Shiseido White Lucent Range

I have been interested in whitening products since reading about its benefits from magazines and is currently trying out samples of SK-II's Cellumination Essence and Deep Surge after seeing its advertisement on TV and magazines. I'm tempted to buy the products as i have started using its cleanser, facial treatment clear lotion (toner), facial treatment essence, and skin signature cream for several months and finds my skin condition getting even better :> However I have come across rave reviews about Shiseido's White Lucent range online and in magazines and is tempted to try its star product, Intensive Spot Targeting Serum after reading the Shiseido article from Urban (The Straits Times, Friday supplement) today. Really wonders which whitening product is better, SK-II or Shiseido? Below is an article on Shiseido's whitening product from Beautymap.com.sg which i find really useful. I will also be looking for more information about Sk-II's Cellumination range before i decide which product to spend my money on ;>

Early this year, Shiseido launched the reformulated White Lucent range. The star product, Intensive Spot Targeting Serum, also known as "The Most Powerful Whitening Serum Ever" is a sell out. During the first weekend of the launch, one bottle was sold every 7 minutes. The key to its success is the combination of exclusive ingredients and its unique whitening concept-total spots control, texture control and microcirculation. This holistic approach achieves results in just 2 weeks, creating a soft focused glow on your skin as if the light is shinning from within.

One of the key actions, total spots control, lightens newly formed and stubborn spots, at the same time prevent more from forming. Patented ingredients, M-Tranexamic, 4MSK and multi-target Vitamin C, stop melanin formation and darkening. If you are troubled by persistent spots, White Lucent is specially formulated to solve this. This is also the reason why consumers are clamouring for it. This breakthrough by Shiseido sheds light to why persistent spots never seem to fade away. Melanin accumulation at a certain spot affects cell division, which results in the impaired ability for the skin to expel the dark pigments. Shiseido coined the term for them as, "sleeping cells". To "wake" these cells up and discharge melanin, Shiseido uses Yomogi extract. It is scientifically proven that this extract of a species of chrysanthemum encourages cell division and promotes the expulsion of melanin, thus stabilizing cell renewal. What this means is stubborn spots can now be lightened. The best part is, Yomogi does not affect surrounding cells, which results in an even and smooth skin tone.

Apart from these, White Lucent's abilities to re-texturize skin and promote microcirculation play an important part in the process. Rough surfaces reflect light badly, hence affecting the glow. Like a smooth marble flooring, the gleaming surface is the result of its texture. In order to enhance radiance, Shiseido adopts a two-way approach- from the outside and inside. White Lucent boosts the hydration level that plumps up the skin from within. With a smoother surface, natural glow is created. The products also encourage microcirculation that promotes healthy skin cells. With a timely skin renewal cycle, dead skin cells are shed evenly, minimizing the chance of having a rough skin surface. Furthermore, the serum can be used on the whole face, including the under eye area, to brighten and improve moisture level.

Are you not seeing results?

Many consumers do not see results with whitening products not realizing they are not using them the right way. Skin absorption level varies and this affects how well products can work on your skin. Other than feeding your skin with nutrients, preparing it is equally crucial. To answer this, Shiseido came up with the softener. This step comes after cleansing and before any other products, replacing the step of your toner. It softens the skin's outermost layer and optimizes it's absorption ability. The softener basically works as a booster for your serums and moisturizers, making them work doubly hard while your skin retains double the benefits.

Working in tandem with the Intensive Spot Targeting Serum, Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Balancing Softener can be used on your whole face, including the sensitive eye area to boost your eye creams and serums making it an excellent right-hand man in the whole of your skincare regime.

Achieving a luminous and translucent complexion is no longer a faraway dream that cannot be fulfilled. The bottom line in skin care and whitening is to understand your skin, have realistic expectations and place safety in your priority using products you know you can trust.

(Source: http://www.beautymap.com.sg/index.php/articleContent/show?id=14)

20 Minutes To A Happier You

Want to manage your stress levels, improve fitness and achieve inner calm? Just make a little time in your day for these easy, helpful tips:

Enjoy a relaxed start

Set your alarm clock 20 minutes earlier than usual to allow your body the extra time to slowly adjust to waking up - then indulge in your morning cuppa without rushing to beat time.

Drink a better brew

Try drinking hibiscus tea instead of coffee. A Tufts University study suggests that having three cups of hibiscus tea daily can lower systolic blood pressure by an average of seven points in six weeks. So go on, take time out for that tea break.

Get on with the housework

According to a study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, just 20 minutes of brisk housework a week can make you happier. Exercise not only enhances the metabolism, it also releases endorphins which improves your mental state. No time for a job? Just work up a sweat while vacuuming!

