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Fact: The Rouge Cosmetics has moved the needle in anti-aging innovation with Ongrien Technologies. Real results start now.

Future Perfect Skin:

Buzzing with great cosmetics and highly-advanced scientific skin care since it opened its doors more than ten years ago, The Rouge Cosmetics offers the most effective skin care products in the industry. The Rouge products start with science, with their Ongrien Advanced Skin Care Treatments. The Rouge Cosmetics along with Ongrien Technologies’ research team has helped pioneer the advent of cosmeceuticals and has continued to lead the industry as one of the first companies to provide scientific evidence to support product benefits. Their anti-aging, nutrient-based products deliver advanced protection, while neutralizing free radicals. Better than organic, Ongrien Technologies is a nutrient-based line that is healthy for the body, with valuable vitamins that ensure safety, all designed to prevent damage to the skin. Qualified and proven as one of the most superior anti-aging products on the market, while backed with scientific facts on repairing skin from the inside out, these anti-aging treatments help reduce fine lines and wrinkles for a smoother complexion and healthier skin for the future. Aging Is Optional!

Break-up with Break-outs

Using new technologies and science-based techniques to repair, control and reduce break-outs, Ongrien Technologies has come out with an acne treatment line that helps reduce acne and skin related problems. While the cause is still unknown, hormones and stress are contributing factors; that is why Ongrien developed a Clear Skin System that treats acne for those with sensitive skin. Treating the skin delicately without harsh chemicals is key, while using triple action exfoliating agents and perfectly balanced glycolic acids to unclog pores and kill bacteria, it improves the skin’s balance and controls breakouts. Pathogenic bacteria lives on acne skin types, so reducing bacteria on the skin helps prevent future breakouts.

Pure Skin Appeal

Ongrien’s nutrient-based anti-aging treatments are healthy for the body and given the attention and nourishment that your skin deserves, it can be strengthened, toned, and indicative of the youthful and healthy beauty you always wanted. Harness the scientific benefits of Ongrien Advanced Skin Care Collection that has been created with YOU in mind—Ongrien Technologies offers state-of-the-art skin care solutions and products meant to respect every skin type and need. There is no one-size-fits-all skin care solution, so they have developed options for every woman’s skin type.

Ongrien Technologies has formulated these science-based products, using perfectly balanced antioxidants and peptides with the highest quality ingredients and formulations including:

• DMAE – Repairs, Restore, Thickens The Skin and Lifts.
• Lipoic Acid – 400 Times Stronger Than Vitamin C, Smoothing Effect.
• Ester-C – Exceptional Antioxidant To Reduce Free-Radical Damage.
• Co-Enzyme – Restores & Regenerates Cells.
• Neuropeptides – Lifts And Slows Down The Aging Process And Formation Of Wrinkles.

Through years of research, Ongrien Technologies has formulated a collection of world-renowned, pharmaceutical-grade, anti-aging skin care products, that deliver powerful, effective benefits to provide a youthful, toned and radiant appearance to the complexion.

For more information related to your specific skin concerns, The Rouge offers skin care consultations to help you choose the correct balance, regime and treatments for the future of healthy skin.  

 

 

Have you ever watched a film that just stayed with you? One you can’t even decide whether you liked or not? A film so raw it’s makes you—I’m not quite sure of the word I want to use—uneasy?

I was browsing through some movies looking for something interesting and I stumbled on a movie that had been recommended to me several years ago. I was actually looking for a “girl” movie to follow my war movie last month. Having no preconceived idea what The Piano was about, I paid my rental fee and dived right in. All I can say is WOW! 

Firstly, let me make a point: it is a real R. This is due to sexually explicit content. Do not pick this for “family night.” The Piano is a 1993 New Zealand drama about a mute piano player and her daughter. Set during the mid-19^th century in a rainy, muddy frontier backwater town on the west coast of New Zealand, it revolves around the piano player’s passion for playing the piano and her efforts to regain her piano after it is sold.

