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It’s Wednesday, which means I’m blabbing on about budget beauty stuff over on Beauty Bets. Today I’m sharing my take on a $12 skincare product that has, in just a few short weeks, become a regular part of my get-ready routine. Head on over there and check it out if you have a minute!

xo,

Meghan

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Heads up, all you lucky brides-to-be! Goodwill’s Bridal Showcase is happening this Saturday, and it promises to be a good time. Hunt through 2,000+ dresses, including some vintage and designer gowns, priced at $99 and up. (See some sneak peeks of the gowns, ranging in size from 4-22, here.) Bridesmaid and mother-of-the-bride dresses will be available, too, starting at $39. Seamstresses and cleaning pros will be hanging out, offering tips and alteration advice, and suppliers including florists, photographers and photo booth rental companies will be there too, pimping their services. Dressing rooms are communal, so wear underthings you’ll be comfortable being seen in, unless you’re cool with public nakedness, in which case, go you. The sale’s happening this Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m, over at Goodwill’s main office at 553 Fairview Ave. North in St. Paul. Good luck!

xo,

Meghan

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If you’re looking to get your shop on this weekend, here’s the scoop on some President’s Day sales.

Today through Sunday

Hope Chest for Breast Cancer: Take 30% off all home decor, lamps and artwork at both the Orono and St. Paul locations.

Saturday Only

ARC’s Value Village Thrift Stores: Save 50% on everything except orange- and white-tagged items Saturday only. Stores will open at 9 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

Monday Only

Savers: Take 50% off all used clothing, shoes, accessories and tagged bed and bath items. Sale runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Salvation Army Thrift Stores: This year, the half-off sale at Salvation Army is limited to the downtown Minneapolis location and only applies to the goodies in the Target basement. The store will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Hidden Treasures Thrift Store: This hole-in-the-wall thrift kicks off a week-long bag sale on Monday—fill a bag of winter clothing or outerwear and pay just $5. Hidden Treasures is open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Unique and Valu Thrift Stores: Everything in all five metro-area stores will be half-off! Shops will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Happy shopping!

xo,

Meghan

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Time for a hearty helping of things on the Internet I like…enjoy!

♥ Historically significant nudes…photoshopped!

♥ I couldn’t possibly agree with this writer more. Must read.

♥ How to wear colorful pants when you’re not a size two.

♥ 11 myths of decluttering. Must. Memorize.

♥ Loved this VS. mag editorial featuring the “other” Olsen.

♥ Coral + bright blue = color combo perfection. Annnnd, I think her dress is really cute.

♥ Three more examples of outfit perfection.

Happy Valentine’s Day, sweethearts!

xoxo,

Meghan

{1930s Whiting & Davis purse}

Do you ever come across a fabric or material at the thrift-store and think “What the heck is this?” I sure do. So, in an attempt to get a bit more educated about the vintage I buy (and resell), I thought I’d start up an irregular series that defines and illustrates materials I often see (and wonder about) at the thrifts. Today, let’s talk about metal mesh, also known as duramesh!

Although mesh handbags have been around for ages, it wasn’t until 1909, when A.C. Pratt of Newark, New Jersey invented the mesh-making machine, that these slinky accessories became widely available. When you’re out and about thrifting, look for these three brands: Whiting & Davis, Mandalian Manufacturing and Duramesh. Some Mandalian bags, like the one below, also bear the Lustro-Pearl mark, so keep an eye out for that name too.

After WWII, Duramesh became a major competitor to Whiting & Davis in the mesh purse game. Duramesh focused less on the artwork applied to outside of the bag (popularized in the ’30s), and more on shape and style of the purse itself. Here’s an ad for the brand that ran in the October 1955 issue of Handbag & Accessories, a trade magazine for buyers, inviting them to visit Duramesh showrooms in Chicago, Dallas and L.A.

It’s common to find accessories and jewelry that are made out of duramesh at thrift-strores and estate sales, including…

belts!

necklaces!

cigarette cases!

♥ Denting is common in duramesh purses. Hold the bag at an arm’s length and check the exterior.

♥ Examine the lining, making sure it is free from holes and discoloration. If you’re looking at jewelry, make sure the clasp is in good shape.

♥ Read the label/product details! Lots of Etsy sellers tag items “Duramesh” when it’s really not. (Take this halter top for example.) If you’re looking for vintage duramesh, you need to check the label!

