The older I get, the more I believe the adage “happiness is an inside job.” Life doesn’t seem to generously dish up the thrills and emotional highs it once did when I was part of a greater social scene and professional community. And in talking with my woman friends, I’ve discovered I’m not alone. Many others are in search of what will inspire and fulfill us.

But so often we wait for the conditions to be just right – the right weather, the right person to accompany us, the perfect location – and while we’re waiting the opportunities pass without us ever stepping out to find what’s waiting for us.

In my quest for a more joyful life, I’ve found I can, with the right mindset and correct focus, not only appreciate fully the spontaneous magical moments, but create experiences that give me the satisfaction and sense of wonder I crave. No more waiting around for it to magically appear, I’ve learned to make it happen.

Small Moments Matter

I think the biggest shift for me was learning to be present in the moment and to focus on the simple things that previously seemed insignificant. There is so much beauty in our every day, and many opportunities for heart-warming connection. We just need to notice and be ready to capture them.

Discover What Makes You Happy

We all have certain preferences when it comes to what we find beautiful, what lights us up and gives us that content and blissful feeling. Mine is nature, hiking through the hills or just sitting somewhere wild, listening and watching. To create perfect moments, we need to capitalize on what already interests us and indulge in it consistently.

Set Intention

Before beginning the day, think about what it is you want from it and notice how many ways it shows up throughout the following hours.

I awaken early and while I lie there in the dark, I contemplate the day and how I can find within it the gifts that are meant for me, be they time with a close friend, something delicious that I want to prepare for myself, or perhaps an outing with the potential to see a place with a refreshed perspective. And if there’s nothing on the calendar, I contemplate what I can do to make the day a good one.

Take Some Risks – Do Something Different and New

There’s a certain exhilaration to the unknown. When we choose to push our limits and attempt to do something we’ve never done before, we experience life in an unfamiliar way and that can lead to some spectacular moments and memories. Breaking out of our routine and striving for new achievements, different scenery and engaging experiences will pay dividends in the form of perfect moments.

Sidestep the Obstacles

There are responsibilities and difficulties that may interfere with finding and having what we want, but if we are creative, we will discover ways to achieve our goals. I recently had a minor surgery that required me to stay off my feet for several weeks.

I missed hiking very much. So, one morning, my friend took me and a borrowed wheelchair to the park and I wheeled along the path through the trees with her. I found a perfect moment in that peaceful, natural setting and in the comfort of a caring friend.

Embrace the Unexpected

A chance encounter, the kindness of a stranger, sharing an accomplishment with a young person, are all the kind of everyday occurrences that deserve to be savored. Notice them and appreciate these moments for their unexpected pleasure.

Engage in Work of the Heart

One way to raise the odds of experiencing gratification and fulfillment is to be generous in spirit and contribute to the well-being of others. Whether it be through a service group, volunteering with a nonprofit organization or helping a neighbor in need. Giving of ourselves brings connection and gives one a sense of purpose.

Return to the Magnificence

I love watching the light rise before dawn. I get up very early every morning, take my sweet and spicy chai and sit at an eastern facing window and wait. Some mornings are more spectacular than others, with brilliant color and birds singing, but they all give me a moment of grand inspiration. When you find something that inspires you, return to it regularly and enjoy.

Choose the Right People with Whom to Share Your Moments

Surround yourself with positive, intellectually stimulating and creative people. Join groups, reach out to those you come across with shared interests and stay in contact with those friends who always seem to give you an emotional boost. Seek out those who possess the capacity to make moments perfect with you.

Have you been waiting for the perfect moments to arrive in your life? Do you think you can instead do something to make a moment perfect? What would it take you to do that? What constitutes a perfect moment to you?

