Six reasons to create your Halloween costume at Goodwill

While store-bought Halloween costumes are convenient, there’s a fantastic alternative that not only saves you money but offers you a creative outlet and a sustainable approach. This blog outlines six benefits to embracing thriftiness by crafting your Halloween ensemble with items purchased at Goodwill. 

1. Affordability

One of the most obvious benefits to creating a Halloween costume with Goodwill finds, is the cost savings. Thrift stores like Goodwill offer a wide range of clothing and accessories at budget-friendly prices. Rather than spending a significant amount on a store-bought costume that you may only wear once, you can create a unique and affordable ensemble with items that could be repurposed for everyday wear.

2. Unique and Creative Options

Goodwill’s diverse selection of clothing and accessories makes it a great place to create your one-of-a-kind costume. The possibilities are endless, so let your creativity run wild! You’ll find items from various decades, styles, and genres. If you’re going for a vintage look, a pop-culture icon, a classic monster, or something entirely original, Goodwill’s inventory will inspire your creativity and imagination. In addition to donated goods, Goodwill also carries new Halloween accessory items such as hats, wigs, fangs, makeup, and other props, to round out your costume creation.

3. Eco-Friendly

Creating a Halloween costume from second-hand items is an environmentally conscious choice. Instead of contributing to the demand for new, mass-produced costumes, you’re repurposing and reusing items that might otherwise end up in landfills. It’s a sustainable way to enjoy Halloween without contributing to fashion waste.

4. Quality and Durability

While some store-bought costumes can be flimsy and easily torn or damaged, Goodwill offers many well-made, durable clothing items and accessories. Vintage clothing, in particular, often boasts superior craftsmanship compared to contemporary mass-produced costumes. So, not only will your Goodwill-sourced costume look great, but it may also last for future Halloweens or find its way into your everyday wardrobe.

5. Customization and Personalization

When you create a costume with thrifted items, you have the flexibility to customize and personalize them to your heart’s content. You can rip, sew, paint, glue, or modify items to achieve your desired look, ensuring that your costume is a perfect fit and truly unique. You can also involve your children, family, or friends in the creative process, making it a fun group activity.

6. A Good Cause

Goodwill is not just a thrift store; it’s also a nonprofit organization that provides job training and employment opportunities to individuals with barriers to employment. When you shop at Goodwill, you’re not only saving money but also supporting a good cause. Your purchases directly contribute to the organization’s mission of changing lives through the power of work.

So, this Halloween, instead of heading straight to a for-profit costume store, consider a visit to your local Goodwill store and embark on a cost-effective, creative, eco-friendly, fun adventure in costume creation! Not only will you end up with a one-of-a-kind costume, you can feel good about making a positive impact on the environment and your community.

Happy thrifty Halloween!

Thrifted finds make your dorm room feel like home

By Felicia Czochanski

Heading off to college is a major milestone. For those who have the opportunity to live on campus, the school year can mean leaving family and friends in your hometown and heading off into the world of the unknown. Especially for freshman, the first few weeks of the school year can be an exciting and nerve-wracking time. You might feel homesick as you try to figure out who in your class you might be able to form a friendship with. You might feel out of sorts without friendly reminders from home. Preparing for a new school year and setting yourself up for success are the best things you can do to start the semester on the right foot. 

This goes for all types of back-to-school shopping, especially putting thought into the place where you’ll sleep, study, and hang out with friends. Fortunately, you won’t need to lug all your furniture and décor from across the country to your new dorm, with the help of the home goods section in a local Goodwill that can make your dorm room feel like home from day one. 

Shopping at Goodwill for dorm room décor is a cost-effective way to get your back-to-school shopping done. It’s also an amazing way to pick up unique and eclectic finds that can really make a dorm room feel like home. Whether you buy something new with the tags still on it, or something that’s been donated and has been pre-loved, shopping at Goodwill is an amazing way to express your taste and interests as you display the items as décor in your new room. In fact, not only can it create a more artistic feel to your décor, but it also supports those in the local community as well, with job training and courses that can help them excel in their lives and careers. 

Keep reading for inspiration from real Goodwill shoppers around the country, who used thrifted home goods treasures to create the atmosphere of their dreams. 

 

Bright Pops of Color

Starting the school year with confidence can make the semester an experience full of new opportunities. Incorporating bright pops of color into your dorm décor can be a reminder to shine bright throughout the year. You can find everything from curtains to throw pillows to jewelry boxes at Goodwill. Be sure to check them out on your next trip to see what speaks to you!

