Savor France With These Fine Savon de Marseille Soaps From O'Soleil

O’Soleil has the feel of a Parisian boutique. 

Isabelle, the owner of O'Soleil, is French and grew up in France. Her sophisticated style and delicate touch are evident throughout the Montclair, New Jersey shop. At  O'Soleil, you’ll find beautiful and unique clothing, elegant home decor and unique jewelry from both French and American designers.

And then there are the  Savon de Mar-seille Extra Pur Soaps by La Compagnie de Pro-vence. I am drawn to them like a moth to a light. 

The handmade soaps are arranged artfully on two shelves. On the top shelf, the all-natural Savon de Marseille Extra Pur liquid hand soaps seem to glow within their chic glass dispensers. While the exquisite Savon Extra Pur bar soaps with their contemporary, colorful packaging have the brilliance of a box of French pastels (see above photo.)

“You’ll find Savon de Marseille soaps in French pharmacies,” Isabelle tells me. 

French pharmacies are a destination, unlike our ho-hum American chain pharmacies. A place where you can buy luxe beauty products. 

Savon Extra Pur Soap is gentle and is ideal for sensitive skin. It is made from 72% palm oil and it is a wonderful moisturizer. 

Since 1688, French law decreed that only soaps made  in and around the Marseille area, using traditional techniques and containing only the purest ingredients are privileged  to bear the mark "Savon de Marseille." 

Fragrances include: Figure (fig), Pamplemousse (grapefruit), Olive Lavende (lavender), Verveine (verbena),  Fleur d' oranger (Orange Blossom), Rose, and Pure (unscented).

I’ve fallen hard for the Pamplemousee. I like its wholesome, clean bouquet. After my shower, I feel fresh. I love how the soap’s weight in grams is engraved into one side of the soap.

Modern and natural, with a dash of French histoire! What more could you want.

100 gram Savon de Marseille soap: $7.00
250 gram Savon de Marseille soap: $10.00

500 ml Savon de Marseille Liquid Hand Soap: $22.00

O’Soleil: www.osoleilfrance.com/7 South Fullerton Ave., Montclair, NJ  07042/973.783.4444

Unique Letterpress Paper Goods from Parcel

I enter the wondrous world of Parcel much like Alice following the White Rabbit down the hole. This is what I discover in this delightful paper shop in Montclair, New Jersey.

All things dear fill the shop that the owner collects--precious porcelain figurines; ribbons of every color; European sweets in old-fashioned candy jars; alphabet tiles from vintage games; paper and ephemera, curiosities and collectibles, craft materials, retro party favors and so much more.

In addition, the store presents a distinguished line of Parcel Paper Goods--letterpress journals, notecards, holiday gift cards and an amazing 2010 calendar. 

I am hooked. 


I have a slight obsession with letterpress stationery and Parcel’s designs are beautiful. I like the textured feel of the letterhead paper, it has a warmth and history to it.

Letterpress technology dates back to its invention by Johannes Gutenberg and Parcel gives the old, a modern sensibility.

I want to share with you some of Parcel's letterpress designs that wowed me.

Hand letterpressed and embellished Holiday Gift tags and stickers

These cards have an old-fashioned appeal

$12.00 for 13 Holiday Tags 

2010 Calendar: 2-color hand letterpressed pages 

A year of art..

in a box...

Incredible detail...

Easel style folder

2010 Calendar: $24.99

Books/journals with hand-letterpressed covers. 

These gorgeous covers are inspired by vintage scientific and botanical imagery. Includes a faux bois (fake wood) pattern--available in fuschia, lime, orange and chocolate brown. Pages are unlined.

Custom-designed books: $11.00-$22.00 

Parcel also creates custom paper-cut silhouettes, personalized silver charms, custom invitations and boxes of inspiration--from garden themes to faerie wonderlands--filled with craft and millinery materials and vintage ephemera. Charming.

P.S. 

For an incredible journey, sneak a peek at Parcel's website. When I stumbled upon the site, I knew I had to visit the store. It gives the impression of a magical stage show. The curtains are pulled open to reveal an enchanting scene. A well-dressed rabbit--looking as if he stepped out of the pages of a 19th century children’s picture book--moves through a fantastical realm--red mushrooms with white polka dots; a burst of calla lillies; a grand castle; a pair of golden doves entwined; a pine forest. Birds chirp and chimes sound--a sweet melody in a music box.

Parcel: http://shopparcel.com/559 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair, NJ 07042/973-744-7700

In the following month, I plan to single out some unique items from Montclair shops that would make fabulous gifts. And lucky you, you won’t even have to leave home as you can order everything on-line.  You can check out a previous blog post where I highlighted hip hats for babies at Minnow, a trendy children's clothing store.

Your Baby Will Rock with These Hip Caps from Minnow!

Momma can dance and baby will rock 'n' roll! Especially with these hip and trendy pinkaxle hats from Minnow, a stylish children's clothing shop, in Montclair, NJ. 

What could be cuter and more dangerous than a baby rocker with a Mom tattoo? 

Or how about a wicked guitar cap for your sweetie?  She might surprise you with some amazing guitar licks (she's secretly been practicing.)

