Karen Neuburger

On a recent rampage through some market stalls in Macau, I thought, Let me get some proper pyjamas. I usually wear an old pair of shorts and a loose T-shirt. But I wanted something else. I wanted a matching set – proper pyjamas.

After swaying from this to that, I finally decided on a summer pair sporting the name Karen Neuburger. The pattern was a soft blue – forget-me-nots in three different hues. The thing I was happiest about was that the bottom part was long shorts rather than pants. I wouldn’t have to worry about the length, about tapering them, cutting them, folding them, or tripping over them.

I brought them home, put them in the laundry basket, and a few days later they were washed and dried and ready to wear.

Well, what can I say? Two days ago I went back to the stall. I wanted a second set and was oh-so-disappointed that it was closed! Golden Week in Macau, HK, and China. Sigh. You see, I haven’t washed them again yet… I can’t bear to part with them. I want to wear them every night.

They are quite simply the most comfortable pyjamas I have ever worn. They are loose, the fabric is soft to the touch, and… I have never been so excited over pyjamas in my life.

I was also curious about Karen Neuburger. Who was she? Where did the brand come from? Was she German?

So I typed her name into a search engine, and now I know all about her. Well, quite a bit, anyway.

She’s American, for starters. She was a stay-at-home mom (me too!) who was more comfortable lounging around in her pyjamas than getting dressed. When her husband came home from work one day informing her that they would need a double income once again, she decided she didn’t want to get back into a suit. And then it hit her. Why not sell her pyjamas?

The article I read is not new (2004), and the company was making $100 million a year then. I love it. I love success stories. Especially ones like that.

Here’s a link to the article I read so you can read up about her as well:

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/business2_archive/2004/11/01/8189352/index.htm

The brand’s site: www.karenneuburger.com

Sewame Again

I'm going to become Sewame's unofficial spokesperson. Here are two more products that I tried over the weekend, and I'm ecstatic about the outcome.

Here's the first of the two. It's part of the PXE pore refining series. This one promises "anti-blackhead pore refining cleansing mud". Generally when I read the promises on labels, my heart wants to desperately believe them. I close my eyes as I use the product, fondly imagining that I am some model with flawless skin in a commercial. Then I open my eyes. Unfortunately, promises on labels rarely bear out. But, I'm happy to say, this one is different. I squeezed a bit in the palm of my hand, added water to create a foam, and gently rubbed it in. I was honestly amazed by the result, and I am not one to be easily amazed, nor do I bandy the word around lightly. It's been two days, and when I look in the mirror I think: Wonderful, my pores continue refining. :)
Here's the 2nd related product:

This is PXE's mask. I love the luscious strawberries in the photo. Like the foaming cleanser, it promises "anti-blackhead pore refining". People talk of killing 2 birds with 1 stone, but it seems I am killing 1 bird with 2 stones.
I placed the mask on my face for 15 minutes as per instructions. I think my kids are growing up because they are no longer frightened when they see Mommy with a mask on. :(
The instructions actually said there was no need to rinse the residue off my skin afterwards. I let it dry, but I found the slightly sticky feeling a bit uncomfortable, so I ended up washing it off. The mask was also impressive. The foaming cleanser cleared my pores; the mask seemed to take a layer off my face. It did something. The only way I can describe it is to say that I sported a "clean look".
Two thumbs up to Sewame products, I say. They don't cost an arm and a leg, and they do the work most admirably.

Time for another Marks & Spencer rave

I haven't graduated from culinary school, but all in all I'm not too bad in the kitchen. I'm not trying to boast when I say that I can put out a mean cake, muffins, cookies, etc. Given the choice, I would pick homemade cookies any time.
Except for Marks and Spencer's 'Pistachio & Almond Cookies' [see insert]. They're probably the best store-bought cookies I've ever had. I love pistachios, and I love them even better in cookies.
I stash the package away in a cupboard, far away from prying fingers and eyes. Caught with crumbs at the corners of my mouth, I will admit to what I was nibbling on. But I'll put up a fair battle before grudgingly sharing my horde with my kids or hubby.
Who's counting calories? Not me.
I just bless each cookie and munch happily away. :)