Have you ever dreamed of being a model, walking the runway in fabulous fashions in front of a live audience? I did and a few years ago that dream became a reality. I became part of a group of volunteers who donate their time and talents to the Goodwill’s Runway Show.

I have been involved in the Runway Show since almost the beginning, starting out as a model and eventually becoming a stylist (where I shop and dress models) and committee member. Being involved with the show has not only made me feel good about being part of a wonderful, charitable organization, but it has helped my confidence, given me a new network of friends and business contacts and led to me being Goodwill’s thrifty fashion blogger!

So, if you or someone you know are interested in auditioning, this year’s Model Open Call will be held on Saturday, November 12 from 1pm-2:30pm at the Goodwill Keystone Area Office located at 3001 St. Lawrence Ave., Reading, PA. No experience is needed! We are looking for men and women of all ages, shapes and sizes, over 18 years of age (Please bring your ID), who are interested in volunteering to model in our April 20, 2017 Goodwill Runway Show at Body Zone in Wyomissing. The show is Goodwill’s largest fundraiser in Berks County.

Since this event is a fundraiser, we are requiring all participating models to meet a fundraising goal by: selling tickets, a program ad or a sponsorship or by getting a silent auction donation. Goodwill will provide you guidance and materials in fundraising for this event. It’s much easier than you think!

If you are ready to join this fabulously, fun and exciting event, please attend our audition on November 12th. If you want to volunteer, but don’t want to model, please contact Goodwill about other volunteer positions that are available. Together, we can make a difference in our community, one runway at a time.

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 stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

I am completely ready for sweater weather, but the fall temperatures are not cooperating yet. On the day I shot this blog post, it was 82 degrees. But, it won’t last.

This gorgeous pumpkin-spice colored wool sweater from J Crew has been patiently waiting in my closet until fall. I found it last summer and put it aside. This shade is perfect for autumn. The rich color and textured pattern are classic, yet still modern. I paired it with this vintage Japanese scarf from that I discovered at the Goodwill Outlet in Reading. Scarves are a great, inexpensive way to dress up any outfit from jeans to dresses or a suit. And Goodwill stores are usually a great place up to pick up several scarves to update your wardrobe for only a few dollars.

Premium denim is one of my favorite things to search for at Goodwill. And this pair is another one of my best finds. These jeans from Hudson (an American company favored by celebrities) were found at the Morgantown store for only $6.50. Retail on this style is about $200, so I was very excited to add these to my collection.

I rounded out my look with pointy-toed suede booties by Nine West ($6.97) and a leopard print bangle ($1.97). All I need now is the cool weather to enjoy sweater weather!

– Kirsten

Goodwill, Morgantown, PA:
Bangle: $1.97
Jeans: $6.50

Goodwill, Shillington, PA:
Sweater: $6.50
Boots: $6.97

Goodwill Outlet, Reading (Mt. Penn), PA:
Scarf: $0.60

Total: $21.94

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 stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

Last evening, Tuesday, October 25, Goodwill Keystone Area Fashion Blogger Kirsten invited the community out for a night of fashion and fun at the Exeter Library in Reading, PA.

The event was well attended and featured select fashion finds from Kirsten’s travels around to local Goodwill Keystone Area stores as modeled by Kirsten’s friends.

Stay tuned for more fun events and browse all of Kirsten’s amazing thrift finds as well as additional tips and fashion advice on the Goodwill Keystone Area blog, www.yourgoodwill.org/blog

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 stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

This year’s fall temperatures has been up and down, but inevitably cooler weather will be here to stay and sweaters, scarves and boots will be staples in my wardrobe. Right now we are enjoying that in-between time where we have cool nights and warm days.

While I’m not ready for a winter coat and tall boots, I have been craving a change in my wardrobe. A long sleeved dress, sheer tights and short boots is the perfect starter autumn outfit.

This black and white striped dress by 12pm Mon Ami (which is actually a tunic, but well, I’m vertically challenged) is light enough for a recent outing to St. Peter’s Village in Chester County. If you go, make sure you stop by the Bakery. It’s worth every carb!

The dress is accented with colorful plaid cuffs and a pocket so I added a red leather Tignanello purse to tie the outfit together. A frothy cream-colored scarf by Merona (a Target brand) and a silver and black necklace (that I’ve had for several years from Goodwill) were the perfect accessories. As it warmed up, I put aside the scarf and enjoyed the day.

These sturdy, black, ankle boots by Bandolino are my new favorite footwear! I’ll be wearing them with jeans, dress pants or dresses and they look equally as stylish. The zipper and leather straps give them a funky, biker vibe.

