Do you recall the lyrics from Louis Armstrong’s song, “When you’re smilin’ the whole world smiles with you?” What a cheerful reminder of the infectious magic created by one smile. Your smile has amazing power, and I’d like to inspire you to use it every day. But first…

Let’s Examine the Essence of a Smile

What’s behind it and where does it come from? We smile when we’re happy. We smile when we thumb through heartwarming family photos. We smile when we see someone we admire or observe a lively litter of precious puppies. We smile when we hear the voice of a dear friend or tune in to a chorus of cardinals announcing the start of spring.

But do you have to be prompted by beauty in order to be jolly? Must your life always be on the upswing in order to display a sunny appearance? On the contrary – your smile does not need to be controlled by outside influences or circumstances. You have the power to will a smile.

How often do you flash your pearly whites? Would you like to smile more? I believe we can condition ourselves to smile, and based on research, this may be a delightfully wholesome daily practice. Think of 10 adjectives to describe how you feel when you smile. I bet your list is brimming with uplifting words. That’s because smiling feels good!

What do the letters that compose SMILE represent? Let’s explore the potent properties of the acronym.

“S” Reflects Your Soul and Spirit

Smiling is not only great for your overall well-being, it can also enhance your appearance. Not necessarily in the way we view a popular celebrity; instead, it tends to make you attractive on a deeper level. You see, a smile is a conscious decision that extends beyond physical attributes.

A genuine smile speaks softly about your spirit and invites others to experience a brief moment of joy. You can influence the actions of others when you smile. You don’t have control over your height or the shape of your nose, but you have charge over the way you want to be perceived, and that can be revealed in your smile.

“M” Represents Magical Medicine

Smiling is good for the heart and soul! A sincere smile can evoke pleasant feelings. And like laughter, smiling can release endorphins and serotonin, sending a wave of natural, feel-good chemicals throughout your entire body.

Studies show that your happy expression beams brilliant health benefits, such as stress reduction, pain relief, a stronger immune system, and more. Knowing this may motivate you to set an intention to share your smile more.

Further, smiling not only raises your vibration, it also elevates others in ways you may not even realize. If you’re having difficulty getting your smile on, visit those pleasurable places in your memory, and reflect on these blessings during the day.

“I” Expresses the Authentic You

Fill in the blank with one of your endearing qualities: I am ____________. This feature can shine through your smile. No one can replicate your smile. It’s as unique as a fingerprint – your personal expression. And because only you can smile the way you do, put your signature on it.

Do you want to enhance this exceptional characteristic? Then begin personalizing it even more – I’ll talk about this in a minute.

“L” Turns on the Love and Light

Smiling is an act of kindness. Have you noticed that kind people have a pleasant countenance and seem to smile often? If you want to exude more love and compassion, employ your smile to speak volumes for you.

This may require commitment and practice. In other words, begin smiling more. Being generous with your smile will engage others and attract more goodness to your life.

“E” Emphasizes Exercise

Smiling can help to keep you looking your best! Did you know that working the muscles in your face can promote a youthful appearance? But when most people perform an exercise routine, they often neglect the facial muscles.

There are 42 muscles in the face, and smiling provides an opportunity to activate these specialized muscles and keep them toned.

Go ahead – make a crazy, distorted face. That’s sure to engage your facial muscles and stimulate a smile. Also, a more enthusiastic smile awakens the muscles in your neck as well. Wrap a hand around the front of your neck and feel the movement as you work your face.

Let’s Practice Growing Your Smile

Are you willing to play along with me for a few minutes? Okay, let’s have a little fun. Have you ever practiced smiling in the mirror? Grab a hand-held mirror and relax in a comfortable chair. Hold the mirror up to your face.

Now, keep your mouth closed as you use your facial muscles to slightly lift the corners of your mouth. You may feel your cheeks quivering. Hold right there for a few seconds. It may take a while to get those corners curled up. That’s your demure smile.

Now show your teeth. Ahh! This is your bold, dazzling smile! Practice cultivating both and capture the images with a collection of selfies so you’ll see what others see. By now, you’re probably giggling. Me too! A smile bubbling over into laughter is a beautiful thing – unleashing its own refreshing benefits.

You see, laughter is an extension of a smile. And because smiling and laughter often come from the same source, they complement each other. But usually the smile precedes the laugh – it’s sort of like a prelude to a more robust burst of perks.

Can you imagine what the world would be like if everyone released their untapped reserves of smiling energy? Show the world what you know. Cultivate your smile, revel in its benefits, and distribute it to others.

