the color lab blog

In our current times, I hope that we all can recognize when we need to step away from it all to rejuvenate and refresh. I'm sensing that it's almost that time again for me. It's critical at any time to be able to take a few steps back from it all but especially now when the world is getting better but is still a bit chaotic and frenzied. So my wish for you everyday is peace and harmony - may you find you find your way to your own Shangri-la. And good food.

Before I make any moves, I just had to share the Home Chef Extraordinaire's latest flavorful take on chicken. This time, he's using thighs but your favorite part of the chicken will do) and he's concocted a dish that's great for lunch or dinner and perfect for kid's meals. The taste key is the use of fresh rosemary. It adds a depth of flavor to the dish and with the spicy brown mustard, provides an aromatic tanginess that is oh-so palate appealing. As is always his custom, to keep the dish healthy and juicy, the preparation is done in an Air Fryer but this main dish can be prepared in the oven as well. While the dish itself is not extremely colorful, you must admit that the addition of steamed brussel sprouts and carrots all on my beautiful serving platter makes it all photo fabulous! You can find the fast, super simple recipe below:

Mustard Roasted Chicken Thighs

(serves 4)

PREP TIME: 3 MINUTES

COOK TIME: 20 MINUTES

Ingredients

2 tbsp Dijon or spicy brown mustard

1 tbsp maple syrup

1 tbsp fresh rosemary

½ tsp onion powder

½ tsp garlic powder

¼ tsp paprika

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

4 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin on

Directions 

1.  MIX together the mustard, maple syrup, rosemary, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.

2.  COAT the chicken thighs in the mustard glaze and set aside.

3.  SELECT Preheat on the Air Fryer, adjust to 380°F, and press Start/Pause.

4.  PLACE the chicken thighs in the preheated air fryer and top with any left over glaze.

5.  SELECT Chicken, adjust time to 20 minutes, and press Start/Pause.

Until next time, live a color-filled life!

Spring is here (insert happy face emoji) and I'm reminded that the season truly and completely owns one whole color in the spectrum. That color is GREEN. Inevitably, when the season rolls in, I see everything in those fresh shades as it’s a signal in nature that warmer weather is here.

I love the color so much because it signifies an abundant life in harmony, and supremely good health - all ways that I try to live my life every day. My adoration of the hue extends into my business with our company's foundational logo of four ombre green leaves, each representing a part of the foundation of our organization's core values: a passion for color, a love of design, respect for our community and a commitment to service to others.



I hope you love the products I recommend! This blog post contains affiliate links and I participate in the Amazon Associate program, 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!

Shop My Sunglasses: top row, middle row, bottom row

Of course, my obsession with green wouldn't be a real thing if it didn't carry over to my wardrobe. I think it’s an incorrect assumption that this lively color can only be worn by a few. There’s a shade for everyone! It’s such a fun and energizing color for me that when I put it on, it's hard not to smile! And colorful accessories, like the 10 pairs of sunglasses I found are an easy way to wear the color to make a dynamic impact with any outfit. And adding almost any shade of green will take your OOTD to certainly not-at-all-boring levels. Find all of my fabulous eyewear finds below and happy shopping!

1.  Haskell Sunglasses in Aloe Crystal - Warby Parker

2.  EMPORIO ARMANI Women's Sunglasses, EA4162 55 - Macy's

3.  GloFX Color Therapy Glasses - Amazon

4.  Ada Sunglasses in Forest Green - Warby Parker

5.  Beale Sunglasses in Rosemary Crystal - Warby Parker

6.  BOTTEGA VENETA Women's Square Sunglasses - Bloomingdales

7.  OLIVER PEOPLES Melery Square Sunglasses, 54mm - Bloomingdales (out of stock but love these as well.)

8.  LifeArt Oversize Polarized Sunglasses - Amazon

9.  FEISEDY Classic Women Sunglasses - Amazon

10.  VERSACE Sunglasses, VE4361 53 - Macy's

Until next time, may you live a life filled with color!

