giveaway: win this set of vintage styling manuals!

Posted on May 21, 2012 by highplainsthrifter

Morning dolls!

How ’bout we start this week off with a fun giveaway? This gorgeous set of Style Me Vintage books is chock-full of handy tips, tricks and how-tos for creating authentic vintage looks from head to toe. And the winner of the giveaway is going to receive all three!

♥ The makeup manual walks you through creating iconic looks from the 1920s through the ’80s, and uses muses like Marilyn, Madonna, Audrey and Twiggy as guides. The photos are just lovely and the tutorials are clear and easy to follow. I love the bonus section on how to do period manicure styles at home!

♥ The hair guide breaks down styles like ’40s-era Victory rolls, Marilyn’s hot roller set and Brigitte’s classic beehive with step-by-step instructions. There’s even a section on accessorizing your hair with scarves—for cute!

♥ And last but not least, the clothes guide is an educational gem that drops all kinds of knowledge on dating vintage pieces, reading labels and buying for quality. Chapters define what shapes, influences and looks dominated each era, ranging again from the ’20s to the ’80s. Outfit photos that illustrate “informal” and “formal” looks from each decade are supplemented with shopping lists, which I found super helpful for shopping my own closet. I also found the accessorizing guides useful when trying to identify what time period some pieces of thrifted jewelry I own was from.

To enter to win all three books, simply leave a comment on this post telling me who your vintage style icons are. (Bonus entries awarded for tweets!) I’ll choose a winner on Thursday night and alert them before I leave town on Friday.

Best of luck dearies!

xo,

Meghan

beginner’s tips for shopping at mighty swell

Posted on May 5, 2012 by highplainsthrifter

Mighty Swell opens for the weekend in just a couple short hours (10 a.m. to be exact) and as always, I’m really pumped. We have some great new vendors for this sale including Honey Bunny and Spano Vintage—both gals brought in some truly drool-worthy pieces, along with some old reliable standbys like Pink Vintage, Bourbon & Lace and of course, me! Since I’m sure not all of you have visited the shop, I figured today would be a good time to share some tips for Mighty Swell first-timers.

♥ Come early! This is a no brainer really, but if you want to shop the biggest selection, come today, and come in the morning. Besides getting first pick and everything, you’ll also be able to enjoy complimentary coffee and donuts from A Baker’s Wife. We typically get four to five dozen and holy smokes, do they go quick.

♥ On the flip side, if you hate feeling crowded, come later in the day (or tomorrow) when the shop is a bit more cleared out. It may be a bit picked over, but you’ll have plenty of elbow room to take your time going through the racks.

♥ Wear underthings you won’t be embarrassed being seen in. Our dressing room is a group one, and honestly, sometimes it can get pretty packed. And while some ladies don’t mind stripping down to their skivvies in front of strangers (more power to y’all!), if you’re on the shier side, rock some boy shorts or a slip or whatever makes you feel comfortable.

♥ Ask for help if you’re new to shopping for vintage or if you’re looking for something in particular. Rae and I know our inventory pretty well, and adore helping our shoppers find what they’re looking for. We also have tons of back-stock downstairs (and at home), so if you don’t see what you’re looking for, tell us so we can check our inventory!

♥ Bring a friend and make a day of it! There are so many lovely restaurants in our neighborhood including Colassal Cafe (home of the most delicious Brie-apple pancakes and biscuit breakfast sandwiches), Buster’s (great burgers and beer/cider selection) and of course, our next-door neighbors, Chris & Rob’s Chicago Taste Authority, known for their Chicago-style dogs, although I personally love, love, love their thin-crust pizza. Come shop with a friend and then enjoy a meal in the ‘hood!

I hope to see y’all there! For details on sale hours, visit the Facebook event page.

xo,

Meghan

what’s that fabric? duramesh!

Posted on February 13, 2012 by highplainsthrifter

{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!

Other items to look out for include brooches, scarves, bibs and makeup bags.

THRIFTING TIPS!

♥ When thrifting duramesh bags and accessories, check the links over carefully to see that they are all connected and secure. The texture should be smooth—nothing should be poking out or catching.

♥ 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

gettin’ pretty with soraya hatfield

Posted on February 9, 2012 by highplainsthrifter

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

recently thrifted

Posted on February 1, 2012 by highplainsthrifter

Just popping in to share some small finds from the past few weeks…

How precious are these delicate little bow earrings? I can’t recall where I thrifted these, but clearly, I didn’t spend more than 50 cents on them.

I got this deadstock bag at the Burnsville Salvation Army during a yellow tag day, so it cost only $1. (It was from a collection of clothes and accessories Target did with Hamilton Wood Type.) I put it to good use the week after I thrifted it when I was running late and needed to wrap up a belated birthday gift.

On that same trip to the Burnsville Sal Val, I found a vintage sheet set from Stevens Utica, still in its original packaging. (On Etsy, just one used sheet in this pattern sells for around $17!) These I believe will wind up at the store…they’d be great material for a sewing project!

These (blonde) matryoshka dolls are from the Value Village over in Saint Paul. It’s likely that they will wind up in one of Mighty Swell’s grab bags.