 

 

Thrifty, Useable Décor

Space is likely going to be limited if you’re living in a dorm, which makes the case for décor that serves a purpose while making the place your own. I love the idea of this reverse bookstack topped with a plant and set next to a candle as a fun way to spice up desk or dresser space. Plus, you can swap new books or textbooks as you read them.

Pride Month Outfit Inspiration

By Felicia Czochanski

 

For many, June is a month-long celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, and how far we’ve come as a society in getting them the rights and recognition they deserve. Pride Month serves as an opportunity to raise awareness to barriers that the LGBTQ+ community still faces. It also serves as a call for allyship for people to continue to support and embrace the community advocate for those they love. 

Speaking of love, Pride Month (and every month!) is an amazing time to openly be yourself and celebrate yourself for who you are. This is a month to proudly honor yourself and the fact that love can come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and identities. Pride Month, and corresponding pride parades around the country, are known for people showing up in bright and rainbow colors in acknowledgement that everyone, no matter who they love, should feel empowered to live openly and embrace what makes them feel like themselves.

When it comes to finding the perfect Pride outfit, it’s no secret that Goodwill is going to be your one-stop shop. Not only are you likely to find something bright and fabulous, there’s also a good chance it’ll be unique, vintage, and maybe even sport colorful sequins. Not to mention you can stock up, knowing that prices will be way below retail value which saves more on clothes so you can partake in more Pride celebrations. 

Below, we’re sharing some Pride Month outfit inspiration from real Goodwill shoppers like you.

Rainbow Hearts:
I’m loving everything about this look – from the bold bright lip down to the cute Y2K bag thrifted from Goodwill. But what pulls it all together and makes it perfect for this month is the top which features embroidered rainbow hearts all over it. This thrifter’s outfit is playful and fun, and so clearly embodies her personality. Not to mention, she found the shirt for $1 at Goodwill, making it such a steal in addition to tying together the look!

Photo: @itmustbebunnies

Pops of Color:
One of the things I love the most about Pride Month is it gives you the permission (sometimes we just need a little extra push) to be the unfiltered version of ourselves. I love how this Goodwill shopper matches her gorgeous bright pink hair to her adorable flamingo purse that she thrifted at Goodwill. These pops of colors show that accessories can really make an outfit special and feel exactly like you.

Photo: @ayishaa.nicole

All that glitters:
I did mention sequins earlier, because how could you do Pride Month without a little glitter? This month is the time to go all out in celebration of your most authentic self. If that looks like a rainbow sequin bomber jacket and the brightest pants and accessories, I’m here for it. Can you believe this amazing jacket was found on the rack at Goodwill?

Swing Into Spring With A Mood-Boosting Closet Cleanout

By Felicia Czochanski

It happens to all of us. The buildup of bulky sweaters, even though there’s only a handful you wear regularly on rotation. The piles of shoes that you bought because they looked pretty in the store, but haven’t found the right event to wear them to. The overall clutter that takes over your closet, transforming it from a functional space to more of a curated dumping ground. 

But, it doesn’t have to be this way! 

The anticipation of a new season can be the perfect time for a closet refresh. It can give you the momentum to reevaluate what’s on your hangers, in your dresser, and in various storage bins and think about what your go-to pieces of clothing are, versus the would-be items that have been collecting dust. Checking out your newly decluttered space can provide that breath of fresh air you might not have known you needed. Especially if you’re feeling stressed or anxious, this is a proven method to alleviate those feelings. A University of Connecticut study found that removing or controlling clutter can directly reduce the stress that is triggered by mess, which can help people feel happier, less anxious, and more confident in themselves. 

Whenever I embark on a closet cleanout project, the biggest things I try to consider as I make piles of what to keep and what to donate are which items still make me feel happy and confident, and which do not. For this season’s project, I want to tackle the items I haven’t worn in over a year. Especially now as I am working mostly remotely, there are a lot of pieces of business professional clothing that I no longer use. These clothes may no longer fit and are just taking up precious space in my New York City apartment. So, I finally decided to take the time to go through them section by section to see what I do and don’t use, and what I can commit to donating to Goodwill. 

Taking a look at this picture of my closet, you can see that I’m not exactly the most minimalistic person. I love dressing to express myself and the challenge of finding the perfect outfit for the fun and fabulous events the city has to offer. For this version of my closet cleanout, I decided to start small and go through my shoes and purses.

