Guest Post: Take It On The Road
Rachel
Summer is here and so are vacations. My family is scheduled to take two multi-state road trips, and among the attractions we’ll be hitting? Goodwill.
The list of reasons I love shopping out-of-my-town Goodwills is long and detailed. Here are a few of my favorite things about a little vacation shopping at GW:
- Eclectic Souvenir Options: Looking for a T-shirt to commemorate your trip to Nashville? Chances are you’ll find one (or two) at the store there. And, what you find will likely not look exactly like what is stocked in the tourist shops. Score one for individuality!
Geographic Tchotchke: I have a travel plate problem, so much so that an entire wall in my kitchen is covered with them. I love their kitschy cool vintage vibe.
Those especially close to my heart represent my home state (Michigan) and my hometown (Detroit). Both of those were snapped up at Goodwills outside of Michigan (North Carolina and West Virginia, respectively), after ostensibly being donated after travels to my fair home state.
Regional Antiques:If you covet/collect something with distinct regional ties, say for example sterling mint julip cups (a favorite at the Kentucky Derby and across the bluegrass state) — your chances of finding them increase in the area.
Among my favorite out-of-town finds? Two gorgeous, mint-condition silk Indian saris at the Savannah Goodwill on West Broughton.
What is your best out-of-town Goodwill find?
- Rachel Sutherland
It’s #SocialMadness at Goodwill!
Ever since the Charlotte Business Journal launched it’s Social Madness campaign, businesses and organizations in our community have been buzzing about Facebook likes, LinkedIn fans and Twitter followers. We are honored to be part of this competition of social innovation, and because of your support, we have moved on to the second round of voting!
Round 2 voting has started, and will continue until Monday, June 25. We are among eight companies listed in the “large” category, and we are facing some tough competition with many great local businesses. However, we are the only nonprofit listed in our category.
We know that the power of our community of Goodwill supporters is strong. We need your votes. For us, it’s not so much about winning a competition as it is about sharing the Goodwill story in our community.
The first step is to vote. Then, please make sure you are following us online – we love hearing your comments and suggestions, and knowing when we have touched someone’s life.
Through your votes, your “likes,” and your support, you help us change lives. Thank you!
Packing it Up: Beach-Themed Scavenger Hunt
Amanda
Vacation season is upon is, which for many means an annual beach trip. For me, one of the most fun parts of vacation lies in the planning and packing – a scavenger-hunt-like gathering of the details to make the trip really come together.
When I pack up my suitcase, it’s impossible for me not to go all out on the trip’s theme, with everything from outfits to reading material. Not only does this make the trip more cohesive and enjoyable, but it also gets my vacation started earlier, as I daydream over the details.
You can get started on your vacation early, with a little thrifting scavenger hunt of your own. It’ll help mark a few things off your packing list, while starting the summer fun before you hit the beach!
Head to your local Goodwill and see how many of these beach-themed items you can find:
1. A breezy beach look, with nautical colors, and a hat to stay cool. All the components of this outfit are secondhand with some specifically from Goodwill.
beach outfit, photo from geldenkirchen, on Goodwill Hunting Flickr group.
2. A destination-themed book. I love the random titles you can find at Goodwill that you’d never come across at a regular bookstore!
book photo from DAN_DAN2, on Goodwill Hunting Flickr group.
3. A fun pair of shades. I always see a ton of sunglasses while shopping at Goodwill. Keep your eyes peeled for an awesome retro pair.
sunglasses, vintage, by The Home Gnome on Etsy.
4. A bag to carry your beach set-up. Stripes are a must somewhere in your look, so see where you can find them among the Goodwill racks.
tote, vintage, by Dear Golden on Etsy.
5. A beach basket. A picnic basket is a nice perk for lunch on the beach or dinner under the stars. There’s no better place to snag a vintage version like this one than at Goodwill.
picnic basket, vintage, by Barking Sands Vintage on Etsy.
6. Beach blanket. Skip the boring beach towels, and look for a nice, large beach blanket instead. You’ll have plenty of room to spread out and get comfortable.
quilt, photo from hollybairy, on Goodwill Hunting Flickr group.
What have you found on your thrifting scavenger hunts? Share your best finds in our comments!
DIY & Design: Ombre Tulle Bow Belt Embellishment
Camille
It brings me back to ballet class- the satin shoes, leotards, classical music…
It’s just feminine.
Slip it onto a headband, pin to a t-shirt, etc!
Guest Post: Cinematic Inspiration
Rachel
I am a child of the ’80s, and apparently that will be my fashion cross to bear for the rest of my life. Among the many things that influenced my fashion sensibilities during my formative years? What I saw on the silver screen.
I am almost embarrassed to mention how I tried desperately to find the white suede outfit Cindi Mancini wore in “Can’t Buy Me Love.” Or how much time I spent digging through Goodwill stores in suburban Detroit trying to recreate the personal style (which of course was manufacturered for the movie) of Andi from “Pretty in Pink.”
