Goodwill Really Is Good

Most people think of Goodwill as that place we take our old stuff when we don’t want it anymore. Last week, Ellen Thornhill, Goodwill of Central Virginia’s Communications Manager, gave a presentation entitled “Goodwill: I Had No Idea!” at NAPO Richmond’s chapter meeting. We toured Goodwill’s Midlothian facility this past Monday to see it all in action.


NAPO Richmond at Goodwill’s Midlothian facility

The presentation’s title was fitting — I really had no idea about all of the awesome things Goodwill is doing for our community and the environment. Read below for my top three “I had no idea” facts.

I had no idea fact #1 — Goodwill’s primary role and mission is as a workforce development organization, not a thrift store, that helps people with disadvantages and/or disabilities obtain employment. Their retail centers (stocked with your donations) serve as revenue to support these programs. What’s more, you can feel good about helping your local community by donating to Goodwill. While it’s a nationwide franchise, nearly 100% of the local revenue goes back into local programs — not into a national pot. Learn more about their workforce development services here.

I had no idea fact #2 — Goodwill can resell or recycle a lot more than you think. They package stained or torn clothing and resell it to textile salvage companies. Your old cell phones, computers and other electronics (even the broken ones!) can be refurbished by skilled staff and resold or responsibly recycled through Goodwill’s Reconnect partnership with Dell. Medical equipment is sold through their partnership with the Free Foundation. Instead of tossing it, donate it! You’ll be helping your local community and the environment. Click here for an official list of what you can and cannot donate at Goodwill.

I had no idea fact #3 — In addition to revenue from their retail sales, Goodwill raises money for their workforce development programs through their Business Enterprise services, which includes Goodwill Staffing Solutions and Goodwill Document Destruction (shredding). Businesses can request a quote from Goodwill Document Destruction through Goodwill’s website. Individuals can simply bring their documents to Goodwill’s main facility where for $30, you can get up to 180 lbs of paper shredded (for anything above 180 lbs, it’s only $0.18/lb). Last year, Goodwill recycled over a million pounds of paper through its Document Destruction business and plans to do even more this year.

Every paper grocery bag of donations averages about $27 of revenue for Goodwill. If you were on the fence about spring cleaning, hopefully this post has provided new motivation to let go and give back to the community. Find a Goodwill donation center near you here.

Minimal Clutter. Maximal Life.

It’s official! Minima LLC (aka Minima) is my new professional organizing business. I have gained a wealth of experience over the past two years contracting and training with some of the best organizers in town. Combined with over ten years of space planning and design experience, I’m excited to bring a unique skill set to the organizing industry via Minima.

Why “Minima”? Lots of reasons! I consider myself a minimalist, but don’t expect my clients to be. Minima is a softer, less threatening term than minimalist. No, I will not make you purge all of your cherished possessions! Minima is also a calculus term that references the smallest value on a function curve. (P.S. — I LOVE calculus!) In organizing, I see minima as each client’s desired point on the organization curve. It’s a different place for everyone. Lastly, I enjoy the plurality of the word minima, also meaning “things that are minimal”. Living simply isn’t about one thing, such as your space. It’s a holistic approach to life and I hope to spread my passion beyond a client’s organized home or office.

I’ll be taking new clients starting December 1, but feel free to get in touch before then. I am happy to give a free phone consultation. One of my specialities is resale. If you have a lot of stuff, I may be able to sell it for you to offset (or totally cover) the cost of organizing services. I’m happy to craft a service for just about any budget. An uncluttered life should be achievable by all!

Stay tuned for a website and official logo in the coming weeks. In the meantime, contact me at (804) 482-1554 or kziegler83@gmail.com.

Chop Suey Tuey

This past Friday, I helped one of my organizing clients go through her book collection. We sorted into three stacks:

1. Sell or donate
2. Keep
3. Unsure

Creating the “unsure” pile allowed the process to move fluidly, avoiding hang-ups on tough decisions (a little organizing trick called “shortcutting”). At the end of our sort, she had decided to sell/donate over half of her collection. As part of my service, I took the books over to Chop Suey in Carytown to see what we could sell. They bought about 3/4 of her collection for a grand total of $75! Definitely a nice chunk of change. The remainder of the books were donated to Diversity Thrift.

