Linda Rendleman - Women Like Us

Meet Beautiful Linda Rendleman CEO and President of Women Like Us.

I was honored to meet with Linda Rendleman and in awe of her work and most of all the passion in LInda's heart. I am so grateful for women like Linda who tirelessly do the work and lift women just like us up no matter where they are in the world.

Linda was born in the Midwest at a time when women wore white gloves and hats, and for the most part, a woman’s place was in the home, In the 50’s. She grew up appreciating June Cleaver…and Donna Reed. She thought somehow, wearing pearls and high heels around the house with an apron trimmed in lace, and having a family would make her dream complete. When she was a teenager and ready for college, she was told it was best to become a teacher or a nurse. Linda had a voice inside that kept saying "let's go to New York, let's do a little more"  Linda felt she had a different mission, she wanted to see the world and be a bigger part of it.

By the time Linda was married at 19, and a mom by age 21…She held onto the dream of the white picket fence and all that came with it, but circumstances can be life’s teacher.  She quickly realized it was time to dig deep, ask the real questions and move on.

 She had a dream of a foundation to support and help women to exercise their own power, Linda wore many hats along the way, then she was delayed by unexpected news of cancer and placed that dream on hold. Linda envisioned a healthy body would be waiting for her, and soon she would continue her mission. 

And she did! Stronger than ever Linda began to meet the right partners along her journey, and today she is here healthy and cancer free.  Linda is championing women who have the heart, soul, and fortitude to see the work that needs to be done in the world and together they are making that happen. When women work together there are no limits, there are no walls, there is action. You can hear Linda's story on the video with Focus Magazine below.

Linda's motto: I not only want to live the length of my life, I want to live the width of it.

Find out how donating $10.00 can change a life. Join with me in making a difference!  https://secure.squarespace.com/commerce/donate?donatePageId=5696aebbb204d5c21fad0fe

Link to Linda's Book https://www.amazon.com/Women-Like-Us-Illuminating-World/dp/1468555804/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1485974143&sr=8-3&keywords=women+like+us+linda+rendleman

Thank you, Linda, and Women Like Us  to every woman who strives to make a difference and who reaches out to one another.

Please email me for any questions. Women Helping Women

KÁT RUDU

Meet Beautiful Celebrity Skin Care Expert - Kát Rudu.  Every day we are introduced to more information about organic skin care lines and the flower power of plants. Kát Rudu's line is pure-biotic, vegan, and cruelty-free. I've been using Kát's products for three months and my skin feels fresh, radiant, and what's not to love about the aroma of the botanical world? Here's a look into Káts love and passion behind her brand and how she creates alongside nature.

I first Met Kát at an event I attended in October. Of course the minute you meet Kát you say....Uhhhhh I'd like my skin to look just like that! I was thrilled to walk away with her incredible products and yes... I do see a difference. Kát's products not only smell delicious but feel amazing on and I've not had one breakout. Kát is passionate about women feeling their best and when you're in her presence the excitment is contagious!  Let's take a look at the passion behind her products and what they deliver.  

From left to right -

1-Hydra-Cell Bright Moisturizer; A natural brightening and oxygenating formula that fades sunspots lightens hyperpigmentation and restores brilliance with Kojic Acid and Licorice Root. Vegan Peptides, Hyaluronic Acid and Plant Stem Cells deliver protein to the skin at the cellular level. 2- Liquid Lift Silk Amino Acid Serum; A potent concentrated supplement, the Silk Protein Amino Acid blend improves suppleness, radiance and overall condition resulting in skin that is instantly lifted, plumped and tightened 3- CoCo Honey Papaya Enzymes Cleanser; Blended from regenerative Wild Geranium, pure Aloe Vera and antibacterial Honey, this silky gel purifies, tones and deeply hydrates the skin to reveal a super clean complexion that is not stripped or irritated. 4- Hydra-Cell Vitamin C Serum; A high concentration of botanical Vitamin C and vegan Hyaluronic Acid brightens hyperpigmentation, while it feeds and plumps the skin. 5- Cooling Cucumber Eye Bright Gel; This cooling revitalizing treatment delivers Silk Protein Amino Acids to the delicate eye area, with vegan protein to make it elastic and impervious to fine lines. 

