Two events this Saturday!

We're closing our March workshop series with a bang this Saturday: back by popular demand, "Closet Chaos to Closet Confidence" by Bonnie Kallenberg, our fearless leader, will inspire you to spring clean your stuffed closets and excavate your personal style in the process. Bonnie has probably evaluated more pieces of clothing than any other person in Atlanta, and her workshop will teach you how to get control of your closet with organizational strategies that are easy to implement once you take the plunge...and she's all about getting started! Bonus: she'll also give you a few pointers about successful consigning, which is great since spring (and spring cleaning!) are officially here. This workshop will begin at 9:30am sharp this Saturday, March 24th.

You're invited to a Shredding Event! What better way to show paper who's boss by telling it where to go and how to there? In this case: on a secure Ecoshred truck that will shred your paper on site. Talk about satisfying. Celebrate your victory by safely destroying old documents during this shred event at Finders Keepers Furnishings. The cost is $6 per box (computer-paper sized box), and will be held from 12pm - 2pm this Saturday, March 24th. Learn more about Ecoshred on their official website: www.ecoshredding.com.

Both of these events will be held at Finders Keepers Furnishings:
2753 E. College Avenue in Decatur.

March into spring cleaning with these free organization workshops!

March into Spring Cleaning: Winning the war on paper.

Paper. Stacks of paper. Loose sheets. Wadded up balls. A bundle of week old mail. And where did you stick that really-important-gotta-keep-this-somewhere-safe tax form? If that sounds like you, then stop shuffling through those mounds on your desk and check out the schedule below of FREE organization workshops that will help you show paper who’s boss (it’s you, by the way,) and reclaim your desk for life.

This series of free workshops will be hosted by Finders Keepers Furnishings, located at: 2753 E. College Ave., Decatur GA 30030

Thursday, March 8^th from 1pm-2pm:  Creating an Organized Work Space with Gigi Miller:  In this one hour interactive workshop, attendees will learn how to create and maintain an organized (clutter-free) work space, eliminate paper clutter, set up filing systems, create storage solutions and incorporate organization into their daily routines.

About the Presenter:  Gigi K. Miller is the owner of Vision Organizing, an Atlanta based Professional Organizing and Consulting company that creates customized organizing solutions for home, work, and life that are simple, practical, and easy to maintain. Her motto:  Live simple. Live organized. Live well. For additional information, please visit www.VisionOrganizing.com.

Saturday, March 10^th from 9:30am – 10:30am:  Tax Talk with Jim Connelly of H&R Block: Deductions, audits, and the IRS, oh my! Does tax season make you feel like holing up in the cellar and waiting for the storm to pass? A little know-how will help pave a yellow brick road through your taxes. Jim Connelly, CPA and Master Tax Advisor at H&R Block will discuss schedule A itemized deductions, potential for audit, and what to do if you owe the IRS.

About the presenter: Jim has 9 years tax preparation service and specializes in personal tax returns including: investments, rental homes, retirement income, itemized deductions, and education credits.

Wednesday, March 14^th from 1pm-2pm: “Mail Management” with Renee Kutner:  Ever wish you could nail your mailbox shut so you didn’t have to deal with more paper marching its way through your front door every day? The bad news: the mailman would probably just stick it on your doorstep. The good news: there’s a better (and legal) way to gain control of the never-ending parade of new paper. Learn how to manage your snail-mail during this hour long free workshop.

About the presenter: Renee is the founder of Peace by Piece Organizing. She is also a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers. Learn more about Renee on her website: http://www.peacebypieceorganizing.com/.

Saturday, March 17^th 9:30am-10:30am: Getting Control of Your Household Papers with Jonda Beattie and Diane Quintana. Is the thought of organizing the papers and documents shoved in every drawer and stacked on every surface as daunting as the idea of driving cattle from here to the west coast? Well pull on your boots and giddy on up to this free workshop. Learn how to lasso your daily influx of papers and corral those pesky manuals, warranties, and other important documents. About the presenters:

Jonda has appeared as a consultant on episodes of television shows Buried Alive and Hoarding. She is the founder of Time Space Organization and is a member of NAPO (The National Association of Professional Organizers) and ICD (The Institute for Challenging Disorganization.) Diane is the founder of DNQ Solutions. She specializes in residential and home-office organizing in metropolitan Atlanta and in working with people challenged by chronic disorganization. She is also a member of NAPO, ICD, and the Atlanta Hoarding Task Force.

