Category: Bargains

A Softer Side of Tattoos

November 26, 2013

By stylist and blogger, Annette K.

Sarah Evans received a tattoo for her 18th birthday as a gift from her mother. She chose a skull with tiger lilies and had it placed behind her left shoulder.

Today, Sarah is a tattoo artist at Sacred Art in Pen Argyl, PA and wears her personality and passion on her sleeve. With a half tattoo sleeve on one arm and a full sleeve on the other, Sarah’s original skull and tiger lilies continue to grow.

However, un-like the old “guns-and-roses, tough guy” image of the past, Sarah represents a new trend in tattooing. Using your sleeve-art to create harmony with personal style.

The result? A softer, more balanced and feminine look.

Most of Sarah’s wardrobe comes from the Goodwill Store in Bethlehem, PA where she and her mom are “regulars”.

“I come here all the time-I can always find something new and different,” said Sarah. “It’s funny because I don’t know what I like more…hunting for cool pieces or the actual piece itself.”

Visit your local Goodwill Thrift Store to create harmony and discover the softer side of tattoos. Endless styles, colors and fabrics await.

Follow these three tips to create your harmony….

Choose colors that complement your tattoo. Wear the color right next to your tattoo.
Choose designs the same scale as the tattoo. If your tattoo is intricate, choose intricate prints. If your tattoo is bold, choose bold prints.
Create balance. Wear print designs opposite your tattoo and solid colors next to your tattoo.

All clothing is from the racks of the Goodwill Store in Bethlehem, PA.

Fashion…..for the Young at Heart

November 19, 2013

By stylist and blogger, Annette K.

Alternative dressing is the new chic. With eclectic patterns and designs layered on top of ink and piercings, this style is brave and courageous and is no longer reserved for just the young, but also for the young at heart.

Meet Nikki January—a brave and courageous “40 some-year-old” single mother, full time college student and cancer survivor. Nikki is a “regular” at Goodwill Keystone Area stores where she shops for pieces that express her unique look and personality. Nikki said, “At Goodwill, you don’t have to take a $50.00 chance on style, just a $3.00 chance.”

Whereas most 40-somethings are wearing slacks and sweaters, Nikki takes fashion chances and mixes textures and patterns to create a one-of-a-kind look.

“You have to own your style, have confidence and just keep your head up,” she said.

Because of the low prices at Goodwill, Nikki stretches her dollars to have many fun looks and she has said, “I have clothes on my back because of Goodwill.”

Check out your new look at Goodwill. Endless possibilities await.

Next week get some tips on how to accentuate your tattoos. Nikki’s daughter, Sarah Evans, who is a tattoo artist, shares her secrets.

Special thanks to Phil Koch, manager at the Goodwill store in Bethlehem, PA, and Nikki and Sarah for sharing their story.

Goodwill Salutes our Vets!

November 11, 2013

By stylist and blogger, Annette K.

While the nation sets aside a holiday to honor our veterans each year, Goodwill is invested in their success year round.

Coming out of the military after years of service presents challenges for most Vets. With new job skills, passions and family structures, transitioning into civilian life is often overwhelming.

Goodwill Keystone Area recognizes these difficult transitions and offers help.

Military and their spouses are given a 10% discount at all of our retail stores—not just on Veteran’s day, but every day!

I met up with Trenesa Perkins at one of the Goodwill Stores in Lancaster PA for a style makeover. We wanted to create an individual style, one that matched her sophisticated and spirited personality yet still offered her versatility of wear. After searching the racks at Goodwill, Trenesa’s new style quickly came to life. And along the way, a go-to piece was discovered!

Trenesa Perkins served in the US Navy for nearly a decade. Perkins, an E-5 Petty Officer, was stationed on the USS Abraham Lincoln – the air craft carrier that began the Iraqi War- as Air Intercept Controller/Operations Specialist. After her almost decade- long tour of active duty on the ship, she found it hard to make the transition into civilian life.

“When I left the Navy it was very hard to re-adjust. I didn’t feel as though I was prepared to become a civilian,” said Trenesa.

Goodwill offers a program for vets called Vet Success, which provides counseling, training and education to vets with service-oriented disabilities. Trenesa came to Goodwill through the Vet Success Program and received assessments to help her find new direction.

Today, Trenesa is set to graduate from Harrisburg Area Community College as a radiographer.

