Lei Ann...Off Duty

*goodwill south boston store grand reopening*

if you’ve read my blog for any length of time, you’ve come to find that i’m a big goodwill fan.  not just of shopping their stores to find that *one* (or 2 or 10) unique item(s), but also of their mission statement of helping individuals achieve independence & dignity through work.  

i attended the grand reopening of their renovated south boston store yesterday (thanks again, melissa, for the invitation!) & was impressed with the bright look, spacious layout & the new goodwill branding, even though i’ve never been to the store before.  you could tell by the response of the staff there, they were very proud of their like-new space.  even the president & CEO of goodwill, joanne hilferty, was there & gave a very passionate & enthusiastic speech about the work that goodwill does.  see that book she’s holding?  it’s the south boston’s business ledger from 1922…yes 1922!…that described the store’s operating costs was $50 a day. incredible!  what history goodwill has in the boston area!

after the ribbon cutting & chatting with the directors & staff members, it was time to shop!  even though i’ve been feeling all shopped out lately, i can never resist treasure hunting at goodwill!  i was thoroughly impressed with the shelf displays, especially with the housewares.  tell me that you wouldn’t think any of these items were from home goods or pier one?  had i any room in my house, i would have *definitely* taken home those blue & white ginger jars!  

all in in all, it was a great time as usual with goodwill & blogger friends.  of course, i discovered a few special clothing & jewelry items that i can’t wait to wear.  i even found friend & founder of bow & drape, aubrie’s, BCBG coat which had fallen between the racks that i *almost* bought!  whew…close call!   

disclaimer:  i was given a very generous 50% shopping discount by goodwill but the heartfelt opinions are 100% my own ^_^

*boston blogger night & shopping party at goodwill boston*

last thursday night found me back at the goodwill headquarters in downtown boston at the kind invitation of fellow blogger friend & *newest* addition to the boston globe as their new DIY BOSTON contributor…melissa!  congratulations sweetie!

i attended goodwill’s first blogger day back in may & was all to happy to return for their fall event with some new & familiar faces.  i can never resist a chance to shop at the HUGE store down on harrison avenue & scored a ton of great finds!  in fact, it was one of those moments where i actually had to haul around one of the goodwill shopping carts while i shopped…my treasures were getting so heavy in my arms!  BTW, that christian audigier double panther hoodie above almost almost made it into my cart, but then i came to my senses…bwahaha!

the rest of the night was spent eating pizza, chatting with everyone including the goodwill team members & once again touring the warehouse…concluding with group photos at the famed ‘wall of baled clothes.’  since i had already experienced the “behind the scenes,” it was cool to hear the new girls who had never been ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ over the expansive space & what it takes to get those donations out to their respective stores all across the new england area.  

goodwill really is a great nonprofit with such a positive mission statement & their message (which speaks to me personally) of reuse & recycle.  by donating your unused items to them, you are helping them turn that into revenue which in turn runs their employment training & community support services.  it’s the easiest way to contribute!  if you want to do more, there are also volunteer opportunities.  truly though, the best way to help out your local goodwill is by SHOPPING there!  so hard right?  goodwill has even provided you with a 25% off coupon…like you really need an excuse as goodwill prices are the hardest to beat!  the discount is good until nov. 30th, so get to your nearby goodwill, shop & support this amazing organization :)

photo credit: group photo via goodwill boston’s FB page & all other photos, via moi :)

i’m usually not one to *gripe* about my life as compared to a lot of what’s going on in the world, i have NOOOTHING to complain about however i had the crappiest friday i can remember in a long time.

point #1: i pretty much check my online banking account every few days. i forgot about 2 stupid charges that sent my balance into negative, so i got hit with not one, but TWO overdraft charges. fuck me & fuck that $70 bye-bye :(

point #2: i went to get my hair colored & the salon i usually go to (which i actually hadn’t been to in months since i last got my hair done in the philippines) & color me *shocked* to be faced with an empty storefront & a “for lease” sign up. FML yet again. i’m going to NYC next week & this was the day i had allotted the time to sit for the couple of hours to get my hair did. in desperation, i even called the mall salon to see if they could take me. no, not for a few hours. *sigh*

so, i did the only thing i could. i went to the thrift store next to my former salon that had been my routine for years. get hair done…go thrifting. i drove all that way anyway…can’t just turn back & go home :( so the *only* good thing about that shitty day was the jewelry i found! they NEVER have good jewelry in the case, but BAMMM! look at the awesome house of harlow-eseque necklace, mother of pearl & peacock earrings in the same color palette. then the goldtone hardware with 2 massive necklaces & a brooch! the best part…earrings & brooch $3 each & the necklaces $6 each. thank heavens for cheap vintage jewelry & the only good thing to happen to me that day!