Have you been out thrifting lately? Did you find anything wonderful?

xo,

Meghan

recently thrifted

Posted on January 16, 2012 by highplainsthrifter

Did you make any New Year’s resolutions? I have a short little list I’m working on. In addition to the usual (drink more water, etc.), I have a couple thrifting-related goals. Towards the end of last year, I was alarmed at how thrifting, something I enjoyed so much, started to feel like work, now that it actually is, well, my work. I missed the old, pre-reselling days when I simply shopped at thrifts for fun—no pressure, no competitive feelings—just a girl in search of a good old-fashioned bargain or vintage gem. So, my no. 1 resolution, thrifting-wise, is to recapture the joy of the hunt.

With the intention of getting back to that happy place in 2012, I’ve changed both my mindset and a few of my shopping habits. Visiting estate sales on Sundays is one such tweak. I have one firm (FIRM!) day off a week—Sunday—that I spend however I want. And sometimes all I want to do is visit an estate sale! So last Sunday morning, I did. Over the course of the weekend, I could see that the sale had been ravaged—the rooms were all nearly bare, the carpet littered with leaves and debris. With my old mindset, I might have been disappointed by how empty it was, sad over all the finds I missed. But somehow, knowing that I had chosen to be there on my day of leisure set my mind right. I contentedly made my way around each room, digging through boxes, opening drawers, eyes open. It felt like the old days, like progress was being made. And of course, I found some things I’m excited about.

This class photo, featuring the home’s owner (the teacher, pictured in the top left corner), was tossed on a bed with towels and linens. Easily overlooked by others; a gem to me.

I have a horrible habit of leaving a trail of jewelry around my house. In nearly every room sits a bangle, a pair of earrings, a brooch, a necklace or some combination thereof. Meaning, I never pass up the opportunity to pick up a pretty vintage catch-all or box. This one, adorned with cute little forget-me-nots, now sits atop my commode.

A couple vintage hymnals to add to my collection. The one on the right bears an inscription from 1913!

It’s likely that this stunning crewel pillow will end up at shop, not because I don’t love it, but because it doesn’t go with my living room’s color scheme. It has the most gorgeous detail!

I was so happy to find this vintage Salton bun warmer for mama Kate. She complimented mine at a soup swap I hosted last fall, and I’ve been on the hunt for her ever since. P.S. If you ever find one of these at the thrifts, buy it! They’re wonderful, especially in the winter.

Other things I came home with, not pictured: some vintage stationery and postcards, a cool tiny hand-carved cactus knick-knack & a couple more pieces of sheet music. My grand total was $5, but enjoying the fun of the search…well that was simply priceless.

xo,

Meghan

heads up: second debut’s fur sale

Posted on November 18, 2011 by highplainsthrifter

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Just as winter’s icy chill starts to set, Goodwill offshoot Second Début is busting out their impressive collection of fur for a special sales event. According to general manager Kathy Cahlander, the 50+ pieces range in era from the ’50s to the ’90s, and every single one has been inspected and vetted by an expert from Rebnick’s Furs. “The quality control is excellent,” Cahlander promises. “Every piece is pretty fabulous.” Highlighted items include vintage shearling jackets, full-length furs, mink wraps, mink-trimmed swing coats, fur headbands and fox-fur cropped jackets. Prices range from $20 all the way on up to $400. Cahlander advises that shoppers get to the store early, as folks “come from all over” to shop this sale. You can find store hours and location info here.

Happy shopping!

xo,

Meghan

what goes around comes around: mix & match nails

Posted on November 16, 2011 by highplainsthrifter

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I can’t help but roll my eyes a tiny bit when I witness arguments about who started what fashion or beauty trend when or who did it first. If you love, study and shop for vintage like I do, you already know the secret: Nothing’s really ever “new.” In the spirit of celebrating the resurrection and reinterpretation of vintage trends, I thought I’d start calling out examples when I see ‘em. Sounds fun right?

I thought I’d start with a beauty trend I love, the mix and match mani. The gorgeous “stained glass” nails pictured above were photographed by Saul Leiter for the November, 1960 edition of Bazaar. Now, 50 years later, you can barely scroll through a beauty blog without seeing a reference to ombre or mix & match manis. (Ex. one, two & three.)

I guess JT was right.

I’m off to primp for a very overdue lady date with this sassy lass. I can’t wait!

xo,

Meghan

etsy find: the prettiest of slips

Posted on November 15, 2011 by highplainsthrifter

Can we take a break from our regularly scheduled Tuesday night activities to pause and appreciate how beautiful these repurposed vintage slips from Whimsy Time are?

:::pause:::

You’ll want to click the pics to jump to the listings if you’re at all like me and want to buy them all immediately. OK, I guess we can all go back to whatever we were doing. Which in my case, is making potato tacos and listening to reggae records.

xo,

Meghan

sunday funday

Posted on November 14, 2011 by highplainsthrifter

Yesterday I spent the afternoon shooting some pics for a new Mighty Swell vendor, It’s For Nice. Brothers Jason (boyfriend of my lady friend Andrea) and Pat are estate sale geniuses, and the collection of menswear they’ve amassed is really unparalleled. They have so many gems! It was a beautiful afternoon to be out in their sun room, listening to records, taking photos and sipping on Jason’s homemade piña coladas. Sneak peeks from It’s For Nice, and from all our wonderful vendors, will be going up on Facebook soon, but in the meantime…here are a coupla outtakes.