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Sometimes I am not looking for a certain piece of clothing, but they happen to find me. That’s what happened with this colorful maxi dress. I have a lot of dresses, because of their fun and ease in getting dressed (one piece vs. two) and was not looking to get another summery maxi dress. Then I came across this beauty.

The tag was cut out, so I have no idea on the size or the brand; however, once I tried it on and it was a perfect fit, I knew it was coming home with me. The splashes of vibrant color, the ruffles and the fact that I could wear it with flats and not have to hem it, made it something I’ll want to wear again and again this summer.

As I was checking out, the bright pink and orange shell necklace caught my eye and in the bag it went! It’ll look great with simpler outfits as well.

The handbag from Ann Taylor Loft was a great find at the Reading Outlet. It has a unique pieced outer layer and an ivory fabric lining. Prices at Goodwill outlets are typically by the pound, so I am estimating I spent about $1.50 on it. But, it probably retailed for about $75 when new.

Lastly, these adorable bejeweled flip-flops from Aloha Island really complete the summer fun look. They are comfortable and sassy and I love them with this dress, but they will compliment jeans and shorts as well.

The beauty of Goodwill Keystone Area stores is that every visit is a treasure hunt and you never know what you will find. I wasn’t looking for this colorful maxi dress, but it found me and I’m going to enjoy it every time I wear it this summer.

From my closet to yours,
Kirsten

Dress: $5.50
Flip Flops: $4.97
Bag: $1.50
Necklace: $3.97
Total: $15.94
Retail: $150+

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. Meet up with her at one of Goodwill’s shopping events! Check the event pages for details.

Summer is wedding season and you may have several nuptials events to attend, or perhaps even your own. Looking great, without overshadowing the bride or groom, is a must for any guest.

Today’s wedding party and guest attire can reflect any personality and style, but I always like a classic look including this simple dress, sandals and bag. Modeling for me today, is my friend Jeanette, who is no stranger to being the perfect wedding guest.

Her navy floral sheath dress is from Maeve, which is an Anthropologie brand. It retailed for $158 but at my local Goodwill Keystone Area store it was a real steal for $5.50. This dress is casual enough to wear with a jean jacket or work appropriate with a blazer or cardigan.

To add a pop of color, I included this London Fog brand bright red handbag. It’s roomy enough to hold your phone to take pictures of the new couple and a pack of tissues for those sentimental moments. It sold for approximately $150 when new, but was priced at $4.97 at Goodwill.

To reinforce the blue colors in the dress, I styled the look with a mosaic turquoise medallion necklace ($9.97) and Franco Sarto navy wedge sandals. The sandals retailed for about $79, but Goodwill comes through again for $6.97.

Being a perfect wedding guest isn’t hard – find an outfit that is appropriate and stylish and celebrate the new couple! Goodwill Keystone Area stores offer dressy, yet distinct options for wedding gowns and mother-of-the-bride and bridesmaid dresses. Stop in your local store before the big day and save big!

From my closet to yours,
Kirsten

Dress: $5.50
Sandals: $6.97
Bag: $4.97
Necklace: $9.97
Total: $27.41
Retail: $400+

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. Meet up with her at one of Goodwill’s shopping events! Check the event pages for details.

Summer is a time for spending time by or in the water, be it on a lake, by the ocean or your neighborhood pool. Just because you are in a swimsuit, it doesn’t mean you can’t accessorize!

Goodwill Keystone Area stores have plenty of options to look like you’re spending your summer in the tropics vs. in the backyard by the kiddie pool. On this blog I’m featuring some accessories to jazz up your summer wardrobe.

I started with the sheer black cover up from J. Valdi. A little research uncovered that this brand is well known on the swimsuit cover-up circuit. Their retail prices range from $49 – $79, but I found this for $3.95 at a local Goodwill. This is lightweight tank dress is a smart way to cover up your suit and walk around without feeling overexposed when stopping by the pool snack bar.

To add some color, I chose a few fun accessories. The sandals and earrings were both new with tags from Target. The pompom and ribbon lace-up sandals from Mossimo were marked originally at $29.99, but at Goodwill they were only $6.99. The fabulous white and turquoise tassel earrings are from Sugar Fix by Bauble Bar priced at $12.99, but Goodwill’s bargain price was $3.99. The straw bag with red leather handles was just $3.97.

For under $20, I have accessories that will take any swimsuit from drab to fab and make you feel like everyday is a vacation day. Check the racks at your local Goodwill Keystone Area store for pieces you could use as a cover-up, such as a kimono, tank dress or scarf. Add some bright accessories and then make yourself that pina colada!

