Diva Dress Sale - A Mainstream Woman's Perspective

I really do believe in all that Goodwill Industries does and stands for - otherwise I wouldn't work for them. But the upcoming Diva Dress Sale (our 1st ever!) really hits that special place in my heart! I realize Goodwill shopping isn't for everyone. I know there are the people that love shopping at Saks on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Or the ever-true Old Navy fans. Or any other popular retail store. But ladies ... if you have ANY event this spring or summer that you'll want to look your best at, you really should consider stopping by the Goodwill Diva Dress Sale and at least seeing what we have to offer.

If you're anything like me (and I think I can speak for a pretty big majority of the woman out there ... at least my friends have all agreed), I wait until a few weeks before the "big event" and decide to head out to the local mall to try and find something stunning to wear. IT NEVER WORKS OUT! I always leave either 1) crying because I didn't find one single dress, or 2) lucky to find one dress that is just "alright". Well, some of you that know me know that I recently had the opportunity to work with Georgette Braun from the Rockford Register Star and do the cover photo and a photo on the inside (and a GREAT article from Georgette) in the GO Section. Well, through that process I tried on alot of dresses from our Diva Collection. 100% honestly, I found AT LEAST 8 dresses that I loved and would have worn at any time to a special event! I couldn't believe it!

Also, most women who buy a special occasion dress only wear it once. Even dresses for occasions such as wedding receptions or cocktail parties. If I buy a dress for a wedding reception, I most definitely can't wear it to the next wedding reception and have the other ladies say, "Didn't Shannon wear that to the last wedding reception we saw her at"? So unfortunately, no matter how cute the dress, it usually only gets worn once. What a shame to spend over $100 on a dress that you only wear once. Well at this Diva Sale, the most you'll spend on a dress is $30 (and that's for our selection of wedding dresses) - reception or cocktail dresses will sell for a mere $10. Now having gone through the selection for the GO article, I honestly can say that these dresses are in PERFECT shape. They're like brand new. They've all been hand-picked by a few of our staff members from all of our stores in N. IL and S. WI and will be brought to one location - the Holiday Inn in Rockford. How convenient, right?

So now you know why I personally feel so passionate about this particular event. I truly believe in it. I believe it's the obviously smart thing to do. And I believe that any amount of money spent at the sale will go to a great cause - to help fund Goodwill's many programs that help the local community with training, education and job placement...something in this economy that is very much needed.

With all that said, if you are interested in attending here are the details: Sunday, May 16th at the Holiday Inn in Rockford (7550 East State St) from 10am to 4pm. Wear a leotard or other tight fitting clothing as fitting rooms are unavailable - you can just try on the dress right there! The Holiday Inn will be offering refreshing cocktails & other refreshments to all Divas to make for a super fun experience. Dress prices will range from $10 to $30, Shoes will be $5, Handbags will be $5, and all jewelry will be $2.

I truly hope to see you there! I don't think you'll be disappointed.

PRETTY AS A PRESENT!

Pretty as a present in this GORGEOUS dress! Get it at the DIVA Sale, coming up SOON!!!

Calling All Stateline Divas! Mark Your Calendars & Spread the Word!

Rockford Register Star (04/03/10)-by Georgette Braun
Goodwill Shows Off it's Fashionable Side

You know that peas and pods go together. And that cookies and milk are stupendous pairing. Now you can add another combo to your line of thinking: fancy fashion and Goodwill

Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois will host its first Goodwill Diva Dress Sale Fundraiser from 10am to 4pm on Sunday, May 16th at the Holiday Inn, 7550 E. State Street, Rockford.

The inaugural Diva Dress Sale is a doozie. Goodwill staff have gethered more than 1,000 cocktail, little-black, prom, wedding, and bridesmaid dresses in perfect condition and teh latest styles from six of its stores in Rockford, Machesney Park, Sterling, DeKalb, Beloit, WI, and Freeport.

The dresses will be priced from $10 to $30. Shoes and handbags will cost $5. And a piece of jewelry will sell for $2. The proceeds will fund Goodwill's programs that provide jobs, training and placement services for people with barriers to gaining employment in the Rock River Valley.

Special-occasion dresses for the dress sale may be dropped off before May 16th at teh Goodwill headquarters at 315 N Main Street, Rockford, from 8am to 4pm or at the six store locations, where donations of all kinds are always accepted from 9am to 8pm Mondays through Fridays, 9am to 5pm Saturdays, and 10am to 5pm on Sundays.

