plain talk

Posted on September 28, 2014 by highplainsthrifter

It’s my opinion that the best road trips leave you feeling equal parts exhausted and exhilarated. After a quick out-and-back to Nebraska for the Harvest the Hope benefit, my brain is pooped, but my soul, soothed. The full day of music and wonderful company deserve kudos for much of that, but so do the miles of rolling scenery I enjoyed from the cushy comfort of the passenger seat. The picturesque prairie sunsets and acres of crispy farmland reminded me of a beautiful passage of the Stegner masterpiece I’m currently making my way through, so much so that I had to share it here, with you.

“It was very big; she felt she could see a long way, even into the future, and she felt how the world rolled under her. After she had watched the summer plains for a long time, and the smarting under her lids passed, a meadowlark sang sharp and pure from a fencepost, and she began to think that the future into which this new world of her choosing moved with her could hardly be unfriendly, could hardly be anything but good.”

Ugh, Wally, you just get me/it/everything!

Be back soon to share a few of my small-town Salvation Army finds. I scored some really cute stuff!

xoxo,

Meghan

midweek melodies: monterey pop soundtrack

Posted on June 18, 2014 by highplainsthrifter

Before I knew about the Monterey Pop Festival of 1967, the only impression I had of Monterey, California was a girl I shared a floor with freshman year of college who loved to brag about bjs she’d given to various frat daddies that particular week. We weren’t close by any means, except, of course, in proximity, which is why, one cold winter night happened to I wind up at the ER, watching as her stomach was pumped free of the enormous quantity of painkillers she had swallowed. The next day her mom flew into Boulder, and the day after that, we exchanged goodbye hugs as they returned together to Monterey.

Today, so many years later, when I hear “Monterey,” my brain doesn’t automatically go to this sad, faded memory, but instead to the Monterey Pop Festival, the unofficial start to the “summer of love,” inspiration for a little thing called Woodstock and an all-around significant event in ’60s music history. The three-day concert, held at the Monterey County Fairgrounds and planned in a mere seven weeks, boasted a lineup of stars including, but not limited to The Mamas and the Papas, The Byrds, Canned Heat, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Who, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, Eric Burdon & the Animals, Simon & Garfunkel and a magnificent Otis Redding.

The concert was also filmed and turned into a full-length film called Monterey Pop, which is conveniently available to watch in its high-def glory on YouTube. Groovy right? I’ve been re-watch/listening to it at night this week, while I answer emails and work on freelance, and it’s just too good to keep to myself, especially considering that this week marks the 47th anniversary. If you haven’t seen it, I encourage you to sit for a while and soak it in. The festival-goers’ fashion alone makes it worthwhile to see, if, for whatever reason, ’60s rock isn’t your thing. If you want to skip around, track lists are beneath the video, though I strongly advise you to watch it all the way through, at least once. (Whatever you do, do not skip Jimi!)

The bonus footage, including some rad Byrds songs, two great Simon & Garfunkel tunes and Mama Cass being her hilario self, is also a must-see.

I wish you all happy Wednesdays.

xo,

Meghan

Ticket scans c/o: Candice Bergen.

shooter shots

Posted on June 16, 2014 by highplainsthrifter

It’s been a busy, tiring, stormy Monday, but I had to stop in and share a few photos from yesterday’s Shooter Jennings show. On a whim, I took my “real” camera and here are a few snapshots from the day…minus any crops, filters or editing ’cause I’m plumb tired.

I’ve gotta admit, seeing Shooter perform his dad’s songs, on Father’s Day, which also happened to fall on Waylon’s birthday, which also happened to be a beautifully blustery, sunny summer day, was all-around pretty magical.

xoxo,

Meghan

sunday funday

Posted on June 15, 2014 by highplainsthrifter

First and foremost, BIG HUGE THANKS to the sweetheart-ed souls who came out in the cold and rain to shop my garage sale. Drizzle aside, seeing familiar faces (and meeting some of you for the first time!) brought a whole bunch of sunshine to an overall cloudy day.

