Pick of the Week: Proraso Shaving Products

This week on the blog, we thought we'd give a little shout-out to all the gentlemen out there with our pick of the week: Proraso Shaving Products. Proraso came to be in Italy in 1948, when Piero Martelli invented the Proraso Pre-Shave Cream. "Over the years, Proraso has changed in shape, but the content of its products has stayed the same, always remaining faithful to the brand’s original values: the use of natural ingredients, excellence in research, & respect for tradition." There's nothing we love more than well-made & beautifully packaged products that are steeped in history & tradition, so of course Proraso is right up our alley. Guys, you definitely want to come by the store soon to check out Proraso's great line-up (featuring everything from pre-shaving cream & after-shave to beard oil & moustache wax), but in the meantime, keep scrolling to check out their 10 tips for the perfect shave!

1. Morning is the best time to shave. In the early morning hours, the face is more relaxed & the razor glides smoother without irritating the skin.
2. Always use pre-shaving cream. It softens the hair of the beard, facilitating the application of shaving soap
3. Drape a wet, warm towel on your face for one minute. Just as they do at a traditional barbershop, or shave after your morning shower when the skin is moist & soft from the water.
4. The best shave is obtained using the Proraso Brush & Shaving Soap. To obtain a good, delicate foam, wet the shaving brush & apply it to the soap in circular movements, until you build up a rich lather. Use of the shaving soap increases the volume of the hair on the beard & allows for a smoother, closer shave.
5. While shaving, try to use the razor in a soft, yet decisive manner. Do not apply too much pressure on the razor & follow the lines of the face, always keeping the skin stretched.
6. Always keep your razor clean. Rinse the razor well with warm water after at least two shaves. Leftover residue from previous shaves can reduce efficiency & increase the risk of damaging the skin.
7. To obtain a smooth & perfect shave, always remember that one shave is not enough. Remember to lather the face a second time & repeat shaving.
8. Do not neglect the post-shave phase. Rinse the face well, washing off all residue from the cream, soap, or foam. 
9. Apply after-shave & balm. Even if shaving has been completed correctly, it is always stressful on the face.
10. Take care of your skin. If you do not shave daily or you have a problem with in-grown hair, make sure you use a face cream every day.

Pick of the Week: Baby Bears

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, we couldn't help but fall in love with our newest cuddly friends, Baby Bears. Mama Bear, Ellen George, was inspired by the birth of her own baby bear & a desire to create her son unique, handmade pieces. And thankfully, she decided to share her adorable design with the rest of us! Baby Bear was originally conceived as your typical cuddly teddy bear (we had a few in stock back in December, if you remember), but as demand for her bears has increased, Ellen needed to come up with a more concise & timely manner in which to make them. Thus the new screen-printed Baby Bears came to be! 

We recently had a little chat with Ellen about the process of making her Baby Bears & she shared some insight into the process: "I loved sewing [the original version of the] bears, but there were over twenty pieces to the pattern, & they would take me at least four hours to make from start to finish. While considering some new ideas, I remembered a screen-printing kit my husband had given me as a gift five years ago, which I had never used (& which he always reminded me about). So, I took the three-dimensional version of the teddy bear, & painted it into a two-dimensional image. From there, I created my first silk screen. Even though I was creating something simpler, I still wanted it to have the dimension & personality that comes with a hand-made product. The applique heart added the dimension I was looking for. I love the contrast between the flat image of the bear and the fuzzy applique heart."

Bottom line, we absolutely adore these Baby Bears & think they would make the perfect, one-a-of-kind gift for Valentine's Day! They are made with 100% cotton, hand printed with non-toxic water-based ink, & stuffed with premium non-allergenic polyester fiberfill. They also come in 9 different backing patterns for you to choose from! You definitely want to be sure to stop by the store soon to check out these cuddly friends before they're all gone!! 

Pick of the Week: The Fragrances of Santa Maria Novella

When it comes to selecting the perfect fragrance, quality is everything. It takes the perfect balance of precise ingredients to create a scent that is unique, flattering & lasting. Officina Profumo – Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is one of the world's oldest pharmacies - they've been around since the 13th century, in fact - so we're pretty sure they know a thing or two about fragrances by now. Keep reading below to find out more about their amazing history...

The old pharmacy

The Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella was founded in 1221 in Florence by the Dominican Friars who started making herbal remedies & potions to use in the monastery. Their reputation became world renowned and the pharmacy, sponsored by the Grand Duke of Tuscany, opened to the public in 1612. 

Many of Santa Maria Novella’s products have become a part of history: the world famous pot-pourri is still hand crafted in large terra cotta vats using local essences & plants as has 
been the tradition since the 1200’s. The first “Eau de Cologne” has been attributed to the pharmacy’s creation in the 1500’s of Catherine de Medeci’s “Water of the Queen.” She used the citrus & bergamot scented water constantly & gave it to all of her closest friends during her reign as the Queen of France. It’s popularity in France lasted into the 18th century whereupon a certain Italian, Giovanni Feminis, took it with him to Cologne & began to make it there, renaming it Acqua di Cologne or Eau de Cologne as a tribute to the city where it was produced. Today this refreshing mix uses the same original formula from the time of Catherine de Medeci & is simply called Santa Maria Novella. It is Santa Maria Novella’s Signature Fragrance and surely the most sought after of all of their scents. 

