from grandma ella’s recipe box: sloppy joes

Something you should know about me: I could read recipes all the live-long day. Another thing you should know about me: I absolutely love projects, especially ones that require sorting or better yet, alphabetizing. So yesterday, when my mom pulled out two huge recipe boxes full of my grandma Ella’s recipes, and asked me to categorize them all, I was pretty much in heaven.

I came across a lot of old favorites from growing up, including this one for Sloppy Joes, aka one of my most beloved comfort foods.

It makes a batch large enough to feed a small army, but it freezes like a dream. I remember eating this at Grandma’s on a homemade whole wheat bun, with raw veggies, ripple chips and dip. And now I’m hungry.

xo,

Meghan

weekend road trip

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Since I’ll be working Thanksgiving weekend at the shop, I’m heading home today to squeeze in a little family time. I’m looking forward to bundling up and walking along the beach, a lunch date with my momma at our favorite soda fountain (I dream of their chicken salad sammy & mocha malts), buying way too much wine and homemade frozen marinara sauce at Tenuta’s, breakfasting at this amazing little dive, digging through my mom’s recipe box for a fun giveaway Rae and I have planned for the Dec. 10th sale and of course, thrifting as much as my bank account will allow. Hitting all the stores I used frequent in my younger days brings back so many good, fun memories I seriously am so excited. Fingers crossed I’ll have tons of good finds to share with you all next week. In the meantime, have wonderful weekends!

xo,

Meghan

sunday funday

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.



The It’s For Nice boys are bringing their goodies to Etsy soon, btw. Add ’em to your circle!

xo,

Meghan

Mighty Swell on Twin Cities Live

Mighty Swell was featured on Twin Cities Live today! You can watch the whole segment, featuring cute vintage stuff from us, right here. I couldn’t help but feel like a proud, happy, grateful mama when I saw the clip. I wish I could thank every single one of our wonderfully sweet, stylish customers. None of this would be possible without you, and I am sincerely grateful for your support.

Thank you.

<3,

Meghan

weekend agenda…

In a few hours, I’ll be heading up north to the cabin for the weekend. I’m going to spend as much time as possible outside on the water  and as little as possible in front of any kind of computer screen. Yay. For. That. I’m also excited to hit up some Duluth thrifts and estate sales tomorrow morning, too. I’mma crossing my fingers for some good finds…

I hope y’all have wonderful weekends!

xo,

Meghan

P.S. My lady date with Mary last night was absolute perfection. An amazing (no really, it was AMAZING) meal, wine, rooftop star-gazing, classic rock records, more wine, Project Runway…I don’t really think it gets better than that. I took out the ole Instax since it was a special occasion.

clickin’ around, vol. 17

On a scale of one to 10, my love for this dress is about 1,879. I want it so hard.

♥ Magnets made from Instagram pics. Also known as genius.

Tips for eating my favorite food without being rude. How handy!

♥ What would go well with a heaping pile of nachos? These nectarine vodka coolers from Iowa Girl Eats.

Since we’re discussing drinky drinks, how cute is this illustrated story book of cocktails? I want it.

 I loved these pro tips for false-lash application c/o the ever-s0-addictive site Beautylish. Very helpful stuff.

Check out all the cute mani ideas in this Refinery 29 slideshow. Looks number three, eight and 12 are my faves.

♥ And in case you forgot, I’M SEEING DOLLY PARTON TOMORROW. Here’s a little gospel medley she does I just adore.

xo,

Meghan

not only am i a (co)owner, i’m also a shopper

You probably think that as a semi-professional thrifter I’m able to resist spending oodles of money on vintage at Mighty Swell sales. That is actually 100 percent untrue. Pictured above are some of my favorite finds from the weekend…and here’s a little about each.

