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Lifestyle

Go-To Lip Colors for Fall

As fall is gearing up, it is time to update our wardrobes – and make-up drawers! A new lipstick shade is an inexpensive way to spruce up our look. Let’s be honest, nothing completes an outfit quite like the perfect lipstick.

It is time to replace the playful pink with some bold, rich color. This season bold is the way to go. Fall always ushers in the deep hues, but this year we are taking it up a notch. The darker the better – black and navy are among the most obscure, yet powerful, lip colors. For those of us looking for a practical take on this season’s trend, we have complied the top 5 shades to add to your collection.

DARK PLUM

As with years past, the fall is for dark colors. This year, we really mean it. A deep dark plum will be the perfect accent to a wide variety of outfits. Bold, dramatic, and edgy – what more could you want? Tip: when wearing a dark color skip the liner.

via Good Housekeeping

SOFT BERRIES

If plum lips are a little too bold, consider a cranberry instead. You can’t go wrong with the more classic blend of pink, red, and purple tones. To complete the look, add a little gloss on top. The perfect mix of sexy and sophisticated.

via InStyle

CREAMY BROWNS

Deep browns are reminding us of the 90’s this fall! This trend recently made a comeback, and we are loving it. A cool, creamy brown is fall’s take on neutral. It compliments all the natural fall colors in the air.

via InStyle

BLOOD REDS

This classic look will always make you stand out. It never goes out of style and transitions perfectly into the holidays. Up the glam factor and compliment your pasty winter glow with an iconic bold red lip. A good red is a staple for your fall collection. If you want to make a statement – we have you covered.

via Good Housekeeping

BRICK

Grab the perfect mix of red and brown. This rusty red is a modern twist of the tradition red [above]. Keep your makeup simple and let the lips do the talking. For those with olive skin tone, this is must-have shade.

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8 Last Minute DIY Thanksgiving Decorations

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, good food, gratitude, and amazing decorations of course! There is something beautiful, warm, and cozy about the fall. Amidst all the preparation that hosting Thanksgiving entails decorations can easily be forgotten. Here are a few quick and easy last minute DIY decorations to spruce up your home and table. These seasonal crafts are sure to make a statement this fall.

1. Pumpkin Place Card. Metallic spray paint can add a stylish touch to any pumpkin – real or plastic. Paint some mini pumpkins and add a cute name tag for a personal touch. Put some in a basket or large base for an inexpensive coordinating centerpiece. If you go with plastic pumpkins – you are set for next year too!

via Women’s Day

2. Wreath Place Card. Create a delicate detail with an added scent. Make tiny wreaths for each place setting using small pieces of Rosemary. Soak the rosemary in water for added flexibility. Secure a 7-8″ strand of Rosemary in a circle with floral wire. Cover the floral wire with a small bow out of twine or string. Add a name card, and you have a perfect addition to the table.

via SpoonForkBacon

3. Turkey Pretzel Jar. Doubling as cute decor and a delicious treat, this chocolate turkey is sure to please the little ones. Who doesn’t love the perfect mix of sweet and salty? Dip long pretzel sticks in chocolate and add some fall colored sprinkles to create the “feathers.” Next, add googly eyes and beak of felt to a round vase. Fill the jar with M&Ms or your favorite chocolate candy, stick the pretzels in, and your turkey is good to go!

4. Feather Garland. Everybody loves a dainty strand of garland. Grab an assortment of tall feathers, spray the ends with gold paint, and string together for a quick decorative touch to the mantel or buffet. If you don’t have time to buy feathers, simply collect some large leaves from the yard and do the same! All you need is string, spray paint and a glue gun.

via Simple Styling

5. Chalk Paint Pumpkin. Decorate your table this fall with some vintage inspired pumpkins. Whether you choose some warm blues or soft neutrals, these heirloom looking pumpkins will be a great addition. Simply paint and let dry! You can add a little depth with dark wax, if desired. For a less traditional look, try using chalkboard paint instead. You can add a cute message or dinner menu.

via Brit+Co

6. Paper Bag Placemats. Make placemats out of paper bags – both simple and sweet. Cut open a paper bag to lay flat. Add a personal touch and conversation starter by including an area for guests to write what they are thankful for this year.

