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Claren Books: Fostering a Creative Community for Writers & Good Books for Readers

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A leisurely soak in the tub or a rainy afternoon spent at a coffee house isn’t complete without a good book. On the lookout for your next literary find? Then check out Claren Books, Independent Publisher & a second-generation book company that fosters a creative community for writers.

Claren Books is not an ordinary publishing house. They are professional and detail-oriented, not cookie-cutter corporate. Friendly, but not folksy. My favorite part of this independent publishing company is that they foster a unique creative environment for authors, resulting in better books for their readers. The Claren Books creative community is open to all writers, not just their own.

As many of you are both avid readers and potential authors, we’d like to tell you about what Claren Books has to offer and give an overview of a few of their latest releases.

ABOUT CLAREN BOOKS

Claren Books publishes a select number of books a year. They are primarily fiction works, but some non-fiction as well. What can Claren Books offer you the reader? Or you the writer? Here’s a brief overview of both.

For Authors

Are you interested in writing novels or novellas? Claren Books is accepting submissions and has three unique benefits for writers. The first two are:

  1. Loads of advice, tantamount to a candid pre-submission how-to guide, to ensure that a manuscript is indeed ready for an editor to read.
  2. Claren Books gives frequent practical and constructive writing tips on the Claren Books Facebook and Twitter direct from their own Editor, Sarah Doebereiner (@SarahDoeberiner). Many lone authors fail without a mentor or peers. Many women have difficulty finding a mentor in their field. But with resources like these, you, aspiring solo authors, have the inspiration and indirect guidance needed to improve your writing.

MORE ABOUT CLAREN BOOKS PRE-SUBMISSION ADVICE

Read their concise, sound advice found within the FAQ and Submission sections of the Claren Books website that is tailored to potential authors who want to submit their work to be published.  Think your novel is finally ready? Well, maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. It probably isn’t.

The thing is, many enthusiastic writers are, in all likelihood, not ready to submit their work. It doesn’t always have to do with how intriguing a story they are capable of writing.  Claren Books points out many of the potential pitfalls that can entrap otherwise excellent authors-to-be.

For example:

  • Are there are basic formatting or technical issues within the document?
  • Has someone given a true critical proofing to the manuscript, or have only loved ones read the work?  Before considering an official submission, it must be read by an impartial,  knowledgeable third party, and then, once again, the author must endure the painful process of implementing edits and rewrites.
  • Is there a compelling cover page and synopsis?

As Claren Books points out, these are all necessary to the process. Once your work is submitted, it is too late to revise these make or break components, and an author must capture an editor’s interest quickly on that crucial first impression.

The reward for such strenuous pre-submission efforts is a good one. It is the third unique offering Claren Books has for their authors: a highly generous 50% payout on net receipts and a $1000 advance.

We respect that Claren Books, as a Publisher, freely offers these online resources to all authors in order help them to write well and they make sure their authors get paid fairly.

Claren Books is a second-generation book company and a member of the Independent Book Publisher’s Association. Publisher Bill Adler (@billadler) is an author himself and a former literary agent who’s represented numerous bestsellers.

WHAT DOES CLARENS BOOKS HAVE FOR READERS?

What about the reader? Claren Books offers fictional novels and novellas ranging from thrillers to a How-to book for telling a fairy tale to kids.

Not much of a reader these days? With all the streaming video content available, it’s easy to get out of the habit. Claren Books had the ingenious idea of “The Binge-Watching Cure”: an upcoming anthology of short stories of increasing length designed to get the reader to fall in love with reading once again.

Want to see specific examples of recent Claren Books offerings? For Read an eBook Week 2017, StyleChicks will be featuring a synopsis of several Claren Books from various genres; you’ll be sure to find your next good read!

BE PART OF THE CLARENS BOOKS CREATIVE COMMUNITY

Find the online creative community for authors cultivated by Claren Books

Reader

Style Chicks received compensation for our time and effort for this post. However, our experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% ours.

ELAJ Emollient: All-Purpose Natural Skin Softening Protectant

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ELAJ is an unscented, all-purpose, natural emollient cocktail for rough heels, cracked elbows, dry scalp, chapped lips & ragged cuticles. It won’t clog pores and can be worn under makeup while treating facial psoriasis or eczema. BONUS: ELAJ does double-duty as a moisturizing, light sheen lip gloss containing a natural SPF

ELAJ Emollient is a healing emollient safe for any skin, even sensitive skin areas. Made of natural ingredients, it will not clog pores, so it is safe to use on the face. It is safe for even children and treats cradle cap and minor rashes. FDA registered, ELAJ is helpful for psoriasis and eczema and other skin conditions that require gentle daily cleansing and care. It is healing and protective to severe and painful skin conditions and works wonders as a go-to beauty tool for skin concerns that just won’t respond to commercial treatments.

