Filed under: Fashion, Frugal Fashionista, General, Karen Goodin, Retail and Donations | Tags: Apple, Clothing, Fashion, Female body shape, Flatter Your Figure, Frugal Fashionista, Karen Goodin, Look and feel, Mannequin, Pear, Shopping, Triad Goodwill
Are you an Apple, Pear, Rectangle or Hourglass?
Because you loved the last installment of The Frugal Fashionista, Karen Goodin, is back by popular demand to break down the keys to finding YOUR look.
Q. I have a really difficult time finding clothes that look good on me–on my body. When I go shopping, I just buy the outfit that is on the store mannequin. When I go to wear the outfit, though, a lot of times it just doesn’t look good. What’s the secret to buying clothes that go together AND look good on me?
A. The average size of the mannequin’s dress doesn’t typically “fit” the person who looks at it. Mannequins are made taller than the average person and thinner – having slim legs, a nipped-in waste and flat stomach. We have to remember that the stores WANT you to buy, so they show you what “looks” good and what you ASPIRE to look like.
The key to looking fabulous is finding those items that flatter YOUR figure and coloring and personality. Don’t worry about being the “perfect” mannequin shape. I can teach you how to create the illusion of the perfect body by choosing clothes that make you look deliciously lovely.
Knowing your body shape is the key to successful dressing, no matter what trends or fashion fads are happening. Stick to the ʻbody shapeʼ rules and you’ll never be stuck for something to wear again.
What’s YOUR body shape?
Apple – rounded tummy and big bust (one of the harder shapes to dress)
Pear - the classic feminine silhouette, with hips, thighs or derriere bigger than your upper half.
Rectangle – also called ʻboyishʼ figure, itʼs straight up and down. Normally the shoulders and hips are the same width with a small waist and chest.
Hourglass – characterized by a curvy bust and hips and a slimmer waist. It is often thought of as the ideal female body shape. But I think all women are fabulous and can dress to look smashing!
It makes fabulous sense!
Happy Shopping,
Karen Goodin
Frugal Fashionista
Watch Karen in action and get more information by visiting www.karengoodin.com. If you know you’re ready to look and feel FABULOUS, call 336-456-2072 to get started.
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Filed under: Fashion, General, Retail and Donations | Tags: Clothing, Consignment, England, Facebook, fashionista, Frugality, Goodwill, Home, Look and feel, Price, retail, Shopping, Triad Goodwill
Karen Goodin was born and raised in England, then catapulted across the pond in 2002. She’s always had a unique sense of style with an innate European flair. Before she began Frugal Fashionista, her friends (and sometimes strangers passing her on the street!) would ask her for her style secrets. It finally made sense for her to follow her abilities and make her passion for helping others look and feel great a full-time job!
In addition to shopping thrift stores like Goodwill, she answers a common question by other frugal fashionistas in training on how to save money. Is this you?
Q&A Submission:
Q). I know that one of the most frugal ways to fill out my wardrobe is by frequenting consignment shops, but I just can’t kick my addiction to new clothes. How can I still buy new items, yet be frugal?
A). There is a secret, and it is, in my opinion, one of the most savvy shopping moves a bargain hunter can make: Shop out of season so you can stretch your dollars to unbelievable lengths.
Buying items you may not be able to wear until months after you’ve made the purchase not only allows you to get great deals, but it also frees up funds so that you can take advantage of rock-bottom prices by buying in “bulk.” Just think of it as buying yourself a present you get to open and enjoy a little later. I like to keep the price tags on as the clothes hang in my closet waiting for their time to be worn. Not only does this allow me to see lots of new clothes in the que, but I love to see the marked-down prices as a reminder of the great deals I got.
From experience, if you can make a habit of not buying items until the end of the season, the savings can be substantial—often up to 70-80% off the original price. It takes patience and the willingness to really ‘work’ those clearance racks, but you get to leave the store with shopping bags stuffed full of NEW clothes!
Use this as a clearance season guide:
January – February: winter clothes
April – May: spring dresses and shoes
July – August: swimwear, shorts/tees
September – October: rain coats and fall suits
November – December: winter coats and fall shoes
In the game of smart shopping, timing is everything. Sometimes being behind the times can help you get ahead. It makes fabulous sense!
Happy Shopping.
Karen Goodin
Frugal Fashionista
Watch Karen in action and get more information by visiting www.karengoodin.com or check her out on Facebook. If you know you’re ready to look and feel FABULOUS, call 336-456-2072 to get started!
