The newest of new links are here just in time for your weekend. Enjoy!

• This artist's mastery of the art of quilting and the messages his work embodies left me speechless. (Craft In America)

• We've been reminiscing about the days when travelling was simpler, pre-pandemic but we've been eating vicariously by keeping the Home Chef Extraordinaire's tasty version of this spicy, Caribbean favorite on repeat. (The Color Lab Blog)

• I "read" more books last year then I thought I ever could by "listening" to them on Audible. I'm currently enjoying a re-read of Walter Mosley's colorful masterpieces from the Easy Rawlins mystery series but this one is a standout for me, narrated by actor Michael Boatman. 

• If you're a true foodie, you may balk at what's being done today in the name of pizza by an enterprising entrepreneur. Nevertheless, the story is....intoxicating. (Grub Street)

• I recently celebrated my 61st birthday and if there is anything I've learned over the years is that fashion should NEVER cause you pain, in your wallet or any place else. It's why for the sake of comfort and sanity, I live in these. (The Color Lab Blog)

• You may get a surprising health benefit from performing the simple act of stretching. (MindBodyGreen)

• 7-Eleven is now on Airbnb. I have concerns on so many levels. (DesignTAXI)

• Did I mention I recently turned 61? And I think my skin has never looked better. I know I'm extremely biased in this opinion but I've been using this product for many years and it's a main reason why. (Gem Luxe Beauty)

• I 'heart' these sweatshirt for Valentine's Day. (Champion)

• You'll have a hard time believing that these are cupcakes! (Instagram)

{image credits} Craft in America, Airbnb, Adobe Stock/shurkin_son

CLICK HERE to read the entire Color Collective series!

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!

WARNING: This dish is NOT for those with tender taste buds. Stay away if when you think of spicy or hot foods, you think of buffalo wings or chicken curry. This time, the Home Chef Extraordinaire went full on blow-the-roof-off-your-mouth with his version of the Jamaican classic Jerk Chicken Wings. His process is not traditional, meaning these wings were not smoked and slow-cooked over an open fire, but as someone who has had Jerk Chicken prepared in that manor, this rendition is remarkably close.  

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!

To achieve the intense level of flavor for this dish, you might think that the prep time would be extensive but even though there are a lot of ingredients necessary to build the savory heat, this meal is so easy to make, you'll want to call on it again and again when you're in need of something fierce and fiery on the menu. As always the Home Chef Extraordinaire kept the cooking simple and healthy with the use his formidable power blender and air fryer. And the beautiful serving platter he selected makes this dish all the more spicy! (The platter seen here is currently unavailable but I love this one too!) Have no fear and give this delectable dish a try. The recipe is ready for you below:

Jumpin' Jerk Chicken Wings

 (serves 4)

Ingredients

2 spring onions, roughly chopped
1 sprig of thyme
1 fresh red Scotch bonnet, stems removed and roughly chopped
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp ground allspice
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp ground nutmeg
1 tbsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp dried parsley
1 tbsp white pepper
1 tbsp ground cumin
2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp brown sugar
1-12 oz bottle Red Stripe lager or any amber lager beer
3 lbs chicken wings, cleaned, tips removed, drums and flat separated

Directions

1.  ADD all ingredients except chicken wings into a blender and mix well to create a marinade.

2.  PLACE chicken wings in a large sealable refrigerator bag. Pour marinade into the bag. 

3.  SEAL bag and toss chicken wings so they are well coated.

4.  PLACE bag into refrigerator and marinate chicken wings for 1 hour. (Marinate for 12-24 hours for more intense flavor)

5.  PLACE marinated chicken wings into a pre-heated air fryer. (Alternatively, chicken can be placed on a foil lined baking sheet and baked at 400 degrees, about 45 minutes)

6.  COOK chicken wings in air fryer on the Chicken setting - 25 minutes at 380 degrees.

7. SHAKE the air fryer basket about halfway through cooking.

8. REMOVE the chicken wings and place on a serving platter.

Enjoy!

So the super home chef/man in my life has another hit meal to share! As is his cooking modus operandi, this dish is colorful, easy to make, healthy and delectable. If you're in need of a delicious lunch or dinner idea and love fish, consider his appetizing recipe below. The secret sauce? Prep time is minimal and the Air Fryer gives the fish a perfect crispness without a batter. 

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!

Salmon and Fettuccine Fiesta

serves 2

Ingredients

1 lb salmon filet

1 pack of refrigerated fettuccine pasta (we like this brand)

3-4 garlic cloves, sliced

¼ cup diced onions

¼ cup diced black olives

1 medium green pepper, diced

2 tbsp olive oil

½ cup sundried tomatoes in olive oil, sliced

¼ cup black olives, diced

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried oregano

½ tsp dried thyme

¼ tsp red pepper flakes

1 cup diced tomatoes

2 bay leaves

Freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt to taste

1 cup fresh chopped spinach (frozen spinach in a bag can be used)

1 tbsp butter or buttery spread

Directions

1. Saute garlic, onions and peppers in olive oil.

2. Add sun-dried tomatoes, black olives, basil, oregano and pepper flakes. Stir and cook on medium heat for 2 minutes.

3. Stir in fresh tomatoes and bay leaves. Cover pan with lid and simmer for about 20-30 minutes to create a sauce. 

4. Slice salmon into serving sizes and season with salt and pepper. Take 1 tbsp of the sauce and drizzle over salmon.

5. Place salmon in air fryer at 350 degrees for 8 minutes (for medium doneness). Alternatively, you can pan fry the salmon in a little olive oil.

6. Cook fettuccine according to package instructions. Drain.

7. Steam spinach until tender. Once done, season to taste and toss with butter.

8. Serve by layering each serving with fettuccine first, spinach, salmon, then top with the rest of the sauce. Enjoy!

Until next time, may your life be filled with joy and color!

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!

I am a Smoothie Queen.

Yes, I have anointed myself and I don't wear my title lightly. I have been a smoothie devotee since well before they became trendy and have enjoyed not only the incredible health benefits and the convenience of getting a few servings of necessary fruits and green vegetables in a small number of sips but also the vast number of vibrant color-filled food combinations you can use to make these multi-benefit drinks. I have the pleasure of drinking one almost every day of the year.

I hope you love the products I recommend! This post 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 Healthy Smoothie Bible has been a source of creative ingredient inspiration for a few years. With over 100 recipes, you're sure to find a smoothie for almost every meal plan or occasion. The book also inspired me to come up with my own smoothie recipe that I whip up in minutes in my trusty Vitamix Blender for a blast of energy first thing in the morning or in the afternoon to beat that 3 PM fade. As a bonus, I include some nourishing ingredients that may be beneficial for my skin. Try my quick and easy Energy Blast Smoothie recipe below or be a Smoothie Visionary and create colorful combinations to suit your own taste and/or health needs:

Juliet's Energy Blast Smoothie

makes 1-18 ounce serving

Ingredients

• 1 cup of frozen mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• ½ of a banana, preferably frozen
• 1 cup of frozen chopped spinach or kale
• 1 heaping scoop of Collagen Peptides (I use this.)
• 1 scoop of Plant-based Superfood Powder (l LOVE this one.)
• 1 cup of Almond Milk (this is the BEST!)

Add all ingredients to your blender, mix and enjoy!