Your Face Will Say Ahhh! MALA

I know many of you ladies, and yes even gentlemen, are plagued by clogged pores, acne, and uneven facial skin texture. Many of you even race through countless brands of face products in order to try and attain a perfect complexion. Fear not! For I have a recommendation to share with you all.

Recently, I received samples of the Amala Skincare collection...and I must say that it is wonderful.

Amala is a German skincare line, created by Ute Leube, that emphasizes organic ingredients. The forumulations are 97% to 100% natural and is ECOCERT certified organic. All formulas and ingredients are not tested on animals. Amala even donates 5% of revenues to ingredient growers within their global trade network. The collection includes four lines:

Hydrate-with Jasmine to quench dry and dehydrated skin

Rejuvenate-with Cocoa Bean to combat signs of aging

Detoxify-with Myrtle to revitalize the skin

Purify-with Blue Lotus to restore balance and clarity to skin

The line that I sampled was from the Purify collection. I am quite particular about the ingredients list on products, and under close examination I must say that the ingredients in Purify are both natural and effective. The Purify face wash does not contain harsh sulfates, instead utilizing more gentle surfactants, with one being decyl glucoside. With glycerine, tocopherol (vitamin e), ginger extract, sea algae, tiger grass, and lemon peel oil, the Purify face wash gently washes away dirt without stripping all your face oils. The result was remarkable; my face was not dry or tight, but smooth with a matte finish.

My true obsession, however, is the Purify Moisturizer with Blue Lotus. Blue Lotus, in Eastern Asia, is considered to be a healing plant, balancing moisture, controlling oil, clearing pores, and supplying essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acides to your skin. Sea Algae and Tiger Grass work to calm inflammation and encourage cellular turnover. All this sounds great right? So what was the result on my skin? After applying the pleasant, lightly scented moisturizer on my face, my pores were less pronounced and my complexion was smooth. I have pretty sensitive skin, so I was afraid of redness and irritation, but my face was calm after use. After a week's use, my acne was subsiding and my pimple scars were healing. No other product that I have tried has done this much wonder to my troublesome T-Zone and sensitive cheeks.

One note is that there seems to be alcohol high up on the ingredients list, but the formulation of Amala products somehow mitigates the irritating and drying effects that most people experience with facial products containing alcohol. My face is not irritated after using Amala. I have used various brands of moisturizers before with average to good results: Zirh, Philosphy, Anthony Logistics, Chanel, Shisheido, Biotherm, Dior, Clarins, Nivea, Olay, Neutrogena, and Gillette.

And Amala is easily on the top of my list.

Prices for Amala range from $16 to $316 and is available at Barneys or on Amala Beauty.

Amala means "most pure" in sanskrit.

All I can say is Ahhh! Mazing!

OBSESSED!

Step Into the Past

I took a time machine and travelled back to the nostalgic 50’s and 60's at Joe’s of Westlake. The moment I laid eyes on the architecture of this restaurant, I was excited to enter a past frozen in the present. The building features art deco lines that meet sharp angled walls, painted in aged burgundy and bone white. There is even a small pavilion like cover for cars to drop off guests in case of rain. There is plenty of parking on two terraced levels and the corner location of Joe’s easily attracts attention from passing cars.

Entering the restaurant, immediately to the left was a bar with live jazz musicians. The bar is a good service as it helps to ease patrons that are waiting for a table. The décor is old fashion extravagance with soft pastel hues and Italian landscape paintings. Joe’s seems to have many added augmented services including candy machines, telephones, and two additional sofa couches for waiting guests. There are two rooms, the Cascade Room and the main room. I got seated in the Cascade Room which featured 2 large aquariums and a touch of Italian décor with lovely red and yellow cloth draped walls and tables. The servers were dressed in black suits and appeared very professional. The noise level was a little louder than I would have preferred, but with so many guests, it was understandable.

