Rabbit Hole: Vintage Travel Posters
January 28th, 2012 § 1 Comment
In love!
A beautiful collection of vintage travel posters is currently available at Vintage Seekers. To view and purchase these and more, head here.
Desired Destination: Yosemite National Park
January 27th, 2012 § 2 Comments
Too amazing not to share. Definitely watch this full screen!
Via Project Yosemite.
Would you believe I was born and raised in California and have yet to visit Yosemite National Park? After viewing this, our very first national park (technically, as it was created in 1864, ahead of Yellowstone in 1872) has made a massive jump on my shortlist of Desired Destinations.
Have you been? Should I camp?*
*Please note that I have never once in my life been camping.**
**My Mother would beg to differ on this point (please see below). I shall respond by saying that spending a weekend in a massive RV with a microwave and cable television is not really camping.
The Travel Kit: The Illustrated Virago Book of Women Travellers
January 12th, 2012 § 2 Comments
Virago: vi-ra-go, noun
\və-ˈrä-(ˌ)gō, -ˈrā-; ˈvir-ə-ˌgō\
a woman of great stature, strength, and courage
The word comes from the Latin word vir, meaning virile ‘man,’
to which the suffix -ago is added,
a suffix that effectively re-genders the word to be female.
I recently received a copy of The Illustrated Virago Book of Women Travellers, detailing the stories of several remarkable viragoes throughout history, in their own words. Included in the compendium are excerpts from the writings of aviatrix Beryl Markham, Out of Africa author Isak Dinesen, Middle East explorer Gertrude Bell, and aristocrat Vita Sackville-West who was the lover of Virginia Woolf and served as the inspiration for Woolf’s novel Orlando.
Perhaps a coffee table book is not what you would consider an essential part of your travel kit, but one of the most important elements of choosing my next travel destination is the inspiration that draws me to a specific part of the world: be it through art, music, literature or fashion. My initial perusal of this lovely book has definitely lead me to consider a few unconventional destinations — a bit more off the beaten path — for my next excursion. If you like historical accounts of adventuresome ladies in foreign lands, definitely pick this book up.
The Illustrated Virago Book of Women Travellers
Edited by Mary Morris with Larry O’Connor.
Available in paperback on Amazon here, and a few can be had on eBay here.
~*~Further QC Travel Kit posts here.~*~
Field Notes: Antiquing in Mercado de San Telmo
December 13th, 2011 § 5 Comments
Weekly on Sundays, the street Defensa in the neighborhood of San Telmo in Buenos Aires becomes a bustling marketplace where one can purchase almost anything. Automobiles are prohibited, vendors set their stalls in the streets and enterprising young people rove the crowds carrying boxes of homemade empanadas for sale. However, the most impressive attractions of the San Telmo market are the amazing antique shops and there are two in particular I wanted to share with you.
Gabriel del Campo (Defensa 1131 in San Telmo)
Gabriel del Campo was a rather surreal experience. There were so many interesting and immaculate items — from dolls to furniture to fur rugs to an extensive collection of luggage and trunks — and they were staged so beautifully, it felt almost like a museum. Albeit the kind of museum I wanted to live in. And while the exchange rate is currently quite favorable, the shop is well aware of the high quality and value of their items.
For example, a diminutive woman with an accent that sounded like she was from Hong Kong was noisily admiring a Louis Vuitton steamer trunk that was almost as tall as she was. When she asked the price, “18,000″ was the answer. “Pesos?” she asked, which would have been a little over $4,000. “No, no. American dollars.”
For those of us who are not on Ralph Lauren’s scouting team and find ourselves without their unlimited funds, rest assured that Gabriel del Campo is an inherently satisfying exercise in antique inspiration and it is definitely worth a look around. Who knows, you might get lucky...
Antigüo Balcón (Defensa 961, Location 90, in Antiguo Mercado de San Telmo)
On the other hand, the tiny and adorable shop Antigüo Balcón, was a completely different — but much more lovely — experience. Run by owner Abel Neira for over 20 years, the shop is a dizzying jumble of all sorts of odds and ends and hidden treasures. Mr. Neira seems to somewhat specialize in a few types of items — namely cameras, musical instruments, fans and telephones — but truly, there is a little bit of everything crammed into this tiny space.
