Gold Filled Vs. Gold Plated Jewelry Explained

Gold-Filled vs. Gold-Plated Jewelry Explained: Know Before You Buy

Sometimes, it can be hard to buy jewelry, especially when confronted with different variations of gold. Of course, solid gold will forever be the ideal choice in terms of quality and overall appeal, but our budgets might not always agree. As a result, gold-filled or gold-plated jewelry has become a popular and affordable option when looking to mix and match daily pieces.

On the hunt for a new piece of jewelry and need some help understanding the difference between gold-filled and gold-plated jewelry? We’re here to make your shopping life easier. We put together what you need to know about each piece of jewelry and what you need to know when it comes to selecting a gold-filled versus a gold-plated piece of jewelry.

Keep reading for the breakdown, plus feel free to shop some of our current favorites as well.

What is gold-filled?

Commercial jewelry is often marketed as gold when actually, they tend to be gold-filled. Gold-filled items have the same high-quality look of solid gold, but they’re not 100% pure, thus making them cheaper. Anyone who can wear gold can wear gold filled jewelry without having to worry about an allergic reaction.

In the melding process, a different core metal is used as a base material, such as brass, sterling silver or nickel. A gold sheet is then mechanically bonded to the base by applying heat.

Gold-filled jewelry is also legally known as “rolled gold plate” or “gold overlay”. In the US, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) defines the quality of gold-filled jewelry.

14K Yellow Gold Filled Round Ball Stud Earrings Pushback 6mm
14K Yellow Gold Filled Round Ball Stud Earrings Pushback 6mm($10.99)
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SEAYII Star Choker Necklace Gold Dangle Drop 14K Bracelet
SEAYII Star Choker Necklace Gold Dangle Drop 14K Bracelet($17.99)
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Fettero 14K Gold Fill Carved Half Crescent Moon Pendant Minimalist Chain Necklace
Fettero 14K Gold Fill Carved Half Crescent Moon Pendant Minimalist Chain Necklace($11.99)
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14K Yellow Gold 1 inch Diameter Round Hoop Earrings
14K Yellow Gold 1 inch Diameter Round Hoop Earrings($72.95)
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Dinh Van Menottes Bracelet
Dinh Van Menottes Bracelet ($3590)
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Round Circle Disc dangle drop Earrings in 14K Yellow Gold Fill
Round Circle Disc dangle drop Earrings in 14K Yellow Gold Fill($29.99)
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SEUSUK Gold Fill Open Circle Crescent Moon Phase Necklace
SEUSUK Gold Fill Open Circle Crescent Moon Phase Necklace($21.99)
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What is gold-plated?

The technique used to make gold-plated jewelry is slightly different. Electricity or chemicals deposit and bond a very thin layer of gold over another metal, like copper.

Since the gold layer is much thinner in gold-plated jewelry, it’s much more affordable. However, such pieces tend to tarnish with frequent wear.

PAVOI 14K Yellow Gold Plated Small Hoop Earrings
PAVOI 14K Yellow Gold Plated Small Hoop Earrings($12.95)
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Anna Beck Semiprecious Stone Ring
Anna Beck Semiprecious Stone Ring ($175)
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14k Gold Plated Plain Heart Screwback Baby Girls Earrings
14k Gold Plated Plain Heart Screwback Baby Girls Earrings($15)
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Ross-Simons 18kt Gold Over Sterling Silver Small Byzantine Bracelet
Ross-Simons 18kt Gold Over Sterling Silver Small Byzantine Bracelet($56.25)
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What is the best way to tell the difference between gold-filled, gold-plated and solid gold jewelry?

Solid gold jewellery is typically stamped with a karat number only. For example, an 18-karat necklace or ring will have a stamp that says “18K”, “18kt” or “18KP”.

Gold-filled pieces also come with a karat marking, but they have additional letters and numbers stamped to show they’re not solid gold. “GF” is the most commonly used stamp on gold-filled jewellery, but you can also find the letters “RGP” (rolled gold plate).

Sometimes, gold-filled jewelry is sold with a warranty stating how long the gold layer should last before discoloring.

If you can’t spot any markings, it’s safe to assume the piece is gold-plated.