I don’t know when it was decided that adults had everything figured out. I mean, I still don’t know what to fill in for my W-2. Similarly, I never have a clue on what to buy for my hair, unless I’m at a salon and a stylist is giving me the exact link for a product. But, by some miracle, I spotted a hair care guide in the last place I’d think to look: Amazon. As a shopping editor, I’m online looking for deals and customer-loved items 24/7, so I pay a little bit more attention to commerce hubs than most normal people would. Because of this, I spotted an easy-to-miss section on the retailer’s beauty page.

As you scroll down past the callouts for Indie Beauty products and the section filled with customer-loved items, you see a rainbow advertisement for hair type guides. I thought, “This is too good to be true,” as I clicked on the “relaxed” section. But low and behold, what I found was seriously impressive. The page has everything from leave-in conditioners to repairing serums, all specific to that one hair type. Plus, the majority of items have higher than a 4.5-star customer rating, so you know that real people back the products up.

RELATED: Shoppers Swear This $10 Shampoo Leads To ‘Thicker, Fuller, Better Looking Hair’ In Just A Few Weeks

There are four total hair sections to shop from: relaxed, wavy, coily, and curly. Each of these has hundreds of beloved beauty items to try out, and the majority are less than $10. This is the type of guide that can help you transform dry and damaged hair to the lush locks you have envied for so long when you spot it on tv or in line at the grocery store.

Below, shop out some of the best-rated hair products specific for your hair type.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Relaxed

Courtesy: Amazon.

Keep your straight or wavy hair smooth with these nourishing products that are all about hydration. They’ll soothe dull ends and smooth-out any flyaways that have been annoying you lately. Not to mention, your hair will be glistening in every photo you take.

• Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Leave-In Conditioner, $10.50 (Originally $11)
• Giovanni 2chic Aloe Vera Shea Butter Shampoo, $16.42
• Design Essentials Deep Moisture Milk Souffle, $13.88
• Keracare Silken Seal Liquid Sheen Avlon Spray, $12.56 (Originally $22.68)
• Cleansing Conditioner Cowash, $29.97

Wavy

Courtesy: Amazon.

Wavy hair is arguably the hardest to tend to. Most products are either specific to straight or curly needs, but never in between. This section proves that there is hope for wavy-headed gals out there. From detangling brushes to cleansing conditioners, you’ll be able to find it all.

• SheaMoisture Curl and Shine Coconut Shampoo, $8.23 (Originally $11.15)
• Wet Brush MultiPack Detangler Hair Brushes, $11.99 (Originally $12.99)
• DevaCurl Ultra Defining Hair Gel, $28.56 (Originally $51.02)
• Renpure Vanilla Mint Cleansing Conditioner, $10.24 (Originally $13.99)
• Taliah Waajid Black Earth Products Lock It Up Tight Hold Cream, $9.72 (Originally $12.99)

Coily

Courtesy: Amazon.

Give your tighter curls the hydration and boost they deserve by feeding them nutrient-rich creams and leave-in conditioners that will leave your strands feeling refreshed and renewed.

• SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Shampoo, $8.23 (Originally $9.99)
• Design Essentials Almond Butter Express Instant Moisturizing Conditioner, $21.58 (Originally $31.99)
• Jessicurl Deep Conditioning Treatments, $16.95
• Camille Rose Aloe Whipped Butter Gel, $15.99 (Originally $16.33)
• Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk, $10

Curly

Courtesy: Amazon.

Show off your beautiful curls and bring them to new bouncy heights. Your ringlet, spiral, or corkscrew locks deserve to be the stars of the show.

• Cantu Coconut Curling Cream, $5.66 (Originally $19.99)
• Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl-Defining Anti-Frizz Conditioner, $6.99 (Originally $8.99)
• Design Essentials Curl Enhancing Mousse, $14.24 
• Pantene, Detangling Milk Hair Treatment, $7.98
• Renpure Coconut Water Mist Leave-In Treatment, $6.99

Crystal Kung Minkoff’s Black Skull Sweatshirt in Her Basement

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 11 Episode 17 Fashion

Needless to say, the half-a-million dollar price tag of Crystal Kung Minkoff’s basement renovation has us dead. But not as dead as the skull featured on her cute black sweatshirt, which we’ve linked for you to view right now about six feet inches under.

