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      the color lab blog — summer colors

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      Color Craze: Spectra Yellow and Flame

      Spectra Yellow and Flame - JulRe Designs LLC

      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! 

      Spiked Turmeric Lemonade

       

      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:

      Spectra and Yellow Flame Style Board

       

      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!

      Juliet's Signature 

       

       

       

      FROM OUR PARTNERS 

      Macy's logo

      Color Craze: Limelight and Sulphur Spring

      Limelight and Sulphur Spring - JulRe Designs LLC

      You can depend on this color combo to bring the summertime sizzle. Limelight and Sulphur Spring bring new meaning to brightness! They're eye-catching but never gaudy. Always current and filled with the promise of life at its most vivid. 

       

      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!

       

      We've been seeing variations of this color duo in fashion for years. Glowy neon yellow-greens have become a staple in activewear and accessories. I designed these Lemon Tree Earrings using these vibrant shades and will always have this palette somewhere within my jewelry collections. But I'm seeing it pop up more for home interiors lately and I love the trend!

       

      Noritake Co., Inc.

       

       

      I'll admit, I'm not brave enough to incorporate it into my home in a substantial way but I will use it to accent in an area that craves energy. The kitchen below has a proportionate balance that refreshes the senses and doesn't overwhelm. This highly functional room is a natural fit for such "health-conscious" colors.

       Green Color Schemes - Better Homes & Gardens

      image: Better Homes & Gardens

       

      Bathrooms are unsurprisingly another perfect space for colors that pop. I adore the floor-to-ceiling tiles as a bright focal point. Green and clean!

      Energy Green Bathroom - Elle Decor

      image: Elle Decor

       

      The color palette is so appealing that I've used it in our company branding and incorporated shades of Limelight and Sulphur Spring into my design studio. Although the slippers chairs you see below are no longer available, this one is a new favorite!

       

      JulRe Designs Studio

      image: JulRe Designs Studio, South Orange, NJ

       

      Bloomingdales

       

      If you're not filled with the audaciousness that the tones of Limelight and Sulphur Spring require, then I've selected 6 fab, fun home decor items that will let you dabble with these high volume shades without a huge, long-lasting commitment. Have fun shopping below!

       BADASH CRYSTAL Evergreen Vase - Macy's PHILIPPE DESHOULIERES Arcades Green Dessert Plate JONATHAN ADLER Carnaby Nesting Dish
      InterDesign Spa Rectangular Trash Can | Amazon Jamie Young Small Curved Pendant Light | Bloomingdales
      MEDARD DE NOBLAT Ikebana Mug - Bloomingdales

       

      For more color and home decor inspiration, check out my Color Craze: Limelight and Sulphur Spring board on Pinterest!

       

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

       

       

      Love, Juliet

       

       

      The Met Store - Scarves

      Colorful Closet: Why I'll Be Wearing Lots Of Colorful Dresses This Summer

      Colorful Closet: Why I'll Be Wearing Lots Of Colorful Dresses This Summer

      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.

      Juliet's Spring Dresses with Price Tags

      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.

      Juliet in vintage Spring dresses from her closet

      (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!

       

      Elizabeth Arden Free 6 Piece Gift with any $37.50 Arden Purchase! $91 Value! Valid 6/16-7/6

       

      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!

       

      Love, Juliet

       

       

        

       

        

       

      Hanes.com

      Colorful Closet: Activewear in Pulse-Racing Neon

      Color Craze: Activewear in Pulse-Racing Neon - JulRe Designs LLC

      Juliet in NIKE Swoosh Sports Bra (a newer version here), FILA SPORT High Waisted Leggings (similar ones here), RYKA Influence Cross Training Shoe (available here)

       

      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!

       

      There isn't a color palette more exciting than Neon. Punchy, supersaturated hues never go out of style. From Brilliant Blue to Lime Punch to Super Pink, Neons were created to excite. I'm a child of the 70s and 80s who remembers having fluorescent neon posters and black lights that turned my outrageously loudly colored bedroom into my own personal disco complete with strobe lights and Donna Summer and Chic blasting on my record player. Back then, Neon was on trend and fashion statements in these megawatt colors were made daily. So are you already saying, "There's no way I can wear these hues"? I get it. Today, they get trotted out on the fashion runways every few seasons and as a lover of bright, bold colors, I appreciate that. But my commitment to this palette has been long lasting and I don't fear pushing the color envelope with all of that vibrance.

      Pantone Neon Colors

      Pantone Neon Colors

      If you dare, start with a little pop of neon with your basic neutrals for everyday. A belt or a purse. Maybe a cute sandal. Or better yet, go all in during your workouts like I do which is a great way to see that there is no need to fear the brightest of brights. There's a Neon shade(s) for everyone!

       

      My Color Mood at the Color Lab Shop

       

      To help you dabble in the this pa-POW palette, I've assembled some of my favorite activewear that will not only help to elevate your heart rate, wearing Neons may even give you an extra boost of happiness to help you enjoy your workouts as you power through. Shop my 8 activewear finds in hot colors below!

      Color Craze: Activewear in Pulse-Racing Neon

       

      1.  ALEADER Women's Running Shoes - Amazon

      2.  GLOBAL BANK Slim Fit Workout Jacket - Amazon

      3.  SWEATY BETTY Stamina Longline Sports Bra - Nordstrom (no longer available but here's another good one!

      4.  EPIC MMA Gear Yoga Shorts - Amazon

      5.  SPIRITUAL GANGSTER Self Love Leggings - Nordstrom (SOLD OUT but LOVE these!)

      6.  247 VIZ The Reflective Vest - Amazon

      7.  ADIDAS ORIGINALS Tinted Belt Bag - Amazon

      8.  CHAMPION Women's Essential Double Dry V-Neck Tee

       

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

      Love, Juliet

       

       

      Hanes.com

       

       

      Color Collective: 10 Links to News & Hues, Vol. 4

      Color Collective: 10 Links to News & Hues, Vol. 4

       

      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)
      • 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)

       

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

       

       

      Love, Juliet

       

       

      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!