It’s finally getting cool enough to get out my sweaters here in northeast Pennsylvania! It’s always an exciting time of year when I can get out my boots, tights, scarves and sweaters. I like the changing of the seasons as much as I like the changing of my closet.

This boucle-textured grey and black cowl-neck sweater from Loft is perfectly comfortable and polished for work. For this look I added simple black trousers from the Gap. Black pants are always a great staple and I have plenty in different cuts and styles depending on the look I am going for.

Boucle-textured purple and black bejeweled flats from Etienne Aigner were the perfect partner. I paid $6.97 for this cute pair at Goodwill, but they were marked new-with-tags for $69! To add a little sparkle, a pearl and glass bead necklace added some bling.

The large suede and silver-studded Tignanello bag was a great find at the Reading Outlet. I estimate I paid only about $2.50 for this high-quality bag. Outlets are great for searching for hidden treasures when you have the time! A bag like this would have retailed for about $200!

For the weekend, I would pair this sweater with skinny blue jeans and tall back boots. Goodwill Keystone Area stores are stocked with all your fall needs – sweaters, jackets and scarves. Go pick some up now! Colder weather is right around the corner!

Sweater: $4.75
Pants: $4.25
Shoes: $6.97
Necklace: $1.97
Purse: $2.50
Total: $20.44

Retail value: $425

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.

This unique color combo has been popping up all over my Facebook and Instagram feeds! While it seems like a typical combination, this fall it seems fresh and new for 2017.

Blush (or Millennial Pink or Rose Quartz) has been popular for several years now. Pantone had made it one of their colors of the year in 2016. It’s a soft, pale rosè color and pairing it with the rich, warm tones of burgundy give the combo a modern feel.

The blush dress from Eliza J New York is crafted from a beautiful textured fabric. It has a V neck front and back and would be perfect for a wedding or semi-formal event any time of the year. My favorite part of the dress is that it has pockets! This brand is sold at Nordstrom and Lord & Taylor. The description states “Balancing trend-forward style drawn from the runway with classic silhouettes and vintage-inspired details, Eliza J offers everything from sultry sheaths to swingy flared skirts to dramatic ballgowns, ensuring each occasion is a special one. Its striking prints are designed in-house with a view toward creating fresh, feminine looks that beautifully span the seasons.” My $5.50 investment was well worth it for a retail value of $158!

I gave the dress a more casual vibe by combining it with a quilted burgundy faux leather moto jacket. This jacket is from the Who What Wear line at Target. It is lightweight and perfect for these cooler fall days.

For accessories, I added a burgundy Coach bag, nude pumps from Franco Sarto and a gold and iridescent Y necklace, which I found new-with-tags from Target. Y necklaces became popular again when Jennifer Anniston wore them on the “Friends” TV show in the 90s.

Staying up on new color combinations is one of my favorite parts of researching fashions trends. Look through your closet to see if you have any of these colors. If not, head to your closest Goodwill Keystone Area and look for some blush and burgundy!

Dress: $5.50
Jacket: $7.99
Shoes: 6.97
Necklace: $6.97
Purse: $10
Total: $37.43

Retail value: $500

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.

Styles and trends are always being recycled and revived and this season some of my childhood favorites from the mid 80s are coming back! Several of the iconic items I have been seeing in the October fashion magazines include scrunchies (I’m not kidding!), lots of denim (including acid washed) and colorful, enamel pins.

My youngest daughter is modeling these trends so I let her pull this look together from my stash of blog finds. She started with the burgundy dress by Robert Rodriguez. This is one of my higher-end finds, which I discovered at the Morgantown store for $5.50. It would have cost $475 when new. The original description stated: “Fused jersey creates the look of neoprene on this futuristic Robert Rodriguez dress. Contrast trim and decorative zips detail the swingy, pleated skirt. Snaps secure the leather-trimmed waist. Laser-cut hem. Exposed front zip.” It has a very modernistic appeal, perfect for a trendy teen.

She made the look her own by layering on an acid-washed Levi’s denim jacket. She added vintage and new enamel pins, some of which were from the 80s. Another classic item she added was a velvet scrunchie, using it to pull her hair into a fun, high ponytail.

She added age-appropriate flat, taupe, suede boots decorated with brass studs from Limelight. They would have retailed for about $64.99, and I picked them up for just $4.97.