Another film that had me raiding the second hand shops was “Dirty Dancing,” which drove the early-teen me (could it have really come out 25 years ago? 1987?) absolutely bonkers with Jennifer Grey’s 1960s style and influenced me in ways I haven’t realized until recently.
Baby wore denim shorts through out the film, in a range of cuts — longer, fitted shorts, boyfriend-ish short shorts — and I was on a mission to have them all, of course compliments of a shopping spree at my local Goodwill and a sharp pair of scissors.
I covet (and have bought versions of repeatedly over the years) her bateau-neck, Breton-stripe top. And I still favor boxy oxfords (and now tunics) paired with skinny capris, though I could never take the leap with white denim.
And my enduring belief that nothing is sexier on a woman than well-loved, well-fitted denim and a white, men’s style shirt? I think that can be traced back to Baby Houseman, for sure.
One Baby-inspired fashion choice that fell by the wayside? My obsession with blindingly white canvas Keds (just like Baby wore). I didn’t think it was odd, but when I mentioned to a friend that I used to cleaned my Keds with a tooth brush and white tooth paste, she gave me quite a look. So I was a slave to my sense of fashion early on. So what?
What movie fashion inspired or still inspires you?
DIY: Hand-Painted Summer Sneakers
Amanda
Remember when you were in middle school, bored during biology class, so you started drawing on the sole of your sneaker to pass the time? Here’s a similar way to assert your creative genius as a grown-up while going along with the cool crowd a little at the same time.
printed sneakers by Suno. http://www.sunony.com.
Printed sneakers have been trending this season, with colorful looks popping up by everyone from designer labels to household names. And I’ve noticed a spin-off of this trend in the DIY scene, with crafters offering up one-of-a-kind, hand-painted sneakers on Etsy and at craft shows.
- Painted Toms by B Street Shoes on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/100152635/dragon-fly-dandelion-toms
Painted Converse sneakers by Rachel Bot on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/99813826/custom-painted-converse-sneakers-made-to
Who doesn’t love a little one-of-a-kind in their wardrobe? But with prices for these designs at upwards of $100, it’s always worth trying to create the look yourself for less. My place to start: Goodwill. You can grab a pair of shoes for $3.99 ($2.99 for kids’ sizes), and the only other thing you really need is fabric paint from your local craft store. And since you’ll be painting them, it doesn’t matter if there is a scuff or two or small grass stain on the shoes.
Here’s a cute pair of vintage sneakers I recently picked up at Goodwill that would be perfect for this project.
- To perfect your look, sketch your design onto your shoes first with pencil, or if you’re going for more of a geometrical design (like the Missoni look below), then you can make a template to guide you.
- To paint it on, use either fabric paint with a brush or fabric paint pens, or a combo of both.
- Remember, though, the paint may bleed a little into the fabric, so apply in one area and wait a few minutes before filling in the section right next to it.
Once your design dries, you’ll have your own custom look that will go great with a pair of shorts or a casual skirt for summer. And if you really want to stay on trend, then don’t forget those bright pops of bold color!
Get the Missoni look with Refinery 29′s tutorial: http://www.refinery29.com/who-needs-target-we-ve-got-diy-missoni-shoes
What about you? Would you wear hand-painted shoes?
Guest Post: Stylish Workplace Attire
Nakisha
As a young adult working in corporate America, I’ve often wondered how I can have fun with style and maintain a polished professional look.
The first thing that comes to mind when choosing my work attire is my mom’s infamous “pink tights” story! In the 80s, my mom was interviewing for a position as a bank teller. She proudly dressed in a black business skirt suit, a white button-up cotton shirt, and pink tights.
During the interview, the manager had to excuse himself momentarily. Curiosity got the best of my mom, and she took a peek at the notes that he had written. In big bold letters, the manager had written “Ms. Washington has on bright pink stockings…” Nevertheless, my mother never heard back from them after the interview!
From my mom, and from my own experiences in the workplace, I’ve learned to create balance in my professional attire, while still managing to have fun with bold pieces that are true to my style.
I like bold patterns and bright colors in traditional styled pieces. I’ve paired this necktie chiffon button up blouse with a pair of black slacks to create a bold office look. For a meeting, this blouse could be worn with a well fitted blazer and a skirt. I love shopping at Goodwill to put together these types of looks, because there are so many options and at affordable prices, I can afford to buy more!
On a casual Friday, I like playing around with statement pieces such as this mustard-colored vintage tweed jacket. I toned it down with neutral colors and added in pieces of red to complete the look.
The key to pulling off a stylish, “proFASHIONal” look is balance. Choose a standard base and work around it with statement accessories to create a balanced look.
As far back as she can remember, Nakisha has always been intrigued by fashion. Her first “creation” was using her mother’s and aunt’s clothes to style herself into a life-size replica of her Barbie doll when she was five.
In high school, Nakisha was introduced to modeling. However, she found herself more interested in styling the models rather than working the runway. Throughout high school and college, she began styling fashion shows, pageants, and photo shoots.
Nakisha loves revisiting early eras in fashion in her personal style. She can most often be found in vintage boutiques and, of course, Goodwill. Nakisha does personal shopping and helps her clients save money and look fabulous!
