nude lip 101

June 3rd, 2013 | Posted by Hello Love in Beauty - (Comments Off)

2013-06-02_0018

One of my very favorite makeup looks is the ever sultry smokey eye topped off with a soft, understated, yet totally sexy nude lip. The concept may seem easy enough, but I’ve seen it botched countless times. More often than not, the fault lies in the lips. Achieving the perfect nude lip takes a little more know how than lunging for the lightest lipstick in the drawer. Doing so may lead to lips that become so blended with your face that they seem to disappear.

Act One: Hidden Lips

image copy

On the other end of the spectrum, nude lips can appear so chalky and/or stark that they seem to glow.

Act Two: Chalky Lips

image

The trick to nude lips is contouring! Slapping on one creamy color may look alright but as we’ve just seen, it can easily flatten your lips and who wants that? To make your lips look voluptuous and full while maintaining that effortless nude lip look, first neutralize your lips by applying a tinted moisturizer or foundation. Next, line (and blend!) with a taupe liner. The next step, choosing your lipstick, is a tricky one. Balancing your skin tone and avoiding the too pale or tired look is of the utmost importance here. Choose a shade that has a bit of warmth to it. Perhaps something a la Dior Rouge Lip Color in Agelique Beige:

For those of us that are more pale, beige-y lipsticks can appear yellow. In this case, go with a nude that’s in the pale pink family. A great one is Tom Ford’s Lip Color in Blush Nude:

Lastly, take a sheer shimmery gloss and dab it in the pout and bow of your lip. Something similar to Stila’s Silk Shimmer Gloss will do the trick.

Here’s what we’re aiming for:

See how Kim’s lips look three dimensional but still subtle? That’s what we want! Just remember, for the smokey eye and nude lip duo, you don’t want your lips to steal the show but you also don’t want them to be overlooked.

Until next time!

xo

tamsignature

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources: Dior, Tom Ford, Stila

travel savvy: part one

June 2nd, 2013 | Posted by Hello Love in Style - (1 Comments)

Well, it’s June and summer is officially upon us. There are plenty of reasons to travel this summer: destinations weddings (either your own or someone else’s), music festivals, vacays, etc. Here’s my list of ten things I never travel without! Spoiler alert: there are more than ten items on this list, don’t be mad, I’ve never been a stickler for the rules!

1. Rose Bud Salve

2013-06-01_0007

2. Renee Rouleau Products (skin drink and mineral spf powder)

2013-06-01_0006

3. Cashmere Wrap

2013-05-31_0009

4. Panama Hat

2013-05-31_0013

5. Great Suitcase or Weekender Bag

2013-05-31_0010

6. Electronics (for me it’s my iPhone, Computer and Bang and Olufsen Headphones)

2013-06-01_0001

(more…)

trend: mimosas

June 1st, 2013 | Posted by Hello Love in Parties - (Comments Off)

balloons

The mimosa seems to be latest of many long-standing party staples that have been treated to elaborate foodie makeovers. The mainstream brunch concoction of cheap champagne and carton orange juice has been seriously upgraded with better bubbly, a myriad of fresh juices and, of course, amazing presentation. This grapefruit juice and elderflower riff, paired with a contemporary Glinda-meets-Martha set up has been my personal favorite take so far!

2013-05-31_0004

The 522 North Pinckney Cocktail

You’ll Need…

  • 2 cups fresh pink grapefruit juice (from 2-3 grapefruits)
  • 1/2 cup St-Germain (elderflower liqueur)
  • 1/4 cup Campari
  • 1 750-ml. bottle chilled sparkling wine

Do This…

  • Combine grapefruit juice, St-Germain, and Campari in a large pitcher. Cover and chill until cold, about 2 hours.
  • Divide grapefruit mixture among glasses and top off with sparkling wine.
  • Grapefruit mixture can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.

Using a regular size bottle of champagne is certainly the more practical option, but if only having a few guests, the single-serve bottles are a fun option. Lining them up in rows on your table will add visual impact to your display.

The bubble motif, while possibly expected for champagne, is simple and chic. The amazing ballon display shown above is beautiful, but simpler solutions exist. Look no further than Geronimo Balloons. They make stunning oversize balloons in a beautiful color palette, which are great for so many occasions. The size alone makes an amazing impact, and the festive streamers add more sparkle.

25543646_015_a-1

Drink identification can always be a challenge at any get together – try having guests write their name on Washi tape and adhere to the base of their glass. Pattern mixing is a great way to add variety to any decor whether its a small display or large room. While a gold dot is available, too, I love this stripe option from Sweet Bella. Keep these cocktail napkins with a bit of shimmer on hand for any spills (it happens to the best of us…) and pop the champagne!

Cheers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources: Pintrest, Bon Appetit, Ladies Lotto, Flickr, BHLDN, Sweet Bella, BHLDN

jump around

May 31st, 2013 | Posted by Hello Love in Fitness - (Comments Off)

CrossFit-RX-Jump-Ropes

Jumping rope is an inexpensive way to burn tons of calories and improve your overall health in a short amount of time. Beginner jumpers should start by practicing proper, basic jump rope technique and be able to complete at least 50 consecutive repetitions.

