By J, on December 30th, 2009
About two months ago, instead of requesting for an insurance quote, I found myself totally engrossed on what was then the latest product launch of Lancome : the Absolue Eye Precious Cells. Of course, if you are an avid visitor, you must already be aware of my penchant for eye creams as well as other beauty and skin care items.
I read up on all the reviews, in fact, I went to bed late so that I can decide whether to buy it or not. I contemplated half of the day but because I was dead set on having it, I requested my husband to go and get me one on his way home from the office. He not only came home with a jar of the eye cream, he also brought these samples and a cosmetic case.
Is this eye cream worth my time and the money ( for the 0.5 oz. jar the price is $98 plus NY tax of 8.375%)? I don’t think so ( at least for me) or maybe, I was just expecting too much, or mayb e this is not even really recommended for me. Lancome claims that this cream is an:
Exclusive innovation from Lancôme
A powerful combination of unique ingredients – Reconstruction Complex and Pro-Xylane™ – has been shown to improve the condition around the stem cells, and stimulate cell regeneration to reconstruct skin to a denser quality*(*In-vitro test).
Results
Immediately, the eye contour appears smoother and more radiant. Day 7, signs of fatigue are minimized and the appearance of puffiness is reduced. Day 28, density is improved. Skin is soft and looks healthier. The youthful look of the eye contour is restored.
The jar is not yet totally empty. I guess, it will be all gone in two weeks. My under eye area is still the same, I haven’t seen any visible difference. Will I buy it again? No! I’m moving on to the next brand. In fact, I have one in mind already.
By J, on December 30th, 2009
A month ago when I was still brainstorming for gift ideas for the holidays, it was such a big challenge looking for that perfect gift for my Uncle based in San Francisco. He’s the one who used to love going to Las Vegas because of the allure of the casinos as soon as he retired. He is now a homebody and just loves tinkering around his backyard and play poker with family and friends every once in a while. In recent years, I would have easily ordered cigars online, as he used to love cigars too.
Because I just couldn’t think of that perfect gift as obviously he’s got everything already, I conveniently gave him a gift card (an Amex card). Yeah, I know you might think that choice is very impersonal but I thought of it as the safest kind of present. I could have easily sent him a gift card from a specific store (to give the impression that I put a lot of thought into it, somehow) but the Amex card won.
I got a call from him and my cousins on Christmas day, thanking us for the presents. Earlier today, a thank you card was also in our mailbox. Now, if that is not enough to convey that the presents we sent were very well appreciated, I don’t know what will. I’m convinced I picked the right gift.
By J, on December 24th, 2009
Two Saturdays ago, with the bone chilling temps, and beautiful blue skies, I wanted to go to Whole Foods Market. I simply wanted to replenish my supply of the ‘healthy’ kind of goods in my pantry. With my husband in tow, we separated as he went to get his haircut while I proceeded straight to Union Square. We agreed, he will join me wherever I was at the time of his call as soon as he was done with his barber.
As I exited the Union Square Subway station, and I was weaving my way out through the staircase, I was really shocked as I was greeted with a massive crowd. At that point, I thought I was going to fall as people were shoving and pushing. Crazy me, I was already thinking that a fall protection system would have come in handy.
What was going on in the area that people were so crazy about? As I alighted out of the station, it was only then that I realized that the Union Square Holiday Market is ongoing. After I checked the directory to see if anything is interesting enough for me, I tried to get myself in. I gave up! I couldn’t take the crowd. There was more pushing and shoving inside. I was not in the mood for that.
And at Whole Foods? With about 10 check out counters (if my memory serves me right) serving their patrons, the line was too long for me to go through. I wound up not getting anything. My eyes just feasted on the different gourmet breads that I would have wanted to buy. For now, my pantry still needs replenishment of the ‘healthier stuff.’ I guess, it will have to wait till after the Holiday. I’m not even going to attempt to go there again. But just to satisfy myself, I actually walked over to Trader’s Joe; yes, it was bliss walking away from the Union Square crowd, but just the same, the crowd in the store was as bad.
I almost went home empty handed. Yes, I wrote almost… because I got myself a lovely pair of boots. The crowd on Fifth Avenue was also bad but, I braved it just because— I just wanted to get that pair. Love it!
By J, on December 20th, 2009
I have a new addiction, and I’m not quite sure that it is the healthy kind. All I know is that if I ingest a moderate amount, it can be healthy.
The problem lies in the fact that I have been binging on it for the past three weeks continuously, so much so that even when I’m online surfing, blogging and facilitating my online backup, I always ensure that I have a plate of this Wensleydale cheese with cranberries (already sliced up) right beside my laptop. As of press time, I have a good amount of inventory in the fridge that will last me for months, so I won’t have to go to the gourmet store nearby.
