Treasure Box Wednesday: Good Books on Snowy Days

The days have turned colder, and many of us across the U.S. have seen our first signs of those little white flakes. (No, no, not dandruff-- those other little white flakes.) And in times when the wind blusters and howls, and the cold winds cut through the jackets, there's nothing more appealing than thoughts of a comfy chair, a nice hot beverage, and a good book.

So since I didn't go thrifting this last week (no thrifting?!- GASP!), today I peered into the Treasure Box and found these lovely Victorian books to share with you.

I'd written a post on Victorian pulp fiction a while back (you can read that here if you're interested), but there's such a wide range of beautiful covers to share, one post really couldn't contain them.

I mean, just look at The Fortunes of Fifi...


With a title like that, you just know there's peril and adventure ahead for the plucky heroine! And look at the art nouveau curves to the cover, and the soft pastels. They don't make 'em like that anymore.

Or this tiny little chapbook of "The House of Seven Gables" by Nathaniel Hawthorne...


The intricately done cover has a strikingly-detailed ingraving inset right into it. You can see that closer here...


And here-- call me "Ishmael!" Okay, so maybe literature has room for two Ishmael's...


I have yet to read this particular one, but I suspect it doesn't involve a white whale. If it did, it would probably be pictured behind the charming art of the lady with the letter on the cover. (And wouldn't she be startled!)

I've had this colorful copy of Childe Harold's Pilgrimage for a number of years...

The curving vined roses are always a real pleasure to see.

This copy of Maggie Miller picks up similar colors in its palette, with the red of her Gibson Girl tie, and the bright bonnet using all the vividness of the time...


Mary Holmes' Meadow Brook is another read ready to showcase the idealized girl of its time...


With her large hat, bouffant hairdo and trim suit, these girls were a standard around the turn-of-the-century in art and on household items.

This copy of Tales from Shakespeare involves an almost William Morris style pattern of pine cones, pine needles and spring daffodils....

It's a real shift of the seasons.

And lastly, we have this small children's booklet for Easter...

"The Secret to a Happy Day," it's called.

Here's hoping you uncover the secret to your own happy day, whatever it may be-- for this day, and throughout this week...

Perhaps it's a good book?

• If you missed Sunday's post sharing versatility, vavoom and very scary possibilities of vintage tuna recipes, click here.

See you for the next post on Sunday!

International Tour de Force with Breast-O'-Chicken Recipes

Breast-O'-Chicken. The name says... well... tuna, with a serious identity problem, actually. But not just any tuna with a serious identity problem, oh no! This is tuna with a serious identity problem, circa 1949, AND which is brought to you by:

"...A venturesome expedition to waters where this aristocrat of game fish, the fighting tuna, tests the skill of brawny men, so that the tables of the nation may enjoy a sea food which has no equal in flavor, nourishment and versatility!"

Gosh, I can almost see the American flag waving, can you? Bless you, oh Brawny Fishermen for risking life and limb to bring tuna, which thinks it's barnyard fowl, to my family's table!

And when the Breast-O'-Chicken folks talk versatility, they mean it! In Breast-'O-Chicken Brand Tuna Recipes by Frank Decatur White, we will journey to the ends of the earth and see exciting ways to tame the fighting tuna into a delicious, nutritious, versatile and oh-so-international cuisine.


Let us start by stepping South of the Border, with "Breast-O'-Chicken Mexican Pie"...


Mmm-mmm! Put on your sombreros, mi amigos, and dig in to this muy delicioso combination of American Cheese, tomatoes, tuna, chili powder, red beans and corn meal.

What--? Didn't you know American cheese was an important ingredient in all things Mexican? Well, Mexico is after all in North America, isn't it? American cheese is clearly for everyone.

And you know how our compadres in Mexico love to use tuna in all their traditional dishes. Gosh, enter any true Mexican restaurant and you'll be treated to a wide array of dishes featuring none other than our friend, the aristocratic fighting tuna.

Tuna tacos... tuna burritos.... tunachangas... The beef and chicken and refried beans we instantly think of when we think of Mexican food is, in fact, just a myth. Tuna really is what makes our brothers and sisters to the south say, "Olé!"

And what about our friends across the waters in Asia? Have they not experienced the protein-filled goodness that is canned tuna? Why, yes, they have! With "Tuna Oriental"!...