Gorjana Taner Huggie Hoop Earrings
Gorjana Taner Huggie Hoop Earrings ($40)
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J.Crew Demi Torus Link Layered Ring
J.Crew Demi Torus Link Layered Ring ($49.5)
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What is the best way to care for gold-filled and gold-plated jewelry?

Since gold-filled jewelry is pretty durable, its upkeep is relatively easy. Get into the habit of taking off your jewelry at night, and storing them in soft cloth bags to prevent scratches. Also, avoid wearing them in water. If you do happen to get them wet, be sure to dry them immediately with a soft absorbent cloth.

Similarly, gold-plated jewelry should not be worn in the water. Steer clear of pools or hot tubs, as the chemicals will tarnish them much quicker. The same goes for lotions or perfumes, so always put on your gold-plated jewelry after your cosmetic products have fully absorbed into the skin.

Conventional jewelry-cleaning solutions may be too abrasive, so use warm soapy water to clean your gold-plated jewelry. Then, dry them with a soft cloth.

Sphera Milano 14K Yellow Gold Link Drop Earrings
Sphera Milano 14K Yellow Gold Link Drop Earrings ($664)
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Argento Vivo 18K Gold Plated Initial Slider Bracelet
Argento Vivo 18K Gold Plated Initial Slider Bracelet ($24.97)
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Redditors Are Obsessed With These 3 Products for Adult Acne

Redditors Are Obsessed With These 3 Products for Adult Acne

We all thought that surviving puberty and raging hormones meant we could say goodbye to acne for good. Lies. Nobody warned us about adult acne! Luckily, you’re not the only female in her twenties feeling insecure about an acne breakout or an obnoxious cyst on her chin. When we are trying to conquer stubborn acne, we always turn to one of our fav websites for tips,  Reddit.  With so many Redditors dealing with the same beauty crisis, you are bound to find a remedy suited for your skin.  Currently, we are obsessed with  three products that Redditors are raving about. They may seem weird (maybe even a bit crazy) — but they do the trick,  and we are all in.

Keep scrolling to discover the skin-saving products everyone on Reddit is loving.

BENTON Snail Bee High Content Essence

Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence 2 02 fl oz 60 ml
Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence 2 02 fl oz 60 ml Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence 2 02 fl oz 60 ml 12.74
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In a thread in the Reddit Asian Beauty, user Anarchypo swears by Benton’s Snail Bee Essence.  Yes,  it sounds peculiar to put anything that has the word “snail” and “bee” on your face, but this Redditor has us convinced.  ” I saw a difference overnight with the essence”,  said Anarchypo — and within one week her face was almost clear of acne blemishes.  Fun fact, snail mucin helps for skin regeneration, and bee venom reduces inflammation, bacteria, and viruses.

Once Upon A Tea Matcha Mud Mask

Green Tea Matcha Facial Mud Mask, Removes Blackheads, Reduces Wrinkles, Nourishing, Moisturizing, Improves Overall Complexion, Best Antioxidant, Skin Lightening & Anti Aging, All Skin Face Types
Green Tea Matcha Facial Mud Mask, Removes Blackheads, Reduces Wrinkles, Nourishing, Moisturizing, Improves Overall Complexion, Best Antioxidant, Skin Lightening & Anti Aging, All Skin Face Types Green Tea Matcha Facial Mud Mask, Removes Blackheads, Reduces Wrinkles, Nourishing, Moisturizing, Improves Overall Complexion, Best Antioxidant, Skin Lightening & Anti Aging, All Skin Face Types 19.95
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Everybody loves a rejuvenating DIY face mask,  and this thread from the Reddit Skincare Addiction has tons of girls responding to their favorite remedies.  Makeup cake posted that adding green tea in a powder form saved her skin.  As it turns out, antioxidants in green tea are perfect for reducing inflammation and preventing acne before it appears.

The miracle product she loves? Once Upon a Tea’s Green Tea Matcha Mud MaskHaving it in powder form makes it easy to apply. has all the ingredients to control acne, blemishes, blackheads, and redness.  The results you’ll see speak for themselves.

