the color lab blog — color craze

The Holidays seem to come earlier and earlier each year. I know it's not actually possible for that to actually happen but the busier I get, the more pressure I feel to pack as much as possible into a 24 hour day. I've managed to squeeze in a bit of time to knock a few gifts off my shopping list and my last color-themed gift guide was a great help! How far have you gotten on your gift list? Perhaps my latest gift guide can offer you some assistance.

Apricot Brandy and Fig are the colors I've selected colors for the 2nd part of my Color Craze Gift Guide series. They are two of the warmest colors you'll want to wrap yourself in and share with those you love! Not only are they what I call delectable comfort colors, they are season-less classics. Think of them for places in your home that may need a touch of cosiness. They work well together in your wardrobe as well whenever your mood is mellow - at that candlelight date night dinner or lounging in front of the fireplace on a frigid Winter night.

I hope you love the products I recommend! While this blog post was not sponsored, it may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

image: myrecipes.com

Before we start shopping, I just had to share this great recipe I found while searching for appetizer ideas for an upcoming Holiday party. You'll find some of the ingredients quite apropos for this post: apricots, brandy and figs! I taste tested this dish  and it will be one of the standouts on the buffet table for sure! You can find the recipe for quick and easy Brie with Jeweled Fruit Compote here.

Now, let's SHOP in color! Here are my top 9 gifts in Apricot Brandy and Fig:

1.  For the Fashionable Hipster - Herschel Supply Co. Seventeen Hip Pack - Amazon

2.  For the Eternal Sunshine Seeker - D'BLANC Beach Vida 53mm Square Cat Eye Sunglasses - Nordstrom

3.  For the Colorful Kiddies - OLIVER & RAIN Fawn & Fern Kids Gift Set - Nordstrom

4.  For the Comfort Seeking Man - Champion Life Men's Stretch Woven Sleep Pants - Champion

5.  For the Motorcycle Mama - BB Dakota Teagan Reversible Faux Leather Drape Front Jacket - Nordstrom

6.  For the Well-Heeled Lady - ECCO Shape Motion 75 Booties - Nordstrom

7.  For the Man Who Hates Dress Shirts - AGAVE Box Canyon Men's T-Shirt

8.  For Those Who Love to Snuggle - Vellux Faux Sheared Mink Blanket - Bloomingdales

9.  For the Hostess with the Mostest - Divina Fig Spread - Amazon

I'd love to know how you feel about these colors and how your Holiday shopping is progressing. Follow The Color Lab Blog on Facebook or Instagram and leave your comments!

Until next time, live a color-filled life!

We have a tendency to limit ourselves to colors that so-called "authorities" have deemed appropriate for a specific season. And when we do, we deprive ourselves of the joy of having all of the beautiful hues that we can visualize available to us all year round. That's not living a truly color-filled life and seems rather boring. While it's true that we are on the cusp of Fall and Orange is well known for being a traditional color for the season, few people wear it as freely as they may in warmer months when it is a bright, cheery, citrus-y symbol of the carefree life. Well, don't you want to be carefree in November too? I know that wearing Orange head-to-toe may be, uh...aggressive for some but when you add a rich blue in a light to dark shade to the mix, you get a wearable combination that can be mixed and matched regardless of the time of year.

For this week's Color Craze, I chose Persimmon because it is on the subtler side of the Orange spectrum and avoids smacking you in the face with it's vibrancy. I've coupled it with the deep, smooth Majolica Blue for a little softening of the slight edge that Persimmon may evoke. I feel it's a special pairing for everyday looks. Ask the New York Mets or the Syracuse University Orange!

COLORFUL ENLIGHTENMENT: Persimmons are a fruit that is often compared to apples nutritionally. Majolica is tin-glazed pottery made in England and decorated in colors, like this blue, on a white background. 