Your babe is sure to have a ton of groupies.

pinkaxle Styles Available at Minnow:

Lips

Peace Sign/Motorcycle

Skull

Mom or Dad Tattoos

Guitar

Sizes: 

Newborn

0-6 Months

Small

6-12 months

Medium

12-24 months

Price: $20.00

Besides contemporary children's clothes, Minnow also sells accessories, toys/gifts and home decor--with an urban vibe.

In the following month, I plan to single out some unique items from Montclair shops that would make fabulous gifts. And lucky you, you won’t even have to leave home as you can order everything on-line.  

Check out a previous blog post where I highlighted Hip Chic a shop specializing in cool for tweens and teens.

Minnow: info@Minnowkids.com/32A Church Street, Montclair, New Jersey

Photo credits: baby photos from pinkaxle

Gift Ideas for Tween Girls from Hip Chic

I find that Tween girls are the most difficult to shop for. A tween--a child between the ages of 9-12--is not quite a teen, but not a little kid anymore, either.

Tweens know what's "in." And what's "out." They know what they like. And dislike. Especially dislike. That makes it hard to know what to buy.

Adults just don't "get it." Although they... that is "we" mean well. I know, because I remember some of the gifts I received at that time. Gifts that weren't quite right. In fact, thumbs-down awful.

Fortunately I discovered Hip Chic, a funky clothing and accessories shop in Upper Montclair, NJ. Hip Chic specializes in cool products for tweens, teens and college students. When I was poking around, the place was swarming with tweens. A good sign. The owner definitely knows what tween girls love. Thank god. And she made some great gift suggestions.

"These initial pendants are very popular," the owner showed me the display of gold-plated necklaces. The letter necklaces are nickel-free. I like their modern look. Sure to make a tween happy.

Initial pendants: $20.00

The owner indicated a basket overflowing with cell phone holders and change purses. They’re really cute and come in a variety of colors and styles. The snowman is perfect for the holidays. But ya gotta love the perky red terrier. Hmm. I wonder if I'm too old to own one.

Change Purse: $7.00

Cell Phone Holder: $15.00

"Peace bags are doing very well with the Tweens," the owner points out an assortment of fabric bags that the store sells. 

I like this hippy-luxe look with its pink peace sign and fashionable zebra stripes.

Peace tote bag: $18.00

You really can’t go wrong buying here for tween girls.  

As I’m getting ready to leave I notice the adorable Kimmidolls. 

"They just came in,” the owner said. “They're key chains. They all have different names."

Three of  the sweet dolls/keychains are featured in the above photo (L to R): Etsumi, her spirit is joyful and playful and expresses "Delight"; Kioko brings fulfillment and pleasure and expresses "Happiness"; and Emi connects and cheers and means "Smile." Awww!

The delightful dolls are based on the traditional Japanese Kokeshi Doll. Kokeshi Dolls were hand-made by peasant farmers and given away as gifts of love and friendship. 

Hip Chic carries a large selection of Kimmidoll key-ring characters sure to delight any tween.

Kimmidoll keychains: $10/each

With possibilities like this you might even receive a text from your tween: Thank U for da gift. I rilly luv it! 


In the following month, I plan to single out some unique items from Montclair shops that would make fabulous gifts. And lucky you, you won’t even have to leave home as you can order everything on-line.  You can check out a previous blog post where I highlighted festive dog accessories at The Banyan Tree.

Hip Chic: http://www.hipchicnow.com/contact.asp/195 Bellevue Ave., Upper Montclair, NJ/973-233-0306

photo credit for change purse/cell phone holder: hip chic

Contemporary Holiday Ornaments from Jonathan Adler: Tres Chic!

My sister and I were kicking around Montclair, New Jersey yesterday. We were doing a little preliminary holiday shopping. Montclair is just 13 miles west of New York City and it’s a great, hip town to shop. Lots of eclectic stores, like ColorStoryHome. 


Take a look at these adorable 2009 Jonathan Adler ornaments we found at ColorStoryHome. So modern... so cute! 


J’adore the poofy poodle. Ooh-la-la! Chic on the tree. 

ColorStoryHome offers 5 Adler animal designs: the lovely poodle, penguin, whale, elephant and dove. All the unglazed porcelain ornaments come in his cool blue signature box. 


In the following month, I plan to feature some unique items from Montclair shops that would make fabulous gifts. And lucky you, you won’t even have to leave home as you can order everything on-line. 


ColorStoryHome: www.colorstoryhome.com/$24 for each ornament/toll free: 877-744-8424/31 Valley Road @Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, NJ  

Photo credit: ColorStoryHome

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Accessories: Scarf it up!

I own so many scarves. I certainly don't need another.

That is until I went shopping last week. I spotted a scarf that looked like it should have a $200 price tag. I pulled it off the shelf.

The scarf is a luxurious green, speckled with yellow and blue yarn. I'd swear it was 100% mohair. I'd swear it was hand-made.

I am not at Bloomingdale's or Barney's, I am in a mall in Paramus, NJ, the king of shopping meccas.

The find spotted at: H&M.

The price: $17.95.

I scarfed it up and I'm sure glad.

H&M stores/$17.95/has matching beret and mittens