Time to refresh that bookshelf, don’t you think? If you’re looking into fun ways your favorite titles can spruce up home decor, check out this fun little (exceptionally well-organized) video by YouTube filmmaker CrazeDadMan:

To find a Goodwill near you, visit our Store Locator link. Hope to see you soon, bookworms!

This luxurious navy blue heel is just the thing you need to finish off an extra-special, dressed-up date night look.

Striking and graceful. They are things many of us for, especially when putting together a sophisticated look for a special occasion like a big date out. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, many of us are trying to get our romantic plans (and our romantic looks) all sorted out.

These delicate, demure, and yet still sexy heels are the perfect finishing touch to a big-night-out ensemble. The mix of rich fabrics – a soft suede and a pleated satin detail on the top of foot – create an eye-catching and effect, and the bold mingling of textures is a unique touch in a dress shoe that will make this pair (and the gal wearing it) stand out. Both fabrics are in the same deep navy shade, which is unexpected (certainly a change from the standard black or metallic dress shoe, and not a vivid, V-Day red), but is elegant, and goes equally well with an array of colors and styles.

Now that you’ve got the proper footwear (and, I hope, the romantic date), there is still the small problem of getting the rest of your enchanting ensemble in order. There are, of course, multiple looks you could choose from – if you’d rather channel your inner vixen than a demure sweetheart, you could certainly pair these classy pumps with a body-conscious mini dress in your most flattering color.

However, here I’ve chosen to try the safer, sweeter option, which is a great choice if you’re hoping to show your Valentine your softer, gentler side. If go this route, try donning a darling frock the body-skimming, ruffled number pictured here.

Used to complement a flirty, feminine ruffled dress, these stunning navy shoes turn a closet staple into a romantic ensemble that will make the sparks fly!

The dress itself is black, a fashion-forward choice to put with a blue shoe, but subtle polka dots scattered over the flowing fabric tie the two pieces together. With the help of one additional accessory to make a statement on top, like a large pair of earrings or the fun and fluffy hair pin I’ve used to decorate my updo, you can put together a gorgeous date night outfit that is sure to turn a few heads.

What Goodwill Gems will you be wearing this Valentines Day? Come tell us! Write about your fashion fun in the comments here, post a photo of a fav look on our Facebook page or send @GoodwillNyNj a tweet. GoodwillNyNj & I love seeing your style, so keep us posted!

Introducing our newest GoodwillNyNj Style Icon, Maria Sideris!

We hope you enjoy reading Maria’s musings on the NYNJ thrift scene, fashion blogging and style sighting as much as we had hearing them. Enjoy!

Growing up I was always surrounded by my Mother’s beautiful vintage pieces. For as long as I can remember I always loved items and clothing that was pre loved. I found a lot of things in my Grandma’s house that I would use to dress up in, and I would use different vintage pieces to make jewelry at a very young age. I started thrifting in college because I wanted to save money, and loved the unique style I got from it. I didn’t want to wear the things everyone else had, and I was always trying to follow trends, but in my own way.

How would you describe your own personal style?

I would say my style is very indie inspired. I love anything flowy, anything that looks bohemian or from the 70′s. I really adore looking comfortable, but putting a spin on it and making it chic. I would say that my style is inspired by everything that goes on around me, vintage included..I love vintage inspired items and vintage items alike…

What role does your budget play in shaping your own personal style?

I think having a budget is always important because you don’t want to overspend when you don’t have the means. I am lucky enough to run a shop & have a 9-5 that helps me keep up with my shopping habits. I think that my budget is definitely helped by shopping secondhand, and thrifting items that would normally be a lot more money somewhere else.

Friday, January 20th:

• The Brooklyn Livingston Street Goodwill Store‘s Window Sale!: Doors open at 9 a.m. for the sale, which starts immediately. Purchases are limited to two items per person. Livingston Goodwill Store is located at 258 Livingston Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (phone 718-923-9037).

• The 23rd Street Goodwill Store‘s Window Sale!: The sale starts at 9:30 a.m. and is first come, first serve. Each customer is given a ticket in the order they enter the store. They may pick one window item to buy. When the purchase is made, they may rejoin the line to make another selection. The 23rd Street Goodwill Store is located at 220 East 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010 (phone 212-447-7270).

Just in case you’re not in the know yet, a Goodwill Window Sale is when the best items in the store (which have been displayed in the window for days if not weeks) go on sale. There are often designer items and high-priced toys in the mix. We’ve seen everything from an XBox to a Prada suit to a gorgeous electric guitar. Crowds form early, so try to get to the store well before doors open.

Hope to see you there, Goodwill fans!

Sweet and sophisticated, these earrings are still big and bold enough to command attention and stand out against any ensemble.

Accessories are a girl’s best friend. Because whatever you’re wearing, even if it’s the simplest of outfits, you can instantly add a little personality to it by popping on one or two extra pieces, like these darling earrings I recently spotted at my local Goodwill. The intricate, slightly old-fashioned style of these ladylike gems makes them the perfect glitzy pieces to dress up almost any outfit.

The gold tone of these earrings will warm up any outfit, so they will look especially nice with cool, calming winter colors you’re gravitating toward right now, like grays, blacks and deep blues. The clear rhinestones that accentuate it add a bit of sparkle and bring attention to flowing lines of the pieces’ design. Earrings like these are impossible not to notice, particularly when used to top off a muted or monochromatic look with simple, graceful lines.

You can use these bright baubles to dress up a casual look or to add a shimmer to a fancier look. Here, I’ve decided to go with option 1, and I’ve paired them with a casual, everyday ensemble to give it a little extra dazzle:

The perfect jewels to top off a basic wear-anywhere look, these shimmering gold earrings add glitz and old-world glam to jeans, a well-loved tee and a cozy scarf.

