.:le train bleu:.

Ilse Jacobsen Rubber Boot Testimony

2010-04-30T16:12:00.000-07:00

Just received word from a customer who purchased her Ilse Jacobsen tall boots yesterday:

Walked all the way downtown to the Monaco and they are ultra comfy. No break in blisters! And they DO breathe better than the Hunters. It's a noticeable difference. They rule. And some other thoughts: the laces make the calf size adjustable which is priceless for us ladies with shapely calves.

Available to order through the shop (Le Train Bleu ships worldwide!) ☛Shop Ilse Jacobsen

Blossom Dearies: They Say It's Spring

2010-04-29T09:01:00.000-07:00

The Tango Lesson

2010-04-26T19:21:00.001-07:00

I want to let you in on a secret. Tango shoes are the most comfortable heels in the world. They are magic. I wish somebody had told me sooner. I have been flirting with Argentine Tango for the past 10 years but never had a pair of proper Tango shoes until just recently and I was in for a big surprise. I am NOT a heel person--my choices are practical, generally maxing out at a 2.5" height.

Well, these babies are 4". On my Tango shoe shopping trip each subsequent shoe I tried on got higher and higher as all the shoes were so well balanced and comfortable. Tango dancers have a special relationship with their shoes and as I now know, there are LOTS of choices out there. Mine are from Nueva Epoca and I will be wearing them outside (which is not advised but these shoes make me want to live on the wild side). If you feel prepared to enter the Cult Of The Tango Shoe, then go check out the ultra chic line Comme Il Faut ("proper" in French), which is wildly popular and doesn't produce anything shorter than a 3" heel as far as I know (that would not be proper).

And if you want to catch the Tango dancing bug, all you have to do is watch Sally Potter's gorgeous film The Tango Lesson.

Strawberry Thief

2010-04-21T18:12:00.001-07:00

My heart was racing in the final minutes of the ebay auction for this Liberty print blouse from J Crew. I had won one recently but it was too small, and here was a second chance. I won, it is mine, and I am so in love! This print is from William Morris and is a cornucopia of birds and flowers but I love the sort of muddied, moody feel of it. Very 1970's Pre-Raphaelite, don't you think?

Check out this painting by Frank Sidney Harper, 1919, showing the Strawberry Thief wallpaper in the background. Found here.

Fools Rush In

2010-04-01T10:12:00.000-07:00

Happy April Fools Day! Enjoy 20% off all day with code "aprilfools" (not valid on preorders or past orders).

Rachel Comey Ipswich Preorders

2010-03-26T15:14:00.000-07:00

Rachel Comey is going to make some more of the Ipswich wedges for us. Huzzah! You can place a preorder for your own pair, sizes 5.5-11, in Toast or Silver.

We are offering Free Shipping on the preorders. Delivery will be around the first week of May. Prepayment is not required. Email us with your request and you will be invoiced once the shoes are ready to ship: buyer@letrainbleu.com

The cost is $330.

Everyone Loves L'Amant

2010-03-25T10:53:00.000-07:00

It's back for Spring. Named for the the 1992 film starring Jane March, based on the Duras novel The North China Lover.

For Purchase Here☛

Happy Days Are Here Again--Welcome Back Polaroid!

2010-03-25T10:40:00.001-07:00

photo: Bria Phillips

THE IMPOSSIBLE PROJECT PROUDLY PRESENTS
Its first, brand new Instant Film for traditional Polaroid Cameras.
Visit the site☛http://www.the-impossible-project.com/

Horticulturist's Mac, Five Ways

2010-03-24T10:36:00.000-07:00

Rachel Comey's Horticulturist's Mac from her Spring 2010 collection is brilliant, in five ways. It is the perfect outerwear companion for the "transition" months of Spring and Fall, being lightweight and in a neutral palette, and in a cut that's feminine but casual. She provided an adorable illustrated guide of the 5 ways she knows to wear it, but perhaps you will find even more...

Available at Le Train Bleu. Visit the online shop☛

Do Not Leave These Lights At Home Alone...

2010-03-18T10:43:00.000-07:00

They are going to use your house as a rehearsal space for their Busby Berkeley revival show, set up an underground poker game, and create an illegal (albeit very high quality) whiskey distillery.

Seriously, don't they look so enchanted and anthropomorphic? Hey, reading lamp, can you pass me my coffee mug? I'm almost done with this Shouts & Murmurs but I don't want to get up because Mr.Whiskers is napping on my lap.

