After interviewing Niki Taylor about Optimal Solutions , I was invited to enjoy one of Exhale Mind Body Spa facial treatments. After a week...

After interviewing Niki Taylor about Optimal Solutions, I was invited to enjoy one of Exhale Mind Body Spa facial treatments. After a week where my laptop dies, my son's school was shut down unexpectedly and numerous others stressful situations...I NEEDED a relaxing treatment.

Please Note: I was invited as media to the Nature's Bounty event and received a spa treatment. No other compensation was received. Views expressed are always 100% my own.


After changing into a comfy robe, I zenned out in the waiting room till my facialist came for me. Then I collapsed on the table and let her do her magic! Everything felt so good as she cleaned, misted, and prepared my face for the treatment.


I chose to receive the Cool Beam Facial Therapy and it was amazing!

In a Cool Beam session, a healing light is applied to the face, with particular focus on fine lines, sun spots, breakouts, and irritation. The antibacterial light sparks the production of collagen, softening fine lines as it gently reduces inflammation, diminishes acne, and hydrates. Suitable for any age and every skin type!

The treatment was cool and refreshing. I asked my facialist tons of questions about the process and she was super nice and took the time to explain. And when I whipped out my phone to capture the moment, she didn't call security. Ha!

By the end of my treatment my face felt amazing and was super hydrated. Even in the dim light I could see myself glowing. It felt good to take 30 mins to relax and do something to help me feel and look great.

How do you take time to relax? Have you ever gotten a spa treatment or facial?

This week I headed to the Exhale Mind Body Spa to meet Super Model Niki Taylor, who has partnered with Nature’s Bounty to help introduce Opt...

This week I headed to the Exhale Mind Body Spa to meet Super Model Niki Taylor, who has partnered with Nature’s Bounty to help introduce Optimal Solutions, a line of vitamins, supplements and health/ wellness products designed especially for women.

Please Note: I was invited as media and received a spa treatment and gift bag after the event. No other compensation was received. Views expressed are always 100% my own.

During the meet and greet I was able to interview Niki about Optimal Solutions, how she takes time for herself and her advice for moms to put themselves first and get healthy.

Onica: What appealed to you about the Optimal Solutions line of products

Niki: I really like the products and how they fit into a women's lifestyle. There's a product for all women, Calcium, PMS, Menopause. Whatever a women needs she can find in the Optimal Solutions line.

I also love making shakes so I really like the Complete Protein and Vitamin Shake Mix. I can make a shake in the morning and know I'm getting what I need for the day; protein, vitamins, probiotics, etc. If you want you can even add some fruit or a veggie into the shake (vanilla) for a smoothie/

Onica: You're a mom as well as a professional women with her own business, how do you make it all work?

Niki: There really isn't a secret to doing it all. You have to find what works for you and your family. I wake up early to start my day, try to eat healthy and make sure to get rest. A lot of women are always on the go but it's very important to try and find some time for yourself. Women and mothers need to make themselves a priority. We're the center of homes and families. If we get sick then everything stops.

Onica: What's your advice to other moms?

Niki: Give yourself a break. Let go of the guilt. It's OK to be a little selfish and take some time for yourself. Find 5, 10, 15 minutes during the day just for you. Go for a walk in the morning before taking your child to school or do something in the afternoon. Whatever it is find some time for you. And don't feel guilty about it.

After my chat with Niki, I was able to learn more about the new Optimal Solutions products.


Unique to other vitamin and supplement products, Optimal Solutions offers products targeting a variety of health concerns for women of all ages, and also utilizes alternative delivery systems, such as protein powders, to help address essential daily vitamin and nutrient needs.

The Optimal Solutions line is tailored specifically for women, who understand the importance of supplementing their vitamin routines with protein, fiber and probiotics.

Products in the line include:

• Complete Protein and Vitamin Shake Mix – decadent chocolate and vanilla shakes that provide important protein, fiber, B vitamins, antioxidants, electrolytes, prebiotics, probiotics and more.

• Extra Strength Hair, Skin & Nails – provides extra strength support for lustrous hair, enviable skin and strong nails via caplets with 5,000 mcg of Biotin.*

• Time Released Calcium – Calcium, Vitamin D, Magnesium and Genistein work together to help maintain overall bone health.*

• Controlled Delivery Probiotic – with a targeted release system that supports digestive and intestinal health.*

• Complete PMS Support Complex* – supports bone, immune and urinary health, and includes Magnesium, an important mineral involved in muscle contractions.*

• Complete Menopause Support Complex* – A.M. and P.M. formulas that help with energy metabolism, night sweats and occasional sleeplessness.*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Women can find Optimal Solutions in their local chain pharmacies and online. 

For more information, visit www.naturesbounty.com/optimalsolutions

At a recent PlayStation Holiday Games Event I was able to preview and play some of the upcoming fall and holiday game releases. One of the g...

At a recent PlayStation Holiday Games Event I was able to preview and play some of the upcoming fall and holiday game releases. One of the games I really wanted to check out was Sony Wonderbook : Book of Spells which has a J.K. Rowling Harry Potter themed experience.

Sadly I didn't get a chance to see the game since demo room was just so crowded. But from all the excited chatter coming from that room, I knew the game had to have some cool features.

Well I recently got my chance play the game when I was invited to privately demo! I was really interested to see how this "book" took game play to the next level.


