the color lab blog — travel

Got the travel bug again? I definitely do but I'm playing it safe and taking short/day trips not far from home for now. Once it's safe to expand my horizons, I have a long list of places I'm headed to. This week's list will help you plan colorful trips of all sizes:

• If you need some destination ideas, I found this list of 21 of the best travel movies very inspiring. (Full Suitcase)

• Before you pull out the passport, check this list of countries that Americans can travel to. (NY Times)

• If the Caribbean is on your trip list, check out the Instagram feed of this travel enthusiast who also makes her hometown of Miami look really good.

• I'm not big on tour traveling. Call me a control freak but vacations shouldn't be about schedules and timetables. Nevertheless, a few of these international food tours would make me break my own rules. 

• Are you a light packer? These backpacks are the absolute best for IMO.

• This article about the safety of cruise ships was extremely surprising to me. (Yahoo News)

• Travel in style with one of these colorful and protective passport cases.

• Washington, DC has always been a weekend getaway destination for me. Despite all that has occurred there in recent months (and years), I can't wait to return to check out some of the places Vice President Kamala Harris frequents. (Travel and Leisure)

• Pop these in your carry-on for a luxurious moisturizing skin care treat.

• You'll be able to find your luggage on the airport baggage carousel with ease with one of these colorful spinners.

Until next time, may your life be filled with 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!

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.

Philly is a city of extraordinary textures, fabulous flavor and color galore. I spend as much time as I can there because its diversity of cultures, its devotion to the arts and its "let's do it all" spirit give me life. With every visit, I'm struck by how nothing ever stays the same - there's always a new adventure, in even the most familiar places, to be experienced!

Photos by Juliet at Material Culture, Philadelphia, PA

Check out my latest 60-second ColorStory from the City of Brotherly Love below. And I'm also sharing a place I discovered where dreams come true for the home decor obsessed!⁠ Take a look!

BLOG DISCLAIMER: This blog post was not sponsored but 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!

Got a minute? That's all you'll need to check out my ColorStory video from a recent weekend trip to Washington, DC. The city is so high energy and truly uniquely color-filled.

images (top left, clockwise): Colorful plant life at Washington Harbour, the Washington Monument pierces the bright blue sky,  Legendary rock and roll guitarist, Chuck Berry's bright Red 1973 Cadillac Eldorado at the National Museum of African American History and Culture

In my 60-second short below, I'm giving you a couple of great things to do during a short stay and I'm also letting you in on where you can find the best Bloody Mary in the District!⁠ Enjoy!

BLOG DISCLAIMER: This blog post was not sponsored but 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!