ELAJ for multi-tasking skin care

ELAJ for multi-tasking skin care

ELAJ USES

Some areas of skin require an intensive hydration treatment to soothe conditions such as extreme dryness. ELAJ allows the skin to breathe while treating all of the following:

  • Ragged cuticles
  • Skin inflammation or irritation from sunburn
  • Dry, chapped lips
  • Eczema, even on the face. It stops the itching for 8 hours you can get a good night’s sleep
  • Burn scars
  • Fresh acne scars
  • Dry, rough, cracked feet
  • For use as a gentle eye makeup remover that doesn’t sting the eyes!

THE ELAJ STORY

Developed by Dr. M.A. Bchihalouk, the founders’ grandfather, this emollient has been used by Suhein Beck’s family for any skin related problem for years. She indicates that everyone who tried it found it wonderfully healing for their eczema, contact dermatitis, cold sores, skin conditions or just rough and dry skin on elbows, feet, hands, and knees.

ELAJ INGREDIENTS

ELAJ all-natural ingredients including Sweet Almond Oil, Vitamin C & Avocado

ELAJ all-natural ingredients including Sweet Almond Oil, Vitamin C & Avocado

A powerhouse of natural active ingredients that soothe, hydrate and protect the skin including:

  • Almond Oil a hypoallergenic oil that is safe even for babies, it is an intensive moisturizer with anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties, rich in Vitamin E. It also protects skin against UV radiation damage and helps heal existing damage.
  • Avocado is intensely emollient with protective with high oleic acid content. This monounsaturated fatty acid maintains moisture in the epidermal layer of your skin, helping to make it soft and hydrated.
  • Vitamin A & E feeds and restores skin, assists in healthy skin cell turnover
  • USP White Petrolatum is a purer form than that which is found in Vaseline
  • Honey retains moisture, has natural cleansing properties
  • Yellow Beeswax is a superior protective barrier cream for skin
  • Soy Wax relieves psoriasis, eczema, dry skin, cracked skin, cracked heels and rough cuticles.
  • Zinc Oxide is a natural sunscreen
  • Colloidal Oatmeal soothes the skin, stops itching

ALL-PURPOSE ELAJ USES

  • BODY: For use all over including on dry knees, elbows, rough and cracked heels, hands, and cuticles.
  • FACE: ELAJ is safe for use on the face as it does not clog pores, making it suitable for treating eczema, psoriasis, acne, razor burn, dry spots, chapped lips, and cold sores. Also delicate skin around the eyes, earlobes, and nose.
  • AN FDA REGISTERERED SAFE ALTERNATIVE TO CORTISONE FOR ECZEMA:  MAKEUP & ELAJ FOR ECZEMA ON THE FACE: To cover eczema on your face, blend ELAJ with your foundation and use this mixture to conceal the eczema patch. Finish with a light coating of powder for a matte finish, or leave without powder for a dewy glow.
  • ELAJ FOR A LIPGLOSS WITH NATURAL SUNSCREEN: ELAJ doubles as a lip gloss with a soft sheen and has the natural sunscreen property of Zinc Oxide.

ELAJ FIRST IMPRESSIONS

ELAJ comes in a small plastic jar; it is semi-transparent with a light golden color, lighter than honey. There is no unpleasant scent. It is a thick consistency which is firmer than Vaseline but not as hard as wax. It melts on contact with the heat of your skin. It is not greasy like Vaseline but does leave a light sheen to the skin.

ELAJ is a firm but spreadable all-purpose emoillent

ELAJ is a firm but spreadable all-purpose emollient

elaj-2-4

ELAJ is thicker than Vaseline but more pliable than Beeswax

MY EXPERIENCE: PUTTING ELAJ TO THE TEST

I’ve two near-constant dry skin issues: my almost always chapped lips and my ever-dry cuticles.

  • DRY LIPS:My lips have been dry since I was a kid. I’ve tried everything from drugstore to high-end boutique counter products (READ: slathering CREME DE LA MER concentrate on my lips). I’ve done Pinterest recommended remedies like black tea bags on the lips and Coconut Oils and other treatments.
  • CUTICLES:Even if I use gel lined gloves, my cuticles never look good. I have even consulted my dermatologist over recommended products for my cuticles. If I slather my hands with Coconut Oil at night, by the afternoon staff meeting, my cuticles are red and peeling and dry all over again.

While some things work better than others, nothing gives me smooth lips or non-irritated cuticles for a full day, especially when exposed to dry air in my office.

