We’re enjoying a brief warm spell here in Northeast PA and I was ready for it! I broke out these fabulous pants as the basis for a new outfit to celebrate the weather being above freezing for a few days!

It’s the time of year when I start to crave bright colors to counteract the seemingly cold, gray days of January. When I saw these floral beauties from Talbots on the rack at my local Goodwill, I knew they were coming home with me. Talbots pants retail for about $99, but I picked these up for $4.25.

But, with such a crazy, colorful pattern, I had to choose some sophisticated neutrals to balance out the outfit. Later in the spring or summer these pants will look fantastic with a black or white tank top, a light jean jacket and strappy sandals.

A simple chambray tunic from Ann Taylor Loft was an easy choice. The blue coordinated nicely with the flowers in the pants. Loft is always a solid choice for work or weekend wear. And at $3.95 for a shirt that originally sold for about $69, it was a good deal.

This jacket is another reason I keep my smart phone close when I shop. I saw this beautifully distressed leather jacket and peeked at the label: “Sundance”. Now, I know Sundance from the Robert Redford film festival, but a quick internet search revealed he also has an expensive online clothing brand. This jacket would have retailed for about $348, so for $15 it came home with me.

Lastly, I wanted some simple accessories. The black Ann Marino suede pumps (my cost $6.97; Retail $50) and this little black and white Coach wristlet fit the bill. You can typically find plenty of Coach pieces at your local Goodwill Keystone Area. Some pieces are in great shape and others have been well loved. This little bag was in great shape and for $6.97 (Retail $75), I think it will become a staple in my wardrobe when I don’t need a big bag.

You don’t have to wait for spring to sport your favorite floral patterns, visit your local Goodwill Keystone Area store and let your wardrobe blossom with some bright colors.

Pants: $4.25
Blouse: $3.95
Jacket: $15.00
Bag: $6.97
Heels: $6.97
Total: $37.14

Retail estimate: $641

SALE ALERT!!! Be sure to check out Goodwill Keystone Area’s Red Tag Sale on Wednesday, January 31, see complete details here!

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.

With Valentine’s Day just a few weeks away, my wardrobe color palette has started trending toward reds and pinks. This outfit would be perfect for a casual date on the big day, but is also business or weekend appropriate.

The look started with this paisley-patterned dress from Banana Republic. The black, grey, red and white pattern sets a beautiful tone for the outfit. The delicate pin tucks on the front and the lightweight fabric add to the feminine feel of the dress. Banana Republic is one of those brands that continue to turn out classic pieces that stand the test of time. This dress sold for about $118 when new; I picked it up for $5.50.

To make the red of the dress pop, I added a vegan leather jacket from Baccini. The hem and sleeves are edged with ruffles with echo the feminine feel of the outfit, yet the color and cut give it a modern edge. For $7.50, I got a good deal on this unique piece, which retailed for around $68.

Black boots are a classic choice and I have lots of pairs, but I never turn down another good deal when I find it at Goodwill. These Dolce Vita leather boots are sleek and well fitted. The medium stacked heel is not too tall to be uncomfortable, but gives me a little height. According to the internet, “Dolce Vita designs cool, playful-yet-sophisticated shoes that are equally home at work and at play. The brand quickly became known for eye-catching, on trend designs and took its place as a beloved staple in wardrobes all over.” These boots would have cost about $220, so I didn’t mind investing $10.

Finally, the red and white, gold-chained cross body bag from Sorial, was one of those pieces I had to investigate in the store before I bought it. By feeling the soft, supple, pebbled leather, I knew it was a higher-end brand. After googling the label, I found that “Sorial continues to provide effortless designs to over 300 specialty and department stores nationwide and outside of the U.S. and has been worn on A-list celebrities such as Vanessa Hudgens, Taylor Swift and Reese Witherspoon.” SOLD! This bag was $9.97, but retailed for about $120.

