retro read: “interior decoration a to z” by betty pepis

Posted on January 13, 2014 by highplainsthrifter

When my weekends are full of chores, social dates and freelance deadlines (as this past one was), I find myself taking mini-breaks to soak in a few pages of a book that’s 100% eye-candy. Yesterday, I escaped with my borderline-tattered copy of Betty Pepis’ Interior Decoration A to Z, first published in 1965.

For those of you unfamiliar with the legacy of designer/editor/columnist Ms. Pepis, this post over on Midcentry Living covers her background better than my (exhausted) brain currently could. (One new-to-me tidbit I gleaned? Mad Men‘s set designer credits Pepis for inspiring the look of Don’s season 5 and beyond apartment, which explains a lot.) Pepis’ eye is impeccable, with a sublime gift for mixing color, texture and memorable details.

And last night, I realized how little of her work is available to absorb on ol’ Internet! So, in case you don’t have her tome handy, I scanned in a whole slew of scenes to share with you here.

If you like these photos from Interior Decoration A to Z, keep an eye out for Pepis’ other books at thrift stores or book sales: Books in Your Home, Be Your Own Decorator, The Personal Touch in Interior Decorating and Betty Pepis’ Guide to Interior Decoration.

xoxo,

Meghan

beauty school sunday: hair doughnuts done right

Posted on January 5, 2014 by highplainsthrifter

I test out a lot of great beauty products for my freelance gigs, and goodness knows, I’m never going to complain about that. But my busting-at-the-gut, linen-turned-beauty-product closet? That’s definitely worth a gripe or two. I’ve gotten to the point that when it comes to my stash, if it’s going to take up more than a square inch, it better do as Britney says and work.

One item that’s been gathering dust happens to be a hair doughnut I got for $5 10 months ago that’s been used, oh, about zero times. I’ve given it a try a time or two, but every outcome is this this overly polished, 8th-grader-by-day, ballerina-at-night, twee-type of situation. (Like of like this.) Definitely not the Françoise Dorléac vibe, pictured at top, I aspire to. So, I decided to dig up some looks that are more up my alley.

Photos c/o: unknown // Washega Valley Farm // unknown

The majority of examples I was drawn to places the doughnut at the back of the head, versus plopped awkwardly on top. They’re a little retro and a little messy, just like I like ’em.

Photos c/o: Ruffled // Amateur Couture // Best Hair // Latest Hairstyles

The tutorial below, from Strawberry Koi, is more polished than what I typically go for, but it’s so elegant, right?

Armed with a few (less prissy) examples, I’m resolving to make that dang doughnut work in the next week, no excuses. If you have any good ideas for me, please do leave a comment! And tell me, are there any items in your beauty stash on the chopping block in 2014? Use it or lose it, is what I say!

xoxo,

Meghan

clickin’ around: vol. 46

Posted on January 2, 2014 by highplainsthrifter

♥ This inner dialogue re: cookies and feminism hit home. Have any of you ladies had this conversation with yourself?

♥ Speaking of cooking, I’ve been all-aboard the taco train lately. Thanks to this recipe, beef tacos and pickles is my new favorite-favorite.

♥ Holy cow, this woman has balls. An inspiration career-wise, to be sure.

♥ Did you see The New York Times named Goodwill as a top fashion and style trendsetter in 2013? Go Goodwill!

♥ Proof that every country song was the same in 2013. A (sickening) must-watch.

♥ BB cream for your body? Thanks, but no thanks.

♥ Finally, reader Tonky sent me a one-minute documentary he co-directed, titled “Sweater Bender,” centered on one man’s love for thrifted sweaters, filmed in my beautiful home state of Wisconsin. Take a minute and give it a watch!

xoxo,

Meghan

Photo c/o: Living in a Retro World

my year in music

Posted on December 31, 2013 by highplainsthrifter

There are a million ways to measure success. One of mine, for example, relates to the number of ticket stubs added to a dresser drawer. This year, I had the good fortune of taking in a lot of music, and in the process, racking up loads of memories with my main squeeze and paper mementos to add to the drawer. Here are a few highlights.

January: Prince at the Dakota. An absolutely unforgettable night. The runner-up? A masterful and marvelous Martha Reeves.

February: Eric Burdon at the Medina Entertainment Center. My favorite show of the entire year, without a doubt. (PSA: He’s coming back in February and, last I checked, tickets are still available!)

April: I went to see Fleetwood Mac, Toots and Lynn Anderson this month, but Johnny Rivers at Treasure Island wins out as the most memorable of them all. (No offense, Stevie.)

May: Road-tripping with friends to the Surf Ballroom to see Willie play (and meeting Paul English before the show) was a definite highlight of the year, despite my bitch-face below. Runner-up: Front-row seats to see my queen, Loretta Lynn.

June: Happening upon Dale Watson at The Continental Club stands out as the highlight of June. What a dreamboat.

July: Braving the drizzle to take in Brian Wilson and Al Jardine at the Minnesota Zoo. Honored to be in the general vicinity of such a genius.

August: Driving up to St. Cloud to see Bobby Bare at Rollie’s the day after returning home from our summer road trip. Tiring, but worth it 100-percent.