Dewy Botanical Flower Mist - Jewel Oil Serum - Jet Secret Cream (Jet Cream available on website)

This Valentine's Day, we can look forward to two new products from Kát. Her Botanical Flower Mist  (love) and her Jewel Oil Serum.(truly a jewel). The Jet Secret Cream is Fantastic!!  My skin is on the dry side and the Jet Secret Cream leaves you looking refreshed and moisturized. I was lucky enough to try the Botanical Mist and the Jewel Oil Serum before Valentine's Day! The Jewel Oil Serum is made with Tamanu Oil, a remarkable healing agent used in South Asia, Avocado Oil and botanical retinol, Jewel Oil Serum gives a natural, brightening luminous glow.  You can use both day and night, and a few drops go a long way.

You can also find K by Kát Rudu - her sister line for under $30.00 - products at Erewhon Natural Markets - Amazon - Knockout.Beauty  - Is located in New Yor & the Hamptons Ron Robinson - Fred Segal Boutiques. Kát has worked at Vera's in Bel Air, Ole Henriksen & for Dr. Lancer before opening her own studio in Venice, California

  Treatments: JET SET FACIAL - RED LIGHT PHOTO REJUVENATION - BLUE LIGHT TREATMENT CLEAR SKIN TREATMENT - REJUVENATION PEELS - PORE RENOVATION - DERMAROLLER TREATMENT WITH HYALURONIC ACID AND VITAMIN C

If you want to "Light up the room" when you walk in...Book an appointment with Kát. info@katrudu.com. Thank you so much Kát for your gift of beauty! My skin is happy, glowing and grateful. 

Here's a peek into Kát's world for my Fearless Female Segment with Focus TV. You can hear about the power of silk amino acids, and other ingredients on our video. Plants are the most amazing chemists and engineers, It’s really exciting to understand how powerful plants are and from the beginning of time, women have uncovered beauty secrets from around the world with their discoveries from nature.

                  When you grow up doing what you love, what you love grows you....me

                       "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right.”

My father and mother owned a beauty salon in Bucharest, Romania. My mom was a hairstylist and also a skin specialist. My father was a barber. They worked together, side by side, for many years. As a little girl, I would sometimes go to the salon with them. At six years old I was already talking to clients as I watched my parents perform their art. Remember, in Europe, to become a cosmetologist is like becoming a nurse here. The years of schooling to become a skin expert or a hair stylist in Europe is equivalent to going to a four or five-year college.

The beauty of my mother and her salon is she always had handpicked flowers. She loved sunflowers! They were so fresh from the country fields I would try to sneak and eat some of the seeds. My mom would also have parsley and herbs around that she would preserve in jars filled with water. What I remember most about them working is; clients loved them. It was more like a family than a client relationship, and that is what I strive to bring to my work. So many of clients have become my dearest friends, as one became my made of honor. My mom always said, "Treat every face like it’s your last face." My husband told me one face at a time you will succeed. My right hand Stacey told me to always act with grace. I believe with this combination I can’t lose. 

 I came to the US on my own.  As I became an adult, I considered and even pursued various professions to make my own mark – something different than my background.  I became a SAG actress and a certified Pilates instructor.  But even while I was attempting to make these other dreams come true, my true passion always came back to the skin.

  Kát's motto - Your beauty is my life...

