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.

Spring is so close! I can feel it and I am definitely ready to bring out my florals, pastels and sandals. We’ve had (what seems to be) a very long winter here in NE Pennsylvania, so everyone I know is excited for the warmer weather that will be heading our way soon.

But, there are still some chilly days ahead, so dressing in layers is still the best bet for these early April days. This outfit has the best of both worlds: open-toed sandals and a long-sleeve jacket. I started the look with these patterned Ann Taylor Loft ankle-length pants. I loved the color combination and based the rest of the outfit on it. Print pants always seem to have a resurgence in spring and I’ve seen florals and graphic print pants in many of my recent fashion magazines.

To highlight the pink, I chose a Gap pocketed t-shirt in the same salmon color.
Casual pieces can fit nicely under jackets and blazers for a professional work atmosphere. I can pair this in summer with shorts to get more versatility out of this basic tee.

The knit and vegan leather jacket is from the Who What Wear line from Target.
This was a splurge at $12.99 at Goodwill, but the perfect fit attracted me to this piece. It has a classic, but modern feel and I can see this jacket working with my wardrobe for a long time.

As for accessories, I kept them neutral. The B. Makowsky was also a splurge at $12.97, but this brand sells bags for several hundred dollars each, so I didn’t mind. The buttery soft leather and high quality silver and gold details made it worth every penny.

A gold and black fringed necklace added a modern touch.
And the shoes were a wonderful surprise. They were new without tags (no wear on the bottom) and were just $6.99. When I got home and did my research, I discovered they were over $200 when new. The leather is soft and the stacked wedge makes them very comfortable. I was very happy with this find!

Spring is just about here and spanning the seasons with jackets or blazers is easy with trendy pieces from Goodwill Keystone Area stores.

Pants: $5.50
T-Shirt: $3.95
Jacket: $12.99
Bag: $12.97
Shoes: $6.97
Necklace: $3.97

Total: $46.35

Retail: $550+

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 September we held the inaugural Goodwill Keystone Area “Take a Thrift Trip” on September 9th. We filled a bus with 30 thrifty fashion fans who were eager to enjoy a day shopping for treasures at three Goodwill locations: Berwyn, Phoenixville and Trappe. They generously brought donations for Goodwill’s mission and in exchange received swag bags, coupons, giveaways and free fashion advice!

As the Thrifty Fashionista, I offered the ladies advice on outfits for their personal style, bargain accessories and other thrifted treasures. Their favorite brands were plentiful, such as Kate Spade, Vera Bradley, Botkier, Talbots, Michael Kors, and Marc by Marc Jacobs in the stores. We all made new friends and the camaraderie on the bus was contagious with everyone sharing their amazing finds between stores. Here are a few highlights:

Well, we’re doing it again! I’ll be hosting a new “Take a Thrift Trip” on Saturday, May 19th. We’ll be heading to a new area and visiting 4 Goodwill Keystone Area stores! We’ll be leaving from the Lancaster Goodwill on Lincoln Hwy at 8:30am. Our first stop will be Palmyra, then on to Lemoyne and York (Route30) and back to the Lancaster Goodwill by 5pm where you can stay and shop until you drop! For attendees, we’ll also have free thrift totes, coupons and fashion find giveaways!

Sit back & relax while we take care of the driving! Registration deadline is May, 4th. Sign up today! Tickets are only $25 for a full day of thrift shopping with your friends.

Get Complete Details & Purchase Tickets

See you on the bus!
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.

Distressed denim (and I don’t mean just holes, tears or wear marks) has definitely become a major trend that is hanging around and seen on models and celebrities alike. About two years ago I first saw the style of cutting and fraying of jean hems. I embraced this since I am a little vertically challenged and this was a trend I could enjoy!

Around the same time I also saw high-low hems – cut shorter in the front and longer in the back (on some websites I have seen this referred to as a mullet cut!). I wasn’t sure if I liked this and I’m still not completely positive it is a look for me. I would never pay $200 for this designer denim trend, but for $5.50 at my local Goodwill Keystone Area store, I thought I’d give it a chance!

For a recent trip to Maryland, I paired the Mossimo jeans with a long-sleeved, striped BCBGMaxAzria t-shirt. I liked the contrasting edge of narrow stripes on the hem. When new this would have retailed for about $98, but my cost was $3.95.

Since there was still a chill to the air I threw on an olive green Blank NYC vegan-leather sleeved moto jacket. I was not familiar with this company until I did some research. This brand is sold through online retailers such as Zappos. MSRP was $98, but I found it for just $6.25.

I picked up the unique black leather convertible tote bag for $6.97. A little digging revealed this was designed by the Frye brand (which makes popular and expensive boots). I estimate that the retail value would be $200+.

