Superserum

My editor friends will probably laugh at me for
being impressed by this: I got the usual press folder,
and in lieu of the accompanying CD/DVDs of
product info and images, this time there was
a bowl of USB sticks one could dip into.

Speaking of my affinity for many things European, I recently went to the US launch of BioEffect at The Library in the superposh SoHo House New York. The Iceland-bred "magic" serum is touted as "a next-generation serum that improves the appearance and health of your skin by encouraging the the skin to repair its own cells."

Now, having been a full-time beauty editor, I've gone to countless beauty events. Hence, exactly why these days, I tend to shy away from parties and nighttime shenanigans (and why you'll never get me to go to Happy Hour anywhere and for whatever reason). I'd much rather hop on the train home straight from work, or head to yoga class and find an excuse to indulge in a bowl of Japanese ramen post-session.

Anyway, back to this new skincare find, I did manage to RSVP for BioEffect, without knowing that the publicists were based in London and that the phenomenal product took 10 years to develop in Iceland. What sets the serum apart from others in the market are the following two key points:

EGF is grown inside barley seeds—planted in pure volcanic pumice—
in this geothermal-energy-powered greenhouse.

1) The active ingredient is Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), "a substance which occurs naturally in human skin and has the ability to speed up the rate of cell turnover." Now, before you get totally freaked—like I tend to with certain products, for example, that have the word "placenta" in them (not this one though)—the EGF in BioEffect is developed inside and extracted from barley seeds in state-of-the-art greenhouses. According to the brand's press release, "Producing EGF in plants, rather than in bacteria or animal cells, is very important to get an active, clean, and stable EGF [that is] suitable for a highly effective skincare product."

"Barley seeds act like mini-factories for the production of human-like EGF cellular activators."

2) The tiny bottle of potent serum contains only nine ingredients: glycerine, aqua, sodium hyaluronate, tromethamine, alcohol (less than 0.9%), calcium chloride, sodium chlodride, Hordeum Vulgare seed extract, EGF (transgenic barley SH-Oligopeptide-1—all clearly labeled in the packaging. This is great news if you're looking to streamline and simplify your beauty routine. And, when using BioEffect, all you need are two to four drops for the face, eye area, and neck.

The only possible drawback is the price tag: $210 (which includes the cost of shipping to the U.S.). Is it worth the investment? Ask me in a month's time. For now, if you'd like to read up further on the brand and this product, check out BioEffect.com and BioEffect.co.uk.

This photo (of the greenhouse) makes me want to go to Iceland.
The country currently has a population of about  318,452!

An Inspired Sunday

Outside The Morgan Library & Museum.

Lately I've been feeling uninspired to blog…not an unusual occurrence especially when my day job calls for hours of proofreading and writing, with a to-do list that at the moment overwhelms me. So, by the time I get home, I tend to want to pass out and not be in front of the computer (unless I am catching up on episodes of Suits, White Collar, or Burn Notice).

Still, how ever tired, swamped, or under-the-weather one may feel, New York is the kind of place that provides a dose of inspiration right around the corner. Many times, you can't escape it, despite fatigue or, in my case, extended jetlag.

Today, I had brunch for the first time at the Scandinavia House's restaurant called Smorgas Chef on Park Avenue, through the invitation of a nice lady I'd befriended a few months ago while in line at the post office. (That story alone merits a future blog post.) Browsing the shops at the lobby, right next to the resto that served an appealing brunch menu, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I really must have been European in a past life. I always say British, but I could have very well also been Danish or Swedish. That, or the affinity and familiarity stems from growing up in an Ikea-themed home in the 80s up to the early 90s.

Next to the Scandinavian club is the Kitano Hotel, where, as it turns out, there's a doggie version of the robust/rotund popular male and female bronze statues at the Time Warner, by the artist, Fernando Botero.

Bow wow.

And, speaking of art, I found myself—also for the first time—at The Morgan Library & Museum on 36th St. and Madison Avenue, where the "Charles Dickens at 200" exhibit is running until February 2012. Now, I never understood "Dickensian" literary references, but the following words inscribed on the wall called out to me:

"Dickens was a careful, methodical, and painstaking author. Using a goose quill pen, he generally wrote from nine o'clock each morning until two in the afternoon. In his early career, he would complete at least six to twelve pages—or "slips," as he called them—each day."