Detailed Beautiful Purse, exclusively at Goodwill!

This gorgeous purse, like all the treasures on here, was found in a local Goodwill store. It is beautiful and in perfect condition and the beading detail is exquisite.

The photo does not even come close to doing this bag justice, as it is rich in color and the beading is precise and pretty and the handle has such pretty detailing, as well as the clasp.

This bag, selling for just $5, is an incredible bargain and will make everyone talk about your great taste! And you will be the only one with this lovely bag too -- which is a great thing!

Not your average LBD

This black dress is anything but average! We found this incredible black dress with pretty rhinestone detail on one shoulder and this gorgeous purse that matches perfectly!

Our model, Shannon, could go anywhere in this outfit and be the belle of the ball. You can get the dress and purse, along with TONS of other great finds, at the Goodwill DIVA DRESS SALE!

MAY 16, 2010 FROM 10AM -- 4PM AT THE HOLIDAY INN IN ROCKFORD!

Sparkle and Shine!!

Need a pretty accessory for your wedding, a great party, or just a night out? Check out this pretty silver bag, a great accessory for any dress or outfit. This silver purse is in PERFECT shape and very stylish!Like all the items in our DIVA Sale, this purse will make you and your outfit the talk of your event. And no one will know that you paid a Goodwill price for it! That makes you very smart and very socially conscious, as all your purchases from Goodwill fund education, training, and job placement services for people with barriers to employment.

Kiddie Couture

At the DIVA Dress Sale on May 16, we will have

beautiful dresses for ALL divas, big and small.
Here are some of our children's selections, and they

are so cute!

Every girl can be a DIVA, regardless of age, size, or style.

The floral dress is a size 3-6 months and comes with a darling beret, the pretty green dress is a children's size 8, and the beaded white dress is a children's size 6! All in impeccable condition and ready for your little Divas!

All sizes, all styles, all for you at Goodwill's DIVA Dress Sale! You can't miss this!

Blue Steel

This pretty ice blue dress has beautiful beading and draping on the bodice.

It is the perfect dress for the prom, for homecoming,
or that high society party!

Make sure you come to the DIVA Dress Sale
on May 16, 2010 to see this and many more
beautiful dresses!

Green with Envy!

This is a true DIVA purse!

This green bag is so cute and will definitely call attention to anything you wear! It is in impeccable shape (just like all our DIVA SALE treasures) and will truly make everyone around you GREEN with ENVY! And isn't that what every diva wants?

Mission accomplished with this bag! Buy it at our DIVA DRESS SALE on May 16, 2010!

Not your average little black dress!

More Fabulous DIVA dresses, great for any age, any occasion.

At our DIVA Sale on May 16, 2010, we have beautiful dresses
for every one, every size, and every style! Please watch this blog for more wonderful dresses that you can only buy at our DIVA DRESS SALE!

Hope to see you there!

Look like a DIVA, without spending like one!

Please make sure to put this event on your calendar! The DIVA Dress Sale is coming up on May 16, 2010 at the Holiday Inn and you will NOT want to miss this!
Hundreds of incredible perfect to near-perfect quality dresses await you and your friends! Wedding dresses! Cocktail dresses! Anything you need to look and feel like a true diva, without having to spend like one! Don't miss it, and tell all your friends!

Floral and Flirty!

You could be the lucky owner of this dress, looking great and heading to that summer wedding or an evening party. There is only one place you can buy it though, and it is not a pricey boutique. You can get it at the Goodwill DIVA Dress Sale, coming up May 16, 2010 at the Holiday Inn.


Look great, like a sweet diva, in this floral dress, and support a great organization that puts people to work in the communities in which we live!

Lady in Red!

As our DIVA DRESS SALE approaches, I will show you some of the many wonderful and stunningly beautiful dresses you can get at your local Goodwill stores, and at our exclusive ONE DAY DIVA DRESS SALE! The gorgeous and BRAND NEW dress below is just one example!

This red stunner is satin and will make anyone stand out at a wedding, cocktail party, or any event! Follow this blog for many more lovely dresses and information about our DIVA DRESS SALE on May 16, 2010!

Are YOU a DIVA?

Goodwill's DIVA DRESS Sale is coming up! Our first DIVA Dress Sale is on

May 16, 2010

in Rockford at the Holiday Inn!

This sale features gorgeous dresses -- cocktail dresses, wedding gowns, bridesmaid gowns, prom dresses, homecoming dresses, flower girl dresses, shoes, purses, accessories, you name it, we have it! And they are all in great shape or new and very stylish!