I feel that the cut of this denim looks better with a high heel, so these black suede open-toed booties from Ann Taylor provided the look I wanted. My cost was $9.97; new would have been about $129.

Lastly, a unique vintage pendant with green glass beads for $4.97 punched up the outfit a notch.

While I’m still not completely sure about this denim trend, I didn’t break the bank by giving it a try with jeans from Goodwill Keystone Area. If I still don’t love them, I can trim them up since frayed hems are still in style, and might be for at least a little while longer!

Jeans: $5.50
T-Shirt: $3.95
Jacket: $6.25
Bag: $6.97
Shoes: $9.97
Necklace: $4.97
Total: $37.61

Retail: $585

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 outing to an art show at the Goggleworks in downtown Reading, I pulled out a piece I had picked up earlier this winter and had been saving for the right occasion.

This fringed sweater poncho from BCBG Max Azria is dramatic without going over the top. The neutral gray color plays well off the basic black I paired it with, but would also be great for a cool spring day over a light t-shirt or tank top and faded skinny jeans and sandals. This sweater retailed for about $128.00, but I found it for just $6.75 at my local Goodwill Keystone Area store.

Simple black pants from Loft ($5.50) and my own black turtleneck formed the foundation of the outfit. You can’t go wrong with classic black pieces. They should be staples in your wardrobe and I reach for these ponte knit skinny pants over and over again. They sold for about $79 at Loft when new.

In keeping with the simple black canvas to highlight the poncho, I added these gorgeous suede pointy toe suede boots from BCBG Girls. Their 3-inch heel, soft leather and criss-cross detail of shiny patent trim make them quite stylish. I didn’t mind investing $9.97, when I knew their value was around $200.

For accessories I added a filigree brass medallion on leather cord ($3.97) and a woven gray bag, also with a gold medallion. I found it new with tags for $9.97.

Finding unique pieces that are a little fun and dramatic at Goodwill Keystone Area is one of the things I love. Live on the fringe! Give thrift shopping a try!

Visit Goodwill Keystone Area stores this Saturday, March 17 for our St. Patrick’s Day Sale to get 17% off your purchase of $25 or more, view complete details here.

Poncho: $6.75
Pants: $5.50
Necklace: $3.97
Bag: $9.97
Boots: $9.97
Total: $36.16

Retail estimate: $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.

St. Patrick’s Day is coming up. And even if you’re not Irish, you might celebrate by wearing green, drinking and eating green beverages and foods and saving green at Goodwill Keystone Area stores!

Visit Goodwill Keystone Area stores St. Patrick’s Day, Saturday, March 17 to get 17% off your purchase of $25 or more! See details here.

While I didn’t go overboard with the wearing o’ the green, I am sporting a bright kelly green blouse from Michael Kors. It features an adjustable gold zipper neckline. Similar styles are still available from online retailers for about $98, but I picked this up for just $3.95

My jeans are from Denizen, which is a brand by Levi Strauss. According to their website “Denizen means inhabitant: belonging to a community of family and friends. Denim is in our name, at the heart of our brand. DENIZEN® jeans come in a variety of fits and styles for today’s active families. They offer remarkable value so everyone can look and feel fantastic. And they promise the quality craftsmanship and authentic style that Levi Strauss & Co. is famous for.” These are the “Modern Skinny” fit. They are supposed to fit, flatter and keep their shape all day. So far so good for me! These are sold at Target and retail for about $29.99.

The jacket was a surprise find. I knew the label “Robert Rodriguez” was a quality find, so I didn’t mind paying $7.50. With a little research I discovered this brown, cotton, ruffled trench coast probably retailed for around $500. Talk about saving some green!

The Guess slouchy brown boots elevate this casual outfit with their stacked heel and slim fit. As for the bag, it is a fun faux fur bag by Carlos by Carlos Santana. Yes, Carlos Santana the musician. Who knew he likes to design women’s shoes and accessories??? It adds a playful feel and texture. It sold for about $79 when new. Lastly, to add some bling, a Lia Sophia gold, jeweled necklace adds some sparkle.

With Goodwill Keystone Area, you can dress festively for whatever holiday comes your way and save a lot of green!

Blouse: $3.95
Jeans: $5.50
Jacket: $7.50
Necklace: $3.97
Bag: $4.97
Boots: $9.97
Total: $35.86

Retail estimate: $825+

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.

The weather has been all over the place lately and on a recent sunny Saturday, I spent some quality time at the Reading Public Museum. They have a fabulous sculpture garden, scenic views and walking trails along the Wyomissing Creek, as well as a museum full of rotating exhibits and a separate planetarium.

It was a warm afternoon and I was feeling artistic, so I paired a bohemian blouse with flared jeans, boots and a classic handbag.

