Monday, July 18, 2011

Narayan, a Cottage and Magic Shea Butter


It may be when we no longer know what to do,
we have come to our real work,
and that when we no longer know which way to go,
we have begun our real journey.

~Wendell Berry

Back when I met her, our lives looked very different than they do today. Our aspirations and especially career goals were very different from what they are now. You never know what the next chapter holds until you get there!

I met Narayan 20 years ago when she was a dresser my first play I was in in San Diego. All I knew was that she was the funny gal from the theatre department, who made her own beautiful dresses, and was looking for a couple of roommates.

We ended up moving in with a couple of friends, into a haunted house in North Park, San Diego. A lot of other crazy things happened but perhaps I will leave that for the Halloween post! ;) We met up again a few years later in L.A. when we were both our pursuing acting careers and she had also become a manicurist to the stars. Seriously, name a star. Yep, she did their nails. She went into their homes, did big Vogue photo shoots and got stars ready for the Oscars.


Over time we both kind of veared away from acting and started bringing more focus to other interests in our lives. She got seriously into Kundalini yoga and then started creating her own shea butter creams for healing pedicures.

She now lives in Ojai about 5 minutes from my sister Penny and right next to Bart's Books! (One of my 2 favorite book stores ever- the other being The Bodhi Tree in L.A.)

Now she has her own line of products that she makes by hand with amazing organic ingredients. I had never used such amazing "lotion/cream" in my life and I am one very dry skinned chick. I admit to being recovering product addict so this is big. Oh, did I mention I love the face scrub? I know I am starting to sound like a commercial but it true!



The shea butter is organic and unrefined. Watch out for the whipped white stuff big companies call shea butter! Narayan's is blended with essential oils and jojoba, so it doesn't get hard as rock like a lot of the stuff they sell at health food stores. I am telling you, it could make a rhino as smooth as a baby's bottom. (A human baby, that is. Not a rhino. Was that clear?) Anyway, I LOVE her shea butters and they smell heavenly!

I took these photos at her groovy little cottage in Ojai, California ...




The journey between what you once were
and who you are now becoming
is where the dance of life really takes place.

~Barbara DeAngelis












To check out her awesome shea butters and other yummy stuff, click here!!!

And click here for a funny article and video about her by Joel Stein for Time.


Does the path have a heart?
If it does, the path is good;
if it doesn't it is of no use.

~Carlos Castaneda


Hope you are all following your the path your heart is taking you!
Blessings and light!


12 comments:

KathyA said...

What a lovely home! I'll have to check out the shea butters.

melissa n. said...

I was wondering ... yes .. I remember her!!! How awesome a path has she had .. .loved the Times article and video!! Blessings to you both ... great read Lu!! Now off to look at shea butters!!! yummmmmm!!!

donna baker said...

You have the most interesting life. I love that. Are you taking a little break from the classrooms or charging right back in. I must admit, though I've been creating art for 40 years, I would dearly love to take more classes and learn how to do things I've never done.

Turid said...

What a beautiful post. The words were edible and the smells vibrant... I hope that first quote is right by the way. Perhaps that is why we all feel lost - because we're on the right track and this is how it's suppose to be.

Much love,
Turid xoxo

Loree said...

Those quotes are perfect. I don't feel I am on the right track right now but I hope to get there soon.

shayndel said...

I love your post and how you share with us in your journey, from quotes to meetings to the inspiring photos to products, I can feel the spirit in all.
Next time I am in a treat-myself-to -dry-skincare moment I will come back to check out the Narayan creams!

PS the motto from where I am in my journey ..---peace, love, tomare,

A Brush with Color said...

mmmmmm...they sound heavenly! I'll have to go look some more. What a nice nostalgic post about your friend. Gorgeous colors here, too! She has a great eye.

Joyce said...

A haunted house? EEKS... I do hope you share more in October. :)

Your friendship with Narayan sounds like a friend I have, we don't see each other often, but can pick up right where you left off.

Thanks for the cream. I am off to visit her site!! xo

Ruthie Redden said...

Oh yum, i love shea butter. I also love the wonderful photos on this post x

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Ok, girl...I am sold! Her home looks soulful! Thanks for the intro!

Cobalt Violet said...

Thanks for the comments my lovely friends!
I will try to remember about the haunted house at Halloween!

PK Studios said...

Do you think she'd do a spa day for the girls at mom and dads?..... pedicures and facials....Tegan was interested! Let's plan it!