Easing into fall with transitional pieces is a great way to start to change up your wardrobe. I love that shopping at Goodwill gives me the ability to freshen up my closet each season while still having plenty of money for lunch out with my family.

Kirsten

Goodwill in Trappe, PA:
Dress: $5.50

Goodwill in Shillington, PA:
Shoes: $6.97

Goodwill in Morgantown, PA:
Scarf: $2.00
Purse: $9.97

Total: $24.44

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 stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

Dressing up in October, doesn’t always mean a costume. Have some fun with your outfits by mixing in some spooky, stylish pieces into your everyday wardrobe for the month.

My teenager found this beige and black skull sweater by Self Esteem at Goodwill in Trappe, PA. It became the basis for a fabulous fall look. While she can probably wear this sweater any time of year, it’s perfect for the Halloween season.

We paired it with the classic favorite of teenagers everywhere: skinny jeans. This high-waisted pair by Aeropostale is already one of her favorites. Jeans from Goodwill can already be soft and broken in from multiple washings, which is a benefit to me and my kids. These typically sell for around $50, but I paid just $5.50!

Topping off the sweater is a ¾ sleeved black trench by New York YOKZ. A light trench coat is a trendy alternative to a zippered hoodie this time of year. You can easily layer it over a t-shirt or a sweater and add a scarf later in the season. Lastly we added the comfortable black, leopard oxfords by Refresh instead of her regular sneakers or boots.

All of these pieces are great on their own, but together they create the perfect creepy look for October. Goodwill gives me the ability to buy fun clothes for my kids that they can enjoy for just a season or two before I donate them back! It’s the fashion circle of life!

Goodwill – Trappe, PA:
Sweater: $4.75

Goodwill – Ephrata, PA:
Coat: $4.75

Goodwill – East Earl, PA:
Shoes: $6.97

Goodwill – Morgantown, PA:
Jeans: $5.50

Total: $21.97

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 stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

Whether you are 3 or 83, Goodwill Keystone Area stores has every single thing you need for Halloween fun!

I think that one of the first times people are introduced to Goodwill is when they are looking for a Halloween costume. They don’t want to spend a lot of money and are looking for something creative and unique. Goodwill has always been my first stop when I was looking for my own costume ideas and for when my children started trick or treating.

This year my youngest wants to be Wednesday Addams (from the Addams Family movie) so we are on the hunt for a simple black dress with a white collar or a dress I can alter myself. The beauty of Goodwill is that you never know what you will find and the prices are affordable enough that if I want to cut something up and redesign it, I won’t worry about the cost.

Depending on if you want to be funny, spooky or down right scary, Goodwill has what you need. On a recent visit to Goodwill in Robesonia, PA (where I also found plenty of Halloween décor), there were racks and racks of complete costumes, accessories and DIY outfits. The staff was very accommodating and even posed for me in some of the interesting accessories available at their store. They had new pre-packaged wigs, makeup kits, masks and hats. Their offerings for children were quite adorable and I especially loved the pumpkin and ladybug choices!

If Halloween is the first time you step into a Goodwill store, be sure and see what else the store has to offer. Check out the regular racks and shelves and I think you’ll be surprised at the quality and variety of clothing and wares available. Maybe you’ll realize what a hidden treasure Goodwill stores can be for you and your family’s needs and you’ll be hooked on thrifting!

Happy Haunting!

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 stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

Many department stores are already starting to get ready for Christmas, but Goodwill Keystone Area stores are still full of great Halloween and Fall merchandise.

On a recent afternoon, I ventured to the Goodwill store located right along 422. I hadn’t been to this location in quite a while. I found it bustling in the middle of the afternoon full of shoppers and friendly staffers busily restocking the shelves.

Besides the racks and racks of Halloween costumes there were a wide variety of decorating items to choose from. Whether you were looking for pumpkins, ghosts or scarecrows there were plenty of options if you wanted funny to spooky.

Goodwill continually restocks their merchandise, so from day to day there could be new offerings if you were looking for pumpkin cookie cutters, candles or fall foliage wreaths (I saw all of those things). Goodwill sorts their wares by color, so it is easy to peruse the aisles for just orange or black items. I also saw turkeys and cornucopias if you want to start to plan for Thanksgiving decorating.

From ghostly candles holders to kitschy wall signs and fun serving trays, Goodwill makes decorating for any holiday or occasion fun and affordable. Stop by today and decorate tonight!

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 stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

Pink is everywhere this month. From pink outfits and pink appliances to pink accessories and cosmetics, many companies are selling special pink products to support breast cancer awareness.