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Filed under: Fashion, General, Retail and Donations | Tags: Antiques and Collectibles, Business and Economy, Clothing, Facebook, Granny, Shopping, thriff store, thrifting, Triad Goodwill, United States, Vintage clothing
Vintage and handmade emporium, Design Archives, has been a vintage clothing destination to many Triad shoppers for years. Today, owner Kit Rodenbough, reveals her secrets to finding that perfectly aged gem, and how many times, it begins at Triad Goodwill.
“I began my career in the seventies as a clothing designer, and on the side I have always collected vintage clothing and textiles. Ten years ago, the collecting became my full-time career, and now I sell vintage clothing to cool people for a living.
“One of my favorite places to do my hunting and picking is in Goodwill stores. These stores hold a host to treasures that can be found in all departments…but the clothing departments are my specialties!”
You might ask me where these treasures come from? Hint: The best treasures I find are those that have been deposited at Goodwill by family who have discovered that Granny and Grandpa have saved everything they ever wore!
Kit Rodenbough and Mike from the History Channel show American Pickers
The Picking Process
I always grab a shopping cart so that I don’t waste anytime later trying to find one when my arms are piled high with fabulous finds! I then assess the store’s layout to pick a key location inside each store to begin. I usually start in the Men’s Department. After a quick scan of the racks I start a slightly slower pace of skimming each rack for their vintage items.
Since I was in the clothing industry for many years, I can detect the older colors and fabrics pretty quickly and if I think the item is vintage I inspect it more closely. Vintage has been a trend in clothing design recently, and some retailers can make some pretty good imitations of true vintage.
After some inspection, I scan the labels to validate what’s authentic from what’s imitation. Often the simple phrase on a tag “made in the USA” is validation enough.
I recommend the seasoned thrifter to tackle the denim or T-shirts racks. These racks are usually longer and hold a lot of clothing. And with so many pickers out there who skim those racks daily, the competition is fierce, so put your picking shoes on – I know you’re up for the challenge! With T-shirts, I look at the neckline and see the way the neck binding is constructed as well as the type of label and brand to determine the age. For jeans, I scan the legs for bell bottoms, and the shade of the denim.
Current fashion trends will dictate how much time I spend in sections like the Children’s Departments. Young hip women have been wearing their tops and coats a lot tighter the last few years and the vintage items often give them the fit they desire. Therefore, I always stop in this department in search of cool colors and then I inspect the garment to see if it could fit an adult.
Take your time in this department. Women have always shopped more and owned more than men, therefore there is more to dispose of…and more to find! Before leaving the department, always look up and around in case there is something awesome like the beautiful vintage fox fur coat that I found several years ago!
And remember to relax and enjoy your picking experience. You will have good days and great days, good finds and great finds, and I can promise that if you do it right you will never be disappointed. I usually drive away with a car full to the brim, and cash to spare!
Find Kit Rodenbough on Facebook.
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Filed under: Fashion, General, Rock the Runway | Tags: Clothing, fashion show, Goodwill, Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina, Rock the Runway, spring, style team, Summer, Triad Goodwill
The Rock the Runway fashion show that presented to a sold-out crowd earlier this year is making a flashy return for its 2012 fashion celebration! Showcasing ensembles found on the racks of Goodwill retail stores, next year’s show will fuse more Goodwill looks and bolder fashions – and did we mention each look can be found on the racks of Goodwill retail stores!
If you attended the 2011 show, you know that the phrase (that captures the sheer shock at the many facets of Goodwill and uttered so often we finally pressed into Goodwill T-shirts last year) “I Had No Idea,” was never more true than at that show. Every attendee saw an outfit that would make them look amazing and knew immediately at what occasion they could sport it. From a suit that screams success to the showstopper cocktail dress that everyone will be talking about at the holiday office get-together, that show offered it all.
For Rock the Runway 2012, we’re bringing back the rockin’ style team that created the looks we now crave, and we’re extending the runway to offer even more combinations for work, play and evening, fresh for spring and summer, and all at Goodwill prices to suit any recessionista…or recessionisto!
And what makes this event so special is when you remember that the money you’ll spend on your ticket will go towards Goodwill’s mission of helping local residents with barriers to employment obtain job training.
Continue to follow real-time, weekly Rock the Runway updates by visiting Goodwill’s Facebook and Twitter (hashtag #RocktheRunway) pages that will highlight behind-the-scenes exclusives, photos and show updates.
Are you ready to Rock the Runway?