via BuzzFeed

7. Wheat Horseshoe Wreath. Nothing says fall quite like a harvest wreath. Using a coat hanger or wire, create a horseshoe shape. Separate dried wheat into groups of 5 and wrap together with floral wire. Make about 10 of these bundles, or as many as you need to fill your horseshoe. Attach the bundles to both sides of the wire horseshoe with the floral wire, leaving space in the middle. Add a pop of color or keep it neutral by tying a bow with ribbon of choice to the middle.

via Country Living

8. Box Grater Luminaries – Add a little lighting to the dinner table scape, sideboard, or coffee table. All you need is a few box graters, a tray, and votives. Arrange the graters with the votives underneath on your tray. Add in some extra candles, acorns, leaves, mini pumpkins or any other fall items to complete the look.

via Country Living

Lifestyle

Ridiculously Easy Makeup Tips That Will Simplify Your Life

Makeup doesn’t have to be hard! Checkout these ridiculously easy makeup tips to help simplify your routine:

1. Contouring made easy. Achieve the perfect contoured look by using small dots of color instead of big streaks. This gives you more control of the look — start with a few dots and then after blending you can always layer on more if you need them! Tutorial here.

via PopSugar

2. The perfect smoky eye for your eye shape. Practice makes perfect, and this handy chart helps you identify the perfect smoky eye for your eye shape!

3. Proper lip care. Exfoliate and moisturize your lips regularly so that lip color glides on smoothly and doesn’t get stuck on dead skin. Learn how to make your own lip scrub here.

4. Tweak your eye shape. Use eyeliner to subtly tweak the shape of your eye — great tutorials here.

5. Concealer double-duty. If you’re looking to save money or further simplify your makeup bag, prime your eye shadow using concealer! This will help your eye shadow stay put and prevent it from settling into creases.

HinsonGayle Lifestyle Wedding

The Best Bridesmaids Gifts under $100

Your bridesmaids are the amazing individuals who you’re counting on to not only stand by your side on your wedding day, but also to stand by your side throughout your marriage. You need them there through the good and the bad, the joy and the stress, and every place in between. Show them how much they mean to you with one of these awesome bridesmaids gifts for under $100!

1. Personalized Pouch + Tassle. Hear a squeal of delight as she opens her personalized pouch that is not only adorable, but is also functional!

2. Pearl Stud Earrings. Give her a pair of stunning pearl earrings that are as timeless as your friendship!

3. Floral Robe. Kimono style robe’s are all the rage right now, so give your best gal pals this gorgeous one from Plum Pretty Sugar!

4. Getaway Duffle Bag. This bag is fun and gorgeous, making it the perfect pack for a weekend getaway for your best friend!

5. Back Me Up! Mobile Charger. Because sometimes your phone can use a little extra juice while you talk to your BFF.

6. Monogrammed Jewelry Dish. Give her a personalized place to rest her favorite jewels!

7. S’Well Water Bottle. Let her know that you think she’s swell (see what we did there?) and give her this awesome water bottle that keeps drinks icy cold for 24 hours or hot hot hot for 12!

8. Fujifilm Instax Mini 7s Camera. With this fun new instant camera, she will know just how loved she is and be able to snap some killer wedding pictures.

9. Personalized Stationary. We love this stunning and customizable stationary from Rifle Paper Co.

10. A Print of Their Home Town. Evelyn Henson has done it again with this adorable print series of some of the best towns around. Give your bridesmaids the gift of a print of their hometown, favorite city, wedding venue, etc.

HinsonGayle Lifestyle

9 Ways to Tell If Your Pearls Are Real Or Fake

The best way to ensure your pearls are real is to purchase them from a reputable company. When a company has a long history or satisfied customers, this can give you a real sense of comfort. If you inherited your pearls or received them as a gift, what should you look for? Continue Reading

Lifestyle

Pearl, The June Birthstone

An accessory that is truly elegant for every day and occasion wear, the pearl is the modern birthstone for the month of June. For thousands of years pearls have been considered symbols of modesty, purity, wisdom, and marital bliss (which is why it’s often given as an anniversary gift for the 1st, 3rd, 12th, and 30th wedding anniversaries)!

Origin of the Pearl

The origin of the pearl has many legends. According to the ancient Greeks, pearls dropped from Aphrodite when she emerged from water. Other ancient mythologies state that pearls are drops of heavenly dew or tears of mythological beings.

