weekend sale circuit: april 17-19

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Apologies for the quietude around here this past week. I’ve been dealing with a super sick pup and some tight freelance deadlines, both of which have kept me from having any semblance of free time. Thankfully my ol’ Finnnie seems to be on the mend and my clients are sitting pretty with polished pieces in their inboxes, so it’ll be back to business as usual soon, starting with this roundup of secondhand sales (and a swap) happening this weekend! (Don’t forget: Most thrifts will be closed Sunday!)

♥ Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Easter Sale: In an effort to clear up some room on their sales floor, today through Saturday, all wooden furniture is 30% off and all entertainment centers and armoires are half-off. All Easter items and swimwear will also be marked down by 75%.

♥ Hidden Treasures Thrift Store Easter Weekend Blowout: Tomorrow and Saturday only, everything in-store will be 40% off.

♥ Friedman Iverson’s Annual Record Swap: Tomorrow, on the eve of Record Store Day, the Twin Cities’ handsomest law firm will host their (practically famous) annual record swap. From 6-9 p.m., guests are welcome to bring unwanted vinyl to swap (not sell!) with other like-minded music lovers. Furthering sweetening the pot? Drinks, snacks and DJs. Be there!!!

Happy Easter!

xoxo,

Meghan

Photo c/o: Shelley Fabulous.

pinned it, made it: watercolor thank-you notes

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Pinned this…

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and then tried my hand at making my own! (One of my personal betterment resolutions for 2014 is to be better at getting thank-you notes out in a timely way. I’m super embarrassed of how terribly I’ve fallen out of the practice, but I’ve promised myself “no more!”)

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My lettering skills leave quite a bit to be desired, but I am OK with that. Plus, I found all the supplies in my basement! (#bonus) Props to Scout’s Honor Co.’s delightful blog for heaps of inspiration. Have you been inspired to create from Pinterest lately? If so, I’d love to know what you’re making!

xoxo,

Meghan

heads up: one-day dress sale at Savers + Unique Thrift Stores

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tumblr_msh9i3GjjE1qaujg4o1_500I don’t know about y’all, but I am beyond stoked that sundress season is back. And though I’m in no way in need of any new (old) dresses, that doesn’t make me any less  tempted by the 40%-off dress sale happening at Savers, Unique and Valu Thrift Stores today. The event, running at all area stores from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., includes dresses for both grown-up and little ladies alike (but excludes frocks with red tags). You must have an I M Unique Club Card or Super Savers Club Card in your possession to partake in the savings. (Do NOT try registering for a card today, they won’t allow it on sale days!)

xoxo,

Meghan

Photo c/o: Ghost Vintage Clothing.

nice find: sam’s afghan rug

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Hi friends, and happy Monday! I’m super excited to kick this week off with a fresh feature for this ol’ blog, inspired by YOU. As fun as it is to share my thrifted finds with y’all, I love nothing more than hearing about your awesome thrift-store scores, or as I’m calling them, Nice Finds. I can think of no better way to start this series than by turning it over to the lovely lady who inspired it in the first place with her unbelievable “score of the century.”

Screen shot 2014-04-06 at 5.56.41 PMName: Samantha
Location: Northeast Minneapolis
My Nice Find is: A vintage afghan wool rug. I think it’s about 9 x 10 feet in size?

image_2I thrifted it at: The Cottage House occasional shop in South Minneapolis. It was on a porch, stapled and nailed into the wall to keep the draft out. It was so beautiful and so enormous, I had to ask if it was for sale. When they said sure, and named the (rock-bottom) price, I just about had a heart attack.
I paid: $30.
image_1My favorite place to thrift is: In Harrisonville, Missouri (where I’m originally from), there is a large flea market called the Trade Fair.  It’s been around since I was a little girl and I make sure to stop in every time I’m home. I’m also a big fan of Bauer Brothers Salvage, especially since we’re in the midst of renovating our new home.

My best piece of thrifting advice is: Try to have a place in mind before you purchase something.

Thank you, Sam, for sharing your story and your wise words of advice!
So…who’s up next? If you have a #nicefind you’d like to share, I would love to tell your story! Shoot me an email (hpthrifter@gmail.com) about a thrifted purchase that made you giddy, along with a photo, and we can go from there!
I hope to hear from you soon!
xoxo,
Meghan

the beauty thrifter is in!

