Category: Retail

By Julia Marchand

If you are an avid thrifter, you will probably think of Goodwill right away when it comes to shopping, no matter the occasion. But as back to school season approaches, you may find yourself even more eager to browse the aisles for great deals on necessities for the upcoming year. Local Goodwill organizations support mission services through the sale of donated clothes and household items at more than 3,300 Goodwill stores and online through shopgoodwill.com, the first nonprofit Internet auction site, and through contract services, private and public grants, and individual giving. With so many places to shop and a steady stream of new donations coming into those stores, Goodwill will never give you that all-the-good-stuff-is-gone panic attack you might have when shopping at big-box stores the week before the first school bell rings. To help you get ready for the new semester, here are a few of our favorite back to school finds…

I love this back to school thrift haul video from Got It at Goodwill! On top of a $400 bag, which she scored for only $10, the video-blogger also found a huge array of cute clothes and shoes to start her school year off on the right foot. As a teacher, she talks about how important it is for her to find versatile clothing that is easy to move around in while still maintaining a professional appearance. But students, too, can find just what they need to update their wardrobe without spending a fortune. You can see in this video how many fashionable pieces are just waiting to head to a new home. As parents know, kids can grow a lot even just in one school year so second-hand goods are the perfect way to save money, be prepared, and minimize your family’s environmental impact as this new season starts.

Image via prodigalpieces.com

Speaking of how quickly kids grow, have you seen those first days of school vs. last day of school picture comparisons? These days many parents are snapping a photo of their kids heading off to start the new school year then taking the same photo again when school lets out in June. Putting these two pictures side-by-side creates a great visual of the child’s growth that will just tug at your heartstrings, especially as the years stack up. To take this sentimental project one-step further, I pulled inspiration from Goodwill of Southeast Georgia (Savannah)’s Craft Ideas pinboard where they shared this fun DIY chalkboard prop! For consistency throughout the school years, you could make a standing chalkboard like this from a Goodwill baby crib, drying rack, or garden trellis to have your little book worm to stand next to.

On it, write the grade they are entering or graduating from, their age, height, favorite subject, or whatever you want! This is such a smart way to keep track of the seasons as they speed by and it would be so special to see every photo lined up at high school or college graduation!

Image via pinterest.com/GoodwillINW

When those high-school grads do head off to college, another huge back to school expense awaits: outfitting their dorm. Goodwill to the rescue again! With dishes and cleaning supplies ready to buy, parents will know they are setting their kids up for a smooth semester. Students themselves might be more excited about furniture and decor for the dorm so, if that’s who you’re shopping for, make sure they check out this Dorm Decor on a Dime pinboard from Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest (Spokane) for ideas. It’s easy to pack a lot of personality and functionality into a small space by using some of the techniques (like this well-dressed loft bed and futon layout) shared there!

Once you’ve got all of your back to school style and supplies ready to go, the only thing left to do is mentally prepare yourself (or your kiddos) for another year of schedules and studying. Unfortunately, we will have to leave that part to you. But we will send our wishes for a successful school year and you know where to find us when you think of that one last thing your child needs before they can go back to school.

By Julia Marchand

What’s the first thing you do when you visit a new city? For me, after I’ve settled into my hotel and refueled at a café, I have to track down the closest Goodwill® retail store! Since each and every one is stocked with items donated by those who live nearby, individual locations become completely distinct and allow visitors to get a taste for that specific region’s lifestyle. One thing that all branches of Goodwill have in common, though, is their mission to help build healthy communities. Since Goodwill has earned the trust and support of more than 86 million donors in the United States and Canada, there’s a good chance that if you’re traveling in North America you will stumble upon a store or two.

Image via GoodwillTips.blogspot.com

This summer, loads of families are packing into their cars and making the trek out of state. Technology is an easy answer for keeping kids calm while passing the time, but I’ve always been a fan of family fun and good old-fashioned travel games instead. If you have kids then you know how truly short attention spans can be. For this reason, I highly recommend preparing several in-car activities like these shared by Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc. Putting games together yourself will save money and earn you some bragging rights. The tactile exercises will also help kids gain new skills and satisfy sensory instincts when they’re buckled in and unable to exert their plentiful energy!

Image via SunniesAndChardonnay.com

Now, if you’re not able to travel at this time, you can still get your fix by inviting the whole planet inside your home (What!? How!?). Globes pop up at Goodwill all the time! I found a fantastic standing globe once at my local store and I’m considering this celestial makeover for it created by a blogger named Kirsten. Her dream décor was well above her budget so she took matters into her own hands. You can find the instructions to make one of these beauties yourself on her blog, Sunnies and Chardonnay.

Image via Facebook.com/GoodwillKansas

Of all the places I’ve visited, London was by far my favorite. I found the city to be clean, fun, and friendly, so this display from Goodwill Industries of Kansas made me want to hop on the next plane across the pond. Allowing your home to capture the spirit of places you’ve loved visiting is the perfect way to create a space that inspires you. Plus, it’s great conversation for when you have guests and it will very likely segue into a viewing of your vacation pictures – a great excuse to relive the memories.

Are you off to anywhere special this summer or will you instead be reliving past trips? If there’s one thing I’ve learned while on my journey through life, it’s that you can recreate almost anything – travel activities, home décor, memories, and more – for less than half the price if you are willing to put some time into it. I’ve also learned that most successful projects start at the thrift store. Hey, where there’s a (Good)will, there’s a way!