Filed under: Fashion, General, Retail and Donations | Tags: Bell-bottoms, Casual, Clothing, Color wheel, Denim, Fashion, Goodwill Industries, Goodwill Industries International, Jeans, New York Fashion Week, Scarf, style, Sweater, Trends
Check out these seven looks that translate into everyday fashion for the fall.
1. Boot cut jeans and slacks
While you don’t have to banish your skinniest jeans to the back of the closet, add to your wearable bottoms collection a pair of boot-cut or even a more fully flared pant or jean. The proportions here are perfect for the gal with a little more in the hip area as they create balance by hanging straight down the leg instead of fitting it tightly.
2. Knit ponchos and oversized scarves
The knit poncho and cape have made quite a comeback, and when worn in early fall, are perfect layered with a sweater and jeans. Later when it is colder out, it can also be used as an oversized scarf and just simply popped over a wool pea coat or jacket for another way to wow this winter. Big oversized scarves are still going strong and can really dress up a plain coat or jacket.
3. Color, color, color
Burnt brownish orange, pinks and reds do fall proud with a warmth that just can’t be beat when paired with more somber tones of gray and black. The total opposite on the color wheel can be complementary without matching your outfit. Color blocking and hombre (going from dark tonality to lighter) are also still viable this season. Look for autumnal tones and shy away from pastels and colors that lack depth, they are much better suited for summer.
4. Go faux (or real if you like)!
Fur in small doses, like vests, cuffs, collars and scarves, can add just the right element to cold weather fashion. Make sure you check how the color of the fur looks with your skin. Some tones like deep black and silver mink beige will work with more of your wardrobe. A wooly vest in a lighter brown works well as a stand-alone piece over a sweater, and may even be belted when worn with jeans.
5. Printed posies
Floral prints in the fall you may ask? Yes, but only if they are graphic, bold and in the colors of the season. Stay away from small print floral and dainty cottons as they tend to look summery. Graphic floral in bright hues of crimson, hot pink and midnight blue seem modern and not at all like grandma’s Sunday best.
6. Man up
Along with the aforementioned boot-cut slacks, tailored vests and jackets that feel a little masculine are a hold-over from last 
year’s still-viable “boyfriend jeans or blazer.” The key here is masculine details, like a watch pocket on the vest and a dapper cut to the lapel. Button down shirts worn with more feminine looking skirts can also blend the menswear trend into whatever you already own. Man-styled shoes like brogues and spectators will also do wonders to revitalize your closet!
7. Long and leggy
Longer skirt lengths anywhere from the knee down to the floor are being shown in lots of runway collections. This is the perfect time to try out different lengths for you. If you’re at all shy about maxi skirts, then find one with a slit at the front and pair it with tights and some awesome boots.
What goes around in fashion comes around again, and many times it just may be at the Goodwill retail store near you! See what you can add to your wardrobe this fall, and don’t forget that you can get it at Goodwill for a lot less, all while supporting local programs that are vital to your community and the planet.
Contributed by Bjorn Nasett Resident Fashion Expert at AmazingGoodwill.com and Goodwill Industries International.
Filed under: Career Services, Fashion, General, Partnerships, Retail and Donations | Tags: Central North Carolina, Clothing, Goodwill Industries, North Carolina
Editor’s Note: Triad Goodwill recently partnered with The Queen’s Foundation, Inc. to host the 13 attendees of the PowerHouse Project for a morning tour of the corporate facilities and to get outfits for their upcoming mentoring events.
13 Girls On The Path To Greatness
by Nadia Shirin Moffett, Executive Director of The Queen’s Foundation, Inc. (TQF)
I now know all about the saying for Goodwill, “I had no idea.” –a marketing concept created for the many Americans that have little to know true understanding of all that Goodwill does for people, communities and the environment. For me, my first real interaction with Goodwill Industries that lead me to really having “an idea” of all that it does for our world was on my first visit to the Central North Carolina corporate office in April. Along with one of my board members, I had a meeting with the marketing team of Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina, also known as Triad Goodwill, to discuss how both organizations could partner together for TQF’s newest initiative launching summer 2011.
This summer, TQF has launched The PowerHouse Project, selecting one high school, High Point Central High School (HPCHS) to participate in the pilot. After 45 nominations, we selected 13 young ladies to participate in the pilot. These young women come from various backgrounds, economically, culturally, and socially. However for this summer, they would all live, work, and serve together and find their common denominator – which I like to call “powerhouse.”