October: Savoring fall weather and tons of delicious beer at Indeed’s Hullabaloo. I truly enjoyed all of the acts, but Sonny Knight and the Lakers was by far my favorite. Love this man, and his band, like a lot.

November: Going to see Allen Toussaint for the second time was also pretty special. Below’s a video of him playing piano on “Working in a Coal Mine,” a song he wrote, with vocal support from Irma Thomas and Dolly Parton (seen both of those gals too!) and Dr. John. Too funny not to share.

December: Last but certainly not least, I’ve been loving watching my honey get back to playing music, including a show at Palmer’s earlier this month. He’s the best, and I can’t wait to keep being his no. 1 fan in 2014.

What music made your most-memorable list in 2013? Any acts I should keep my eyes open for?

xoxo,

Meghan

craft-swap conundrum

Posted on December 13, 2013 by highplainsthrifter

You guys, I’m in the midst of a Christmas crisis! My dear friend Rae’s Handmade Holiday Swap is four days away, and in typical “don’t worry about it Meghan, you’ve got plenty of time” fashion, I’ve put off picking what to make! I’ve been noodling on it all week though, combing my craft and cook book collection, earmarking posts on my favorite blogs and even braving the ever-overwhelming Pinterest. Swap rules stipulate that gifts need to be shelf-stable and relatively small, but other than that, anything goes. (Last year, for reference, I swapped this yummy pineapple jam.) I think I’ve narrowed it down (a little), thank heavens, and here are a few of the ideas that are in the running.

Top : DIY Hand-Painted Spoons via Ziploc’s Inspired Holiday Series featuring ideas from Jojotastic
Middle: Album Cover Journals; Key Fobs; Christmas-in-a-Jar Simmer Scents; Embroidery Hoop Ornaments; DIY Leather Hair Ties
Bottom: DIY Stationery Sets; Gingerbread Scrubs; Mexican Hot Chocolate Mixes (packaged with a little bottle of tequila?); DIY Popcorn Seasoning Sets; Coconut Curry Caramel Corn

Are you guys DIY-ing instead (or in addition, more realistically) than buying this year? I’d love to hear what holiday crafts you’re making and giving! I’ll keep you posted regarding what I go with to make and swap…if I ever make a decision, that is.

Wishing you the most wonderful of weekends!

xo,

Meghan

Top photo: source unknown

social circuit: dec. 6-8

Posted on December 6, 2013 by highplainsthrifter

FRIDAY // Get Nailed at b. Resale // 6-9 p.m. // 2613 Nicollet Ave. S. // Minneapolis
Grab your girls and buzz over to b. Resale tonight to get your party-nail on with freelance artist KNZ. $3 will get you a super-cute accent nail or charm (sample mani pics here), but browsing b.’s stellar second-hand stash is 100% free. RSVP here to secure a spot!

SATURDAY // Antique Appraisals at Hope Chest for Breast Cancer // 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. // 3850 Shoreline Dr. // Wayzata
Ever thrift something super old and wonder how much it’s really worth? Industry vet Mike Kranz from Midtown Antiques will be offering up appraisals for $5 a pop tomorrow at Hope Chest, with proceeds going to a breast-cancer patient in need. (Please bring photos of larger items like furniture, etc.)

SUNDAY // Ship & Shape’s Holiday Pop-up at Mille // 12-5 p.m. // 316 W. 48th St. // Minneapolis
I was ticked to miss Ship & Shape’s June pop-up, so there’s absolutely no way I’m not heading to Mille this Sunday. Gift-shopping’s my primary interest, and with one-of-a-kind, jewelry, ceramics, housewares and stationery sets for sale, I’ll have no problem crossing a lot of (lucky) folks off the ol’ list.

Have a weekend sale, show or event you’d like to see included in an upcoming Social Circuit? Hit me up at hpthrifter@gmail.com with the details!

xo,

Meghan

Images and illustration c/o: Kat Preston / Get Nailed / Ship & Shape

birthdays + breaks + beginning (again)

Posted on November 27, 2013 by highplainsthrifter

Today’s my birthday, friends! And while it sounds sort of nuts, my no. 1 gift to myself is my own blog. Woo! Wait, what?

You see, hard as it is to admit, I learned this past summer that I can’t, in fact, do it all. And after years of juggling a full-time job, a part-time small business, a needy household, all the while still making time for friends, family, freelance work, pets, nachos and (on the rare occasion) myself, I was burned out, bad.

Keeping up this ol’ site should be fun more than anything, but for a while there, it felt too much like a chore, or even worse, work. I was unhappy, unenthusiastic and tired down to my very bones. So I took a little break. That turned into a long-ish break. And you know what? I really needed it!

In the not-so-distant past, I would’ve been stressed to the max about the (many) months in between this post and my last, but the newly 31-year-old me isn’t sweatin’ it. Mostly because I know you’re good people, and that you understand. But also, with time to recharge, I was able to actually relax and think of fun things I’d be excited to share in this space. (Read: Rad projects in the works!)

I’m happy to be back, and if you’re still reading, happy that you stuck around.

xo,

Meghan

P.S. I found the image above here.