Sometimes trends disappear into the back of your closet for a while, but they eventually emerge, ready to be made new again. And the beauty of shopping at Goodwill Keystone Area stores is that you can find all styles of clothing and accessories from a variety of years and make them your own! (I saved 98% off of the original retail on this look!)

Jacket: $1.00 (from the Reading Outlet)
Dress: $5.50
Boots: $4.97
Total: $11.47

Retail estimate: $615

I saved 98% off of the original retail on this look!

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.

When I think of fall, I think of the rich color of the leaves – green, gold, orange and red. I love to reflect that vibrancy in my own outfits this time of year.

For a recent night out, I paired my own Autumn splendor of a silk blouse from Cabi (one of the brands I now regularly search for on my thrifting trips) with a simple pair of Ponte knit skinny trousers from Loft. The beautiful orange, fuchsia, black and turquoise colors create an art deco-inspired pattern that is perfect for this time of year. This blouse would have sold for around $99 when new. My cost was just $3.95!

For a jolt of bright color, I added turquoise heels and a statement necklace. The suede pumps from Seychelles, which were accented with contrasting stitching and bow detail, retailed for $149. I found these beauties for $8.97 at the Robesonia store.

Since it was a cool evening, I added a faux leather moto jacket by Vero Moda. Moto jackets are a perennial favorite of mine and they are easy to find at Goodwill Keystone Area stores in a variety of styles. This brand can be found online and at stores such as Bloomingdales. It sold for approximately $75.

Lastly I added a black and gold clutch. The gold medallion gives it a high quality look and feel and the strap makes it easy to carry my essentials.

Look around the world outside and take inspiration in the colors of the trees, land and sky. When you’re shopping at Goodwill Keystone Area stores look for those hues and add them into your wardrobe this fall.

Blouse: $3.95
Pants: $5.50
Shoes: $8.97
Clutch: $4.97
Jacket: $6.50
Necklace: $4.97
Total: $34.86

Retail estimate: $375

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.

Goodwill Keystone Area stores should already be your go-to store for all your Halloween costume and décor needs, but sometimes you can find a fun piece to jazz up your everyday wardrobe around the ghoulish holiday!

I picked up this fun and festive Halloween vest from Holiday Editions for just $5. >While it isn’t a costume, it’s perfect to dress up your workday look for the end of October. Underneath is an orange and white cotton J. Crew collared shirt that I found new with tags! The original cost was $79, but I paid just $3.95. I paired it with gray skinny, cuffed jeans from Loft. These also would have retailed for around $70.

To keep the rest of the look clean and simple, I added comfortable black and brass-studded buckled flats from Nicole. Black flats are a great staple to have in your wardrobe and I have several pairs depending on the look I am going for. Another classic is this black leather satchel with ivory stitching from Tignanello. I love finding this brand at Goodwill! They are crafted of soft buttery leather and have a colorful lining with plenty of pockets for your necessities. This was only $6.97, but easily retailed for over $100.

Remove the festive vest and this outfit is completely appropriate for an office or weekend look. I would probably never pay full price for a crazy vest like this, but for just $5, I found a fun way to celebrate Halloween that doesn’t involve a costume! Vest: $5.00
Shirt: $3.95
Jeans: $5.50
Purse: $6.97
Shoes: $6.97
Total: $28.39
Retail estimate: $350+

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.

Fall is almost here, and I’m loving the new styles in the October fashion magazines that show up in my mailbox. InStyle featured a photo of boots in rich jewel tones and it reminded me I had my own hand-crafted orange boots.

This was a DIY project from 2 years ago, but the boots are still on-trend for 2017. I picked up this pair of beige suede Cesare Paciotti (a high-end Italian brand) boots at a Reading area Goodwill for just a few dollars. They retail for approximately $600, but this pair was scuffed and a bit dirty. I knew they were of such a high quality that I wanted to try and revive them.

Instead of typical brown or black, I ordered a rich orange leather dye and got to work. It was an easy process and the finished project was gorgeous!
I have a unique pair of stylish boots that no one else has. I’ll be featuring some other DIY projects on an upcoming blog post.

For the impending Fall equinox I paired them with this graphic Loft shift dress. The blue and lime green coordinate nicely with the rich pumpkin color. The ¾ sleeves are perfect for these in-between days when it isn’t really hot or cold yet.