SCINIC Honey All In One Ampoule 

Scinic Honey All in One Ampoule Serum
Scinic Honey All in One Ampoule Serum ($47.98)
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holysnails write on a thread in  Reddit Asian Beauty that there there is nothing sweeter to put on your face than Scinic Honey All-In-One Ampoule.

Made of 90% pure bee honey, royal jelly, propolis, and other ingredients, it works as the ultimate face applicant. HolySnails had us sold when she said, “I am loving this stuff. It would be HG if I believed in HGs.” So, if you want a more radiant and smooth complexion, try  order the Scinic Honey All-In-One Ampoule from Amazon today.

Continue to keep your beautiful face blemish free, and checkout how to clean your makeup brushes according to the experts.

The Best-Selling Items From Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale 2021

We all know accessories can instantly transform an outfit — and the right bag can compliment just about everything in your closet. Here at Style Salute, one of our favorite times to shop for a new bag is during the Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale — and it’s finally here!

This is a great opportunity to get that bag you had your eye on. With all those slashed price tags out there, we know it’s hard to find what would work best for you so to make your sale shopping easier, we’ve rounded up 10 bag picks to add to your cart before anyone else does.

Click through to shop our top bag sale picks below!

What Are Sports Stadium Rules on Tote Bags?

What Are Sports Stadium Rules on Tote Bags?

Just five short years ago in 2015, the NFL started a new policy regarding how sports fans should be bringing personal items into the stadiums. Not long after their announcement, other sports associations and stadiums across the country followed suit to implement near-identical policies. What is this policy, and is it something that’s going to affect you if you are someone who takes your own personal belongings into sporting events? The NFL dubbed their new policy on tote bags for people bringing their own items in the Clear Bag Policy, and it is something you should get familiar with if you are someone who has some belongings that need to accompany you to sports games.

What is the Policy?

The NFL doesn’t allow any sort of backpacks, large purses, or other large bags at any of their stadiums or sporting events. This is mostly for the safety of everybody in the stadium, and it also speeds up the process of letting people enter the stadium so they can get seated and enjoy the game. Of course, some people have certain things that they need to be with them, like medicines, inhalers, or other things of that nature. To be flexible on the zero bags rule and still feel safe about what people are bringing into the stadiums and sporting events, the NFL came up with the Clear Bag Policy to allow everyone to bring their essentials in, and other sporting organizations and stadiums quickly followed suit.

According to NFL’s official policy regarding personal belongings and bags, each member of your family or group (including the kids, too) can bring one bag made of clear plastic, PVC, or vinyl, with dimensions not exceeding 12”x 6”x12”. Conversely, fans could also bring in their essentials in a clear, one-gallon freezer bag, like the ones made by Ziploc.

To summarize the policy succinctly, every member of your party attending any NFL event (or event with similar rules) are allowed to bring in the things you have in your pockets, a small, clear bag, and a small clutch bag that shouldn’t be too much bigger than your hand.

Why the Sudden Ban on Purses, Backpacks, and Other Carrying Items?

The NFL mostly has the safety of its fans in mind with this policy, and while they (and other sports
organizations who have adopted similar policies) have gotten a fair amount of backlash from fans, they are
standing by the policy.

The idea behind the policy is to keep everyone safe since you never truly know what someone might bring into a stadium packed full of people. If carrying bags and clutches are clear, then staff members are able to see what everyone has with them, making sure no one is bringing anything illegal or dangerous into the stadium. The NFL also believes that being able to verify the contents of a bag quickly just by glancing will get people through security quicker, so that everyone can be in their stadium seats and enjoying the game quicker, instead of being stuck in line waiting to gain entry into the stadium.

What About People With Medical Equipment?

It’s just a fact of life that some people have medical problems, and some of them have to carry around special medical bags and equipment almost everywhere they go. If you are one of these people, don’t worry, the NFL
isn’t going to turn you away at the gate.

According to the policy, sports fans coming to an event at any stadium who have medical bags that don’t comply with the specifications put forth by the policy regarding clear bags are welcome to come into the
stadium at any gate. The medical bag will be permitted inside, but before you can enter, the bag will go through a search, as well as be tagged.

Are Diaper Bags Still Allowed?

