Category: Kathy Friend

Goodwill Ambush Makeover – Rachel

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Rachel is a typical 30-something Mom. 

She has spent so much time over the past few years being a Mom, she’s forgotten what her style is.

She wants to look cute and sassy, but it seems the things she adds to her wardrobe only add to the confusion. Random shopping has caused her to spend a lot of money, and end up with a closet full of clothes she doesn’t like.

We took Rachel through a very simple process of figuring out what her style is, and creating a great outfit at a Michiana Goodwill Store…for a fraction of the price she had been spending on new outfits!

See how we did it here!

Goodwill Ambush Makeover!

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 Have you ever wanted to be on one of those Ambush Makeover shows?  

Well, we can’t promise that, but we CAN get you excited about something we are doing at local Goodwill stores!

Our fashion guru, Kathy Friend, will be randomly showing up at one of our stores and offering a quick Ambush Makevoer to one of our deserving guests.

Think you should be our next Ambush Makeover recipient? Comment below (or email [email protected]) why we should choose you, your contact info and what store you frequent.

YOU could be the next
Goodwill Ambush Makeover!

Watch the first Goodwill Ambush Makeover that took place in the Rochester, IN store. 

Easy Boho Look in 2 Minutes or Less

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Nothing says summer, a day at a craft fair, outdoor concert or beach staycation quite like the trendy Bohemian look.  That Boho trend is a big one this season, and is super easy for you to implement into your style repertoire.
In this video, you will see what key pieces you will need to look for at your local Goodwill Store to create a simple Boho look. 
I would love to see what your interpretation is of this trend!  Post your photos here, or hashtag them on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest #GoodwillBoho. 

  

How To Build a Capsule Wardrobe – with free downloads!

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In a perfect fashionable world, we would all have a minimalist mindset and function perfectly with very few clothes. The truth is, most of us fall into the category called “closet full of clothes and nothing to wear”. 
I believe the reason so many of us get stuck in this “bursting at the seams” place is because we haven’t been intentional about building our wardrobes. This is the premise behind Capsule Wardrobes.  Before I tell you HOW TO BUILD A CAPSULE WARDROBE, let’s define it:
…according to Wikipedia

Capsule wardrobe is a term coined by Susie Faux, the owner of a London boutique called “Wardrobe” in the 1970s. According to Faux, a capsule wardrobeis a collection of a few essential items of clothing that will not go out of fashion, such as skirts, trousers, and coats, which can then be augmented with seasonal pieces. This idea was popularized by American designer Donna Karan, who, in 1985, released an influential capsule collection of seven interchangeable work-wear pieces.

The term is widely used in the British and American fashion media, and has been the subject of several popular television series. The term has come to refer to a collection of clothing which is designed using only interchangeable items, in order to maximize the number of outfits which can be created. The aim is to have an outfit suitable for any occasion without owning excessive items of clothing. This is usually achieved by buying what are considered to be “key” or “staple” items in coordinating colors.
Building this elusive perfect wardrobe is simple.  The key to your stylish success is to plan and follow these steps.

Step 1 – Choose a color palate – up to 4 colors, 1 dark neutral, 1 light neutral, a pop color and your signature color.   Once you master how to create a Capsule Wardrobe, you can add in other colors that compliment your palate. The secret is all of these colors match one another, kind of like Granimals! So, everything will go together, GENIUS!
First, determine what dark neutral looks best on you.  For some, it may be black, however for most (yes, I am about to tell you that black might not be a good color for you) that dark neutral should be grey, brown or navy. Then choose a lighter neutral (white or cream).  Then add in some color; a pop (or wow color for the season), and your signature color (that one hue that you know looks great on you).
Here is an example of what your color palate might look like (this is mine):
 

For help matching your wardrobe, click here for a cheat sheet.

Step 2 – Figure out what cuts of clothing look great on you.  Knowing what your body shape is simply is knowing what your proportions are.  The cuts of clothing we choose can emphasize our silhouette, and camouflage  areas we hold a little extra fluff.  Some of us have broad shoulders, so need to wear pieces that minimize our shoulders.  
To start this step, choose your favorites: favorite pair of jeans, favorite skirt and so on.
For help choosing the right cuts of clothing, here is another cheat sheet.
Step 3  – List the pieces you are using in your capsule wardrobe. Typically, you will need about 30 items in your wardrobe, with 10 being your wardrobe backbone. I’ve seen a lot of numbers for a capsule wardrobe thrown around, but you should be able to build 30 outfits with 10 pieces of clothing.  You will want at least 5 shirts (some like enough for every day of the week).