Even knowing I haven’t worn certain pairs of shoes in over a year, I still feel weird about putting them in the donate pile. They’re basically new and have so much potential! I go through the talk track in my head, that I need to clean out my space, and that I know these donations are going to make a difference. That’s what helps me push through every time, knowing that my donations to Goodwill will not only put these items into someone else’s closet who will actually wear them, but that they will also help Goodwill generate new jobs and learning opportunities in my community. If you think of it that way, cleaning out your closet pretty much becomes a win-win!

I’ll be carving out time this weekend to drop the first part of my donation pile off at my local Goodwill store and will enjoy the extra space in my closet at the same time! Do you have a closet cleanout transformation that you want to share? Be sure to tag us @goodwillwm for a chance to be featured in a future blog! 

Spring cleaning provides a fresh start

By Matt Paxton

 

As the weather warms and flowers bloom, thoughts turn to exchanging the drabness and darkness of winter for the bright freshness of spring. The annual ritual of spring cleaning has deep roots associated with various cultures and traditions. Today, the exercise of deep cleaning in springtime is practiced by over 75% of Americans with many consumers saying spring is the perfect time to shop. 

Whether you plan to rejuvenate your home or refresh your wardrobe (or both!), include Goodwill in your spring plans. You can help give people in the community a fresh start through job training and placement, which is supported by donating to and shopping at Goodwill stores.

My experience lives beyond just letting things go. I help thousands of people declutter every single year. Are you holding onto things that you can’t seem to let go? We keep stuff because of the memories and people attached to those items or what we hope people will think about us for the items. Focus on your real life, your actions, your experiences and the stories, the memories, NOT the stuff. Spring is the perfect time for this. Utilize the tips below to get ready for spring and let your things help others start new lives.

1. Renew and Reset. It’s time refresh your life and spring is the perfect time. Start decluttering the items you bought for past hobbies that you no longer need. Donate or sell the new fitness and sports equipment to give new life. Spring cleaning isn’t just for your closet, it’s for your life. Consider tossing out unhealthy winter habits to shape up for spring! Pick up some workout clothes after donating to Goodwill. Be a game changer for someone in your community by donating and shopping at Goodwill for your gear. 
2. “Did I Really Wear It?” Reality check. Let go of the things that no longer fit, or you don’t plan on wearing. Even if it doesn’t happen during spring cleaning always keep a basket or box in your closet to make donations easy. Working from home these days? Donating business attire can give someone in your community a chance to rock their interview or first day at a new job.
3. Power up and change your community. Donate your gently used electronics for someone else to enjoy and be a sustainable shopper by picking up something new for yourself! Goodwill even accepts electronics (computers, TVs, phones, etc.) that are no longer working and recycles them responsibly. 

By donating to Goodwill during this spring cleaning season, you can extend the life cycle of your goods, which helps the environment while creating employment programs in our community. After you donate, why not also spend some time shopping at Goodwill and help out even more? 

 

ABOUT MATT

Matt Paxton is Goodwill’s official decluttering and organizing expert. “I realized how important donating items is to my mission and to my clients. One of the first rules of donation is to find an organization that aligns with your personal mission and morals,” said Paxton. “I chose to work with Goodwill because of its purpose driven mission of providing people with training and jobs.”

One of the top downsizing and decluttering experts in the country, Matt is the host of the 2-time Emmy nominated series Legacy List with Matt Paxton on PBS and was a featured cleaner on the hit television show HOARDERS for over 15 seasons. Matt is also the author of the best-selling book, Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff. Paxton started cleaning out houses after his father, stepfather and both grandfathers died in the same year. This fueled Matt’s passion and is the reason Matt continues to work with families struggling with hoarding and downsizing. 

Visit iammattpaxton.com for additional resources related to downsizing, organizing and decluttering.

Easy ways to upcycle thrifted clothing from Goodwill

 

Upcycling thrifted clothing is a creative way to breathe new life into secondhand finds. It’s the perfect opportunity to create a wardrobe that reflects YOU and your personal style. And, by repurposing and reusing clothing found at a Goodwill store, you not only save money, but also help the environment, and support a great cause. 

If you are drawn to a piece of clothing while shopping Goodwill — perhaps you love the color, the texture of the fabric, or the style — don’t discount it because of a minor flaw or imperfection.

Here are some simple upcycling tricks you could try:  

BUTTON SWAP

One of the easiest ways to transform a thrifted shirt, jacket, or coat is to swap out the buttons. With so many shapes, styles, colors, and materials to choose from buttons can completely alter the vibe of the piece — from classic to boho, traditional to modern — with this one quick change. 

