Another Great Cashmere Collection from Kapra Hiska!

You must think I'm being paid by Kapra Hiska due to all the posts I've written on them. Well, I am not but I do believe in supporting small businesses with great products, and Kapra Hiska is definitely one of them. So, without further ado, here pictures from Kapra Hiska's latest line. Enjoy and get a tissue to catch your drool as you marvel at the refined luxury of this colorful collection!

                  

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:

 

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).

Spring for Color!!!

Spring is really here in NYC!!! The flowers are blooming... Everyone is wearing color (or at least a touch of it in a city known for its black-clad citizens)... And there are non-stop allergy woes!

So, here are a few recommendations to make you smile through your day of sneezing, sniffling, coughing, itching, etc:

C. Wonder's Smiley Mugs - I mentioned it in my last post, but I had to mention them again. It's always nice to see a smile and spread the wealth. Hence these Smiley Mugs that show a smile every time you bring your drink to your lips!

BLUES by kyky (for full disclosure I've been working with them on a freelance basis, but that doesn't make me bias when it comes to this super cute tote). I am always on the lookout for an affordable chic tote (other than ones from Longchamp or Herve Chapelier, which are great). I'm waiting for my next paycheck to buy one of these sweet shoulder bags...  I love the orange and green ones, and they are available in a ton of colors and prints. You can order them through BLUES' site .

Superga sneakers - Loooove these sneakers in so many fun colors. Been wearing them since the 1990s when I noticed every cool girl in Paris and Florence wearing these simple sneaks. I never could wear Converse Chuck Taylors (felt like I had clown feet), but these canvas numbers were perfect! Love the lemon color :-)

PRESH by Nicole Apostoli bracelets - These sparkly delights add a touch of toughness and sweetness to your day. I already have two of them, and hope to purchase more. There are many designers making similar bracelets, but I really like these because I find them more fun than flashy and not super-trashy.