While I was on a previous Summer break, I did a lot of eating and drinking. A LOT! The Home Chef Extraordinaire outdid himself with all sorts of fresh, healthy, colorful foods so you can expect to see more of his tasty recipes added to my Colorful Eats series.

Somewhere in between food gorging and taste testing, I got the bright idea to experiment with spirits, mixers and garnishes to see if I could create some beverages that would live up to the very high standard set by the culinary wizard. Wine.com and other places for the ingredients for tasty libations were bookmarked and favorited for easy access because each drink I came up with always seemed to require a whole new set of ingredients. One night, my kitchen island looked like a fully stocked bar in a nightclub!

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!

You should know that I don't drink alcohol. That's right, I'm a non-imbiber and I have spent a lot of my adult life trying to find restaurants and bars that don't treat those of us who choose to not to indulge like kids or even worse, outcasts with only the standard Shirley Temples, juices and sodas amongst their limited offerings.

Pre-Covid, mocktails were starting to become trendy, with some innovative spaces dedicated to the non-alcoholic lifestyle popping up all over the country. From exotic herbal elixirs to spirit alternatives, booze-free living no longer has to be boring and monotonous. 

I wanted to share a few of my successful liquid experiments with you so Colorful Cocktails will be a new blog series featuring beautiful concoctions that I've imagined and even a few standards that I've reimagined. The first drink on the menu is called the The Heartbreaker.

It was a drink originally created in honor of Valentine's Day (hence the name) and you can find variations all over the web but my spin is a bit unique. It's pale pink in color and a bit on the sweet side so I recommend serving it for showers, brunches or afternoons on the deck. And please feel free to substitute your favorite alcoholic spirit for my spirit alternative. Check out the recipe below!

The Heartbreaker

makes 1 serving

Ingredients

1 oz tequila (the Home Chef's favorite!) or tequila alternative (<-- LOVE this!)

1 oz fresh lemon juice

1/2 oz rose syrup (this one is best - vegan and gluten-free!)

ice cubes or crushed ice 

edible rose petals (optional)

Instructions

1. Place tequila or tequila alternative, lemon juice and rose syrup in a shaker with a few ice cubes or crushed ice for a less intense flavor. Shake briefly to mix.

2. Pour into a glass of your choice (these are perfect!) straight or over crushed ice for less intensity.

3. Garnish with a few edible rose petals. Enjoy!

NOTE: Please drink responsibly!

Until next time, raise a glass to living a color-filled life!

My family would not consider themselves as strictly vegan, vegetarian or pescetarian. We are truly omnivores because variety is the spice of life, right?

We try to eat healthy foods every day but we are not regimented nor do we have any allergies that would keep us from any food group. However, eating beef is really a once-in-awhile thing.

It's usually the occasional hamburger or a juicy steak for the Home Chef Extraordinaire. As we've matured, we have found that certain foods are more difficult to digest and beef has become challenging at times.

But my Wine-Braised Short Ribs With Potatoes are a Fall favorite meal that we all look forward to for special occasions.

I hope you love the products I recommend! This blog post contains affiliate links and I participate in the Amazon Associate program, 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!

As with many of our Colorful Eats recipes, this dish is made in an Instant Pot which means it's simple, quick and incredibly flavorful. It's just right for those cozy Winter evenings when you just want a meal that's warm and savory. 

I adapted this recipe from the America's Test Kitchen Mediterranean Instant Pot Cookbook . You may already have most of the ingredients for this rich, delicious dish. NOTE: You can use tomato paste instead of tomato sauce if you prefer a thicker sauce. Parsley can be used as a garnish but since the Home Chef Extraordinaire doesn't like the taste of the herb, I left it out. And while I used dealcoholized red wine in my recipe, feel free to use your favorite Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon instead.

Juliet's Wine-Braised Short Ribs with Potatoes

serves 4

total time:  2 hours 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 2 pounds bone-in beef short ribs, trimmed
• ¾ teaspoon table salt, divided
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped fine
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, drained with ¼ cup juice reserved, chopped coarse
• ½ cup dry red wine
• 1 pound small red potatoes, unpeeled, leave whole or halved
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley (optional)
  
  

INSTRUCTIONS

1.  Dry short ribs dry by patting them with paper towels. Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt and pepper. Using highest sauté function, heat oil in Instant Pot for 5 minutes (or until just smoking). Brown short ribs on all sides, 6 to 8 minutes; transfer to plate.

