Thursday, September 6, 2007

This Charming Bracelet

Though I was a little testy with wonderful bf earlier because he watched the Federer/ Roddick match without me, I have to give him all the credit for buying me this little gem:




We go to a lot of garage sales during the summer; our town is full of them. Though we rarely find anything of value, I still love finding treasure in other people's trash. This Beatles collectible card was for sale at a particularly weird garage sale, hosted by several neighboring houses. Bf bought it for me ($1, cause it was cut), and I prize it above a lot of other possessions. Isn't Paul's "answer" perfect?
(Also, it was Wendy's Beatles posts that inspired me to pick up the card in the first place!)

This brings me to another odd item, this time dug up at my grandma's church rummage sale. The annual sale usually brings me the mother load of vintage costume jewelry, including this charm bracelet:

It took me a year to finally look at it and track down it's history. When we first saw it, I loved the cryptic "Friend or Enemy" on what I thought was an old fashioned cabinet. I wore it more often then I wear most pieces of jewelry, and one day at work finally decided to track it down. Thank goodness for google and glasses. I finally noticed the text on the key: Tops Club Key to Success. Perhaps some weird cult? Well, I guess that depends on your definition of cult. Apparently I had been wearing a bracelet in support of the "Taking Off Pounds Sensibly" club, a little known weight loss non-profit described by Wikipedia:

TOPS originally formed in 1948 as a response to the need to assist overweight and obese people to lose weight by setting up a support group system. Over the years as more weight management problems such as bulimia and anorexia became widely recognized in medicine, TOPS expanded their scope to include all people with weight problems. They also created an incentive for club members who reach and maintain their weight at their goal level to stay in the club as KOPS (Keeps Off Pounds Sensibly) members -- giving them extra recognition to help encourage other members in the club.

Can you see now what the Friend or Enemy refers to?


Yes, folks, a fridge.

8 comments:

WendyB said...

Oh my God!!!! I'm so envious of your Beatles card! It's awesome. I love the old memorabilia. The fridge/weight loss thing is hysterical. I'm laughing out loud for real!

Anonymous said...

I really should visit more garage sales!

That fridge is classic, ha ha ha. Nice researching!

In Yr Fshn said...

Wendy: Thank you! You seriously inspired me!
I tried to tell my co-worker when I find out about the fridge bracelet, but she totally didn't get it. Thank god for the Internet!

Lillian: You can find anything and everything at garage sales. My bf and I once found a haul of vintage rock pins. I think the only reason he'll keep going with me is for another chance like that!

miss vintage love said...

I love garage sales!! Nice work on the Beatles card, that's priceless!

Lauren said...

haha i love that beatles card!

Debbie said...

That fridge is real cute! Friend or enemy! Haha!

Anonymous said...

That bracelet is fabulous!! i am in love! If you ever plan to sell it or would sell it...let me know and i'll buy it off you ;)

In Yr Fshn said...

Thanks Shaz! I'm actually trying to get my act together and open an ebay vintage jewelry store; I have so much stuff I never wear. I'll let you know if anything happens, especially if I decide to sell that bracelet!