While people with newborns or smaller babies and toddlers may wish to bring their normal size diaper bag to the game, the policy is adamant that non-clear diaper bags are not allowed in the stadiums or events. Clear diaper bags are more than welcome, though they also have to meet the 12”x6”x12” specification outlined above.

Keeping it Safe and Fun for Everybody

While the NFL’s policy regarding clear bags might seem unfair to some people who wish to be able to bring more of their own personal items into the stadium, most folks should understand that these sports organizations are only enacting these policies for the safety of the fans, the athletes, the staff, and everybody else in the stadium.

Luckily, with how the policy is outlined, you will still be able to bring a fair amount of your items into the events, so long as the bags are clear and meet the necessary specifications.

tax return

5 Smart Ways to Spend Your Tax Refund Money

Tax refunds are nothing to sneeze at: last year, taxpayers received $3,000 back on average, but if you’re someone who absolutely must plan ahead or hates surprises, you can use this calculator to estimate your tax return. So what if I told you that you could actually grow your tax return into something much bigger than that (think: potentially life-changing), with quite a few ways to do it?

Whether you choose to put your tax return all in the same place or you choose to allocate your return in different ways, financial experts weigh in on how you can use your tax return smartly — so, there’s no need to be unsure of what to do with your tax return this year. I’ll walk you through five of those ways below.

Keep scrolling to find out more.

1. Pay Off Any High-Interest Debt

Ever have nightmares about your credit card debt and student loans? You’re not alone. Even though your tax return may not be able to cover all of your debt, it can certainly take some of that useless weight off of your shoulders so you can save your paychecks for something even better. Think of it as the government’s small gift of appreciation to you. LendKey can help you pay off your student loans by connecting you with community-based lenders so that you can enjoy lower rates, helping to pay off your student loans faster.

Don’t want to spend all of your money on paying off your debt? You don’t have to. Put a little bit of your return towards your debt and use the rest to invest for the future at the same time. Because why wouldn’t you want to have all of your bases covered?

2. Establish an Emergency Fund

Don’t have spare change in case your car breaks down? Set up an emergency fund beforehand so that you have something to dip into when life goes awry. A good rule of thumb is to set aside three months worth of pay as a cushion. Having an emergency fund doesn’t mean you’re a pessimist, it simply means that you’re being smart and practical with your money. Future You will thank you for not making a stressful time even more stressful!

In case stashing the cash under your mattress isn’t cutting it, you can set up an emergency fund with Ellevest. Best of all, they offer super low-interest rates and don’t charge a management fee because they firmly believe in the importance of having an emergency fund. Get started here.

3. Contribute to Your 401(k)

It’s easy to put off, but if you work for a company that will match 401(k) contributions,  take advantage of it. It’s basically free money.

Even if your dream retirement party is a long ways away from now, it’s never too early to start building up your 401(k). If you can at all possibly contribute the maximum $18,500 per year, you totally should. Why? Because not only does it decrease your taxable income (aka, the government can’t take as much money from you as it could), but if you contribute up to your employer match (if you have one), that means even more free money for you.

If you’ve switched jobs and are going bonkers trying to juggle all of your 401(k) rollovers, give yourself a break and start a roll over with Ellevest. Their dashboard will conveniently organize all of your retirement accounts in one place, even if your career has been all over the place.

4. Contribute to Your IRA

Every dollar that you contribute to an IRA is a dollar off from your taxable income.  Contribute that money you have now — this will lower next year’s tax bill, and your contributions will have an extra year to grow.

What’s the difference between a 401(k) and an IRA, you ask?

Anyone can have an IRA, whether or not you have a 401(k) through work. There are two popular types of IRAs: a regular IRA and a Roth IRA. With a regular IRA, you can contribute up to $5,500 per year and you won’t be taxed on that money until you withdraw it. As you probably guessed, with a Roth IRA, you pay taxes on what you contribute upfront and don’t have to worry about paying taxes on that money ever again.

Like with 401(k)s, you can transfer your IRAs to Ellevest and start investing towards your dream retirement today. Who doesn’t like the sound of making a one-time investment and watching it grow (and keep growing)?

