Straight Guy's Guide to Interior Design

Fabulous over the couch

You Can Buy Me A Beer

Basic Training, Ft Jackson, 19 May 1976 How do I get outta here? The minute the photographer (maroon polyester sport coat & grey Sansabelts) triggered the shutter release, I turned to watch a car...

On the Shore

The Delays are that Summer kind of band full of wind -- A Summer Wind -- Loaded with hope and bubble gum. Back when you were crisp... and feeling like you belonged. In your starched white shirt....

Friday Nights & Afropop

Daara J from Senegal 1989 - I remember the drive home from work on Friday nights in an '86 maroon Jetta with a dying heater that smelled like feet, under arm and crotch...all at the same time. The...

Jean Shepherd's, "Mabel, Black Label"

"I must admit...I've always had a thing for Mable.I see her -- Some nights in crowds.Untouchable....in the dark American streets."Jean Shepherd

Hanging On by the Skin of it's Closed Vent Suit

There was an easy scruffiness to Philadelphia in the '80s. A Center City news stand sold half cover M magazines for half price. Innocent ignorance would be corrected by a girl friend, later a wife,...

Happy Mother's Day

Hampton, VA 1973 - Beau sits between my mother and sister It pains me to reveal I had a poodle growing up but it wasn't my dog. It was every bit my mother's dog. Beau once ate a big box of Crayola...

Sucker in London

How To Layer Summer

Hermès, 1995 Gabardine Linen Linen Crepe Silk Twill Cotton

A Stirring Story

Crate&Barrel Martini Pitcher My mother hired me to tend bar for a party in her home the Summer between my leaving the Army and starting college. It was mostly opening beer bottles, pouring white...

Support Your Local Bartender

"Human beings are at their best in bars." Alec Waugh. The Bartender... I've known a few. Some more intimate than others. I have a standing rule with the profession. Don't drink to an excess in...

For the Lusty in All of Us

Hotter Than A Scalamandré Zebra

The straight guy's guide to interior design. Coming soon.

Bill Cunningham Will Take Your Picture

Shore Leave No need for Brasso Gym bag or a lunch bag It's a big mother -- 24" long, 12" wide and 12" deep. You see a lot of bags like this in NYC. Always a guy who's in shape and lives at the gym....

My Fantasy Tavern

Not necessarily famous or a tavern Less than an hour from Famous Jim's... In the town of Coatesville, With a interesting parking lot and plenty of views... Is The Whip Tavern Not so big But snug......

Update on Tompkins

The new Tompkins web site went live today. Check it our here. He even has shirts for fat boys like me.

Bermuda Shorts

Photos courtesy of Business Insurance Magazine I went to the English Sports Shop on Front St in Hamilton and picked out: Salmon Bermuda shorts with royal blue socks Royal blue Bermuda shorts w/...

G. Bruce Boyer on Al Hibbler

A number of legendary singers in the 20th Century made their name during the Big Band Jazz Era 1930 – 1950. Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Nat “King” Cole, Billy Eckstine, and Tony Bennett come...

Oliver Reed: How To Wear DB Blazer

Here's a man who owned the look.

Grandma Frickert 'Sex Can Be Fun After 60'

I grew up with this reel to reel tape of Jonathan Winters doing, for its time, a fairly blue rant. For instance, a gay motorist pulled over by a cop. "Ok, buddy. Where's the fire?" "In your eyes...

"Your Suit & Your Hair's Not Right"

"Manhattan" The hotel above and the street below People come and people go All the friends that we used to know Ain't coming back Ain't coming back Ain't coming back You say your heart has a rhythm...

Homesick For London: Tompkins Menswear

Being from nowhere -- I never get homesick -- depending on the company. Even though Clay Tompkins and I come from vastly different places...we share a connection over London. I worked in London in...

Lunch with Clay Tompkins

Clay Tompkins by Bruce Weber, Interview Magazine, 1978 (click images to enlarge) Clay Tompkins, UES Office, 2013 I had some time to kill before lunch with Clay (42L) Tompkins (online store here)...

Covert

Finland's Keikari

Interview is here. Last time I had anything to do with Finland was with a Valmet in 1980.

?Raise the bridge! I have an erection!?

To: Bill O'Reilly From: Roger Ebert Apil 7, 2009 Dear Bill: Thanks for including the Chicago Sun-Times on your exclusive list of newspapers on your "Hall of Shame." To be in an O'Reilly Hall of...

The Dude... in '68

Esquire, 1968 (click images to enlarge) Inspiration for the Dude? The Great Lebowski, 1998 A 1968 Esquire piece on the Monterrey Pop Festival looked innocent enough. Grainy Tri-X images of Joplin,...

Blazing Saddles... in 1965?

Esquire, 1965 Blazing Saddles- The French Mistake by smartwatermelon Inspiration... it can come from the darndest places. Having said that, I reckon we're all products of our culture and times. Mel...

Happy Easter

Gin In My Jam

Rose's Lime Marmalade This is not your average jelly. It's an addiction. Morning coffee with Rose's Lime spread on toast or, I like it on Finn Crisp, is like a little slap to your face. Bright,...