As luck would have it, today the skies are blue and the sun’s shining down. Which is A-OK with me, because I’m going to see Shooter Jennings and Waymore’s Outlaws play outside tonight, and I’m pretty sure I’d cry if I had to spend another minute in the rain. While I’m not a fan of Shooter’s original music, I am looking forward to seeing his backing band, comprised of Richie Albright, Waylon’s original drummer and right-hand man since 1964, FAME studio session bassist, Jerry Bridges, who played with Waylon starting in the “Dukes of Hazzard” days and steel guitar legend Fred Newell. I’m extra-excited because it’s the first outdoor concert I’ve been to you yet this year, I have the perfect dress to wear and…have I mentioned that’s it’s not raining?

Whatever you’re up to this Sunday, enjoy yourselves! Rain or shine, summer weekends are gifts to be treasured.

xoxo,

Meghan

Photo c/o: King of Beers.

to-do tonight: girl germs tribute to women in rock

Posted on May 30, 2014 by highplainsthrifter

This whole week, I’ve been equally depressed/enraged by the #YesAllWomen posts. (If you’re unfamiliar, @mostlypregnant’s tweets have been summing it up nicely.) If you, too, could use a night to focus on something positive, let me tell you about this incredible show my friend Dana and her pal Sally have put together, happening TONIGHT at First Avenue. It’s a tribute to women in rock ‘n roll, with seven local bands playing music by a female artist of their choosing.

Here’s the lineup! (Pssst, you can read more about the bands and their selections here.)

Night Moves–performing the Cranberries
Pink Mink–performing Bikini Kill (!!!)
Strange Names–performing the B-52′s
L’Assassins–performing Thee Headcoatees (!!!)
Fury Things–performing Hole
CRYSTAL (feat. members of Brute Heart)–performing Sade
Lydia Liza (of Bomba De Luz)–performing Dusty Springfield (!!!)

The event will be hosted by the legendary Lori Barbero and my incredibly talented friend Jen Hughes will be DJ’ing. (P.S. Watch clips from Jen’s 25 essentials albums by female artists here! It’s a must-read, fabulous post.)

Sweetening the pot (literally), is Girl Germs’ partnership with Glam Doll Donuts. The bakery created a masterpiece of a treat for the event—a blueberry-packed cake donut topped with MORE blueberries and a homemade lavender marshmallow. I had the chance to taste-test one a couple days ago and holy cannoli, it’s literally the best thing I’ve eaten in ages. These pretty babies will be available at Glam Doll all weekend AND at the show tonight. DO NOT MISS OUT.

So, just to recap, we have a feminist rock icon hosting, an amazing DJ filling your ears with music between sets, SEVEN bands and yummy fruit-filled donuts. Clearly this concert belongs on your calendar, am I right? Tickets are a measly $10, and if you’re in the area, you should definitely come. It’s going to be a glorious evening.

See you there?

xoxo,

Meghan

Photos c/o: Girl Germs' Instagram.

uff da, aka things I’m excited to do tomorrow

Posted on May 14, 2014 by highplainsthrifter

Uff da, this week’s been a doozy. And I don’t even have a single thing to blame, either. It’s just been kind of a never-ending string of unfortunate occurrences, so much so that I don’t know if I should laugh it up or cry. I’ve been getting by with a few of my favorite sanity-saving activities, i.e. walking the dog, digging around the garden, texting with my Mom and emotionally eating way too much jalapeño–pineapple pizza.

I have also been looking forward to tomorrow, Thursday, which has been like a little light at the end of the tunnel. Because tomorrow, two exciting things are going down.

First, after work, I’m going to check out Spirit of Hope United Methodist’s annual rummage sale. I drive past this church on the daily (pretty much), so when I saw the big blue sign advertising the sale, I knew I had to work a stop into my schedule. The sale runs tomorrow from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Click through for the address and directions.)