5.  Start Other Investments

Investing may seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have it to be. With digital investment companies, like Ellevest and Wealthsimple, the whole investment process is automated, meaning you can easily start investing and keep track of your money all on one dashboard.

Now more than ever, investing has emerged as an important and empowering tool for women seeking financial freedom. Sallie Krawcheck, CEO, and founder of Ellevest has said time and again that despite having more financial power than ever, women are not putting their money in the markets — and it’s costing them a lot. As she said in a recent interview, “The gender investing gap costs professional women tens of thousands, hundreds of thousand — in some cases, millions — of dollars over the course of their lives.”

It shouldn’t be a surprise that women are different from men when it comes to money. Women still earn less in the same jobs as their male colleagues. In 2018, female full-time workers earned, on average, 80.5 cents for every dollar earned by men. That wage gap is even broader for women of color.

To make the problem women, women are more likely to have gaps in their careers and income due to having children and taking care of elders.

These factors cause women to have less money saved for retirement… while at the same time we live longer and have larger retirement-age medical bills.

Clearly, women need something other than the traditional financial advice if they’re going to catch up to men with their investments.

How Does Ellevest Work?

When signing up, clients enter their income, money goals,  education, job, family responsibilities and other info. Ellevest then builds an investment portfolio based on salary projections, and other variables to give you advice on how to accomplish each goal.

Clients can change their goals themselves, and Ellevest will adjust their portfolios to match and with the clients’ individual goal timelines and risk tolerance in mind. In addition, Ellevest is an FDIC-registered fiduciary, so its advisors are legally obligated to keep your best interest first.

The best part? You can create your Ellevest financial plan for free, come back to it, modify it, or share it with your girlfriends and family, whether you invest with Ellevest or not. And, while many traditional advisors charge upwards of $1,000 for a financial plan. Ellevest is working to close the gender investing gap, so they charge nothing for theirs.

And, while you might think you need the fortune to invest, companies like Ellevest, allow you to get started with as little as $5. Get started here.*

Explained- How to Use Use Sallie Krawcheck's Investment Platform, Ellevest
PHOTO: Ellevest

The Bottom Line:

Although there are risks that come with investing your money, there is also the potential for rewards — namely, helping you grow your money so you can meet your financial goals faster than if you had, say, put your money away in a basic savings account. So start today, even if you put away 2% of your income into a 401(k) or an IRA. Your future self will thank you.

Want more financial advice? Follow us on Twitter.

For when you don’t have a retirement fund… 

Don’t sound the alarm – yet.  Ellevest can get you set up in less than 10 minutes so you can reach all of your money goals. Sans judgment, finance jargon, and trust issues. Crisis averted. Get into it  here.*

PHOTO: Ellevest

In search of even more financial wisdom, here are more personal finance topics for you:

The One Money-Habit All Wildly Successful Women Share

How to Increase Your Chances of a Long, Healthy (and Wealthy!) Life

3 Reasons Why You Need a Roth IRA- Even If You Have a 401(k)

Questions? We’re here to help. Leave us a comment and we’ll get back to you!

Disclosures: We’re excited to be teaming up with the team at Ellevest to start this conversation about women and money. We may receive compensation if you become an Ellevest client. 

Ask for a Raise

When Is the Best Time to Ask for a Raise

If you have been at your job for a while, grinding away and working hard, you may feel like you have earned a bump in salary. Although many workers may think this way, they may not know the best way to go about asking for a raise, or may not even know if they are entitled to one.

While it may seem awkward to stand in front of your boss and ask for more money, it shows initiative and drives on your part, especially if you are able to make the request succinctly and confidently. After all, the worst thing you are likely to hear is “no” or “not at this time”.

Keep scrolling for what to know before you ask for a raise and how to best prepare.

Don’t ask for a raise right off the bat

You don’t want to inquire about a raise if you are still a relatively new employee. This also applies if you have been at the same company for a while, but are just now settling into a new role or promotion. Either of these scenarios implies that you agreed to a set amount of money for the time being, so don’t jump too soon.
Instead, wait long enough in order to be able to prove yourself first. A good amount of time to wait before you begin considering asking for a wage hike is at least six months. That gives you plenty of time to show off your skills and for your bosses to assess the value you truly add to the company.