Chop Suey is a great place to buy or sell used books. The staff is super friendly and the multi-level store is merchandised in a very fun and colorful fashion. I spent about 20 minutes on Friday wandering the stacks and was amazed by the vast selection. Located in the heart of Carytown at 2913 W Cary St, Chop Suey should definitely be Richmond’s first stop for book purchasing. I also love anything involving resale — much better for the environment to buy used instead of new!

New Dress a Day

The task: To make a new fashion piece a day — on a budget of a dollar a day — for an entire year.

Buy! Sell! Craigslist!

So I’ve developed a little side hobby/obsession of selling things for friends, family and clients on Craigslist. It’s just one of the ways I help people get organized. Less clutter, more money. Definitely a win win in my book! Contact me at kziegler83@gmail.com if you’d like to work with me and we can discuss details. Currently on the docket:

Eastpak “Pinnacle” Backpack in Midnight — $15
Eames DCM Metal Frame — $50
Beatrix Potter Miniature Tea Set — $10
Custom-Built Desktop Computer Package — $300
Monster Super Sweep EB-006 Cordless Vacuum — BRAND NEW! — $15
Thane USA M H2O Steam Mop w/ Microfiber Pads — BRAND NEW! — $50
SteamFast SF-140 Steam Mop w/ Microfiber Cloths — BRAND NEW! — $50
HP Photosmart C4180 All-in-One Printer, Scanner, Copier — NEW IN BOX! — $100
IKEA Sultan Mansken Full Size Mattress — $50
HoMedics Back Pleaser Ultra — NEW IN BOX! — $40

Also, please hit me up if you’re interested in purchasing any of the items listed!

Clothing Consignment

It’s almost time to pack up summer clothing and pull out the fall cardigans, scarves, hats, boots... I do love autumn fashion. With each seasonal change, I like to assess my wardrobe and decide which pieces will make the cut for another year. Going through my threads also allows me to see any fashion “gaps” so that I can spend money wisely filling in my wardrobe. For example — rather than purchasing ten new ruffled blouses (which I am apt to do), maybe I instead invest in a pair of black skinny jeans or a nice waist belt to tie together some existing pieces.

In any case, whatever doesn’t make the cut can either be donated or, better yet, consigned. I save consignment for “gently used” clothing, shoes and accessories and tend to donate my more “heavily loved” pieces to Diversity Thrift. Here is my top three list of women’s clothing consignment shops in Richmond. Each shop has a different niche, so read below to find yours. FYI, fall clothing consignment typically begins in August and runs through October when they switch to winter.

1. Clementine



In the heart of Carytown, Clementine offers young, hip women’s clothing, shoes and handbags on consignment along with new hand-picked jewelry and accessories. The shop has a boutique feel to it, and the merchandising is extremely well done. I love the simple use of recycled materials and hand-written tags (adorable). There is no consignor sign-up fee, but they do ask that you make an appointment to bring any items by. Clementine accepts brands such as American Apparel, Anthropologie, Banana Republic, Elevenses, Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Nanette Lepore, Seven and Theory — just to name a few. For those of you who know my style, my items tend to do very well at Clementine. I average about $30 to $50 per season on +/- five items (usually on the lower end of the brand list). It’s nice to have a little extra cash to put towards new clothing, or my social budget.

2. The Butterfly

While I don’t consign with The Butterfly, my organizing colleagues can’t say enough good things about this shop. It’s their top choice for mid-level brands that they consign for their clients. While Clementine has a young and hip focus, The Butterfly stays fashion forward with a more conservative and “grown up” vibe. There is a one-time $15 consignor fee and they work by appointment only. The shop is located in Richmond’s near West End at 5726 Patterson Ave. Contact them at (804) 288-4700 to set up an appointment.