Here’s what a vintage Duramesh label looks like…

Whiting & Davis purses can be identified by their stamp inside a bag’s frame…

or by their tag.

Modern Whiting & Davis labels will look more like this…

♥ To get a feel for judging the era, rarity and resale value of duramesh pieces and styles, window shop online. A quick search for Whiting & Davis on Etsy turns up thousands of goodies to sort through! Since duramesh bags and products have been mass-produced since the early 20th century, it might take a while to get the hang of knowing what’s vintage and what’s not…don’t stress, that’s part of the fun!

CARING FOR VINTAGE DURAMESH!

♥ Once you’ve found a piece you love, avoid contacting it with sharp or abrasive surfaces that might pull, poke or dent the mesh.

♥ Avoid exposing duramesh to hairspray, perfume or alcohol, too. If you do spill your drink on your bag (been there, done that!), wipe it up promptly with a soft cloth.

♥ Buff your bag occasionally with a clean, soft cloth to remove dirt and restore it to its original dazzle. Use a light hand; elbow grease isn’t required when cleaning this delicate material!

Now that we’ve tackled duramesh, I’d love to hear from you. Is there a fabric or material you wonder about when you’re at the thrift store? If so, please drop me a line!

xo,

Meghan

Today over my lunch break , I cruised down the street to BANGbang Salon to meet Soraya, owner of Pin-up Stylings by Soraya Hatfield. After months of exchanging emails, it was such a delight to finally meet her in person! While she whipped my hair into shape, we chatted about everything from thrifting (of course) to the differences between Minneapolis and Kansas City, where she recently relocated from. During our time together, I learned that she’s been doing hair since elementary school, and her natural ability is apparent as soon as you sit in her chair. She busted out these badass (or should I say huge ass?) victory rolls in mere minutes! Don’t they look sweet?

I’m really excited, not to mention honored, to have Soraya be part of tomorrow’s sale.  She’ll be at the shop from 5 to 8 p.m., offering retro hairstyling on a first-come, first-serve basis. Styles are a flat $30 which is a total steal considering the average salon style costs upwards of $60. Plus, you’ll be able to shop our collection of pretty lingerie, nibble on cupcakes from Sweets Bakeshop and sip champagne while you’re there. It’ll be a great way to start to a girl’s night out or a fun way to get prepped for a hot date. We’ll be open until 9 p.m.!

I hope to see y’all there!

xo,

Meghan

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xo,

Meghan

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I’ve gotten a few questions lately about what clean, green, affordable beauty products I’d recommend, so today, over on Beauty Bets, I’m sharing a few good-for-you facial cleansers that I love. And, despite the myths that everything eco-friendly is A. expensive and B. hard to obtain, all of ‘em are priced under $10 and available at your local drugstore, Target or food co-op. Please check it out if you’re so inclined. I hope you all have beautiful Wednesdays!

xo,

Meghan

Last fall (the day before this, to be exact), the ever-lovely Hollie Mae Schultz stopped by Mighty Swell to pull a few things for a test shoot she was styling. It’s fun to see how stylists work the pieces they pull into editorials, and as expected when Hollie’s involved, the resulting spread is simply gorgeous. Here are a few shots featuring High Plains Thrifter merchandise…you can check the story in its entirety here.

Photography, Barbara O’Brien
Fashion Styling & Creative Direction, Hollie Mae Schultz
Hair & Makeup, Kate Erickson
Styling Assistant, Jessica Idso
Model, Kelly, Ignite Models
Photo Assistants, Larry Hunt & Heather Byington
Animal Wrangler, The Animal Connection
Wardrobe provided by Mighty Swell and Rewind Vintage

Many thanks to Hollie Mae for dropping by and finding some sweet pieces to play with!

xo,

Meghan

The pink dressing gown in the middle of the first photo is by far my favorite find of the past week. I have the exact same gown in teal and wear it all the time, as evidenced below.

It’s the most comfortable thing ever.

I’ve also been stocking up on girly artwork and boudoir-type necessities for Friday’s event, including these sweet little floral prints. I’m a sucker for circular frames.

Some other choice finds of the week, not pictured: a white leather fold-over clutch, a men’s short-sleeved button-down that’s covered in tiny red anchors, a sweet set of rocks glasses and a couple nice summer dresses.

Have you been out thrifting lately? Did you find anything brag-worthy?

xo,

Meghan