the color lab blog — fashion

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!

This duo brings passion, high energy, happiness and the joy of the Summer season. And with current temperatures not willing to climb higher than late Fall levels in some places, we could all use a little boost from the hotness of this color combo. 

There isn't any reason why Summer can't be eternal. Spectra Yellow embraces happiness and throws it back out to you with full-on bright. Flame brings the heat and adds spice to the mix. Let's revel in this color mashup!

But first, a celebratory colorful mocktail are on me! 

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!

It is not my intention to rush the seasons here with this warm weather-centric style board. I'm just sharing a few special beach-worthy items in colors guaranteed to take the chill off when the time is right. Of course, if a trip to the Caribbean or some other hot location is in your immediate future, snap your favorites up now! SHOP my Style Board below:

1.  Kerri Rosenthal Sunny Daze Hat 

2.  Loewe Square Sunglasses

3.  JulRe Designs Studio Serena Earrings 

4.  Cirque Colors Crème Nail Polish - Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Non-Toxic Formula in Urbanized 

5.  Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Lipstick in Tell Laura 

6.  Eileen Fisher Sport Wedge Platform Sandals

7.  CHLOE x MIFUKO Basket Crossbody Bag

8.  JulRe Designs Studio Custom Biwa Stick Pearl Bracelet

9.  CUPSHE Heart Attack Falbala Swimsuit 

Until next time, may your life be filled with COLOR!

FROM OUR PARTNERS 

I live in sweatshirts. Even before the pandemic, I'd perfected my work at home style and included a vast array of joggers and wide leg sweatpants plus coordinating sweatshirts in ALL the colors.

But as we have begun to come out from hiding a bit more, I figured I had to find some way to utilize the comfort and ease of sweatshirts for even the dressiest of 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!

Since I'm still on my hiatus from purchasing new clothes (it's so hard!), I've had to become a bit creative with what I do with what already exists in my closet. I've found that styling my sweatshirts is actually very easy!

If you look at these versatile tops just like you would any other blouse, sweater or cardigan, it makes putting together unique looks quite simple. I'll admit, you do have to change your view of what a sweatshirt actually is but since they now come in so many styles, prints and colors, it should be a smooth transitional shift to your fashion sensibilities.

For instance, here's a daytime look I styled using a very simple sweatshirt:

SHOP THE LOOK

1.  AMAZON ESSENTIALS Crewneck Sweatshirt

2.  JULRE DESIGNS STUDIO Color Drop Earrings in Toffee Chalcedony and Carnelian

3.  PRADA Round Sunglasses - Bloomingdales

4.  COACH Soft Tabby Shoulder Bag - Bloomingdales

5.  LYSSE Textured Faux Leather Leggings - Bloomingdales

6.  TORY BURCH Jessa Loafer Flats

7.  JULRE DESIGNS STUDIO Color Drop Choker Necklace in Tiger Eye and Sunset Yellow Chalcedony

Using the same sweatshirt in a different color, this is an outfit you might try for a not-so-dressy-not-too-casual Holiday party or date night look:

 SHOP THE LOOK

1.  JULRE DESIGNS STUDIO Vishuddha Earrings

2.  AMAZON ESSENTIALS Crewneck Sweatshirt

3.  SAINT LAURENT Tweed Cap Toe Pumps - Bloomingdales

4.  THE DROP Maya Silky Slip Skirt - Amazon

5.  ETIENNE AIGNER Ella Small Woven Satchel - Bloomingdales

6.  JULRE DESIGNS STUDIO Ella Cuff Bracelet in Black Smoke

I suggest pushing the sleeves up to elbow length and perhaps a casual tuck in to the waist of either of these looks gives them a fresh appeal.

You can also interject a little fun into your sweatshirt collection! Tie-dye, embroidery, blouson sleeves and fun quotes or sayings are all ways of expressing your individuality with this versatile top.