2.  Add onion and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt to fat left in pot and cook, using highest sauté function, until onion is softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic, tomato sauce and oregano and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes and reserved juice and wine, scraping up any browned bits. Place short ribs meat side down into pot and add any accumulated juices. Lock lid in place and close pressure release valve. Select high pressure cook function and cook for 60 minutes.

3.  Turn off Instant Pot and let pressure release naturally for 15 minutes. Quick-release any remaining pressure, then carefully remove lid, allowing steam to escape away from you. Transfer short ribs to serving dish, tent with aluminum foil, and let rest while preparing potatoes.

4.  Strain braising liquid through fine-mesh strainer into fat separator; transfer solids to now-empty pot. Let braising liquid settle for 5 minutes, then pour 1½ cups defatted liquid and any accumulated juices into pot with solids; discard remaining liquid. Add potatoes. Lock lid in place and close pressure release valve. Select high pressure cook function and cook for 4 minutes. Turn off Instant Pot and quick-release pressure. Carefully remove lid, allowing steam to escape away from you.

5.  Using slotted spoon, transfer potatoes to serving dish (this one is my all time fave!). Season sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon sauce over short ribs and potatoes and sprinkle with parsley, if desired. Serve.

I hope you try this recipe and if you do, let me know how it turns out in the comments below!

It's that time of year when we realize the giving season is heading our way at rapid speed. It'll be a somewhat familiar holiday time because while we are still very much aware that there are certain health precautions we still must take for the safety of everyone, a few of us will be coming together in person to celebrate our love for each other, albeit in very strategic ways.

I hope you love the products I recommend! This blog post contains affiliate links and I participate in the Amazon Associate program, 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!

FROM OUR PARTNERS

One tradition that won't change for us is the exchange of gifts and tokens of caring. I made sure that I got an early start this year since almost every present will be sent via some form of delivery service and this year will continue to be quite a challenge. So while I was in the midst of my shopping frenzy, I thought I'd try to help you with your gifting adventure! 

Color swatches from Pantone. 

I've gathered some pretty cool gifts that are sure to accommodate most budgets, from wallet-friendly to luxury. I hope there's something for everyone on your holiday shopping list. Since I live and breathe by beautiful, vibrant colors, I curated this gift guide using the colors I was inspired by from the Pantone Autumn/Winter 22/23 Trend Report!

It's a color palette that is not at all classic but exudes grand expression while maintaining a sense of calm vibrancy. These shades meant to excite but will enhance your desire to create unique self statements. Many of the fabulous items you'll find in this Gift Guide are from my great partners at Macy's. 

So, get out your gift list, have lots of fun and shop-by-color now!

1.  BRAHMIN Duxbury Leather Satchel

2.  JOURNEE COLLECTION Morgaan Tall Boots

3.  HUGO BOSS Men’s Double Breasted Coat

4.  G-SHOCK Men’s Analog-Digital Strap Watch

5.  CHARTER CLUB Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater

1.  HANDY LIVING George Armless Chair

2.  FIESTA 4pc Daffodil Place Setting

3.  COTTON ON Little Girls Marlo Track Pants

4.  LONDONTOWN Lakur Enhanced Color Nail Polish in Mango

5.  FREDDO Deluxe Push Ride-On

1.  JULRE DESIGNS STUDIO Apatite Slice Necklace

2.  NAUTICA Vitamin Sea Candle

3.  BCBGeneration Hooded Puffer Coat

4.  TIFFANY & CO Tiffany & Love Eau de Parfum

5.  BELLA Hot Air Popcorn Maker

1.  NAMBE Vie Wine Rack

2.  LUCKY BRAND Stud Leather Belt

3.  DKNY Bryant Backpack

4.  COTTON ON Big Girls Wide Brim Hat

5.  UGG Westsider Slides

FROM OUR PARTNERS