the color lab blog — shopping

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!

Images (top left, clockwise): Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend National Park, Texas, 2020 by David Benjamin Sherry, Orange Handbags, Spooky Blooms from Bia Blooms, Healthy, Colorful Smoothies

• The renowned US edition of the annual art exhibition, Art Basel Miami Beach, concluded last Sunday. In the age of Covid, the online viewing rooms were a welcome sign that creativity will never be thwarted.

• 'Orange' you excited about the holidays? This color in a handbag is the perfect accessory gift with a built in uplift! (Amazon)

• Recipe of the Week: My Energy Blast Smoothie will give the boost you need to not only stay healthy but to level up your daily vitality. 

• Throwing it back to tie-dye with these comfy crew neck sweatshirts. (Champion)

• DIY Color: The Art of Gift Wrap - Recyclable Edition (nytimes.com)

• Florists are the world's greatest purveyors of color, IMHO. One of my favorites is the LA-based, uber talented @biablooms. When you're in need of some 'happy', stop by her Instagram page.

• And speaking of all things floral, the botanical design competition, Full Bloom on HBO Max is fabulous and totally binge-worthy.

• Can I just say that this color mixing game is so soothing that it's the one rabbit hole you won't mind going down? (Apple)

• This gorgeous book was created to help children explore color and its relationship to art from ancient times to present. (The MET Store)

• We're about to say 'so long' to Pantone's Color of the Year 2020 but I would be remiss if I didn't give a fitting farewell to deep, rich Classic Blue this Holiday season.

You can call me "old school" when it comes to my sneaker collection. Though I prefer the term "classic". I love lace up low tops with minimal soles in luscious suedes or textured walkabouts in brilliant prints and palettes.

And yes, I may be on the borderline of having an intense obsession (these images show about 40% of my entire sneaker cache) but the reason I'm in so deep is because this comfy shoe trend and I go way back and I'm nothing if I'm not loyal.

In the 80's, I wore sneakers as my commuter shoes for work. Thick soles and huge white laces were part of the corporate uniform for getting to the office comfortably. Then in the 90's I moved away from the somewhat orthopedic styling many sneakers had to what the cool kids were wearing - athletic shoe styling with brand identifying features like trademark swishes or a large felines.

Today, the comfort of the 80's shoes meshed with the sleek styling of the 90's sneakers is where I'm happiest. But as with everything else in my life, there must be color involved!

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!

PUMA Womens Suede Embroidered Floral Sneaker

There's nothing like a cute pair of sneakers to contrast with a pretty sundress or flowy, wide leg pants. My favorite way to wear sneakers is with t-shirt dresses for working in my studio and I'll slide them on with cropped pants and a tube top for cocktails on my porch (the new  "dinner club").  But more important than their trendiness, they must be COMFORTABLE. 

The brands I've worn for years have eliminated the need for me to make the choice between style and fit. I am particularly fond of Keds, adidas and Puma sneakers for their vast array of styles and colors. The adidas Originals Women's Campus and the Puma Suede Classic sneakers are fashionable throwbacks that come in major colorways. They're your go to shoes when you want to keep it casual. 

My best-in-sneakers award in the category of prints and colorful palettes that will put a smile on your face goes to the Keds x Rifle Paper Co. collaboration - it's a color and sneaker lover's dream come true. There's so much detail and artisanship with each collection, you won't be sure if you should actually wear them or display them. 

Keds x Rifle Paper Co. Anchor Happy Stripe Sneakers

Sneakers aren't typically thought of when looking to make a statement but I'd like to change that. If you haven't connected with these versatile accessories other than the pair you wear to the gym, give them a fashionable chance! I've rounded up a few more of my faves in cool colorways for you to shop below:

 This style is SOLD OUT. These are as equally as cute.

 Color combo is SOLD OUT but lots of colors here.

SOLD OUT - similar style here.

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

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!

Candles could be the most underrated items in the world of home decor. Not only do they create a certain ambiance when lit (THINK:  romantic, relaxing, refreshing), their scents, if desired, can evoke passion, a sense of calm or high energy. The same with using color in candles.

JulRe Designs Studio, South Orange, NJ

While white candles will always be readily available at all price points and will remain the standard because of their ease of placement within your home and their obvious versatility, there is something to be said about bringing them into full effect with the addition of color.

No gold glitters like that which is our own. - Eliza Cook

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!

As a jewelry designer, I have the privilege of working with many wonderful brides, helping them to create unique earrings and necklaces for their bridesmaids, mothers and of course, themselves. I'm always honored when I receive an invitation to their extra special day but due to my schedule, I'm often unable to attend. I hope to change that in 2020. I currently have 3 invitations and more may come but my super ambitious commitment is to attend every wedding. Once I made that decision, the heart-pounding panic set in. What am I going to wear? And since I'm not a "one dress for every event" type and I'm all in on any excuse to shop, I decided that the easiest solution would be to invest in a monochromatic capsule wardrobe that I could systematically create new looks from by starting with a few amazing dresses as a base and interchange accessories for each occasion. But color. What color would be right for almost every wedding whether it's during the day or at night, semi-formal or formal? I chose Metallic Gold for its ease and versatility. Shimmery colors the "glam neutrals" of the color spectrum. Gone is the time when shimmer was relegated for after dark affairs. Metallics, including Bronze, Silver and the ever-popular Rose Gold are easy to wear, can be found in almost every clothing store for every budget and in all sizes. 

Here is my capsule wardrobe, starting with 3 amazing dresses, all from Nordstrom:

dresses from left to right: 

GLITZY:  FRENCH CONNECTION Emille Sparkle Long Sleeve Sequin Sheath Dress

SEXY:  LULUS Love & Luxury Metallic Plissé Cocktail Dress

GLAMOROUS:  ELIZA J Ruched Evening Gown

A great handbag with exquisite detailing is a must for me but it must be functional as well. These 3 clutches from Bloomingdale's get my sparkly thumbs up!:

clutch handbags from left to right:

ROMANTIC:  Marc Jacobs Metallic Leather Clutch

SOPHISTICATED:  MICHAEL Michael Kors LouLou Envelope Clutch

CHIC:  From St Xavier Chevy Beaded Clutch

Finally, a comfortable pair of shoes complete the looks - HEAVY emphasis on COMFORT. Since lots of mingling and dancing are the 2nd best parts of any wedding (the nuptials are the 1st!), selecting the right footwear is so important. I don't normally associate comfort with a high heel. Frankly, I rarely find any that I can honestly say are a pleasure to wear but all 3 of the shoes I found at Macy's are well made and after considerable testing, I can say will get you through several hours of socializing without killing your feet. And they're gorgeous too!:

shoes from left to right:

STYLISH:  Vince Camuto Reesera Dress Sandals

CLASSIC:  kate spade new york Sterling Dress Shoes

POSH:  Katy Perry Rayann Ballet Flats

Don't be afraid to mix different shades and textures of whatever Metallic Gold or whatever metallic you choose. There are no rules! Gold on gold just works for almost any formal-leaning event! 

Until next time, here's to living a color-filled life!

P.S. Follow me on Instagram for a look at how I wear this looks at each wedding plus more color commentary!