This week we are featuring Barb who is a frequent Goodwill shopper at our Sioux Falls stores, specifically our Kiwanis store. She enjoys shopping in our stores for DIY projects and gifts for family and friends. One of the reasons Barb loves shopping in our stores is with her purchase she is helping people in her community with employment and education.

All items were found at Goodwill of the Great Plains stores by Barb who crafted them into unique pieces.

By Julia Marchand

On hot summer days, festival style prevails! That’s because the trend itself was inspired by long days in the sun that necessitated light layers and wide brimmed hats to keep shady and comfortable. Whether you’re actually attending an outdoor concert series this year or just trying to stay cool while looking cool, hop on the boho bandwagon to seamlessly blend summer attire in with summer adventures. Here’s how…

Image via MarandaVandergriff.com

High waists, light denim, and sunnies are all staples in festival style, but how exactly can we incorporate them into our wardrobe without seeming drab or outdated? This festival guide from blogger Maranda Vandergriff is a fantastic place to start! She’s got some great ideas – like wearing this button up dress she found at Goodwill as a duster – and seriously practical advice. One of the best suggestions she has is to search for vintage items in thrift stores. These unique pieces will completely embrace the style and may have actually attended a festival or two before you were even around (Woodstock, anyone?). Check out her post for more inspo!

Image via Pinterest.com/sfgoodwill

Make sure you’ve also got some great accessories ready to round out your look. As with so many different styles, jewelry can make or break it. To channel the haute hippie inside of you, drape on lots of jewelry – necklaces, rings, bracelets, the works! Look for stone and crystal jewelry under the counter of your local Goodwill store or check out Goodwill Industries of San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin Counties‘ (CA) jewelry pinboard for inspiration. This ring, for example, would be the perfect addition and I love its great price tag, too!

Image via Instagram.com/jpenningroth

After festival season has come to a close and fall creeps in, reminders of your summertime adventures will be a welcomed sight. Since festival fashion always embraces bold patterns inspired by cultures around the world, an excellent way to bring this aesthetic into your home is with a geometric woven tapestry. This one was snagged by Jen at a Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries (Boston) store and it perfectly captures that boho vibe we are paying homage to today. If you’re not lucky enough to find a similar weaving in your local thrift store, maybe you are brave enough to try making one yourself! There are always skeins and skeins of yarn on the shelves when I browse Goodwill and with a little time and creativity, those could easily become customized wall hangings!

I love how so many of the style elements described here can be paired with more conventional clothing pieces to remain a little more neutral, but when donned together, they create an outlandishly fun boho look. Another truly wonderful thing about shopping at Goodwill for your warm weather attire is that through its entrepreneurial business model of collecting and selling donated goods, Goodwill helps communities extend the life of usable items in environmentally sound ways, and prevents items from piling up in local landfills. Think of shopping at your local Goodwill as a way for you to give back to the earth that has provided the ideal summer weather for your festival enjoyment!

By Julia Marchand

Throughout the year, I look forward to summertime. Not only for the obvious reasons: the warmth, the sun and the generally leisurely attitude that many people adopt, but also because summer brings trips to the ocean. I realize, of course, that we could go to the ocean any day, but what is the fun in going when it’s cold out? It’s summer now, so the time has come for this girl to plan a trip to the seaside!

Image via Dina Days

If you ask me, maxi dresses were made for just such a trip. They’re flowy so they’re comfortable for a car ride (we usually make the drive to Ogunquit, Maine which is almost two hours away), they’re light to keep things cool in the sun, and they’re long so everything stays PG even when a strong ocean breeze blows. On my upcoming trip, I’m likely to wear an outfit very similar to this one styled by blogger Dina of Dina’s Days. It goes perfectly with a bright jacket, which is necessary on any Northern Atlantic shore, just in case the clouds roll in. By the way, can you believe that this entire look was thrifted? The dress was only $1.50 at Dina’s local Goodwill! I love that style is so accessible through Goodwill stores.

Image via Seattle Goodwill

Speaking of style, these fab friends from Seattle Goodwill are killing it in their vintage swimsuits! The collection dates from the 1860s through the 1980s with immaculately preserved clothing and accessories for every occasion. This group would definitely catch my eye strolling along the beach together! Just imagine how many wonderful seaside memories were made in those suits over the years. For more photos, click through to their blog post!

Image via Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago

Can’t make it to the ocean right now? You can still pretend by decking out that dining area with a maritime feel. Merri from Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago swept me away with this gorgeous display. My favorite part is the rope used for napkin holders. It’s such a simple idea and easy to execute, but it really captures that nautical flair. Merri has lots of great tips on how to assemble your own beachy tablescape (I mean, who’d have thought of turning a bath loofa into aquatic-looking netting?), so make sure you stop by their blog for more!

Do you have any plans to head to the seaside this summer? Make sure you stop by any Goodwill stores you see on the way! Your support will help Goodwill to continue doing its part in preserving our planet – its oceans included – by serving as sustainability innovators. This is done by harnessing renewable energy, including installing solar panels on Goodwill roofs to becoming LEED certified. Let’s all contribute to the health of the planet so future generations can wear our swimsuits to the beach as part of their vintage collection!