What makes this so gosh-darned Oriental is the exotic, Far East flavor of... um.... peas... Er, and... panfried bacon... And.... tomato soup? And... mushrooms?...

Hm. Well, I can probably stick to sight-seeing when I go to China next, since apparently they eat everything we eat over here.

Oh, wait! Chow mein noodles! It's served over Chow Mein noodles. That's totally "oriental"! Now, that makes it all worthwhile.

Ah, but Breast-O'-Chicken has another Asian dish for us today. Just look at this appetizing "Tuna Chop Suey" which does not in any way appear to have fly larvae hatching in it...

Of course, this features a tin of our beloved Breast-O'-Chicken fancy tuna... But it also involves mushrooms, bamboo sprouts, celery, green peppers, soy sauce and... veal. I hadn't known veal was big over China, but apparently that's another tid-bit of information to broaden my cultural knowledge.

Gosh, these Breast-O'-Chicken folks sure are worldy, aren't they?

So now, we find ourselves heading to Europe, spirited off to one of the finest bistros of Paris. And what have we here? Why, ooh-la-la! Mouths will water over this "Souffle O'Tuna"...


Did you know the "o'" is used regularly in the French language? It is! We here in America typically misspell it as "au." But the real spelling, "o'" harkens back to a little-discussed Celtic invasion of the area now known as France. The Irish and French just don't like to talk about it.

Well, now, let's head back to the good ol' US of A, South of the Mason-Dixon line, and enjoy a nice heaping plate of "Cutlets of Tuna Southern-Style"...

These are cutlets hand-formed with love by you, from chunks and flakes of tuna-- isn't that clever? And the key ingredient in seasoning them is... Worchestershire Sauce! Perhaps they should have gotten together with the Lea & Perrins people for a nice cross-over cookbook.

I suppose when they said Southern, they were meaning Southern England-- what do you think?

Crimeny, these dears at Breast-O'-Tuna just keep making our world seem bigger and bigger, don't they?

Now, in honor of those Brawny Fisherman we were talking about earlier, Breast-O'-Tuna gives us this tribute recipe-- "Tuna Planked Steak."

This savory dish includes several tins of tuna, peas, tomatoes, breadcrumbs, milk and--- surprise-- spiced peaches! A veritable smorgasbord all in a single fish-shaped dish. I simply don't know how they come up with these mind-blowing ideas.

And just when I think we've done all that can be done with tuna, the Breast-O'-Chicken people outdo themselves once more. Like with these "Tuna City Chicken Legs..."


Why buy actual chicken which has chicken legs, when you can use your artisic talents to take a tin of fancy tuna and mold it into chicken leg shapes? It seems so obvious once they've said it, which is why we all need recipe books like this.

Arrange the molded legs into an appetizing wagon wheel shape, and then put hominy in the center, just to tie it all together. Pour onion gravy over everything!

Now, here, it might just look like the red tide's gone out in the Everglades.... But this is, in fact, "Tuna Eggplant Cutlets."

These little islands of edibles are a unique combination of eggplant, potato chips and tuna. The coloring is paprika-- apparently LOTS of paprika.

And don't forget to garnish with lemon slices! (The photographer here apparently did.)

Now what if you have to make some quick hors d'oeuvres for guests and you don't have much on hand? Well, a single tin of Breast-O'-Chicken tuna will allow you to make this eye-popping party platter....


Combine tuna with 7 hard-cooked eggs, salad dressing, bacon, olives and our nutritious friend PEANUT BUTTER and you won't have to worry about short-notice guests ever again.

No really.

You won't.

Ever.

Lastly, it's Sunday, right? And you want to treat the family to a nice Sunday dinner. Why not try the "Tuna Sunday Supper"?...


Just arrange the following ingredients into "Kilroy Was Here" faces on bread: tuna, mushrooms "little pig sausages," parsley and a thick white sauce.

Yesindeedy, that's some serious stick-to-your-ribs (and possibly spackle your drywall) home cookin'.

Well, I hope you all learned as much as I did today about the versatility and adventure associated with fancy tuna. I think it's good for us to educate ourselves like this and truly expand our horizons.

Tonight, I think I'll try that Breast-O'-Chicken Mexican pie. I've got some American cheese and tomato sauce in there just waiting to become high International cuisine.

• If you missed last Treasure Box Wednesday, as we go all jolly-holidays with Tuesday Morning, click here.

Hasta luego, mi amigos!

