This is a new Goodwill donations video from Goodwill International.  I really like it, what do you think?  I’m also excited that I figured out how to embed videos on WordPress.  The possibilities are now endless!  You can see videos from our Goodwill at our YouTube site.

In yesterday’s post, I wrote about the 10% Shift Campaign in New England.  The initiative encourages individuals and businesses to shift 10% of their current spending to local, independent businesses to help stimulate the local economy.

Here at Goodwill, we recently launched our month-long campaign to support independence for individuals with disabilities or other barriers to employment.  From now until July 6, Goodwill is accepting $1 donations in all 25 of our retail stores in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.  For every $1 donation you make, you are entered into a chance to win one of three Visa gift cards in the amounts of $250 or $500.

How do we use your donation?  Your contribution will help support Goodwill’s Workforce Solutions program, which helps people find – and keep – meaningful jobs.  Your contribution to the campaign, as well as your donations and purchases in our retail stores, directly supports individuals in our local northern New England communities.  Thank you for your continued support!

Dear readers,

Though lately it does not seem likely, summer will  soon be here and it is a good time to get ready for outdoor adventures and to take advantage of the short, but lovely summers we have here in northern New England.
Goodwill is offering a complete line of summer accessories for a limited time.  Stop by any of our 25 retail stores in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont to browse our diverse selection of goods.

In addition to the great t-shirts, shorts, and summer dresses you will find, we are also featuring new bathing suits, beach towels, flip-flops, barbecue gear, hammocks, citronella candles, picnic gear, and lots more.  Prices on our summer items range from $1.98 to $24.98!

Have you made any summer finds at Goodwill lately?  Please share your stories with us!

Hear ye, hear ye!

Come on down to the Portsmouth Goodwill Retail Store for our May Day Weekend Sale! We will be featuring a HUGE new shipment of summer donated goods, such as t-shirts, shorts, bags, hats, beachwear, summer dresses, and lots more.

Also!  Because we have been on such a bike kick over here lately, we will be featuring a new collection of donated bikes for your choosing.  The event is May 1-3 and be sure to get there early to stock up on summer clothes.  Contact the Portsmouth store at (603) 430-2040 for more information.

Happy Thursday!  We are excited to have guest blogger, Cricket Batchelder from the Mama’s Workshop blog, write about accessorizing and spicing up your everyday outfits.  If you would like to be a guest blogger, please leave us a comment and let us know!

The Fine Art of Accessorizing

It’s a tough economy.  What’s a girl to do?  You could feel sorry for yourself and wear the same outfits again and again.  Why not?  You don’t have the money to go out and splurge on new spring outfits just like the talking dummies in the Old Navy commercials.

Pick yourself out of that sorry slump and get smart about accessorizing!  Take a look at your current wardrobe.  Chances are, you have a plain white shirt and a pair of khakis or jeans.

You may put them on day in and day out and never think much about it.  That needs to change.  I firmly believe that when you look good, you feel good.  Let’s take a look at some simple ways to update that plain outfit and make it fabulous.  All of these accessories can be purchased at Goodwill, yard sales,  thrift stores, or picked out of your own closet.  Better yet, have an accessory swap party with your friends; with the exception of shoes, size does not matter!

The majority of the accessories I’m going to show you are directly from Goodwill.  Each piece was purchased for under $5.00 and some (like brand new necklaces) were only $1.00!!

Scarves: I think these are the unsung heroes of the fashion world.  Wear them around your neck, wrist, and waist; tie one around your purse strap, or in your hair.  They’re versatile and can add instant pizzazz to a simple outfit.  I’m positive MacGyver has saved the world on more than one occasion with nothing more than a scarf and paperclip.  If they can save the world, they can easily rescue your wardrobe.

Belts:   Many people forget about belts and that is a downright shame because they can add polish and make any outfit look more sophisticated.  Plus-size women sometimes shy away from these and that’s not always necessary.  Experiment with a few different types—thin and stretchy, thin and simple, or low-slung styles that dip down in the front (these especially are helpful because they elongate the torso).

Purses and Shoes:  Many women have ongoing love affairs with these two.  I use them to add punches of color to my clothes; even with a boring outfit, you can get compliments if you throw on a pair of bright red shoes.  You can get gold or silver after Christmas for a major deal—I gravitate toward these because they’re unexpected and I’m a sucker for anything shiny—not everyone chooses to wear gold or silver on a trip to the grocery store.  To make a major impact, coordinate your purse, belt, and shoes in a dramatic color.

Earrings and necklaces: These seem like an obvious choice and yet people are afraid to layer you don’t have to wear just one necklace at a time.

The jewelry case at Goodwill is a treasure trove.  See pieces of necklaces you like?  Take them apart and give them a new life.  Jewelry supplies can be found at craft stores for under $5.00 and most stores have simple, easy to follow directions on how to create simple jewelry pieces.  Here’s a necklace that I created with two pieces I purchased at Goodwill and reconfigured into a necklace I love.

Pins:  If there is one thing in the accessory world that makes my heart go pitter-patter it’s a vintage pin.  And you thought I was passionate about scarves!!  I love to add a bunch of rhinestone pins to dress anything up.  You can pin them on your shirt or purse.  I like to group them in three’s.  For some reason, I usually find most of my pins at yard sales.

On a final note, if the thought of rocking out in all these accessories makes you break out in hives, build up your confidence little by little.  Start with the red shoes and belt.  Or put on two necklaces instead of one.  I hope these little hints give you a new outlook on your wardrobe and your life!<–>