COLORFUL SIDEBAR: Kindly indulge my ongoing obsession with Smoothies and allow me to share my first Fall recipe find with you. The Spiced Persimmon Smoothie is at the top of my list for Fall breakfasts. This fruit wasn't on my Top 10 list of ingredients until I discovered the recipe below from one of my favorite food bloggers, Lisa of Downshiftology. It meets all of my smoothie standards: easy to make, filled with flavor and of course, stacked with healthy goodness. Click here for the tasty recipe!

BLOG DISCLAIMER: This blog post was not sponsored but may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

I've put together a Persimmon Orange and Majolica Blue style board with 14 of my fave fab fashion and beauty finds to give you a few options for consideration as you shop for the upcoming season. But if you just want to add a small touch of this color combo to your existing daily look options, the Thea Earrings from my new Handmade Luxe Collection are the perfect way to do it. Shop fashion and accessories in these great colors below!

1.  EQUIPMENT Harmon Shirtdress

2.  Christian Wisnants Karwat V-Neck Sweater 

3.  JulRe Designs Jewelry Thea Earrings

4.  Space.NK.apothecary Lipstick Queen Reign Shine Lip Gloss

5.  Briane Bracelet from our exclusive Bangle Bar for JulRe Designs INsiders only. For access, click here to join us!

6.  Sammitop Stiletto Heel Pumps 

7.  JAGGAR Solace Slingback Pump

8.  Tods Gommini Driving Moccasin  *STAFF FAVORITE*

9.  Hugo Hatine Zip Detail Slim Trousers

10.  Tory Burch Perry Bombe Crossbody Bag

11.  Botkier Trigger Pebbled Leather Hobo

12.  Naturalizer Tiana Platform Boot

13.  Cole Haan Lesli Block Heel Pump

14.  Sam Edelman Lior Loafer

IT'S A PINTEREST PARTY! You can also shop my curated board dedicated to Persimmon Orange and Majolica Blue on Pinterest!

Until next time, live a color-filled life!

Soft. Sensuous. Dreamy. All apropos descriptives for two colors that personify the comfy, cozy lifestyle. But don't be fooled. They have a sneaky way of punching up your home with a vibrancy that can only be described as alive.

image: House Beautiful

There's something so comforting about the elegant living room in the NYC apartment designed by Jamie Drake pictured above. While this color palette is far from traditional, its soothing vibe is warm and inviting. The walls were expertly painted using Salmon Peach by Benjamin Moore Aura and softened with a custom glaze. The steel and pale gray accessories could have made a hard,  sharpened contrast but instead complement the calming energy of the room.

image: Benjamin Moore Paints

BLOG DISCLAIMER: This blog post was not sponsored but may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

The Salmon and Glacier Gray palette get 2 thumbs up for versatility. While it may now be easier for you to envision these colors in an expansive space like a living room, incorporating them cohesively in smaller ways and spaces can be uncomplicated too. Refinishing a desk or uplifting a vanity (see below) can give new life to a home office or bathroom.

image: Estuary Designs

image: Remodelaholic

Adding a few lovely home decor items in Salmon and Glacier Gray to your space or to give as housewarming gifts is easy because I've done the discovery for you! Shop my 6 fabulous finds below!

1.  Nordstrom at Home Faux Fur Throws

2.  Christopher Knight Home Club Chair

3.  Baby Aspen Ceramic Shark Bank

4.  Beatriz Ball Vida Alegra Bowl

5.  Industrial Rewind Soap Dispenser

6.  Jonathan Adler Charade Studded Table Lamp

I've curated some more Salmon and Glacier Gray color inspiration on Pinterest! Tell me what you think!

Until next time, live a color-filled life,

On the color wheel, red and green are direct opposites, but opposites can attract and come together in a fierce partnership. That’s what my latest Color Craze, Tomato and Jasmine Green have done dramatically.

