Need a Read?

When the sunlight starts to fade and the chilly nights begin, I can think of nothing more enjoyable than reading a great book while bundled up in blankets and sipping my favorite cinnamon tea. If you enjoy reading as much as I do, here are some book suggestions:

The Signal and the Noise: Why So Many Predictions Fail - But Some Don't by Nate Silver
I love Nate's logic, writing style and his curiosity. If you were a fan of his election coverage on his FiveThirtyEight.com blog, then you will truly enjoy Nate's new book. For full disclosure, Nate is a dear friend and someone I greatly admire.

The Orphan Master's Son: A Novel by Adam Johnson

It's hard to explain this very interesting tale about an orphan's fantastical and ambiguous (in more ways than one) life in North Korea. It is very entertaining though may feel/seem uneven or unexplainable at times.

The Snakehead: An Epic Tale of the Chinatown Underworld and the American Dream by Patrick Radden Keefe
Fascinating, deeply entertaining and non-fiction! If you've ever been curious about Chinatown or human smuggling, this is a must read. 

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

If you're an Anglophile or enjoy an unusual love story, this book is for you. I absolutely adore this story and hope they turn this into a movie starring Sean Connery!

Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert Masse
Robert Masse is one of my all-time favorite biographers and his biography on Catherine the Great does not disappoint. This is a wonderfully researched book and completely engrossing.

Then They Came for Me by Mazihar Bahari
A first-hand account of a journalist covering the Velvet Revolution and sent to prison in Iran. Very compelling and offers readers an unique view on how the Iranian government works.

Gabriella, Clove and Cinnamon by Jorge Amado
This is an oldie, but goodie. A wonderfully intoxicating and complex story that takes place in Bahia, Brazil. Simply sublime.

The Harafish by Naguib Mahfouz
This book introduced me to Naguib Mahfouz and to the amazing maze of Egyptian life and fantasy. It's a hidden gem among Mahfouz's collection of brilliant novels.

A Gadget Lover's Dream: Quirky.com

Ever wish you were James Bond and had your very own Q to create extremely unique, functional and stylish gadgets for your everyday needs? You probably don't need a tricked out Aston Martin, poison dart pens or frames with laser beams, but you may need a contraption to keep your cords neat and tangle free or a mouse pad that doubles as a writing pad or a flexible power strip. Well, Quirky.com has these cool gadgets and more!

And if they don't have your dream gadget, you can create one with them! Quirky.com allows you to submit ideas and then get all the development support you need! I am oversimplifying here, but that is the general idea. In summary, this site is a gadget lover's dream come true. And if you or your gadget loving friend are just bursting with ideas, you may want to consider becoming a Quirky Pro member...

If you're looking for a unique gift or want to become the next Q, check out Quirky.com. I already have a couple of products on my wish list and some ideas ready to submit....

Kapra Hiska, Part Deux

Did the last Kapra Hiska post raise your blood pressure or make your fashion antennae go a bit nuts?
Can't wait until your next trip to Paris or when Kapra Hiska launches their website? Email them at kaprahiska@gmail.com, and you'll be able to see images from their latest collection of AIR Scarves and sweaters. They did send their brochure, which I've put on this Kapra Hiska Brochure Page.

Until then.... Whet your appetite with an image from their Fall 2012 collection, which was inspired by the nomadic spirit and nature.

Madonna famously wore a t-shirt declaring "Italians Do It Better," but I have to disagree when it comes to featherweight cashmere scarves and sumptuous cashmere sweaters...

Kapra Hiska Does It Best! 

Kapra Hiska Fall 2012 AIR Scarves & Sweaters for men & women

Paris Shopping: Kapra Hiska

Fall is almost here, and it's time to break out your favorite cool weather accessories! Oh no, what is that you see? A hole in your stole? An unraveling knit? Cashmere pilling not worth shearing? What to do? Where to go? There are stores for restoring, but there are also stores for exploring... And I enjoy the latter. I love seeing the latest colors, textures, fabrics and styles the new season offers. One store I wish I could visit this very moment is Kapra Hiska located in my favorite area of Paris - Le Marais. 

What is Kapra Hiska? It's simply the best cashmere store I have ever visited. Their scarves are simply sublime -- light, airy and drenched in color. The first time I felt one of their scarves, I thought I was touching the rare (and illegal) shahtoosh (the ultra-fine cashmere once prized by Persian princes for its warmth and ability to slip through a ring). The owner promised me the cashmere was not shahtoosh, but a very refined cashmere from Mongolia!

