Category: Shop

At this time of the year, everyone is counting down to something - Christmas, the New Year, Kwanzaa, etc. But rather than buying an advent calendar that may not exactly suit your celebration or décor style, why not make your own countdown? The holiday season has somehow evolved into a season about the stuff. I wanted a way to bring attention back to community-centered activities that represent the spirit of the holidays (like joining Goodwill in giving back!) So instead of putting toys or candies in my countdown, I’ve written out holiday activities that will allow my family to really enjoy this December.

READ MORE from Countdown to the Holidays with This Easy DIY Project

Finding skirts and jackets made out of spectacular wool plaid at local thrift stores has become a hunt that I relish. Checking out women’s skirts and men’s sport coats for bright or unusual eye catching plaids is standard procedure. When something stands out, I hold it up and try to imagine it as a pillow, or even as ottoman fabric. Here’s a little secret I discovered a few years ago: pleated skirts have lots of fabric once you remove the waistband. When I came across this very short skirt, with the plaid on the diagonal, I knew it would be the perfect color and pattern for pillows.

READ MORE from Deconstruct a Skirt to Make These Great Plaid Pillows

Hey guys, its Marisa from New Dress A Day here! The holidays are within arm’s reach and we all know what that means – lots of sugar cookies and sweet treats in the office kitchen, lots of seasonal commercials for Black Friday deals, and lots of holiday parties! My schedule is already booked full, and I haven’t even thought of what to wear! With multiples soirees on the agenda, a mix of plane tickets to purchase and the handful of family gifts to grab, the budget for looking festive is a tight one. By shopping at Goodwill®, not only do I save money, but also at the same time I’m helping to provide job training and job placement opportunities for individuals in my community. I think that’s the holiday spirit that I’m most excited about!

READ MORE from Nab These Three Holiday Looks for Less at Goodwill

Of all the Thanksgivings I spent at my late grandmother’s house (18 years worth!), there’s one that really sticks out to me. With fragrant wafts of the feast coming our way from the kitchen, she asked each family member to choose something we were really thankful for and mark it on a "gratitude tree" that she had created on her wall. That was the year I realized that this holiday is about much more than just playing with my cousins, and that I was a very lucky girl.

READ MORE from This Thanksgiving, Create a DIY Gratitude Tree

Some college girlfriends called me a few months back and wanted to arrange a baby shower back in my hometown. I was thrilled and excited at a chance to see everyone and show off the bump, but talk of showers always leads to talk of registries. I have to admit-- the thought of registering made me a little bit queasy. Babies need so much stuff-- but does it all really need to be new? So when I flew back to Missouri last weekend, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I have to hand it to my friends and family-- they know me better than I ever imagined. I was treated to a brunch with good friends, family, food, generosity, crafts, love and THRIFTY gifts!

READ MORE from Throw an All-Thrifty Baby Shower

Last month, I had the pleasure of attending Goodwill’s The Art of Fashion Runway Show and Gala here in DC for the first time. Just walking in, it was obvious this wasn’t going to be your typical fashion show. Past a gaggle of valet parking staff and the tables brimming with hors d’oeuvres, up the stairs at Artisphere and past the Andy Warhol exhibit, there they were -- racks and racks of curated thrift store goodies!

READ MORE from Thrifty Ladies Work the Runway at Goodwill® Fashion Show and Gala

In the weeks leading up to Halloween, as people look to get creative and put together the "be-all, end-all" Halloween costume, an area that gets overlooked is housewares. If you’re hosting a Halloween bash, there’s no need to spend lots of money on decorations. It may take a little planning, but if you know what you’re looking for, you can get in and out of there for under $20. Since you never know exactly what you’ll find, it’s a good idea to have a couple of options, and know what items you’ll need to find in order to execute your Halloween décor.

READ MORE from DIY: Make This Halloween-Themed Cupcake Stand

My favorite month has arrived – it’s October (woo!!) and that means one thing: costume time! Halloween is on the bend and costumes need to be picked out. This is a very serious time for me because there is nothing that I love more than dressing up. Honestly, there really is no better place to costume shop than thrift stores. Whether you have an idea of what you want to dress up as and need to grab assorted pieces to complete your look, or you’re completely clueless and need a last minute get-up, secondhand stores are the place to sort out the perfect costume!

READ MORE from Skip the Big Box: Thrift Stores Offer Halloween Costume Options for Less

Hey guys, its Marisa from New Dress A Day here! New York Fashion Week is over and the spring 2014 looks have made their way down the runway, however we’re just starting to gear up for fall! I’ve put together three big fall trends using pieces acquired at Goodwill. Mission impossible? Nah, just like Tom Cruise, I was successful -- and I didn’t have to scale any walls.

READ MORE from Recreate Three Fall Trends Using Thrift Store Finds

As we snuggle into fall, we’ll be spending more time inside rather than out in the yard. For me, it’s a little early for holiday decorating, but a few fresh decorating elements are most definitely needed. I’ve always been a big fan of those long, narrow trays that run down the center of a table with multiple, same height pillar candles evenly spaced. However, the price tags on those long, Asian inspired candle bases can be hefty. Luckily, I keep supplies on hand. My basement is like a less organized mini-Goodwill® store. I went down there to look through some of my collected goodies I routinely purchase for future projects.

READ MORE from Decorate Your Table with DIY Fall Centerpieces

It’s common knowledge that cats love small spaces. Put a box down on the floor near a feline, blink your eyes, and when you open them again a furry little body will be smooshed inside (the smaller the space, the more enticing it is). My boys have had a long summer, so I thought it was about time I treat them to a new little hideout. Using things found at Goodwill® plus some scrap wood, wood glue, nails and a staple gun, I made them their very own A-frame.

READ MORE from Make a DIY Scratching Post and Shelter for Your Cat

There’s a little news to share with all of you this month-- there’s a new little thrifter on the way! I have a whole new section of the thrift store to delve into! If there’s one thing you learn from others really quickly when you find out you’re expecting, it’s that you’re going to need a whole lot of stuff for the little one. So my first trip to the thrift store after getting the news, I made a point to start looking early. Off to Goodwill® I went, having done some online research first into some items that might eventually need purchasing for me and the little one.

READ MORE from Thrifting from Here to Maternity