Tag Archives: how to

how to: make crepe paper bunting

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It seems like before any of our Mighty Swell sales, Rae and I are always finishing something up at the 11th hour. Take, for example, this bunting, which Rae whipped up out of leftover crepe paper that was lying around from our sneak peek photo shoot. I’m pretty sure our first customers were walking through the door while Rae was finishing up hanging it! Since we raked in a ton of compliments on it over the course of the weekend, I thought I’d have Rae share the how-to so you can make your own. It’d be a cute addition to any shower, birthday party or backyard barbecue, right?

“What do you do with a lot of extra crepe paper from a photo backdrop? Make a bunting to hang in the windows, of course. This simple decor came together in a snap, and the crepe paper looks lovely when light shines through it.”—Rae

What You’ll Need

♥ Rolls of crepe paper in several complementary colors—we ordered ours through Papermart.
♥ Yarn (we used white)
♥ A stapler and staples
♥ A pair of scissors

How-to

1. Cut a 2-foot long piece of paper off of the roll and fold it in half length-wise. Cut down the fold, so now you have two pieces. Fold both of the pieces in half and lay them on top of each other. Now cut those pieces into 3-inch strips. Since I wasn’t measuring (and was in a hurry) my pieces were quite irregular, but I think this added to the charm of the bunting! Repeat with remaining colors so you have piles of strips in every color.

2. Grab your yarn and stapler and start making magic! Cut a piece of yarn the length you want your bunting to be. Slip a strip over the yarn and staple just under the yarn (this way your buntings can be moved and spaced out. If you want them fixed, staple your folded-over strip right onto the yarn.). Repeat with alternating colors and voila—you’re done!

Many thanks to Rae for walking us through it step-by-easy-step!

xo,

Meghan

P.S. Yesterday was a happy day for Karissah, winner of the Girls Got Rhythm fest ticket giveaway. There’s still time to get your tickets online; a limited number will be available at the door tonight and tomorrow.

how to: make tea tin candles

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I have this horrible tendency to hang on to way too many things, vintage tea tins being one of them. Which is why, in the course of the past week, my kitchen has been transformed into a veritable tea tin candle-making factory. If you, too, find yourself in a last-minute gift-making frenzy, here’s the how-to.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

❤ Miscellaneous vintage tea tins—all of mine were from thrift stores, where you can find them easily, priced anywhere from 25 cents to $2.

❤ Microwavable soy wax—a four-pound box of microwavable soy wax ($10 at Michaels’s with a coupon) flakes made three average-sized tea tin candles.

❤ Wicks of the extra-large variety (tea tins are pretty big in diameter, so you need a fat wick)—also available at Michael’s

❤ Silicone chalk (for the tins that are not water-tight)

❤ Wick holders (optional)

❤ Newspaper (not optional)

 

HOW TO

Step one: Test your tins. Fill your tins with water to see if they leak. If you find some are not water-tight, seal the inside bottom rim, corners and sides with a silicon chalk. Do not be an eager beaver and skip this step! (Unless scraping a counter-full of wax off with an old credit card sounds fun—then by all means, skip away!) Follow chalk dry time instructions before moving on to step two.

Step two: Cover your work space with newspaper. (Again, please learn from my mistakes!) Center your wicks in the middle of your tins, making sure the bottom of the wick is flush with the base of the tin. I prefer to use wick holders to accomplish this. (If you don’t want to buy holders, you can dip the bottom of the wick in melted wax and then stick/center in the bottom of the tin.)

Step three: Melt your wax—fun! I melted four-plus cups at a time in my glass liquid measuring cup. Four cups took about 4-5 minutes to melt entirely, quite a bit longer than the box o’ wax predicted. If you have a thermometer to test the temperature (per package instructions), feel free to do so. I did not and everything worked out just fine.

Step four: Fill your tins on up with wax, but not all the way up, just close to it. Wicks will need adjusting after you pour the wax; this is totally normal. It’s also normal to run out of wax before a tin is full. Just get going on nuking the next batch right away and add it when it’s done.

Step five: Leave your tins alone for 45 minutes to an hour. Go watch a Golden Girls episode,  read a magazine or take pictures of your cat…I’m not one to judge.

Step six: After an hour or so has passed, poke a few holes near the wick, going all the way to the bottom of the tin. This allows air to escape and makes for a more evenly topped candle. Top off your candles with a little more wax.