From my closet to yours,
Kirsten

Dress: $3.95
Sandals: $6.99
Earrings: $3.99
Bag: $3.97
Total: $18.90
Retail: $130+

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. Meet up with her at one of Goodwill’s shopping events! Check the event pages for details.

My family and I love to take day trips to the Chesapeake Bay and last weekend we went on a little excursion to Rock Hall and Chestertown in Maryland. Knowing we’ll be in some pretty scenic places, I enjoy planning an appropriate blog outfit for the day so I can get some great backgrounds for the clothes I’m featuring.

This look is brought to you by Calvin Klein! I picked up the dress and sandals (as well as the bag) at the Goodwill Keystone Outlet on St. Lawrence Avenue in Reading. Outlet shopping is much different than shopping at the standard Goodwill store, but the payoff can be much bigger. Clothing and housewares are sold by the pound; shoes are typically a flat fee (in this case $2.75). I think of it as a treasure hunt when I shop at the outlets. It’s also a great place to pick up well-worn jeans to turn into cutoffs or experiment with some other clothing trends such as cutting, distressing or bleaching.

After a few moments of searching through the bins I discovered the blue, lime green and grey Calvin Klein Jeans dress. It has a racer back and a coordinating drawstring belt to define the waist. The light gauzy cotton fabric will be perfect for my vacation. A little while later, I found the leather and canvas sandals, which were also from Calvin Klein.

A bit more digging and the cream, yellow, red and blue straw bag became the perfect partner to hold my necessities when traveling – wallet, sunscreen, phone, sunglasses, etc… And when I got home I pulled out the wooden beaded turquoise necklace to complete the look. At $4.97, the necklace was the most expensive part of this outfit!

Calvin Klein offers classic style and I enjoy finding that brand, especially at the outfit. I’m estimating that I spent about $1 each for the dress and bag and the shoes were $2.75. The total for this easy, breezy summer look was less than $10. Give the outlets a try – you never know what you’ll find!

From my closet to yours,
Kirsten

Dress: $1.00
Bag: $1.00
Shoes: $2.99
Necklace: $4.97
Total: $9.72
Retail: $200

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. Meet up with her at one of Goodwill’s shopping events! Check the event pages for details.

Summer is finally here! Days are warmer, nights are longer and my wardrobe is clean and bright with some florals thrown in just for fun. As you can tell from my blog, I am passionate about pattern, texture and color and this week is no different! And this complete outfit, including a clutch from Coach is just over $25!

The beginning of this outfit was the sheer peach and purple blouse with lace pleated detail from Vintage America. I like the watercolor look of the print and the light feel of the fabric. Vintage America is a brand sold at stores such as Nordstrom Rack and Macy’s and would have retailed for about $79. The Goodwill Keystone Area price was just $5.95

I layered the blouse over a crocheted lace tank top. It had an easy loose fit and adjustable straps. I could easily wear it with jeans and shorts for a casual look. The label was removed, so I don’t know the brand, but it was only $3.95 at Goodwill.

Khaki shorts should be a summer staple in your wardrobe. They are a classic piece that goes with almost any top or jacket. And you can’t get any more classic than this flat-front pair from J. Crew. The tag line on their website is “Truly Cool Style, from Head To Toe.” This pair originally sold for about $49, and I saved about 90% by picking them up for just $4.50.

To reinforce the peach color, I slipped on a pair of Franco Sarto open-toed flats, which are as comfortable as they are stylish. These were “new with tags” for $79.00 when I found them for only $6.97. I love the pop of color they add to the outfit. Finally a raffia and leather Coach clutch ties the look together with its casual neutral style. And it was a real steal for $4.97!

Summer is here! Bring out the warmth and brightness in your wardrobe and find those pieces for great deals at your local Goodwill Keystone Area store!

Shop Goodwill’s 50% OFF SALE this Sunday, June 24 9am-8am, view complete details here!

From my closet to yours,
Kirsten

Blouse: $5.95
Tank: $3.95
Shorts: $4.50
Shoes: $6.97
Clutch: $4.97
Total: $26.34
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. Meet up with her at one of Goodwill’s shopping events! Check the event pages for details.

It’s been a whirlwind of a month already! My oldest daughter just graduated from high school and now we are getting ready to go on a cruise. And, of course, I’m packing all my Goodwill Keystone Area finds to tour Italy, Spain and France!

This adorable Banana Republic slip dress (which I found on the Thrift Trip) is perfect for a summer vacation. The orange, cream and black tribal print just screams summer. It’s light and breezy and very flattering. Dresses like this retail for about $128 when new at Banana Republic, but I got it for just $5.95!

