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.

first impression: ReSale 101 in Plymouth

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Yesterday, over my lunch break, I took a drive out to visit one of the newest thrift stores on the scene, ReSale 101. The shop, which opened on September 21, is a fund-raising arm of the Plymouth nonprofit, Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners (IOCP). Located  just off of County Road 101 in a brand-new building that also serves as IOCP headquarters, housing a food shelf and employment, housing, community and childcare resources, this shop is definite must visit.


At noon, the place was bustling. Friendly, chatty volunteers were busy putting out new merchandise and accepting donations (a staff of 100 volunteers run the place) and a handful of shoppers were perusing the racks. The overall feel is definitely more upscale than your average Salvation Army or Goodwill; more akin to a consignment shop than a thrift. Clothing was separated intelligently with special sections devoted to men, plus-sizes, teens and to my great delight…vintage.

Now before you start saddling your ponies for Plymouth, let me finish. The selection of clothing was sparse (less than eight pieces all together) and the majority of it I’d classify as too dated to be wearable. (Think high-collared maxi dresses and quilted housecoats.) That said, the overall assortment of antique-y otherthings including house wares, books, prints, knick knacks, et al was respectable. Items seemed to be in really excellent condition and prices ranged from good to reasonable to off-base. It should be said that if you’re into super vintage children’s clothing, there was a lot of it there. All of it in pretty great shape.

The prices overall are reflective of the edited, quality selection. Meaning, they’re definitely on the high side. The vintage clothing started at $10 and ranged on up to $18. Housewares were more sensibly priced as were the modern clothes and accessories. Deals are still to be had, though! Here are a few things I just couldn’t pass up.

A full set of vintage Libbey hostess glassware, in a fetching “Swiss Flowers” pattern.


Another crazy patterned caftan to add to my collection.

A fairly large crewel piece. How adorable is that flock of little puffy sheep?

Not pictured: A ridiculously awesome ’60s cocktail dress that photographs terribly on the hanger. Take my word though…it’s freakin’ sweet. Also, a cute little linked gold belt and a set of four boho-y metal chargers from India.

If you’re interested in checking out this thrift, here’s what you need to know. (Please note their hours are quite funky!)

ReSale 101

Address: 1605 County Road 101 N, Plymouth
Hours: Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 763.489.7500
You can also follow IOCP on zee Twitter.

xo,

Meghan

P.S. Photos in this post were taken on my phone and edited with Best Camera.

clickin’ around, vol. 21

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♥ I’m nursing a small crush on Danish fashion illustrator Christel Marott‘s work as of late. It’d be a happy miracle to find some of her paper dolls on a dusty thrift-store shelf.

♥ I rock a three-bun variation of this hairdo almost every week and net a lot of nice compliments and inquiries when I do. As the video illustrates,  it’s ridiculously easy; perfect for second day dirty hair and hurried mornings.

♥ For all the other stationery nerds out there, a glorious color spectrum of paper! (c/o Design Crush)

♥ I’m determined to stretch my skillz as a baker and make a batch of these. If anything can get my over my fear of using yeast, it’s my love for pumpkin-flavored baked goods.

♥ Transform a dowdy thrift-store skirt in 30 minutes? Yes please!

♥ Holy cow, this shirt.

♥ The first installment of The Beauty Department’s Halloween hair how-tos is pretty awesome.

♥ I guess now that I’m officially a “cat person,” I need cereal bowls with kitties in them, right?

♥ Speaking of critters, how rad is this round-up of animal print pretties? I want them all…the orange camel dress especially.

xo,

Meghan

introducing…tammy crackers

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Meet Tammy Crackers, the newest member of our little fur family. She came home with me just over a week ago and every day since I’ve fallen more and more in love. It’s funny how quickly one can go from “normal girl” to “crazy cat lady.” I knew it was all over on Sunday night, when I caught myself scrolling through picture after picture of her on my phone while waiting for takeout at Matt’s. You know your “crazy cat lady” freak flag’s flying high when you find yourself sitting alone at a bar, drinking a beer, pouring over her photos! She’s just so darn adorable…what am I supposed to do?

I’ll be back soon with some first impressions of the newest thrift store  in town…

xo,

Meghan

recently thrifted, dressing room edition

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Hey lovelies!

I’ve been on a sprucing up kick around my house and I started with my dressing room. Here are a few things I’ve thrifted that have been put to work in this space. I got this solid wood shoe rack at the Salvation Army in Blaine for $2.50 on a half-off day. Originally intended to be  a plant stand, it works perfectly in this space, storing my heels.

This minty Formica table turned vanity has seen better days, but for $10 (plus four chairs) I couldn’t pass it up. The mirrored perfume tray is from the ’50s and was found at an estate sale in Superior for $3. The GE Make-Up Mirror I’ve had for too many years to recall where it’s from or how much I paid for it.

Any Wisconsin girl in her right mind would never pass this baby up…a moo-cow mounted necklace holder, from a Twin Cities estate sale ($1).

I bought house plants a few weeks ago, including these little succulents, and I’m doing my darndest to keep them alive. This Cracker Barrel jar, now a terrarium, was purchased at Salvation Army for $2.99.

How are you putting your thrifted finds to use around your home?

xo,

Meghan

heads up: Waite Park & Audubon Park Neighborhood Garage Sales

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The sun is quickly setting on this garage sale season, a fact that, quite honestly, makes me very sad. Fortunately, the lovely residents of the Waite Park and Audubon Park neighborhoods in Northeast Minneapolis are squeezing in one more community-wide sale this Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Heading up the organizing committee for this event is my friend Rose, a fellow garage sale-ing addict and vintage lover, who was kind enough to share some insider info about the sale.