Fashionably,

Faryn

Click Here to See Her Zadig & Voltaire Sweatshirt

Click Here to Shop it on eBay

Originally posted at: Crystal Kung Minkoff’s Black Skull Sweatshirt

Turmeric is a root used as a spice – but it does so much more than just add flavor to food. Here are the reasons why you need to start adding a pinch of turmeric to almost everything you put in your mouth.

What Is Turmeric?

Turmeric is derived from the Curcuma longa plant. It is a root, much like ginger. In fact, the two are kissing cousins from the same family. Turmeric is knobby, but smaller in size than ginger, and the color is an intense gold-orange. This rich color signifies that turmeric is chock full of curcumin.

It is an ancient spice that has been used for centuries by Asian medical practitioners, particularly for toothaches, bruises and other mild conditions.

You’ll also find it as a main ingredient in curry, the spice blend that is the star of the show in dishes with the same name.

Health Benefits of Turmeric

What will you find in just one tablespoon of turmeric? It is a super source of iron, manganese and phytosterols. It also contains impressive amounts of fiber, potassium and vitamin B6.

Turmeric is both a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and that gives it near super-hero powers.

Inflammation in the body is never a good thing but turmeric can easily combat it. A 2013 study actually shows that turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties could be just as effective as hydrocortisone and phenylbutazone for treating things like eczema, psoriasis, allergic reactions, arthritis and joint stiffness and pain.

The theory is that curcumin’s ability to neutralize the free radicals which cause inflammation makes it highly effective in alleviating symptoms of these conditions.

Here’s another benefit of turmeric. It could provide relief from bowel and colon problems. Research from 2019 showed that rats who ingested turmeric daily (in a concentration of 0.25%) were relieved of the symptoms of colitis within five days. That equals about a teaspoon for us humans to add to any savory dish.

It could be that turmeric provides a dietary way to stave off some types of cancers, too. It all comes back to the root’s antioxidant effects and its ability to protect cells from free radicals at the cellular DNA level. This is particularly true in colon cells.

In addition to preventing cancer, there is evidence to show that curcumin can destroy cells already mutated by cancer. This prevents the spread of the cancer and the formation of tumors. Researchers believe that the anti-transcription quality of curcumin shuts down cancer-causing genes and prevents them from spreading.

Research Shows How Turmeric Benefits Health

In addition to these major health benefits, there is quite a bit of promising research that shows turmeric also has a positive effect on:

• Liver function – turmeric helps the liver detoxify and rid itself of harmful chemicals. It could also decrease the risk of developing fatty liver disease.
• Cholesterol – curcumin directs liver cell genes to rid LDL (bad) cholesterol from the body.
• Alzheimer’s disease – the instance of neurodegenerative disease is very low in Eastern Indian populations and it is thought that regular intake of turmeric is key.
• Multiple sclerosis – although researchers are not sure of the why, they have shown turmeric to have a positive effect on neurological diseases. They surmise that turmeric’s ability to direct gene codes and protect the brain from free radical damage are the reasons.

These are just a few of the ways turmeric benefits health; there are plenty more still being researched and proven.

Caution!

Do be aware that, although it is very unlikely, you can overdose on this food. There are no recognized “danger levels” but 3,000mg is thought to be an extremely high dose.

If you suffer from diabetes, gallbladder or bleeding problems, GERD or any cancer sensitive to hormones, use caution when adding turmeric to your diet. Don’t eat it at all right before or after surgery. And if you are taking an anticoagulant drug, turmeric could interfere with its efficacy.

Adding Turmeric to Your Diet

Turmeric has an earthy, slightly peppery flavor that blends well with other herbs and spices, such as curry powder. Of course you can opt for an Indian curry dish the next time you go to eat, but there are other, healthier ways to get a good dose of turmeric in your daily diet.

