mighty swell studio makeover kick-off

Posted on February 15, 2011 by highplainsthrifter

Last weekend, Rae and I officially started to work on Mighty Swell’s studio space. The two lofty rooms have to do triple duty: one, serve as my home office/crafty space, two, store all our vintage goodies, and last but not least, be comfortable and organized enough to accommodate stylists and shoppers that want to drop by and do some browsing in between our pop-ups.

I’ve gotten a ton of good ideas and inspiration from the blog Crowded With Desks. How beautiful are some of these work spaces?

{All images c/o Crowded With Desks}

We’ve set the budget and taken measurements…now all we have to do is start scouring the thrifts and Craigslist, make a couple efficient IKEA runs and get to work! Stay tuned for updates, and a before-and-after post, once we’re done. Wish me luck?

xo,

Meghan

kissssing

On it, you won’t find dating tips or advice for making your marriage better. Just sweet, sentimental photos of people getting all lovey-dovey, with a love-related quote or lyric inserted here and there.
In a word: perfection.

Jim Folsom, Governor of Alabama 1947-1951

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

My Baptist grandma didn’t lie: Dancing leads to kissing.

Linda & Paul McCartney

Making out while afloat in inner-tubes, beer in hand?
This couple rules!

And, since we’re talking romance, check out this to-do list handwritten by Johnny Cash. Judging by item no. 2, it seems that Johnny, too, recognized the importance smoochin’ has in a long-lasting love affair.

P.S. This gem is up for auction on December 3 & 4, along with a whole slew of Johnny’s personal items. Wouldn’t this, framed up, make for the most romantic present EVER? I would m-e-l-t with happiness if I found this under my Christmas tree. Sigh…a girl can dream, right?

xo,

Meghan

P.S. Thanks to When You Awake for the heads up on the Cash estate sale.

mighty swell vendor profile: geisha pearl vintage

Posted on September 21, 2010 by highplainsthrifter

Hi there!

Before Mighty Swell pops up, I’m introducing our lovely vendors here on the blog. Today, it’s my pleasure to present Geisha Pearl Vintage, a shop and blog of the same name, created and curated the lovely Kitty Cotten.

kitty cotten geisha pearl vintage

Kitty’s got a gifted eye for finding on-trend garments with a sophisticated, lady-like bent. Effortlessly mixing vintage pieces with designer investments is her particular forte, as evidenced by her enviable collection of outfit posts found here and on her must-read blog. I couldn’t be more excited about having her on board as one of our vendors, and intend on picking her brain for styling tips until she asks me to stop. Anyway, I hope you enjoy learning more about her and about what she’ll be selling next weekend.

Me: What’s the story behind your shop’s name?

Kitty: I have been obsessed with the elegance of geishas since I was younger. They are beautifully posed and flawless on the outside, but what takes place to get them that way is determination, grace and sense of worth. So, where does the pearl come in? I feel that vintage shopping is like looking through many, many oysters to find the perfect piece or in this case pearl. Vintage shopping is not only something that takes great persistence, but a keen eye to spot that can’t-live-without-it garment.

Me: Your style is really eclectic. How would you describe it?

Kitty: I see my closet and bookshelf filled with everything from polished cardigans to sky-high, furry leopard wedges. Mix together a heap of Olivia Palermo and the Olsens with a dash of Carrie Bradshaw and I think you would wind up with…well, me.

Me: Tell me about some of your favorite pieces you’ll be selling at the sale.

Kitty: I have two polka dot dresses that are to die for! One is black and white long sleeve mini and the other is a short tank dress in soft brown with large white polka dots. The brown one also has the most amazing wide belt in the same fabric! I really love them both. They would both go with anything—a pair of flat oxfords and a satchel for day or you could glam either of them up at night with faux garter tights, chunky heeled pumps and a beautiful statement necklace.

Besides all of the lovely dresses that will be available, I have racks of vintage blazers, blouses, jackets, sweater and lots of pretty accessories!

Come browse Geisha Pearl’s beautiful vintage finds on October 2 & 3 and go home with a treasure all your own. Find all the details on our fancy new website and RSVP on Facebook here.

xxxooo,

Meghan

lifestyles of the poor & passport-less

Posted on July 24, 2010 by highplainsthrifter

Well hello there!

I have a confession to make: I don’t have a passport. And I haven’t for going on six years. I know it’s only a hundred-some dollars, but somehow, I just can’t bring myself to part with so many pennies for one, especially since there’s no sign of international travel on my immediate horizon.

Someday, I’ll probably get a new passport, and fill it up with colorful stamps and fancy visas, but in the meantime, I’ll stick to getting my international style fix off the good ol’ Internets. These blogs, by ladies scattered across the globe, are a few of my must-reads.

From Stockholm, See Emily Play.

Beautiful photos by a beautiful Swede, of beautiful Swedes (and beautiful Stockholm).

From Finland, Helmi Otsalla.

Besides one-of-a-kind vintage, the adorable Helmi and I also share loves for both Gossip Girl and whiskey drinking. (Those two = especially great when combined.)

From Perth, Australia, The Vintage Valley.

Day after day, Ally achieves ladylike looks without a hint of stuffiness. I love how she mixes Goodwill finds with fancier pieces.

From Edinburgh, Hello Mr. Fox.

Hannah has a knack for finding the most beautiful stuff at thrifts and flea markets. I love her photography style, too.

From France, Valentine.

This young’uns easy going style is right up my alley. Arm-chair tag-alonging around Paris isn’t so bad, either.

Anyway, that’s all I’ve got to share today. I hope you have so much fun this weekend. I get to spend some time with this little lady tonight, and I am so excited!