Joel is ready to go off to college in this great combination of wearable pieces. Let’s face it, you just can’t have too many cool t-shirts at your disposal! This graphic comic book inspired tee from Old Navy in shades of blue was just $3.99. Add to that the plaid shorts that should be a summer staple for any guy of any age. These blue-and-red plaid Standard Cloth shorts were a great bargain at $4.99. Topping it all off is an Abercrombie & Fitch button-down shirt in ever popular pink gingham. Who’s to say guys can’t pull off pink? This great fitting shirt was just $5.99 and can be worn year-round with slacks, jeans, or dress pants too. Button downs are great for use in the summer as a light weight coat or jacket to protect from the sun or even to ward off the chill after sunset. Joel’s own classic white trainers add the finishing touch and just a nod to the preppy collegiate look. Once again, great style is knowing how to combine individual items into statements of style!

Mia is sporting a great late-summer look that consists of just a few choice elements. This look is really about the power behind a great dress. There is no classic a pattern like black-and-white stripes. This tank shift dress from H&M is a summer breeze away from a party—or a day in the city shopping. At $7.99 it has terrific appeal to both the eye and pocketbook! To keep it young and fresh we added a striking white wide-brimmed hat (that’s foldable and packable) that I found at Goodwill for $3.99. It’s playful and a great source of sun protection too! Finishing off this simple and chic outfit are Mia’s own peep toe stacked-heel booties. These booties are all the rage right now and on into next year, too! Take it from me, you just can’t go wrong with a few easy pieces.

Helena is wearing a combination of separates that suggest a funky, bohemian look. For example, the sleeveless top is a perfect way to beat the heat and feel the sun on your skin. This Liz Claiborne blouse had some interesting details and a chic blue-and-green pattern with banding at the bottom. It had a very finished, yet casual look, and for $3.99, it’s a great option instead of a knit top. We paired it with her own black chino slacks and Chuck Taylor tennis shoes—basic pieces that every gal or guy should have! This takes the look to a casual and fun place! The kicker here is the brilliant cuff that was so interesting I thought it was the only accessory she needed! And, was just $2.99! Putting yourself together is easy with a few cool, summery pieces that you might find at your local Goodwill the next time you’re shopping or donating!

Charley shows us how a perfect print and a stylish dress can really take you to memorable summer fashion—instantly! This Soprano brand floral print dress was just $6.99. The deep saturation of the colors in the print itself is why this dress works so well. I always love a dark background floral because it feels a bit more sophisticated and has a greater style impact. This is more “summer fun” than “Little House on the Prairie” for sure! Charley had her favorite flip flops with her when we took these photos, and they’re always a perfect companion to a great summer dress. I added some golden yellow “attitude glasses” to bring a little humor and playfulness to this awesome look. TIP: Go to the dress rack first when hitting one of our well-organized Goodwill stores and see what you can score!

Jennifer dazzles in daytime sequins, and here’s the secret to wearing some sparkle—dressing it down. This vintage sequin top from Royal Feelings is a great example of the type that works for a casual, stylish look like this one. At just $3.99, the t-shirt styling worked perfectly with Jennifer’s own jeans that she brought to the photo shoot. But we couldn’t stop there! We took it to the next level with some awesome bright-colored jeweled bangles ($6.99) and some vintage earrings ($2.99). The roman-style lace up high heels gave the look a glamorous, city-chic style that just radiates! The statement bag is one-of-a-kind! It’s unique and gives us a funky counterpoint to everything else you see here. Let the sequins shine this summer by shopping for your own special piece at Goodwill!

Luke is sporty and ready for playtime in these cool kids’ clothes. The great thing about shopping for your child at Goodwill is that they can participate in the experience right along with you. Let them find items they’d like to wear for school, playtime, or anytime, and you won't have any trouble getting them dressed and out of the house! Luke is an avid sports player, so he brought along his own props to the photo shoot. We supplied the graphic t-shirt from 365 Kids ($2.99) and the red jeans from Crazy 8’s ($2.99). His own favorite pair of sneakers rounded out this summer fun look.

Rachel is our model this month, and at the time of the photo shoot she was just about to have her second child! This month our focus in on blazers, so we did a trendy layered look for this lovely mom that looks fashionable, yet fun. When it comes to clothing, we all know nothing fits like, or feels better, than a great pair of jeans! So here we started by using Rachel’s own dark-wash jeans as a base. From there we added a black, white, and tan print blouse from Lane Bryant which adds some contrast and texture to our bohemian look. Next up is a terrific black blazer with an easy fit that can accommodate her changing figure in just the right ways. This one is a high-quality piece from JH Collectible, and the cut of it worked so well with the lovely blouse! The lengths of both were perfect for allowing us to leave the blouse untucked! Now on to the fun part ... the accessories. A cool, vintage-style medallion necklace draws the eye up and the cool sunglasses, as well as an awesome vintage straw hat help frame her radiant face. Some small drop earrings with pearls and a beaded bracelet are all we needed to complete this daytime look. The tan flats are a wardrobe staple that Rachel brought with her to the shoot. FYI, neutral color shoes such black, nude and brown should always be the backbone of your footwear collection. These colors can be combined effortlessly with almost anything you might wear, so make sure to have a wide variety! Rachel comes across here as comfortable, funky, and above all, happy!

Charley looks like the coolest cat in town in this simple, yet inspired outfit. The recipe for great spring and summer looks is super easy. First, start off with your favorite pair of jeans, leggings, or pants like the denim ones shown here from American Eagle, which came from Charley’s closet. Next, add a vintage button-up women’s blouse in a unique print and coloration. I totally fell in love with this no brand top, which I found for $3.99 at Goodwill. It works perfectly worn over her jeans AND her “go to” flip-flop sandals that she brought to the photo shoot. Just for fun, I let her borrow my blue tinted “attitude” glasses that really helped pull it all together. TIP: Always look for interesting shirts, tops, or blouses when you’re shopping Goodwill, to mix with your favorite casual jeans! Is Charley a rockstar in the making wouldn’t you say?

Julie shows us this month that casual doesn’t have to be boring. I was inspired by her metallic “leather” jacket that she brought along to the photoshoot. We started with a pair of gray leopard-print jeggings (jeans/leggings) from H&M that were $4.99. I felt these cool pants would lend a bit of rock-n-roll to this look. From there I added a black layered-look sweater from Apt. 9 that was just $4.99. Having the two textures in one sweater is an easy style cheat! Julie also happened to have some really great silver tennis shoes in her closet that kept the outfit casual, yet fun. You could also wear some leather boots with this look as well. The over-the-top round mirrored sunglasses are definitely fun sun protection, aren’t they? You simply cannot have too many pairs of shades in my book. They are an essential accessory for making you feel fabulous and fashionable in a flash. Julie is a head turner in the best way possible!

Mia is perfectly styled in this little black dress. A gal just can’t have too many! This bell-sleeved crochet mini dress was a great find. It was new with tags from the Xhilaration brand and priced at a smart $7.99! With a LBD, you can accessorize to your hearts content. Here I used a cameo ribbon choker from a DIY project I did last year. It looks great with the neckline of this dress and adds a certain vintage feel. The designer inspired pumps add a little interest here too, as they make their own statement. These kitten heels are by G Fresh and were priced at $6.99. So, you can see here a simple black dress, plus unique accessories make fantastic fashion, and Goodwill makes it affordable to experiment with your personal style!