SEW IT UP

Try adding some embroidery, beading, or other decorative details to create one-of-a-kind wearable art piece. Let a thrifted jean jacket be the canvas for your artistic expression. 

PATCH OVER

If you find a piece of clothing that’s threadbare or has a small stain, try covering it with a decorative patch. You can purchase appliqué patches, iron-on patches, or you can make your own from colorful scraps. 

DYE JOB

Not your color? Experiment with fabric dyes! They’re inexpensive and easy to use. Choose a color you love or mix them to create your own. Thrifted white tees are the perfect for tie-dye,  batik, of silk screen. Find free instruction and DIY videos online.

LAYER IT UP

Layering is a great way to give interest to an ordinary piece. Try layering different colors, textures, and fabrics.  

FIND A TAILOR

If you find a quality thrifted piece that doesn’t quite fit the way you’d like, don’t be afraid to take it to a tailor, or, if you have the skills, alter it yourself! 

All it takes is a little creativity and imagination to create a wardrobe you love.

Good people doing good at Goodwill

By Kimberly Harsch, Resource Development Coordinator

Last Saturday I was fortunate to be part of Goodwill’s first book sorting volunteer day in partnership with Read Early. Read Often. (RERO). Our goal was to get 500 gently used books in the hands of disadvantaged grade school children in Muskegon County. I was not prepared for the generous events that would unfold.

Goodwill President and CEO Jeanette Hoyer wants to help improve literacy rates for kids in our community where less than 40% of students reach adequate literacy level by third grade. Literacy directly affects education. And education is a pipeline to high wages, and a powerful tool in the fight to end poverty. Literacy improves when kids have books. And Goodwill has plenty to give.

We quickly found a strong partner in Allison Keessen at RERO who when asked if she could use free books responded, “Boy could we ever!”

We knew we needed to inspect, clean, and sort the books first. This takes manpower. RERO recruited 28 volunteers made up of high school students from “Reading Buddies United” which is comprised of area high school students from four schools: Orchard View, Oakridge, Mona Shores, and Muskegon. There were also volunteers from Rotary Interact, Pathfinders of Muskegon, and United Way of the Lakeshore.

On the day of book sorting at Goodwill’s headquarters in Muskegon, the positive energy was everywhere. Volunteers laughed, danced, and did the work while learning more about each other. Every once in an “Oh! I LOVED this book!” arose above the chatter and volunteers would rush to celebrate the title.

Two hours flew by in a flash. As we were packing up, I heard some of the kids talk about books that THEY were taking for their communities. Some were for book drives at school or for reading to grade schoolers. Nefertoria from Pathfinders of Muskegon took nearly 200 books to deliver on the streets. “I fill my trunk and when I open it, kids come running for books,” she said.

As we closed our first day together, Allison did a final book tally … 1,333 books were ready to go! These will be distributed wherever kids need them. Jeanette closed the day with a warm “thank you” for this group of generous people who truly are helping us “Change lives through the power of [their] work.”

If you would like to volunteer, or have locations that could use books for children contact Kim Harsch of Goodwill at (231) 722-7871, x1057.

For more information visit our website!

32 Goodwill Outlet FAQs and shopping tips

By Nanci Penland, Goodwill Outlet and Store Manager

The wait is finally over! Our new outlet store in Muskegon is open for business.

Rolling up your sleeves and sifting through unsorted textiles and wares isn’t for everyone, but avid thrifters LOVE discovering hidden gems and the low, low price.

If you’ve never visited a Goodwill outlet, you are in for an experience. Serving as a “last chance” clearinghouse for our donated goods, items are placed unsorted in large bins and sold by the pound. The bins are rotated with fresh content throughout the day.

If outlet shopping isn’t your cup of tea, visit our regular retail store right next door in the same building!

