Spring Cleaning

We all know the importance of cleaning out our closets on a regular basis, but I know so many women who avoid it completely because of the anxiety that goes along with it.  I try to go through mine at the start of each new season and evaluate pieces I’m no longer wearing, that don’t fit well or are worn out.  It can feel daunting at first because it’s such an overwhelming task, and I always have an irrational fear of getting rid of too many things and not having enough pieces left to wear.

But last year, something in me changed…like a switch had been flipped…and I began to view the process much differently.  I walked into my closet one day and looked at all the things I had hanging up that I rarely reached for and it just suddenly felt so wasteful to me.  So, I began a massive purge, and anything that didn’t make me feel fabulous or excited about getting dressed got tossed in a bag.  At the end of the afternoon, I had considerably more space in my closet and what was left was a wardrobe that I was thrilled with.  Now when I pull something off the rack, I immediately know that it fits, that it’s in good shape and that I love it!

Because of what this experience did for me, I’m eager to keep the momentum going and continue this ritual with the changing of each new season.  So, naturally, I was thrilled when Goodwill Industries International reached out to me to partner on a great campaign that involves donating clothes, giving back and saving (some of my favorite things)!  Twice a year, Goodwill® partners with The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. to host a huge sale where shoppers receive exclusive coupons in exchange for their donations.  The sale has already begun and it goes through March 24th at all Bon-Ton, Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson’s, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s, and Younkers stores.

All you have to do is head to your nearest location and bring along any items you’d like to donate to your local Goodwill®.  For every item donated, you’ll receive three 30% off coupons that can be used towards your in-store purchase (even on sale & clearance items).  What I love about donating to Goodwill® is knowing that with every bag I drop off, I’m helping to create jobs for people in my own community.  Did you know that in 2016, local Goodwill® organizations placed 313,000 in jobs?!  You can read more about their mission here.

I took a trip to my local Bon-Ton to donate two full bags of clothes I’d cleaned out from my closet in exchange for coupons to shop.  Then I browsed through the racks to put together a head to toe spring look, which was hard to do because there were so many great pieces to choose from!

I had picked out a few floral dresses, but when I came across this gingham trench, it was love at first sight.  This is such a fun statement piece and I love the tie detail on the sleeves!  I layered this pretty lace embroidered top underneath to give it a feminine feel and added a pop of color with some block-heel sandals.

What I’m wearing:
c/o French Connection Gingham Trench, c/o AGB Lace Top, c/o Democracy Jeans,
c/o Calvin Klein Sandals (similar), c/o Canvas Jewelry Earrings

Why not take some time this week or weekend and do a closet clean-out?  If you need some help getting started, read more of my tips and tricks for tackling it here.  I can promise you that it’s well worth the effort to have a streamlined wardrobe that you love.  And, once you’re done, be sure to take any clothes you don’t want to your nearest Bon-Ton and get coupons to shop for some fun new pieces to fill in any gaps in your closet.  It’s the perfect way to get your spring cleaning done and save on new purchases all at once!

Thank you to Goodwill Industries International for kindly sponsoring this post.
All opinions are 100% honest and all Bon-Ton items were hand-selected by me.