You hear a lot about luxurious cashmere blankets, scarves, sweaters and more. But what exactly is cashmere, and what makes it so luxurious?

The experts at Sferra explain:

Cashmere is wool from the Cashmere goat. The majority of the world’s Cashmere today comes from China and Mongolia, with the finest found in the Gobi Desert region of Inner Mongolia. Cashmere goats produce a double fleece. The fine, soft undercoat (or underdown) of hair is mingled and must be de-haired from the straighter and much coarser outer coating of hair (or guard hair.)

Cashmere is characterized by its fine, soft and strong fibers, which are highly adaptable and skillfully spun into yarns. This luxuriant wool provides a natural, light-weight insulation with a silken feel. The resulting Cashmere fabric is highly durable and will last for years if cared for properly.

We have several cashmere throws and they really are softer than any other wool products. One of our favorites is the Dorsey Throw from Sferra:

Although cashmere is best cared for by dry cleaning, you can wash it. Use a specially formulated detergent for cashmere, as normal detergents are too harsh for this fine fabric. We like The Laundress Wool & Cashmere Shampoo.

The secret to beautiful hair is no longer hidden. We’ve recently discovered Mason Pearson hairbrushes and we’re not alone in our infatuation with them. The company has been producing the same top-quality brush since 1885 and continues to impress beauty icons the world over. Heidi Klum has revealed her love of these handmade brushes both on InStyle.com and on her own AOL website. Emma Watson has told Marie Claire the Mason Pearson brush is a beauty must-have for her; she has one in pink.

Creating the perfect hairbrush may seem simple, but Mason Pearson is meticulous in every innovative detail. From the natural boar bristles and extra-smooth nylon bristles to the hand-polished handle and specially-designed rubber cushion, each element comes together in one essential beauty tool that will last a lifetime. So why do they put so much care into such a simple item? Because it is more than just a brush; it’s the key to healthy hair.

Mason Pearson brushes are made specifically to stimulate circulation in the scalp, exfoliate the scalp and cleanse the hair shaft, as well as to distribute vital natural oils throughout the hair. Following their prescribed routine of brushing 40-60 strokes each night and detangling hair before and after shampooing will bring you manageable, beautiful hair. Just ask Heidi and Emma.

View our full collection of Mason Pearson brushes and combs at GraciousStyle.com to determine which one is right for you.

Sir Elton John’s love of interior design and gardens is legendary, so it’s no surprise that the luxury candles he has created with NEST Fragrances founder Laura Slatkin are extraordinarily scented and gorgeously packaged.

Featuring a festive blend of evergreen evergreen and balsam fir needles combined with rich woods and sparkling citrus, the Sir Elton John Holiday candle is decorated with an etching of a coat of arms belonging to a noble family that lived in Luxembourg during the 1800s. After modifying the design to include gold, red, and green seasonal holiday foliage, calligrapher Bernard Maisner blended in handwritten lettering in a Gothic style from the medieval era and an italic script from the Renaissance period.  For warmth and color, Sir Elton added a deep aubergine color to the glass.

For a lighter feel, the Woodside Garden candle features a sophisticated and arrangement of notes inspired by flowers from Sir Elton’s floral gardens at Woodside in Old Windsor, England, including hyacinth, freesia, rose, and jasmine.  Housed in a brilliant translucent chartreuse glass container stamped with a regal gold crown, Woodside Garden’s packaging includes lavender roses and green foliage drawn into the artwork.

And as an added bonus, a portion of the proceeds from their  sales of these candles will benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

See our entire collection of NEST Fragrances.

Brought to you by Pine Cone Hill. This cute video shows off many of their adorable pajama styles.

See all of our stylish Pine Cone Hill pajamas.

This adorably spooky spider candle has us bewitched, and Oprah, too!

Vagabond House is a family-owned American company specializing in fine pewter tableware, servingware and giftware. Largely inspired by nature, their exclusive products are designed to be unique, functional heirlooms for those who seek to express tradition and style in both family and formal entertaining.

Pewter was prized in colonial America, and continues to be a popular material today. Its subtle sheen is beautiful and doesn’t require polishing like silver. Pewter is perfect for those who appreciate quality but don’t want to spend a lot of time on upkeep.

Here are a few of our favorite pieces:

To see our entire Vagabond House collection, click here.

We’re excited to bring you the best of Jonathan Adler’s quirky and cool home collections. Adler, originally trained as a ceramicist, is well known in design circles for his bright, cheerful colors, irreverent patterns, and generally groovy aesthetic.

His bath towels and shower curtains will liven up any bathroom:

And his whimsical brass sculptures are both interesting to look at and useful:

To see our entire Jonathan Adler collection, click here.

I’ve just returned from a fantastic trip to the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Staying at a friend’s house right on the water in Kailuah Bay, about thirty minutes from Honolulu, I was able to get a first-hand look at how Hawaiians and visitors achieve that classic island style.

My friend’s house was well-appointed and stylish, yet relaxed and unpretentious. The exterior was lively with bright white walls accented by lime green trim and dashes of yellow. In a house that has been there for years, there’s always room for more sandy footprints on the rustic hardwood floors and more views to be seen on each of the quaint private patios.

Back on the mainland, the lifestyle may be less tropical, but that’s no reason to shy from tropical design. Since my return, I’ve noticed it everywhere, in kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, and all over the house. Here are a few pieces that can bring island style to any home:

For more Beach Style inspirations, see our Beach House Lookbook.

These table accessories are so perfect for a Halloween party, it’s downright spooky!

The Black Widow Candle by L’Objet looks scary, but the Vetiver D’Orient fragrance will welcome your guests.

Hans Turnwald’s skull napkin rings are guaranteed to make everyone smile. Or at least, to smile at everyone.

Kim Seybert’s faux snakeskin placemats will add a pop of color.

Alternate the skulls with some slithery snake napkin rings for a ghoulishly great table.

Vietri’s Platinum Safari glassware mixes well with these accessories, and can be used all year long.

Pair the napkin rings with some ruffly orange napkins and a black tablecloth for a fun, festive look!   We love the Festival collection by Sferra – available in 101 haunting hues including black, orange, green and white.

This incredible book from Assouline brings together the work of some of the most important architects of the 20th century. Design lovers will delight in the full-size color photographs by today’s leading photographers.

An intimate glimpse into the world of recent American masterpieces. View Living Architecture here.

To see more, browse the extraordinary Books Section at Gracious Style.