For accessories, I went high end with the purse. This adorable gold Cole Haan baguette bag would have retailed for around $300. I picked it up for just $6.97 at the Robesonia Goodwill. I added in a gold and orange necklace and bracelet to complete the look.

Recreating the looks you find in magazines is easy with a little creativity and some items from your local Goodwill Keystone Area store.

Dress: $5.50
Necklace: $6.97
Bracelet: $1.97
Purse: $6.97
Boots: $20 (includes cost of boots and dye)

Total: $41.41

Retail estimate: $1,000

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 September, so it can be warm, cool, dry or humid or any combination thereof. I like to be prepared for climatic changes, so dressing in layers and accessorizing with scarves (and carrying an umbrella!) is a must for this area. Scarves add the ability to easily change the look of any outfit as well as add some warmth on a chilly night.

This outfit started with a simple black and ivory color scheme, but it needed a pop of color. The cold shoulder, split sleeve trend, which began to become really popular last fall, shows no sign of stopping. I have seen that look in all the fashion magazines this fall. This blouse, by NY&Co, is very versatile. I could wear it to work with the black pants pictured here (from Loft) or I could style it with some distressed skinny jeans, a bold statement necklace and peep toe booties for an edgier vibe.

The pop of color from the multi-colored black, ivory, pink and orange scarf was exactly what this outfit needed. The fringed gold and orange jewelry was found new with tags from Target. Tassels and fringe are another trend that has been hanging around for a while now. They add a festive feel to almost any outfit!

I wanted the rest of my accessories to be monochromatic. The ivory vegan leather purse (the brand is McDonald, but I couldn’t find much about it online) has rich detailing and gold accents that give it a designer look. The black zip wallet from Michael Kors was a classic find at the Trappe store for just $4.97!

The gold embellished black flats by BCBG Generation are not only adorable, but they are extremely comfortable. Keeping a pair of flats in my bag is perfect for swapping out my heels when my feet start to hurt.

I’m ready for boots and sweaters, but September can be a fickle month, so staying prepared for warm or cool days is easy when you have the right accessories. Pick up a few colorful scarves next time you visit your local Goodwill Keystone Area store!

Pants: $4.25
Blouse: $3.95
Purse: $9.97
Wallet: $4.97
Shoes: $6.97
Earrings: $3.99
Bracelet: $4.99
Scarf: $2.00
Total: $41.09

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.

Autumn is not necessarily a season when you think of floral patterns for your wardrobe. Plaids, suede, dark denim; Yes. Florals; No. But lately I’ve been seeing lots of clothing and accessories advertisements featuring dark, earthy florals especially with a boho vibe. And I wanted to visit this trend on the blog.

I wasn’t sure how this loose bohemian floral and paisley dress from Xhiliration (A Target brand) would fit, but I found it very flattering. The dress skims nicely over my curves without being too loose. There are subtle pin tucks around the collared neckline and the sleeves are gathered at the wrists. The background color is a dark gray green and the paisley and floral design in shades of pink accent it nicely. While probably only being about $30 new, this dress has the feel of something much more expensive, such as from Anthropologie.

When I was in line at the counter to pay for this dress at the Ephrata store, the necklace caught my eye! The rhinestones were the same unique gray green color. $3? Sold! Add it to the bag! To keep the rest of the outfit simple, I paired it with a cream leather Coach tote bag that I had picked up for only $10 at the most recent 50% off day. If you’re not a Goodwill Rewards member, this is one of the best perks! Find out how to sign up here!

Lastly, it’s almost Fall and that means boot weather! I’ve been dying to bring out these camel colored, folded cuff Nine West beauties. New they sold for $129, so $7.97 is a great deal. The have a low stacked heel and will look great from everything from this dress to jeans. They are the perfect neutral shade and moderate height. They will definitely be in rotation this fall!

I enjoy taking inspiration from the high-end fashion magazines and adapting it to a more affordable, accessible-to-all level.

Purse: $10.00 (purchase at last 50% off day)
Dress: $5.99
Necklace: $3.00
Boots: $7.97
Total: $26.96

Retail estimate: $389.00

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.

REMINDER: Take a Thrift Trip with Thrifty Fashionista Kirsten Saturday, September 9, click here for details! 