Step seven: Leave them alone again, this time for a while. In a few hours time…boom. Tea tin candles are ready to go. Cozy on up and enjoy your handiwork.

xo,

Meghan

how to: bake pumpkin bread like tammy wynette

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{c/o country dreaming}

I’ve been thinking about Tammy Wynette a lot lately. Maybe it’s because I changed my work computer’s desktop to this last Friday, or maybe it’s because I’m saying her name 100 times a day, scolding my naughty kitty, her green-eyed namesake. So last week, when I came upon a couple handwritten recipes of hers on the Country Music Hall of Fame’s website (check them out here) I decided her pumpkin bread would be the perfect baking project. Like most of my go-to recipes, it’s pretty simple and pretty delicious.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

♥ 3 1/2 cups self-rising flour
♥ 1 teaspoon nutmeg
♥ 1 teaspoon cinnamon
♥ 4 eggs, lightly beaten
♥ 3 1/2 cups sugar
♥ 2 1/2 cups mashed pumpkin
♥ 1 cup vegetable oil
♥ 1 teaspoon vanilla
♥ 1 cup chopped nuts

HOW TO, ACCORDING TO TAMMY

Mix dry ingredients, blend other ingredients, except nuts. Mix alternately and add nuts. Grease two Bundt pans and fill. Bake approximately 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

Then try to fend off your cat and dog while you enjoy a slice and a glass of milk.

Obviously, I’d recommend baking these babies with Tammy on. I’ve been listening to her “Another Lonely Song” album a lot. Every song is a winner.

xo,

Meghan

how to: care for vintage pyrex

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I love vintage Pyrex. Hardly a day in my life goes by when I don’t use a piece or two from my collection. Right at this minute, a bowl holds ripening nectarines on my kitchen counter and two covered casseroles are keeping a fruit salad and some leftovers fresh in my fridge. In the sink there’s a princess bowl from last night’s post-swimming popcorn snack. They’re adorable little workhorses, they are. Like chocolate lab puppies…what’s not to love? Through my years of thrifting Pyrex, I’ve picked up a few tricks and tips for the proper care of it…tips I’m more than happy to pass along to you!

First, some DON’Ts….

♥ DON’T put your Pyrex pieces in the dishwasher. Just. Don’t.

♥ DON’T clean the colored outside portion of your Pyrex with abrasives or cleansers with bleaching agents (ex. Comet, Bon Ami, some Soft Scrub versions, oven cleaner, etc.). The white insides can handle a tougher clean, but the colored parts cannot.

♥ DON’T stack wet Pyrex. It can stick together in the most terrible fashion and pulling pieces apart can cause a piece (or worse, both!) to break. Sadness will ensue, believe you me.

Some DO’s….

♥ DO buy a can of Bar Keeper’s Friend and a pack of Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. Both are multi-tasking wonder products that are both bound to be your new BFFs in the kitchen.

♥ DO try cleaning your Pyrex in warm, soapy water with a non-abrasive sponge before moving onto any other method.

♥ DO use Bar Keeper’s Friend to get out stains on the inside or non-colored parts of your Pyrex. Sprinkle a bit of the powder on a wet cloth or sponge, then rub it in gently. Let the paste sit for up to a minute before rinsing off with warm water.

♥ DO use a Magic Eraser to safely remove baked-on crud or stains from the colored parts of your Pyrex. Be gentle! Not a lot of elbow grease is necessary.

♥ DO test (in an inconspicuous spot!) any other types of cleaners, chemicals or abrasives before going all out.

♥ DO clean your Pyrex regularly. It’s amazing how much dust and grease and other nasties will find their way to the bottom of your bowls, casseroles, etc. Give pieces that haven’t been used in a while a little soap & water bath.

Curious about the history of Pyrex, the value of collectible vintage pieces or about what a certain pattern is called? Pyrex Love has everything you need and then some!

If you liked this how-to, check out these…how-to get out stains, how-to clean vintage luggage and how-to clean thrifted jewelry.

I hope you all have wonderful days!

xo,

Meghan

DIY day at beauty bets

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Do y’all remember John Frieda’s beach blonde sea salt spray? I rocked that stuff out like crazy in high school! Sadly, the geniuses at JF discontinued it eons ago. (Bring it baaaaack!) Happily, I’m a make-do kinda gal and have been whipping up my own version in my kitchen for ages. It’s ridiculously easy to crank out at home and costs next to nothing. And really, why would you pay more than a few bucks for glorified salt water!? Anyway, you’ll have to hop on over to Beauty Bets today to read my whole how to. I hope you enjoy!

xo!

Meghan

three quick and easy DIYs

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Happy Sunday!

Here’s a trio of pretty, easy, summer-y DIYs that have caught my eye lately…#1 & #3 use easily thrifted materials!