So how does it all work? First there's the the Wonderbook (available for $39.99 for both the book and Blu-ray game), which is a physical paper book with an interactive system that uses Augmented Reality technology and PlayStation Move devices to bring the stories in the book alive on the gaming screen.


On the gaming screen the book is transformed into a tool, you can physically interact with. Whatever you do with the book is also done on screen using the gaming world theme. The graphics of the gaming world are really detailed and in 3D. Turning the book around I could see all the parts and details of the current "story" I was playing with.


In Wonderbook: Book of Spells I went through different "story" page levels where I learned different spells. On one page I learned how to levitate a jar. When my jar broke (levitating isn't easy people!) then I levitated the eye balls from the jar. Check out the video below to see how I did.


As you can see from the video playing the game is a lot of fun. For fans of the Harry Potter books and movies, you'll love learning how to conjure fire and defend against attacking wizards. That was a REALLY fun level! Also I was told during my demo that there's additional game features (back stories to spells, new creatures, how to unlock more writing with every chapter test) based on writer J.K. Rowling who described the experience in her own words:

“Wonderbook: Book of Spells is the closest a Muggle can come to a real spellbook. I’ve loved working with Sony’s creative team to bring my spells, and some of the history behind them, to life. This is an extraordinary device that offers a reading experience like no other.”

Wonderbook: Book of Spells will be the first game released in November of this year but plans are in the works for other stories using the same interactive augmented reality technology. To learn more visit PlayStation Wonderbook: Book of Spells Page

You can pre-order Wonderbook: Book of Spells Move Bundle for $79.99, which includes: Wonderbook: Book of Spells Blu-ray game, wireless PlayStation®Move motion controller, Wonderbook PS3 book, plus PlayStation Eye camera

Please Note: I was invited as media to demo the game for review purpose. No other compensation was received. Views expressed are always 100% my own.

Recently I attend a special evening with cocktails and refreshments at AMOREPACIFIC'S Beauty Gallery and Spa in Soho to learn about thei...

Recently I attend a special evening with cocktails and refreshments at AMOREPACIFIC'S Beauty Gallery and Spa in Soho to learn about their new skincare products they are launching this fall.





Please Note: I was invited as media and received a gift bag after the event. Views expressed are always 100% my own.

Written by Christina Chin, who's hip, fashionable and located in New York City.

AMOREPACIFIC is a leading global skincare brand known for their Asian-influenced products that uses potent Asian botanicals with cutting-edge technology to emphasize a nurturing approach to skin health. Below is a sneak peak at some of their latest skincare for the Fall.



The New Advanced Time Response Intensive Skin Renewal Ampoule Set is the latest anti-aging breakthrough with an advanced new formula that amplifies the energy of concentrated Green Tea actives to rewind time for skin in just four weeks. The Ampoule system significantly increases collagen density and reduces cell decomposition for profoundly effective age-defying immersion therapy. Each ampoule consists of two individual vials that are shaken together just prior to use so they retain maximum efficacy.

We all received a 1 week supply to try out as it must be used in 7 days once the ingredients are combined. The consistency is more silky water than serum thick when it comes out of the pump but glides on smoothly to your skin and moisturizes. Retail price for the entire four piece set is $550.

Future Response Age Defense Creme is a clinically-proven, comprehensive daily defender that provides a 360-degree long term approach to defend against skin aging. It uses Amorepacific's proprietary Future Response Complex, a fusion of powerful botanicals that effectively inhibits the skin receptors responsible for accelerating aging. It also restores skin’s ability to regenerate its cells and extend a youthful appearance.  Retail price is $195 for 1.7oz.


Luminous Effect Brightening Serum and Luminous Effect Brightening Masque.  The Brightening Serum delivers the proprietary Meladefying Complex deep into the skin, instantly brightening skin tone and reducing hyper-pigmentation. It instantly brightens skin tone, strengthens skin's resistance to inflammation and environmental stressors, reduce existing pigmentation for a more translucent complexion and delivers intense moisture deep into the skin for increased softness and suppleness. It is also made to be gentle on even the most sensitive skin.

I have been using this product the past week and absolutely love it for moisturizing my face in the morning and night. It's not a heavy serum and my skin feels soft and dewy hours after applying. Retail price is $220.


The Brightening Masque is a highly concentrated whitening treatment equivalent to one bottle of serum and intensely accelerates the brightening effects. The soft fiber material contours flawlessly over every facial curve to effectively allow the ingredients to penetrate the entire face. It instantly creates bright, dewy skin, provides the most intensive melanin-defying treatment, strengthens skin's resistance to inflammation and environmental stressors, reduces existing pigmentation for a brighter, more translucent complexion, and is precisely formulated to be extremely gentle on even the most sensitive skin. These seem great for traveling if you don't want to carry liquids on a plane. A set of six masques retails for $120.


Amorepacific will be coming out with the Limited Edition Holiday Time Response Flawless Skin Set ($450), which works to restore skin tone, smoothness, clarity and radiance; and the Limited Edition Moisture Bound and Future Response Holiday Set ($195), which works to prevent and protect against the first signs of aging, hydrate and restore skin to its youthfulness - both available in October 2012.

During the event I also enjoyed a unique jazz performance by Korean drummer, Vongku Pak.


Amorepacific skincare is available at Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, online and at the Amorepacific Beauty Gallery and Spa located at 114 Spring St. in NYC.

For more information on all of AMOREPACIFIC's skincare products, go to www.us.amorepacific.com