3. Baggio



Located at 9734 Gayton Rd ten minutes from Short Pump, Baggio is Richmond’s premiere designer label consignment shop. Norma Santamaria, Baggio’s owner and a friend of mine, just launched an awesome new website so be sure to click the link above and check it out. The lovely shop feels like a high end boutique that you might find in New York City. They accept brands such as Armani, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Carolina Herrera, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Oscar de la Renta and Prada. There is a $20 annual consignor fee — check the website for other specific consignment policies.

For kid’s clothing, I recommend Kid to Kid. Any items that don’t sell with Clementine usually go to Plato’s Closet. Both of these shops buy rather than consign, so you get immediate cash for any items they accept. No appointments needed. Unfortunately men’s consignment has not caught on in Richmond to my knowledge.

Consignment is super easy and rewarding in my experience — definitely give it a try if you haven’t already! Also, while you’re dropping off your stuff at these shops, be sure to look around. It’s hard for me to leave Clementine without a cute pair of earrings (at the least) and Baggio obviously has an amazing selection of designer threads and accessories. Consignment is not only great for your wallet (usually 1/3 to 1/2 of retail value) but buying used is good for the environment as well!

Reduce. Reuse. ReStore.

(And of course, recycle.)

The Habitat for Humanity’s Restore is a retail outlet that sells used and new building and home improvement supplies at substantially reduced prices. I made a trip over for the first time last week and was very impressed with their selection. Not only is it a great place to buy, it’s also an excellent donation spot for items that may not otherwise find a good home — used paint, old plumbing fixtures, casework, etc. You can also find bathroom vanities, blinds, doors, light fixtures, sinks, toilets, trim, windows and screens, and a bazillion other building parts in the massive warehouse. If you are doing any sort of home renovation, a visit to ReStore is a must!

They have a small thrift store-like section with furniture as well. I saw some nicely priced pieces — a Mid-Century desk and dresser and a sweet farmhouse kitchen table caught my eye.

I love the ReStore’s concept of recycling building materials via bargain resale to the public. It’s a win win for sure! Check out the Richmond location at 1901 Roane St.

At Last!

I finally found the Mid-Century Modern table and chair set that I have been daydreaming about for over a year now! Even better — it was only $400 (with tax) for the whole set, which included six chairs and three leaves for expansion. The furniture is immaculate, which is rare for this period especially with larger pieces like this one. After selling my IKEA dining table and chairs this weekend for $150, my net is only $250. Not bad!


Basswood crates at Goodstuff

The place? Goodstuff Consignments in Forest Hill. Right now the entire store is marked down 40% to 50% to make room for new merchandise (hence my table/chair score). I enjoyed some solid conversation with the owner, Peter Burnet, about photography, art and design. The small store was impressively organized and the basswood crates he was using to display merchandise were great. The idea is so simple (which I love) and they had a really beautiful rhythm in repetition. He purchased the crates from the Mennonites at The Green Dragon in Lancaster, PA. IKEA has a similar product that I am a fan of — the IKEA PS Bintje. Surprisingly expensive for IKEA though.



Best of all, the entire table fit into my car (the chairs, admittedly, were a second trip). I’m telling you, EVERYTHING fits in my car. I once crammed a full-sized mattress in there...

I am currently in the process of reupholstering the chairs and will post pictures once they are finished!

My MCM Obsession Continues

So I think I might have a mild hoarding issue... with Mid-Century furniture (especially chairs). Last year I helped a retired architect reach his goal of moving back home to Seattle. He had tried to move many times in the past, but his anxiety about paring down his Eames / Saarinen / MCM collection stopped him in his tracks every time. He literally had 15 to 20 Eames shell chairs strewn about in his attic (drool). Long story short, I helped him design a decision making process and he was finally able to move. But I can totally see myself with an attic full of Eames chairs 20 years from now. I just can’t help it — the stuff is incredibly beautiful to me.