As we’re headed toward cupid’s big day, it’s easy to find romantic colors and details on clothing and accessories at your local Goodwill Keystone Area stores. Luckily the clothing is sorted by color in most locations, so head to the red/pink section and find a new outfit!

Dress: $5.50
Jacket: $7.50
Boots: $10.00
Bag: $9.97
Total: $32.97

Retail estimate: $526

Speaking of red, be sure to check out Goodwill Keystone Area’s Red Tag Sale on Wednesday, January 31, see complete details here!

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.

If I asked you to guess how much this look would set you back, what would you guess? $1,000? $2,000?  Believe it or not the original retail of this outfit rings up at over $3,000!

This is by far my most expensive thrifted outfit since I have been blogging for Goodwill. The majority of it is the unique fur and leather purse from Longchamp. Longchamp is a French luxury leather goods company, founded in Paris in 1948 by Jean Cassegrain. I dug up this interesting handbag at the Reading Outlet. It caught my eye because of the unique color and details.  It is not really my style, but for the blog’s sake, I knew I had to purchase it. If you know the outlets, you know you only pay per pound. I estimated I paid about $4 for this bag. And after having it authenticated at the Longchamp store in King of Prussia, I discovered it was worth $2,200 when new. It was part of the 2012 More is More line. The salesperson was very impressed with my find!

The next more expensive piece is the See by Chloé silver velvet jacket. According to Wikipedia, “See by Chloé is a younger line of the Chloé luxury brand. This line manufactures ready-to-wear, handbags, and accessories since 2001. This line of apparel is intended to target the younger generation and is more affordable for those who are starting to become more sophisticated in their styles.” The texture, pattern and shine from the fabric makes this a fun piece. I’ve dressed it down with jeans, but could easily be layered over your little back dress for a night out! I estimate the original price at around $500. See by Chloé has been worn by the likes of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

The black booties from United Nude were found by a friend at the Robesonia location for $4.97. How such a unique pair of heels ended up at a rural Berks County store amazes me! These are from the Eamz line. Despite how they look (with the metal heel), they are surprisingly comfortable and easy to wear. The brand was founded by Dutch architects and this style was inspired by an aluminum office chair by Ray and Charles Eames. The “Eamz” series, featuring pumps, lace ups, boots and Mary Janes and they have integrated their heels with a detail of the chair foot, a feature that seems to suspend the shoe in mid-air. The would have been about $295 when new.

Rounding out the outfit are a pair of Rag & Bone skinny jeans (featured before on the blog – retail about $200), a black velvet tank top from Chico’s and a teal beaded necklace from Coldwater Creek.

If you do the math (from the details below), you’ll see I paid just 1% of the retail value of this look! While these aren’t everyday finds for me, once in a while you find some very interesting and expensive pieces.

Jacket: $10.00
Bag: $4.00
Shoes: $4.97
Jeans: $5.50
Tank top: $3.95
Necklace: $3.97
Total: $32.39

Retail: $3,285

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.

On a recent trip to a large mall (my kids wanted to go; I can’t fathom paying those prices!), I started to notice floral appliqué was on everything! From scarves to sweaters and dresses and shoes! Ironically a few months ago I planned a project just like this and with the cold weather keeping us inside, it was the perfect time to get crafty!

I had ordered a pack of rose fabric appliqués from Amazon for about $8.00. There were about 20 pieces of different sizes, so I have plenty more to use for future projects. I also picked up a container of Fabric-Tac at a local big box store for about $5. You could probably pick up the appliqués and glue at your local craft store.

Since I wasn’t sure how the appliqués would adhere to leather or a smooth surface, I hunted around several local Goodwill Keystone Area stores for a pair of faux suede booties. These burgundy beauties (at just $4.97!) were perfect.

After a few minutes of figuring out the design and being careful of it to not to get in the way of the laces, I had my layout. I carefully glued the appliqués, using a small amount of glue to start. After everything was glued down, I went back and checked the delicate edges adding small dabs of glue when necessary to secure the fabric to the shoe. They dried quickly and are said to be completely set in 24 hours.

