Author Archives: highplainsthrifter

About highplainsthrifter

Thrift-store shopper. Lives in & loves South Minneapolis. Blonde. Picture taker. Road trip enthusiast. Likes making things. Proud WI native. Classic rock is my favorite. So are nachos.

heads up: weekend linen sale

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linen1To say I’m linen-obsessed is an understatement if ever there was one. So you can imagine my delight when I heard the downtown-Minneapolis four metro-area Salvation Army stores (downtown, Bloomington, Burnsville and Fridley) are having a 25%-off linen sale tomorrow and Saturday. Unfortunately for us vintage-linen lovers, only fabrics in the new-goods basement will be on sale at the downtown store; at the other three locations, linens both old and new will be discounted. I’m planning on swinging by Friday in hopes of picking up a tablecloth and some napkins to polka dot.

For a list of store locations, hours and contact info, click here.

Happy hunting!

xo,

Meghan

workin’ it: a party fit for a princess

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PrincessPartyFood_photo1

Some times, when I describe what I’m working on for work, it can sounds completely absurd, even to me. For instance, back in March, my life revolved around planning a Princess Birthday party photo shoot (see, I told you, crazy!). It was all-engrossing in the best possible way. I dreamed about princess cakes. Got up at 5 a.m. to dye bamboo fruit skewers pink. Had multiple phone conversations exclusively about tutus. (And loved every minute of it.)

You can find the gorgeous pics from the party here, including insanely adorable cake recipes, easy ideas for party food and heaps of décor and detail inspiration. There’s even a suite of coordinating printables my Mighty Swell partner Rae designed (they are so, so, so cute and totally FREE!). Whether you have a princess in your life to plan a party for, or are just in the mood for a bit of precious, pink, princess-ness, please do check it out.

I, mean, c’mon. This cake! That face! (Love.)

PrincessPartyFoods_photo2_final

Princess Birthday Party Credits
Photographer: Eliesa Johnson
Photo assistant: Sara Montour
Party styling + printables: Rae Alexis
Prop styling + art direction: me!

xoxo,

Meghan

heads up: 100-mile garage sale

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Today was confusing. It started with an emotional airport goodbye. Followed by a trip to Menards for bathroom lighting that ended with me buying two door mats with daisies on them and a three-pound bag of Red Vines. And then, when I took my lunch break, on this first day of MAY, flakes of SNOW pelted me IN THE FACE.

Like I said, weird.

But I’m not letting it get to me. Because May in Minnesota = the start of rummage-sale season, aka my favorite time of the year (second only to Christmas, of course). Topping my list of May sales to hit is the 100-Mile Garage Sale, a three-day bargain-hunting extravaganza that stretches all the way from Winona to Red Wing. Thousands of individuals, businesses and even entire TOWNS clear out their basements, garages and attics to participate in this event. Not sure where to start? Just head down to beautiful bluff country and look for the flags, balloons and signs along Highway 61 on the Minnesota side (35 on the Wisconsin side) and get to spending. Here’s a map to make it easy—click on any of the markers to see more info (hours, addresses, featured goodies, etc.) on specific sales. You can also search the listings here, in case you’re on the hunt for something(s) in particular. Helpful, huh? I can’t wait to check it out!

Are there any big rummage sales you’re looking forward to this spring? Big or small, I’d love to know which ones are on your must-hit list!

xoxo,

Meghan

P.S. Image above is from We Heart It.

recently thrifted

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Hey all, we made it through Monday! High fives all around!

After a winter-imposed thrifting siesta, I’ve finally, just recently, been in the mood to make the rounds. And so, since it’s been a while, I thought I’d share a few finds from this past week

First up, two beauties from Empty the Nest…

vscocam1513and…

dryerAnd then a few random doo-dads from (clockwise from the left) the Salvation Army Family Store on Nicollet, Empty the Nest (yes, again) and the New to You Thriftique on Highway 55, which I visited over my lunch break last week.

option3Of all my buys, I’m most stoked about the hair dryer, with the granny sandals coming in a close 2nd. (Wearing them is like walking on a cuddly little cloud!) Have you thrifted anything recently that’s brought you a bit of comfort, surprise or delight? If so, I’d love to hear!

xoxo,

Meghan

heads up: empty the nest’s music + jewelry sale

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There aren’t many things that can entice me to slog through rush-hour traffic more than I have to (twice a day). But when I got a sale alert on Thursday from Empty the Nest with the subject line “Turn Up the Music, Bring on the Bling,” I kind of had to see what it was about, even if it meant more time on the road.

vscocam1488If you haven’t been, Empty the Nest’s warehouse is a big, two-room, packed labyrinth of stuff, meaning, it takes time to wind your way through. Starting in the front, I worked through the shelves of china, around the game and book section, and back towards the racks and stacks of records, passing by loads of great furniture (highboys, side table sets, ottomans, dining sets, cradles, etc.) and lamps.

vscocam1481   As part of this music-themed event, Empty the Nest put roughly 800 LPs out for sale, priced at $1 a piece. In addition to records, they also have some funky instruments, stereo systems and sheet music, all priced to move. I took home a chunk of records (18, to be exact), but left a lot of great ones behind.

A sampling of what I bought…

records1The other focus of this weekend’s event is costume jewelry, which they had quite a bit of, including clip-on earrings, brooches, necklaces and scarf, sweater and money clips from the ’50s through present-day. From the promo email, I was expecting tons more jewelry to pick through, but I do have a hunch that more stock will be out today and tomorrow. On the plus side, prices on the jewelry were great, with most pieces running around $2.

vscocam1475Open today and tomorrow from 9 to 4 p.m., I would say this is definitely a sale worth checking out. Directions to their showroom, located right off 35W in Burnsville, are here. While you’re in the area, here are some other thrifts you might want to check out.