Meditate

Research shows that practising just 20 minutes of meditation a day for six to eight weeks can decrease your anxiety, anger and depression levels. It's also said to strengthen the immune system.

(Source: The Singapore Women's Weekly, April 2010 edition)

Great Deal At The Body Shop

(Source: http://www.thebodyshop.com.sg/en/products_promotions.aspx)

Just 1 Less Teaspoon Slashes Heart Risks

Getting just a smidge less of this in your diet could really help your heart. We're talking about salt.

In a recent study, eating roughly 1 less teaspoon of salt a day was associated with a significantly lower risk of having a stroke or developing heart disease.

The Heart/Salt Connection
Sure, you know being loosey-goosey with the salt shaker can lead to blood pressure troubles. But how much impact does a little pinch have? Quite a bit, it turns out. In a scientific analysis of 13 different studies involving data from nearly 200,000 people, researchers found that the reduction in stroke risk from consuming 5 less grams of salt a day -- a little less than a teaspoon's worth -- was about 23 percent. And the reduction in heart disease risk was 17 percent. So a little less salt could mean a lot more life. (Check out this collection of amazing snacks, meals, and treats with less salt.)

Live Well on Less
Salt isn't all bad. Our bodies need a certain amount of it to help control blood pressure, send nerve signals, absorb nutrients, and maintain proper fluid balances. But our bodies don't need much to do business -- only about 1/4 teaspoon a day. The problem is that salt is added to just about everything that is prepackaged -- even foods that don't taste salty, like breakfast cereals. So hide your salt shaker, read labels carefully, and choose whole, fresh foods whenever you can. (Find out which has more salt -- bread or potato chips.)

(Source: http://www.realage.com/tips/just-1-less-teaspoon-slashes-heart-risks)

An Active Way to Curb Your Appetite

If you exercise more, you're going to eat more, right? Not so fast.

According to a new study, adding more exercise to your life will indeed rev up your premeal appetite. But here's the cool news: You may find yourself getting full faster, so you end up eating less.

Flex Your Appetite
When overweight men and women burned an extra 500 calories a day through exercise as part of a small study, some interesting things happened to their appetites. After 12 weeks of working out, participants said their before-breakfast hunger was greater than it had been prior to the study. But they agreed that the same breakfast felt more filling than it did before they had started exercising. And the group continued to feel quite satiated for several hours after eating. Sounds like a little extra exercise may be a great way to avoid snack attacks! (Follow these four simple breakfast rules for better weight loss.)

Exercise Effects
Researchers aren't sure why working out seemed to have opposing effects on appetite, but it's encouraging to think it might help us do a better job of telling ourselves when we're full. Of course, whether you run marathons or walk around the block, you still need to listen to your body and judge your hunger realistically. No matter how many calories you've burned, force yourself to eat slowly and stop shoveling when you feel about 80 percent full. That will give the last bit of food time to really hit your stomach. (Did you know? Certain types of exercise may be especially good at curbing overeating.)

(Source: http://www.realage.com/tips/an-active-way-to-curb-your-appetite)

5 Foods For Healthy Skin

I'm definitely gonna try eating more of the below food items so that i will have even healthier skin :>

1) Tomatoes - Contain lutein, a proven free radical warrior, which also helps keep skin healthy, hydrated and elastic.

2) Lettuce - a good source of antioxidants, sulphur and B complex for healthy skin, it also aids digestion and promotes liver health.

3) Salmon - rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that keep skin supple and youthful by reducing the body's production of inflammatory agents that can damage skin.

4) Lean Red Meat - a great source of iron for people with dark circles and poor, pale skin due to a lack of the mineral in their diet.

5) Sweet Potatoes - loaded with vitamin A, which helps repel free radicals, fight skin problems and combat inflammatory problems.

(Source: Her World Magazine, April 2010 edition, Beauty Supplement)

Yummy Lunch Treat At Ichiban Sushi

Loves My New Shoes

Lunch At Cafe Cartel

The Summer Hideaway (The Lakeshore Chronicles) - Susan Wiggs

I just finished reading this book yesterday and loves all the books in the series especially "The Summer Hideaway" as it was really touching reading the scene where George manage to fulfill his wish of reconciling with his brother whom he has no contact for more than 50 years! I love that the story highlights the importance of trust, being there for your family members and not having regrets in life :> I'm looking forward to reading about Daisy's story next on the Lakeshore Chronicles series and can't wait for the book to be out soon.