Recreating current designer trends is thrifty and easy when you use a little creativity and shop at your neighborhood Goodwill! My daughter already has plans to use my remaining appliqués on a sweater or sweatshirt. I have plenty of designs and glue to complete several more projects! While I don’t shop at the mall anymore, I certainly love the inspiration I get from looking in the windows!

Happy crafting!

Appliqués: $8.00 (from Amazon)
Glue: $5.00
Shoes: $4.97
Total: $17.97

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.

By now we are a week in and you might still be enjoying those resolutions you made. If getting more fresh air and saving money were on your lists, Goodwill Keystone Area has got you covered!

In this post I am featuring two fantastic jackets from Columbia Sportswear. Columbia was founded by a family that fled Germany in 1938 and settled in Portland, Oregon. They named their company after the river that inspired their new home. They first made hats, but eventually expanded to outerwear, among other things. They now manufacture items for men, women and children.

According to their website, “Columbia is made up of real people who are as passionate about the outdoors as you are. And, while our products are available around the world, we’re based in the great Pacific Northwest, where majestic forests frame volcanic mountains and a rugged coast. This is where we hike, ride, fish, hunt, climb, camp, golf, paddle, run, and just enjoy fresh air with friends. Come join us.”

Their women’s jackets are created from high-tech fabric that is wind and water resistant. They offer a modern trim fit, and warmth, without adding bulk. These Columbia jackets for women are perfect for a chilly winter hike or while running errands. I found each of them (at different times) at Goodwill Keystone Area stores for $10 and under.

My youngest daughter quickly snatched up the “Interchange featuring Omni-Tech” patterned teal jacket. Columbia’s website states that “Omni-Tech is air-permeable protection that’s waterproof and breathable guaranteed”. It offers plenty of pockets and a synch-able removable hood for extra warmth. She has worn it even on the coldest days and says it has been warm despite not being a heavy jacket. It may have retailed for up to $200 when new, but I picked it up for just $10!

The quilted pink jacket is lined with Columbia’s “Omni-Heat” which is created from a breathable material with little silver dots that reflect body heat. It is also very light weight, has interior and exterior pockets and thumb holes on the cuffs. (My runner friends love that feature in tech shirts and outerwear!) it would have sold for around $150, but I purchased it for $7.50. The black fleece scarf was only $1.97 at Goodwill.

As for saving money, you can always do that at Goodwill, but on Wednesday, January 10th, Goodwill Keystone Area is holding it’s first 50% Off Sale for 2018! Maybe you’ll see me shopping for some great deals!

Happy New Year!

Teal jacket: $10.00
Pink jacket: $7.50
Scarf: $1.97
Total: $19.47

Retail Estimate: $380

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.

It’s hard to believe another year has come to a close and this December is my 2nd anniversary being Goodwill Keystone Area’s Thrifty Fashionista! I have loved every minute of being a part of the fashion world while thrift shopping and promoting how Goodwill supports members of your community.

I have met so many wonderful people because of Goodwill. I’ve had fans of the blog that have become friends and models. I’ve met shoppers in the stores and this year we hosted a successful bus trip where I got to interact with like-minded thrifters while enjoying a girls’ day out.

I have written over 160 blog posts in the last two years and with Goodwill Keystone Stores never-ending supply of new clothing and accessories, I’ll always have a treasure trove of fashion at my fingertips.

Of course, I’m celebrating the New Year in something fabulous. This body-con style dress is from designer Alberto Makali. I hadn’t heard of this brand, but upon researching the label I was amazed to find that celebrities such as Carrie Underwood, Vanessa Hudgens and Mary J. Blige have all worn Alberto Makali on the red carpet! I have new-found respect for this gold sequined and patterned ruched dress I picked up for $5.50. When new, this dress sold for around $295!

