric in the patches, perfect length – and in the end I saved 80% off the original price and got exactly what I wanted. I’d rather have one pair of perfect jeans for $20, than spend that amount on 3 or 4 pairs of so-so jeans. I’m trying to “Marie Kondo” my life, so I’m making better purchasing decisions and being more thoughtful, even when thrifting.

I wanted a fun color to pick up the floral fabric in the patches and this Hollister sweatshirt fit the bill. It was soft, comfortable and I liked the ruffles on the sleeves. Hollister is a mall brand popular with teenagers, but I loved this bubblegum pink sweatshirt and the price – $4.50. This would have probably retailed for about $40 when new.

To keep the look casual I added vintage cowboy boots with a stacked heel. I couldn’t find a label on them, but they are genuine leather and stamped “Made in USA” and were $6.97. They are already soft and broken in, so I avoided that uncomfortable “wearing in” process of new boots. If I had to guess, they were probably around $100 when first purchased.

For accessories, I added a brown and pink beaded lariat necklace. The colors worked perfectly with the sweatshirt and boots. It could be draped or tied in a variety of ways. It was $0.99 at a recent 50% off day at one of my local Goodwill Keystone Area stores.

The ivory Calvin Klein bag is a Goodwill purchase I made over 10 years ago. It was also new-with-tags when I found it. The tag was marked $249, but I snapped it up for $10.50. It has served me very well over the years and has been a great investment. I proudly keep the tags still in the bag and show it off when anyone asks me about what treasures I have found at Goodwill.

By dressing “Pretty in Pink” with finds at Goodwill Keystone Area, I saved 92% off the retail value of this trendy, casual outfit which is a perfect look for February.

Want to save EVEN more? Shop Goodwill Keystone Area store’s 50% OFF SALE Monday, February 18, details here!

From my closet to yours,
Kirsten

Jeans: $20
Shirt: $4.50
Boots: $6.97
Necklace $0.99
Bag: $10.50
Total: $42.96
Retail: $510+

About The Blogger

Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill Keystone Area stores to decorate her home and wardrobe.

Many people may be discovering Goodwill for the first time with the popularity of cleaning out their closets and donating to their local thrift stores. I’ve been a loyal Goodwill Keystone Area shopper for many years. I remember my first very special finds from when I was in high school – fringed cowboy boots and citrus print Lilly Pulitzer pants – and they are still in my wardrobe, although the pants may be a bit small…

Sometimes I buy things out of season and hold on to them until the right moment on the blog. That is what happened with this tiered, floral dress from Who What Wear. I picked up this dress on my first visit to the Avondale store last summer and knew it would be a great outfit for Valentine’s Day, so it sat in my closet for over 6 months. It was $5.95 at Goodwill, but probably retailed for about $30. The color and cut of the dress make it fun and perfect for date night this February.

I played up on the other colors in the dress by adding a bright green cross body bag from Italian designer, Pulicati. I snagged it for $6.97, but it originally sold for $300!

The medallion necklace looks vintage, possibly from the 70s or 80s. It makes a great statement but doesn’t overwhelm the dress. It was $4.97.

To keep the rest of the look neutral, I went for simple stacked booties from Nine West. I love that these elongate my legs and make the perfect accompaniment to a colorful outfit. These for $7.47 at Goodwill, but retailed for around $90.

While on this blog shoot, at a train station in Pottstown, I got photo bombed by a passing train! That was a rush and I’m sure my hair didn’t look quite the same after that, but it made for a fun afternoon adventure.

Head out to your local Goodwill Keystone Area and pick out the perfect outfit for date night – whether that is jeans and a sweater or a fun dress – you know you’ll love the prices!

From my closet to yours,
Kirsten

Dress: $5.95
Bag: $6.97
Booties: $7.47
Necklace: $4.97
Total: $25.36
Retail: $450+

About The Blogger

Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill Keystone Area stores to decorate her home and wardrobe.