As nature’s one and only organic gem, pearls are truly remarkable. Have you ever wondered how a pearl is formed? This video does an amazing job of visualizing just how a pearl is made!

Healing Properties of the Pearl

Many praise pearls for their healing properties such as being an antidote to infertility, insanity, memory loss, and insomnia. Others claim pearls possess the power to cure heart, stomach, spleen, and intestinal problems.

Many cultures and societies have made medicinal claims about the power of the pearl. In fact, the Chinese have used pearls for centuries to treat everything from simple eye ailments to serious heart issues. Today, the Chinese still use pearl powder as a skin whitener and treatment for acne and rosacea!

Determining Pearl Quality

The quality of a pearl is generally evaluated on seven different factors.

Luster: This refers to the intensity of light that is reflected from the surface of the pearl. The higher the luster, the glossier and more mirror-like the surface of the pearl. Pearls with a lower-luster will have a more matte appearance.

Nacre: Luster and nacre quality are closely related. If the nucleus is visible under the nacre, or the pearl has a dull and chalky appearance, the nacre of the pearl is thin. This impacts the luster and durability of the pearl.

Size: Larger pearls typically have a higher market value because they are rarer and cultivated longer in the mollusk or oyster. Most freshwater pearls range from 3mm to 12mm in diameter, but Tahitian pearls can be 18mm or larger!

Shape: The rarest and most valuable pearls are perfectly round, but pearls come in many shapes including near-round, button, oval, drop, or baroque shapes.

Surface: The most rare and valuable pearls are no blemishes or inclusions on their surface. The more marks on a pearl, the less it is worth.

Color: Natural and cultured pearls occur in a wide range of colors. There are warm hues such as yellow, orange, and pink, and cool hues such as blue, green, and violet.

Matching: Matching does not apply to single pearls or pearls that are purposefully mismatched. Rather it compares all the pearls on a piece of jewelry with each other to see how well they match.

Celebrities with June Birthdays

It’s no secret that pearls are a classic jewelry that can be worn for every occasion. Check out these famous celebrities with June birthdays, rocking their birthstone!

Heidi Klum (June 1, 1973)

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Angelina Jolie (June 4, 1975)

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Natalie Portman (June 9, 1981)

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Venus Williams (June 17, 1980)

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Nicole Kidman (June 20, 1967)

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At HinsonGayle, we pride ourselves in quality and selection of our pearls. Shop our June special to celebrate June’s birthstone, the pearl, and give a timeless gift to someone you love.

Lifestyle Travel Wedding

11 Top US Destination Wedding Ideas

Are you interested in a destination wedding? Whether you dream of getting married by the sea, in the mountains, or anywhere in between, we’ve got something for everyone on our list of 11 Top Destination Wedding Ideas.

1. The Big Island, Hawaii

Why Get Hitched Here: As the largest island in the chain, Big Island offers incredible landscape varieties — mountains, beaches, rain forests, oh my! Guests can explore the rain forest region, go horseback riding, go snorkeling, or relax on the beach while waiting to celebrate your nuptials.
When to Wed: Anytime — temps stay in the 70s and 80s year round, and rain showers and short and mild when they do occur.

2. Sea Island, Georgia

Why Get Hitched Here: Sea Island feels like you’ve traveled to the Caribbean, without having to leave the U.S. The island’s only visitors are guests of its two resorts, and the oceanfront setting on the private beach is breathtaking. With delicious food and amazing amenities, this retreat has plenty of activities for guests to enjoy — golf, tennis, horseback riding, boating, fishing, spas, and more.
When to Wed: Late spring, summer, and early fall are the ideal times to visit Sea Island — just remember that hurricane season starts in June.

3. San Francisco, California:

Why Get Hitched Here: Head to a big city with a laid-back attitude in San Francisco. Its hills, parks, bay, Victorian homes, cable cars, and Golden Gate Bridge make the city a sight to see. And the food. Oh. The. Food.
When to Wed: San Francisco averages 65 degrees year round, so any time of year is prime wedding time — just expect the city’s famous fog in the summer months!