I added a champagne-colored butter-soft leather jacket from Brandon Thomas. This brand is sold at stores such as Neiman Marcus. I would have never paid $199 for this jacket, but at $10 I didn’t mind splurging. A grey faux-leather clutch from Botkier for Target, and bejeweled heels from Rampage round out the look.

As this year draws to a close and we look forward to 2018, here are a few fashion resolutions I hope you consider following:
– Dress for the body you have, not the body you want.
– Embrace trends that you like and pass over ones you don’t. (There are no real fashion police!)
– Take a few fashion risks, but play it safe when you so choose.
– Try adding a new color to your wardrobe this year.
– Have fun with fashion!Be kind to yourself and others.
– Shop at Goodwill. You might see me there!

OK, that last one wasn’t really a resolution, but just a suggestion!

Happy New Year from the Thrifty Fashionista!

Jacket: $10.00
Dress: $5.50
Clutch: $6.97
Shoes: $9.97
Total: $32.44
Retail estimate: $600+

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.

I couldn’t go a whole month without showcasing denim somehow! I love a good pair of jeans or a classic denim jacket, especially when you find them pre-loved from Goodwill Keystone Area stores.

Once again my friend and model, Laura, is featuring a look that is perfect for running errands, shopping or meeting girlfriends for some holiday cheer. If the weather is mild enough, a denim jacket and blouse are warm enough for being outside in December. Or, if you’re headed into a mall or restaurant, you won’t need a heavy coat.

This jacket had the tag cut out, so I can’t really guess what the brand was, but the fit is perfect for Laura. The military gold buttons, notched collar and multiple pockets provide a unique style. She’s paired it with an asymmetrical cut cobalt and coral blouse from Calvin Klein.

Calvin Klein consistently offers stylish, yet not trendy, clothing ranging from classic workwear to casual weekend styles. Their dresses and blouses are something I always look for when shopping at Goodwill. The timeless look means I’ll be able to wear the items for years to come without them seeming outdated.

To make her accessories pop and coordinate with the blouse, we added an orange and metallic studded clutch from Jessica Simpson. I also search for the Jessica Simpson label when thrifting. Her clothing styles are young and fresh. I love her sky-high heels, but I tend to be a little more practical with my footwear as I get older.

Speaking of footwear, we added flat black boots, perfect for a busy woman on the go. I featured these designer Botkier leather boots recently on the blog and their value is about $250, but I picked them up for just $12.97!

Sometimes you need to put down the festive sweater and enjoy a classic, casual holiday look. Denim jackets and American designers like Calvin Klein or Jessica Simpson are solid choices when you are perusing the racks at Goodwill Keystone Area. Keep an eye out for them when shopping this holiday season!

Jacket: $6.50
Blouse: $3.97
Clutch: $6.97
Boots: $12.97
Total: $30.41
Retail estimate: $450+

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.

Lately I’ve been talking about finding festive options other than little black dresses or red and green sweaters. I’m calling this look my “LGD” or “Little Green Dress”. I had my friend and model, Vanessa, “Go Green” for this look for New Year’s Eve.

By shopping at Goodwill Keystone Area stores you are helping the environment as well as members of your community. Production of new fashion is one of the largest pollutants and sadly, one of the dirtiest industries in the world. From growing and producing the fibers, to dyes to underpaid laborers in foreign countries, creating the clothing we wear is not good for the environment or humanity.

But, by buying previously enjoyed clothing and household goods, you are taking a step toward sustainability. Recycling our clothing as well as other items in our modern lives is one small step, but it can have an impact. Donating your clothing and usable household items to Goodwill also reduces the amount of trash sent to landfills.

While I can’t change the world, I can change the opinions of those around me about shopping at Goodwill. I’ve converted many people and shown them how they can have a fabulous wardrobe and save money by buying thrifted items (thusly, helping to reduce their carbon footprint).

Vanessa’s stunning olive green midi dress is from Neiman Marcus. It skims her figure beautifully and has a flattering knotted front. Neiman Marcus not only sells well-known designer items, but produces it’s own branded line of clothing. This dress probably retailed for upwards of $150.