Secondly, my friend Alex is hosting a shindig for vinyl-loving ladies at Secret Stash’s HQ. I’m SO happy Alex got this group together, and that we’re hanging tomorrow, because, real talk, I could use a night of good music, smiles and chit-chat. Also, I really (REALLY) need the new Sonny Knight record, so fingers crossed they have a copy around for me to buy. (You can hear some of Sonny’s songs, and more from Secret Stash, right now, right here.) If you’re not busy and want to hang, please do come through! (The fun starts at 7 p.m.)

xoxo,

Meghan

P.S. The Uff Da stationery pictured above is available locally at Ingebretsen’s, $9 for a set of four. (I think I need it.)

Bottom photo c/o: Jalopy Journal.

midweek melodies: my secret weapon running mix

Posted on March 12, 2014 by highplainsthrifter

Way back when my boyfriend and I first started dating, I asked him to make me a mix to run to. Five years later this collection of classic rock still gets me moving, even on days when I’m beyond exhausted and my motivation is nil. Every single song is a bonda fide rocker, making it ideal listening for jogs, gym sessions or whenever you need to buckle down and TCB. Including, for instance, a long, end-of-winter Wednesday afternoon. ;-)

xoxo,

Meghan

clickin’ around, vol. 50

Posted on February 28, 2014 by highplainsthrifter

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♥ I couldn’t stop scrolling through these impeccable pairings of fashion and art and photography. Seriously entrancing eye candy.

♥ Meow, this video has the sweetest ’60s sex-kitten vibe. Totally adorable.

♥ There’s something so soothing about this floral wall art DIY from Sincerely, Kinsey. It’d be a super fun photo backdrop for a garden party, yes?

♥ The entrepreneur in me loves seeing where these famous fast-food chains got their start. (LOL Pizza Hut!)

♥ This dog-baking-a-Bundt video had me in stitches today. Too cute not to share.

♥ In case you were wondering, this is what I’ll be snacking on when I spend some quality time with Netflix this weekend. (With some popcorn on the side, too, duh.)

Speaking of the weekend, here’s hoping you have an absolutely wonderful one! Mine is shaping up to be a mix of concerts, freelance, chores and couch-time. (Just how I like it.)

xoxo,

Meghan

Photo c/o: beth delsey's pinterest.

midweek melodies: the sonics

Posted on February 26, 2014 by highplainsthrifter

I don’t know about you, but today feels like it should be Thursday…of next week. This week has just been slogging on by! Partially to blame, I’m sure, is the amount of fun stuff I have going on this weekend, including seeing The Sonics at First Avenue.

If you’re unfamiliar, The Sonics are a garage band from Tacoma, Washington, and their heydey was the early ’60s. Like all other (good) garage bands, their music is wild, hard and fast, so much so that whenever I put a record of theirs on, I can’t help but get fired up. Whether I’m running at the Y or powering through post-lunch desk slump or just in need of a mind-clearning, tush-wiggling dance party in my living room, The Sonics always hit the spot for me. Needless to say, I am pretty pumped to see them perform. I start grinning just thinking about it! In light of it being Wednesday (worst day of the week) and, of course, of Saturday’s show, today seems as good a time as any to share a mix of some of my favorite Sonics jams.

In light of it being Wednesday (aka the second-worst day of the week) and, of course, of Saturday’s show, today seems as good a time as any to share a mix of some of my favorite Sonics jams.

Warning: Listening to these songs may result in motivation.

xoxo,

Meghan

P.S. Tickets for The Sonics are still available, so if you like what you heard or you’re simply in need of something (AWESOME) to do, get some already. It’s a freaking bargain, especially considering the opening bands are also badass!

Photos c/o: Tumblr.

a v-day mix, from me to you

Posted on February 14, 2014 by highplainsthrifter

Happy Friday, loves. In honor of the holiday, I made you a mix of songs that make me think of the real, true, forever kind of love. Buck Owens, Thin Lizzy, The Lovin’ Spoonful, Loretta Lynn—who wouldn’t fall head over heels for this lineup? Please do give it a listen, my Valentine’s Day gift to you.