Saturday, March 24^th from 9:30am – 10:30am: Closet Chaos to Closet Confidence with Bonnie Kallenberg: Take a break, bandage any hard-won paper cuts, and venture to a place that papers dare not go… your wardrobe. Or do you dare not spend more time in your closet than you have to? Your clothes should be a source of inspiration, not frustration Learn how to love your wardrobe at this free workshop with Bonnie, the owner of Finders Keepers Consignment Stores.

About the presenter: With 20+ years of consignment experience under her favorite belt, Bonnie has evaluated a lot (and I mean a lot of clothes.) But did you know she got her start in retail as a buyer for Davidsons Department store? She’s made a living by screening fashion for quality and style since 1982. Learn more about Bonnie on her stores’ website: www.fkconsign.com.

Saturday, March 24th, 12pm - 2pm: You’re invited to a Shredding Event! What better way to show paper who’s boss by telling it where to go and how to there? In this case: on a secure truck bound for one really big shredder. Celebrate your victory by safely destroying old documents during this shred event at Finders Keepers Furnishings. Cost: $6 per box (computer-paper sized boxes please)

Thoughts and notes from Bonnie's Desk

7 years ago I had a minor surgery (it felt major to me) and I return each year for a quick recheck of the site as a preventative measure and every year the same kind and competent nurse named Mary is there to greet me. It always brings me comfort to see her and this year was no exception.  Mary was there with a smile and a wave from down the hall as a different nurse was responsible for me that day but I was happy to see that Mary was STILL there. That kind of loyalty and dedication is rare these days, I guess that’s why it makes such an impression on me.

I have an employee like Mary at Finders Keepers and her name is Patsy Sanders. February marks her 15 year anniversary with the shop and I know so many of you are glad to see her when they come in, even if all she has time for is a smile and a wave. Patsy is one of those true blue, dedicated and loyal employees who weathers passing storms, changing policies, computer updates and all the things that happen at a small business each year, with dignity and grace. Whatever personal hardships she is facing will never be shown in her tone or demeanor, her actions or her words. She always just soldiers on with a smile.

In fact, Patsy soldiered on through breast cancer and did not miss a day of work while receiving chemotherapy. She has been in remission for 12 years now as of last month and the port near her collar bone has finally been removed. So we have much to celebrate with Patsy, 15 years of service at Finders Keepers and 12 years in remission from breast cancer.

So in honor of Patsy, our charitable giving this month will be to the Atlanta Chapter of the American Cancer Society with a designation to breast cancer awareness. Proceeds from our $1 $3 $5 $10 racks will go to this charity in Patsy’s honor and we will have jars at each register for cash donations to this important cause.

We will celebrate with cake and punch on Valentine’s Day so please join us and be sure to congratulate Patsy on her 15 year anniversary with Finders Keepers, but more importantly, on her survival of breast cancer. Please give this month in honor of Patsy so that more women will have the chance to be breast cancer survivors instead of breast cancer statistics.

Always be giving,

Bonnie Kallenberg

What an awesome week!

Hey y’all! Bonnie here. This is an exciting week and I just want to fill you in:

Wednesday at the Small Business Development Center Holiday Brunch in Decatur, Finders Keepers is doing a fashion show using Julie, Ivana and Stephanie. It is a segment on "Fashioncents" and will show these entrepreneurs how to dress for less and look great.

Thursday at noon I will be live on WRFG Community Radio (89.3 FM) to talk with the show host (one of our good customers Meletia) about consignment shopping and ACS. Tune in if you can.

Month of Merry discount for this week is 15% off all handbags and anything leather from 5pm to 9pm this Thursday only at Finders Keepers Fashions.

All for now! I’m off to go get the outfits organized for tomorrow’s fashion show!

Let's hear it for the boys!

We had our first menswear markdown event last Saturday and had a great time! Our Boutique girls switched out the traditional pear champagne twists for beer and fresh fruit for chicken wings - and the menfolk seemed very appreciative of the snacks.

This Saturday's Free Workshop: Creating Curb Appeal

Whether or not your house is on the market, curb appeal can be an unsung source of value for your home. If you are selling your home, it's the first impression for every potential buyer. The rest of their overall opinion of your house is colored by that initial introduction. And while you may not realize it, the way the front of your house speaks to you every time you come home can be a source of serenity or stress. You don't have to wait until you're ready to sell to gift wrap that first impression. Learn how to give your curb appeal a little TLC (or CPR) this Saturday as Vickie Bracewell, an award winning local real-estate agent, shares easy ways to cash in on your curb.