They are part of a new collection of restored industrial antique lighting from Rejuvenation Hardware, circa 1900-1940. They've been sourced from places like NY Subways, old movie theaters, garment factories, and machine shops.

Lend a Hand
Quirky Adjustable "Hand" Bracket w/Straw Opal Shade, c1900

Don't Move, I'll Come Over There
Iron Scissor-Arm Bracket w/Lyhne Shielded Shade, c1915

People Used to Dream About the Future
Silver Steampunk Cluster Pendant, c2035 - oops, 1935

Lampus Reticulata
Pair of McCrosky Articulated Lights w/Green Shades, c1920

Pretty meets Industrial
Industrial Cloth-Cord Pendant w/Silvered Reflector Shade, c1915

Mirror, Mirror
Faries Swing-Arm Lamp w/ American Reflector Co. Shade, c1915

What To Expect When You're Expecting Liberty Of London At Target

2010-03-13T17:13:00.000-08:00

Coated Tote--looked a bit plasticy but cute print

Yesterday I started to hear about some Liberty of London sightings (and purchases!) at some Target locations and I went into a panic worried that Portland stores would sell out of things before the official launch on Sunday the 14th. I called two stores--the first one acted all officious about the launch not happening until Sunday and then the second store I called (on NE Halsey) confirmed they had some things out. So I headed over expecting to see just a few styles but they had the motherload from lampshades to stationary to little girl's bathing suits. They were missing dishware (which I'm excited about), menswear, that friggin adorable bike, and a few of the clothing items I was wanting to check out. So I will still be standing in line tomorrow morning for Liberty at Target, Part 2.

So, here is a brief report on the good, the bad, and the ugly for those of you who are planning to stake out your Target store tomorrow morning. The first thing to note is that I think all of the women's styles I saw were poly. On the plus side, the poly was of a nice quality and the construction on all the clothes I saw was sturdy and impressive. For some reason the girl's clothes seems to be mostly cotton and there were even a couple styles I contemplated trying to squeeze into--if you have a little girl in your life you will be pleased to find a treasure trove of darling Summer dresses.

Nicely made and one of my favorite prints. Would make a
really cute diaper bag or gym bag.

Grandma in a good way. Hope to see more of that blue print.

I'm a sucker for peacock feathers and hat boxes, so yes.

They had some larger frames too but I liked the shape of these little ones and
I could see them looking cool on my dresser framing some Persian miniatures.

Most of the paper goods looked a little too cutesy for my taste but this paper cube in my favorite print will come in handy and looks way better than yellow post-its.

Look familiar? Yeah, this print is really truly gorgeous and the teal is a little
darker and moodier than the rest of the collection. Nice shape--very flattering and it's lined in front.

Fingers are crossed that I can find the multi-ruffle dress in this print tomorrow--I love it. This style is really pretty but I think I will cut that flounce off and have it hemmed so it's a bit shorter.

That's it (so far!) for the Liberty styles. I will be looking forward to more and hope the collaboration is a success so that they can continue (and hopefully add more cottons to the clothing).

A little post script:
There are some other great things at Target right now. I went nuts and bought 5 vintage styled bandanas from the men's section. I wear bandanas when I'm gardening (I don't know how I seem to kick up so much dirt but they help keep it out of my hair and help me feel like a pioneer woman).

And these sandals are really great too. They zip up the back. There's a little bulkiness between the toes, but other than that seem comfortable.

Snow Day Special

2010-02-26T14:56:00.000-08:00

Snowed in? Come shop with us! Take an extra 20% off any purchase through Sunday, Feb 28th. The code is "snowday".

Target and Liberty of London: la vie en fleur

2010-02-24T09:58:00.000-08:00

On the morning of March 14th, I will be waiting in line at an undisclosed Target, paper coffee cup in hand, charged up and ready to pounce. I am trying to keep my expectations in check, knowing that the prints won't have quite the delicate and subtle quality as the real thing (and am prepared to make a big batch of tea stain if needed). The cotton will definitely lack the cool and silky hand of the Liberty tana lawn (which is hands down the finest cotton I've encountered and if you have never owned any, I encourage you to treat yourself to the real thing). That's okay. I am still looking forward to an extra flowery Summer, thanks to Target.