Treasure Box Wednesday: With Tuesday Morning

It was on Saturday, I discovered Tuesday Morning. The store, I mean. It had been added to a strip mall near our city's only Trader Joe's. Having heard the good ladies on the Holidays board of GardenWeb speak so highly of the place in terms of thrifty bargains, I was eager to see what it had to offer.

And what fun it was! I thought you all might enjoy seeing what I uncovered. As you can see, I really managed to find decor for about every holiday there is! Well, I think I'm missing St. Patrick's Day and Thanksgiving, but I didn't want to get too carried away.


These creepy-fun pumpkinheaded fellows reminded me of the art on vintage Halloween cards. This particular grinning guy brandishes a bat on a spring...


While our second Jack o' Lantern has a bobbling head and a big crepe paper "Boo."


And who is that beside him? Why, Santa, naturally-- who else did you expect to see? I mean, haven't you heard the story about how Santa goes door to door trick-or-treating to get free goodies to regift for stockings at Christmastime?...


Okay, you're probably not buying that, are you?... Well, I gave it a shot. I liked how Santa had an old world style, and was covered in sugary glitter. (Crafter Rosemary of Rose's Petite Maison knows all too well about this kind of old timey glitter-- eh, Rosemary? :) )

And who do we see there hopping before Santa? If it isn't Peter Cottontail. A 50% of 50% discount on this little bunny box made it $1!


Then back to the North Pole we go, with a papier mache castle, and a teeny plastic Santa...


We leave Tuesday Morning on this Saturday excursion, and pop by Mahla Antiques in the Strip District. This is where I got two English commemorative plates. The first commemorates the crowning of Elizabeth II, from 1958...


You can see the crest and the photo a bit better here...


And the second is from 1937, and commemorates the Coronation of King George and Queen Elizabeth. I like how subtle the royal symbol is on this dish-- just worked there into the center of the pattern...


And you can see the back here...

Lastly, here are just a few things I uncovered at the same rummage sale where I netted that box of 42 vintage hankies. This cookbook promises to be fun. Another Lea & Perrins cookbook, this one I believe is from the 40s...


For $0.10 was this TV Radio Mirror Magazine from the 50s. I thought it would be fun to see what was going on in Hollywood at the time.

And as our friend Porky Pig used to say, "That's all, folks!"

• If you missed last Sunday's post on the hankies, click here.

Otherwise, perhaps I'll see you this coming Sunday, or thereabouts. Take care!

Collecting Vintage Hankies? It's Nothing to Sneeze At

The history of the handkerchief goes back hundreds of years-- as the perfect way to dry tears, a gentle way to take care of a cold, and even as a way to catch the eye of that special fellow. More recently, with the introduction of facial tissues, it's also become a representation of a bygone era-- a symbol of comfort, of style, and of a less complex world. They've also become incredibly collectible.

Yesterday, a church rummage sale proved extremely lucky, hanky-wise. An entire box of hankies, of varying styles, colors and time periods. Forty-two in all, for ten bucks! And it was hitting this hanky motherlode that made me realize-- there was no better time than now to talk about those soft little cotton squares so many of us still love.

Simple white handkerchiefs... ones with tatting edges... some monogrammed... some delicately embroidered... Many in vivid color... Or showcasing the shades of the seasons... There's virtually no end to the options available.


The book Handkerchiefs: A Collector's Guide by Helene Guarnaccia and Barbara Guggenheim showcases a range of hankies like I've never seen before. Their collection shows handkerchiefs bearing everything from pets and popular cartoon characters, to souvenier handkerchiefs of the 50 states, hankies displaying airline first class menus, recipes, pop art, calendars, holidays, botanicals and so much more.


Why the variety? Well, according to the book, when facial tissues were invented in the 1920s, the hanky fell a bit out of favor as less sanitary. But after World War II, hankies had a big resurgence as a colorful yet inexpensive accessory. Priced at anywhere from fifteen cents to a dollar, hankies became a way to have a little fun shopping without breaking the bank. They were given as gifts to family and schoolteachers, and used as a way of expressing oneself.

Some women even collected specific handkerchief artists, and would wait for the next work in the artists' series. Popular artists over the years included Tammis Keefe, Carl Tait, Pat Prichard, Jeanne Miller and Tom Lamb.