How often do you smile? Would you like to smile more? What kinds of things make you smile? What feelings do you experience when you smile? What makes a smile contagious? Have you noticed personal benefits when you smile?

Benzoyl peroxide. Salicylic acid. Sulfur. BHAs and AHAs and PHAs. We’re used to hearing all these ingredients when it comes to breakouts. But there’s one buzzy new acne treatment that has everyone talking: succinic acid. It’s on the newer side in the beauty industry but it’s been used medicinally in European countries for years. Now, brands such as The Inkey List are using the ingredient to help acne sufferers get their clearest skin yet.

First, let’s start with the good stuff. Succinic acid has been shown to reduce inflammation (great for those red cystic zits) and excess sebum, while also de-clogging pores. Unlike other acne treatments, it doesn’t dry out the skin which can sometimes make a breakout worse. It helps balance pH levels so dehydrated skin is a thing of the past. It can even help hydrate the skin. Know what that means? Not only does it help with breakouts and dark spots, but it can also plump pesky fine lines and wrinkles. Succinic acid is naturally found in amber or sugar cane and fermented for use.

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.

One of the first big brands to incorporate succinic acid into its products is The Inkey List. The Succinic Acid Treatment works so well, it keeps selling out. (It’s probably also thanks to the affordable price tag.) Not only did The Inkey List put 2 percent succinic acid in its spot treatment, but also 1 percent sulfur powder to help absorb oil and salicylic acid to exfoliate. The combination of these three ingredients makes this one powerhouse product.

Although this is a more gentle acne treatment that works overtime, you’ll still want to use a hydrating moisturizer and/or serum after application. It’s safe to use during the day and some fans even use it under makeup. A skin-clearing primer? Sign me up.

Because this best-seller keeps flying off the shelves you’ll want to check back here and see if it’s back in stock. Don’t worry—Sephora does keep restocking it. In the meantime, try some other favorites from the brand to keep your skin in tip-top shape.

Retinol Anti-Aging Serum

This non-irritating, line-smoothing formula uses 1 percent of what the brand calls “RetiStar stabilized retinol” as well as .5 percent Granactive retinoid to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as squalane for hydration.

Salicylic Acid Acne + Pore Cleanser

Oily, acne-prone skin doesn’t stand a chance against 2 percent salicylic acid, anti-inflammatory zinc compound and soothing .5 percent Allantoin.

Niacinamide Oil Control Serum

This lightweight serum kicks shine, as well as reduces blemishes, redness, and hyperpigmentation, with 10 percent niacinamide.

Benzoyl peroxide. Salicylic acid. Sulfur. BHAs and AHAs and PHAs. We’re used to hearing all these ingredients when it comes to breakouts. But there’s one buzzy new acne treatment that has everyone talking: succinic acid. It’s on the newer side in the beauty industry but it’s been used medicinally in European countries for years. Now, brands such as The Inkey List are using the ingredient to help acne sufferers get their clearest skin yet.

First, let’s start with the good stuff. Succinic acid has been shown to reduce inflammation (great for those red cystic zits) and excess sebum, while also de-clogging pores. Unlike other acne treatments, it doesn’t dry out the skin which can sometimes make a breakout worse. It helps balance pH levels so dehydrated skin is a thing of the past. It can even help hydrate the skin. Know what that means? Not only does it help with breakouts and dark spots, but it can also plump pesky fine lines and wrinkles. Succinic acid is naturally found in amber or sugar cane and fermented for use.

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.

One of the first big brands to incorporate succinic acid into its products is The Inkey List. The Succinic Acid Treatment works so well, it keeps selling out. (It’s probably also thanks to the affordable price tag.) Not only did The Inkey List put 2 percent succinic acid in its spot treatment, but also 1 percent sulfur powder to help absorb oil and salicylic acid to exfoliate. The combination of these three ingredients makes this one powerhouse product.

Although this is a more gentle acne treatment that works overtime, you’ll still want to use a hydrating moisturizer and/or serum after application. It’s safe to use during the day and some fans even use it under makeup. A skin-clearing primer? Sign me up.

Because this best-seller keeps flying off the shelves you’ll want to check back here and see if it’s back in stock. Don’t worry—Sephora does keep restocking it. In the meantime, try some other favorites from the brand to keep your skin in tip-top shape.

Retinol Anti-Aging Serum

This non-irritating, line-smoothing formula uses 1 percent of what the brand calls “RetiStar stabilized retinol” as well as .5 percent Granactive retinoid to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as squalane for hydration.