Never get attached—Private nurse and protected witness Claire Turner lives by this motto. Fleeing a treacherous past, she knows no other way.

Never give up—In the twilight of his life, George Bellamy makes it his final wish to reconcile with an estranged brother. He and Claire journey to Willow Lake—where it all went wrong for him fifty years ago.

Never let go—George's grandson Ross is ruled by a fierce devotion to family and a deep mistrust of the mysterious Claire…yet sparks fly whenever she's near. In the face of a wrenching loss, amid the enchantment of Willow Lake, Ross and Claire dare to risk everything for love.....

(Source:http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Summer-Hideaway/Susan-Wiggs/e/9780778327998/?itm=2)

5 Keys to Making Healthy Changes

Want to be a healthier eater, a more interesting partner, a faster worker, a better parent? You may know exactly what it takes, yet something holds you back from doing it.

To break the bonds that keep you clinging to harmful habits and unproductive behavior, heed some real-life lessons and advice from Lisa Oz -- writer, actress, producer, president of Oz Works, mother of four, and (yes) wife of "America's Doctor," Mehmet Oz, MD.

Breaking the Chains
The real key to lasting change -- always passing up doughnuts for a fat-free yogurt with berries, for instance -- lies somewhere between what we know and what we do. It's what we think. So if change has you stymied, try these five thought-changers from Lisa's new book, US: Transforming Ourselves and the Relationships That Matter Most.

1. Create a compelling reason to change. "I've learned to link the idea of healthy eating to things that really, really matter to me, like being a better mom by setting a good example for my kids or staying sexy so Mehmet stays interested. This raises the stakes," writes Lisa.
   
   
2. Don't associate pain with the desired action. "I find something in the new behavior that I can enjoy so that needing to be disciplined is no longer a factor," she writes. "Since most forms of exercise are anathema to me, I make running palatable by letting myself watch TV only when I am on the treadmill."
   
   
3. Disrupt the routine. Have a habit you'd like to break, like smoking or swearing? Lisa proposes disrupting the routine in a surprising way. "When you catch yourself in the middle of an unwanted action," she writes, "insert a completely incongruous word, thought, or action." For example, if you catch yourself cussing like a sailor, say "lemon custard," hop backward, or think about naked windsurfing.
   
   
4. Change the story. What story are you telling yourself that makes it harder to change? When you hear it in your head, Lisa recommends breaking the pattern by mixing it up. "One way is to change nouns," Lisa writes. "For example, if the story is 'I would be happy if only Johnny would get back together with me,' try 'My dog, Fifi, would be happy if only Johnny would get back together with me.' The whole thing becomes absurd, and the story loses some of its power over you."
   
   
5. Don't wait until you feel like changing. Act even when you don't want to. Sometimes you just need to do it. The purpose and the passion will come once you're engaged.

(Source: http://www.realage.com/tips/5-keys-to-making-healthy-changes)

Simple Home Cooked Meal

Steamed salmon using my mum's recipe, simple and healthy :>

Rice with Kimchi, perfect!

Bikini Season - Sheila Roberts

Another interesting book by Sheila Roberts which i borrowed from the library yesterday, gonna start reading later :>

Erin Merritt has returned to her scenic hometown of Heart Lake to plan her wedding, but when she repeatedly runs into her childhood crush, she wonders if she's engaged to the wrong man. To make matters worse, all the stress is making her eat, and now she can't fit into her wedding dress.

Erin enlists the help of her cooking club--Angela, Megan and Kizzy--and the Teeny Bikini Diet Club is born. The women make a pact to get slim enough to wear their bikinis to the lake by summertime, a pact that changes their lives forever. With a little help from her friends, Angela faces her fear that her marriage is crumbling. Megan confronts the self-esteem issues that have always held her back. Kizzy deals with her husband's efforts to sabotage her diet and keep her overweight. And Erin learns some important truths about love.

Pull up your favorite beach chair and savor this funny, inspiring story about being true to yourself and following your heart, and the women who enrich our lives.

(Source: http://www.sheilasplace.com/)

Top Antiaging Foods from Around the World

From exotic juices to cans of cocktail peanuts, more and more edibles in the supermarket are being dubbed "antiaging" by some marketer or media pundit. The real deal about munchies that keep you youthful? They come from the earth, not a vacuum pack.

We're not the only ones who are saying that. Take a look at what the longest-lived people in the world are eating (if you know us, this list will look familiar, but with a few twists). Then, put their favorites on your own table.