I hope you have lovely weekends!

xo,

Meghan

not your typical tuesday

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lynnandersonDisagree all you want, but I believe that spring break is a state of mind. And today, on this random Tuesday, as flurries and freezing rain fall outside my window, I’m taking a mini break to go see a singer I love, Lynn Anderson. My friend hooked me up with a pair of tickets ages ago (thanks Meg!), and while I certainly wish it was little more spring-like outside, I’m not letting any sleet-storm silliness dampen my enthusiasm for seeing this legend! Unfamiliar with Miss Anderson? Let’s fix that! Here are a few performances from the ’60s you might enjoy.

After the show, I’m hoping to fit in a bunch of thrifting, making this an all-around wonderful day. Here’s hoping yours is just as magical!

xo,

Meghan

P.S. Album cover artwork featured above was sourced from the eye-candy filled blog, Country Covers.

up for adoption: my little stray love

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joanieIf you follow me on Instagram, you know that last week, I found the sweetest baby kitty roaming around my veggie garden. Unable to take her in, I brought her to Vicki, a volunteer with Feline Rescue, a St. Paul-based no-kill organization, devoted to helping stray, abandoned and abused kitties. In just a week’s time, Vicki’s had our little four-month-old girl spiffed up at the vet and spayed, making her ready for adoption!

If you are interested in meeting this affectionate little baby, she’s available for meet ‘n’ greets at the Southside Farm Store, with an adoption fee of $125 (all proceeds go to Feline Rescue). I’d keep her in a heartbeat if I could, but I’m sure she’ll find a good home in no time…maybe even with one of you?

xoxo,

Meghan

clickin’ around: vol. 41

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I Don't Care About Your Diet Print - Hand-Illustrated

♥ I am so totally buying this print to hang up in my office, available via this fantabulous Etsy shop.

♥ My hon and I have been on a big “Three’s Company” kick lately, so this article, featuring the show’s lost pilot episode caught my attention. Can you imagine that show with a different theme song? Or worse yet, minus Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt?!

♥ Last week, I had the pleasure of working with Sara Montour on a photo shoot and had to track down her blog the very next day. Such a talented young thing, and so nice to boot!

♥ How to hide awkward bangs with a vintage curl: Totally bookmarking this for the next time I can’t squeeze in a bang trim (or botch them at home myself!).

♥ Another motivating post by my friend Sarah of Yes & Yes, this time on the topic of money-saving and happiness.

♥ Anyone who treasures vintage will appreciate Marianne’s post on the ’50s dress that started it all. I know the exact item that started my obsession—a pair of beaten-up Levi bell-bottoms my neighbor Sheila Brand loaned me when I was probably 11 or 12. They felt like butter and fit like a glove!

♥ “Serendipitous poetry” generated at random from New York Times’ feature stories. Unexpectedly brilliant!

♥ Some interesting words of wisdom on what to wear to work.

♥ And last but not least, three recipes I pinned, made and loved last month:
Baked Banana Blueberry Oatmeal; Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Golden Raisins, Candied Almonds and Harissa Dressing and Smoky Tomato Soup with Spinach and Olives.

xoxo,

Meghan

recently thrifted

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baldwinfindsAs promised, here are my favorite finds from Treasures of the Heart, clockwise from top: Impeccable vintage linens, including these hand-embroidered pieces; old lady cookbooks for my collection; a vintage one-piece for a baby boy; work-appropriate jewelry and a lovely silk scarf and last but not least, a “Marvelous Minnesota” souvenir scarf I think I might frame. (Finds not pictured: a gorgeous mink-trimmed swing coat and a couple leather purses.)

Have you hit any new-to-you thrifts lately? I’d love to hear about your finds!

xo,

Meghan

store review: treasures from the heart

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baldwinthriftJust over the Minnesota-Wisonson border in the sleepy town of Baldwin, Wisconsin, lies one gem of a thrift. Divided into two separate storefronts across the street from each other, one for clothing and accessories and the other for furniture, home decor and the like, “Treasures From the Heart,” is definitely worth the drive.

WHAT’S GOOD

♥ Linens: Holy smokes…where to start? Well for one, this place has vintage doilies coming out of its ears. And the prices on all the soft goods are great. Like $1 doilies, $2-5 for mint vintage tablecloths, $4 for sets of linen napkin/place mats, $5 for aprons, great.

♥ Vintage patterns: For the readers who’ve emailed me regarding what thrifts are best for sourcing vintage clothing patterns, I feel obligated to tell you this thrift has a slew. This is the pack that first caught my eye, but once I started digging, I found a ton more, including circle skirts, wedding dresses, etc., etc.

♥ Romance novels: No seriously! If retro rom-drams float your boat, this store has racks and racks and racks of paperbacks.

photo(65)WHAT’S MEH

♥ Vintage clothes: While the clothing store does have a dedicated vintage section, it’s pretty slim pickin’s.

In a nutshell…

Selection/Variety:  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Quality: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Pricing: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Organization: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Customer service: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Where does money raised at this store go? To support ADORAY Home Health and Hospice, an organization devoted to providing comfort at home to the acutely, chronically or terminally ill.

Do they take credit cards? Yes!

Are they on Facebook? Oh yeah.

Do they accept donations? Yep, and if you’re in the area, they’ll even schedule a pick-up.

Pro tip: Start a punch card! For every $100 you spend, you’ll get $10 back in in-store credit.

Where it is: 868 Main Street & 815 Main Street; Baldwin, Wisconsin

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday

Contact: 715.684.2542 or 715.684.2545; adoray.org/treasures.htm

Tune in tomorrow to see what I found on my recent visit to this thrift!

xoxo,

Meghan