Salicylic Acid Acne + Pore Cleanser

Oily, acne-prone skin doesn’t stand a chance against 2 percent salicylic acid, anti-inflammatory zinc compound and soothing .5 percent Allantoin.

Niacinamide Oil Control Serum

This lightweight serum kicks shine, as well as reduces blemishes, redness, and hyperpigmentation, with 10 percent niacinamide.

Ramona Singer’s Slippers on Instagram

Real Housewives of New York Instagram Fashion 2021

With tons of amazing reviews online there’s no questioning the fact that Ramona Singer’s slippers on Instagram are definitely a good old faithful in the slipper community. And if you haven’t scooped up a pair for yourself yet, well needless to say you should probably do so soon so that you too can wear them for your next cozy night in posing curled up against the fireplace. 

Fashionably,

Faryn

Also Seen on Kristin Cavallari:

Click Here to Shop Her UGG Slippers in Many Colours

Click Here For Additional Stock

And Here For Even More Stock

And Here For Even MORE Stock

Photo #2: @RamonaSinger

Originally posted at: Ramona Singer’s Slippers

These days there are many options if you’re hoping to publish your book. You can do it yourself using Amazon CreateSpace.com or IngramSpark.com. You write your book, format it and upload files to the website.

Voilà! You are a published author. However, there’s much more involved in successfully publishing, especially if you want to attract readers and get publicity.

Your book needs to look indistinguishable from books from any major publisher. That’s the key to having a tome that appeals to readers and the media; you don’t want to take short-cuts that leave your book looking sloppy and amateurish. In later columns, I’ll explain how to avoid this and other common mistakes in self-publishing.

Whether you’re just starting to write your book or are thinking about doing so, I encourage you first to stop and answer the following questions. There aren’t “right and wrong” responses but your answers can be insightful and may help you refocus your topic or guide you toward ways you can promote your work.

What Is the Message of Your Book?

You should be able to clearly articulate the point of your book if it is non-fiction. If you’re writing a novel, you should be able to easily explain its theme.

Why Are You the Best Person to Write this Book?

Are you an expert in the topic or are you interested in a particular subject and involved in research on this topic? You’re more likely to write an engaging book and be able to promote it if you’re very familiar with the subject.

If you are torn between several topics, remember that completing a book is difficult so focus first on the subject you’re most passionate about and one in which you have some experience. That is likely to enhance your credibility with readers.

Do You Have the Time, Energy, Financial Security and a Place to Write?

If you have family or professional commitments, you should establish a realistic schedule that allows you to complete your book without putting undue hardship on yourself or your loved ones.

If you need a completed book for a particular event such as a speaking engagement or special anniversary, make sure you plan accordingly and allow time for the unexpected that may delay your schedule.

Are You Writing a Book About a Sensitive Topic or Subject That Could Be Offensive?

If you’re uncertain, then you should consult a publishing attorney. Simply changing names or identifying details doesn’t mean that readers can’t identify a real person you’re writing about. You may be eager to write a memoir but will your family be offended?

If you’re writing about details from your professional life, make certain that you aren’t prohibited from doing so by an employment contract or a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

Could You Partner with Someone to Complete the Book?

Perhaps you would work better with a co-author or a ghost writer who can interview you or shape your writing into a compelling narrative. Could you hire someone to create quizzes, charts or illustrations? These professionals are easily found on sites like LinkedIn, Freelancer.com and Reedsy.com

How Does Your Book Align with Your Professional Work?

Can you feature the book on a website or in speaking opportunities? It’s important you think about how you will use the book and promote it once it’s completed.

Do You Have Existing Material You Can Use?

Is it possible that you have existing material from speeches, presentations or white papers that you can use in the book? Do you have the legal right to use such material?

Does Your Book Relate to Current Events?

This may be a reason to try to write more quickly so you can get media coverage!

Have You Reviewed Different Book Formats?

For example, a self-help book can be a variation of “Seven Strategies to…” or “Get a Better Body in 90 Days.” Looking at various book formats and types can help you determine a structure that works for your subject.

What Happens After Writing a Book? What’s Your Elevator Pitch?

Can you describe your book easily in two to three minutes in a way that will captivate the listener? You must be able to do this if you’re looking for a traditional publisher or intend to spend any time promoting your book on media.

It’s a new year and a great time to start writing. By taking some time to answer these questions before you immerse yourself in the content, you’re more likely to have a successful publication.

Are you considering writing a book in the new year? What would it be about? How have you developed a plan for successful writing? Please share your creative ideas with other women in our community.