More details to come, as well as pictures of some of the great items that will be available for sale! Make sure you save the date!

Cute Shoes, Good Conscience

One of my favorite finds so far!! Really cute, just like new QUPID shoe! I am so excited to wear this shoe during the summer! The wedge is great and the color is different, unlike any shoes I have now. And I love that no one else will have these shoes! The best part is that I am contributing to something more, just by purchasing my shoes. I am helping people work, learn, and live more self sufficiently in the community, the community that I call home. That is a great feeling.

Juicy Couture!!

What a find, what a find, what a find!!! Can't say it enough, because it was SUCH a find!

While shopping at Goodwill on East State Street (Rockford), I spotted a Juicy Couture black dress with ruffled neckline, 3 buttons, great detailed sleeves and in PERFECT condition! And what luck, it was in my size too! (But I probably would have bought it even if it wasn't and figured out a way to wear it)

I wore it two days later to major compliments and am so happy about this find! Oh, and how much did this amazing dress cost? $14.99 --that's it.

Wow! Shop Goodwill, early and often!

Ugly Sweaters Too!

It is way after the holiday season, but this is definitely worth posting. A group of my friends had an Ugly Sweater party for the holidays, and we had a good time finding these sweaters! Here are some of the beauties we found, but let me tell you, it was somewhat hard to find the ugly ones! Goodwill has so many nice clothing options, and not as many "ugly" things. But we did find a few, and Goodwill is preparing to make sure we have ugly sweaters for this type of party next year!




Send me photos of your ugly sweater party, or send me the GREAT finds you get at Goodwill to cgeiger@goodwillni.org! I will post them in future blogs!

High Heels and Helping Others-- Definitely a Good Thing!

Another incredible Goodwill find, as promised! As I was
shopping over the weekend, I came across these gorgeous shoes!

Vera by Vera Wang, beautiful purple peep-toe heels! In pristine condition and so stylish! I absolutely LOVE them! And for $4.99, you really can't lose!


And I know when I am wearing these and getting tons of compliments, I not only got an incredible bargain, but helped contribute to the good of our community at the same time.

Goodwill, GREAT Stuff!

To the right is my most recent shopping find at Goodwill -- a like-new, cute Jessica Simpson purse. I love it and have been carrying it for about a week now and have received tons of compliments on it!

I find great things at Goodwill all the time, which surprises some people. But it shouldn't! Goodwill has great stuff -- fashionable, cute, and in great shape! This is not the Goodwill of old -- our stores are light, bright, clean, and friendly, with incredible clothing and housewares for all ages and styles.

I will keep posting my great finds, and let me know of your great finds at Goodwill stores! Can't wait to see them!

Taxes, Volunteering, and Disney -- All at Goodwill!

Goodwill will be hosting a VITA Site this year. A VITA site is a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Site. This is a place where individuals making $20,000 or less/year and families making less than $45,000/year can come and get their taxes done for FREE! And the taxes are done by people just like you...in fact, they could be done by YOU!

You can volunteer to become a tax preparer or tax site assistant at Goodwill this year! You only need to commit to 30 hours (about 10 of training and then 20 hours volunteering) throughout the ENTIRE tax season (January 30-April 15). You will get training and learn the software and get to really help others this year. You can prepare taxes, or if you are not comfortable preparing taxes, you can help with greeting customers or performing a simple intake.

Why is Goodwill hosting a tax site? Well, a tax return check is the largest paycheck of the year for many people. It allows people to have an opportunity to buy a house, save for holiday, plan a vacation, or just pay bills. And by offering a free tax site, Goodwill ensures that our community members will get the largest refund they can get --no expensive fees for the preparation and no refund anticipation loans that can cost hundreds of dollars in interest.

The tax site is a great place to volunteer, for anyone, with any level of experience! You can choose your own shifts, you can learn new skills, network with other community members, and help others in a truly significant way! What a great way to start your new year.

So if that does not convince you to volunteer for the site, what about Walt Disney World? Goodwill is now partnering with Walt Disney World to offer all our volunteers (who volunteer for at least one day in 2010 at Goodwill) a FREE ticket to a Disney Park! If you are planning a Disney vacation, this could save you some money!

If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up at www.economicprogress.org/volunteer. You just choose the Rockford location for volunteering and the site will direct you throughout the rest.

Please, if you are able to, start the year out right by volunteering your time at Goodwill!!