A print I'd like to buy if available. Adolf Konrad's illustrated packing list.
(Image courtesy of The Morgan Library & Museum website.)

Missoni Minutes

Of course, shoes.

When I first moved to New York, I made a list of things—quite frankly, frivolous—that I would buy once I've "made it" in the city. Now, I'm far from feeling like I've got it made, so suffice it to say, I've only ticked one or two(?) items off of that list, and I honestly don't remember exactly what else was on it. I did put in a Diane Von Furstenberg dress, and in 2007, I bought the silk romper (colors of which became my wedding motif) with my first copy editor paycheck.

Something from Missoni was also on that list, I just don't recall if I wrote in a dress, sweater, or coat.

Now, I may just get a chance to own something from the classic Italian brand known for stripey, zigzaggy, vibrantly-hued knitwear and kitschy-colorful household items, thanks to Missoni's collaboration with Target—a retailer I love as is. The 400-piece collection is coming out in stores on September 13, and here are some items that have so far caught my eye while browsing the lookbook over at Fashionista.com:

1) The hoodie! The shorts! 2) Such a cute Fall look. 3) I like the Darna factor, and the pants. As for the midriff, maybe 10 lbs. from now ;)

Luggage, always a plus.

If you have office-OCD, like I do :)

Fall/Winter essentials. I'll most likely get these for sure.

Super like!!!

Did the ChaCha!

Ta-da!

I first blogged about the HTC Status, a.k.a. ChaCha, back in early August, in my "Gadgets 'n' Things post (Day 17 of this year's 30-Day Blog Challenge). In the U.S., the marketing folks at AT&T probably thought "Status" would be more apt given that this phone is the first one with a dedicated Facebook button. But, personally, ChaCha would've been alright especially if SEO were a consideration. Anyway, two weeks after my post, I dropped my Nokia C5 in the rain and later discovered that my older, backup phone's (also a trusty Nokia) mic finally gave out after four years. Alas, it seemed like my subconscious prevailed and manifested a need for a new phone.

Hence, I now am a proud owner of an Android device...with a QWERTY keyboard. I never knew that the day would ever come—I'm old school, as you can probably tell.

I've had the phone for almost two weeks now and I'm telling you, the first five days felt like befriending a foreigner who speaks little English. That, or learning German (or even shopping for men's clothing). Both fruitful and fulfilling once you get past the learning curve. It took some time to navigate the features and settings, and if my husband hadn't lovingly Fedexed the package over and if the phone weren't so pretty, I would've probably flung it those first few days.

Most unique Fedex box from the husband :)

So, thoughts:

1) If you don't like Facebook...
...Then the HTC Status is not for you. It's not called the "Facebook Phone" for naught. You get social media integration practically every step of the way, and the phone syncs with anything and everything related to your account. You can turn certain features off, with some maneuvering.

2) If this is your first QWERTY phone...
...It's great! One of the main reasons I was drawn to the ChaCha/Status was its keyboard. From the magazine ad alone and photos, it looked tactile and clackety enough—the way I like my text-inputting gadgets to be. As I've always used a numeric keypad, it took me about five days to be completely comfortable and to type at a pretty decent speed. And, even now, I still fumble a little bit with the function and shift keys.

The only drawback to this otherwise perfect keyboard is it's now more of a challenge to text using one hand (the cute phone is wideset) and to touch-type. It's not entirely impossible, but it'll take practice.

Unboxing the ChaCha.

3) If you've never used an Android phone...
...Then prepare to study. Well, fine, you don't necessarily have to plow through the 183-page user manual (available online, no longer in the box, as I've noticed with gadgets these days). But, if, like me, you've always had a Nokia and used either Windows or a Mac; or have Apple products, Android is quite the new beast to tackle—a good thing, just like learning a new skill.

If you look closer at my desk, my phone came with dried pickled mangoes :)