I just love the crumbly and moist texture as well as its suppleness. Add to that the tartness of cranberries and the slightly sweet flavor with a honeyed aftertaste, I have a snack that can make me totally forget about baking cakes.
By J, on December 17th, 2009
Have you heard about the sticky-fingered socialite wannabe here in New York? If you haven’t, read on as it may amuse you.
Recently, he has been arrested on charges of identity theft and pilfering credit cards. Apparently, he is an “obsessive shoplifter” who steals everything from an $11,000 Hermes Birkin bag to $1.99 gummy bears. His name is Andrew Parker, the owner of now-shuttered Madison Avenue boutique A.S. Parker. He has been charged with grand larceny and ID theft.
According from a former friend of Parker, he would shoplift groceries every day, would buy jackets and clothes for around $50 from stores like H&M and Zara and resell them for as much as $6,000 after sewing in his label. He has been described as obsessed with Gotham’s moneyed elite as he badly wanted to be one of the socialites. In reality the friend confessed, he never really had more than $8,000 in savings.
Police reports even details of an arrest when Parker — a fixture on the Manhattan socialite scene — allegedly purchased an $11,000 Hermes Birkin bag in June using a stolen AmEx credit card and spent $4,422 at an upscale Upper East Side boutique Scoop East in April. He has already been arrested twice and was in jail for allegedly using credit cards that weren’t his. Another friend paid his $20,000 bail as he was charged with grand larceny and seven counts of identity theft. To top it all off, he was sued J.P.Morgan Chase and by American Express for $200,000 in unpaid platinum card bills as well as fur wholesaler: LeGar for $20,000.
Who would want to be in his shoes?
By J, on December 16th, 2009
With the internet age, and it’s unprecedented accessibility worldwide for the last decade or so, it is not a big surprise to see the proliferation of one online university after the other. And while we expect them to be somewhat alike in more ways than one, there are just a few of them that really stand out such as the Western Governors University. Why do I think that it is different? Simply because this was founded by the governors of 19 States, it’s a non profit online university and it is supported by over 20 major corporations and foundations that strongly believe in WGU’s commitment in producing highly competent graduates.
With the shortage of practicing professionals in the health care industry within the US, I believe that for those who have the vocation and dedication, there’s never been a better time to pursue an online nursing degree than now. Busy adults can definitely take advantage of the nationally and regionally accredited online bachelor’s and master’s degrees under the guidance of dedicated mentors. What’s more, such great education can be had without necessarily creating a big financial strain because of the affordability of tuition fees.
Clearly, just like the conviction of the 19 founding governors of WGU, every individual should have access to quality and affordable higher education notwithstanding their socio-economic background, location and income.
By J, on December 12th, 2009
Living spaces in New York City (Manhattan), as most people know is very limited. It is not surprising to hear that the purchase price of a very tiny apartment/condo in Manhattan, the big city, can go as high as $150,000 depending on the location. Buying a house outside of Manhattan with a budget of only $150,000 can get you NOTHING, maybe a fixer upper or a handyman special or an average sized house in the far flung suburbs up in the mountains. It’s simply impossible to buy one (with $150,000 budget) in the four boroughs of New York or on Long Island even with the current home-buying climate.
Thus, when I read about a couple living in Manhattan (plus their two cats), I was not surprised at all that they took the plunge three months ago and bought a micro-studio for $150,000 which is touted as the smallest apartment in New York City at 175 square foot located in Morningside Heights. The apartment is 14.9 feet long and 10 feet wide which is as narrow as a subway car; in fact, it is like living in a jail cell just thinking of the dimensions but to them, according to reports, they feel like they are living in a castle.
The bathroom is even smaller, barely spanning three feet.
So, what do they love about their studio? The co-op is on the 16th floor of a doorman building on 110th Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue. With two small windows, they have the views of upper Manhattan; hardwood floors; a tiny kitchen with a mini-fridge and hotplate; and a closet-sized bathroom with a shower, sink and toilet. Oh and it’s only accessible by a staircase on the 15th floor.
The couple thinks that if they can make it here, they can make it anywhere. Do you agree?
By J, on December 12th, 2009
Our holiday cards are still perched on the desk. This year, although, I ordered personalized holiday cards, I made sure that the holiday greeting (text) is going to be handwritten by me. I also have the boxed handcrafted cards that we bought from a wholesale store but I don’t feel like sending them this year because I have more than enough of the personalized cards.
In the years past, I have opted for personalized cards with pre-printed greetings but I didn’t feel right doing it. I’m aware that I don’t have much time especially those that are to be sent overseas. Thus, I have to halt flipping on the pages of this online Ferrari parts supplier so that I can start writing the cards.
Now, I have to make a tough decision: will I use the gold or the silver ink this year? Both colors will fit well. Ah… whatever.
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