4. Park City, Utah

Why Get Hitched Here: With a European city flare, Park city and its resorts make for a perfect destination wedding. Home to three world-class ski resorts, a mere 40 minutes from Salt Lake City’s airport, and the ultimate winter wonderland, Park City will wow you and your guests with its beauty.
When to Wed: Ski season starts in early December and lasts into mid-April, but summer and fall also have plenty for guests to do — fishing, hiking, and mountain biking, to name a few. May can be a dreary month as the snow starts to melt, and October and November provide some challenges with the possibility of 80 degrees one day and snow the next, so take that into consideration when planning your big day!

5. Nantucket, Massachusetts

Why Get Hitched Here: Windswept moors, beautiful beaches, and rose-covered trellises mark Nantucket, a classic New England getaway. It’s nautical history is apparent through its cobblestone streets, houses draped in weathered shingles, and New England charm. From the ocean and beaches, to clambakes and lobster, Nantucket is a charming town that your guests will love.
When to Wed: May through September are the busiest and most popular months to wed in Nantucket because you can count on great temps and gorgeous scenery. Winter is C-O-L-D.

6. Lake Placid, New York

Why Get Hitched Here: Located in the Adirondacks in upstate New York, this alpine village has tons of activities and attractions for guests to enjoy. With rustic resorts, lakeside lodges, 3,000 lakes, and mountain streams and waterfalls, Lake Placid will take your guest’s breath away.
When to Wed: As a winter resort area, winter is clearly a popular time to wed. Fall is also a great time with the changing of the leaves!

7. Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Why Get Hitched Here: Take in the grand Tetons, rustic ranches, and wild west by getting hitched in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Guests can enjoy skiing, hiking, fly-fishing, local shops, museums, bars, and more.
When to Wed: Late spring and fall are often unpredictable, so it’s best to think summer and early fall for a destination wedding. While winter weddings here are gorgeous, you have to be prepared for a big winter storm to complicate things.

8. Mackinac Island, Michigan

Why Get Hitched Here: A car-free island — seriously — next to where Lake Huron and Lake Michigan meet, Mackinac Island is full of charm. As a National Historic Landmark, the island feels frozen in Victorian time, with amazing architecture.
When to Wed: Summer months are packed with families, and winter months are freezing, so spring and fall are the best bets for a gorgeous wedding here.

9. Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley, California

Why Get Hitched Here: Located in Wine Country, Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley have amazing landscapes, delicious wines, world-class restaurants, and much more that your guests will be excited to take in!
When to Wed: Summer and fall are the ideal times to visit this region — September is harvest season so rates will be at their peak prices.

10. New York City, New York

Why Get Hitched Here: Broadway shows, internationally acclaimed restaurants, tourist attractions, and more, New York City has it all. There’s so many wedding venue options, florists, photographers, and bands to choose from that you’ll definitely be able to plan your dream day.
When to Wed: Any time of year is a great time to enter the New York state of mind!

11. Newport, Rhode Island

Why Get Hitched Here: This seaside community was the playground of the fabulously wealthy at the end of the last century, and that is where the incredible mansions on Newport’s cliffs came from! Today, Newport is still a favorite summer destination of the wealthy, and has fun activities such as sailing and high-end shopping for guests to enjoy.
When to Wed: May through September offer the best temperatures for a wedding in Newport!

Lifestyle Travel

Top Wedding Destinations for Fall 2016

If you’ve been dreaming of a fall wedding, complete with vibrant colors of orange, reds, and golds, perfect temperatures, and magnificent sunsets, we’ve compiled some of the best venues to host your wedding and make your vision come alive.

Castle Ladyhawke – North Carolina

If you’re looking for a bit of European flair without the travel, Castle Ladyhawke is the place of your dreams. Nestled in the North Carolina Mountains, this once stunning private estate allows you to create your own magical wedding, complete with bagpipe player. Continue Reading

Lifestyle

6 Hairstyle Tutorials For Your Busy Life

Not only does shampooing and styling your hair every day strip it of its natural oils and cause damage, it also is incredibly time consuming! Not only does washing your hair less equate to healthier hair and saving precious time, it also makes certain hair styles easier.

Here are 6 of our favorite hairstyle tutorials that work well with unwashed hair.

The Perfect Ponytail

A messy ponytail is a great option if your hair feels a little greasy, but you want it out of your face. With a little dry shampoo and a great comb, you’ll look stylish and put together.

The Perfect Ponytail
via Continue Reading