tootsie roll POP wrapper, June 2010

"When we were introduced to Archie Bell, he said 'Hey, what's happening, ain't nothing to it' in one breath. Later, we learned that is his favorite way of greeting people. We focussed on Archie Bell, because the Drells deferred to him, and because, while the Drells wore a collection of patchwork-denim and polyester outfits, Archie Bell was wearing a smart-looking leisure suit. It was beige, with deep brown stripes running down the pants legs, and the jacket had darts and tucks that made it fit snugly. After telling us how glad he was to be in New York, he said, 'I would like to mention that we have one of the finest tailors in the country. He's from Houston, Texas, and his name is Johnny Burton. He made this suit I am wearing and he made the suits we are wearing on the album cover-the ones with the little bells all over them.' "

from Bells and Drells, by Jamaica Kincaid

a Talk of the Town story from The New Yorker, circa 1976

brickwork on Sansom St, Philadelphia

I don't know what I'm going to do without that button merchant.

sequin, June 2010

" 'This afternoon,' observed Mrs Smiling, leading the way to lunch, 'I think we will go to a flick. Give Sneller those; he will post them for you.'

'No...I think I will post them myself,' said Flora, jealously.'Did you get the brassiere, darling?'

A shadow fell on Mrs Smiling's face.

'No. It was no use to me. It was just a variation on the "Venus" design made by Waber Brothers in 1938; it had three elastic sections in front, instead of two, as I hoped, and I have it already in my collection. I only saw it from the car as I drove past, you know; I was mislead by the way it was folded as it hung in the window. The third section was folded back, so that it looked as though there were only two.'

'And would that have made it more rare?'

'But naturally, Flora. Two section brassieres are extremely rare: I intended to buy it- but, of course, it was useless.' "

from Cold Comfort Farm, by Stella Gibbons

trimmings on 39th street, NYC 2010

Go to Queretaro and bring me back a fire opal.

buttons, 39th Street, NYC, 2010

sequins, studio of Candy DePew, Philadelphia 2010

candy slices, Philadelphia 2010

tu-tus in the window of Baum's Dancewear, 106 S.11th Street, Philadelphia

They got the angle all wrong and so her calves looked enormous.

The lozenge shape is very irritating.

curlers, Beauty Shop Café, philadelphia. June 2010

Let's just leave that part alone.

toy in the road, philadelphia, May 2010