This weekend we are celebrating the last hurrah of summer. Most kids are back to school and vacations are over. The weather is turning cooler and pumpkin spice is turning up EVERYWHERE! And, from September 1 – 4, Goodwill Keystone Area stores will be celebrating with a Sidewalk Sale with clothing as low as 99¢!

I’m transitioning into my fall wardrobe, but wanted to show off these white Adriano Goldschmied skinny jeans. I found them new with tags (retail $178!) for just $15 at the Robesonia store. I know many fashion rules say you can’t wear white after Labor Day, so I’m getting these designer beauties in just under the wire.

I paired them with a coral tank and this colorful patterned swing cardigan from New York & Co. It’s lightweight enough for late summer weather, but also perfect for cool fall days. The navy, coral and white colors are fresh and bright. It’ll pair perfectly with dark skinny jeans or navy trousers later this season.

Silver is a big fall fashion trend this year, so I have featured these chunky distressed silver clogs from Off The Beaten Track. According to their website “OTBT is a global fashion footwear brand of casual shoes for women, designed with the traveler in mind. Inspired by music and culture, this unique brand features high quality materials, earth-inspired leathers, and great attention to details. OTBT is not just a brand; it’s a lifestyle. Go OFF THE BEATEN TRACK.” These shoes would have retailed for around $150, so $6.97 was a great deal.

For accessories, I layered silver necklaces (the short one is from Goodwill) and bracelets. A large, silver snakeskin print leather hobo bag from B. Makowsky is the final touch for this summer to fall look. B. Makowsky bags retail for several hundred dollars, so I often pick this brand up when I find them at Goodwill, especially when they are priced at $6.97!

This weekend, don’t forget to pick up clothing for as low as 99¢ at your local Goodwill Keystone Area store. Stock up on some summer staples for next year or choose a few items to spice up your fall closet!

Jeans: $15
Tank: $3.99
Sweater: $4.75
Purse: $6.97
Shoes: $6.97
Short necklace: $1.97

Total: $39.65

Retail estimate: $573

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.

Last week the Thrifty Fashionista headed for the Big Apple and a broadway show, which was of course, about shoes!

As any good fashion blogger would do, I planned an outfit for the trip and my friends indulged me by helping me stage and take the photos so they wouldn’t be all selfies. Visiting such a cosmopolitan city gave me the chance to observe fashionistas in their natural habitat. It’s always good to have a change of scenery and explore somewhere different for some new ideas for my blog and Goodwill.

Being NYC in August, I needed something that was lightweight and comfortable for traversing the city streets. I did wear flats for the trip and changed into the stunning pink and orange Nine West stiletto sandals only for the photos. I didn’t want a sprained ankle as a souvenir. I paired them with a sheer, flowing blouse from Express and a burgundy tank top from Loft. I loved the bright red and pink colors in the top and how they coordinated well with the shoes. For more pop I added a purple and gold chain necklace from Target. The jeans were classic ankle-length skinny jeans from Gap. Gap has remained a solid choice for jeans for many years. They have so many varieties and I’m always happy to find them at my local Goodwill.

If you love thrifting at Goodwill as much as I do, you’ll love these two upcoming Goodwill Keystone Area events!

· On Thursday, August 17th, Goodwill is celebrating National Thrift Day with $5 off a $30 purchase! Hit up your local Goodwill and enjoy the savings! I’ll be out shopping! If you see me, stop and say hi and show me what you have found!

· And, on Saturday, September 9th, I’ll be hosting “Take a Thrift Trip”! Get your tickets now and get on the bus with me and all my thrifty fashionista friends as we visit Berwyn, Phoenixville and Trappe! Sit back and let us do the driving as you enjoy goodie bags, raffle prizes and coupons! I’ll be offering my best thrift tips AND helping you shop as we spend the day visiting three stores. Click here to get your tickets today! 

Whether you are shopping for National Thrift Day OR you get on the Thrift Bus with me, know that when you shop at Goodwill Keystone Area stores, you aren’t just finding stylish treasures at great prices, you are supporting people in your local community on their pathway to a new job or career. That’s something worth shopping for!

Blouse: $3.95
Tank: $3.95
Necklace: $6.97
Shoes: $6.97
Jeans: $6.50
Total: $28.34

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.