the color lab blog — pink

Spring has sprung but only on the calendar in the Northeast. Cold and rainy days lead to frigid nights with the occasional burst of warmth and sun. While it may be a few more weeks before the weather actually reflects the season, I've moved ahead with my budding bevy of beverages.

To start things off, I give you a celebratory brunch booster - my Prickly Pear Pink Champagne. A friend from my taste tester group has already served this pretty-in-pink, slightly sweet, subtly tangy bubbler at a baby shower and it was a hit!

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For those who aren't fans of super sweet drinks, this one's for you. With just 5 ingredients, it's a quick fix for a party, warm weather meal or any joyous gathering. Try my recipe below or you can see how I put it all together in my REELS on Instagram.

Juliet's Prickly Pear Pink Champagne

makes 1 serving

INGREDIENTS

• 6 oz. St. Regis Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Brut or your favorite champagne 
• 1/2 oz. Monin Desert Pear® Syrup
• 1/2 oz. pineapple juice

Glass: Champagne/Flute

Garnish: lime

Glass Size: 8 oz.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Fill serving glass full of ice.
2. Pour ingredients into serving glass in order listed.
3. Stir gently to mix.
4. Add garnish and serve.

Drink colorfully!

Purple hues like Rosebud and Festival Fuchsia combine the fiery, passionate red with the calm and stable blue in unstoppable and vibrant hues.  Who else do we know who is fiery, passionate, stable, calm and unstoppable all at once? Moms, of course!

We chose this luxe duo to celebrate our moms.  Even though we here at the Color Lab celebrate moms everywhere every day, it’s always nice to do something special for mom on Mother’s Day.  I love Mother’s Day and make sure to celebrate the moms in my life every year with a special thank you for their hard work in raising the next generation of little thinkers and doers.  

This year I decided to do something extra special for Mother’s Day through this week's Color Craze.  I’ve personally collected my favorite gift ideas featuring Rosebud and Festival Fuchsia finds. Find my ultimate Mother’s Day gift guide below.  With gifts for so many different kinds of moms, you’ll be sure to find the perfect gift (or maybe even a treat for yourself)!

First up is a special recipe for those looking to go the homemade route for their Mother's Day gift!  This Roasted Blueberry Creme Fraiche Ice Cream from Savory Simple is an indulgent dessert sure to please moms with a sweet tooth.

Image:  Savory Simple

This ice cream is as decadent as it is fresh and fruity, with rich roasted blueberries for a luxurious take on dessert.  This recipe is a labor of love, so who better to make it for than mom? Find the recipe here!

Next up, we have the traditional.  Here are my picks for some traditional stylish fashions, housewares and accessories for every mom in your life:

1. For the homebody mom:  Simpatico Hobnail Glass Candle

2. For the sporty mom:  Fitbit Alta

3. For the working mom:  Urban CoCo Women’s Drape Front Open Cardigan

4. For the mom who deserves a splurge gift:  Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer

5. For the jet-setting mom:  Lug Nap Sack Pillow and Blanket

6. For the green thumb mom:  Floral Supply Online Spring Garden Vase in Purple Passion

7. For the cutting edge mom:  Butter London Nail Laquer in Easy Peasy

Whether you opt for a traditional wrapped gift or a simple homemade pleasure, mom is sure to love whatever way you celebrate her this Mother’s Day.  If you’d like to share any of your Mother’s Day gifts or celebrations with me, be sure to tag @JulReDesigns on Instagram and use the hashtag #colorfilledlife. Your photo could be featured on our Instagram, Facebook or even in our INsider newsletter!

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

With a gracious nod to Pantone, the Gods of Color and keepers of all things sacred to hues and palettes, I'm striking out on my own and presenting my first commentary on the colors I'm loving for the rest of this Spring and into the Summer season. I must admit, the colors I have selected are already on heavy rotation in my own life but I'm now seeing them on other colorful women too, in their wardrobe, makeup as well as in their home decor. This collection of colors makes a striking fashion statement and ranges from the energetic orange, Bird of Paradise, to the soft-spoken pink, Rose Shadow. Squarely in the middle is the sophisticated Moroccan Blue with the pristine lilac, Orchid and my absolute favorite minty fresh, Opal completing the group. I'm drawn to them, well, because they are all exciting and fresh and yet distinctly independent enough to hold their own without a complementary partner to give them a boost. 

I couldn't believe my luck when I discovered the nail polish brand, Cirque Colors a few months back. I started using their vegan, cruelty-free, non-toxic (no formaldehyde!) colors (I live for their pinkish-brown "Fast Fashion" shade) after doing some personal research on cosmetics and first highlighted the brand in my Spectra Yellow and Flame post. The color range for this line is so extensive, that I found a coordinating polish for each of the hues in this palette. Your nails will be so on trend!

Cirque Colors Creme Nail Polish on Amazon: (top left, clockwise): Fire Island, Sartorial, Midnight Cowboy, Key to Gramercy, Uptown Girl

I'm a huge proponent of tone-on-tone dressing. I make it a regular practice to put some of my daily outfits together based on one color family not only because it gives a sleek, rich, pulled together look but because it's easy! I'm not proposing that you carry that fashion theory all the way through to matching eyeshadow and lipstick but pairing a great dress like the ones from Nordstrom that I'm featuring in my style board below, with a contrasting pair of shoes and handbag and completing the look with nail polish in the same color family is so, so chic!

Shop these versatile, right-for-many-occasion dresses in my Spring/Summer Color Trends palette from Nordstrom (the MaxMara is in my closet!):

1.  Leith Chic Midi Dress

2.  Lewit Kimono Sleeve Stretch Silk Dress

3.  BB Dakota Cara Lace Cocktail Dress

4.  MaxMara Cordoba Sheath Dress

5.  NSR Grace One-Shoulder Lace Sheath Dress

Until next time, live a color-filled life,

nothing says Spring like this fresh, vibrant color palette.

image: tulips

join the party! visit our Color Craze: Pinks and Greens board on Pinterest.

pinks and greens are naturally occurring in nature and fashion. When our eyes glimpse these two vibrant shades together, a natural smile occurs. Individually, they say "happy", "spirited" and "lively". 

images: (top left to right, clockwise) ice cream, chair, cactus, banquette, wedding flower bouquet, sweater set and slim pants

pinks and greens are fabulous color punches when you want to take a casual look up a notch. khaki and denim take on a whole new style appeal when paired with these bright hues. or if you dare, go head to toe with this brilliant combo!

images (top left to right, clockwise): JulRe Designs color pop earrings, Gemmy Jewels for JulRe Designs bangle bracelets, t-shirt, sunglasses, lipstick, belt, handbag, sneakers, pants, socks, nail polish, eau de parfum

this match of pink and blue is not fancy-schmancy. on the contrary. it's bold, beautiful and brilliant!

images: (top left, clockwise) ring bowl, lips, woven tie, polka dot fabric, pink robin, bridesmaid's bouquet, Alexander McQueen scarf, artwork

this color craze continues on our Fuchsia and Navy Blue board on Pinterest.

punch up your color quotient this spring with this dynamic color combination. bravely wear these two hues together for maximum impact or add them with a light touch to enliven neutral looks. and don't forget to pile on the arm candy for added glam!

images: (Left, clockwise) DVF dress, lorac lipstick, JulRe Designs jacquie necklace, essie nail color, l'autre shoes, coach crosby bag, JulRe Designs pia cuff bracelet