Costa Rica: Beans for Breakfast
Residents of Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula are four times more likely than most North Americans to live past age 90. One reason may be dishes like gallo pinto, a tasty mix of black beans and rice flavored with onion, red peppers, garlic, olive oil, cilantro, and a salsa lizano -- a condiment a little like Worcestershire sauce. The Oz part of this team learned on a trip to Nicoya that big breakfasts that begin with beans rule there. But don't limit yourself; this dish is great at any meal. Find out what makes black beans the most nutritious.

Nova Scotia: Wild Blueberry "Grunt"
Some of Nova Scotia's picturesque villages are home to Canada's highest percentages of centenarians -- people who've lived for at least 100 years. One reason may be polyphenol-packed wild blueberries produced by the millions of tons on this island. Luckily, you can find frozen wild blueberries in your supermarket. Use 'em to make a traditional "grunt"-- lightly cooked blueberries (skip the sweetener that's usually in the recipe; the berries are sweet enough!) served over a biscuit (but please, make it whole grain, or skip the biscuit altogether). It's also known as a slump, a fungy, a buckle, or a bang belly. Here's another healthy berry-filled treat: Whole-Wheat Blueberry Bars.

France: Wine
In this country, local red wine is king. And for good reason. Moderate drinking (1 glass for women, up to 2 for men) with a meal a day seems to explain some of the "French Paradox"-- low rates of heart disease despite a penchant for artery-clogging goodies like cheese. It may help explain why the French tie the Italians (another nation with a healthy love of wine) as Western Europe's longest-living people. Wine's magic seems to come from a few components: ethanol, which boosts levels of healthy HDL cholesterol; resveratrol, which new research suggests can mimic the life-extending effects of cutting calories; and polyphenols, which rev up the body's own cell-protecting antioxidants. Why not try a red wine from a vineyard near you, or head for a heart-healthy zinfandel, syrah, pinot noir, or cabernet sauvignon? Here's a little wine-and-food pairing that makes drinking wine healthier for you.

Greece: Lots of Veggies, Little Meat
On some Greek islands, one-third of the residents have already celebrated their 90th birthdays. Their longevity secret? The famed Mediterranean diet. When researchers quizzed 23,349 Greek women and men about what's on their plates, they found that death rates were lowest for those who ate the most fruit, vegetables, beans, and olive oil. The occasional glass of wine helped, too. So did fish, seafood, whole grains, and dairy products. What wasn't on their plates also mattered. Those who ate red meat just a few times a month lived longer than those who indulged more frequently. Find out why eating less red meat is good for your eyes, too.

Eating lots of vegetables accounted for 16% of the youth-power of Mediterranean eating. Drizzle on a little olive oil and top with a scattering of walnuts and you can more than double the impact. Not only will it be delicious, the good fats pamper your heart and help your body absorb more of the carotenoids and other nutrients in cooked veggies and in salad greens.

Japan: Tofu
Tofu's on sale in the produce department of nearly every supermarket. Good news, because on the Japanese island of Okinawa, it may be why residents age gracefully to 100+ more often than anywhere else on earth. Researchers credit this mild-tasting soy curd's low fat content and high levels of good-for-you saponins and isoflavones. Chunk up some extra-firm tofu instead of chicken or pork in a stir-fry, or use soy crumbles in place of ground meat in a hearty spaghetti sauce. Marinate first to heighten flavor; we love it with ginger, garlic, and low-sodium soy sauce. Or, trying giving a classic Italian dish a meatless makeover: Tofu Parmigiana.

So instead of falling for an antiaging additive pitch, steer yourself toward these flavorful, health-giving goodies. You'll see what these cultures have known for years: When it comes to the tastiest antiaging foods, Mother Nature makes the best.

(Source: http://www.realage.com/blogs/doctor-oz-roizen/top-antiaging-foods-from-around-the-world)

The "Do Nothing" Way to Burn More Calories

Want to burn a few extra calories today without even trying? Brew yourself a cup of tea.

It's inexpensive, calorie free, and full of amazing-for-your-body antioxidants. And you may burn more fat and calories just by drinking it, according to Elizabeth Somer, registered dietician and author of Eat Your Way to Happiness.

Calorie-Burning Cuppa
Compounds in tea called catechins may help turn up the dial on your metabolism, increasing how many calories you burn as you go about your day. It's a modest effect, but every little bit helps in the battle of the bulge. Just how much help does tea offer? According to Somer, a few cups of tea a day could help you burn up to 80 extra calories. (White tea may help shrink fat cells. Here's more on this.)