1. Crocheted planter cover (no crochet skills necessary!), c/o Lune Vintage

2. How to weave a flower wreath, c/o Refinery 29

3. Fabric art piece made from scraps, c/o Sunshine and Carousels

 Speaking of DIYs, have you tried out Craft Gawker’s app? I just downloaded it and am having fun browsing handmade projects when I’m away from my computer. Like when I was waiting for what felt like a lifetime for the printer lady at Office Max yesterday…it came in handy.

I hope you’re having wonderful weekends so far!

xo,

Meghan

pro tips for surviving super sale days

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Hitting up the super sale days at thrift stores comes at a price. The odds that the stores will be overrun with fellow bargain hunters are great, and without proper preparation, you might go a little bonkers. (Goodness knows I sometimes do, and I thrift all the freakin’ time.) So, if you’re planning on hitting up any of the 4th of July sales this weekend (here’s my round-up), here are some awesome tips from experienced friends of mine you might helpful.

RAE SAYS…

1. Bring beverages! I start my morning with plenty of coffee and bring along a water bottle. Hydration is important.

2. People get super aggressive on sale days—don’t let rude people bum you out! Be prepared with an arsenal of smiles and “excuse me’s.”

3. If you can avoid a cart, do it. Trying to maneuver your cart through crazy people, stray children and thrift-store employees can be a drag.

4. Focus! This may not be the best day to peruse every section… stick to what you are really looking for and bee line for that area of the store first.

HOLLY SAYS…

1. Know what you are getting yourself into. Think Black Friday openers for the newest toy fad plus people who are even more into deals than the average shopper. This makes for an intense bunch of rabid treasure hunters. As I see it, you have two choices—to embrace the crazy and become one yourself OR attempt to float above it all, untouched by the seething anger that tends to erupt when you find yourself fighting over a treasure with another, less enlightened shopper. If you take the latter route, do some meditation in your car before entering the store.

2. Watch out for small children. Despite store’s best intentions with their loudspeaker reminders that your children must be by you at all times, mega sales at thrift stores tend to be crawling with unattended children. You will feel really bad if you accidentally hit one with your cart, even if it is their fault.

3. Keep an eye out for potential competitors. Thrifting brings together people from all walks of life. Upon entering the store, and during your shopping time, look for people who look like they have similar tastes as you. Hit the sections they aren’t in, before they can get to them Note: this sort of action is fitting if you are taking the “embrace the crazy” mindset described in tip. No. 1.

4. Don’t allow yourself to be blinded by deals. Mega deals tend to warp the brain, causing thrifting judgment to go out the window—when deciding on your final items, resist the tendency to buy whatever you have gotten your paws on and ask yourself if you really, truly want/can’t live without the item in question.

5. Have patience. If you hit up a sale later in the day, chances are items will be rather picked over. The plus side to this is that you can shop in a less intense environment. No matter what, don’t give up—I once unknowningly stumbled upon a 50% off sale at Value Village to be sorely disappointed, that is, until I found one of the most amazing/strangest pieces I have found thrifting—a business casual drunk Mickey Mouse short-sleeved sweatshirt style t-shirt. Had I given up after the first twenty minutes, I would have never found this gem.

ROSE SAYS…

1. Be kind to your fellow thrifters. It can get pretty nutso in there and sometimes the worst of human nature comes out while wrestling for a deal. Just remember that you are all in it together, equally gripped by what I like to call the thrift “fever.” Don’t forget to smile, move your cart out of the way and congratulate someone else on their great find (even if it makes you green with envy).

2. Get there early…or get there late. As with most big sales, the early bird gets the worm. However, there is something to be said for taking it easy, enjoying a leisurely brunch and arriving later in the day once the frenzy has died down. You can browse more thoroughly and calmly. And remember, not everybody is looking for the same things you are and they have probably left some great treasures behind.

3. Hit the road, Jack. The thrift store right down the road is easy pickings for everybody in your hood. If you’ve got the time, pack the cooler and hit the way out-of-the way spots on the edge of town and beyond.

4. Hydrate. Thrifting is a competitive sport after all and summer is in full swing.

JILL SAYS…

1.  Don’t bother with a cart. Make a couple trips out to the car if need be, but a cart is just going to slow you down…and every other shopper too.

2.  Wear light layers (skirt + legging + t-shirt) for quick, easy, and perhaps public try-ons. Comfy shoes are a must. A hands-free purse is also a must.

3.  Relax and have fun. The environment can get a bit tense and over-stimulating. Mentally prepare for the crowds, the unintentional bumps and shoves, the waiting, the dodging, the body heat.

