I saw that message on a sign this weekend and yellow is also the color of change. A new round of Goodwill Keystone Area stores opened up this weekend including my nearby store in Morgantown as well many other locations in Berks and nearby counties.

List of 35 Goodwill Keystone Area Stores Currently Open:

On Saturday afternoon I stopped by the Morgantown store. There was no line this time, but I was greeted by a Goodwill employee and offered a freshly sanitized cart. Masks are required and all employees and visitors were wearing them. As with the York store, arrows were marked on the floor to control the flow throughout the shelves and aisles. The store was not busy at all and I felt comfortable as I perused the racks of clothing.
There was plenty of merchandise including a variety of brand new items for summer fun, patriotic decor for the upcoming 4th of July holiday, beach bags and festive plates and cups for dinner al fresco on your patio. My thrifted haul included clothing (for me and my teenaged daughter), to a jigsaw puzzle, some gifts for family and a set of beautiful and colorful wine glasses. It felt great to search the aisles and find thrift treasures.
A few things to take note if you plan to visit:

• If you are ill, you will not be permitted to shop
• You must wear a mask unless you have a medical condition exemption
• Dressing rooms are not open, so choose clothing items wisely
• All sales are final
• Bathrooms are also not accessible right now
• Reward Card sales are not currently being offered.
• Monday 10am-11am will be reserved for seniors and at-risk shoppers only

By shopping at Goodwill, not only do I save money on items for my home and closet, but Goodwill employees are now back to work and the stores and business services fund programs and services that help people with disabilities learn job and life skills. 92 cents of every dollar that goes into the register helps fund programs for local community members seeking hope and independence.

While we were there, I also donated several boxes and bags again and appreciated the contact-less donation process. If you donate, please download a donation form here: yourgoodwill.org/receipt

Whether you are shopping or donating, Goodwill Keystone Area is making your experience with their organization safe, comfortable and enjoyable.

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.

This weekend I did something I haven’t done in almost 10 weeks: visit a Goodwill Keystone Area store! I was invited to come and see and experience the new safety precautions in one of the stores that are part of the phased reopening this past weekend. I visited the Goodwill Store & Donation Center at 981 Loucks Rd in York at about 10:15 on Saturday morning.

NOTE: this chart indicates Goodwill Store locations currently open as of Saturday, June 13, visit yourgoodwill.org for updates on additional store openings coming soon!

There was a small line as I walked up to the entrance. A masked Goodwill employee (pictured) was carefully counting and admitting shoppers. (Note: every employee I saw had a mask and gloves on) and I only had to wait a few moments until I was able to enter the store where I was offered a freshly sanitized cart.

The store was not crowded, due to the limiting of shoppers, which was nice. I had time to look at the racks of clothing (which were full – no lack of merchandise here!) Arrows were placed on the floor to direct the flow of traffic and I easily adhered to the program as I made my way through the store. Other shoppers were polite and we respectfully kept our distance. I think we were all glad to be back! From shoes to clothing to home goods, it seemed like a normal day at Goodwill.

A few things to take note if you plan to visit:

• If you are ill, you will not be permitted to shop.
• Dressing rooms are not open, so I was judicious in my shopping because I already knew that.
• All sales are final so be selective in your choices!
• Bathrooms are also not accessible right now.
• Reward Card sales are not currently being offered.

After about 45 minutes of checking the aisles and racks I had found a few pieces of clothing, some picture frames and a flowerpot (redecorating my home and gardening have become some of my new hobbies since I work at home and unless I’m on a Zoom meeting, I rarely dress up. I hope that changes soon! I miss my Goodwill fashions!

I waited in line and upon approaching the register I saw that Plexiglass panels had been placed strategically to protect not only me but the employees as well. I paid, got my bag of treasures, and triumphantly headed home after a great experience shopping.

Like many other people, I have been cleaning out while at home and I had a trunk full of donations to deliver to a Goodwill Keystone Area donation center. On Sunday afternoon, my husband and I loaded up and headed to the Morgantown Donation Center. All Donation Centers are currently open for self-service “no contact” donations of clothing and housewares Mon-Sat 10 am-6 pm and Sunday 12 pm-6 pm (Exception: East Earl & Newport which are closed on Sundays). One thing to note is Goodwill is not accepting furniture donations at this time and some donation centers close periodically when they reach capacity in their donation center so it is best to search your local Goodwill on Facebook to connect for the latest updates and check your local Goodwill page at yourgoodwill.org for updates.