I ordered a side of Linguini with Clams White Sauce and an Entrée of Breaded Veal Cutlets. The food amazingly arrived in less 10 minutes. WOW! Is all I can say. The Linguini was tender, flavorful, generously sized, and had a piles of clams. What topped the Linguini was the juicy and aromatic Breaded Veal Cutlets. The Veal was cooked to perfection with a lightly breaded crust seasoned to perfection in olive oil. Our server displayed great attention, refilled drinks multiple times and asked about how the food tasted. The accompanying spaghetti was hearty and delicious as well. The presentation of the food, though not extravagantly fancy, was beautiful. The restrooms were not sparkling clean but clean enough. One thing I would like to point out is that the kitchen in the Main Room is out in the open allowing transparency where guests can view the kitchen and its cleanliness.

Overall the food was amazing, service was great, and décor was nostalgic Italian/American. The menu prices are a leaning towards the pricier side but are not unreasonable; Linguini $14.95 and the Veal is $16.95.

I highly recommend that you dress up a little bit and take a unique journey back into a time that is rarely seen anywhere anymore. Amazing experience!
****1/2 of ***** and $$$ of $$$$$ with many dishes around $15
OBSESSED

A Hidden Paradise in Bangkok Garden

Originally, my friend and I were heading over to Burger King in Westlake when we decided to try Bangkok Garden instead. Situated on Southgate Avenue, Bangkok Garden is a paradise nestled next to a Chinese restaurant and a Martial Arts Studio, with ample street parking around a residential area. Entering the establishment, I was welcomed by a relaxing, tropical atmosphere. Lush greenery and echoes of flowing water decorated the dining area. The walls depicted paintings of exotic lands with topless princess’ and mythical figures. The dining area was not large; around the size of an average classroom at SF State. The music was ethnic with a modern structure, best identified as world fusion. There were around 5 servers, more than ample for the size of the restaurant.

I ordered Chicken Yellow Curry and my friend ordered Spicy Beef. In addition, a large bowl of Jasmine rice and an appetizer of Papaya Salad were requested. The $7 Papaya Salad was amazing, dripping with sweet, tart, and fresh flavors. I immediately compared it to a $25 Salad that I had at Emerald’s in Las Vegas. Ultimately, the Papaya Salad was even better.

The entrees however were a mixed bag. The Chicken Yellow Curry was flavorful with distinct flavors of various curry spices. The chicken was quite tender, melting in my mouth. Though the Chicken Yellow Curry was good, the Spicy Beef was atrocious. The meat was almost as hard as beef jerky and the sauce hovered back and forth between spicy, sour, and sweet, not knowing where to settle. Thankfully there was the soft and fragrant Jasmine rice to dilute the weird flavors and horrid texture of the Spicy Beef. For dessert, we had Fried Banana and Mango ice cream which were slightly better than typical for a Thai restaurant. The service was better than average as we got drinks refilled 3 times. After dessert, I went to use their bathroom. I hope the rundown, not-so-new condition of the restroom does not mirror the kitchen, as I tried to get out of there as soon as possible. Bangkok Garden accepts major credit cards but I believe there was a minimum charge for credit. Overall the atmosphere and décor is pleasant, the food was pleasant, the Papaya Salad and Chicken Yellow Curry being highly recommended, and unfortunately a few hiccups of establishment cleanliness.

I would recommend taking a trip to a hidden paradise in Daly City by checking out Bangkok Garden at least once.
***1/2 of ***** and $$ of $$$$$ with most dishes under $10
OBSEssed!

Introductions

Having read thousands of blogs to gain insight, recommendations, and opinions, the roulette wheel has finally landed on me; it is now my turn to provide my insights, obsessions, and UN-obsessions. My name is Alvin, and as a Business/Marketing student, I have a wild curiousity with new, unique, and awesome finds. I want to share some of my thoughts with you. My experience in a Public Relations course at SFSU, headed by a wonderful teacher and motivator by the name of Shari Weiss, has encouraged me to start my first blog. One important lesson that I have learned is to write about things that interest me; good or bad. Come along with me as I show you glimpses of my Obsessions.