Find the opportune meeting time

You don’t want to just charge into your boss’s office demanding a raise. Instead, think of a more opportune moment that you could really jump on this chance. If your annual evaluation or performance review is coming up, then this is the perfect time to address a possible raise. Just wait until your evaluation day rolls around, and bring the subject up when the time feels right. If you don’t have a review coming up, you can always try to request a meeting with your manager at a time that is perfect for both of you. This isn’t a topic you want to address while you or your manager are busy and swamped with work, so picking a great time where your minds are clear and you aren’t bogged down in stress is a great time to have this conversation.

Look up your company’s policies on wage increases

Many companies will have specific policies on wages and wage increases, as well as when and how often raises can be given out with some strictly only allow managers to give out raises when the time for annual evaluations roll around. But some companies are not as strict with these rules.
To really dive into your company’s specific policies and familiarize yourself with the rules regarding wages and possible raises, there is only one surefire place to look: your employee handbook. Get your handbook out and pore over to it to see if there is any indication that your only time to think about a raise is during your review or not. If nothing is mentioned specifically, then you may be able to find a little wiggle room in your quest to make a little more money. Confidently ask your manager when the time is right
When the perfect opportunity comes, don’t let it slide past you. You may have to rehearse your script a little to make sure it sounds just right, but when the time comes, go ahead and confidently inquire about a possible raise. Make it plain exactly what contributions you provide to your workplace. Many managers love employees that can make them think about things from different angles, and you may be able to show them something you do on a daily basis that they weren’t even aware of. If your employer sees you outlining the value you add to the business, and the air of confidence with which you’re asking, you might find your request very likely to be granted.

Your Work is Valued

Remember, you’re a valuable asset to your company. The most effective way to get the raise you’re looking for is to help your managers see just how valuable you are. When the time feels right, sit down and have that meeting with your manager, and you just might be surprised to find that you might get what you’re looking for.

Food Photography Tips

5 Tips for Beautiful Food Photography

We’ve all seen the advertisements for restaurants that show food and drinks all plated up. Or we’ve scrolled through our newsfeed and seen pictures of what people have made for dinner. Taking pictures of food isn’t difficult, but making the picture and the food look good enough to eat during their photoshoot? That can be difficult. While you might not have access to all of the fancy tricks and programs that food commercials do, there’s still plenty you can do to make your own home-cooked meals pop the next time you post a picture to social media.

What Angle is Best?

One of the first things you need to know when photographing food is where to put the camera. This is where commercials can really help you out because copying their angles is rather easy. For foods like pizzas, flatbreads, and cookies, you’ll want to photograph the items from the top.
But if you are showcasing a sandwich or hamburger, then you’ll want to take your pictures from the side so you can show off everything between the bread. Finally, some foods take their best pictures at an angle. Using some common sense can go a long way, and then you can snap a few pictures at various angles to figure out the rest. Even think about adding height to enhance the look of your food. Place food on a thick cutting board, on other food, or take your photo from a higher angle. If you can make your food look bigger than it actually is, then do so. After all, no one talks about taking a bite of a ‘small juicy burger!’

What Should Be in The Photo?

While the star of a food photograph should be the food, you’ll need to have other things that will draw attention to it. Picking a good plate can be very beneficial for starters. Think about the plate’s color and shape. For example, if you are taking a photo of a freshly cooked brisket, then you probably don’t want to place it on a dark plate. Instead, think about using a wooden cutting board or white plate to contrast from the dark-colored meat. Adding white flour sack towels brings nice pops of color to your photo, as does adding colorful napkins. If it doesn’t add to the photo and enhance the food, then you don’t need it in the picture.

Think about Color And the Backdrops

Every food has its own color, and using that fact to your advantage can help you get more from every photograph you take. Think about the food you want to take a photo of, and analyze all the colors it has to offer. This might be easy for something like an apple or grape, but if you are photographing grilled chicken, you’ll be able to use more options. You’ll have the white of the chicken, black marks from the grill, and perhaps the brown color of the skin. So white, black, and brown. Then think about what colors contrast with those, perhaps a bright red or green. If you get something bright and bold to sit next to the meat, you can draw more attention to the picture as a whole. Sometimes prepare great backdrops for food photography is also very great idea.