A favorite pair of jeans, a simple, soft gray tee, and a scarf in a bold, feminine floral print makes a comfortable, easy, and yet put-together ensemble for a Friday at the office or a weekend of strolling around the city and taking in the sights. With the addition of my flirty new earrings, this effortless ensemble instantly becomes a more complete look – and easy way to infuse a bit of elegance into the everyday.

Do you go for the gold when you shop Goodwill? Come tell us! Write about your fashion fun in the comments here, post a photo of a fav look on our Facebook page or send @GoodwillNyNj a tweet. GoodwillNyNj & I love seeing your style, so keep us posted!

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s emphasis on “doing for others” and the value of work, Goodwill invites you to a storewide sale on Monday, January 16. All merchandise is 30% off. Income from Goodwill stores goes to support Goodwill programs, which focus on helping people achieve employment.

Friday, January 13th:

• The Bronx Goodwill Store‘s Window Sale!: Tickets are distributed to customers on line by 7:45 a.m., and the doors open at 8. The store admits two customers at a time. Purchases are limited to two window items per person. At 9, the store opens to everyone unless there are still ticket-holders on line. Once they’ve made their purchases, any remaining window merchandise is up for grabs. The Bronx Goodwill Store is located at 361 East 149th Street, Bronx, NY 10455; phone 718-292-1083.

• The Harlem Fifth Avenue Goodwill Store‘s Window Sale!: The sale starts at 9:30 a.m. and is first come, first serve. Each customer is given a number in the order they arrive. They may pick one window item to buy. When the purchase is made, they may rejoin the line to select and purchase another item. The Harlem Goodwill Store is located at 2196 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10037; phone 212-862-0020.

Saturday, January 14th:

• The Greenwich Village Goodwill Boutique Store‘s Window Sale!: The sale starts at 9 a.m. and is first come, first serve. Each customer is given a ticket in the order they arrive. Two customers come in at a time, and may choose two items each to purchase. If they want more, they must go to the back of the line and get another ticket. The Greenwich Village Goodwill Boutique Store is located at 44 West 8th Street, New York, NY 10011; phone 212-477-7024.

As if that weren’t enough Goodwill hunting fun, Goodwill celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and our customers with a 30%-off Storewide Sale onMonday, January 15th!

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s emphasis on “doing for others” and the value of work, we’re delighted to say that income from Goodwill stores goes to support Goodwill programs, which focus on helping people achieve employment – in effect, you’re helping your community when you shop and donate Goodwill. Thank you for your support and enjoy the sales!

*Just in case you’re not in the know yet, a Goodwill Window Sale is when the best items in the store (which have been displayed in the window for days if not weeks) go on sale. There are often designer items and high-priced toys in the mix. We’ve seen everything from an XBox to a Prada suit to a gorgeous electric guitar. Crowds form early, so try to get to the store well before doors open.

These chic wedges are the perfect addition to any minimalist city girl’s newly pared down wardrobe.

Resolve to put your closet on a diet. Many of us make resolutions when January rolls around, and often those resolutions center around taking better care of ourselves, our bodies and our health, after weeks of parties, cocktails and all the delicious treats and nibbles that go with them. It’s always a good thing to take care of yourself, but after a holiday season glamour, sparkle and shine, it’s time to take care of your closet, too, and pare it down so that it’s filled with functional pieces for more everyday use.

So after you’ve cleaned out your closets and donated those what-was-I-thinking frocks, a pair of modern wedges is exactly what you need to built your wardrobe back up! The architectural lines of these muted, clay-colored shoes made them tower above the others on the local Goodwill’s rack, so they immediately caught this shopper’s eye. The upper criss-crossing straps are made of a smooth, pebble-toned leather that also covers the whole wedge, making them look especially neat, clean and minimalist.

A shoe like this is ideal for a girl who doesn’t want a lot of clutter in her life, because it goes with nearly everything – put on a pair of funky tights or cozy knit socks with shorts, a skirt, your favorite dress, or a pair of sleek, skinny slacks, and you’re instantly dressed for New York, whether it’s the dead of winter, a crisp autumn day or the start of spring.

When choosing items to partner with a pair of modern wedges like these, keep it simple. Classic, clean-cut pieces allow their easy, graceful design to shine.

Here, I’ve taken a favorite pair of shimmering skinny pants (there’s no reason to give away all of your shine, after all!), and a simple black tank. With a favorite black blazer or cardigan to keep your arms nice and toasty now, and these lovely wedges, you can easily wear an outfit like this almost all year round!

Are you changing up your style to celebrate the new year? Come tell us! Write about your fashion fun in the comments here, post a photo of a fav look on our Facebook page or send @GoodwillNyNj a tweet. GoodwillNyNj & I love seeing your style, so keep us posted!

Looking for a good read while you cuddle up in your newly perfected bed? We recommend this post by Thirfty Vintage Chic. We can’t help but love the Goodwill DMD Fashion Show shout-out:

"My model Blair walks the runway, as I, in the background, talk about the edgy business style I created for her as an actress going for auditions. It was all part of an extraordinary Goodwill event I had the honor of contributing to."

Enjoy – and stay warm, thrift fans!

Did Beautiful Existence survive the Goodwill Challenge? You better believe it!

We have to admit: it sounded tough. Once we interviewed Beautiful Existence in June, though, we knew she was doing just fine. Still, we couldn’t help but wonder: just how much would you save if you only shopped at Goodwill for an entire year? Well, stay tuned, thrift fans, and keep checking Living the Goodwill Life. A tally’s on the way…