The 13 “power girls” going through The PowerHouse Project were about to embark on an experience of a lifetime, exploring what TQF believes are the six characteristics of a powerful woman: Beauty, Character, Talent, Confidence, Accountability, and Vision. The girls would go through training under each of these characteristics. In our quest for attacking the beauty component, we had partnered up with Linda Eisenstein of Clothes Befitting, a company to help women dress their best for their body type. We planned an evening during the girl’s leadership training week for Linda to consult one-on-one with each of the girls. This would assist the girls in understanding the right clothing choices to making each girl feel 100% and look her best in life and in her summer internship. In our quest to do this, we knew we had to follow-up this training with implementation, so our brains began to turn about how we could find a sponsor to support our clothing needs for these girls before starting their internships! Little did we know this idea would turn into an entire pamper day for the girls, including hair, facials, manicures and makeup.
I had no idea my eyes would be opened to a new world within Goodwill Industries, learning how beautiful a business model they have and how it equates to a powerful community impact. So after several meetings, a proposal submitted by TQF, and a true expression of support from Chris Gorham, Director of Marketing at Triad Goodwill, and his entire team, we had a beautiful partnership created.
During the leadership training week (June 13-18, 2011) for our first class of The PowerHouse 2011, our 13 girls took a tour of Triad, learning all of Triad Goodwill’s services and business model initiatives. This tour ended in a surprise shopping excursion of Goodwill Industries. With a sponsorship of Triad Goodwill, Linda selected wardrobes for each of our powergirls already prepared for this Thursday visit. Having just witnessed its impact and with a more “scholarly” understanding of what Goodwill does, the girls had a whole new level of appreciation for this opportunity, and believe me; they also had a blast trying on their new outfits!
In addition to their leadership training and internships, the 13 girls of The PowerHouse Project will be serving in their community, offering literacy programs to elementary school children falling behind in reading and writing. The tour and shopping trip were more than what I could have imagined, and now they were feeling prepared for their internship and powerful summer.
Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina invested in these girls, knowing they would be advocates of change in our communities and inspiration to others. This alone made the investment of donated clothes, a “business-worthy” win-win situation. Through the girls’ tour that day, they had a chance to see all that Triad Goodwill does for our community and how businesses can make a significant difference. Did you know that the store is only a very small part of the business model for Goodwill? What I learned through TQF’s partnership with Triad Goodwill is that Triad Goodwill’s mission to change lives starts with giving people hope. From offering classes, training, resources, and paid work while in transition, it is the catalyst to helping people who may have either at one time lost their way or just need a helping hand, get work and careers that they can then use to be positive contributors to their families and communities. Before this partnership, I just had no idea!
Goodwill Industries is a business that uses its profits (gifts) solely to invest it back into the lives of the adults it reaches to build their skills and confidence to be role models and providers to their families. This kind of impact makes it easy to see how Triad Goodwill makes positive contributions to our community. This is why when I saw our 13 girls walk through the hallways of Triad Goodwill, I was so thankful to have built this partnership. On this day, they were able to see purpose in action. We together, TQF, Goodwill, and so many other non-profits tackling social and community needs, are touching lives and changing them for the better, for greatness.
Thank you Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina for believing in and supporting The Queen’s Foundation and our mission. We look forward to continuing a great partnership!
Moffett is the former Miss North Carolina USA 2010 and Executive Director for The Queen’s Foundation Inc. (TQF). TQF is a non-profit organization she founded in 2010 after her reign. The Queen’s Foundation’s mission is to inspire women for greatness by offering character building and life purpose promoting programs to middle and high school young women across the state of North Carolina. Programs target young women at various stages of development, from the young women who may have lost their way and need to be inspired back in the right direction, to the young women who are already on the right track and need that extra boost to understand their untapped potential and their social responsibility to their communities.
Filed under: Career Services, Fashion, General, Retail and Donations, Spring Cleaning | Tags: Clothing, Donation, Gap (clothing retailer), Goodwill Industries, Memorial Day, North Carolina
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Gap Invites Customers to Donate Clothing to Help Support Job Training Programs and Get Rewarded with 30% off Summer Shopping
GREENSBORO, NC – Gap and Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina, Inc. have announced a partnership encouraging consumers to clean out their closets for a cause. From May 19-29, Gap stores in the United States and Canada will accept clothing donations in support of the Donate Movement, an effort powered by Goodwill to educate the public on the positive impacts donations can have on both people and the planet.
When consumers donate clothing to Gap stores during this time period, their donations will be given to Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina, Inc. and then sold in Goodwill’s 17 Triad stores. To thank customers for their generous donations, donors will receive 30-percent off their entire Gap purchase, including regularly priced and sale items, just in time for Memorial Day shopping.