Indescribable softness, gorgeous colors and light as air -- what more could you want from a cashmere scarf? How about a great price? Say half of the price of an iPhone 5! And when your iPhone bites the dust, this scarf will still be with you. A great investment and well worth a trip to Le Marais when you're in Paris.

P.S. I believe the store is relatively new (so new I could not find a website, just a Facebook page), so I am unsure of its capabilities of selling outside of the EU. However, email them to see if they can or where they may be sold outside of Paris. Their email is kaprahiska@gmail.com .

Kapra Hiska, 43 rue de Turenne, Le Marais, Paris

Here are some images from their 2012 Look Book:

 

Psy - The Perfect Blend of Humor and Music

If you haven't already seen or heard the music video "Gangnam Style" by the South Korean artist Psy, you must! With close to 200 million YouTube hits, appearances on Good Morning America, the Today Show and Saturday Night Live, Psy and his Gangnam Style song are an international hit and breaking music firsts left and right!

Gangnam Style is the perfect blend of humor and music, which proves that these two attributes are universal keys to connecting with others. The video is deliciously tongue-and-cheek (I'm a sucker for kids dancing, and that little man in his wife beater and red track pants is just amazing). The beat is infectious and the moves are just hilarious, which can be done by anyone anyone.

What does the song mean? Kinda irrelevant since the message of the music and video is to just have fun (at least to me) and to not take life too seriously (a reminder we need in today's turbulent world). However, if you really want to know what Psy is saying, here is a link to UpRoxx, which has the entire song translated. Too tired to know? Well, just sit back, watch, smile, nod your head, tap your feet or fingers, and ENJOY!!!!

Look Rich in Jewel Tones

Fall fashions are here, and I absolutely love the season's trend for gorgeous jewel tones. Why colors and not the interesting silhouettes, ornate brocades, metallic sheen, floral jeans etc? Well, with a color palette I don't have to spend a fortune on buying a new wardrobe. And in this economy I must maximize what I have in my closet without looking like a has-been or a dated doll. So, how do I do that? Accessorize!!!

With a classic wardrobe of neutral colors and simple silhouettes, all I need are some eye-catching accessories. So, here is my dream list of shoes and handbags that I believe can turn my ho-hum classics into luxe looks (I'm going to use Bloomingdale's as my one-stop shopping store since they have a wide selection of accessories at various price points).
     
Flats: I admit that I've slowly become a fan of the smoking shoe. There is something very chic about them (as long as they don't look like they only belong at someone's bedside).  These hunter green and gold darlings look absolutely divine! Via Spiga Smoking Flats

   
Pumps: Who hasn't dreamed of owning a pair of Ruby Red shoes a la Dorthy?  Cole Haan Chelsea Platforms


Boots: Corso Como makes incredibly comfortable shoes and their styles are always on trend without being overtly trendy. This boot can be worn with just about anything (even though it's not a jewel tone, you could wear colorful stockings for a bit of playfulness). Corso Como Doyle Wedge

Handbag: My favorite handbag style is the hobo, and Marc by Marc Jacobs owns this style. This peacock color is bright enough to beguile without screaming for attention. Marc by Marc Jacobs Hobo

Handbag: I love this gorgeous eggplant color with the gold accents. The versatility of the bag is wonderful, too. Lastly, how can you not love this designer? Classic, cool and fun!
Anya Hindmarch Crossbody

A New Beauty Blog

I admit that I have always been a bit crazy for cosmetics, and am constantly searching for the latest and greatest. Sometimes my beauty hunts have been very fatiguing and overwhelming...

So to cut down on my runaround time, I've turned to beauty blogs, which have definitely been helpful but not always very efficient . Since I have yet to find the perfect beauty blog for me - meaning that it's clean, clear and concise, I've decided to create my own. I don't have cute or how-to videos, color swatches on skin, cute images or smatterings of DIY tips. However, I do cover the latest beauty buzz, product launches and how well these products work on me... So, if you're interested in beauty products and looking for less clutter and more content, please check out www.pinchyourcheeks.com

Here is a picture of Paris' famed Galeries Lafayette department store's beauty section, which I enjoyed earlier this year (though I was spent after a few hours of smelling, testing and browsing).