Mr. Neira was a delight to speak with. As he pointed out small treasures my untrained eye might have missed, we chatted about my trip and the best places to go in the city — quite like visiting an old friend with an amazing collection. At Antigüo Balcón, unlike at Gabriel del Campo, you can find amazing things that won’t require a second mortgage — or a first one for that matter — and you will consider your time with Mr. Neira as an added bonus.
Abel Neira, owner of Antigüo Balcón.
Related: Field Notes: Buenos Aires, Argentina
New Addition: San Fernando Valley Mercantile Co. 16″ Tool Bag
November 27th, 2011 § 3 Comments
I’ve not returned from Buenos Aires just yet, but I thought I would do a brief post from the Southern Hemisphere on what’s turned out to be my favorite travelling companion from the past few weeks. In October, I posted about my trip to the Rose Bowl Flea in California to visit The San Fernando Valley Mercantile Co. and meet founder Warren Schummer. Aside from having a lovely visit, I also put in an order for one of their handsome 16″ tool bags. I was very pleased to receive it before I jetted off for South America and it’s been absolutely great on the trip.
Large enough to fit a MacBook Air, several guidebooks, a Louis Vuitton Pochette, Kate Spade Lacey wallet, a Nikon D60 (and its bag and cords), a few other bits and bobs, and somehow still fit under the seat in front of me, this bag is made for travel. With a firm board bottom and metal feet, it also keeps its shape beautifully when not quite so fully stuffed. I especially liked the detachable shoulder strap, which I usually wore cross-body to keep my hands free. It definitely came in handy while rambling around the antiques market of San Telmo in Buenos Aires, where the photos were taken.
The leather was quite blond when I received it, but after only a few weeks it’s already aging nicely. I’m definitely looking forward to years of use from this handsome bag — and of course, many more trips around the world with it. If you’d like your own bag from this very limited run, all completely handmade in Southern California, head here.
You’ll notice two small alterations on my bag, courtesy of Warren: the addition of a small snap at the top to keep it securely closed and — and! — my monogram just below that. If you ask him very very nicely, he might be able to fix yours up as well.
Don’t forget to also check out the rest of The SFV Mercantile shop here, as well as the store blog, and Warren’s awesome Vintage Workwear blog.
All photographs courtesy of Erin Rickards, who is a great photographer and even greater friend, but sadly is without a website. She did just start Instagramming, though. If you’d like to follow her there, her username is @ericka22.
Louis Vuitton City Guides 2012
September 27th, 2011 § 1 Comment
In its thirteenth year of publication, the Louis Vuitton City Guides offer sage advice on cities around the world for discerning — and moneyed — travellers. These slim volumes will be available in LV stores on October 15, but in the meantime you can get the inside track on:
Bespoke gentlemen’s tailoring in London
Perfume in Paris
Dim sum in Hong Kong
Cinema in Rome
Afield: Portsmouth, New Hampshire
August 5th, 2011 § 2 Comments
As I mentioned earlier, I’m taking off this morning for Portsmouth, New Hampshire for a wedding and a bit of exploration. It will the be farthest north I will have ventured into New England thus far and I am so excited to go. I’ll be back in a few days with plenty to show and tell, I’m sure. As always, you can keep up with me in real time via Twitter.
Have you been? Is there anything I should see?
Have a wonderful weekend.
LIFE Archives: Nasser’s Egypt
February 4th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Captured by LIFE photographer Grey Villet in 1963
LIFE Archives: The Orient Express
February 1st, 2011 § 1 Comment
As captured in June 1950 by LIFE Photographer Jack Birns…
To read the article these pictures were originally shot for, in the Sept 11, 1950 issue of LIFE magazine, head here.
Riding the High-Speed French Rails with Christian Lacroix
January 27th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
I have always regarded travelling by train in Europe a most genteel and classy way to see the Continent. (Sidenote: The experience of riding trains in America simply pales in comparison. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy riding the Acela along the eastern seaboard, but you have to admit it just isn’t the same.) In my mind’s eye, I look exactly like Audrey when I alight on the platform of a luxurious train, complete with dramatic steam clouds and polite, gloved porters with exotic accents…
Alas, I will let you know that reality isn’t quite that glamourous. Obviously, here I refer to the level of style and luxuriousness of said train, and not myself. I am the epitome of a perfectly pulled-together picture of a globetrotter: someone who never loses her train tickets, never gets lost, never misses her stop, all accomplished while wearing beautiful clothes with nary a travelling wrinkle to be found. All right, all right, ma chère, perhaps I embellish the truth. But only very slightly!