The easiest way is to sprinkle a bit on all your savory dishes – or even add it to your daily green smoothie. Turmeric is a great addition to nearly any type of soup, especially cream or vegetable soups. It can also be added to stew, roasted vegetables, squash or bean dishes. This would include chili, pinto, or garbanzo for example.

Here’s a few more dishes that get a subtle kick of flavor and a big boost of nutrients by adding turmeric:

• Chicken or Egg Salad
• Pad Thai
• Stuffed Bell Peppers
• Omelets
• Meat Marinades
• Spice Rubs

The only drawback is that even a little bit of turmeric will make your dish turn golden yellow. It is often added as a spice to “ball park mustard” to give it that rich, mustard yellow hue. And if you mix it with wet ingredients in a plastic dish, it is likely to stain the plastic. But those are just aesthetic issues that do not outweigh turmeric’s tremendous advantages.

Turmeric Curcumin Is a Real Super Food

There are few foods in this world that can compare to turmeric in terms of health and nutritional benefits. It has a beautiful color, a unique flavor and it plays well with other herbs and spices, making it an easy addition to your favorite dishes.

What spices are regularly on your table and in your dishes? Do you use turmeric for a richer flavor? What has been your experience so far? Please leave your comments and join the conversation.

It might seem a little too early to start thinking about your holiday party makeup looks, but I hate to be the person who tells you this… Christmas is only 100 days away. Luckily for us, the TikTok-favorite brand Charlotte Tilbury has surprised makeup fans with a 48-hour drop of a new iteration of their best-selling Instant Eye Palette, along with a few other exciting products.

The Instant Eye Palette has a little bit of a holiday twist this year. It’s called Smokey Eye Are Forever—which I think everyone can agree on. The palette has 12 different shades that are separated out into four unique eye makeup looks. There’s a shimmer-y golden look called Love Eyes, an unexpected golden-green combo called Power Eyes, a peach-gold blend called Happy Eyes and a pigmented plum look called Confident Eyes to create the ultimate smokey eye.

There’s only one catch—this palette is exclusively on Charlotte Tilbury’s website and the first drop is only available for less than 48 hours (unless it sells out). So if you’ve fallen in love with these eye shadow shades like I have, you’re going to want to add this to your cart immediately. And you’ll be rewarded for being decisive, because Charlotte Tilbury will throw in an extra mini Eye Blender Brush for free.

Basically, with this palette, your holiday looks will be on lock. And if you need a little convincing to buy a $75 eye palette know that Tilbury has both TikTok and celeb fans. Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk lipstick is one of the only universally flattering lipsticks, and the Nudegasm face palette was used to help create Billie Eilish’s Old Hollywood glam Met Gala look.

Below, you can shop the palette and take a peek at the two other items that are part of this 48-hour product drop.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Courtesy of Charlotte Tilbury.

Instant Eye Palette in Smokey Eyes are Forever

Boasting 12 creamy and long-lasting shades that won’t crease, this best-selling palette is divided into four different smokey eye looks—Love, Power, Happiness and Confidence. We all need more of those things, right? It’s written right on the palette, so you know which shimmery and matte shadows to pair together. And you’ll get a free mini Eye Blender Brush with your purchase.

Courtesy of Charlotte Tilbury.

Limitless Lucky Lips in Flame

Luck be a Charlotte Tilbury fan today, because these brand new lipsticks are also part of the 48-hour drop. Go matte this fall with this lightweight lipstick that claims to last up to 16 hours—no reapplication required. There’s a total of five shades to shop.

Courtesy of Charlotte Tilbury.

Advent Calendar + Bonus Palette

Treat yourself to this luxe advent calendar. Inside, this stylish set of drawers are three full-sizes faves and nine travel sized beauty products. If you order Charlotte Tilbury’s advent calendar in the next 48-hours, you’ll get a bonus Instant Eye palette and a mini makeup brush. That’s a great deal, people!