Only Natural, no Substitutes

No, we aren’t talking about food, but instead about light. When you photograph food you always want to do it in natural light. Artificial light from lamps and overhead can often flood the photo with a white or yellow light that can take away from the colors you want to showcase.
But natural sunlight can add more dimensions to your photo, and while it might restrict you from taking pictures until certain times of the day, the photos you do take will be all the better for it. Find an area in your house with a window or with lots of natural light, and experiment with your camera to see what works best for you.

Practice Makes Perfect

Finally, you can follow every single tip and absorb every bit of knowledge, but it won’t do you any good if you don’t start taking photos of food. You’ll learn something from every single picture, and you’ll get better with every single picture.
Think about the food you make every single day, and get in the habit of taking a picture every time you make the meal. Read up on other food photographers and see what they are taking pictures off, and don’t be afraid of retaking pictures until you get them right.
Soon, you’ll take that will start giving people cravings, and that’s the epitome of being a food photographer.

6 Smart and Affordable Hacks To Make Your Holiday Shopping So Much Easier

6 Smart and Affordable Hacks To Make Your Holiday Shopping So Much Easier

It’s that merry time of the year again when all of us are constantly thinking about what to get our loved ones for the holidays. We think about it so much, that at times they even start to appear in our dreams!

It’s just that important to have everything sorted out for the holidays, which, unfortunately, also includes work. Whether we like or not, we have to finish all pending tasks at hand before the holidays begin.

In today’s world, it’s impossible to live on without knowing the cheat code of life. So, here we are to share a few essential hacks to ease your pre-Holiday anxiety.

1. Start Shopping Early

Life has taught us in many ways that we can not take time lightly. We have to be proactive about everything and take action beforehand.

You can start your Holiday shopping early on to avoid the anxiety of last minute shopping. When you start early, you will have more time to browse through different shops and purchase gifts, decoration items, and meal plans.  

You can also avoid the rush and traffic that is common during the Holidays. If you start your shopping a month or two ahead, you don’t have to wait in traffic for an hour to buy a bag of toilet paper. Besides, shops most likely won’t run out of stock during slow seasons.

2. Make a Plan

Once you’ve set your mind to buy holiday presents for your dear ones, it’s time to make a thorough list of what they would like to have as presents for Christmas.

List down the names of your friends, uncles, aunts, neighbors, nephews, nieces, siblings, romantic partner, colleagues and of course your parents. Write down what they will love to have for the holidays.

If you’re unsure about what they would like, talk to them about it. But make sure you do so cautiously so that you can surprise them. Make a column on the paper to write down the shops you want to buy particular gifts, grocery, and decorations from. Also, set dates you’ll be dedicated entirely to holiday shopping.

3. Cut Down on Expenses

Spending on holiday presents, decorations, and party materials can be quite expensive. Rest assured, you won’t be saving any money those three months.

So, in order to make the most of your money on holidays, opt to make cheaper purchases over fancy, gaudy ones. Get familiar with Dollar Stores, Big Lots, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Kohl’s, and Costco.

If you prefer shopping online, be sure to visit websites that offer deals and discounts. Using a handy coupon can also cut down your shopping costs significantly.

Additionally, always buy stuff that’s on sale. That way, you won’t be overspending on all the essentials you will be needing for the holidays.

4. Shop Online

Shopping online has added benefits over shopping from local stores or malls. Malls can be very distracting because of the wide range of products and stores available. If you get sidetracked and let lost in the mess, chances are you might buy the wrong thing.

However, shopping online allows you to browse through various products quite easily without using your feet. It allows you to compare prices and find the best products that meet your budget requirements.

Make sure to read up on the terms and conditions of the site well. That way you’ll know how to get returns, refunds, and warranty on the things you buy.

Looking for a great place to start shopping online? Shop recommended products from Style Salute on Amazon.com. We’re making it easier to drink, eat, and gift merry with all the 411 on everything from what to buy and how to get ready for the new year. We’ve curated gift lists for the sister or friend who loves a good read, gifts for the kids in your family and the gifts for the techie in your life.