APPLICATION
The emollient is thick but softens to smoothly and evenly spread into a thin layer when held between the fingers (similar to the Creme de la Mer creme emulsion process). It looks like a thicker “Bag Balm” or Vaseline consistency, but it is not greasy once worked between the fingers for a minute.

ElAJ is thick but spreadable and not greasy

  • CUTICLES: To apply it to my cuticles, I softening it and rubbed into directly into my cuticles and into the nail beds all around the nail and on a few rougher spots on my knuckles.
  • LIPS: For my lips, I applied ELAJ directly onto my lips. I massaged it in, and much of the dead skin sloughed off. I applied a second light coat before going to bed. My lips were smooth in the morning, not chapped. I sometimes get cracks on the side of my lips, these felt a bit different after application, slightly numb, and in the morning the crack was healed without a rough skin patch as normally appears.
  • ELAJ VERSES VASELINE TEST: As a third test, I applied ELAJ to the rough heel on my left foot, and straight vaseline on my right foot overnight. In the morning, the hardened skin on my left foot was soft as if I had exfoliated it off and it stayed that way for several days. My Vaseline covered foot was softer to the touch, but the hard skin remains hardened.
How to apply ELAJ

Apply ELAJ generously and allow 5 minutes to absorb

CONCLUSION

ELAJ is a very useful, all-natural, all-purpose emollient that tackles multiple skin needs, it is safe and effective for eczema treatment and can be worn with makeup on the face. ELAJ stops the itching of psoriasis and eczema, allowing skin to breathe while still providing a protective coating. A natural SPF lip gloss and makeup remover, keeping the two-ounce size ELAJ in your bag is a great multi-tasker when traveling.

Find all-natural ELAJ here http://elajnaturally.com/collections/all

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Style Chicks received this product in exchange for our unbiased review and received compensation for our time and effort. However, our experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% ours.

Health: CBDPure 600 mg Organic Hemp Oil

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Hemp is becoming a popular ingredient in recipes and supplements. But it is crucial to get a quality formula like CBDPure 600 mg Organic Hemp Oil.

So let’s get one thing out of the way first: if you are considering taking any supplement, talk to your doctor. Also, don’t self-diagnose a problem, as it could be something more serious.

CBDPure 600 mg Organic Hemp Oil has a nutty flavor

CBDPure 600 mg Organic Hemp Oil has a nutty flavor

BENEFITS OF HEMP OIL

That said, a superior formula of Hemp Oil has many health benefits. Hemp Oil isn’t a psychotropic substance, and you won’t get high off of it. If you are a regular peruser of GOOP recipes, you know that Hemp Milk is quite popular, and contains many nutrients that promote health. The same holds true for Hemp Oil. It is high in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. It is also high in Vitamins A, E, and D.

CBDPure’s website has several testimonials from people who found that aches and pains went away when they started using the product. While Hemp Oil is available without a prescription in the United States, many other countries recognize it as a medicine for pain, rather than a supplement, which is how it is recognized in the USA. It will be interesting to see if Hemp Oil achieves the same medicine status in the United States at some point.

MY EXPERIENCE WITH CBDPURE

TASTE:

CBDPure 600 mg Organic Hemp Oil has a slightly nutty flavor that kind of reminds me of walnuts.

HOW TO TAKE CDBPURE ORGANIC HEMP OIL:

The dosage per use is one mL (about 1/2 a dropper full). It is taken twice a day. It can be taken more as needed, but twice a day will meet your Omega needs, even if you do not otherwise consume fish or fish products.

You take it orally, putting it under the tongue and holding it there for about 60 seconds, and then swallowing it. The nutty flavor makes it extremely tolerable, a far tastier way to get nutrients than from Fish Oil! There is no unpleasant aftertaste.

Suggested use for CBDPure 600 mg Organic Hemp Oil

Suggested use for CBDPure 600 mg Organic Hemp Oil

OUR TAKE

CBDPure 600 mg Organic Hemp Oil is a high-grade hemp oil that can offer benefits to body, hair, brain and skin. Ideal for those who may lack necessary the essential Omegas due to dietary choices or restrictions, Hemp Oil can meet this health supplement need in a tasty, easy to take form. Perfect for those who have difficulty swallowing pills, taking Hemp Oil under the tongue is easy and pleasant tasting with no aftertaste.

Talk to your doctor about this great supplement to see if it is the right way for you to get necessary nutrients to function optimally!

CBDPure 600 mg Organic Hemp Oil is a natural way to meet your Omega dietary needs

CBDPure 600 mg Organic Hemp Oil is a natural way to meet your Omega dietary needs

Buy CBDPure 600 mg Organic Hemp Oil at http://www.cbdpure.com. Style Chicks readers can get free shipping with code CBDPURESHIP through 5/31/2017.