Once you have completed your list, this will show you where you might need to add some things into your capsule wardrobe.  Try to get good quality pieces as the backbone of your wardrobe. Taking this list with you when you shop at Goodwill will help you to do a few things:

  1. Shop intentionally – only search for those things on your shopping list
  2. Choose pieces you can wear numerous times – as you will see by the chart, all of the pieces work together.  All of the tops match all of the bottoms, and all of the jackets can coordinate with any of the tops, bottoms and dresses.
  3. Add pieces you know will look good on you!  By the time you have made your list, you will have a good understanding of your color palate and what cuts of clothing look good on you. 

Here is a chart to help you get started. With this chart, you will have 20 pieces of clothing, giving you about 35-40 outfits.  If you want to get technical, I counted 64 different combinations using these 20 pieces!

The final step is to take some pictures of your outfit combinations.  This will make it much easier to choose what to wear in the morning. There are numerous apps for your smart phone that will help you store and organize these pictures. My favorite is called Stylebook. It allows you to mark an outfit so you remember that you wore it recently. If you are a fashionista at heart, you NEED an app like this!

Here are some screen shots from my capsule wardrobe (of course, all of the pieces you see here came from Goodwill!).

I hope this helps you and challenges you to be intentional when shopping at a Goodwill Industries of Michiana store.  Be sure to check this blog for the latest on 50% off sale days!
www.KathyFriend.com
#Capsulewardrobeonabudget #capsulewardrobe

Models Wanted for Holiday Fashion Show!

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We are looking for models again!
On Saturday, December 13, we will be hosting a
HOLIDAY GLITZ Fashion Show
at the Warsaw Goodwill Store.
We are looking for ladies that are at least
18 years of age…
all sizes and shapes! 
Interested?
Please send your contact information along with a recent photo to [email protected] 

DIY Jewelry Organizer

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One of the things I seem to struggle with is wearing all of the great accessories I’ve collected over the years.  It seems I always wear the same few pieces…because I can see them, they are on top of the pile (know what I mean?).

The notion of being able to see all of my jewelry coupled with a good storage option has been something I’ve been frustrated with for a long time.  I’ve tried hanging everything on a necklace tree, I purchased a piece of furniture that held my jewelry, I even invested in stack-able trays thinking that was the ticket to storing all of my jewelry pieces.

None of those things worked.

When a modern mom has a problem like this, what does she do?  She turns to Pinterest of course!  I saw some DIY jewelry organizers that I thought might work, so I decided to make my own.  And I must say, it is working very well!  The best thing about this DIY project is you don’t have to be crafty or own a bunch of tools to have a great looking final product.

DIY PICTURE FRAME JEWELRY ORGANIZER


STEP 1
First, head to your local Goodwill store and find a picture frame that you love.  It doesn’t matter what is inside (what the picture is), just look for a decorative frame (or maybe something simple) that will match your decor. The best frames for this project will be large bulky frames.  Look for something that is made of wood  and that is at least 1 1/2″ thick. I found 3 frames to use for this project.  Two smaller frames (about 8×10), and one larger frame (about 24×30).  I will use the smaller one for bracelets and earrings, and the larger one for necklaces.

STEP 2

The second step is to head to a craft store or hardware store.  I stopped by a hardware store and purchased $14 worth of supplies.  They include:

  1. A variety of small ‘S’ hooks
  2. A roll of chicken wire (sometimes called Hardware Cloth)
  3. Some heavy duty thumb tacks

STEP 3
Prepare the picture frame by removing all of the backing.

Next, measure how much of the Chicken Wire you will need to cut to fit the frame.  I cut the piece to fit the back of the frame, leaving about 1/4″ border. Using wire cutters (mine are technically floral cutters), trim a piece of the Chicken Wire to fit the back of your frame.