Donations to Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina, Inc. support the organization’s mission of providing job training programs and employment placement services to the people who need them most. Goodwill sells donated goods in its stores and uses 84 percent of the revenues generated to fund job training programs across the United States and Canada. Here in the Triad, Goodwill uses 87 percent.
“As a company, we invest in career exploration and job readiness for youth, and thousands of our employees volunteer to help young people prepare for the workforce. Giving our customers and employees opportunities to donate clothing in support of Goodwill’s job training programs is a great fit with our community efforts,” said Bobbi Silten, head of global responsibility and president of Gap Foundation.
Donating to Goodwill also has a positive impact on the planet. Goodwill helps communities extend the life of usable items in environmentally sound ways, and diverts clothing items from local landfills.
“Through the Donate Movement, Goodwill aims to increase conscious donations by raising consumer awareness of the power their donated goods can have in strengthening their communities,” said Rick Gorham, President/CEO. “When you donate to Goodwill, you enable a person to receive vital skills training, succeed at work and climb the career leader. These are people who want to work but need Goodwill’s help to find and keep good jobs.”
To learn more about the Donate Movement and calculate the positive impact donations will have on people in the community, visit www.donate.goodwill.org.
ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF CENTRAL NC
Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina, Inc. promotes the value of work through the provision of work opportunities for people with special employment needs. Last year Goodwill served almost 10,000 people in the community and helped place over 1,600 into competitive employment. Almost 87 cents of every dollar earned at our 17 retail stores goes into job training for residents of the Triad. For more information about Goodwill visit www.TriadGoodwill.org.
ABOUT GAP, INC.
Gap Inc. is a leading global specialty retailer offering clothing, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, children, and babies under the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime, and Athleta brands. Fiscal year 2010 net sales were $14.7 billion. Gap Inc. products are available for purchase in over 90 countries worldwide through about 3,100 company-operated stores, about 175 franchise stores, and e-commerce sites. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com/socialresponsibility.
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Filed under: Career Services, General, Retail and Donations, Spring Cleaning | Tags: books, Clothing, computers, declutter, Donation, Goodwill Industries, housewares, Mobile phone, Tax deduction
| Spring presents the perfect time to take a fresh look at the items in your home and decide what should stay and what should go. As you de-clutter your home, Goodwill Industries® can put your unwanted items to good use. When you donate your gently used clothing, housewares and electronics, you are helping Goodwill® provide job training, education programs and community- based services to people in local communities every year. Here are the top five things that people don’t think to donate.
1. Computers: Through a partnership with Dell, many Goodwill locations now accept computers to be recycled for free, regardless of whether they are in working condition. You can also pack up an old laptop or netbook as well as accessories such as mice and printers and donate them to Goodwill. Through the Dell Reconnect program, Goodwill and Dell offer consumers a way to dispose of computers and accessories in an environmentally responsible way while receiving a tax deduction at the same time. Visit http://reconnectpartnership.com to learn more. 2. Cell phones: It’s time to dig out the old cell phones you have hidden away. If you’ve ever upgraded to a new cell phone, it’s likely you have an old one somewhere at home. Goodwill agencies are working with partners to collect and recycle these phones and keep them out of landfills. 3. Books: If you’ve already read a book and have no plans to read it again, donate it to Goodwill. Donating books frees valuable shelf space and makes room for new ones. Check your children’s rooms for outgrown kid’s books or your kitchen for cookbooks you haven’t consulted in the last year. 4. Clothing: You can let go of the jeans that never quite fit or that sweater that wasn’t quite your style. Goodwill agencies gladly accept donations of gently used clothing. As you’re cleaning out your closet, put clothing donations in a pile and, when you’re finished, bring them to your nearest Goodwill donation center. When you’re finished going through your closet, that pile might be bigger than you bargained for! 5. Housewares: Sometimes we inherit household items from others or receive them as gifts. If you have a second toaster, vacuum cleaner or blender that you don’t need, donate it to Goodwill. More than 66 million donors have given their gently used items to Goodwill, helping their neighbors build careers and make positive contributions to their communities. Last year, Goodwill served more than 2 million people; including people with disabilities, those who lack education or work experience and others facing challenges to finding employment. Goodwill also started the Donate Movement to highlight the positive effects donating has on both people and the planet. Please remember that not all Goodwill stores accept all items. Visit TriadGoodwill.org/Donations for a full list of items that Goodwill’s in Guilford, Alamance, Caswell, Rockingham and Randolph counties gladly accept. |
