.:le train bleu:.: November 2009

Art Voyeur

Medicine chest snoopers, I have a couple books to recommend to you...

Creative Space: Urban Homes of Artists and Innovators, Francesca Gavin
Looks at the studios, apartments and homes of designers, directors, stylists, artists, graffiti writers, curators, novelists and innovators who are pushing the boundaries of contemporary culture. Featuring Julie Verhoeven, Fafi, and Aya Takano. The spaces they inhabit and work in give a real image of today's avant garde.

Sketchbooks: The Hidden Art of Designers, Illustrators & Creatives, Richard Bereton
Sketchbooks provides a revealing glimpse into the thought processes and working methods of leading designers and illustrators.

Labels: Totally Random Reviews

Oh Leonid

The Leonid Meteor Shower, Nov. 10-20, optimal viewing time after 1 a.m. PST

Labels: News, Sound Off

bookworms, gin drinkers, slip off your satin slippers, i've been waitin for you

Leigh Batnick is an artist out of NY who inspires me on a regular basis with her terrific blog. Visit her site and you enter a fantastic world. She makes wonderful cards with titles that imply a quirky subtext. She also turns her deliciously wicked hand to tees, totes, and jewelry. I am so glad I already purchased her Ada style cards for Christmas this year and won't be stuck with cards of cute animals in Santa hats. You too can order at her store.

Labels: Totally Random Reviews

Sew Pretty

I just know sewing would be a pleasure if I had these pretty sewing tools from Maison Sajou.

Labels: Totally Random Reviews

Husband Coat

This new Rachel Comey coat just arrived yesterday and it actually made me gasp. Out loud. I am so in love with the 20's silhouette and oversized fit, but the best is the surprise inside. See the last photo. I think I'm gonna crawl inside this coat and not come out until Winter is over. See you in June...

Labels: In Store

Magic CameraBag

When I learned that the makers of my favorite iphone app had introduced a desktop version of CameraBag, I couldn't wait to apply it to our next fashion photoshoot for Le Train Bleu. I have to say that the desktop version of CameraBag is just as pleasurable and easy to use as the iphone app but it has so many more applications. You literally have an entire camera bag of vintage cameras and discontinued films at your fingertips. Check out the screenshot above and you can see how it works--just drag any image over to the work area. It transforms images taken with your cell phone and your Hasselblad alike. Oh, and it costs $19 (I'm not sure if that's a special introductory price, but it's a steal in my opinion).

All of my favorite vintage camera effects are there including Instant, Helga, and 1962.

Instant Filter

1974

Helga

You also have the ability to add frames and crop your photo as well as apply multiple filters to the same image. See some examples below.

Helga + Magazine

Cinema + 1974 + Helga

Cinema + Helga Filter

1962 + Helga Filters

As with the iphone version, certain photos will be better suited to different filters depending on the mood of the photo and the exposure. And even though you CAN apply multiple filters, a little restraint here is best in my experience or things begin to look over processed.

Labels: Totally Random Reviews

Girls in Ties

How do you feel about wearing ties? Does it bring to mind images of quirky and sweet Diane Keaton or are you still recovering from the misuse that ensued during the 90's by pop-punk princess Avril Lavigne? We have a new line of ties at Le Train Bleu from a company called The Hill-Side. These very special ties in fabrics such as indigo Japanese selvedge denim and waxed cotton canvas are quickly becoming a cult item for sartorialist men, but we want to wear them too.