This clutch is one of my favorites – orange definitely is the new black when it comes to accessories for me. This Jessica Simpson studded bag gets lots of use. The color spices up a neutral outfit or coordinates with other citrusy hues. Jessica Simpson designs fun, playful clothing and accessories for all ages. I enjoy finding her brand at my local Goodwill. This clutch was $6.97, but probably sold for about $60 at the mall.

My shoes were my own, but the necklace and earrings were both thrifted from Goodwill. The orange beaded necklace from Target was $3.97 and the intricate wire earrings were only $1.97. These were another treasure from the Thrift Trip.

Even though this dress has a summer vibe, I could add a black cardigan or a cream blazer for an office look. I could also add a classic denim jacket for a casual weekend look.

I’m excited to show you more of my Goodwill Keystone Area finds that I will be packing in my suitcase soon! Enjoy your summer and don’t forget to check your local Goodwill store for all yours and your family’s vacation wardrobe needs!

From my closet to yours,
Kirsten

Dress: $5.95
Bag: $6.97
Necklace: $3.97
Shoes: $1.97
Total: $18.86
Retail: $200+

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. Meet up with her at one of Goodwill’s shopping events! Check the event pages for details.

The sun is finally shining and all those April (and May showers) have brought us lush green grass and trees and a bevy of beautiful, colorful flowers. With that in mind, this week the Goodwill Keystone Blog is blossoming with a dress fit for the season!

My friend, Laurie, graciously let us use her historic home for a photo shoot a couple of weeks ago. And she is also featured as the model for this blog, in this beautiful dress by Anna Sui. Anna Sui is a high-end designer who first started designing clothing in the 1970s.

From her website: “Anna Sui is one of New York’s most beloved and accomplished fashion designers, known for creating contemporary original clothing inspired by spectacular amounts of research into vintage styles and cultural arcana. Today Anna Sui has over 50 boutiques in eight countries and her collection and products are sold in 300 stores in over 30 countries.”

This gauzy cotton dress, which features spaghetti straps and vibrant pink and red tulips on green stems, was designed as a capsule collection for Anthropologie and retailed for $275. It has a vintage 50s vibe with the scoop neck and full skirt.

We’ve paired it with a vintage gold clutch from the 1960s and layered gold necklaces. As a last pop of color, we added the bright pink Nine West stiletto sandals (only $9.97).

Laurie would have been perfectly attired to attend the royal wedding last weekend (if she would have had the appropriate fascinator!). Floral patterns are perennially popular in the spring, so head out to your local Goodwill Keystone Area store and see what grows on you!

From my closet to yours,
Kirsten

Dress: $5.50
Bag: $1.00 (Goodwill Outlet purchase)
Necklace: $3.97
Shoes: $9.97

Total: $20.44

Retail: $400+

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. Meet up with her at one of Goodwill’s shopping events! Check the event pages for details.

I’ve worked in the corporate world for over 20 years now and I often hear college graduates say that the “business world uniform” can be boring and stuffy. I’m here to say that’s not always true!

Obviously it is going to depend on where and what type of business you choose to work for. A position in finance or at a law firm is going to have a different dress code than one in retail or marketing. However clothing rules have changed very much since I started working in the mid-90s and many offices give you more latitude in your day-to-day outfits and some even offer casual Friday!

My friend, Jeanette, is modeling a business/casual look with this sassy striped dress from Forever 21. My kids joke that I should start a store called “Always 39”, but Forever 21 offers on-trend clothing and accessories at very inexpensive prices and finding them at Goodwill Keystone Area stores makes them even more affordable! The green, burgundy and taupe dress is perfect for warm spring and summer days. The vibrant colors pop and the cut of the dress is very figure-flattering.

I kept the accessories in the same color scheme to keep it modern and business-like. The burgundy purse is marked Coach and I was excited to find it for only $10, but after investigating it at home, I believe it is a fake. Although I don’t condone purchasing known fakes, it happens – even to the best thrifters.

The medallion and green beaded necklace is a new favorite of mine and for just $3.97, I’ve gotten plenty of wear out of it already.

And finally, the neutral suede and patent heels from Nine West ($6.97) are a great way to visually elongate your legs and are a nice addition to your closet. The nude color makes them a great choice for many different outfits.

Dressing professionally does not have to be lifeless and dull. A black or gray suit is not your only option when taking an office job. Investigate your new workplace and breathe a little life into your work wardrobe with stylish and professional pieces from your local Goodwill Keystone Area Store.

