MEET LIFESTYLE BLOGGER JESICA RYZENBERG

April 10, 2017 janet gunn

One sunny "la la" afternoon I went to a friend's design shop, filled with fun, hip, and savvy girls where Jesica was working at the time, and we were chatting about style, decor, travel and my friend informed me that Jesica wrote a lifestyle blog. I was about a month away from launching The Grateful Gardenia and Jesica offered to help out if I needed it, I instantly said yes! I would love it, so we exchanged numbers and the following week we sat down together and she took me from A to Z on tips for starting out. I was so grateful for her incredible advice, Jesica literally walked me through everything! We continued to meet on the weekends for a few months and I said: "One day we'll figure out some way to collaborate, we'll figure out a way to have some fun" This May it will be two years since I published my first blog post and just as I'd hoped we are now creating content together. Say hello to Jes.

Hey there everyone! I am delighted to be a contributor for the Grateful Gardenia and look forward to giving you my perspective on all things fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and of course -- wellness. Though I have my own lifestyle blog, www.ryzenbergon.com, I am honored to be part of this fantastic online destination.

So let me share a little bit about myself -- I was born and raised in Lima, Peru before my family moved to Florida in the early 1990s. After college (Syracuse University – go Orange!) I landed a job as a segment producer in Miami and three years later, with many lifestyle stories under my belt, the Golden State came calling. A decade, two big cities, and one fiancé later, I’m still here and there is never a dull moment!

I am currently based in Los Angeles, after seven magnificent years in San Francisco and enjoy pretty much everything this city has to offer. The beaches are awesome, the skies are blue almost every day, the hiking is second to none, and there is always something new to discover — whether it’s a cool neighborhood or a newly opened cafe!

When it comes to style, I am definitely a boyfriend jeans and tee kind of gal and have a penchant for stripes. I also have a soft spot for dresses and high heels, so it all depends on my mood! I guess it’s really what makes you feel your best.

A self-proclaimed travel junkie, collecting passport stamps is one of my hobbies! Some my favorite destinations include the beaches of Croatia, Vancouver, and the Swiss Alps. Some places on my bucket list include Cartagena, Colombia, Japan, and the English Countryside — but I hope not to stop just there.

One thing that I forgot to mention is that I am five months from tying the knot, so I am in full-speed wedding planning mode. I look forward to sharing all of my pre-nuptial adventures, as it’s quite an experience to fully navigate this bridal bliss (or blizzard)!

I am forever grateful to have found Janet — an empowering and incredibly inspiring woman who no matter how difficult the situation or how big the challenge, always has a way to lift my spirits. Thank you, my friend! Can’t wait to share more adventures with you!!!!!

Jesica's Instagram

I'm thrilled to collaborate with Jes, she's fun, innovative and I love her passion for creating content. Exploring ideas & opportunities have been exciting since day one. Growing The Grateful Gardenia just got a little greener & a little more grateful.

CREATE + COLLABORATE = YOU NEVER KNOW WHERE THE JOURNEY TAKES YOU

Linda Rendleman - Women Like Us

February 1, 2017 janet gunn

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

January 19, 2017 janet gunn

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