Similar to my new Eames chair — image snagged from Garage

On that note, it’s even more beautiful when it’s cheap! I had a super lucky thrifting weekend. I found an authentic Eames DCM dining chair for $5 at Diversity Thrift — flawless condition. I am thinking with a price tag of $5, the manager had no idea what it was (the same chair sells for $250 on eBay). Also, I went to the Killer Junk yard sale on Saturday morning and picked up a super cool Mid-Century lounge chair for only $35. All it needed was a good scrub and it looks like new. For a grand total of $40 I have two new pieces I absolutely love! What makes me not a hoarder? I am selling my IKEA chairs that the new ones are replacing. In one, out one!

P.S. — I ran into John Cheski of Free Run Wine Merchants (previous post) at the Killer Junk yard sale. Richmond is a small world. Love it!

3 Steps to an Organized Moved

With the big spring/summer moving season right around the corner (and the tax credit!), you or someone you know is probably preparing for a transition in the near future. Moving can definitely be stressful, but planning ahead will help simplify and de-stress the process. By avoiding last minute panic, you can make it to that summer barbecue or pool party instead of staying in to pack. Follow these three simple steps and suggestions for a successful and organized move!

1. Make a Plan

Start by taking an hour or so to do a walk through of your home, making a list of general categories of items in each room. For example, “linens, craft supplies, toiletries, books, etc”. Don't get overly detailed — keep things simple. After assessing your belongings, determine how far in advance you want to start the process. If you have a lot of free time and very little to pack, a few weeks should be plenty. Conversely, if you have a lot to pack and very little free time, starting two or more months in advance may be ideal. Next, assign a number to each category on your list based on how many days or weeks you have allotted for the project. For example, use numbers “1” through “5” for a five week schedule. Start with the number “1” for essential items that you will need right up until the move date — these are the items you will pack last. From there, assign numbers to your remaining categories based on frequency of use, packing items you rarely access first.

2. Organize and Purge

Now that you have your week by week packing plan, it’s time to take action. While you may not be able to fully organize your belongings until you are moved into your new space, simply sorting and grouping things into logical categories from step one will be helpful — the more you can organize before you move, the easier it will be to get settled into your new home. Plus, packing will be much more efficient and the likelihood of items getting “lost” or broken is lessened. The process of sorting through your belongings is the perfect opportunity to assess items and decide what you may no longer need. Don’t just throw these things out — sell on eBay, Craigslist or at a local consignment shop and donate the rest (see our list of local resources). The money that you make can help with the cost of the move, furnishings for your new home, or any number of other expenses. Furthermore, the less you have to pack, the easier (and cheaper!) the move will be. If the idea of organizing and purging sounds overwhelming, it might be helpful to have an accountability partner to help you stay on track. This person can either be a good friend or family member, or a professional organizer like myself.

3. Pack

Once you have planned, organized and purged, packing should be a snap! Try to keep items together by room or category, and clearly label boxes that are to be unpacked first. Make sure you label the contents of each box in a clear and consistent manner so that it’s easy to find what you need when you unpack. Set up a staging area in your home for packed boxes to be stored out of the way during the process. Use small boxes for heavier items such as books and larger boxes for lighter items like linens. Your local ABC store is a great place to pick up small boxes for free. You may need to purchase larger moving boxes — stores such as Staples, IKEA and The Container Store have an excellent selection of moving products. Don’t forget about the environment as you pack. Use earth friendly products such as biodegradable packing peanuts and paper (not plastic) products such as Greenwrap whenever possible — and remember to recycle those cardboard boxes when you’re done with your move!

Moving is one of my organizing specialties so don’t hesitate to contact me if you need help!

How to Make a Successful Craigslist Sale

I love to purge and I used to donate everything without thinking twice. More recently, I have turned to selling my no longer wanted/needed items for extra cash. Craigslist is my favorite resource for this. I have literally made hundreds of dollars over the past few years. For me it’s a double reward — I am simplifying my lifestyle and making money at the same time. Below are my five steps for a successful sale on Craigslist.

1. Getting Started

Once you have decided to sell something, it’s a good idea to determine a staging area where you can store the item(s) until they are sold. By doing so, you can enjoy your newly simplified surroundings immediately rather than waiting until the sale occurs. I have a very small living space, so I use the trunk of my car as a staging area. The only items I keep in the apartment are large or extremely expensive pieces. Other options include a garage, basement or guest bedroom closet. If you are really cramped for space and the car trunk won’t do, try designating a corner in one room for sale items. Consolidation is key.