From my closet to yours,
Kirsten

Dress: $5.50
Bag: $10.00
Necklace: $3.97
Shoes: $6.97

Total: $26.44
Retail (if the bag was genuine): $330+

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. Meet up with her at one of Goodwill’s shopping events! Check the event pages for details.

Occasionally you come across “close to perfect” treasures at Goodwill Keystone Area stores. Instead of leaving them behind, some items can be rescued with a little ingenuity and DIY craftiness.

I’ve done several other DIY projects, but today I’m showing you 3 simple ways to update shoes that are in need of a little TLC. I purchased these shoes at local Goodwill stores and the crafting supplies were purchased on Amazon.com, but you might be able to find these at local stores.

The first makeover I did is as good as gold, rose gold that is. I can’t get enough of that rosy hue this season. I have wanted a pair of flats in that tone, but have not come across them yet on my thrifty travels. These Christian Siriano for Payless were $7.47. They were originally a slightly worn out, faded gold with some wear spots around the toes. I purchased the Rose Gold leather paint for about $8.00. I carefully applied the color with a brush in two thin coats. It covered completely and they turned out looking fantastic! There is also plenty of paint for many more projects – maybe a clutch or other accessories?

The Adidas Superstar sneakers were also $7.47. They were in good shape and a real steal since they originally sold for $80. According to the Adidas website: “Superstar Shoes – An authentic reissue of a classic sneaker. From basketball MVP to streetwear queen, the adidas Superstar shoe has been going strong since 1969. These women’s sneakers are a faithful reproduction of the shell-toe shoe with a smooth leather upper riding on a rubber cupsole.” All they really needed was a good cleaning. I have some clay cleaner and all it took was a little elbow grease and a good scrub to make bright and shiny. I left them in the sun for the afternoon to dry. Although the difference is subtle in the pictures, I can guarantee you they look like new!

The last project took a little more effort, but the pay off is huge. These genuine Fendi brown suede vintage heels were also $7.47, but they were missing a heel tip. I had ordered a heel tip kit off of Amazon several years ago. It was about $7 and came with 50 or so different size replacement heel tips. Using pliers I pried out the damaged heel tip. Sometimes it can be a little difficult, but with some effort they usually give way. Using a small hammer, I tapped in the new tip. To make them even, I removed the other one so the tips would match. Fendi is a very well known Italian designer brand and these shoes probably sold for about $800 in the 1980s. I saved about 99% on these iconic designer shoes!

With a little work and creativity you can turn some average thrifted finds into Goodwill gold!

From my closet to yours,
Kirsten

Flats: $7.47; Retail $30
Adidas sneakers: $7.47; Retail $80
Fendi heels: $7.47; Retail $800

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. Meet up with her at one of Goodwill’s shopping events! Check the event pages for details.

Sometimes a simple, monochromatic look speaks volumes over a bold pattern or print. Pink is a color that has definitely grown on me over the years. I wear all shades of pink now, not to the point of looking like Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, but I enjoy the rosy hue to brighten my wardrobe.

This outfit started with the comfortable-as-slippers pink suede Sam Edelman embellished flats. I love these shoes and they enliven whatever outfit I wear them with. At $6.97 they were a real bargain since they retailed for approximately $100 when new.

The second layer of pink was the Tignanello leather cross body bag, which is perfect for shopping or traveling. It has pockets for credit cards, cash and my ID and just enough room for a lip gloss (pink, of course!) my phone and my keys. This was also $6.97 and retailed for about $90.

While traveling I love to visit other Goodwill locations and I picked up this gorgeous Loft statement necklace at a Goodwill store in Rochester. I would rather purchase an addition to my wardrobe instead of a souvenir so I can remember where I’ve been every time I wear it.

The gauzy, statement-sleeved and lace boho blouse from Gap was the perfect base for the pops of pink. Ruffled or bell sleeves are a trend that is still going strong and I’m happy to be finding those styles in my local Goodwill. This was only $4.50 and will be a nice addition to my spring/summer closet. I saved about 90% off the original price of $49.

The White House Black Market jeans (they do sell other colors than black and white!) were a nice ankle-length fit so my shoes can take center stage. They retailed for $80, but I snagged these at my local Goodwill store for just $5.50.

Picking one color while keeping the rest neutral is one way to make your outfits easily comes alive. Choosing bright and colorful accessories at Goodwill Keystone Area stores will add springtime pop to your wardrobe without breaking the bank.

Pants: $5.50
T-Shirt: $4.50
Bag: $6.97
Shoes: $6.97
Total: $23.94
Retail Estimate: $330

(Necklace: $11.99 from Goodwill in NY – Retail: $60)

From my closet to yours,
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. Meet up with her at one of Goodwill’s shopping events! Check the event pages for details.