1. I ogled this cheery embroidered top from Pink Vintage the entire first day of the sale because it was on the mannequin by the check out. When we changed her outfit out the next day, I realized how cherry the blouse was and put it in my to-buy pile immediately. I love the bright flowers and the cropped cut. I paired it today with my favorite Dickie’s  cut-offs and flips…so summery.

2. It was love at first sight for me and this this powdery pink hair dryer from Teacup Vintage. It still works!

3. I’ve been using my mom’s vintage tooled leather handbag so much lately and it’s starting to show some wear. When I saw this incredible purse from Bourbon & Lace, I knew it would make a good stand-in for my mom’s hand-me-down. The rose pattern is so lovely and the inside is mint.

4. Rae believes that every woman needs a killer pair of red heels. I concur, and would also add that a bright red handbag is another must. This looks-new canvas clutch from Valise Vintage was a deal at just $10.

5. This faded caftan from Pink Vintage is to die for. You can’t tell from this shot, but it has these cute little ties that cinch in the back, making my little “ladies” look hot and keeps it from being too maternity-ish. I’m plan on wearing this around my house in heels, my hair in rollers, a martini in my hand.

6. My favorite white high heels have been worn down to pathetic little nubs and I’ve been unable to find suitable replacements despite my frequent thrift trips. So, when I tried on these cuties from Ramble & Pluck, I knew I had to get them. They are really comfy, like my worn-out pair, and they fit like a glove. A total steal at $14.

I also went home with a creamy yellow ’70s skirt from Patterns. I have a couple others similar to it in other colors and find myself wearing them frequently to work with a simple tank. From Top Drawer Vintage, I got pink and red beaded necklace for $2. It needs to be restrung, but it’s really cool.

If you found some special somethings at the sale, be sure to post a pic on our Facebook page! We adore seeing Mighty Swell purchases being worn, loved and styled by you. I’m off to the couch to catch up on some old “Roseanne.” The fashion in season one is so rad!

xo,

Meghan

seven days ’til dolly

A week from tonight I’ll be seeing Dolly (f*cking) Parton. With this in mind, I think I’ll be able to keep on smiling my way through this week, and its 12+ hour work days and 100+ degree temperatures. Just a few (160-some) hours to go…

 xo,

Meghan

P.S. The image is a scan from a piano book a friend of my boyfriend’s thrifted while touring through Tennessee. I love it so much.

i got the washday blues

If Moe Bandy can sing about Hank Williams writing his life, can I just put it out there that Dolly Parton sings mine? Okay, cool. The song that’s my theme for this weekend? This little gem, Washday Blues.
(Please do take a listen.)

Lyrical highlights…

Just rubbin’ and a scrubbin’ and a raisin’ ’em out

I gotta hang ’em out early i hope the sun comes out

(wash ’em out ring ’em out hang ’em on the line

Get a little tired just think about the good times) washday blues

Oh how I adore you Dolly.

Anyway, on the off chance you need me, I’ll be at home, listening to country music, doing load after load after load after load after load after load after load of laundry.

Glamour…my life is overflowing with it.

I hope you have super fun weekends cupcakes!

xo,

Meghan

P.S. Have I told you yet I’m seeing Ms. Parton herself in a little under two weeks? Yeah. You can expect to hear a lot more on that real soon…

how to: make a beermosa

Seeing as it’s officially the weekend, I figured I’d share how to make my go-to drink of late: the beermosa. Fancy-pants it is not, but refreshing, unfussy and cheap it most certainly is.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

 Cheap beer (I like to dip into my honey’s PBR stash.)

 Orange juice

HOW TO MAKE

1. Fill your glass 1/3-1/2 full with orange juice.

2. Fill the rest up with beer.

3. Drink responsibly. But not that responsibly, because it is the freaking weekend. Whatever you do, don’t drink and drive. (Or drink and trim your bangs. That’s also a  bad idea.)

Well, I took a shower more than an hour ago, and yet here I sit, towel turban on my head. Which means…I better scoot. Happy weekend y’all!

xo,

Meghan