With the exception of a small number of high-end rail excursions, train travel has lost some of its more refined qualities over the years, most likely owing to the advent of air travel and the obvious need to provide a cost-effective method of transportation to the largest segment of the population. Train travel today is cheap, effective and utilitarian — but it’s lost the style of yesteryear.
Thank goodness that France’s national railway company, the SCNF, recognized this dilemma a few years ago. They teamed up with French designer Christian Lacroix to entirely re-do the interiors for their high speed TGV trains. Brought to my attention by the travel site Been-Seen, Lacroix has designed a series of modern spaces that are streamlined and colorful. While not a recreation of the luxury train cars of old, these interiors hearken back to an era when more care was taken in designing the passenger areas of methods of transportation. Parfait for my next trip! J’adore!
Images via Been-Seen.
Hop over to Been-Seen to see more images.
Voyage en Capitale: Louis Vuitton & Paris – Musée Carnavalet
October 28th, 2010 § Leave a Comment
Commemorating 150 years of Louis Vuitton history, the Musee Carnavalet in Paris has curated an amazing exhibit of over 200 works documenting the history and evolution of the iconic French trunk maker and fashion house. Coinciding with the release of Louis Vuitton: 100 Legendary Trunks, the exhibit is a celebration of technical innovation and artistic collaboration.
The mini-site for the exhibit is also worth perusing. Especially interesting is the interview of Patrick-Louis Vuitton, current Director of Haute Couture (special orders) at Louis Vuitton and great-grandson of founder Louis Vuitton. He discusses the most important piece in the exhibit for him — an attache case carried by his grandfather.
The exhibit closes 27 February. Further info can be found here (francais).
Musée Carnavalet – Histoire de Paris
23 Rue de Sévigné
75003 Paris, France
Louis Vuitton City Guides 2011: New York, the Big Apple
October 6th, 2010 § Leave a Comment
Third in a series of short films shot to promote the release of the 2011 City Guides, Louis Vuitton tries to uncover the origin of New York’s nickname, “The Big Apple.” Did you know that the Apple store on 59th/5th was now the city’s most visited tourist attraction? My word!
Louis Vuitton City Guides 2011: Berlin and Architecture
September 28th, 2010 § 1 Comment
Second in a series of short films shot to promote the release of the 2011 City Guides, Louis Vuitton provides you a quick survey of Berlin’s different schools of architecture and how to best enjoy the cityscape.
Earlier: Louis Vuitton City Guides 2011: Paris and Le Saint-Honoré
Louis Vuitton City Guides 2011: Paris and Le Saint-Honoré
September 22nd, 2010 § 2 Comments
The Louis Vuitton City Guides 2011 Edition will be released on October 15. In its twelfth year of publication, these slim volumes offer advice on cities around the world for discerning travellers.
Shot to promote the release of the 2011 edition, please enjoy Louis Vuitton’s short film on finding the best Saint-Honoré pastry in Paris. Please refrain from licking your screen. If you can help it. (Did I mention I am eating nothing but juice for 3 days?!?)
J’adore le Saint-Honore!
For Sale: Vintage Vuitton
August 3rd, 2010 § Leave a Comment
Got a few thousand dollars to burn? Love vintage luggage? On 28 September, Christie’s London will be auctioning off several pieces of vintage Louis Vuitton luggage during its Interiors: Style & Spirit sale. Dating from the late nineteenth century through the 1940s, several of these well-traveled pieces still bear the marks of their former owners and mementos from the places they have been.
The traditional hand painted initials and distinctive stripes are the inspiration for the recently revived Mon Monogram service offered by Louis Vuitton. For those who find themselves without an amazing vintage luggage collection to add to, you now have the opportunity to start with a fresh piece and create the “vintage” all on your own.
Bon voyage!
Via: Luxist