Thank you Kát for your generosity and your friendship...xoxo

ACTUALLY ORGANIC ARGAN OIL

Are you looking for the perfect elixir for your body and hair?  Argan oil, which is often referred to as liquid gold, is believed to have age-defying and restorative properties and, is becoming increasingly sought after in the multi-million dollar beauty industry. One of my goals for 2017 is to take time to moisturize my skin, hair and nails!  I do just fine with caring for my face, but I've been neglecting my body parts...It's time to invest in the overall body and I'm starting with Actually Organic Argan Oil.

Before the holidays Actually Organic reached out to me to see if I would be interested in trying their product. I began to read up on Argan Oil, I had heard a little about it, but knew very little. Argan oil is from Morocco... I've traveled there and loved it. The Moroccan people seem to be very passionate about their oils & spices... amongst other beauty secrets. I was intrigued that the oil came from trees located in a village named Argana, in the city of Agadir Morocco, hand picked and made by women only in this specific area. The trees grow wild and Moroccans have been using Argan oil as a skin moisturizer and hair conditioner since ancient times. In 1510 African explorer Leo Africanus came across the Argan oil when he was traveling across Morocco. From there, the oil entered Europe where only the rich and wealthy class had access to this expensive, rare and exotic oil.

The Argan Tree produces tasty fruit and the native goats Love the taste! The goats travel up the tree to eat the fruit then leave behind the nut that falls to the ground, later to be gathered by the women. The nuts fall from the tree in May and are collected in June and July. 

Green represents where Argan Trees grow - It's now a protected tree because of high demand

The team from Actually Organic spent a good amount of time in Morocco meeting with local farmers who grow the Argania tree. Scientist discovered that it is full of rich antioxidants rejuvenating Vitamin E and other nutrients that add glow, youth, and beauty to the hair skin and nails. 

It takes one worker over 40 minutes to crack enough nuts to create 1 - 4oz bottle. There are zero preservatives and chemicals, it's purely natural. You can add this magical oil to your mani-pedi routine, don't forget to take it with you to your manicure appointment, and have your manicurist apply after final coat.

Less known than coconut oil or jojoba oil. Argan oil itself contains more antioxidant and cell regenerative properties than olive oil, grape seed oil, and avocado oil combined. When applied to the skin, it absorbs quickly, and without an oily or greasy film...at all! Your skin is left feeling silky, and smooth satiny.   

Bee -Lieve in Yourself Necklace

Not only do I have dry nails and skin, but after constant us of a curling and flat iron the ends are super dry, After styling my hair I place a bit of the oil in my palms, rub together and run it on the ends of my hair.  It truly helps to restore shine and luster. Things are lookin up!

Don't forget your nails!

By combining a few drops of the Argan Oil to my favorite body lotion I feel like I have added moisture back to my body! Let's face it... 40 and over the skin becomes incredibly dry, this has brought hope back to having that smooth touch to my legs and arms. 

https://www.instagram.com/recreo.reinspired/ Bee Lieve in Yourself necklace /  Vintage Flannel Shirt The Farmers Daughter Sun Valley Shophttps://www.instagram.com/p/BJyB-iahOWJ/   

We've only begun to hear about the many skincare benefits of argan oil. It seems like new research appears every few months promoting more and more benefits -- For now, I am absolutely loving the overhaul of smoothness. There is a lot of moving parts that take place to reach the final outcome of this little bottle of "gold" It's quite a story and if you love organic, you can't help but appreciate the Argan Oil history.

Thank you Actually Organic, I now have a new and fantastic Oil enriched with history to add to my daily beauty routine, It's been a great experience. Thank you for reaching out to me. 

Nature gives you the face you have at twenty; it is up to you to merit the face you have at fifty! – Coco Chanel

If you have any questions please email me;  janet@gratefulgardenia.com

1 - I've had zero breakouts from applying directly to my face

2 -  A little goes a long way

3 - It has a tiny smell that goes away in about a minute

4 - It's been a miracle worker on my cuticles & hair

5 - I mix it with my lotion and apply right out of the shower

https://www.facebook.com/ActuallyOrganicMorocco

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