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tumblr_mufgyv5Ed51qiflw2o1_500‘Tis the season to simplify, and our daily makeup regimen should not be immune. If spring’s got you in the mood to streamline, head on over to Beauty Bets to learn about a two-in-one wonder-stick that’s quickly become one of my favorite Sally finds of all time. The best part? It’s only $5! For the full scoop, head on over here.

xoxo,

Meghan

Photo c/o: Simply Sassy

 

store review: st. vincent de paul thrift store

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Right off of one of south Minneapolis’ busiest east-west thoroughfares (Lake Street), sits the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store. Truth be told, for the longest time, it was never one of my favorite spots to visit. After one bad experience, I never really wanted to go back, even though it’s practically in my neighborhood. In recent months, with icy roads keeping me closer to home, I gave this store a second chance, and it has since become one of my go-to spots for a quick pop-in.

WHAT’S GOOD

♥ Furniture: Upon recent visits, the back room has housed some reasonably priced pieces of furniture, including old highboys, dressers, vanities, headboards, etc., with most of them in very clean, serviceable condition. The concrete floor and overall garage-like vibe of the back room makes me a bit hesitant to buy anything upholstered, but I’d certainly have no qualms about bringing home a table, bookcase or anything in that vein from this store.

♥ Paper goods: I’m a big fan of vintage stationery and cards, and I’m always impressed by Vinnie’s assortment of cards, packaged stationery sets and the like.

♥ One-off dishes, glass ware and vases: While I never see too many complete (or even close to complete) sets, I have found several cute plates and glasses. If you’re hunting for vases for a wedding or project, Vinnie’s has you covered there too.

♥ Picture frames: If you use old frames for DIY projects, photos or art projects, this is the place to go, with super cheap frames in lots of sizes.

WHAT’S MEH

♥ Clothes: Slim selection overall and what’s there seems a little sad. (That said, I did happen upon the cutest, navy and white striped cotton Calvin Klein dress last time I was there, so, I guess you never know.)

♥ Table linens: Another category with a surprisingly slim selection.

♥ Books: Mostly junky paperbacks and old magazines.

Take a peek around!

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Selection/Variety:  ♥ ♥ ♥

Quality: ♥ ♥ ♥

Pricing: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Organization: ♥ ♥

Customer service: ♥ ♥ ♥

Where does money raised at this store go? With a motto of “Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” the Society of St. Vincent de Paul works not only to relieve need, but also to redress the situations that cause it. Advocating the concepts of Christian social justice, the Society believes in the rights and dignity of every individual and the need for equality of opportunity in education and employment. In 2010, Twin Cities Vincentians visited more than 1,900 neighbors in homes and hospitals, providing food, clothing, transportation and emotional comfort.

Do they take credit cards? Yes!

Do they accept donations? Yep, and they’ll even come get it from you!

Pro tip: Check out their monthly sale calendar, available here, for advance notice on tag sales, dollar days and senior discounts.

While you’re in the area: Treat yourself to tacos at any of the nearby mercados. La Alborada is great and Mercado Central also has tons of tasty options.

Where it is: 2939 12th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55423

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; closed on Sunday

Contact: 612.722.7882, Facebook

Have you a fan of this St. Vincent de Paul store? If so, I’d love to hear your take!

xo,

Meghan

spring looks i’m excited to thrift

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The spring thaw is in full swing here, and holy crap, I forgot what a joyous time of year it is. Sure it’s muddy, slushy and ugly out there, but there’s also humidity in the air and puddles on the sidewalk, heck, I even opened my windows this weekend! All that good stuff aside, spring in Minnesota can be a horrible season to dress for, with 50-degree temperatures in the afternoon and snow flurries a few hours later. (Happened just yesterday, in fact.) To get inspired for the mercurial month or two that lies ahead, I rounded up a few key pieces I’m scoping out the thrifts for that will hopefully make the transition easier.

♥ Leather moto jacket: A tea bag once told me that intentions create your reality, and so right here, right now, I’d like to say that 2014 is the year I intend to thrift a perfectly fitting, cropped leather jacket, any color will do. C’mon manifest destiny, do your thing!

high plains thrifter // spring looks jacketsPhoto sources: The Little Magpie / Maritsa / unknown / The Locals

♥ Belts + midis: High-waisted, belted midi skirts and dresses are a mainstay of mine year-round, but I still can’t wait to be able to wear them sans tights.

high plains thrifter // spring looks beltsPhoto sources: unknown / unknown / Inunomimi / Wonderland London