By now, you can’t have missed the new phenomenon which is Marie Kondo’s book “life-changing magic of tidying up”. It is inspiring millions of people to clean out their homes and closets and sparking more joy in their lives by living more simply. Your local Goodwill Keystone Area stores have seen an uptick in donations. This is a bonus to thrifters! As I have been shopping, I am also being more considerate with what I am taking home.

On a recent thrifting excursion, this sweater sparked joy, and since it is perfect for Valentine’s Day, it came home with me for only $5.25. The red and white striped, cotton Talbots sweater with the sweet little navy bird, which retailed for about $89, is perfect for the winter months and especially for February.

I’m not one of those “No white after Labor Day” rule followers so I paired it with ivory jeans from White House Black Market. These sold originally for about $79, so $5.50 was a real bargain. I’ll wear these year-round with a variety of outfits.

On the way we did the blog shoot, it was warm, so a jean jacket from Gap, sufficed. But, typical January weather would call for something more substantial. Jean jackets are a perennial classic and can give a formal outfit a more casual feel. This one was $6.50, but probably sold for around $69. So I saved around 90%!

Cute, embellished neutral flats form Calvin Klein, were the perfect footwear and a navy faux-leather clutch from Nordstroms’s picked up the blue of the bird on the sweater. The shoes were $7.47 and the clutch $4.97.

I am being more careful with my choices when I shop and my husband would love me to “tidy up” my closet. Millions of people can’t be wrong, right? Whether you are cleaning out or enjoying the spoils of those who do, make sure Goodwill Keystone Area is your choice if you are donating or shopping!

From my closet to yours,

Kirsten

Sweater: $5.25
Jeans: $5.50
Jacket: $6.50
Flats: 7.47
Clutch: $4.97
Total: $29.69
Retail: $350+

About The Blogger

Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill Keystone Area stores to decorate her home and wardrobe.

Winter sure blew an icy blast at the Northeast this weekend! While we didn’t get the predicted snow and ice, the bitter chill sure made for an interesting (and quick) blog photo shoot.

I’ll write more about it later, but the new sensation of “tidying up” from Marie Kondo has really filled the racks and shelves at my local Goodwill Keystone Area stores! On a recent trip to the store in Trappe, I found several great pieces including this striped sweater and the dark wash skinny jeans. But, because I too need to clean out, I am being more mindful of my choices when shopping.

The warm cotton sweater from Lands’ End caught my eye because of its beautiful blue stripes. The shades of turquoise, cerulean and indigo were playful, yet classic in style. Founded in 1963 in Wisconsin, Lands’ End delivers timeless styles for men, women, kids and home. This sweater probably would have retailed for about $70 online. My cost: $3.94 (because it was one of the daily discounted items).

I can never pass up a good pair of designer denim, and these J Brand Skinny Leg “Eclipse” jeans came home with me as well. They sold for about $188 when new, so I didn’t mind paying $10. I’m not sure if I will cut them into a raw hem, roll them or have them professionally hemmed to the right length.

In an effort to “Spark More Joy”, this year (I stole that phrase from Marie Kondo), I will be more mindful of how much I purchase. I received so many positive comments about this beautiful blue Cole Haan purse in my last blog, and since it went perfectly with the sweater, I decided to feature it again. How can you reuse the items already in your closet? It retailed for $250 and my cost was $9.97.

The Sam Edelman nubuck booties are a perfect neutral footwear for this outfit. They are very comfortable and one of my favorite shoe finds (and were only $7.47!). This style is called “Petty” and are still available online for $99!

Finally, this necklace certainly makes a statement! It’s been in my stash for a while, but when I brought the sweater home, I knew it was the perfect partner for this outfit. The mix of colors is fantastic and will set any outfit apart! This piece brings me joy, so you’ll probably be seeing it again this year!

Hopefully you are all staying warm at home (cleaning out your closets!), but if you do venture out, be sure and visit your local Goodwill Keystone Store to see what treasures are turning up every day!

From my closet to yours,
Kirsten

Sweater: $3.94
Jeans: 10.00
Bag: $9.97
Booties: $7.47
Necklace: $6.97
Total: $38.32
Retail: $630+

About The Blogger

Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill Keystone Area stores to decorate her home and wardrobe.