Start by selecting a rope that is not too long or too short. Select a rope by stepping on the center of the rope and pulling the handles straight up. The handles should come close to your arm pits. I love the ropes from RX Jump Ropes (we all use them) and you can get yours here. I use the rope below…pink isn’t just for girls, ya know?

 

Kona_Coral__74022.1343844713.1280.1280

 

Start by standing with your feet together, your torso tall and your elbows bent at a 45-degree angle and tucked close to your sides. Use your wrists to rotate the rope, not your arms. Push off with the balls of your feet, just high enough to clear the rope and land with soft knees.
So for beginners, you will try to get 50 consecutive jumps. Once that gets easy aim for 75, then aim for 100. Your basic jump should look like this:

About 30 minutes a day, every other day is perfect. After about two weeks you should be pretty good at the childhood game. If you want to try some more detailed routines, this one from Fit Sugar or this one from Real Simple are quick and efficient! Jumping rope is a perfect addition to any workout routine, especially with summer rapidly approaching!  They are lightweight and easy to pack so you can take them with you when you travel – great for staying in shape on the go!  There will be more to come on jump roping but for now, go get your sweat on!!!!

 

adamsig

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources: RX Jump Ropes, Fit Sugar, Real Simple

 

all that glitters

May 30th, 2013 | Posted by Hello Love in Paper - (Comments Off)

If you’re like me and couldn’t wait to see The Great Gatsby, you are likely still coming down from glitter, glitz, and glam withdrawal. Luckily you have a birthday/anniversary/saturday coming up to stage your tribute recreation of the iconic and ridiculously over-the-top-soirees from the film. The best way to set the tone for any event is with, you guessed it, the invite! So in keeping with the razzle-dazzle, art deco designs that defined the roaring 20s; here are a few of my favorite paper picks that are sure to get the Gatsby going:
Lovin this glitter accented design by Wedding Paper Divas above!  You could even fill the envelope with glitter to drive home the glam factor!
The design on the left by Invitations by Ajalon really sets the formal tone without being too over the top. Perfect for a Gatsby inspired wedding.  And this invite on the right from Paper Source takes a bit more modern spin but we have an unhealthy obsession with chevron, and those envelope liners are to die for!
If your doing a Gatsby  garden party theme, or a day event, these wedding invitations from HelloLucky! are about the most gorgeous designs around, though I may be a little biased, since they were my wedding invitations. Swoon.

Obsessed with this invite suite from the folks over at Hello Tenfold. These capture all the glamor we love whilst still being sophisticated in that good way.
All of these invites are sure to jazz up your next event. Just remember to add lots of champagne!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources: Wedding Paper Divas, Invitations by Ajalon, Paper Source, HelloLucky!, Hello Tenfold

 

 

,

tree peony

May 29th, 2013 | Posted by Hello Love in Flower - (Comments Off)

2013-05-27_0001

Tis the season for peony, one of every bride’s faves! We have all seen the fluffy white and pink varieties with petals galore, so, I want to highlight the tree peony… A tree peony is actually not grown from a tree at all, but from a shrub! They bear stronger stems and often larger flowers than other varieties of peony and can look out of this world. Usually characterized by an amazingly fuzzy center and single petals surrounding….they are very intricate and can almost look like handmade/painted tissue flowers! Spot them below in some gorgeous arrangements and hand-tied bouquets!

2013-05-27_0002

2013-05-27_0003

2013-05-27_0004

2013-05-27_0005

2013-05-27_0006

(more…)

spell it out

May 28th, 2013 | Posted by Hello Love in Sweets - (Comments Off)

2013-05-19_0027

A hot trend with today’s wedding cake designs is the marrying of typography with cake. The cake table has long seen the sights of adorable and crafty signage in the form of menu cards and table backdrops, but why stop there? These whimsical cakes employ a DIY aesthetic to incorporate lettering in a way that is fresh and modern, making the sentiment even sweeter. I love the idea of working with your baker to incorporate a personal message that is uniquely romantic to you and your love. This concept is by no means classic and won’t work with every wedding, but is a fun a quirky way to showoff your playful side while embellishing some of your wedding’s design details (mirroring paper, color, mood, etc.).

This cake screams HAPPY FUN TIMES! Love the way they incorporated so many crafty trends with a simply beautiful buttercream cake.

2013-05-19_0028

The cake on the left  would make for a fantastically hip groom’s cake. On a side note, it reminds me of my favorite cookbook ever: Amy Sedaris’ I Like You. The charm hits you on the nose in a good way.

2013-05-19_0031

Adorable candle letters pack some fun into this cupcake. Scatter a few of these around the cake table, or go all in and make the candles yourself and give to guests as party favors (tucked into a tasty mini dessert, of course).
Or surprise guests (and even your groom) with wording baked into the cake! These, too, would make great unforgettably delightful favors – send guests home with mini pound cakes to enjoy, and when they cut them open, surprise!
2013-05-19_0030

Take a note from this Jack and Till who designed their own font iconography for their wedding (here in the form of an amazing topper). Or work with a paper designer to come up with your own brand and carry it through all the way to the cake.

emilysig

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources: Style Me Pretty, 100 Layer Cake, 79 Ideas, Zucker, Zimbt and Liebe, Subtle Revelry, Jack and Till