The Piano was written and directed by Jane Campion, and stars Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel, Sam Neill, and Anna Paquin in her first acting roll. The film’s score, by Michael Nyman, is one of the 100 top rated soundtracks in history and Holly Hunter actually performed her own pieces for the film and taught sign language to the cast as well.

I’ll come back to The Piano.

After a little time had passed and deciding not to review The Piano, I watched Brooklyn which is a current hit. While contemplating the two movies, I was struck with the similarities. I was also amazed at how different two movies could be, east and west, north and south.

Brooklyn is a beautifully sweet movie. It’s about a pious female Irish Catholic immigrant who comes to New York City in the 1950s and finds true romance, but must decide whether to return there when a tragedy forces her to return to Ireland for a month to comfort her distraught mother after the death of her only sister. She has to choose between two totally different lives, one where everything is familiar the other where nothing is familiar.

Saoirse Ronan, playing Eilis, is the sweet innocent personified. After the initial pain of home-sickness she meets Tony (Emory Cohen), a handsome young Italian plumber who “likes Irish girls.” They fall in love.

Brooklyn is a glimpse of post war America; the beauty, optimism and open arms. It must have felt like a level playing field for new beginnings.

So, here you have it. The Piano is a little mind bending, exotic and hypnotic. Brooklyn is as sweet and simple, almost as peaceful, as The Piano is agitating. While both are about women moving to a different life in a different world the films are dramatically different.

Brooklyn was either nominated or won many awards including Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Best Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay. The Piano had five Academy nominations, winning Best Actress for Holly Hunter, Best Supporting Actress for Anna Paquin (2^nd youngest at 11 years old) and Best Original Screenplay for Jane Campion.

This month you get two to choose from, depending on your taste in films. I will await your comments at chastings@rockcliff.com.

 

 

Dear SSHS,

I have guests in my home quite regularly, and I’m getting fed up with all the dietary restrictions out there. From gluten and dairy-free to Vegans and Atkins, I feel like I’m running a restaurant when people come to stay. Any suggestions?                                             Juan Menu, Lafayette

She Said: Real food allergies and Celiac disease aside, it is not your obligation to check in with everyone coming to your lovely B&B to see what they will and will not eat. People are constantly jumping in and out of fad diets or eliminating food groups entirely, making it very difficult on hosts. I knew someone who went from Atkins to vegetarian in the same week, and expected everyone to oblige. That’s just bad manners. Do not cater to picky eaters. Issue your invitation and let all know what will be on the menu and that they are welcome to supplement their diets with items brought from home.

He Said: There’s nothing worse than taking the time and effort to host guests in your home then hearing them say they can’t eat this or that. It just makes you want to never have another guest in your house again. You can’t be expected to cater to everyone’s finicky food habits or needs so I suggest you politely ask ahead of time if they have any preferences. If any requests are unreasonable, then simply ask that they bring their own food that meets their needs or point them in the direction of the nearest store that has what they want. You’re providing the shelter and basic food, if they want more than that, that’s on them.

Dear HSSS,

A friend of a friend recently moved to the area, and I’ve been asked to show her around a bit and help her get acquainted with the area. I have a hectic work schedule and family life and really don’t have the time. Plus I don’t care for this person much. How can I get out of this?                         Janice, Danville

 

He Said: It’s always nice when a local can show a transplant around, but it’s not fair for a friend to expect this of you. First I would explain to your friend that you have other priorities and that you just can’t spare the time. Then, I would definitely let the friend know that you’re not fond of this person. If you don’t, this won’t be the last time this newbie reaches out to you. You can ask your friend to keep this info confidential or not, it’s really up to you. Also, there are literally a million social apps and websites where people can reach out and get info or meet people from an area when they move. Let the technology be their friend, not you.

She Said:  It’s time to just say no, and you will be amazed at how great that feels. You have little enough time as it is for your real obligations, and people will always ask, so it’s your job to protect your limited time. But, I do want to play devil’s advocate here a bit. You say you don’t care for this person, but how about inviting her to coffee when she arrives, telling her where some of your favorite hotspots are and giving her a second chance to be someone you do care for. Some of the best friendships start with two people not liking each other that much.  Her moving to the area could be a real game changer.