Free Workshop: Closet Chaos to Closet Confidence

Our very own fearless leader Bonnie Kallenberg took a turn on the free-workshop stage earlier this month to teach attendees how to fall in love with the wardrobe again. The first step: Try every. single. thing. that you own on. If it doesn't fit NOW, it doesn't flatter you, or it doesn't make you feel good when you're in it, get it out of your active wardrobe. You pay for your clothing - which means that THEY work for YOU. And if they're not meeting your expectations, they need a pink-slip departure from your closet. Free up room in your wardrobe for clothing that makes you feel like the very best you, and remember that when it comes to clothing, less is more. A lean, mean wardrobe in which you actually ENJOY every piece of clothing that you're choosing from makes getting dressed in the morning simple and fun.

We Got RAD!

Participating in last Saturday's Rail Arts District Studio Cruise Event was awesome!! Local, young artists Meghann Girard and Max Williams enjoyed a huge turnout as thousands of people toured venues throughout Decatur and Avondale. Meghann Girard also organized several local musicians who played sets during the afternoon. Oh yeah, she sang too. Talk about talent! Another cool attraction was the live graffiti demonstration one artist held in our parking lot. Check out a few pictures from the spectacular event:

The Rail Arts District Studio Cruise Event is Saturday!

We're so excited about the upcoming Rail Arts District Studio Cruise. Local artists and musicians will showcase their work and talent at small businesses in Avondale Estates and Decatur this Saturday, February 12th. And we're even more excited that we're going to be a venue for this year's event! One of the girls from our Boutique location - Meghann - will be showing her artwork alongside fellow student Max from 11am to 7pm. Meghann recently completed a very competitive summer intensive art program at NYU. Check out pictures of their artwork and the official promo flier below, as well as: http://www.railartsdistrict.com/ for more information.

Consignment Store Bus Tour This Saturday!

So I went shopping at Home Depot yesterday and couldn't believe my eyes: Home Depot already has her party dress on! Christmas trees, lights, ribbons, ornaments, wreaths, snowmen, and reindeer were everywhere. And then I realized with a start: "I haven't gotten anybody anything yet."

Why am I telling you this? Because this Saturday, from 10am - 5pm, Back By Popular Demand is hosting its own Consignment Store Bus Tour - which means you can be chauffeured around Atlanta on a chartered bus, enjoy a catered buffet lunch, go home with a goody bag, and find gifts for loved ones (and yourself!) from FIVE of Atlanta's fantastic consignment stores. AND bus tour participants will enjoy 20% off their purchases all day long.

All of the sudden this whole holiday shopping madness seems a lot less like work and a lot more like spending a great day with people who love resale shopping just as much as I do... Tickets are $35 a piece, or $70 a pair and are available for purchase online at http://www.bbpdconsignment.com/

RRISA's Threads of Promise and Artists Market

We had a busy Saturday! Finders Keepers Furnishings was host to not only Carrie Fowler's free workshop on down sizing and re-organizing management, but also enjoyed RRISA's Artists Market, including weavers from Threads of Promise. RRISA's Learning Center houses the Threads of Promise weaving co-op, a program that enables refugee women to retain the cultural practice of weaving while simultaneously developing streams of additional income for their families. The Threads of Promise co-op supports community development through engaging members in all aspects of production and sales. We had so much fun with these extraordinary people. I posted pictures below!

p.s.
Our Fashions location also hosted a Bag Sale charity event to raise money for RRISA - and raised $1638! Click here to check out their blog and see pictures from the event. Also, click here to take a peek at our youtube page, which has video clips from the Bag Sale madness, interviews, and more!

Carrie Fowler dishes on space management and organization.

A RRISA artist talks about her products

Stunning and unique artwork

A Day with the Diva - The Thrift Talk Diva!

Barb Tobias made a stop at our store as she tours Georgia promoting her new book: Tossed & Found. Former fashion model, author, life coach, survivor, thrift-a-holic, and a self-describe diva, Barb's message is as down to earth as a pair of jeans and as applicable as sunscreen. If you missed her, you missed one heck of a presentation. Good luck with the rest of your tour, Barb! We hope you'll be back our way some time soon!