Rediscovering FrankincenseFor all you international savvies out there-- you already know how fabulous this company is and all the awards they are racking up inside the beauty industry, right? I have to admit -- I had never heard of this brand before...I'm lame, I know. Sorry to my Brits out there. But yeah, when my cousin sent me the care package of products to try, I didn't know anything about his brand. I should warn you -- I am a sucker for packaging. I would buy a chewed stick of gum if it were packaged nicely with a slick logo and a funky font. So right away I was in love with the colors and the branding. Sophisticated without being bitchy about it. I should tell you a little about this company: whew. Where to begin...This company is the real deal. I don't know if I have ever come across a more earth-conscience, people-conscience, animal-conscience brand. "We’re a pretty passionate bunch, especially when it comes to the importance of respect – for people, animals and the environment. We believe it’s a fundamental part of healthy beauty and organic living." They are committed with a capital C -- through organic farming, trading fairly, and respectful supportive working conditions, members of Organic Soil Association, Carbon Neutral, Forest Stewardship Council, World Land Trust, GMEducation, Cruelty-Free International, Vegetarian Society Approved, Humane Society, FRAME & PETA...You get the idea? Please check out the history of Neal's Yard Remedies because my description is not giving them their due. They are the good guys!!! I have LOTS of products to try in the coming days (thanks Mandy! xo) but I started out my trial with the Rejuvenating Frankincense Refining Cleanser and the Frankincense Hydrating Cream. My cousin told me that it should be enough for about 4 uses. And sure enough that was true. AND A WARNING here: I am opening a show in just under 2 weeks and I am trusting that my face is going to be happy. I have pretty sensitive skin so I hope all goes well here...lol...If it was good enough for the baby Jesus and the Wise Men...I'm hoping for a Miracle. So what's the verdict after a few days of these new products??? I am a BIG fan of the Rejuvenating Frankincense Cleanser. It is crazy good -- smells good, feels good and about 5 minutes after washing my face there was a fabulous glow to my skin that looked incredibly healthy and dare I say youthful. For my normal to oily skin here in South Florida, the Frankincense Hydrating Cream was just a little too much -- I already got more moisture here than I know what to do with... Now that being said, I can see how if I were still living in NY that I would LOVE that product in the winter when my face is like the Sahara Desert from the dry heat indoors and the cold winds out. Again great smell of the Frankincense and a nice consistency to the product (thick but not heavy) -- silky and luxurious. Two green thumbs up for the cleanser! One green thumb for the cream -- but again I think it is because for my more-oily-than-not skin in Florida it is just a bit too heavy with the 90+ degrees out. Bring on round 2~ #stayhealthy Get yours here at: us.nyrorganic.com/shop/mandyhays
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Welp. It is almost august and it is hot as 1) hell 2) balls 3) balls in hell here in SWFL. This week has been super busy with us beginning our rehearsals, meetings about ongoing and newly developing projects and taxes. Yep. Taxes in July. Not Christmas in July but taxes. I will just leave it at that. Every working professional actor knows the sad lament..."1099's, W-2's, unemployment, oh Christ." One word of advice...use the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program our union, Actors Equity Association, so graciously provides. Thank you AEA!!! We LOVE you! Orlando office rocks! Well, I am running off to study my words...and drink a nice big iced coffee.
On July 11, I turned well -- let's be real, I am not going to reveal that to the world. As I think we all know, we need all the help we can get out here in the wild world of theatre, film and casting...Like I want another reason for Casting Directors to think twice..."um no, I just don't see you as 30-35 any more. " Ugh. I had a lovely celebration filled with all my favorite things this year. Some things good for me, some things not so good for me...Come on! It's my birthday! And on 7-11 you get free slurpies from 7-11! The Gods' must be crazy... So of course I got a Coke Slurpie! I mean it was free! It was by far the worst thing I have ingested in months...And was strangely delicious. I received lots of calls and cards and a couple of very sweet care packages from home filled with lots of wonderful goodies from people I love. And Brendan of course made the day very special -- even giving me a hand-made Birthday card. Oh to be married to a fellow artist! Life is so sweet. We aren't in rehearsals yet and are not running a show -- ie, we are out of work. Soooo, always looking on the bright side of life-- we had the whole day to share together by doing lots of things we love! Free birthday lunch with mild humiliation wearing a sombrero -- see pic here (Ha! Lucky for all us their site is down)! We had a beautiful dinner eating one of my favorite foods (sauteed blue crab claws!) and enjoyed G&T's and a fabulous sunset! And the best part of it was sharing the day with my man! Time to get to work!!!! Ok so we are about to start rehearsals for a funny funny series of One Acts at Theatre Conspiracy here in Fort Myers. We have never done a show with them are really looking forward to this quirky show. We are in Act 2 and Act 3! So suckas, I better go get them words down because this process is fast and furious...SUMMERTIME in the theatre! Stay healthy! Can't wait to share my dressing table with you! #healthyactor #whatsonourdressingtable
Life's a beach, what can I say? Yep. It is mid-June, we are out of work, summer stock is in full swing, we are here at the river house and grocery shopping at Big Lots. BUT as luck would have it, I got a message on FB last night that gave a little encouragement. Isn't that the way, fellow actors? You are in the weeds and then out of the clear blue sky, an Artistic Director sends a note and the world is beautiful again. Ah, the life of an artist. Relax. Nothing is under control. So today we are reading the play that was sent -- oh it is a project for both me and Bren! Another plus! And it is in August! And it is in town! So win, win, win...win! This evening we are having sunset cocktails on the dock with an old friend and AD of a regional theatre we have a very close relationship with. So as we ease into summer, the theatre season for 14-15 (how the hell?) is beginning to take shape. Do other regional theatre actors have this experience? I have been thinking a lot lately about the path that I chose -- or did it truly choose me? I never went the "traditional" route of getting a theatrical agent. Even when I was in NYC. I always wanted control over my career. Ha! What a freakin' joke! Hindsight is 20/20 on that one. I didn't want an agent trying to push and pull me in directions I might not want to go. So I trekked out in my own way, made relationships with organizations, worked hard and am amazed sometimes that I have been able to piece together a life in this cra-cra-crazy theatre world. All the while I wait for my TV/Commercial agent to call. I swear... The phone has been dead silent since my last audition on the 10th for a NetFlix thing. DEAD silent. We joked yesterday saying we needed to make travel plans so the phone would ring. That ALWAYS happens. Nothing, nothing, nothing. We will be packing the suitcases the night before. It will be 9:47 at night and I get a text message. "Can you be in Miami tomorrow at 10:00 for something? Sides have been sent to your email." Soooo are there any sweet deals on Travel Zoo this week? Here's to an awesome 14-15 Season! |
Rachel BurttramI'm a southern gal with liberal politics who has worked my ass off and sacrificed a lot in order to be a working regional theatre actor. There are lots of working actors who are out here grinding without begin famous. And we consider that we have already MADE it. I really like to tell stories and solve the puzzle of the text. I LOVE untangling scripts and unlocking characters. I really give a damn about the planet and am an avid gardener. I love to get my hands dirty. I am completely fascinated by fellow journey(man) actors and how we survive and thrive. Ballin' on a budget, Baby. http://www.rachelburttram.com/ Archives
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