Warm Weather Savings at Discover Goodwill…From Fashion To The Garden & So Much More

Spring is finally here with summer right around the corner and I couldn’t be happier. Once spring gets here I like to spruce things up a bit around the house and in my wardrobe, choosing items that reflect the sun-filled days and warmer weather. The first place I head to is one of our local Discover Goodwill retail stores since I KNOW I’ll find something I love. From toys and books for the kids, to household items and décor, and even things for the garden, I always walk away happy. And with great prices I can have fun changing things up with no buyer remorse whatsoever.

Outdoor toys like these are sure to make your kids want to get outside and play more often. All of these are under $10 and in perfect condition. We have two grandsons, ages 5 and 7, and every single ride on toy we’ve ever bought for them (to keep here at our house), came from Discover Goodwill or garage sales.

Adding “new” warm weather clothing items to your wardrobe doesn’t mean you have to spend tons of money. You can find something for everyone you’re shopping for at great prices, in good condition, and in current styles. Pastels, bold colors, prints, solids, florals…you name it and Goodwill most likely has it.

Buying clothes, especially “play” clothes, just makes sense when it comes to buying for kids. If they rip the knee out of a pair of jeans or something becomes stained, it’s not that big of a deal when you only paid a buck or two.

Just a few examples of some fun “springy” looking items…

Scarves are an easy way to change-up an outfit for a new seasonal look.

I love all the Discover Goodwill retail locations in our area but I shop at the one on Circle the most since it’s close to my house. They’ve done a bit of remodeling and the entire store looks great! Lots of light, everything organized to make shopping easier, and nice wide aisles so it’s easy to push your cart, or in my case, carts, around.

I can always find a dress or something fabulous for less than $10…and when a particular item is marked with a 50% off colored tag, well that makes it even better!

Just like at department or specialty stores, you can find wonderful displays of outfits already pulled together.

And lots of great looks for men…

Sandals galore to choose from too. These are priced at $5.99.

Even when the days are warmer, the evenings can still be cool here so I’m always looking for sweaters or cardigans I can throw on once the sun goes down. Almost every one of these were half off, making most of them $3 to $6.

I love using wicker baskets as containers for pretty much everything and as totes, when they have handles. Lots of inexpensive items to choose from to make outdoor eating and entertaining easy while looking great. Basket $4.99, tablecloth $2.99, 4 blue paper plate holders 99 cents, and 4 red baskets 99 cents. Love the plastic mason jar glasses with a hole in the lid for straws, just 99 cents each.

Once the temps rise and the sun is shining most of the day, I like to lighten and brighten things up around the house. Easy ways to do that is by switching out flower arrangements, pillows, candles, and throws for lighter textures and more summery colors. I also like to change-up my dishes seasonally.

Dishes get used and with use, comes the occasional chip or crack, or even broken plate or cup. I hate buying a whole new set just because you’re short a piece or two which is why I like mixing and matching pieces. Mixing colors and patterns is easy and gives you so many options when everything doesn’t have to match. White dishes are another way to spruce up the table and don’t require as much imagination since they look great with everything. White with blue or yellow accents like flowers or napkins makes for a cheery way to start or end the day. I even mix up my white dishes, sometimes using square and round plates together. Why not make dining together a bit more fun?

So many to choose from! And so organized…plates usually range in price from 79 cents to $1.99 each.

Just as with the clothing displays, there are other arrangements, as with this table setting, to easily inspire your creativity.

I almost bought these for myself but I already had a basketful of items I was going home with and I do already own quite a few plates and bowls…like way too many for a household of two!

Perfect for a spring or summer brunch…From flatware to dishes to glasses and linens, you can find everything you need to set a pretty table. I pick up extra cloth tablecloths and napkins to use on picnics, which I keep in our wicker picnic baskets. All I need to do is add a bottle of wine and some fruit and cheese and we’re ready for an impromptu adventure.

This has nothing to do necessarily with warm weather but it was something that caught my eye and I planned on buying. Silly me picked it up, took a picture and put it back on the shelf. About 5 minutes later I realized what I did, went back to the aisle, and it was gone! At $2.99 it was a great piece and I was a bit bummed.

Most of the endcaps are arranged by color which I think looks great. When I’m looking for decorative items in certain colors, I always check the endcaps out first (and usually buy several of the items showcased.)

• And here’s a shout-out to Discover Goodwill employee, Otis. Otis created a lot of these endcaps and I think he did a fabulous job. As I was taking pictures, Otis, with a big smile on his face, was more than happy to show me some of his work and tell me how he enjoyed using his imagination and creativity when making them. Excellent job Otis!

Frozen treats are easy and inexpensive to make for the kids or yourself and I can always find various types of molds at Goodwill. These pop molds, still in the box and never opened, were marked $2.99 but on sale that day for half off. Just another way to save money on something that at full price at another store might not be in the budget but at $1.50, is a more affordable way to add some fun to hot days.

This little “kid’s corner” is a new look for this particular Goodwill location and it’s a lot more cozy and inviting. I personally love reading and I’m very happy that I passed that passion on to my son. From the time he was born I always made sure he was surrounded by books but they can be seriously expensive. Except for when we bought from school book fairs, or checked out books from the library, we purchased our books second-hand. A dollar or two is way more affordable than eight or ten dollars and if a page gets torn or perhaps used as a coloring book, it’s not that big of a deal. I think that it’s important to have some scheduled reading time for kids, even in the summer.

Four simple garden pots, never used, perfect for any flowers or plants, only $2.99.

Now this is where you can have some fun being creative with gardening without spending a ton. Seriously, some pots are so expensive, I don’t want to put them outside where eventually a deer will break one or the wind will bang it up a bit. Any kind of container you can add some dirt to and a plant can be used in your garden, nothing says it has to be marked “outdoors.” Mix and match or use some spray paint for a more coordinated look.

And I just thought this was so cool! How much fun for a big party or even as a plant stand or whatever…

A few pieces I brought home…certainly not because I needed them but hey, just trying to do my part in helping others in our community. And I just wanted them!

To be honest, my husband hated this piece but I think it’s cute for serving deviled eggs and so keep it we will…ha!

Love this mural located in the specialty “Threads” section of the store, that features more trendy, youthful selections. 

I always have fun discovering “treasures” at Discover Goodwill and always appreciate when they let me come in with my camera and snap away. And thank goodness the prices are so good since I always come home with a thing or two…

 

http://www.discovermygoodwill.org/