Crossing The Streams Wearing Nothing But Lipstick

Update:  This fundraiser was a colossal failure.  But this is a decent post about an extended hospital stay, by a patient.  

Good Sunday Morning!   


My intention was to post pictures of me wearing only lipstick.  I just bought a new color and for the first time it's a dark red.  But then, I got lost in the shower.  

The following post includes references to Ghostbusters and how you can shop to raise funds for scleroderma research and education for not one, but TWO organizations.  Don't worry, there will still be pictures.  

I've been in the hospital for 9 days.  Sure, I've taken showers, but I have not washed my hair because use of the wrong products will destroy it.   Just one shampoo with the Pantene so generously supplied by my host, will cause clumps of my hair to fall out.  This is not an exaggeration.  That stuff is poison to my scalp.  Actually to anyone's scalp. Have you read the label?

Long story short:  OH.  MY. GOD. That was an awesome shower.

Before the magic of my "selfie" photo shoot.

A lot goes on in the shower with me.  (Stop that.) I daydream in the shower so long, I refer to it as  getting lost in the shower.  Last night, deep in the nether regions of my mind, mid-shower,  I had an idea.

I was mulling over my new job as an independent sales rep, (Brand Ambassador)  for Votre Vu, the fundraisers I launched with my cousin at Origami Owl the week before I was hospitalized, and how the hell I was going to follow through with my commitments while attached to an IV with my feet in the air.  Then, it struck me:  It was time to go full throttle on "crossing the streams."

I wanted to keep my business and writing separate, in other words, keeping those "streams" separate.   The more I thought about it, the more I realized that in a perfect world, it would still sound insane.  I was starting to feel like I was about to be killed by a 100 foot Marshmallow Man, and I realized it was time to cross the streams.  

In the movie Ghostbusters, they saved the day by doing something with no guarantee of the outcome.  (Look, if you haven't seen the movie yet, you are too young to be reading this blog. No whining about "spoilers" in the comments.)

Make up: Votre Vu
Lip color: Ma Cherry
Hair by Maria Vitale Salon

Now What?
So, now that I'm going to be in the hospital for a minimum of six weeks, rather than show you the worst of scleroderma, I'm going to write about making the best of it.  Life hands us a bag of dog crap sometimes and we have to learn to make the best of it.  So if you want to read about how awful and soul sucking scleroderma is, read some studies, research and medical articles.  Here, I am going to make living with the effects of scleroderma beautiful and victorious.  It won't be perfect.  I will have my ups and downs.

Anyway, enough of that long winded intro to the next six or more weeks of my life.  Let's start by crossing some streams:

I have two fundraising soirees going on right now.
I will donating 20% of sales for each soiree to their respective host organizations.  You can shop at one or both soirees.  You will receive an email how much of your sale was donated to which organization who's soiree you shop.

Me, sans make up.
Why yes, that is telangectasia.

You can look up these soirees by name.  Here is how: 

1.  Go to www.VotreVu.com/TheMightyTurtle and Click "shop"

2. On the right side of your screen you will see: "Can't make it to the soiree?, Click here to look up your host".

3.  A form will pop up that asks for the first and last name of your host.  Type "Scleroderma" in the first name box and two names will show.  One will say, "Scleroderma"-  That one is for the San Diego Chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation.  Another will say, "Scleroderma Research" - and that one is for the Scleroderma Research Foundation.

4.  Note, you are not restricted to shop for only one, but to shop for both foundations, you cannot do that in the same "shopping" experience.  Each soiree is independent.  And if you spend over $75.00 at each soiree, there are benefits for you the customer and you don't have to choose.

FAQ

1.  WHY 2 Scleroderma fundraising foundations?  Why not choose one?  

Me, wearing nothing but lipstick.
It's my new favorite color,  Marguax

Simple:  They are both great organizations with a great deal to offer patients, doctors and research.  Many patients are alive today because of the work both of these foundations have done.  

For example, I bet you have donated funds to more than one cancer foundation.  Each foundation has a different focus like emphasis on research, or more emphasis on patient education and support groups.  They are different, but they are all on the same team.  The team to cure cancer.  Just like in our case, we are all on the same team to cure scleroderma.

2.  Karen, what's in it for you?  

Well, it boosts my sales numbers and I still make a small amount of commission.  To fully disclose, I make 30% commission from sales.  I will be donating 20% of that 30% I earn to each foundation.  I considered donating the whole 30%, but I should probably cover expenses like time, and create the ability to pay for the host gifts for each foundation and donate to the foundation hosting to use for future events.

3.  Are those the only soirees you do?
Well, I do have my own soiree I am hosting because I want to earn Les Sorbet for $25.00 instead of buying it for $165.00.  All proceeds to my own soiree go to me.  Don't shop there.  Shop at the fundraising soirees.  I am disclosing I am having my own soiree because maybe someone wants to shop at all three.  But honestly, these fundraisers have hit the ground with a thud, so don't shop at my soiree.  Shop at the fundraising soirees and tell your friends!

4.  Can I host a soiree?  
Yes.  I can book you an online soiree only.  If you would like to have one in your home (which is really the best way to try the product) I have  awesome Brand Ambassadors who would love to help you host the best possible soiree.  Now, if you are worried about my benefitting from the soiree because you would like to patronize my business, no worries.  These brand ambassadors are on a team I lead, so I will benefit from this.

5.  Brand Ambassador sounds like a great job for me.  How can I learn more about becoming a Brand Ambassador for Votre Vu?
I would love to tell you why I chose to represent Votre Vu, and feel confident recommending and wearing Votre Vu's products,  tell you about their generous compensation and incentives. (LOVE THEM) Visit my  online store or Facebook page and we can talk.

6.  Do have to sign up to shop and get the best prices?
No.  Period.  Flash sales offer a great way to get higher priced items at a discount.  With Votre Vu, you can shop with confidence and no commitment. (In fact, there's one going on that ends December 8th at 10pm pacific.  They're serums & it's a good one!)

7.  Karen, Can't I just donate straight to these organizations?  
Yes, absolutely!   Here are the links:

Scleroderma Research Foundation- Bounce to a Cure Cure Crew Page 

Greater San Diego Chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation

Thank you very much for taking the time to learn about how you can shop for a cause this holiday season, how to donate directly to what it is that I do for Votre Vu, and how you don't have to sign up for anything to enjoy luxurious French Skin Care!


So, there you have it.  I've crossed the streams.  See you on the other side.

Usually, I feel naked without make up.
It's amazing what a great color lipstick
can do!