Tag Archives: vintage

mighty swell “summer in the city” sneak peeks

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Hi peaches!

I have some cute photos to share with you…some peeks of just a few of the goodies that’ll be for sale at the next Mighty Swell sale. They were taken in the little patio behind our shop (which I love!) by the ultra-talented Kate Sommers, on a very steamy evening last week. Bless our models’ hearts—they were such good sports trying on outfit after outfit without a single gripe. Thank you Meggie and Lindsay!

We’re posting more sneak peeks from us and our stupendous vendors over on Facebook—be sure to check them out!

xo,

Meghan

save the date: mighty swell’s “summer in the city” sale!

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Mark you calendars for the next Mighty Swell sale, happening on July 23rd and 24th! We’ll have all the usual elements you can count on at a Mighty Swell event—great tunes from Girl Germs Radio, coffee and donuts from A Baker’s Wife and most importantly tons of cute, affordable, on-trend vintage for your closet and home. We’ll also be revealing some sweet  surprises over the course of the next month—keep an eye on our Facebook (where we’re getting close to 1,000 followers!!!) or follow us on Twitter so you don’t miss out! Rae and I cannot wait to see your pretty smiling faces there!

I’ll be back later to announce the By Elizabeth Dehn giveaway…could it be you?

Big hugs!

Meghan

how to: clean your thrifted jewelry

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Hey lovelies!

I’ve had some great luck thrifting jewelry lately, so I thought I’d do a little how to post on cleaning it up so it’s sparkly and ready to wear. (Thank you to the lovely Hannah Kuhary, for sharing this DIY recipe with me!!)

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

♥ Liquid dish soap
♥ White vinegar
♥ A toothbrush (softer is better, but any kind will do)
♥ A lint-free rag or cloth
♥ A smallish bowl
♥ ♥ ♥ This method is safe for cleaning gold, silver, platinum, diamonds and hard stones. It is NOT SAFE for pearls, opals or jewelry with adhesives or loose stones. ♥ ♥ ♥

HOW TO

1. Place jewelry in a heat-proof bowl.
2. Heat 2 cups of water almost to the point of boiling.
3. Add a couple drops of dish soap, one tablespoon of white vinegar and mix to combine.
4. Pour the solution over jewelry, swirl it around a bit and let it soak until the water is cool.
5. Brush jewelry with a toothbrush under running water and leave to air dry on lint-free rag or cloth. And…voila! Your thrifted accessories are sparkly and clean!

Hannah wanted me to mention that this method is perfect for people with skin allergies or sensitive skin—many drugstore jewelry cleaners have ammonia in them which can be irritating and harsh.

I hope you all are having wonderful Wednesdays so far! It’s snowing like crazy here and I’ve got a long day of editing and interviews ahead. But tonight, I’m trekking to Dinkytown to see this band play, so I can’t complain too much not going to see Warpaint because they are snowed in. So excited sad!

xo,

Meghan

 

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

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{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

spring things

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Some weeks I wish money grew on trees solely so I could spend it all on Etsy.  Here’s a little random assortment of things I’ve added to my spring wish list this week.

♥ Andrea and I are signing on for another session of community ed swimming, which is reason enough to pick up another vintage suit, right? Right.

{Pastel Butterfly Dream Skirted Swimsuit, $29, Gimme Nicole}

♥ Capes and ponchos serve as fantastic transition pieces during that slushy, suck-filled buffer season between winter and spring.

{Vintage Folklore Cape, $26, Scottie in a Canoe)

♥ I’d be happy to see one of these pastel postcards in my mailbox some dreary day.

{Set of 4 Postcards, $9, Lola’s Room}

♥ I love these creamsicle-colored floral ponytail holders. So cute! $10 for two ain’t bad, either!

{Two Flower Pony Tail Holders, $10, Tamar}

♥ This needs to hang above my desk as a daily reminder that uncomplicated = good.

{Keep it Simple Doily Wall Art, $27, Three Red Apples}

♥ Is it weird that I dream about thrifting awesome sets of pink Pyrex? Because I do.

{Vintage Pyrex Pink Daisy Casserole Set, $65, Sassbox Classics}

♥ Bigger is better when it comes to hair, savings accounts and polka dots.