Craigslist has categories. You will want to make sure to list your item under the correct category so that your posting reaches the appropriate audience. I have found that some categories sell extremely well on Craigslist, while others sell better elsewhere. There will always be some overlap, but below is my general advice on where to sell what. There are a few categories on Craigslist that I have not worked with yet. Feel free to share your tips if you don’t see them in the list below.

Craigslist — appliances, arts and crafts, bicycles, cell phones, computers and tech, electronics, furniture, household items, materials, tickets

Consignment — antiques, baby and kid stuff, books and magazines, cds/dvds/vhs, clothing and accessories, jewelry, toys and games

eBay — collectibles

2. The Posting

Once you have chosen the category for your item, you must create a clear posting that will attract potential buyers. In the title, be sure to include a full description of what you are selling and any important keywords. For example, rather than posting “Printer” post “Epson Stylus Photo 1280 Ink Jet Printer”. I always start the body of the posting by repeating the title and price first — “I am selling an Epson Stylus Photo 1280 Ink Jet Printer for $150”. Other information to include would be the purchase price or current retail value, the condition of the item, other specs/info (sometimes a link to the manufacturer’s website is appropriate), details of exactly what is included in the sale (printer manual, ink cartridge, original box, etc) and in some cases why you are selling the item. Always clarify that you will accept cash only.

Craigslist has an option to upload images at the bottom of your posting. Including a good image is key. Surprisingly, pictures of most of the items I have sold on Craigslist can be found on the Internet. I always do a Google image search to see if I can find a stock photo of the item. It’s easier than taking pictures and it looks more official to the potential buyer.

To see examples, go to Richmond Craigslist and under search type “Thanks! Kristen”. A list of my current postings will appear. Feel free to copy and paste my format.

3. Pricing

When selling items on Craigslist, I follow consignment shop rules and price between 30% and 50% of the retail value. Regardless of whether or not the item is actually “used” it is technically going to be purchased secondhand. Exceptions to the rule include collectibles and hard to find items which often do better on eBay anyway. I did sell a brand new bike on Craigslist for near full retail value only because it was a special order size and I was saving the buyer the hassle of the order. It never hurts to price high, but if the item doesn’t sell within a month or so, I always recommend bringing down the price. Not sure what the retail value of your item is? As with images, prices can almost always be found on the Internet, especially Amazon. When determining the price, I usually round to the nearest $5 or $10 increment. When people are dealing in cash, you don’t want to be counting change.

4. Repost, Repost, Repost!

Once you have created your posting, it may take awhile to attract the right buyer. I repost every week to make sure my item stays at the top of the list and gets plenty of visibility. It may take a month or more, but almost every item I have posted on Craigslist has eventually sold. As mentioned in Step 3, you may have to lower your initial asking price. Determine an increment of time that you are comfortable leaving the selling price where you started (I recommend a month). After that increment, drop the price by 25% and see if you get more interested buyers. If you are willing, drop the price by an additional 25% after two months. A Minimalist Craigslist secret — repost Thursday night or Friday morning. That seems to be the time frame that Craigslist gets the most traffic. I have literally received inquires within minutes of posting. After you repost, help keep Craigslist uncluttered by deleting your old posting.

5. The Sale

This is the part of the process that freaks out a lot of potential Craigslist users. Selling on Craigslist has never been scary in my experience. Typically I meet the buyer outside of my apartment (during daylight hours) rather than inviting them inside. If you’re more comfortable meeting in a public place, that works as well. Having a friend or family member at home during the transaction is another good safeguard.

I hope this will help all of you would-be Craigslist sellers out there to get started. If you are like most people, there is money to be found in every corner of your home. People will buy anything from a broken cell phone to used pillows to a beat up old chair — as long as the price is right. Just ask yourself, “Would I rather have this item that I haven’t used in several years, or the cash?”