4.  Be polite.  Smile at your fellow-thrifter.  No need to be rude over saving a few bucks.

5.  Watch your stuff!  IF you do choose to take a cart, beware of those around you who might snag an item…or worse —your wallet!

WHAT I SAY…

1. Before I go, I think about the worst-case scenario—packed aisles, screaming children, pushy people, picked-over racks, no good finds. If I’m still psyched to thrift, I’ll go. If, after mulling it over and I’m not up for it, I don’t leave the house. I have gone to crazy sale days when I’m not feeling it and have never, ever, ever had a good time.

2. Unlike some of the gals above, I always grab a cart, because I know there’s a good chance I’m going to load it to the gills. There’s also been plenty of times I’ve almost had my arm fall off from trying to carry an insane amount of clothes without a cart. If you do choose to get a cart, mind that sucker! Don’t leave it in the middle of a crowded aisle to go find your friend, don’t block peoples’ way or hurry them along pushing the cart at their ankles—all of that sh*t is annoying. If you wind up in someone’s way (you will!), smile and politely move. Respect your elders and moms with kids.

3. Pull everything that catches your eye and put in your cart. Even if you don’t plan on buying it, there’s no harm in pushing it around and thinking it over. Sale days are not the time to leave something on the rack you’re on the fence about, unless of course you feel like having your heart broken. Before you check out, go through everything you’ve pulled and sort through it (in an out-of-the-way corner).

4. After I’ve hit up my must-shop sections (vintage, dresses, purses, shoes, housewares, art work) and feel like I’m almost ready to go, I make a round of the entire store, paying attention to the racks near the mirrors and dressing rooms. I can’t tell you how many gems I’ve found in odd places due to people having second thoughts or finding stuff doesn’t fit. Also keep an eye out for staff restocking the racks. In sum, keep your eyes open all the time!

5. My final word of advice: Pushiness is a highly unattractive trait; one that’s exhibited far too frequently on sale days. As someone who literally thrifts for a living, take it from me: There’s not a dress, purse or paint-by-number on earth that’s worth acting undignified over. When you see someone who’s scored big, smile, compliment their finds and go home knowing that your day will come.

A huge thank you to Rae, Lisa, Rose and Jill for sharing your hard-earned pearls of wisdom! I <3 you girls!

Have great holiday weekends all…

xo,

Meghan

how to: DIY frame collage wall

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Rae and I are up to our elbows in all kinds of crafty goodness this week, making pretty stuff for Mighty Swell’s storefront windows. Gathering ideas and inspiration for our displays and then seeing them to fruition (while sticking to a bare bones budget!) is one of our favorite things about owning our own shop. So, I figured I’d start sharing some of our favorite projects and DIYs with y’all here on the blog! Sound good? Cool. Without further ado, here’s Rae on how to make a collage wall with thrifted frames and wrapping paper.

This DIY project served as the background for Mighty Swell’s spring sneak peeks as well as pretty décor behind our checkout table. We got so many compliments and inquiries about them (and even a few offers to buy them off the walls), Meghan asked me to write up a little how-to. I’ve been collecting vintage wrapping papers since who knows when… YEARS. I’ve wrapped many a gift in them, but I still have a lot leftover. This project was the perfect way to use up some remnants and display some of my favorites patterns. Like most of the DIYs we undertake at the store, this project is multi-purpose, affordable, easy to accomplish in a short amount of time and when it’s all said and done, super cute!

-Rae

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

❤ Miscellaneous frames in different sizes. I like to gather as many different shapes, styles and textures of frames as I can. These were all thrifted for 50 cents to $3.00! Think about where your finished pieces will live after you’re done so you can choose frame sizes accordingly.

❤ Spray paint in your favorite color. Ours just happens to be YELLOW!

❤ A variety of vintage wrapping papers. (Vintage fabric would be cute too!)

❤ Hanging hardware, glazier points, needle nose pliers, hammer and nails.

❤ Spare cardboard (optional)

HOW TO

Step one: Prep your frames. Carefully remove all artwork, glass and paper backing, leaving just the naked frames. Hold onto glass, cardboard, mat boards and backing boards as you will use these in the assembly proccess. You may find it necessary to remove nails, staples and other things that are holding the glass in the frames…This is where the pliers comes into play.

Step two: Spray paint! Make sure to do this outside of possible or in a well-ventilated area. Lay down plenty of old newspaper or a drop cloth. Give your can of paint a good shaking, and be sure to get sides and inside of frames while you’re spraying. Pro tip: It’s always tempting to spray on one thick coat and call it a day—resist this urge! Several lighter coats of spray paint will yield a MUCH better final product with fewer unsightly drips and uneven patches. Let the paint dry completely before moving onto step three.