 

Robin Fahr is a communications specialist and host ofConversations seen daily on Tri-Valley TV, Channel 30 and online at trivalleytv.org. Shawn and Robin also host He Said/She Said on       TheTalk Pod.com.  Send your questions to AskHeSaidSheSaid.com.

This month’s installment combines two of my “feels.” Granted to actually eat here is a bucket list thing, or at the very least, a “when in Rome thing.” Nevertheless, I truly hope that this might create a moment when we find ourselves in Nairobi, Kenya engaged in the universal conversation of “I don’t know, where do you want to go?” and then we get stricken with the thought….aha!  Remember what Toby was “having.” Let’s backup a bit first.

Show of hands: who remembers my love of Kenya? Those that raised, thank you, but I can’t see you, so I will assume everybody thrust their digits skyward. That’s right, I lived in Nairobi for three months and the experience changed my heart. But wait, I am not writing about some “local’s only” mom and pop in the heart of the city center; I am writing about an endeavor that has its roots right here in Pleasanton and Danville.

I was lucky enough in the first stage of my food and beverage career to be mentored by a genius Chef, Harold Sena-akoto. I was not “back of the house” (kitchen staff), but this man took the time to teach me food costs, wine pairings and management styles that I still use today to lead flocks.

Harold was the Executive Chef at Ruby Hill Country Club in Pleasanton. On a nightly basis he would create masterpieces for the same people with an infectious smile and energy that could not be rivaled. He was the exact opposite of the knife and temper wielding chefs that I had come to expect, and would later be personally subjected to.

Harold is a Nairobi native, and last year, after a stint heading up the food program at Choice Lunch and Choice Kitchen in Danville (another one of my articles), he packed up his girls (wife Rose and beautiful daughter) and headed back to his family’s plot in Nairobi Kenya to open his lifelong dream: 45 Degrees Kitchen.

45 Degrees Kitchen is a rugged structure built on an old poultry farm in Garden Estate. The rustic interior décor and flow to the natural African surroundings put the emphasis on nature, whereby gentle sounds from the outdoors form the backdrop to your evening. The tall Eucalyptus trees in the distance and rustic surroundings are comforting and put guests at ease, making it easy to focus on the work to be done for your dining experience. The fine dining restaurant features a sustainably and organically grown ingredient-driven menu, utilizing produce from the restaurant’s organic garden. The menu is influenced by modern Californian, provincial French and Italian cuisine.

Chef Harold is the type of man with an inviting aura that leaves everybody he comes in contact with feeling better about the interaction they just had. Along with his equally as positive energy wife Rose, they are doing what everybody longs to do at least once in their lives—they are taking their passion and creating something from the ground up.

45 Degrees hosts private events, caters off-site parties, does cooking classes and offers the outdoor/indoor African experience that was once reserved only for safari but from a culinary standpoint.

Our local loss has become Nairobi’s gain, and generally speaking, in any other circumstance I would feel the pangs of loss when a friend moves worlds away, however with the Sena-akotos I feel their presence daily through Facebook (www.facebook.com/45degreeskitchen) and know that they are simply giving me one more reason to return someday.

Bookmark this culinary adventure for your next trip to Africa and tell them Toby sent you, although you would get the same incredible hospitality no matter who you are.

Garden Estate, Nairobi                                                                                                                              Reservations 0705151086/0705150898

 

 

As spring splashes its way in, we are encouraged that Baseball is back. How do we exist the rest of the year when there is almost always a Major League game being played in the area? It is well nigh impossible to go to the park every day, but the magic of TV and radio brings it all home to us. What else is there to say? Play ball!

1. Where did the SF Giants play their home games their first two seasons in San Francisco 1958 and 1959?

2. Who played Dizzy Dean in the movie biopic “Pride of St. Louis?”

3. What Broadway musical hit was based on Douglas Wollop’s book “The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant?”

4. Sam Malone, the owner of Cheers of TV fame, had been a relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. What was his nickname as a pitcher?

5. Who threw a perfect game for the Oakland A’s in 1968?

6. Who wrote the book “Moneyball?”