Today, it's possible to find some lovely hankies at thrift stores for around the seventy-five cent to one dollar range. And at flea markets and antiques malls? They average $3 and up, depending on collectability.

Ones most commonly found are in the holiday and botanical lines. Here are two holiday hankies prepared to celebrate Christmas and St. Patrick's Day...


And one as a souvenir from sunny Florida....


It's interesting to see the different range of colors available on botanical hankies, too. These browns and aquas are actually appropriate for today's decorating trends...


Roses were popular in botanical handkerchiefs, though other flowers were done quite realistically, as well.


While some hankies have straight edges, many of them are scalloped, and some are actually round instead of square. Collectors may choose to purchase hankies based solely on their shape or type.


I love the depth and realism of these peonies. They appear to be almost hand-painted.


Embroidered flowers were popular decorations on hankies, as well. Note the different kinds of flowers included here: pansies, daisies and lily of the valley.

As gifts, hankies were sometimes tucked into what was called a hanky book. The book below was my mother's, given to her as a girl by a family friend...

The hanky-a-day included in this case, Mother Goose story characters where their clothing was made of a brand new hanky. Some were skirts, some overalls, some bibs...




Mom never had the heart to use them-- and I can certainly see why, when the book has such charm with the hankies intact.

For those interested in picking up a few hankies at your local thrift stores or flea markets, keep in mind, there are a lot of interesting things you can do with them, too. Consider ideas like:

• Using hankies in a similar color palette as unique cloth dinner napkins
• Frame them as wall art
• Sew them into a handkerchief quilt, a unique halter top, or a broomstick skirt
• Use them as a curtain pelmet
• Use them as doilies under a lamp or on an armchair

Pretty, collectible and functional... Vintage hankies take us back to a kinder, gentler era. I hope your coming week is kind and gentle to you, as well.

• Miss the fog creeping over Pittsburgh in last Treasure Box Wednesday? Click here.

Oh, and while I remember-- folks visiting here who also participate in Entrecard, you've probably noticed The Thrift Shop Romantic is now accepting Entrecard blog advertising. I'm mainly looking to include other home and garden blogs, thrift blogs, crafts, art, collectible and related hobby blogs. So I hope you'll check it out.

Treasure Box Wednesday: The Fog Crept in on Little Cat Feet

Just a little bit of hometown photography for you in the Treasure Box this week. These shots were taken on one fascinatingly foggy morning here in Pittsburgh.

The time? Around 7:30 a.m. The place? On the rooftop of the office building where I work. And while yes, indeed, there was work to be done, there are days it simply has to wait a few precious moments while the mesmerizing beauty of nature gives a twirl on the stage.


You're looking here from Pittsburgh's South Side to the downtown city... or what hasn't fully vanished into the fog.

This is one of Pittsburgh's many bridges, peering through pinkish clouds. A blue sky behind teases of the sunny day we were about to have...


Yet a 180 turn, and the South Side Slopes have vanished under a gray layer of mist...


And above small business rooftop, church spires silhouette against the awakening day...


On a morning like this, you feel sure the sky goes on forever...


And every second or two brings a slight change in the light, the color, and the cloud...


Thanks for sharing this little moment with me here among sky and cloud today!

• If you're curious what Listerine was recommended for other than as mouthwash, or you want to know which gum offered "he-man fun," click here for Sunday's post.

If not, may your skies this week be sunny ones.

Getting Romantic with Love Story Magazine

Dramatic dames and daring rogues... Such characters filled the pages of Street & Smith's Love Story Magazine. This popular pulp magazine for women told tales of loves lost and found, terrifying treacheries, broken hearts, tearful reunions, Prince Charmings and ladies spurned. It also gave fashion advice, social tips, and detailed horoscopes-- all with lush illustration.

I wasn't able to find the dates the magazine was in operation, but to give you a general timeframe, Ebay offers copies from the 20s all the way through the 40s. Wikipedia indicates that publisher Street & Smith sold off their pulps in 1949, adding one more dramatic loss to Love Story's repertoire.

Today we're going to peek inside two Love Story Magazines from the early 40s.


Yowza-- those are meaningful glances of Scarlett O'Hara proportions, aren't they? These colorful cover illustrations were done by artist Modest Stein.

Inside the pages, we find a number of thoroughly-illustrated tales. "Dead Love Should Be Buried" tells the story of Anne who, despises, then falls in love with a mysterious young man hiding a deep secret...