5. Meal Plan

To take care of your meal plans for the holidays, consult with the members of your family to come up with money-saving ideas. Do not purchase your groceries from expensive super shops. Always get them on discounts from less pricey stores.

Include lots of vegetables, fruits, and nuts, less meat, and sweets in the holiday menu. The result is a cheaper meal plan. Besides, your guests will be bringing a lot of sweets with them anyway.

Try out cheap holiday recipes available online that will ease up on your monthly expenses. Finally, don’t get too drunk and waste food.

6. DIY Holidays Presents

While buying presents on sale, coupons and redeem cards are a good way to get through the holidays time. But you may also want to invest in making presents for your near and dear ones with your own loving hands.

If you have a garden, you can invest some time in making DIY body scrubs, spa treatments, homemade soap, and bouquet.

You can also make your own homemade vinyl record book, scented candles, knitwear, painted notebook, woven baskets, earrings, photo collage, your own paintings, cards and short stories for your loved ones during the holidays.

Furthermore, browse through some websites online for other inspirational ideas to create your own DIY holiday presents. DIY presents are a great way to show your dear ones how much you really love them.

Finally…

First and foremost, plan early on, at least two months before December, so that you can find everything you need before them running out. You can also take your sweet time to choose products when you’re being proactive.

Plan your budget and meals for the holiday. Rely on online stores to buy stuff with coupons and refund benefits. Not will you be saving money, you will also be saving a lot of unnecessary time on the road.

Do your research about preparing cost-effective holiday dishes at home. Include lots of organic food available in organic stores to save up on your expenses. If you have a garden full of vegetables and fruits, you save more.

Lastly, don’t forget to treat yourself too, as you need it as well. 

Here are more holiday shopping topics for you…

5 Holiday Budgeting Tips to Help Reduce Spending

The Top 10 Financial Mistakes Women Make and How to Fix Them

The One Money-Habit All Wildly Successful Women Share

Questions? We’re here to help. Leave us a comment and we’ll get back to you!

​The Best ​Ballet Workout​ to Help You Sweat From Home​: Ballet Beautiful

​The Best ​Ballet Workout​ to Help You Sweat From Home​: Ballet Beautiful

With gyms closed and more people than ever working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic, staying active and engaging in physical fitness activities can be challenging, but finding a way to adapt to these new conditions is vital to maintaining both our emotional and physical health.

Thankfully, homebound workouts prove to be an effective (and just as sweaty) alternative to our regular gym sesh, requiring little to no equipment. Take Ballet Beautiful, for example, a go-to for numerous celebrities including the likes of Natalie Portman, Liv Tyler, and Doutzen Kroes, which offers an online streaming subscription service.

We’ve mentioned Ballet Beautiful before, but this ballet-inspired fitness method and lifestyle brand founded by former New York City Ballet dancer, Mary Helen Bowers, offers a ballet-inspired barre and cardio workout designed to build strength, promoting lean, sculpted muscles. The best part is you don’t need any dance experience. The exercises are made for everyone, and there are plenty of beginner classes to stream.

So how does streaming work? Single videos are available to purchase from $8.99, and series bundles, like the Five Minute Legs and Butt Bundle, start from as little $10.99. But if you’re looking to find workouts tailored to your specific goals, it’s worth subscribing to the Custom Workout subscription for just $39.99 a month, where you’ll have unlimited access to Ballet Beautiful’s full streaming library of over 300 videos, with at least two new workouts added each month. Plus, for a limited time, you can get your first month for $16.99 with code BBMAY20.

Through the Custom Workout subscription, you’ll build a personalized program that you can update at any point. First, you’ll be asked to choose a fitness goal, whether that’s Arms and Abs, Legs and Butt, Fat Blaster, or Full Body. Next, you’ll select how many hours you can commit to exercising in the week. Once you’ve toggled these settings, you’ll receive a daily schedule of streaming classes, curated exclusively by Ballet Beautiful trainers who’ll send you a new Custom Workout program on the first of every month to keep you motivated. Beyond that, you can create your own playlists, which can be as lengthy as you like, using any of the videos.

If you’re ready to get started with Ballet Beautiful, here are a few Amazon essentials to shop that will help elevate your home workout!