“One day, I hope to work in a VA hospital and serve those who served us,” said Trenesa.

Everyday is Veteran’s Day at Goodwill.

Special Thanks to Lucas Gonzalez, manager of Goodwill East in Lancaster PA.

Special Thanks to Jeff Yanovitch from Yano Creative @yanocreative.com for pictures.

Special Thanks to Trenesa Perkins for sharing her story.

Movember: Styling on a Budget After Weight Loss

November 1, 2013

By stylist and blogger, Annette K.

It’s Movember! So of course, I can’t pass up writing about health and fashion for men. Movember is an annual, month-long, November awareness campaign, usually involving the growing of mustaches by men, to raise awareness of male cancers and other health issues.

Last February, Ryan Huth, manager for the Goodwill Store and Donation Center in Allentown, PA, tipped the scale at 275 pounds. Shopping only in “big” sections, he recalls feeling “fed up and disgusted” with how he looked. He decided he “couldn’t continue like this anymore” and made a change.

Today, eight months later, Ryan is 60 pounds lighter and committed to living a healthy lifestyle. He attributes his weight loss to portion control, reducing his carbohydrate intake, and eating salads for dinner.

“I feel great,” he says. “It’s pretty easy once you put your mind to it.”

Ryan has donated his “old” clothes to Goodwill, which is where I met him to shop for clothes and styles that show off his new, healthy physique. Check out his new looks.

Ryan has become healthier in just a few months. He wants to lose another 40 pounds to to meet his goal, but he’s become a walking billboard for men’s health.

And one more thing, Ryan was the Goodwill Keystone Area’s Movember winner of the 2012 Best Overall Mustache. He’s clean shaven today and preparing to do battle growing a prize-winning mustache for this Movember.

Thanks to Ryan Huth, store manager of Goodwill Keystone Area’s Tilghman Square Store for sharing your story. Keep up the great work, Ryan!

For comments and blog suggestions, please contact Annette Kaiser at akaiser@yourgoodwill.org

Maternity Fashion….Gleaning Elegance from Princess Kate

October 22, 2013

By stylist and blog writer, Annette K.

Kate Middleton’s classic style and beauty made her pregnancy seem effortless and natural. And now, her elegance and grace are synonymous with maternal fashion.

Gone are the baggy shirts, cover-all pants and over-sized sweatshirts. Today’s mom-to-be is polished, fit and confident. She wears streamlined cuts of traditional fabrics, like plaids and herringbone and completes the sleek look with leggings, camis and scarves.

Are you expecting? Don’t settle for drab colors and tired looks. Let your local Goodwill store deliver all the layers and accessories for your classic style. Endless possibilities await at Goodwill ….and you won’t need a royal budget.

Special thanks to model Jessica Klein-Goodwill Keystone Area employee, Fogelsville, PA. On October 15th Jessica gave birth to son Jase Steven. Both mother and baby are healthy and well. Congratulations!

For comments and blog suggestions, please contact Annette Kaiser at akaiser@yourgoodwill.org

Accessories and clothing are from the racks of Goodwill Keystone Area’s Fogelsville,PA store.

Photos taken from People Magazine: Link to People Magazine article.

Red Carpet—Color Trends for Everyone

October 1, 2013

And the big winner from this year’s Emmy Award Red Carpet Showcase is… You!

While you may not have gone to the Emmy’s in your limousine, you can immediately add elegance and style to your wardrobe from this year’s red carpet color palette.

The Pantone Color Institute – known as the international authority on color – identifies 4 colors that are universally flattering to everyone despite hair, skin or eye color or tone. These four colors–Mellow Rose, True Red, Indian Teal and Eggplant–appeared over and over again on Sunday’s 65th annual Emmy awards.

Whether looking for formal, business or casual wear, these colors will flatter everyone. No more second guessing.
Universal colors-they are in, they’re hot and at Goodwill Keystone Area stores.

Emmy photos, www.hollywoodlife.com.
Thanks to models Ashley and Sarah- Parkland High School.
For comments or fashion blog suggestions, please email Annette Kaiser at akaiser@yourgoodwill.org.

Fall Fashion – Long Skirts Are Back

September 23, 2013

Among the psychedelic patterns and exotic looks unveiled at Fashion Week in New
York City, was an old comfortable standby. The long skirt. It made a comeback last
week on runways, but it never left the Goodwill Keystone Area stores.