I love how in this illustration, the magazine doesn't just reinforce the story. It gives fashion advice...


Yup, the caption in the upper right hand corner reads: "Copy of silk suit worn by Margaret Speaks, NBC Radio Singer." As if anyone had seen Margaret wearing such an outfit on the radio...


And here we have Lutetia...


The caption reads, "Lutetia found that as often as she looked toward Tim, their eyes met. She knew that all day he had been looking for an opportunity to speak to her."

Little did Lutetia realize that she was just an ambitious dress store mannequin. I mean, she has to be, right? Who stands like that? And look at that glazed expression! The guys next to her appear to be mannequins, too, modeling the latest from Brooks Brothers.

Oh, but Love Story Magazine had more than just tales of fiction. It had its very own comic strip, as well. Nancy Drew knock-off, "Ann Drews: Girl Columnist." Here we see Ann Drews treasure-hunting in a cave...

Poor Ann... "lost, half-starved, desperate" and finding a chest of treasure stolen from the Mogok rajah...


Then we meet the bad guys-- "Lantern-Man" and "Bagger-Man." We know they're bad guys because of their bad spelling. Only bad guys would say "jools."


There also seems to be "One Man"-- who may be Lantern Man, but saves on characters. Whatever will Ann Drews do?


Not only are they out to steal the stolen treasure, but now they're buying TNT and plan to blow up the Panama Canal! Could things get any worse? How will Ann ever make it out of the cave and share their evil plan with the world?

Presumably, we'd find out in the next exciting installment of "Ann Drews: Girl Columnist."

Instead, we learn some very unusual positioning for Wrigley's Spearmint gum-- particularly in a women's magazine...


Yes, indeed, I certainly turn to Wrigley's for all my "real he-man fun." Nothing says "he-man fun" to me like minty freshness. Gee, that's swell!

Below, Wrigley's also tells us about its "lively, husky flavor." Mint was really butch in those days, you know. It used to beat up those wimpy flavors, like cinnamon and lemon... kick sand on 'em at the beach, stuff like that. It apparently also served in the military and liked fast cars.


I also learned a little something about Listerine. Apparently, by putting Listerine on your head, you can cure your infectious dandruff-- did you know that?


He's through fooling around with his infectious condition-- he's gonna go soak his head in Listerine because his doc said to. And the results? Amazing!

"...Itching let up, scales began to go! My scalp felt more virorous and healthy. Take it from me, massaging with Listerine Antiseptic morning and night sure did a swell job for me."

Editors' Note: The Thrift Shop Romantic does not endorse the external use of Listerine for dandruff, inexpensive cologne or as a brisk aftershave. Thank you.

Here, Listerine indicates a man with bad breath is a fellah ya better cut loose, sister!


Poor little guy! Look at him there, begging, pleading for her not to snip that thread. So make him happy-- get him a bottle of that "wholly delightful" Listerine. Tell him to rinse with some morning and night after he's done massaging it into his scalp.

Lastly, I learned through Love Story Magazine that people in the 40s not only fell in love with each other--- but they really, really loved their heating systems...


Look at those heavenly rays of light radiating from that Duo-Therm heater. Look at those happy, happy people smiling and flailing over the joy and streamlined beauty that was Duo-Therm.

In fact, in this house, the Duo-Therm is the talk of the household. The mother-in-law here, she won't be coming to visit young Bob there, anymore. She'll be coming over to admire the Duo-Therm heater-- the "handsomest heater" she ever saw.


And look at the women in the kitchen in the back. This was the first nice thing the mother-in-law had ever said about anything in their house. It's a miracle! And they owe it all to Duo-Therm.

Well, that about wraps up this week's love affair with Love Story Magazine.

• If you missed last week's Treasure Box Wednesday of Vamps, Lamps and Halloween Camp, click here.

Otherwise, enjoy a he-manly stick of Wrigley's, rub that Listerine into your nifty coiffure, and I'll see you this Wednesday for our next breath-taking installment.

Treasure Box Wednesday: Vamps, Lamps and Halloween Camp

As leaves turn from green to gold and swirl in the chill air, Route 30 takes on a solemn, almost lonesome tone. Yet the thrifting there this weekend was bright and inviting. It, in fact, marked an unheard of three-lamp Saturday.

Those who have read me for a while know I have Lamp Addiction. I fix them up, sometimes I give them to people. I see a good lamp and it needs to come home with me.