More Slimming Support
Some research also suggests that tea drinking could help calm appetite and curb food intake -- possibly due to tea's combination of caffeine and a special catechin called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). And if that doesn't make you a tea lover, here are a few more amazing things this brew can do for you:

• Soothe your knees. Find out why green tea is so great for achy knees.
• Improve your blood sugar. Here's why black tea might be best for this job.
• Lengthen your life. Discover how regular tea drinking affects your risk of stroke.

Did you know? Green tea can help revive aging skin cells, too.

(Source: http://www.realage.com/tips/the-do-nothing-way-to-burn-more-calories)

Yummy Meatball Noodle At Woodlands Causeway Point Food Court

I Love HP's Vivienne Tam Butterfly Lovers Netbook For Its Beautiful Design, So Tempted To Get One!

(Source: http://www.tangs.com.sg/star-deals/detail.php?Promotion=hp_vivienne_tam_edition_butterfly_lovers_netbook_exclusive_70&From=%2Fmain.php%3F)

Angel Lane - Sheila Roberts

Have just finished reading this book and i love it :> i will definitely be looking for more books by Sheila Roberts in the library.

Keep the heart in Heart Lake. That’s exactly what three small-town shop owners hope to do when they launch their crazy-ambitious “Have a Heart” campaign—asking neighbors to commit one random act of kindness every day. Emma, Sarah, and Jamie love their lakeside community, but the little town is growing too big too fast, and a doing a good deed never hurt anyone. Or so they thought…

When Emma slashes prices at her quilt shop, practically giving away blankets to anyone who looks vaguely cold, she almost stitches her way into bankruptcy. Sarah’s free cooking class boils down to a hotbed of crime when some punk kid swipes her favorite heirloom. And at Jamie’s chocolate shop, things take a bittersweet turn when a local policeman starts giving her grief, stirring up feelings she’s tried to forget—and slowly melts away her defenses…

With irresistible humor, warmth, affection—and recipes!—author Sheila Roberts serves up a generous, open-hearted story about the friendships we make, the chances we take, and the lives we touch every day.

Go !Go!Curry! Real Delicious Japanese Curry Rice For Lunch

GO!GO!CURRY! was first introduced at Tokyo’s popular Shinjuku district in May 2004. Today, a total of 27 outlets have been established in Japan and one other, in New York City, USA. Its principal owner, visualizes a prominence of 555 brand outlets in 55 countries across the globe eventually. Marking its inaugural presence in Singapore, GO!GO!CURRY! is situated at Basement Four, Ion Orchard and Food Republic, 313@Somerset.

Japanese curry has always been the least intimidating in reference to its spice content. On the contrary, it is sweet and more pungent in flavour. GO!GO!CURRY! with its signature bright yellow logo, is not only highly visible from a distance, it is clearly differentiated by a unique curry recipe that has its very own distinctive dark brown colour, a thicker texture and a more pronounced peppery taste. Fans of GO!GO!CURRY! enjoy their set meals with either a choice of Shrimp, Sausage, Pork or Chicken cutlet, accompanied by a mix of cabbage along with a generous portion of rice in four variations – Healthy, Economy, Business or First Class where each category represents the desired portion or set meal that suits the appetite best. Additional orders of boiled egg slices, cheese and extra portions of curry are encouraged too.

Most Japanese usually use their fork whenever they embark on a GO!GO!CURRY! experience. In fact, annual curry eating championships are staged regularly in Japan, with a very familiar looking Gorilla mascot appearing at intervals to tease guests with their loud tactics. The popular mascot has become a very sought after icon even with the Japanese TV media and press publications alike! The continued interest in GO! GO! CURRY! stems from Japan’s most popular baseball player, Hideki Matsui, who played for the Yomiuri Giants before he joined the New York Yankees. ‘Go Go’ also means 55 in Japanese, which was Matsui’s jersey number. His ‘Godzilla’ nickname has since influenced the introduction of the Gorilla mascot at GO!GO!CURRY!

My yummy healthy class curry rice with chicken cutlet S$11.50/- :> will be back to try the Pork Katsu Curry during my next visit!

(Source: http://www.gogocurry.com.sg/)

Visit To The Museum - Quest For Immortality (The World Of Ancient Egypt

Quest for Immortality - The World of Ancient Egypt offers an insight to the ancient Egyptian's attitude to life and the afterlife, and the preparations they made to ensure their transition from earthly existence to immortality. Hubby and i spent a leisure afternoon looking through the exhibits and it was really a fascinating and educational experience for those who loves ancient Egypt!

(Source: http://www.nationalmuseum.org.sg/nms/nms_html/nms_content_6c.asp?content_template=4&content_id=23&tab_id=23&cine_id=2399&fest_id=0)