“We usually have a large stock of all kinds of skirts”, said Phil Koch, manager of
Goodwill Keystone Area’s Bethlehem, PA store.

The long skirt never really goes out of fashion because it adds a hint of femininity to any woman’s look. Worn at any length from knee-cap to maxi, longer skirts can be accented with any variety of belts or scarves, or dressed up or dressed down with blouses or tee shirts, blazers or sweaters.

The three skirts shown below were all taken off the racks at a Goodwill store just last
weekend.

Worn with a long tunic shirt, chunky belt and ankle boots, this long skirt is the hot look for a night on the town.

With a knotted tee and high strappy sandals, this corduroy skirt is perfect for those warmer days and chilly fall nights.

This long rayon skirt is appropriate business attire when worn with a cropped jacket, turtleneck and ankle boots.

Hippie Skirts and Sleeveless Bargains

August 23, 2013

A New Generation of Thrift Store Shoppers

My daughter has become a thrift store shopper like me. On two recent trips to Goodwill, she went back-to-school shopping and she was excited to find a number of outfits – black camis and ‘hippie’ skirts. She has her own sense of style and found exactly what she was looking for. Of course she did, she was shopping at Goodwill.

Hippie Skirts at Goodwill — (Photo credit: Emily Bateman) Making a donated item your own hip, current style is what thrift shopping is all about.

She’s a college student looking to differentiate her style from the crowd. When I saw her trying on outfits, I knew she’d struck Goodwill gold. When you are shopping for your style, you often find exactly what you are looking for at Goodwill. Better yet are the bargain prices. The skirts and shirts were both just $3.50 a piece.

Save More with Goodwill Rewards Card

Sleeveless Tee and Hippie Skirt — A young thrifter finds a great skirt and cami at Goodwill for $7.

With a Goodwill Rewards Card, shoppers can save an additional 25% on daily specials, which in this case was $6. Total bill – just over $25 with tax. The money saved helped pay for lunch.

Goodwill Sales Funds Job Programs

It’s also good to know that her purchases and support of Goodwill fund job training programs. Sales of gently used donated items benefit people with disabilities. Bargains fund opportunities. It’s a win win.

Fashion is Never Finished at Goodwill

August 7, 2013

Style is How You Define It

One thing great about style is that trends ebb and flow, so what was once cool, may go out of style, but it tends to come back in style sometime in the future, reinvented, considered new. Fashion is never finished.

Goodwill Outfits for Less — Corinne found her style at the Goodwill Runway Show.

This is why thrift stores like Goodwill are so fantastic to frequent. New donations come in every day, meaning many new chances for new styles.

Why We Do What We Do

With the proceeds from these donations, people who need job training can receive it, people with disabilities can receive care and socialization they need and older, lower-income people who seek opportunities can find jobs that suit them. Goodwill is a nonprofit organization. We invest 84% of what we take in to help people with disabilities and other barriers to independence.

Some Like the Thrill of the Hunt

We organize our clothes by color, so if you know what colors suit you, which are your favorites, you can start there. Like most stores, shirts and pants are racked together, but unlike most stores, they are all the same price. Jeans are $6. Pants are $4. Shirts are $3.50. Tee-shirts are $1.50. And so on. With our new Rewards Card, you can save even more on select items.

You might even find that thrifting makes you a fashion trendsetter. Sometimes just choosing to wear clothes you love is all you need to be fashionable.

Leave Your Electronic Book Reader at Home

June 13, 2013

Get Your Hands on a Real Book for Less

Bestsellers at Goodwill — Hardbacks, trade paperbacks and children’s books are all available at Goodwill for less. From biographies to classics to thrillers, get it at Goodwill.

You might want to leave your Kindle or iPad at home when you go to the beach. Sand and electronics don’t mix. So buy a hardback or paperback for less at Goodwill.

Whether your vacation spot is a backyard barbecue, a nearby beach or distant mountain, nothing beats a book you can open and read while you relax or when you are on vacation.

Our hardbacks are inexpensive and we have an ample supply of paperbacks, juvenile and children’s books for even less.

Books at Goodwill — The Lightning Thief is a great book, which was made into a movie. So many Stephen King books have become movies. There’s even fitness books to be found just in time for summer.

Readers will always be able to find something to read at Goodwill. Save your money and add to your summer reading list at any one of our Goodwill Keystone Area stores.