Well, at the Salvation Army near North Versailles, I got my prized lamp of the day. This transfer rose beauty, with handpainted detailing...



You can get a closer look here...


I loved the subtle tones of color-- and also that it absolutely matched my diningroom. I've been moving other lamps around to accommodate it. But that's the beautiful thing about decorating-- nothing is etched in stone.

My other lamp score came in the form of two vintage cherub lamps at just $4 a piece and completely rewired...

Take a look at these funny fellows...


And while we're on the subject, I was thinking I might paint these an antiqued white, instead of this gold-- what do you folks think? Leave them as is, or paint them?

At the Ligonier Fleatique I got this excellent tole cake box. It needs a bit of gentle cleaning, but at $5, it's going to be a nice addition to the kitchen...


At the Goodwill in Irwin, I found these tin deer-printed salt and pepper shakers. I may give them to a family friend. Right now, they need a good cleaning.


And at the Salvation Army in Greensburg, I uncovered this nice green Depression glass juicer...


Last of my thrift finds for the week, are these two vintage-style purses. You might be able to tell I'm already thinking ahead to summer, but it's better to plan ahead than be wishing I had them later...


Here are just a couple of closeups on the beadwork on the one...


And the needlepoint of the other...


And just for a change of pace, I thought I'd tuck in today some pictures of my Halloween decor as it's coming along. As you saw up top, this is in my entry way...


The black candleabra I found at the Goodwill. The raven was a Target find. The moving picture portrait of Dracula was $1 from the Giant Eagle grocery store last year after season. And the Poe book? That's just for readin'.

Here's a pic of my Halloween dining table in progress... You can see where those crystal dishes I'd bought went to...

I saw a set of them in one of the antique malls and they were listed as being candydishes/ice cream bowls. I hadn't thought of them for ice cream, but it would make sense why they would come en masse and in different colors.

And that closes the Treasure Box for today.

• If you missed Sunday's post on humorous ads from the 60s women's magazine, The Workbasket, click here.

And this coming Sunday, why, I'll be here if you will. Happy Wednesday to you!

Guts and Glory from The Workbasket

The Workbasket, a 1960s women's magazine specializing in doily crochet, was about so much more than just simple tatting. It was about tat, too. Oh yes, within its pages, ads targeted the American middle-aged woman, and revealed a world of guts and glory, girdles and get-rich-quick schemes. Let's open its cover and look inside...

In the market for a Sacro-belt? Wear 10 days free and send no money. If not delighted, just return the sweat-stained tummy-trimmer for a full refund!

No? Well, how about a free Write 'n' Roll notepad?... $1.50 value, yours free!

Okay, yes, by accepting this exciting free gift, we will expect you to sell greeting cards to all your family and friends and fellow parishioners and neighbors and the bag boy at the supermarket. But who doesn't need greeting cards? It's worth it for such a fabulous free gift!

And just think how handy that notepad will be, when you're making money writing short paragraphs...

Write to sell right away! No tedious study necessary! No talent required! Short paragraphs are so "In," so "Today." Why, look at this paragraph-- so short!

No? Not interested? Well, that's all right-- maybe you're more into... Fashion for stout people!

Latest styles and colors, all for you stouties. Lane Bryant won't steer you wrong-- though she will hone her marketing terminology over the next forty years.

And once you've bought that new dress, where do you wear it? Why your new property in Florida-- no money down!...

Look, we'll even give you the property with the tree in it, if you just act now! We've drained the swampland to give you the opportunity for a brand new life here in the Sunshine State. What are you waiting for?

Oh, but I see-- you're busy... You're a crafty sort! So why not learn to make this adorable crocheted stuffed monkey?


That's his tail there. No really. It's his tail.

No stuffed monkey for you, hm? Gosh, you're hard to please! Well, how about you mail order this real simian friend?

Yep, mail order monkeys, ready to send to you for all your entertaining and organ grinding needs! For only $18.95, you can get this darling monkey, sure to delight the kiddies and spread nameless disease around the neighborhood.

What do you feed it, you ask? Why, it eats all the same food you do... Salmon in gelatin, liver and onions, stuffed peppers, SPAM... all those things you feed to the children, you can feed this monkey-- and with a lot less complaint. The ideal pet, and a great way to clear up those leftovers!