The peacock-printed blouse from West Kei has the flowing and dramatic bell sleeve trend that I love lately. The colors and patterns were fun and playful. This brand has been sold through the online Stitch Fix service as well as at national retailers. It would have retailed for about $50.

Because it was still a winter day, I brought along my red vegan leather jacket from a recent blog. It suited the casual feel of the outfit and added another layer of color.

Instead of skinny jeans, and in keeping with the carefree feel of the blouse, I wore a pair of flared Levi’s. Jeans are one of the great things I love to find at Goodwill Keystone Area stores. They are already soft and broken in and have the feel of a well-loved pair of your favorite jeans, right from the beginning!

With the length of the jeans, I needed a slight heel and these dark brown boots from Makron fit the bill. They have a slightly western style that suits the outfit. They also have a sturdy stacked heel and are comfortable to stroll along the creek.

As for accessories, the green geode and gold chain necklace reflects the colors in the blouse. And the classic Michael Kors bag is one of my favorite finds of all time. It’s a great neutral color and holds a ton of my necessities. It was $9.97, but would have cost over $200 when new. This is one of those bags that only gets better with age.

Whatever your style, Goodwill Keystone Area will help you fill your closet with classics, bohemian blouses or even designer handbags.

Don’t forget to visit Goodwill this Wednesday, February 21, 2018 for the 50% OFF SALE, details here.

Blouse: $3.95
Jeans: $6.50
Necklace: $6.97
Bag: $9.97
Boots: $6.97
Total: $34.36

Retail estimate: $400+

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.

While shopping one day at my local Goodwill Keystone Area store, the pattern on this dress caught my eye as it hung on the rack. The color combination is one of my favorites – orange and blue. The cut of the dress at first reminded me of a Lilly Pulitzer or Tory Burch. But, after inspecting the label, I discovered it was Tracy Negoshian. And out came my trusty smart phone to learn more about this brand I had never heard of.

I discovered that the Tracy Negoshian boutique brand has been making Florida a little more colorful since 2009. Her colorful and playful bold prints, designer quality and affordable prices helped grow the brand to over 500 specialty boutiques and select department stores throughout the country.

This ¾ sleeve bell sleeve shift dress is a popular style on her website. It is still produced in new patterns and colors. It retailed for $142, but I found it for only $5.00. While I will definitely rock this later this season, I was ready for a colorful outfit and paired it with patterned lace navy tights. I’m never afraid to mix patterns, but keeping your choices in the same color family makes mixing and matching a little easier.

To keep the rest of the outfit simple, I added navy suede stacked, heeled loafers from Ann Taylor. Similar shoes from Ann Taylor sell for around $120, but I picked these up at Goodwill for just $6.97.

And for a final pop of color a bright orange-red handbag by London Fog. While usually known for outerwear, London Fog also make accessories. This sold for around $150, so my $4.97 was a great bargain.

By shopping at Goodwill Keystone Area stores, I saved 96% off the retail value of this designer outfit. Keep your eye out and your phone handy when thrift shopping! You might find some interesting new-to-you labels.

Blouse: $5.00
Heels: $6.97
Bag: $4.97
Total: $16.94

Retail estimate: $412+

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.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and having, fun romantic looks for date night doesn’t always involve red, pink or formal wear. Once again, my friend and guest model, Jeanette is showing us a festive look for a night out.

This fabulous silk tunic from Tory Burch sets the tone for this look. The yellow, blue, green, white and black colors in the blouse add interest and fun. Tory Burch is a highly desirable designer to find at my local Goodwill Keystone Area, so I am always excited to find this label when combing the racks. This retailed for about $300, but I paid just $5.50. I have a few pieces of Tory in my closet from Goodwill and I find them classic and timeless.

Jeanette paired it with her own leggings, but it would look equally as chic with skinny jeans. We kept the accessories simple and monochromatic: Gold and black. The fringed black necklace was “new with tags” from Target. It retailed for $16.97, but Goodwill had it marked at $3.97.

The gold leather clutch by Guess has an embossed snakeskin print and is roomy enough for plenty of date night essentials. It was $4.97 from Goodwill, but would have sold for around $88.

The Circus by Sam Edelman suede “Teydin” boots do have a romantic feel with the lace up backs. They also have a zipper to make getting them on and off easier than having to lace them up each time. The stacked block heel makes them very wearable and Jeanette commented how comfortable they were! They were also found “new in the box” at a local Goodwill and sold for $119, so the $10 I paid was a great deal!

Dressing up for date night can be fun and casual. Incorporating some casual and festive pieces can make your night out even more enjoyable!

Blouse: $5.50
Necklace: $3.97
Bag: $4.97
Boots: $10.00
Total: $24.44

Retail estimate: $523.97

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.