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Style Chicks received this product in exchange for our unbiased review and received compensation for our time and effort. However, our experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% ours.

How to Best Use Hyaluronic Acid: What to Know

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Like an Instagram Filter for real life, Hyaluronic Acid plumps wrinkles & pores with intense hydration, making skin appear instantly youthful & dewy.

Why We Love Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid is by far one of our favorite skincare ingredients; we always look for it in serums and moisturizers because it makes skin look fantastic as it plumps out wrinkles and crinkles and makes skin glow.

But Hyaluronic Acid won “beauty secret weapon” status in our StyleChicks Favorite Skincare Ingredients Series because it helps any anti-aging active ingredient work more efficiently. Learn about the short term and long term benefits of Hyaluronic Acid.

WHAT IS HYALURONIC ACID?

Hyaluronic Acid occurs naturally in the skin, but it depletes as we age, and the body does not make more.

Topical Hyaluronic Acid application in the form of a cream, gel or serum replaces levels in the skin, giving a youthful glow.

WHAT HYALURONIC ACID DOES

Hyaluronic Acid gets “beauty secret weapon” status due to its’ ability to hold enormous amounts of moisture; it can draw moisture from the air, sucking it into the skin.

This moisture drawing ability has a dual benefit:

  1. It makes skin as plump and dewy as possible, creating an environment where the skin contains as much hydration as it can hold.
  2. It uses this water drawing ability to pull active ingredients deeper into the skin.

BENEFITS OF HOLDING MOISTURE

  • Wrinkles, fine lines, and pores temporarily “plump out” from all the moisture until they are barely visible, yet it does not make the skin seem puffy or bloated.
  • Hyaluronic Acid works wonders on crows feet, eleven lines, wrinkles on and around the mouth, forehead lines, and smile lines.
  • Hyaluronic Acid causes an optical blur effect, smoothing tiny imperfections in skin including on the throat, chest, and decolletage

What Active Ingredients to Pair HA With

Hyaluronic Acid SERVES AS AN ACTIVE INGREDIENT BOOSTER.

Many active ingredients that are amazing for the skin all do their best work in the deeper layers of the skin, but their molecules are typically too large to absorb deeply. Some examples are:

The solution? Hyaluronic Acid is like a friend with VIP access; it uses its’ moisture pulling ability to draw these active ingredients into deeper skin layers. The deeper active ingredients can work, the better the collagen production.

This means deep discoloration, sun damage, and acne scars are all fade for a much clearer look to the skin. And when collagen production happens at a deeper level, it better supports for skin, resulting in less sagging.

How to Best Use HYALURONIC ACID

It is imperative to use a moisturizer over your Hyaluronic Acid, as it draws as much moisture as possible into the skin.

If Hyaluronic Acid can’t get enough moisture, the surface of the skin can appear DRY, because the Hyaluronic is still “thirsty.”

I like to apply Hyaluronic Acid over damp skin; sometimes I mix a Hyaluronic cream or serum with some water before applying it to my face and eye area.

  • Less is more. Apply more only if needed, focusing on wrinkles, pores on the cheeks, and the wrinkles on the forehead and throat.
  • Apply Hyaluronic Acid over a Vitamin C serum or Peptide Serum to maximize your results
  • Do you use an at-home device such Handheld Light Therapy or the NuFace? Optimize the results by applying a layer of Hyaluronic Acid after washing off the conductive cream.
  • If you live in an area with higher environmental pollution, consider only using Hyaluronic Acid at night so that it does not pull the pollutants into your skin from the air.

Hyaluronic Acid serums we like

  • Aurora Cure Ultimate 100% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum: Professional Strength: a clear serum, not sticky, very potent, as it is 100% Hyaluronic, no fillers. I like to apply this during the daytime after I wash my face and it is still moist, I lightly apply the Hyaluronic, then pat on two light coats of moisturizer (Clinique Dramatically Different for example) and spritz my face with water in between layers to lock in hydration. Also very useful paired with a Vitamin C serum, but make sure to add a moisturizer on top!
  • SERUM CEUTICALS ALBUMIN & HYALURONIC ACID SERUM This is not a straight Hyaluronic, but the Albumin and Hyaluronic pairing together work wonders at reviving tired, older looking skin, and this has no chemicals or preservatives. Cool feature: this can be used ON EYELIDS (!!) without causing irritation.
  • It is amazing when applied to the throat, the face, jowls, on the shoulders, hands, and decolletage, use sparingly around the eyes. When it is applied, enlarged pores disappear, forehead wrinkles appear practically non-existent.

Ingredient overview Summary

Did you like the article How to Best Use Hyaluronic Acid: What to Know?  Then you may also like:

Know a Hyaluronic Acid that should be on this list? Contact us or tell us about it in the comment section below!

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