heads up: family pathways’ up-cycling contest

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One of my most favorite things about thrifting is thinking of new uses for someone else’s cast-offs. Looking around my office, I see examples galore…an old muffin tin keeps some jewelry organized, a vintage suitcase displays books and magazines, an egg basket keeps dirty laundry contained. It feels so good to give  these serviceable things, that could have easily wound up in the trash, a second chance. If you, too, enjoy putting your thrifted finds to use in new ways, consider entering Family PathwaysUp-Cycling contest. There are 10 $50 gift certificates up for grabs!

The Rules

1. Entries must be received between Monday, March 14th and Thursday, March 31st.
2. Entries must contain at least one item purchased at a thrift store.
3. One entry per up-cycler.
4. Each Family Pathways store will choose 10 entries based on their creativity and originality. (If your entry doesn’t make the cut, you can pick it up between April 4-10.)
5. Chosen entries will be voted on by Family Pathways’ customers between April 4-20.
6. The winning entry will be announced on Earth Day, Friday, April 22.
7. Entries not chosen can be picked up by the artist between May 2-8.
8. Family Pathways employees and family members are not eligible to enter.

***You can read all the rules and download a registration form here.***

Want some ideas? Here are some of my favorite resources for up-cycling inspiration: Honestly…WTF, Ready Made, Design*Sponge, A Pair and a Spare, Craft, I Still Love You, New Dress a Day, Crafterholic, Craftster, Creature Comforts, Country Living, Once Wed, Momtastic, Twig & Thistle…there are so many great sites out there, chock-full of ideas.

xo!

Meghan

heads up: hope chest’s “blast from the past” vintage sale

{Halston and Anita Colby}

Heads up local vintage lovers! This Saturday, out in Orono, the Hope Chest for Breast Cancer shop is having a “Blast From the Past” vintage sale and I don’t think you’ll want to miss it. Why? Well, for starters, the lovely folks at Hope Chest have been collecting vintage for 1.5 years in anticipation of this event. We’re talking about hundreds of pieces! Hundreds! After being gifted several estates worth of designer vintage, including duds rocked by Mary Dayton herself, the nonprofit is ready to unload them ALL. According to store manager Beth McDonald, some stand-out pieces for sale include a red, lounge-ready kaftan by Halston (Halston, people!), some beautiful Missoni knits and a Geoffrey Beene ball gown from the mid-’70s that, when it was donated, still had opera tickets from 1976 in the pocket. And since we’re dropping designer names, here are a few more: Ralph Lauren, St. John Knit, YSL, Bill Blass. The sale will also have a section of “vintage look” pieces, if that sort of thing floats your boat.

The action’s happening this Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 3850 Shoreline Drive S. (Co. Rd. 15) in Orono/Navarre. All proceeds raised at Hope Chest stores support the nonprofit’s mission of providing financial assistance to underserved breast cancer patients and their families, helping them cover essentials like mammograms, rides to chemo, nutritious meals, utility bills, rent, hospice and much more. Get there early to get first dibs!

xo,

Meghan

must-see TV

Happy Monday, m’dears!

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My heart went a’pitter-patter today when I heard about Alexa Chung’s upcoming PBS program “Thrift America,” a series about hunting for vintage clothes and other awesome miscellany at thrift stores, consignment shops, garage sales and flea markets. She’ll be tooling around with the show’s creator and Style.com editor, Maya Singer. The program, slated to run next summer, will follow the stylish pair as they treasure hunt in Alabama, Nashville, Detroit and New York. Talk about a dream job! I can’t wait to enviously tag along on their adventures from the comfort of my living room.

Will you watch?

xo,

Meghan

 

 

pssst!

Psst! Did y’all know that you our local Salvation Army thrifts have an e-newsletter? Well, they do. And if you sign up to get it, you’ll be the first to know about new store openings, changes in hours and upcoming sale events. The icing on the cake? Most dispatches also come with a 25% off coupon! Lah-dee-dah!

All you have to do is enter your email, name and zip code.

Hop on over here to sign up.

xo!

Meghan

heads up: weekend sales

Morning lovelies, and happy Friday!

How about we kick off the weekend with some good news? There are a couple opportunities for great saving at local thrifts this weekend!!

♥ In celebration of the opening of two spankin’ new Goodwill stores in Hudson, Wisconsin and Coon Rapids, Minnesota, shoppers at ANY and ALL Goodwill stores in the area will enjoy 25 % off all blue, yellow and green tags on Saturday, and 50% off all red tags on Sunday. Both the Hudson and Coon Rapids will have a weekend-long silent auction, too. Tip: Thrifting pros get there right before the auctions close, in this case, 4 p.m. on Sunday. (These sale offers do not apply at Second Début boutiques or the Goodwill outlet.)

♥ On Columbus Day (Monday), if you’re a card-carrying VIP shopper at Unique Thrift Stores, you can take 50% off your entire purchase at any of their four locations (New Hope, Burnsville, St. Paul, Columbia Heights) and at Valu Thrift in St. Paul/Woodbury. You will not be able to sign up for a card on Monday, so hustle over there over the weekend to get enrolled. It’s free!!

I hope you all have lovely, lovely Fridays!

xo,

Meghan

heads up: mount zion sisterhood super sale

Hola!

I’m not surprised I’m posting this heads up a tad late. The past few days have been 100 kinds of tiring, and because of that, many things have taken the back burner. Like writing, sleeping and researching estate & garage sales.

Anyway, I wanted to tell you that a huge, huge rummage sale is taking place over in Saint Paul both this weekend and next.

What You Need to Know

What: Mountain Zion Sisterhood Super Sale

More than 650 families have contributed to this mega-sale, and proceeds raised go towards outstanding nonprofits including Neighborhood House, Jeremiah Project, West 7th Community Center Sponsor-A-Family, Race for the Cure and several more.

The adverts promise housewares, clothing, shoes and accessories for all ages and occasions, collectibles and antiques, jewelry, furniture, books and  music, toys and  games for all ages, luggage, linens, art, sporting goods, electronics, office supplies and arts and crafts.

So, basically, you name it, they’ve got it.

When: Sunday, August 1, 12- 6 p.m.; Thursday, August 5, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday, August 6, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (1/2 PRICE DAY!); Sunday, August 8, 12-6 p.m. ($5 BAG DAY)

Where: 1300 Summit Avenue, Saint Paul. It’s on Summit between Hamline and Syndicate (Greek to me!).

What’s tempting me the most is the Bag Day on Sunday, August 8th. I love me some bag sale action.

Anyways, that’s all I’ve got for tonight. I’ll leave you with this…

My man surprised me today with pretty roses AND a frosty M&M Blizzard. He’s got a knack for cheering me up, that honey of mine.

Happy weekend!

xo,

Meghan