But since you've put on a few pounds eating those leftovers yourself, are you sure we couldn't interest you in a Princess Beauty Belt? It'll slim that figure!...

No, huh? Well, did we ask you about selling greeting cards? I think we did, but I thought you might have changed your mind in the last moment or two...

Okay, okay... So sales isn't your style. Then maybe you'd prefer a job in the exciting field of accounting?

Enjoy prestige as an accountant. I mean, who doesn't see an accountant and think, "Wow, she's got sass and style." And then, when you're sitting in your chair for long hours, being prestigious, and crunching those numbers, you'll need...

...Rupture-Easer! Yes, I know it looks a lot like the Princess Beauty Belt, but this is totally different. Not the same sort of product at all. This one is for men, women and children. The whole family's ruptures are completely covered by this one swell product.

But fine, if you can't appreciate that, maybe you'll be more intrigued by--

Instant carefree living with a New Moon Home! No more of that tedious, time-consuming and Old Moon Home living. This living is instant-- just add water and up pops a one-, two- or three-bedroom trailer!

Hey, did you get a good look at the Compreso belt?

It's got four-way slenderizing power!

And once you've taken care of that tummy, you'll want to do something about that sagging skin, too-- with Hormonex!

Just look at how happy that model is, like she's having some moment of spiritual enlightment. That's the power of sesame oil, lanolin and female hormones at work.

Mostly the female hormones.

What's the species on those female hormones, you ask? Well, we don't need to discuss that right now, do we, um...

Hey- look over here!


With Abdo-Slim you'll feel so slender and amazing. And who doesn't want to feel slender and amazing?

Care to sell greeting cards?..
Oh, right. We discussed that, didn't we? But this time Jeanne Adriane will share with you all her greeting card selling secrets! See her face? Does she not look like the kind of warm and friendly person who could sell anything?

Sigh. Well, fine. I give up. I guess we just don't have anything you want.

Unless...


Half-off on accordians? I hear the pet monkeys love it!

-------------------------

• Folks interested in last Treasure Box Wednesday's mixed bag o' thrifted stuff, click here.

And this coming Treasure Box Wednesday, well, I think I'm going to have quite a bit to show you. I went down one of my favorite thrifting routes yesterday, and goodies abounded!

Hope you all are doing well so far this October. Keep warm!

Treasure Box Wednesday: Queens, Crystal and Cool Containers

Some weeks, thrifting seems to form a theme. Whether it's because the ol' brain has honed in on a certain idea and sends messages to the eyes to seek and find.... Or whether it's simply the serendipity of the hunt.

But this week, my finds seemed to follow no pattern, went down no particular path. The only thing in common they had?

Well.. cheap.

But hey, that's good, too. When I popped by Century III Mall for a haircut, I had to stop by the Salvation Army Superstore, as well. I mean, it was right there!

And that's when I came across these fun pressed-glass candy dishes...


The amber luster caught my eye first... Then I spied the green... Then the icy blue... In moments, I had quite a little set. And at $0.99 a piece, it seemed to be a great deal. I think I'll use them with my Carnival glass on my Halloween table.

Now, this little lady, she wasn't a thrift store find-- she was a T.J. Maxx trophy. But I thought you all might enjoy seeing her, anyway...


I believe, based on the strategically-placed snake, that she may very well be Cleopatra-- prior to that fateful pain from her asp...


What I thought was interesting is how this was probably based on, or cast from, some Victorian art nouveau bust. I mean, the features, the tendrils of hair, the expression... it has all the feel of an antique, except for the price.

This is another excellent reason to really know you're buying an antique when you're antiquing... really look over your purchases and know something about what you collect. With great items like this at places like T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, it becomes all too easy to mistake new for old.

Now here's a piece I could actually use help from you all on...


I got this little pottery planter at a different Salvation Army a couple of weeks back. I liked it because it had a McCoy feel to it. But look at the mark below...


Do any of you recognize the mark? I'm not familiar with it, and am not precisely sure where even to start looking to find out. If anybody has any inklings and could let me know, I'd be really delighted.

And last, you folks know my Lamp Love.... Well, given that, I could hardly pass up this pink vintage Aladdin shade...


And not so much as a chip on it!

That's all for today, my dearies! If you missed Getting Bossed Around by 1,003 Household Hints and Time Savers (including corn starching your bathing cap, and painting your shoes!) click here.

Otherwise, I'll see you Sunday, perhaps? Have a great one!