STEP 4

Affix the backing using a hammer and the large thumb tacks.  Next, using the ‘S’ hooks, plan how you will organize your jewelry pieces on the frame. It is OK if the chicken wire is a little loose, or not flat.  If the wire is flat against the wall, it will make it harder to hang the ‘s’ hooks.

I didn’t finish the edges of mine, but I think I might add some heavy duty tape (like packing tape) to the edges on the back of the frame. This will help secure the wire to the frame, and protect the wall from the raw edges of the wire.

Step 5

The last step is to nail your jewelry organizer to the wall.  I used 2 basic picture hanging nails. Enjoy seeing all of your jewelry pieces neatly organized!  And the best part, it takes up unused wall space in your closet! BONUS!

Autumn / Winter Trends for Kids

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Fashion and kids seem to be 2 words that (when said together) add a lot of stress to the family budget. As a Mom of a pre-teen, I will admit the ever-changing likes and dislikes of my daughter could easily break the bank. On the other hand, I want her to embrace her own sense of style.  We all know when we wear something that we know looks great on us, we feel better on the inside.  That is the feeling I desperately want my daughter to have every day…to feel confident and not be concerned about her clothing.
Being trendy is very important to our kids.  Even if they don’t know the word “trendy” they do know there are certain things they will wear, and things they won’t wear. Kids get much of their sense of style (and dare I say taste) from us… what they see us wear and the clothing expectations within our families.  As our kiddos grow up (sniff sniff), their sense of style comes from peers. I can’t tell you how many times my daughter has told me “but all the girls are wearing that to school”.  Can you relate?
Knowing the trends, you will be one step ahead of the wardrobe struggle in your home.   Here are some of this season’s top trends for kids:
 
The hot colors for boys clothing this season are similar to the hot color trends in all fashion.  You are going to be seeing a lot of Royal Blue and  Orange.  The color trends are big and bold for boys with daring color combinations, and seemingly mismatched hues.
TIP: Not sure what colors work together?  Look at a color wheel.  Colors that are next to each other, or across from each other work together. Colors that are across from one another complement each other. Colors that are next to each other match.  More details about how to match colors can be found HERE.
SHOPPING TIP:  When I shop at Goodwill for the latest trends, I quickly glance down the racks for the hot colors.  Once I find a piece that is in the color I am searching for, I look for another piece (jacket, sweater for example) that will work with it.  Again, start with a color search.
The pieces boys are going to be hunting for this season are:
  • Jeans
  • Plaid
  • graphic t-shirts

Lumberjack plaid is a hot trend across the board. This pattern has an innate boyish feel.

The graphic t-shirts this season fall into 2 categories.  They either have a vintage feel (like the one on left) or they have a whimsical kitschy feel (like the ones on the right). 

In girls fashion, the color trends are a bit softer than with the boys. A hot color combination is harvest gold and royal blue.  Other trendy colors are pastels. Notice that the trendy colors are anything but ‘fall-ish’!
SHOPPING TIP: Some of the girls trends this season have a boy-ish feel.  Don’t discount looking in the boys section.

Girls clothing this season has a distinct dressed-up casual feel.  Hot pieces for girls this season are:
  • Skater skirts (circle skirts)
  • Lumberjack Plaid
  • 50’s inspired (or Western) floral 

DIY TIP: If you are crafty, try this DIY circle skirt.  Find a great plaid skirt at Goodwill and make your daughter an adorable skirt!  

Hopefully these tips and tricks will help you be the coolest Mom on the block. I would love to hear how you are letting your kids show their style personalities this season, and what you have found at your local Goodwill store. Post comments and pics here, or use hash-tag #GoodwillMichianaFallFashion on Pinterest and Instagram!

Need A Job? Dress the Part!

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DID YOU KNOW: Hiring professionals tell me that the number 1 reason a candidate does not get called for an interview, or get the job is because of their first impression?

WHAT YOU WEAR DOES MATTER!  Your First Impression is made up of several elements including:

  • The Clothing You Wear
  • Your Demeanor
  • The Words You Use

When you are searching for a job the first few seconds of the interview can determine the outcome.   Your first impression is critical to your career success. Here are some things to keep in mind to be sure you are offering your best first impression.

IF YOU QUESTION IT, DON’T WEAR IT. When you look in the mirror, what do you see?  How do you feel in the outfit choice you’ve made? If you wonder if it is the right thing to wear, then don’t wear it. That lack of confidence will come through in your demeanor.

