Meet Our Latest Discover Goodwill Fashion Makeover Winner…Brittney

One of my favorite parts of our website is our Goodwill makeovers and getting to meet our contest winners and having fun while we shop. Within the first second of meeting our newest winner, I knew this was going to really be a fun evening because Brittney just has that type of personality. She was just so darn happy and bubbly, with a great big smile on her face the entire time. And I was thrilled that Ashley was able to join us because she has such a great eye for fashion. I also appreciate her “youth” when it comes to younger women and what’s current. The three of us hit it off immediately, found some fabulous finds, and had a blast doing so.

Once we announce a makeover winner, we set up a date and location to meet at. We typically spend the first hour of our shopping trip loading up the carts with anything and everything we like. Since Ashley and I rarely know our contest winners, we don’t have a preconceived idea of how they dress or what they usually wear, which gives us the freedom to choose items she might not choose for herself. It’s fun watching someone put something on they would never have tried and seeing their reaction. A lot of times they say, “Wow, I never would have tried this on,” and they love it.

After our baskets are full, we head to the dressing room and start the process of narrowing down the likes, tossing the definite no’s, and taking lots of pictures.

Brittney tried on this Kathy Lee dress first ($7.99,) which went into our “maybe” pile. Usually it takes a few minutes for our models to warm up and get comfortable with me snapping away, which is understandable since we’ve literally just met but Brittney acted like she’d been modeling for years. She was so easy to photograph!

Brittney, who is a veteran of the U.S. Army, traveled a lot while serving our country. Born in Texas, she grew up in Wisconsin, and was stationed in Missouri, Georgia, and North Carolina. Her last duty was at Fort Carson, which is how she ended up here in Colorado Springs.

Brittney absolutely loved this Vera Wang dress ($9.99). I personally think a little black dress is a “must-have” for every woman and at this price, it was a great deal. Brittney later told me her husband really loved the dress on her. She also said she never imagined she’d own a Vera Wang dress so we’re happy, she’s happy.

Maxi dresses are popular this summer and we all agreed this dress looked fabulous on Brittney. She was looking for something she could wear to a barbecue that would be stylish yet comfortable and this was the perfect choice. I loved how she told me, “I could dress it up or dress it down,” which is something I say a lot. I could see her brain working on how she could wear this in multiple ways. (Faded Glory $5.99)

Brittney’s now a stay-at-home mom with 3 children. She has a 4-year-old son and 2-year old twins (1 boy, 1 girl,) so I could appreciate her appreciation for having a couple of hours of focusing on herself and talking to “grown-ups.”

Ashley always adds extra fun to our shopping sprees…think she was giving some “modeling tips” to Brittney, who’s wearing an Enfocus dress priced at $7.99.

Cool story…All three of us were back in the dressing rooms when Ashley said, “I just heard someone say 719Woman over the speaker.” I thought maybe someone was paging me so I went to the register and asked if someone needed me. They very nicely said no (and probably wondered what the heck I was talking about.) I said, “We just heard someone say 719Woman.” Turns out, Discover Goodwill made an ad they play on their in-store radio, promoting my site. I went back to the dressing room and a little while later, we heard the full thing. I admit, I did a little shriek and said, “That’s me!” It was a very pleasant, and appreciated surprise. (I felt like a musician hearing their song on the radio for the first time!) Goofy but true.

Another Enfocus dress that looked so good on Brittney ($9.99,)

Brittney said she loves thrift store shopping and shops at Goodwill often. Living on a budget, she said it’s nice to get amazing and unique things for good prices.

This little Loft summer dress was comfy and the color really popped on Brittney…$5.99.

This French Laundry top ($2.99) was perfect with the shorts Brittney wore while shopping. She said she had other items at home this would look good with too.

We shopped at the Discover Goodwill location at Powers and Constitution and as always, appreciated being able to take over the dressing room with tons of clothes and our photo shoot. The staff is always helpful, friendly and very welcoming. A special thanks to Goodwill employee Ursula, who offered suggestions, found a few pieces she thought we’d like and was extra helpful. She’s helped us before and we really like her!

Another hit…J Crew capris ($3.99) and tie-dye top ($2.79) that went in the “definite” pile.

Brittney later wrote me and said, “I had such a blasty blast with you and Ashley!”

You know, I know that our contest winners appreciate the outfits we find and buy for them but I find, that a lot of them also just appreciate the time spent on them. As women we sometimes put ourselves last, pouring our time and energy into work, family, and everything else. And I personally like showing others how easy it really is to find something fabulous, well-made, in good condition and inexpensive when shopping at Goodwill. And again, I was so happy Ashley was able to join us. She took some time off having a baby so I guess we’ll forgive her time away. (Her son is absolutely adorable and always well-dressed, on a budget of course.)

Brittney, you looked so pretty in the dresses and I’m glad your husband liked them too. The capris and tops looked great on you too. What a fun, bubbly, upbeat woman you are. Ashley and I are so happy we got to meet you, help you find some great buys, and get to know you. And thank you for your service to our country.

Brittney said, “Thank you for the blessing you shared with me.” She was truly appreciative of what we found for her and it always makes us happy to help others.

*We’ll have a July contest starting soon…stay tuned.