I've collected a few of my lively faves below for you to shop and get creative with to style your own looks:

SHOP THE STYLEBOARD

1.  POLO RALPH LAUREN Printed Sweatshirt - Bloomingdales

2.  WHISTLES Joie Graphic Sweatshirt - Bloomingdales

3.  BILLY T Stardust Embroidered Sweatshirt - Bloomingdales

4.  SANDRO Sun Graphic Sweatshirt - Bloomingdales

5.  STYLE & CO Animal Print Sweatshirt - Macy’s

6.  INC INTERNATIONAL CONCEPTS Printed Off-The-Shoulder Sweatshirt - Macy’s

7.  ADIDAS ORIGINALS Essentials Fleece Sweatshirt - Macy’s

8.  RBX Fleece Pullover Sweatshirt - Amazon

9.  EYTINO Color-block Tie Dye Sweatshirt - Amazon

So there you have it - sweatshirt style that's fun, easy and ready for your action-packed life or the one where lounging is the primary activity!

Until next time, may your life be filled with COLOR!

After the tumultuous times the fashion and accessories industries have endured, it's time to celebrate the return of the biggest runway show ever, New York Fashion Week!

Unfortunately, many designers and creators were not able to sustain the heavy financial losses that have been the industry's regrettable fallout from the pandemic.

The stories of the struggles of designers to keep their doors open has been heartwrenching. Non-profit organizations like ICON360 were created to help support established and emerging designers during these times however so many have been unable to reinvent or recreate themselves and their companies in economically sustainable ways.

I hope you love the products I recommend! This blog post contains 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!

So the fact that New York Fashion Week has returned at all, albeit at a smaller scale and much more virtual, is reason to celebrate that the art of fashion is not dead and the tenacity of the many talented professionals in the field remains intact. The high levels of passion and creativity are inspiring to me as a designer who has experienced my own challenges to keep my dreams alive.

So.... a celebration is definitely in order! I've collaborated with my jewelry designer alter ego to create a GIVEAWAY for you that's all about fashion AND color!

GET THE DETAILS AND ENTER BELOW!

When it comes to color, I haven't written the book but I sure have READ the books. One thing I know for sure, color is so much more than what can be gleaned by the naked eye. Color influences our perceptions, touches our deepest emotions, and moves our decisions.

We have always existed in a color-filled world but we are rarely aware of the impact color has in our daily lives. Through books we can take a deep dive into the ways in which color has influenced our understanding of our global community, our differences and our commonalities.

From the sun-drenched beaches of the Mediterranean to the works of Impressionist artists, these books are both tools for expanded knowledge and simply yummy reads.

I hope you love the products I recommend! This blog post contains 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!

Curl up with these books for a little trip down colorful highways and byways or display them on a coffee table to entice your guests. Here are 9 favorites from my personal library:

1. Color: A Natural History of the Palette by Victoria Finlay - The author is a genius at expanding our knowledge of color through the ages.
2. Pantone: The 20th Century in Color by Leatrice Eiseman - The quintessential book on how color has expanded our horizons from the "house that color built".
3. The Rainbow Atlas: A Guide to the World’s 500 Most Colorful Places by Taylor Fuller - Travel takes on a renewed importance when you take in the beautiful bucket list places profiled.
4. Black Is A Rainbow Color by Angela Joy - Not necessarily a book on traditional colors, per se, but one of the best children's books on skin color, race and culture written from a child's perspective.  
5. Interaction of Color by Josef Alber - The literal bible of color theory, this book has helped shape my color career and continues to be a guide for my jewelry designs.
6. The Colorful Kitchen by Ilene Godofsky Moreno - Plant-based foods never looked (or tasted) so good! A vibrant book of vegan recipes from a fellow New Jersey native (and somewhat of a neighbor).
7. The Color Scheme Bible by Anna Starmer - A must-have book for a map to bringing new life to any room through color and other home decor inspiration.
8. Bisa Butler: Portraits by Erica Warren - Artists who use color in a manner that evoke strong emotional responses are my jam! Bisa's work not only speaks, it shouts loudly and with passion.
9. Flower Color Theory by Darroch Putnam - Ever wonder how floral artists create such seamlessly elegant flower arrangements? This book will have you heading to the nearest farmer's market or flower stand to grab a few bouquets to play with.