COLORS MATTER.  You know those days when someone asks you if you are getting that flu that’s going around?  And you feel fine?  Well, what they are telling you is that the color you are wearing is draining the life out of your skin-tone.  The right colors will bring out pink and peach tones in your skin, and the wrong colors will make you look pale and emphasize blue and green undertones (in other words, the undertones you get when you are ill or exhausted). Having said that…no one wants to sit across the desk from someone that looks sick.  Be sure you wear your best color for the interview.  A good safe color for most is blue.

DON’T LET YOUR CLOTHES SPEAK FOR YOU.  When choosing your outfit for an interview, be sure what you wear doesn’t wear you.  You don’t want to be remembered as the one with the wild tie, overpowering perfume, crazy shoes or bright red lipstick.  You want to be remembered as the one who had the skills and ideas that were perfect for the job.

Now go perfect your interview image and wow that potential employer!

Style Tip – Shorts! Which are best for your body type?

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Hot Trend Alert: Shorts! 
For years, we’ve been told by the fashion world wearing shorts isn’t trendy.  The tides have certainly changed, and shorts are all the rage!   Shorts are becoming more and more accepted in casual office environments and for ladies of every age.  But the question seems to be…what shorts look best on you?
In this month’s fashion post, I’m answering your short questions with some easy and practical tips to help you look your best this summer.
I DON’T LIKE MY LEGS

The most flattering cut for every body type is the walking short.  This is a mid-length short is  perfect to pair with a suit jacket and heels for the day, a silk blouse for evening or flip-flops and a tank top for the beach on the weekend.  The length of the short is about an 8” inseam, and should hit you right above your knee cap. 

BEWARE IF:  You are petite (under 5’4”) – be sure to balance your silhouette with a wedge sandal – the higher the better!
STYLE TIP:  Look for a walking short that has a slimmer fit.  This will be the most flattering, and not overwhelm your silhouette. 
I HAVE SHORT LEGS
 ** Shorts from Goodwill Industries


The best short for someone who is petite (under 5’4”) or who has an inseam under 31” is a mid-thigh short.  This would be one with an inseam of about 5”, that hits your leg right where your fingertips touch your thigh. 
BEWARE IF:  You have very long legs, or are tall.  The shorter length of this style can off-set the proportion of your silhouette.  If you choose to wear this shorter length, be sure to finish your look with a flat sandal.  
STYLE TIP:  Choose a short that does not have a cuff.  A cuffed hem is a design detail that brings attention to a part of the body (your hips) that you may be trying to camouflage.   

The best short for someone who is petite (under 5’4”) or who has an inseam under 31” is a mid-thigh short.  This would be one with an inseam of about 5”, that hits your leg right where your fingertips touch your thigh.

  
I DON’T LIKE MY THIGHS

 ** Shorts from Goodwill Industries

The best short for curvy gals, or ladies who have heavier thighs is a longer length.  A walking short (sometimes called a Bermuda short) is a good choice.
BEWARE IF:  If your body shape is “A” shaped, or pear (in other words, if you carry your weight on the bottom half), be sure to bring attention to the top of your silhouette with a brighter color of top or jewelry. Keep all the details on the top of your outfit, no stripes on your shorts, no fancy pockets, cuffs or contrast stitching.  The simpler the better.
STYLE TIP:  A heel over 2” will always elongate your leg, and make you look thinner. It has been said for every inch you wear on your feet, you will appear 5lbs thinner! 
I HAVE SKINNY LEGS

For ladies who have long thin legs, bring some oomph to your bottom half with either a rolled boyfriend short or a short with some swing or interesting detail like a skort.  This idea of additional fabric will balance your thinner bottom half with your shoulders.  Keep the top of your outfit simple, and focus all the attention on your bottom ½.  

BEWARE IF:  If you have wider hips check the length of your shorts.  You want to be sure they are longer than your fingertips.
STYLE TIP:  When wearing a floaty unstructured short pair it with something more form fitting on top.

Stop by Goodwill to find the perfect pair of shorts to flatter your shape and show off this hot trend. To find a store near you, click here!

I would love to hear what your favorite summer short looks are!