{Polka Dot ’80s Blazer, $45, Vonlenska’s Vintage}

And with that, I’m off to tidy up the kitchen. Good times. (No.)

xo,

Meghan

 

 

 

first impression: salvation army boutique in oakdale

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I visited the new Salvation Army “boutique” in Oakdale this week. It’s a nice little spot unlike any of the other Salvation Armies in the cities. Layout-wise, it’s akin to a consignment shop, full of antiques, vintage goodies, nice furniture, quality books and vinyl, and fancier clothes. And, as you’ve probably already guessed, the price points are substantially higher than at the other Sal Vals around town. Here are some peeks from the shop.

Even though the prices on the high side, I still found some deals as everything with a tan tag was 50% off the day of my visit. I came home with a haul that included a ton of awesome jewelry, a never-worn pair of Etienne Aigner peep-toe pumps, some rad coffee table books, a gorgeous prom dress from the ’50s and a hand-knit throw. Among other things, to be blogged about later.

Anyway, if you’re over that way, I’d recommend checking it out!

Salvation Army Boutique
Address: 6060 50th Street North, Oakdale
Phone: 651.773.1365
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., closed on Sundays
FYI: Credit cards are accepted, personal checks are not.

xo,

Meghan

 

judy lee jewelry

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I’m no expert, but from what I’ve seen first-hand, most baubles bought at  contemporary jewelry fêtes fall into one of two categories: “fake bling tacky” and “just plain blah.” Oh, how I wish Judy Lee Jewelry was still around.

Back in my grandma’s days, these costume jewels were sold at in-home, Tupperware-like parties. Known for the use of high-quality rhinestones, the Chicago-based line also had some pretty, sophisticated designs.

Behold.


Nice, right? Pretty as it is, Judy Lee isn’t widely collected (yet), so you can find it at thrifts and antique malls (and Etsy and Ebay, of course) for pretty reasonable prices. To identify, look for the small, script-y Judy Lee signature, as seen on the back of this pair of earrings.

{Click images to jump to the source!}

xo,

Meghan

 

 

recently thrifted

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Well, hello there!

I stopped by an estate sale in Edina last Saturday on my way to my big brother’s house. It was crowded and slightly claustrophobic, as estate sales on Saturday afternoons typically are. I’ll never understand how seemingly polite people can get so pushy. I mean geez, there’s a whole house full of stuff to go around! Calm the hell down, you know? Anyway, here are a few of the pretties I found…

Six vintage slates, made in Portugal, $2 each

A prom souvenir plate from 1977, $1

Handmade denim rag rug, $2

About the sheets I used as a backdrop, aren’t they lovely? I got the set (fitted and flat sheets, two pillowcases) at Salvation Army for around $6 all together. The print is slightly Liberty of London-ish, isn’t it?

Anyway, if you have the hankering to do some treasure-hutning of your own this weekend, here are a handful of estate sales happening around the metro area…8836 7th Ave. N., Golden Valley, 2420 Irving Ave. S., Minneapolis, 4514 So. Mallard Trail, Eagan, 7510 Cahill Road, #220, Edina, 4105 Vera Cruz Ave. N, Robbinsdale.

And with that, I’m off to drink drinks at Haute Dish with Angie.

Toodle-loo!

Meghan

two tuesday finds

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Here are a couple of my favorite finds from today…

1. A beautiful 4 x 6 framed photo of some pretty cacti. I love, love, love the desert and this photo reminds me of my uncle’s place in Tucson and the many good times I’ve had there.

2. I got this vintage crocheted turban for $3! Wearing it tonight has helped me feel more glamorous as I do fancy things like eat take-out spring rolls and type up notes from my work conference. Plus, it’s crazy cozy, which’ll come in handy once I’m back in Minnesnowta.

Other sweet finds, not pictured…a rad mink headband, some over-sized sunnies, a ’70s striped cotton romper and a crisp red, white and blue dress from the ’60s. It’s ULTRA cute and I can’t wait to wear it this summer—it’ll be perfect for the 4th!

Well, I’m off to watch some crap TV and hit the hay. I’ve to get up early tomorrow, pack and switch hotels. I’m moving on down the Strip to the Paris for my last night in Vegas!

Nighty night, sweets!

xo,

Meghan