Grab Your Pocketbook!

I hope you’ve been saving up your coins because next weekend is a bonanza for you if you love: vintage clothing, garage sales, stuff, stuff, stuff and even some books. It’s all goin’ on June 26 & 27th.

MNFashion, the organization behind MNfashion Week and Voltage: Fashion Amplified, is having a Designer Garage Sale on Saturday, June 27th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. But if you like to feel special, and also want to make a donation to MNfashion, you’re welcome to attend the Preview Evening on Friday, June 26th from 6 to 9 p.m. In addition to offering the opportunity to buy stuff early, there will be a silent auction that evening. The cost to attend the Preview Evening is a suggested donation of $10, which goes to MNfashion and supports all the rad stuff they are do. If you’re into mission statements, here’s theirs: MNfashion is dedicated to providing resources and professional development allowing designers to establish a sustainable livelihood in Minnesota. In doing this, we foster community and create a thriving, sustainable local fashion industry.

Location of sale: Shelter Studios, 2112 Broadway Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

If you have lots of stuff and want to offload some of it to help the sale, the donation day is this Saturday, June 20th. Check out the MNfashion site for drop-off details.

Last year at the vintage clothing sale put on by Cat’s Pajamas Productions, I nabbed a silk, sleeveless top with a big bow on the front and a skinny belt with vintage buckle! It’s so Mad Men, I can’t hardly stand it. Thankfully, it’s more Joanie than Peggy. The sale is back again on June 26th and 27th at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in the Fine Arts Building.

On Friday evening from 5 to 10 p.m. admission is $6 and includes, “live swing music, a cocktail bar, appetizers, a vintage clothing contest and prizes.” On Saturday admission is just $4 and there will be a fashion show, concessions, “an artifact contest” (I have no idea what this is about) and more prizes. Free parking too! If you see the perfect dress, snap it up. I lost out on one last year because I wavered. They do provide a dressing room behind some curtains, which is better than nothing, but you can’t really be the shy type. Wear your cute bra and undies!

Also at the Fairgrounds that weekend: Star of the North Antique show (running Friday though Sunday) and the Twin Cities Used Book Fair (Friday and Saturday at the Progress Center)! You could spend your entire weekend at the Fairgrounds. Clean up the RV! Pack the cold cuts, bread and Rice Krispie treats!