Goodwill Outlet Shopping Tips

• Bring bags or boxes to transport your purchases home.
• Wear sturdy gloves when sorting through merchandise due to potential sharp objects.
• For your safety, when merchandise bins are rolled onto the sales floor, please move out of the way. Please stand back until a Goodwill team member indicates “okay to shop” before approaching the bins.
• The outlet is strictly “cash and carry” meaning we cannot hold or set aside your items. If shopping for furniture or other large items, please make sure you have a vehicle that can transport your purchases at the time of sale.
• Monitor your cart and personal belongings! You are responsible for safeguarding.
• Test electronics in designated areas.
• Bring batteries to test toys and measuring tape if purchasing furniture.
• Be patient and be courteous to fellow shoppers.
• If bringing children, please do not leave them unsupervised; they must be accompanied by an adult.
• If you plan on visiting our regular store afterwards (located next door!), please take your purchased items to your car first.
• Clean your treasures when you get home. Wash what you can in hot water and use disinfectant wipes on toys, books, and other items. Rent a steam cleaner at your local hardware store to deep clean soft furniture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Goodwill outlet?
The Goodwill outlet serves as a last-chance clearinghouse for items that did not sell at our 17 Goodwill Industries of West Michigan stores after a four-week period of time on the shelf. Wonderful bargains can be found!

How is the outlet different from a traditional Goodwill store?
Visiting a Goodwill outlet is a very different experience from shopping a regular store. Items are not sorted, hung, or organized but rather offered on large rolling tables for shoppers to sift through. Items are sold priced by the pound at a deep discount. Furniture and oversized items are individually priced. It’s the perfect experience for the bargain hunter who likes to roll up their sleeves.

How does the outlet operate?
Unsorted clothing and other merchandise are put on rolling tables and rotated on and off the sales floor throughout the day offering continuous fresh selections. Shoppers place items in a shopping cart that is then weighed on a floor scale.

What is the pricing?
Clothes, shoes, toys, electronics, glassware, and household goods are sold at $1.29 per pound. Furniture and other oversized items are priced individually.

What happens to merchandise not sold at the outlet?
Items not sold during their time on the sales floor are then responsibly recycled or sold to a recycling partner.

Is the merchandise sorted?
No. Items are heaped unsorted onto rolling carts.

How do my items get weighed?
Shoppers place their cart onto a floor scale and the weight of the cart is subtracted.

Does the outlet supply bags for purchased items?
Goodwill does provide some boxes but we encourage shoppers to bring their own bags.

What payment methods are allowed?
Cash or credit cards are accepted; checks are not.

Can I return items purchase at the outlet?
All items are sold as-is and there are no returns.

Do you accept donations at the outlet?
Not in the outlet itself, but there is a convenient donation drive-thru in the same building.

Are Goodwill vouchers accepted?
No

Where is the outlet located?
1501 East Apple Avenue in Muskegon Township right next to US-31

What are the days/hours of operation?
The outlet is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information visit our website!

Becoming The Addams Family

We reached out to local Goodwill superfan Kendra Stanley-Mills and offered her a challenge … transform your family into The Addams Family using donated items purchased at Goodwill stores. Below are her amazing results. Special thanks to her accommodating family … Yuri, Harper, and husband Jon Mills.

By Kendra Stanley-Mills

To transform the Mills Family into the Addams Family was a fun adventure. The first thing we did was to peruse the Internet to find some good photos that gave us a general idea of what to look for at Goodwill.

Pugsley’s costume was the easiest. Truly all we did was look for a black and white horizontal striped shirt. We had everything else at home. The shirt was a ladies shirt which 100% humiliated our son but I told him no one could truly tell.

Wednesday’s costume was just a basic black dress (super easy to find at any Goodwill) and then I found a white collared shirt (also super easy to find.) I cut off the collar and sewed that onto the black dress. We found black loafers but we did splurge and bought new white Bobbysocks at Target because all we could find were athletic socks at Goodwill. Our daughter is a redhead so we bought some black temporary hair color to make her fit the part a bit more. I added some lighter foundation to her face to make her look a bit pale.

We couldn’t find a full pinstriped suit for Gomez but we settled for a dark pair of dress pants and a striped suit coat. We already had a white shirt and then we looked and looked for a solid black bowtie or necktie (honestly, this was the most difficult item to find – who knew?!) With an added fake mustache (which were actually fake eyebrows but we reinvented them) and some extra hair gunk to slick back Jon’s hair, he fit the part. All we needed was a cigar (oops, we forgot!) so we improvised with a beef stick.

Goodwill items I used to create the costumes are listed below.