Some of the oldest products from Santa Maria Novella are among the most popular today. The Almond Paste is an excellent rich cream made from almond butter. The Rose Water can be used on the face for washing & removing make-up or for scenting linens. The Pot-Pourri with its pungent, spicy scent, is still hand made & left to ferment in large terra cotta jars. The Milky Soaps, scented with Santa Maria Novella’s own fragrances are made with whole milk to protect & soften delicate skin. And of course the Santa Maria Novella fragrances themselves; classic scents like Honeysuckle, Rose & Iris, exotics such as Patchouli, Marescialla & Calycanthus, &, romantics like Jasmine, Violet & Lily of the Valley.

Today, the Pharmacy is run under the direction of Eugenio Alfandery, a gentleman who has kept the tradition & legacy of Santa Maria Novella intact, while at the same time updating the centuries old methods & procedures that are the mainstay of the reputation of this great brand.

An early 20th-century photograph of the old distillery

Holiday Pick of the Week: Seasonal Produce Candles

We have been long-time fans of Produce Candles here at The Paris Market, so we couldn't be more excited to finally be carrying their fall & winter scents. But just in case you're new here: "Produce joins scent & soil by crafting a line inspired by the harvest. Sweet, earthy, spicy, crisp - each element is seasonally represented in hand-cultivated candles made with natural soy wax & premium cotton wicks. These clean, fresh scents bring the best of the farm stand into the home." From sage, sweet potato, & fig for fall to beet, chicory, & rosemary for winter, we love them all! Stop by the store soon to pick up one (or two, or three!) of these delightful candles & bring the scents of the season to your home!

Holiday Pick of the Week: Surprize Balls

Mini Surprize Ball Snowballs - Available Online

The first week of December is already half over, which means we're beginning to get a little anxious to start crossing names off of our holiday shopping list. Surprize Balls are one of our top picks for holiday gifts this year because they make the perfect little stocking stuffer! And what makes these delightful gifts even cooler is the awesome history behind them: 

The earliest evidence of Surprise Balls was found in Native American culture. Traditionally, it was a common practice to tell the history of one's life with a unique ball of twigs, grass, string, etc. The first layer represented birth & then for significant events in life, another layer & memento were added. Surprise Balls in Native American culture represented a person's entire life.   

Surprise Balls became vogue in America in the 1950s when a gent named Charles Gregor in New Orleans created, "The Surprise Ball: The Toy You Destroy to Enjoy." The Surprize Ball soon made its appearance in FAO Schwarz, Mayo Clinic, The Children's Hospital in Minnesota, Ben Franklin Crafts, & The Nut Tree near San Francisco. 

Eventually, the trend stopped as trends tend to do. But then in the 1980s, Judy Walker remembered Surprise Balls from her childhood. She began to collect original trinkets & surprises, like Fortune Fish & vintage toys, then wrapped them into colorful crepe paper to create the Surprize Ball, which is now loved by people of all ages & for every sort of occasion.

It was no surprise (no pun intended) that as soon as we put the Surprize Balls out, they started flying off the shelf. Thankfully, we managed to save a few exclusively for our online store! So if you're looking for a wonderfully unique gift that is sure to bring joy to the receiver, head on over to our website now! Happy holiday shopping!!

Mini Surprize Ball Snowman - Available In-Store & Online 

Mini Surprize Gift Box - Available Online

Pick of the Week: Adelene Simple Cloth Pillows

Today on the blog, we're featuring one of our absolute favorite finds from High Point Market: Adelene Simple Cloth pillows. With a manifesto just as beautiful as their pillows, it doesn't take much to guess why we love them so much:

This is the story of good things that only get better with time. 

Like the hand-stitched cotton quilts, sheets & pillow cases in Grandmother Ada's linen chest, always soft yet sturdy, crisp & cool to the touch. 

Or the adventurous character of Nana Elene, whose passion for travel, painting, & piano was as vibrant as her taste in textiles. 

Fabric with a buttery hand & a hardy character. Color & texture that satiates the spirit. Past & present through warp & weft.

Adelene Simple Cloth is the art of living simply & living well.

With an emphasis on integrity, ethics & quality, Adelene sources fibers & yarns both locally & globally in order to create impeccable woven goods with character & tactility. For instance, their line of Sturdy pillows are made from heavy-duty, vintage washed, & yarn dyed cotton canvas & feature antique pewter zippers. In their Sunday Best line, they utilize unique fabrics, such as bamboo & viscose, as well as washed linen sourced from Belgium. And although they may source fibers from all over the globe, Adelene's finished goods are custom sewn with pride & care in New England. An American made company that focuses on making beautiful products the right way...what's not to love?