Oh, The Glamourous Life!

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

It’s my birthday! Treat yourself today! And maybe some others too.

It’s become traditional to create birthday fundraisers, but I’m not going to be so formal. If you are feeling generous, please consider contributing a little something to a good cause today. These are some of my favorites, if you are so inclined. They’re all 501(c)(3) non-profits, so you’ll be doing good and can take it off your taxes. : -)

The Diane Fossey Gorilla Fund
Panthera
Zoo New England
MSPCA-Angell
Plimoth Patuxet
The American Burlesque Collection

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 15 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s Friday and Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! Quick commercial, I’m appearing this Saturday at 9pm on Velvet Revue in their Heartbreaker Showcase.

Here’s a seasonal quote to liven up your day:

“Love is a friendship set to music.”
–Joseph Campbell

I love the imagery; It makes me think of life as a dance. Have a beautiful week!

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 14 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

Before we begin, a quick reminder that I’m offering Valen-Tease on next Thursday.

Here’s your tip!

Yell out your anger and frustration.

We’re all feeling it at some level, having our lives interrupted for almost a year, unable to do things we love, see people we love, and seeing so much loss. So just go yell and shout and scream. Lock yourself in the bathroom, or your car, go into the back yard, lie on your bed with a pillow to muffle your voice. You could even throw things if it would help (and not incur any property damage). Externalize your feelings.

This tip inspired by Michelle L’amour’s honest talk about anger and The NY Times “Primal Scream Line” for overwhelmed mothers.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 14 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

B.A.B.E. had the first of two comedy workshops last night. There’s still time to register for the second one —Developing Comedy Acts  — on the 28th.

And here’s your tip!

Watch that you don’t block your face during your removes.

It’s usually a glove remove that’s causes the problem, but I’ve seen it happen with stockings too. 

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 11 Patrons. Thank you so much, especially my newest Patron, Coney Bow! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s Friday again! Here’s your tip! Lighting has become so important as we spend so much time in front of cameras.

Soften harsh lights with a diffuser.

The theatrical solution would be to use a diffusing gel, but if you don’t happen to have one of those lying around, you can improvise. If you’re using an LED bulb, it doesn’t get hot and there’s lot of things you can use to put in front of the bulb to get a softer light– sheer fabric, a stocking, wax paper, &c. In a pinch we once used a white trash bag over a LED worklight.

If you are using a bulb that gets hot, be very careful with what you put in front of it. You don’t want anything to melt or burn. Baking parchment paper is a safe solution (thanks to Foxy Lexxi for the suggestion!).

Experiment with lights and materials to find an effect you like. 

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy New Year! May 2021 be better and brighter for all of us! (but no pressure…)

Often I suggest setting goals for the new year, but 2020 was a *really* rough year. Instead:

Look back on all your accomplishments, no matter how small. I bet you accomplished more than you think!

Stay well everyone! I hope we can be together again this year.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

Wishing a very merry Christmas to those who celebrate! For those who don’t, enjoy your take-out Chinese food and movie at home! (I’ll be watching Wonder Woman 1984 over my egg rolls tonight)

It’s still Friday, so here’s your tip, which is really more of a wish:

May next year be better and brighter! And may we all do all we can to make it so.

Thank you all for being here this year.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s Friday again! How does that keep happening? Before I get to your tip, a few notes and advertisements.

We’ve got the first classes of 2021 scheduled at B.A.B.E. Head on over there to check out the current offerings.

Tomorrow night I’ll be appearing in Velvet Revue’s Premiere Show: US Edition at 9pm EST! You can also still see The BeauTease Holiday Special whenever you want or H.A.U.N.T., if you prefer your holiday season spooky.

And now for your tip!

Allow rhinestone glue to dry for 24 hours before wearing and a week before washing.

I know we’re always rhinestoning things at the last minute (guilty!), but try to plan ahead to give your glue time to set up and really secure your stones. To make sure all the stones are on there well, wait even longer before you get anything wet.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.