Morticia Addams:

• red rose from Whitehall Goodwill ($.80)
• long black dress from Norton Shores Goodwill ($5.99)
• black dress from Norton Shores Road Goodwill ($5.99)
• wore shoes I already owned
• red nail polish I already owned
• bought red lipstick from Target

Wednesday Addams:

• white collared shirt from Whitehall Road Goodwill ($3.99)
• black dress from Norton Shores Goodwill ($5.99)
• black shoes from Whitehall Goodwill ($4.00)
• bought white dress bobby socks from Target
• bought black temporary hair color from Target
• “Thing” we already owned

Pugsley Addams:

• striped shirt from Muskegon–Sherman Goodwill ($1.99)
• black shorts that we already owned
• black shoes we already owned
• black socks borrowed from mom
• pillow stuffing used to create a belly that we already had at home

Gomez Addams:

• black dress pants from Whitehall Goodwill ($3.99)
• striped suit coat from Norton Shores Goodwill ($7.99)
• facial mustache from Whitehall Goodwill ($1.45)
• black tie from Whitehall Goodwill ($2.00)
• white shirt we already owned
• black shoes we already owned
• “Cigar” was a beef stick

Total Goodwill cost: $44.18

The Addams family promotes Goodwill for Halloween costumes!

This Halloween, Goodwill® is partnering with MGM Studios for the upcoming release of The Addams Family movie coming to theaters October 11. The first family of Halloween is providing us a fun thematic opportunity to promote Goodwill as the place to find unique and authentic costumes.

Enter our costume contest!

Contest runs Oct. 18- 31.

RULES:
1) Create a one-of-a-kind costume using items purchased at Goodwill.
2) Post a photo of your DIY costume creation on our Facebook page with a description of what you created.
3) The costume must be created in 2019.
4) The participant must be a resident of West Michigan

Prizes: $50 Goodwill Store Gift Card for each category – Best Adult Costume, Best Child Costume (under age 18), Best Group / Couple Costume

*Gift cards are only good at Goodwill Industries of West Michigan locations.

Check out our Facebook event for all the details!

Goodwill finds for fall

By Rachael Kaminski, Goodwill Marketing Specialist

With the cooler breezes blowing in, many of us are dreaming of cozy boots, and mulled wine. Yum! Schools are in session, and Halloween is right around the corner, which makes now the perfect time to refresh your wardrobe, and deck out your home for fall. As each season arrives, it’s nice to bring in a few newly thrifted pieces to keep things current, so here’s what I’ve got my eye out for this year…

Western-inspired looks are perhaps the biggest trend to come from fall 2019.

Boot-cut jeans, Western boots, rancher hats, and oh… you can’t forget about an oversized belt buckle to complete your urban cowgirl look. Now just remember you don’t have to wear everything “Western-inspired” in one outfit. Try incorporating one or two Southwestern-inspired pieces into your fall look.

You’ll see plenty of animal prints this fall, but none more popular than the snake print. HuffPost is predicting “you’ll see snake print boots, belts, purses, and snake print clothes everywhere this season.” Think of it as the next neutral of your closet.

I found these pointy-toed snakeskin looking heels, perfect for the office at our Muskegon Store on Sherman Blvd., for only $4.00! Thrift score!

Here are a few of the Fall 2019 colors to look out for while shopping at Goodwill. I’m going to attempt to step out of my comfort zone, and work on incorporating more of the Autumn-Winter 2019 / 2020 color palate into my outfits. What color do you think you try?

Plaid for fall? How groundbreaking! Still, if you’re looking for a few statement pieces to dress up your fall wardrobe, I’ve spotted a variety in different colors, and patterns. From plaid jumpsuits to ponchos, this is a fall look that won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

Now on to the decor! 

Goodwill is my FAVORITE place to spruce up my fall decor! I love trying new to you items that won’t break the bank. From candle holders to pillows, wreaths, and faux flowers, the opportunities are endless. Check out our Pinterest boards  Thrift Store Makeover and DIY Fall Decor for some inspiration.

Want to know a little secret? Baskets, ceramics, and wooden decorations can easily be updated to match any color scheme. Whether you are wanting to incorporate the new Autumn color palate that I discussed earlier, or something more classic like black, and white, these type of decorations can all be customized with a can or two of spray paint! My whole home is different variations of teal, and turquoise even with my fall décor. So after seeing these wooden baskets, and pumpkins at Goodwill last week, I wish I would have picked them up, and spray painted them to add to my collection.

Don’t have buyer’s remorse like me. Remember, if you don’t get the item it will be gone the next time to go back. That’s the beauty of Goodwill … it’s a treasure hunt, and you never know what you’ll find!

And should you find that you want to clear out some old and unused fall decorations or clothing while you’re adding in your newly thrifted pieces, remember you can donate those items to Goodwill. They will help someone find a job, strengthen our community, and preserve the planet. That ensures that while you start fresh for this new season, someone else gets to as well. Happy fall thrifting to all!