Me: Rosie! Tell me why folks should get up early on Saturday and come to these sales?
Rose: With more than 40 households participating, there will definitely be fun bargains for everyone. It’s also the last hurrah for garage sale season! Get out and enjoy the crisp weather and start feathering your nests for winter.

Me: What can people expect to find at this year’s sale?
Rose: Vintage clothing, objet d’art (a.k.a. bric-a-brac), housewares, computer stuff, records, mix tapes, art, house plants, perennials, collectibles, clothing for the whole family, horn of plenty, gadgets, widgets, what-nots and why-nots, fact, fiction, tall tales and short stories, tools, treasures to a two-year old and more. Covet-able items of particular interest include a Formica dining table, vintage clothing for men and women,  Heywood Wakefield furniture, antique school desks, an espresso coffee maker, perennials, Mission-style entertainment center.

Me: Sounds awesome! Where can I get a sale directory?
Rose: Directories will be available on Johnson Street at Hazel’s and The Coffeeshop NE, as well as at the Northeast Library, the Eastside Food Co-op and Holy Land. You can also print one from the comfort of your own home. Here’s the link.

Me: Coffee and food make garage sale adventures more fun. Where can I go to get good coffee or brunch?
Rose: If you are heading down Johnson Street, Coffee Shop Northeast is the perfect place to pick up some to-go coffee. Pair it with some donuts from Sarah Jane’s Bakery across the street for the perfect fuel for your early morning shopping. Post-shopping, sit down to a tasty brunch at Hazel’s—I recommend the brisket hash or Ben’s black bean cakes. If you are starting on Central Ave., get your caffeine fix at Diamonds Coffee Shoppe or the Eastside Food Co-op. Enjoy some of the best Thai food in the city at Sen Yai Sen Lek or have an amazing brunch at Chimborazo, an Ecuadorian restaurant. I highly recommend the llapingachos—loveable cheese-filled potato pancakes.

So, there you have it. The perfect Saturday morning agenda. See you there, sweet readers!

xo,

Meghan

P.S. After hitting up the sales, and find yourself still in the mood to thrift, the East Side Thrift Store, the Salvation Army on Central, the Unique on 37th and Hidden Treasures are all nearby. Just in case you were wondering…

labor day sales roundup

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{source}

Hey birdies!

It feels strange wishing anyone a “happy Labor Day weekend,” considering that the holiday is basically the death knell of summer. I intend to completely ignore the fact my calendar says September, and party through this weekend like it’s the middle of June. Part of my “party” agenda, as usual, includes a good amount of thrifting. If you, too, want to take a break from mourning the end of summer and do a little thrifting, Monday’s the day to go. Here’s a to-the-point roundup of super sales, happening around town.

Goodwill
50 percent off blue, green and yellow tags, and 50 percent off all furniture. Stores will be open on Monday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Savers
Take 50 percent off all clothing, shoes, accessories and items tagged “bed & bath.”  Stores will be open bright and early at 7 a.m.all the way until 9 p.m.

Salvation Army Thrift Stores
All clothing will be 50 percent off on Monday, and in-store specials (like 1/2 off all books, etc.) will be announced every hour. Stores open Monday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Arc’s Value Village Thrift Stores
All merchandise (except white & orange-tagged goodies) will be 50 percent off. Sale runs Monday from 9 a.m.- 7 p.m.

Second Début
All apparel will be 25 percent off on Monday. Both the St. Paul and Excelsior stores will be open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Unique
VIP card-holders will get 50 percent off their entire purchase. Stores open at 10 a.m.

Before you go, be sure to check out these pro thrifters’ top tips for surviving super sale days.

Happy shopping!

xo,

Meghan

heads up: there’s a new savers in town

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Exciting news friends!

There’s a brand new Savers store opening in Woodbury next week! And as someone who’s made some pretty big scores at Savers over the years, this news clearly makes my heart pit pat just a little bit faster. Another thing that’s got me jazzed about this store opening in particular? Savers has asked me to style up a little fashion show at their preview shopping party! (Such an honor, right? Especially considering I don’t and never will consider myself a stylist!) I’ve enlisted the help of my no. 1 business partner in crime and together, we’ll be dressing a dozen or so of their employees and a handful of kids that benefit from the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota (this particular Savers nonprofit partner) in some fun, affordable looks for fall. And boy, are we excited.

 I’m also delighted to be able to extend the invitation to the preview event out to all of you, dear hearts! The fun is happening on Tuesday, September 6th, from 6-8 p.m., at the metro area’s newest Savers, located at 8401 Tamarack Road in Woodbury. I would love to see all your beautiful faces there! You have to admit the opportunity to shop a thrift two days before it opens to the public is pretty cool. Plus, if you bring a gently used clothing item, you’ll be entered to win a $100 gift card they’re giving away that night. (Sidenote: If the sound of winning a Savers gift card sounds good to you, I advise to keep an eye on Mighty Swell’s Facebook page over the next day or two…they might have given me some extra somethin’ somethins’ to pass along to one of our lucky followers. I’m just sayin’!)

I’ll be back tomorrow with a round up of Labor Day weekend sales—there are so many good deals to be had it’s nuts!
I hope you all have wonderful evenings…

xo,

Meghan

the beauty thrifter is in…

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{photo from For the Love of Dolly Parton}

If you know me at all, you’re already well aware with my undying love for the beautiful Dolly Parton. Today over on Beauty Bets, I’m sharing one of my favorite summer makeup looks, inspired by her. It’s soft and flirty, and of course, totally achievable with drugstore products. Please do check it out!

xo,

Meghan