We pulled up and were met with two clearly marked blue donation bins – one for home goods and one for clothing. Although no staff was visibly present, we read the signs, deposited our donations, and made a note of downloading a donation receipt, which you can find here: yourgoodwill.org/receipt No fuss, no muss and now I have more space in my garage again!

If you have items you’ve been waiting to donate, I recommend you box them up and visit your local Goodwill donation center. If you’re lucky enough to have one of the stores has reopened, you can also feel confident visiting

My weekend of Goodwill – shopping and donating – was a pleasant change of pace in this time that we are calling the “new normal”. Take precautions, but be confident that Goodwill Keystone Area is looking out for you and your safety as they welcome you back into the stores.

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.

You don’t need the luck of the Irish or a pot o’ gold to get the best treasures in fashion, accessories or home goods at your local Goodwill Keystone Area store.

Instead of a bright emerald or Kelly green, this year I chose more muted tones in sumptuous fabrics including silk and crushed velvet. The silk sleeveless blouse from Ann Taylor features a mossy, organic pattern in shades of green, bronze and charcoal. Lightweight blouses like this are great to layer under cardigans or blazers in the spring and fall months when outside temperatures and indoor air conditioning can vary. Retail on this blouse would have been about $60, but Goodwill’s cost was $4.95.

I added a simple, but luxurious mossy kimono from American Eagle Outfitters. This is an easy piece to throw on over a variety of tops and bottoms. Here I’m wearing it with denim, but put it over a crisp white blouse and black trousers and you have a very office-appropriate outfit. Crushed velvet makes this fun and festive piece perfect to wear out to your favorite Irish bar to celebrate the holiday. Goodwill’s price was also $4.95, while American Eagle’s retail cost was $39.

Since this was a more casual outfit, I chose cropped skinny “City Fit” jeans from J. Crew, which featured zipper detail on the ankles. Being petite, I love finding cropped and ankle-length pants and denim so I don’t have them hemmed or altered. J. Crew is always a classic find on the racks at Goodwill, especially when I can purchase $128 jeans for $6.50! Their styles are pretty much timeless and transition from one fashion season to the next with ease.

The suede, lace-up loafers from Tahari were a fun addition because of the green laces (I love subtle details like this!). The platform heels give you height without being uncomfortable. Tahari is a well-made brand and these would have retailed for about $129, but my cost at Goodwill was $7.47. The necklace was my own, but the vintage black frame bag was a Goodwill Outlet find for about $1.00.

Follow the rainbow and visit the racks and aisles of your local Goodwill Keystone Area location to pick up some green items to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day without spending a pot o’ gold!

From my closet to yours,
Kirsten

Blouse: $4.95
Kimono: $4.95
Jeans: $6.50
Shoes: $7.47
Necklace: $1.00
Outfit: $24.87
Retail: $375+

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.

It has been such a mild winter here in eastern Pennsylvania that I have barely had time to showcase any cozy sweaters or warm jackets on the blog. Everyone has been enjoying the warm temperatures and dreaming of spring with shorts and sundresses and I’m over here like “Look at these great winter finds from Goodwill”!

I’m glad at least half of this outfit will transition into spring and summer when the temperatures warm up. Long time readers will recognize my love of pattern and texture in this look. These beige and black geometric print trousers from White House Black Market caught my eye on the rack. I knew they would spice up my every day work outfits, especially for just $6.75. (Retail: $89)

For winter, I paired the eye-catching pants with a basket weave sweater featuring an over-sized cowl neck. I found it new-with-tags from New York & Company for $6.50 (Retail price: $59). Classic black pieces are always good to add to your wardrobe as a staple. For warmer days, a lightweight top in inky black or a crisp white blouse will be the perfect partner.

I recently picked up this fabulous puffer jacket by Laundry by Shelly Segal (a brand I recently featured on the blog) for $16.50. It’s down-filled with quilted detail and a faux-fur lined hood. When it ever is cold, it will be the perfect outerwear piece. Similar coats are available online for $245, so a great deal from my neighborhood Goodwill Keystone Area store.

Lastly, a few neutral accessories are timeless additions to my closet. The pumps from Tommy Hilfiger are some of the most comfortable heels I have ever owned! The black heel sets the simple beige pumps apart and adds a modernist feel. I paid $7.47, but they sold for over $100 when new.