To keep the rest of the look simple and neutral, I added a long gold beaded chain, which I knotted in the front for some interest. Taupe platform sandals elongate the leg. These Nine West beauties were just $6.97, but were probably about $79 at the mall. Lastly, for a bit of bling, the vintage gold clutch adds a beautiful finishing touch.

In 2018, see how you can be a little more environmentally responsible. Shopping at Goodwill Keystone Area stores is one way to start “Going Green”!

Dress: $5.50
Necklace: $3.97
Shoes: $6.97
Clutch: $1.00 (Estimate from Goodwill Outlet)
Total: $17.44
Retail estimate: $325+

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.

Looking sporty and stylish can be achieved at the holidays when you pair a striped sweater and velvet skirt and throw in some bling with metallic accessories. My model, Meredith, is sporting this special holiday look with ease!

I can’t get enough velvet this holiday season. I’ve featured it in blouses, jackets and now this stunning navy skirt with mesh trim from Anthropologie. The rich, dark navy is a nice change of pace from black. It would have retailed for about $119.

Anthropologie is an American clothing retailer that currently operates over 200 stores worldwide featuring a curated assortment of clothing, jewelry, intimates, home furniture and décor, beauty and gifts. Anthropologie is part of URBN brands, which includes Urban Outfitters, Free People, and Terrain.

The fluffy sweater from Countess features stripes of blue, black, rust and khaki and plenty of metallic gold trim. It plays nicely off the velvet skirt, but would look equally well with jeans on the weekend or black trousers for the office.

To add more sparkle, a vintage gold clutch adds just the right amount of shine. This bag, by Lisette, is from the 1960s and evokes a Man Men-esque feel when you hold it. The delicately woven leather and detailed trim add to the high-quality feel of the piece. I picked it up at the Reading Goodwill Outlet for about $1.00. (Meredith wore her own shoes.)

No matter what type of holiday event you are invited to, Goodwill Keystone Area stores can provide you with “Something Special” for any occasion. Stop by today and find your perfect holiday outfit!

Sweater: $3.95
Skirt: $5.00
Clutch: $1.00 (Estimate from Goodwill Outlet)
Total: $9.95
Retail estimate: $250+

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.

Depending on what holiday you celebrate this season, you may be wearing a lot of red and green or silver and blue. But, there are so many other festive colors out there that can help you celebrate the season!

My friend Laura is modeling a colorful casual outfit, perfect for shopping or brunching with friends at the holiday. The trendy velvet jacket, in a gorgeous lime green, is by Ellen Tracy. Laura picked it up on our Goodwill Thrift Trip last September, which is also where I met and befriended her and she’s now part of my Goodwill Gang! Ellen Tracy items are featured at stores like Nordstrom and this blazer probably retailed for about $150.

She paired it with the contrasting, but vibrant turquoise blouse. The bright green and blue play off each other beautifully.

The rest of the outfit features not-so-basic black. The leggings were Laura’s own, but the flat, leather, studded boots by Botkier are a fabulous designer find. Boots like this retail for about $250. Botkier New York is a contemporary leather accessories line carrying designer handbags and shoes for girls who are going places. Monica Botkier, a New Yorker, started her career as a fashion photographer before finding her calling as a handbag designer. Her pieces (including handbags and shoes) are now sold the world over in some of the most prestigious department stores and boutiques.

The suede clutch is by Loft and is big enough to hold her essentials. Bags like this retail for about $60, so I saved about 90%!

Don’t limit yourself to “traditional” colors this season. Branch out and experiment with festive hues, and pairing them with some high-end designer boots doesn’t hurt either! Be on the lookout at your local Goodwill for some standout colors this December!

Blazer: $6.50
Blouse: $3.95
Clutch: $6.97
Boots: $12.97
Total: $30.39
Retail estimate: $500+
This look was almost 95% off retail!

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.