I believe the prints used in the Target collaboration are from the Liberty archives but "reworked" as seen below.

This is going to be a huge collection covering homewares as well as clothing and accessories for men, women, and children. I am really happy that they have offered some longer-length dresses. In the past, it seems most of the Go International offerings have been geared towards a junior market (or maybe they have just been trying to conserve on fabric costs). The Liberty pieces seem to be more sophisticated. There are even a couple maxi dresses.

Prices will of course be very friendly. The sandals below are selling for $9.99 and so far the priciest item I have seen is the Liberty print cruiser bike, which I think will sell for $199.
This is my favorite of the dresses so far: a very easy style in a black version of the peacock print.
And the outfit below has me fantasizing about languorous mornings on the patio.

Drinking some Earl Grey from the exuberantly printed Dunclare teapot.

Maybe a little Devon cream can be found to go along with a bowl of strawberries served up in this Dunclare bowl.
And I'm really looking forward to stealing some of the menswear items for myself. I want to wear this blue print shirt in the middle along with one of the ties. How cute would that be?

Naturally there are going to be some things for gardening, that most English of pastimes. I think the tools and watering cans looked a little garish but I am totally down with the gardening gloves.

I think that along with the men's floral shirt and tie tucked into my overalls, I can channel my English gardener muse, Valerie Finnis:

photo Jan Baldwin, World of Interiors

Some of the pillows and bedding look very promising. I could see these combining nicely with some Indian block prints.

The canisters and picture frames are also lovely. Again, the black and white one is especially nice and if you took the top off it would make a really cool, streamlined vase for a posy.

And I love this swimsuit (again in the peacock print!) so much that I think I will get one to wear as a top.
And just in case you need more inspiration for La Vie En Fleur, feast your eyes on some images from Liberty's illustrious past with longtime partners Cacharel and photographer Sarah Moon.

Winter Clearance Sale--Extra30

2010-02-02T16:48:00.000-08:00

The Winter Sale continues--save an extra 30% storewide on items perviously marked down 30-50% off. Making way for Spring!

Keep me up till five only because all your stars are out...

2010-01-28T13:25:00.000-08:00

"Give me a story that just makes me unreasonably vigilant. Keep me up till five only because all your stars are out, and for no other reason."
— J.D. Salinger (Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction)

Onè Respe Magazine: A Beautiful Way To Help

2010-01-20T15:19:00.000-08:00

The title Haiti: Onè Respe comes from a traditional Haitian greeting meaning "honor and respect."

Here is a gorgeous magazine celebrating the beauty of Haiti in photos by: Chet Gordon, Kari Hartmann, Mary Ellen Mark, Peter Pereira, and Lindsay Stark. Online publisher MagCloud is covering the publishing costs and donating all proceeds from sales to the American Red Cross International Response Fund for Haiti relief. The cost is just $12.

Order here

Insider Trading

2010-01-15T19:13:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note to you loyal readers to let you know that the Winter Clearance Sale is getting bigger and better with new markdowns sitewide. Enter the Sale Here☛

Take A Trip With Tilda

2010-01-12T18:10:00.000-08:00

I love that an actress as commercially successful as Tilda Swinton would still take time to participate in a short fashion film, in this case for Scottish knitwear brand Pringle. The film is shot by Ryan McGinley so it's pretty much a dream team. Watch Tilda explore Scottish ruins in gorgeous full-length gowns, her platinum blonde locks blowing in the gale winds.

North Country

2009-12-15T11:12:00.001-08:00

Well, if you're travelin' in the north country fair,
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline,
Remember me to one who lives there.
She once was a true love of mine.

Well, if you go when the snowflakes storm,
When the rivers freeze and summer ends,
Please see if she's wearing a coat so warm,
To keep her from the howlin' winds.

Please see for me if her hair hangs long,
If it rolls and flows all down her breast.
Please see for me if her hair hangs long,
That's the way I remember her best.

"Girl from the North Country" by Bob Dylan, 1963

Art Voyeur

2009-11-20T11:18:00.000-08:00

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.

Oh Leonid

2009-11-17T22:20:00.000-08:00

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

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

2009-11-17T17:14:00.000-08:00

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.

Sew Pretty

2009-11-13T15:20:00.000-08:00

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

Husband Coat

2009-11-07T18:17:00.000-08:00

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...

Magic CameraBag

2009-11-06T16:25:00.001-08:00

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.