The huge Steve Madden handbag was a steal at $6.99. It retailed for over $100 and I could practically use it as an overnight bag! The bag features a fabric lining with plenty of pockets and gold hardware with stud detail.

I enjoyed this outfit and am glad that most of it can transition through the next few seasons thanks to Goodwill Keystone Area.

You can save even more Friday, February 28 through Sunday, March 1 at Goodwill Keystone Area’s 99¢ Sale, see details click here!

From my closet to yours,
Kirsten

Pants: $6.75
Sweater: $6.50
Jacket: $16.50
Heels: $7.47
Bag: $6.99
Outfit: $44.14
Retail: $590+

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.

I recently took a little mid-winter break to Orlando, Florida to see my daughter’s cheer competition. While the weather wasn’t in the 80s, it was definitely much warmer than Pennsylvania!

My travel wardrobe is no different than the one I wear at home – it’s all probably at least 75% thrifted from Goodwill Keystone Area! I have been shopping at the Goodwill outlet lately (to challenge myself to be an even more frugal fashionista) and this outfit is another $5 find. I tried to pack light since it was just a weekend trip, but I did pack one dress for date night.

This colorful floral-patterned maxi dress from Maurices just begged me to take it on a tropical vacation. Maurices is a mid-priced clothier with stores throughout North America. According to their website “they inspire women of all ages to look and feel their best – just as they are and they’ve earned their reputation as a leader in hometown fashion. Their true secret to success is deeply rooted in their commitment to their values.” While I’ve never visited a Maurices store, a little investigation revealed that their dresses sell for up to $39.

The bins are not seasonal, so you can find a mix of summer to winter and everything in between. The gold and beige-toned strappy sandals from Nine West are a great neutral to mix and match with almost any summer outfit. While these could have sold for up to $89 when new, all shoes at the outlet are just $2.99.

The colors of the dress inspired me to look for summery accessories and I found just what I was looking for, including this purse and straw hat. The vintage aqua straw bag, accented with sequins, and the multi-colored straw hat provided a final touch of this mid-winter vacation look.

Spring and Summer may seem far off, but shopping at the outlets for Spring-Break style can be a bit of fresh air to your wallet and budget. Stock up on warm-weather essentials now at Goodwill Keystone Area outlet stores.

From my closet to yours,
Kirsten

Outfit: Less than $5
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.

Here’s an intro on another one of my favorite brands to search for at Goodwill Keystone Area stores: Laundry by Shelli Segal. According to their About Us page on the website: “A leader in fashion, Laundry by Shelli Segal has been setting trends and inspiring women for more than 25 years. Laundry balances just the right blend of red carpet glamour and West Coast chic that is iconic and universal in its appeal. Always feminine and vibrantly colorful, the brand is known for its unique use of embellishments and signature prints. The result is a distinctive collection with a contemporary aesthetic crafted to fit the lifestyle and sensibility of a modern woman who is stylish, smart, sexy, and not afraid to make an entrance.”

Laundry also creates sportswear, girls, outerwear, accessories, fragrance, bath and bedding and swimwear. But, I am drawn to the dresses. The patterns are vibrant and bold and just plain fun to wear. I have several Laundry dresses (all from Goodwill) in my closet and they are the ones I reach for when I feel like making a statement with my outfit.

As my readers know, I am a huge fan of color, texture, and pattern and this dress incorporates all three! This eye-catching dress would have been $138 at the mall, but my cost at my local Goodwill was $6.75. The dress did not really need any adornment, so I wore simple silver earrings. A stack of glittering bangles might have made a nice addition.

I added super comfortable black suede boots from Aerosoles. The style is called “Gather Round” and is still available online on resale websites in a variety of colors besides black. I love the wedge heel that gives height but provides stability. Their retail price would have been $129. My Goodwill price was $9.99. I plan on wearing these throughout the winter with dresses and tights to skinny jeans and sweaters.

Another brand I enjoy finding at Goodwill Keystone Area stores is B. Makowsky’s handbags. They offer a combination of fine leather, excellent design, and elegant hardware. This moderately-sized bag holds plenty of my necessities and would have sold for around $200. Not a bad find for $6.97 at Goodwill.

You could shop an outfit like this for 50% off at the Goodwill Keystone Area President’s Day Sale on Monday, February 17th! What an even better deal! Click here for details!

