the color lab blog — shopping

Food tastes better when it is colorful. It just does! We eat with our mouths AND eyes so what food "looks" like impacts the flavor. And there's interesting research behind this phenomenon. Whether you believe there's a color/food connection or not, think of it this way: would you even take a bite of a blue apple? Here are some colorful links to satisfy the foodie in you:

1.  I'm not sure eating square food is any healthier than eating food in it normal form but this company seems to think we need to rethink the shape of things. (DesignTaxi)

2.  If you bake, you will surely want to get your hands on this plant-based food dye for all of your cupcake frosting needs. (Amazon)

3.  This piece on "the year in snacks" is in no way practical but it is good for a couple of chuckles. (Grub Street)

4. Who knew the color of egg yolks makes a difference in the quality of pasta? (Broken Palate)

5.  I didn't realize that the already pretty perfect croissant was up for reinvention but change is good, I guess.  (Food & Wine)

6.  The uber-colorful dinnerware and serveware from this brand automatically elevates your table setting game. (Amazon)

7.  I'm also obsessed with this colorful cookware that is super high quality and makes your kitchen look like you've mastered the joy of cooking. (Macy's)

8.  This beautiful vegan cookbook is jam-packed with soulful, Southern inspired recipes and food history that even non-vegans, like myself can greatly appreciate. (Amazon)

9.  Those of us who miss going to great restaurants for memorable meals may not realize the devastating impact the pandemic has had on the entire industry. Here are a few ways to help support restaurants and their workers.

10.  Did you know that I have a collection of colorful food recipes created by me and my Home Chef Extraordinaire (the love of my life) on the blog? 

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!

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!

I'll be wearing lots of dresses this Summer. It's not a fashion statement or a trend alert, my dear friends.

Let me explain.

One unseasonably warm day a couple of months ago, I was inspired to get a head start on changing over my thick, loungy, Lou & Gray sweatpant set-heavy wardrobe to my lighter, J. Crew t-shirt, shorts and Old Navy swing dress outfits. I went deep into my closet abyss and what I found was unsettling.

image above: Juliet in J. Crew Brocade Sheath Dress (no longer available but adore this similar one) Shoes: vintage Nine West (only available in Tan in very limited sizes)

Way in the back on a long forgotten rack were tons of brightly colored dresses. From dressy to casual, it was all there. Dresses I'd bought years ago, some dated back to 2010. And there was one thing they all had in common.

The price tags were still attached.

Finding one or two items each season may be acceptable but the haul I found could fill a small boutique. These "vintage" (my definition = items older than 10 years) finds were still in fantastic shape - no fading or moth holes. They were all in the same condition they were when I bought them.

I toyed with the idea of actually opening a virtual dress shop (Atelier Juliet?) but what I quickly realized is that I still loved almost every dress I found, they were all quite wearable and remarkably, most were still in very much in style.

Since we seem to be headed in the direction of our lives returning to some sort of normalcy, as vaccines for COVID become more available and some restrictions are being eased, my hope is that as the weather gets warmer, I will be more comfortable getting back to doing the types of activities that used to mean dressing up for the occasion. Or just dressing.

(left) Juliet in Polka Dot Tunic Dress by Ann Taylor (no longer available but here's a style I LOVE, Bag: Gifted (similar style here), Shoes: vintage Nine West (no longer sold), (right) Sweater Dress by Ann Taylor (no longer being sold but I love with the print on this one), Shoes: vintage Nine West (only available in Tan in very limited sizes)

So while I won't be shopping for new clothes anytime soon, perhaps you will be. Maybe you already have weddings to attend, in-person meetings or dinner parties on your calendar. Or perhaps you'll be like me and take any opportunity I can find to put on something other than the wide leg pants I've come to adore and the long sleeve stretch t-shirts that have become my daily uniform.

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!

I've collected some of the prettiest, brightly colored dresses (available in lots of sizes and price points) in vibrant solids and fabulous prints that I could find to give you some options for whatever chance you may have, casual or formal, to show a little or a lot leg! Shop my finds below!

1.  Kobi Halperin Sophie Printed A Line Dress

2.  Johnny Was Cabot Mixed Print Silk Dress - out of stock but this one and this one are lovely as well

3.  MICHAEL Michael Kors Chain-Print Fit & Flare Dress - sold out but here's a cute one.

4.  Lauren Ralph Laren Ruffled Georgette Dress

5.  Ramy Brook Olsen Rainbow Cable Knit Maxi Dress

6.  Tadashi Shoji Cap Sleeve Lace Gown

7.  Tommy Hilfiger Cotton Polo Dress - almost sold out of most sizes. Here's an alternative.

8.  Kasper Sleeveless Sheath Dress - sold out but this one's a goodie! 

9.  Calvin Klein Cotton Chambray Maxi Dress - no longer available but I love this one too.

10.  A.L.C. Mischa Cotton Printed Midi Dress

I hope you have fun shopping for Summer looks this year and until next time....

May your life be filled with COLOR!

Your weekly links are here! Thinking of redecorating or just love home decor? You'll enjoy this list dedicated to colorful living at home!

• Tennis superstar, Serena Williams' home in Florida gives color a chance to blossom and shine. (Architectural Digest)

• These water-based interior paints are formulated without the toxic carbon-based solvents. The company was founded by an interior designer that has a unique try-before-you-buy process plus color palettes that are dreamy.

• I believe a stunning, strategically placed floor covering can change the dynamic of a room faster than any other design element. (The Color Lab Blog)

• You may not immediately think of your kitchen as one of the first rooms in your home that needs an uplift but some of these kitchen ideas may have you rethinking color as vibe changer. (Real Homes)

• This glass as fine art gives the everyday flower vase new and luxurious meaning.

• Just in time for Spring lunches and brunches, these tableware accessories will make your place settings warm, light and airy. (The MET Store)

• This stylish couch comes in more than 30 colors which makes it almost impossible to not find a shade you love for any room in your home. (Apt2B)

• It's not lost on me that this talented 9-year old wallpaper designer and I share a first name, albeit spelled a little differently. (House Beautiful)

• Sconces have never been a home decor/design element that I felt particularly moved by until I saw these bejeweled beauties.

• This is a magical house. (Elle Decor)

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

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!