Image:  Tumblr

BLOG DISCLAIMER: This blog post was not sponsored but may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

This color combo is a natural pairing for a pleasing lunch or dinner plate. Who doesn't love a crisp, green salad sprinkled with freshly sliced vine-ripened tomatoes? OK, maybe you're not a fan of the veggies but seeing these eye-catching colors at a meal are aptly appetizing. And of course I found an easy recipe for a scrumptious tomato salad (below) that can be put together in 10 minutes and served the next day! You can find the details here.

image: EatWell101

I've been making fearless color choices with my personal style for years thanks to my amazing Mom who used to sew brightly colored jumper dresses for me in bright hues when I was younger. So wearing such strong colors as Tomato and Jasmine Green is natural for me.  Shop what I'm wearing below.

Dress: This Lauren Ralph Lauren dress is no longer available but you can find a similar style here. 
Shoes: Shop them here.
Earrings: My own design. Similar styles can be found here or try this.

You'll make a fearless fashion statement too when you unite the spirit of Tomato and Jasmine Green with my 8 fab finds (including an eye-popping nail polish!). Shop my Style Board below:

1.  Alphratti Fit and Flare Dress

2.  LadyBro Straw Sun Visor

3.  Eagle Eyes CELESTE Sunglasses

4.  Lancome L’Absolu Lip Lacquer in Be Brilliant

5.  China Glaze Nail Polish in I'm With The Lifeguard (WOW!)

6.  Madewell Austin Crossbody Bag

7.  David Tate Myrna Wedge Sandal

8.  JulRe Designs Chloe Bangle Bracelet

And just in case you haven't gotten enough Tomato and Jasmine Green magic, I've curated a Color Craze board dedicated to these brilliant colors on Pinterest. Follow me there too!

Until next time, keep living a color filled-life!

A sultry brown hue paired with an ethereal peachy-blush tone makes this color duo a seductive match!

Brown can represent steadfastness and simplicity while light blush colors often signify vigor and freshness.  We have paired sweet Glazed Ginger with the delicate and graceful Bellini is a yin and yang combo. perfect for classic styles, moods and even flavors.

One of my favorite flavor pairings is ginger and peach.  The pungency of ginger actually contrasts with the full fruitiness of peach but for my palate, they're a match made in food nirvana.  I like to use this flavor mix for many recipes, but cocktails are my favorite.  I'm currently captivated by this Ginger Peach Bellini from Daily Waffle! You will understand my obsession once you try the recipe below.

image above and recipe below: Daily Waffle

INGREDIENTS

• 2 oz. ginger peach syrup
• 4 oz. prosecco (La Marca is slightly sweet and makes for a nice Bellini)

Energy opposites attract with this Color Craze twosome, and what better way to celebrate a strong coupling than with looks that are sure to WOW!  I've curated 2 style boards below. The first look is with pieces that can easily work for an evening out with your partner or a daytime wedding. Go forth and  SHOP!

1. Elisabeth Earrings from JulRe Designs

2. OUGES Stand Collar Sleeveless Dress - an unbelievable price!

3. Tom Ford Lip Color in Wild Ginger

4. ALLSAINTS Captain Leather Crossbody Bag

5. Enzo Angiolini Addalyn Strappy Sandal

6. Cirque Colors Nail Polish in Met Steps

7. NARS Eyeshadow Duo in Surabaya

The second look below is a more casual outfit perfect for an upscale  BBQ or an early evening rooftop cocktail party. Such fabulous finds that are wallet-friendly too!

1. Helen Kaminski Villa Straw Hat

2. Belle Pogue Steampunk Peasant Top

3. Kate Spade New York Kiya Sunglasses

4. Rag & Bone Atlas Belt Bag

5. GemmyJewels Thin Stone Bracelet 

6. Marc Fisher LTD Alida Espadrille Platform Wedge

7. TIBI Side Snap Shorts

8. Cirque Color Creme Nail Polish in Coffee Talk

9. Anastasia Beverly Hills Matte Lipstick in Peachy

I'm so inspired by this tasty color pairing for fashion, food and home decor. I'd love to see your favorite ways to use Bellini and Glazed Ginger together or individually by sharing your style with us on Instagram or Facebook.

And be sure to subscribe to our INsider newsletter so you never miss a new, color-filled post from The Color Lab Blog!

Until next time, keep living a color-filled life!