When you’re looking for something to brighten up these somewhat-dreary winter days, enliven your wardrobe with a patterned dress from Laundry by Shelli Segal. Goodwill’s prices will only make the dress more stunning!

From my closet to yours,
Kirsten

Dress: $6.75
Boots: $9.99
Bag: $6.97
Outfit: $23.71
Retail: $467

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.

On one of my recent blog posts, a reader asked if I ever created a complete outfit from Goodwill Keystone Area Outlet finds. I have several times in the past, but not lately, so Maria D., this one is for you! (NOTE: learn about the unique Goodwill Outlet Center shopping experience and find Goodwill Outlet Center locations, click here!)

The outlet that is closet to my home is in Reading, and to me, it seems huge! Outlets work differently than a typical Goodwill Keystone Area store, so you have to go shopping there with a different mindset. Everything is sorted in bins – clothing, shoes and bags, home accessories, etc… and you pay by the pound (except for shoes, those are $2.99) In the back area there you can find glassware, decorative artwork, and furniture. I’ve bought all of those different things there at various times.

I bought this outfit over two different visits. The first visit yielded the soft wool J. Crew two-toned sweater. There are no dressing rooms at the outlets, so I just take my best guess as on fit and because items are so inexpensive, I don’t mind donating them back right away if they don’t work for me. Similar J. Crew sweater sells for around $79 on their website.

The Gap blush cords (Retail: $69.95) also turned up on this trip as well. The colors are in the same blush family and I thought they suited each other well. Corduroys have been popping up again since the fall and I’m a fan. The width of the cord is commonly referred to as the size of the “wale,” or number of cords per inch. These would be considered a small wale and were very soft and flattering.

I will probably get these pants hemmed to a better length for me, but for the time being, I gave them a jaunty little cuff so I could high light these brown leather booties from Steve Madden. I purchased the shoes and bag on a trip where I was specifically looking for something to match the previous purchases.

Shoes at the outlet are all $2.99, so they were the most expensive part of the outfit, but well worth it. Steve Madden’s shoes are still very popular and these fit well and were comfortable. A little polish and they were good as new. I estimate they were about $79 when new.

Lastly, this brown Michael Kors bag with blush leather handles turned up as I was sorting through a bin. Voila – The perfect ending for my $5 style challenge. While the outside just needed a little polish, the inside is a little worn, but for my use, it’ll be just fine. The style is similar to the current “Voyager” style which still sells for $278! Outlet wares may not be perfect, but have potential if you can give them a little bit of TLC.

Thank you to Maria for the challenge! My shoes were $2.99 and the rest of the items came in around $2.00 for a grand total of $4.99! I save 99% off retail for this casual winter look! If you have the patience, outlet shopping at Goodwill Keystone Area is definitely worth it. It’s a true treasure hunt!

From my closet to yours,

Kirsten

Outfit: $4.99
Retail: $500+

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.

According to Ferraricolor.com “Retail sale signs. Stop signs. Fire hydrants. Flashing police car lights. That bad grade on your first college paper. What do all of these have in common? They’re all the color red. Red is an attention-grabbing and emotionally intense color. It enhances physical reactions, which is why retailers use it with signs to stimulate people to make quick buying decisions. And why you’d never give someone who was just a friend a red rose. Red roses symbolize deep love, and they’re reserved for romantic relationships, or those hoping for one.”

Red makes you stop and take notice. And that’s exactly what I did when I saw these amazing red and purple abstract print pants (Goodwill: $5.50; Retail: $79) from Loft. You all know I love a great printed pant! These have a cropped fit with zipper detail at the ankles.

While I knew I could pair them with a solid black or white top or even a denim blouse, I decided to find the same striking red color featured in the pant. Fashion Tip: When trying to match a specific color, try to do it in the same shopping trip. I headed to the sweater aisle and without even trying, this bold, red, open-knit sweater from Ann Taylor practically jumped into my cart (because I always have a cart when shopping at Goodwill Keystone Area!). (Goodwill: $6.50; Retail: $89)

I paired the statement-making outfit with some neutral metallic accessories. The soft gold Franco Sarto pumps featured a pleated toe with bow detail. Franco Sarto makes great shoes and you usually can’t go wrong with this brand. These would have retailed for around $89, but my cost was $6.97.

Despite its small size, this petite bag from Cole Haan probably sold for over $200 when new! I paid $7.47. I can always tell a good, quality bag as soon as I touch it and inspect the hardware. I like that this is a nice neutral metallic color and can accentuate almost any outfit. It simple and stylish – all at the same time.