Step three: When your frames are totally dry, start playing with the layout and configuration of your frames. This will help you decide which paper goes into which frame and will result in a perfect collage wall. When you find a layout you like, snap a pic so you can remember what goes where before you start hammering nails into the wall.

Step four: Assemble! This is where those materials you saved in step one will come in handy. To cut your wrapping paper  down to size, trace the backing board that came out of the frames. This will ensure a perfect fit! If there is no backing board, you can trace the glass (very carefully) onto a piece of cardboard and use that. When you have your paper cut, use a glue stick or spray adhesive to mount the paper to the backing boards. This step is crucial in preventing bubbles and other unsightly blemishes in your artwork. Finally, place your new wrapping paper covered boards into the frames and secure. If you removed the securing parts of the frame, you can use glazier points to hold them in. Refer to your pic of the layout you liked and start hanging!

Ta-da! You’re done! Now you have a lovely wall collage to call your own!!

how to: make your own bubble bath

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Researching for yesterday’s Beauty Bets post re: making bubble bath at home, I tried out a couple different methods and recipes. This recipe for foaming vanilla-honey bath, found over at Real Simple, is so easy and delicious I just had to share it here. Spoiler alert: I’m totally giving jars of this stuff out come Christmas time!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

♥ 1 cup light oil (almond, canola or sunflower will do)

♥ 1/2 cup honey

♥ 1/2 cup mild liquid hand or body soap (I used Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Mild Baby Soap, available at Target, Whole Foods and co-ops.)

♥ 1 tablespoon vanilla (preferably organic)

HOW TO

1. In a clean clear container, mix together the liquid soap, oil, honey and vanilla.

TO USE

Pour 1/4 cup or so under running water as you fill the tub. Enjoy!

*This recipe makes enough for about eight baths.

xo,

Meghan

P.S. There’s still time to enter the By Elizabeth Dehn Face Spray giveaway! Leave a comment on this post to be entered—you have until tonight!

guest post: spring vegetable soup

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Hey dearies, happy Monday!

I’m so lucky to have a handful of fabulous guest bloggers popping in throughout the week while I’m getting ready for Mighty Swell. To kick things off, here’s Libby, from one of my favorite daily reads, pinkshirtsandcarwrecks. Her veggie soup recipe is just the thing to get us all back to healthy, seasonal eating after a weekend full of Cadbury eggs and jelly beans. Don’t tell me I’m the only one with a sugar hangover! 

xo, Meghan

Hello everybody! I’m Libby from pinkshirtsandcarwrecks and am honored to help Meghan out while she gears up for Mighty Swell! I thought since spring is teasing us I’d help coax it along by making a fresh spring vegetable soup. Creamy Celery Soup is delicious and delicious, not to mention healthy! My version is adapted from this recipe from Martha Stewart. Here’s how to make it.
1. Wash and chop these vegetables: 1 bag/bunch of celery, a few small red potatoes (peeled), one large red onion, three cloves of garlic and one bunch of white asparagus (chop off bottoms – these are too stringy, even when blended in the soup!).
2. Melt a knob of butter in a large pot/4-quart saucepan over medium heat and add vegetables. Season with salt and pepper and cook until soft. These veggies smell so wonderful cooking! I added asparagus in because it’s in season right now, but you don’t have to if you don’t want. You can add more potato, too, if you like.
3. Add six cups chicken or vegetable stock (or water, but stock makes it more flavorful) to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat back down to medium and simmer (uncovered) until veggies are very tender—fork test them in 20 minutes.
4. Now the fun part! Puree the soup until smooth using your immersion blender (I love this handy kitchen tool! It makes this into a one pot meal. You can pick a cheap immersion blender up at Target—or even Walgreens!—for under $20). Add juice from half a lemon, re-season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. You can also use a regular blender, but you’ll have to work in batches and do more dishes. Read Martha’s recipe for tips on this step if you’re using a stand alone blender.
6. If you still have a few celery leaves they look pretty for garnish. I highly recommend serving this soup with some toasted slices of fresh baked baguette (I broiled them on a cookie sheet in the oven). I like them plain with butter, but you could rub them with a little garlic and olive oil before toasting—they make the best accompaniment to this spring vegetable soup. The whole thing takes less than an hour and it’s a such a treat for lunch or a light dinner or first course. As Julia Child would say, bon appétit!
In addition to her awesome blog, Libby also runs not one, but two Etsy shops, one for her vintage finds and another featuring her handmade creations. Check ‘em out!