♥ Slouchy pants: I’m lazy about trying stuff on at the thrift, but I’m going to have to suck it up and face that fitting room if I ever want to find pants that’ll fit right or a jumpsuit that doesn’t give me camel toe.

high plains thrifter / spring looks pants

Photo sources: unknown / Emma Dime / Stockholm Streetsyle

♥ Sweaters + midis: I’m sick to death of ALL my winter coats, which makes me favor skirt and sweater combos like the ones below, which will keep me warm, unencumbered from my heavy jackets. And yep, more below-the-knee length skirts.

high plains thrifter / spring looks sweaters

Photo sources: Bethany Marie / Who What Wear / Fab Sugar

♥ Belted trench: The only trench-like coat I own is a yucky mauve color (not sure what I was thinking with that purchase), but I’d love just a plain ol’ tan one.

high plains thrifter / trenchesPhoto sources: Glamour Mag UK / Gal Meets Glam / Blue Montana / Etsy

Other things I’m on the lookout for: old leather booties, brown leather flats (to replace the ones I wore out last year), vintage Twins gear, silver jewelry always, ’60s/’70s maxi dresses, denim vest (seeing as I misplaced my favorite one), more blouses for work and short-alls and cute bathing suits since summer’s coming!

Are there any particular pieces you’re hunting for this spring? I’d love to hear what you’re scouting out!

xoxo,

Meghan

on friendship, pride & the joys of new (old) oven

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tumblr_ma5djksAPZ1qgjplzo1_500If you’ve been reading this blog for awhile or know me in in real life, you know I’ve been without a working stove for, oh, about a year and seven months now. While I never intended to go for so long with just one burner and a non-functional oven, somehow one month stretched to two, which turned to six, and then it was a year, and then a year-and-a-half.

My stubbornness in replacing it was, as it often is, tied to my frugality, as I’ve been squirreling money away for a full kitchen remodel. Time passed, and I figured out pretty quick how to get by without. Yes, I had to cancel my long-standing weekly nacho nights with my ladies, but I got by with help from my slow cooker, microwave and ever-expanding collection of no-bake desserts. There are people with worse problems, I told myself, I’m fortunate to have a roof over my head. But this winter, when Christmas no. two rolled around, and I still didn’t have an oven to bake in, I started to feel really beaten down. I found myself entertaining less (my favorite thing) and staying home, being sad more (not my most favorite thing).

Fast forward a few months to a couple weeks ago, when, over happy hour, my friend Kate told me that she, along with a few other generous friends, had pooled some money together so I could buy any oven I wanted. I was shocked, elated, overwhelmed and really uncomfortable. I asked Kate to refund everyone, that this was too kind a gift for me to receive. I explained how I could afford to get an oven, that I was just waiting to get my whole kitchen done. “Let your friends take care you,” she said. “All you have to do is say thank you.” (She’s pretty smart, FYI.)

That’s when I realized this experience wasn’t really about the oven, it was about me learning how relax and push my pride aside in order to accept kindness from friends. As my pal Meggie put it: “Would you please just ride the wave?” And so I did, all the way down to Appliance Depot in Inver Grove Heights, where I found my dream oven.

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Yep, she’s vintage, just how I like my things, a harvest gold General Electric from the mid-1970s, fully refurbished and clean as a whistle, inside and out. (Who knew I’d be so on trend with my color choice?) She was delivered a week ago today and every time I push one of the sweet old buttons to fire up one of the FOUR burners, or open the oven door and feel a blast of hot air on my face, I pause and think of the lovely people who gave me the gift of this gorgeous golden appliance. My kitchen feels like the heart of my home again, one that’s nearly bursting with love.

xoxo,

Meghan

Photo c/o: We Had Faces Then.

 

clicking around, vol. 51

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♥ Two words: emoji. loafers.

♥ Pro tips for photographing your dog. So much good advice!

♥ Informative read of the boozy variety: Tiki Cocktail 101.

♥ Taking cues from your youth to fuel your creativity today.

♥ A brief history of vegetable metaphors. I’m such a dork for this kind of thing.

♥ Wise advice for creating a home you’ll love (for more than a month).

♥ Three cleanse-approved recipes I made and loved this week: Acai Berry Bowl (SO incredibly filling), Almond Butter-Honey “Caramel” Corn (yep, sue me, the honey is cheating) and Lentil and Eggplant Chili Mole (really tasty with a baked sweet potato on the side).

xoxo,

Meghan

Photo: "Untitled (Two Girls Walking), 1970-73" by William Eggleston