This work-appropriate outfit is perfect since Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday this year. I might wear something a little more flirty and fun for date night and of course, that will also be from Goodwill Keystone Area too!

From my closet to yours,
Kirsten

Pants: $5.50
Sweater: $6.50
Shoes: $6.97
Bag: $7.47
Outfit: $26.44
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.

We’re in the middle of award season – Screen Actors Guild Awards, Grammys, Oscars… Oh, my! While I don’t watch all of the shows, I like seeing the fashions on the red carpet. Stars and singers may wear over-the-top haute couture designs, but I’ll take my beloved LBD (little black dress) any day. A classic dress like this can take you from a semi-formal wedding, a black-tie fundraiser or even a formal night on a cruise.

I was thrilled to find this NWT (new-with-tags) Calvin Klein dress at my local Goodwill Keystone Area. The jersey knit is comfortable, flattering and drapes well. Calvin Klein is one of my favorite brands to wear and I love finding it at Goodwill!

Their website states “Calvin Klein is described as a pioneer and leader of men and women’s clothing since its humble beginnings in the late 1960s. The sleek, fitted and monochromatic designs that the brand is known for portray an elegant and bold modern woman.” That statement perfectly describes this dress with its simplistic, clean cut. My cost was $7.95, but it would have retailed for around $129.

The one-shoulder look is chic and unexpected and some people may find it hard to accessorize it properly, but I went with a bold statement necklace accented with a gold chain and a peach center stone. It’s “go big or go home” on this one and was a real steal at only $6.97! I’ve had it for a few years, but showcase it every once and a while on the blog.

The petite clutch is also another repeat guest on the blog. This soft leather Juicy Couture bag has gorgeous gold hardware but is understated and classy all at the same time. I picked it up for $4.97, but it would have sold for about $50.

Lastly, you need a great heel to strut your stuff! These Madden Girl satin platforms with glittering heels will spice up any outfit. They sold for $59, but my cost at Goodwill was $10.

The world is my runway and red carpet with Goodwill Keystone Area. The fabulous prices and unique finds are always an award winner in my book and my wallet!

From my closet to yours,
Kirsten

Dress: $7.95
Necklace: $6.97
Clutch: $4.97
Heels: $10
Outfit: $29.89
Retail: $270+

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.

Even though I’m a blogger, I never considered myself an “Influencer”, but more of an “Informer”. I like to write about items and products I like and “inform” my readers about those things. And also, as a Thrifty Fashionista, you cannot go into any Goodwill Keystone Area store and buy exactly what I have on – you have to do your own searching and my outfits are just examples of things you can buy at Goodwill.

There are true influencers in the blogging world and sometimes they find the right niche and hit the big time. One of those people is Emily Shuman, who I have followed for many years. In her own words, she created her blog cupcakesandcashmere.com in March 2008 to document the things she loved. Her own brand of clothing was launched a few years ago and I finally found my first piece at the Goodwill Store in Trappe a few weeks back.

As you know, I’m drawn to patterns and stripes and this comfortable white and navy open-weave cardigan just called to me. When I picked it off the rack and looked at the label, I was floored. It was Cupcakes and Cashmere! It fit and was the right price ($6.50 compared to probably around $99 when new) so of course, it was going home with me.

For this look, I decided to go super casual – think running errands or a Saturday lunch date with friends. On the same shopping trip, I also got this Adidas Philadelphia Union (Soccer) microfiber t-shirt for $5.00. It is still available online for $30.

A few weeks later I picked up a pair of Banana Republic jeans NWT for $8.50 (Retail $79.99). I was happy to get a new dark wash pair of boot cut jeans. Dark wash is always flattering and the cut is a nice change from all the skinny jeans in my closet.

Lastly, I’ve had these Adidas Superstar sneakers for years. I paid $9.99 at Goodwill, but they are also still available online for $79.99.

All trends, styles, and brands eventually reach Goodwill and I was happy to find a brand that has inspired my own blogging career. Kudos to Emily for establishing her own brand and fashion line, but I’m delighted to have paid Goodwill prices for her sweater!

From my closet to yours,
Kirsten

Sweater: $6.50
T-shirt: $5.00
Jeans: $8.50
Sneakers: $9.99
Outfit: $29.99
Retail: $289+

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.