Pink has always been an integral part of my wardrobe – in the “Elle Woods, Legally Blonde” kind of way. I also ended up with two daughters and when they were little, I enjoyed when they gravitated toward pink. They are now teenagers, so that didn’t last.

Wearing pink is something anyone – man or woman – can do this month to show support of this devastating disease. Embrace your pink side!

I’ve done it here with these fabulous pink and black patterned skinny pants by Chor (a junior’s brand). The vibrant fuchsia is a happy, exciting color. I carried over that same color in this fantastic leather bag by Michael Kors. This was one of my best finds at only $4.97. The roomy tote holds all my necessities with plenty of room to spare.

Another great find are these black patent Mary Jane heels, also by Michael Kors! Tying the colors together is this black, pink, white and blue infinity scarf. A sheer, black, long sleeved blouse by Loft was an easy addition and topping it all off is one of this fall’s hottest trends: a denim jacket by Madison & Max! Denim is always a popular fashion choice, but this fall it is everywhere – jackets, jeans, shirts and dresses. I will be featuring this trend in several upcoming posts.

Don’t just “think pink” this month – wear it and do your part to promote breast cancer awareness!

Kirsten

Goodwill in Morgantown, PA:
Pants: $4.25
Shoes: $6.97
Scarf: $2.00

Goodwill in Shillington, PA:
Bag: $4.97

Goodwill in Ephrata, PA:
Jacket: $3.25 (50% off day)

Goodwill in Harrisburg, PA:
Top: $3.95

Total: $21.44

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 stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

October may belong to “Pumpkin Spice”, but another color is also synonymous with this month: Pink!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. Breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women. About 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point. Almost everyone now knows someone affected by breast cancer.

Showing your support by wearing pink, volunteering your time or making a donation to a local cancer charity are all easy things you can do this month. And if your doctor recommends it, making sure you get regular mammograms is something you can do to protect your own health.

Staying fit and active is also a great way to keep your body strong and healthy. I take regular walks with my dog, Penny. We are fortunate to have plenty of trails in our back yard and we both get a good workout.

I’m showing my “pink” side with a few finds from Goodwill. This multi-colored top by Athleta is great for cooler days, yet is made with a wicking fabric to keep me comfortable. The sleeves have those great cutouts to keep my arms warmer without gloves. A top like this would retail for about $60, so at $3.95, it was a great buy. When it gets cooler I will pair it with long pants and either a vest or hoodie.

My shorts are by RBX and I love the bright pink bicycle short built in to these black training shorts. They retailed for $25 when new. I paid just $4.25.

The last touch of pink I added was the Flipbelt. This is a great solution when you don’t have pockets. You can tuck your phone, keys, etc. into the interior of this belt. It securely holds your necessities to keep your hands free for exercising. I paid $14.99 for my new-with-tags belt, but they sell for $28.99, so I got mine for almost 50% off!

Show your pink pride this month! Goodwill offers plenty of choices in this fabulous hue. But just wearing the color is not enough. Don’t forget to take care of your own health and encourage your family and friends to as well. Regular exams and getting a mammogram (if needed) are important and early detection is the key.

Kirsten

Goodwill in Morgantown:
Top: $3.95
Belt: $14.99

Goodwill in Trappe:
$4.25

Total: $23.19

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 stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

Since I’ve started blogging and showcasing stylish items that I have found at Goodwill Keystone Area stores, my friends and family have been asking me to shop with them or for them. There’s no real secret, but I do have some tips to help you make the most of a visit to your local Goodwill store or outlet.

As someone who has been involved with Goodwill and their fundraising runway show (held every spring in Reading), I enjoy helping people discover just what Goodwill is all about. While I love the amazing fashions and accessories I purchase there, they are not just a clothing store. The sales from their stores fund training for persons with disabilities and other barriers to independence to achieve their fullest potential as workers and as members of the broader community.

To learn my “Secrets of a Thrifty Fashionista” I am inviting you to join me at the Exeter Community Library on Tuesday, October 25th at 6:30pm. I’ll be sharing my favorite designer finds, tips and tricks for finding the best items and which are my favorite local Goodwill stores (all of them really!). I’ll be bringing my friends to model some of my most favorite items and I’ll be giving away a $50 Goodwill gift card, some surprise door prizes from my fashion stash and Goodwill swag!

Bring your girlfriends and your favorite Goodwill finds. I love seeing what other people have found while shopping!

This is a free program, but registration is requested to save a seat! The Exeter Community Library is located at 4569 Prestwick Drive, Reading, PA 19606. You can call to make a reservation at 610-406-9431 or visit their website at http://www.berks.lib.pa.us/sxt/

Hope to see you there!
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 stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.