the color lab blog

It's that time of year when we realize the giving season has once again snuck up on us. This year, our holidays will be unlike any we've probably ever experienced. My family is now spread all across the world so our traditional family gatherings will certainly be technology driven (Zoom calls, FaceTime parties) but we will nonetheless come together to celebrate our love for each other, albeit in very unique ways.

I hope you love the products I recommend! This post 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!

 

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One tradition that won't change for us is the exchange of gifts and tokens of caring. I made sure that I got an early start this year since almost every present will be sent via some form of delivery service and this year will prove to be quite a challenge. So while I was in the midst of my shopping frenzy, I thought I'd try to make your gifting adventure a bit easier. 

SHOP MY COLORFUL HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES

 

I've gathered some pretty cool gifts that are sure to accommodate most budgets, from wallet-friendly to luxury. I hope there's something for everyone on your holiday shopping list. Since I live and breathe by beautiful, vibrant colors, I curated these Gift Guides using the colors I was inspired by from the Pantone Autumn/Winter 20/21 Trend Report! It's a palette that harkens back to a time when the classic colors were in vogue, when abundance did not mean necessarily mean excessive. These shades won't lessen your sense of creativity but will enhance your desire to create unique self statements. Some of the items you'll find in these Gift Guides are from Amazon and with a Prime Membership you get special benefits including FREE 2 DAY SHIPPING - always important but especially at this time of year.

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So, get out your list and head over to The Color Lab Shop and shop-by-color now!

 

 

SHOP MY COLORFUL HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES

 

 

FROM OUR PARTNERS 

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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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

WARNING: This dish is NOT for those with tender taste buds. Stay away if when you think of spicy or hot foods, you think of buffalo wings or chicken curry. This time, the Home Chef Extraordinaire went full on blow-the-roof-off-your-mouth with his version of the Jamaican classic Jerk Chicken Wings. His process is not traditional, meaning these wings were not smoked and slow-cooked over an open fire, but as someone who has had Jerk Chicken prepared in that manor, this rendition is remarkably close.  

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!

 

To achieve the intense level of flavor for this dish, you might think that the prep time would be extensive but even though there are a lot of ingredients necessary to build the savory heat, this meal is so easy to make, you'll want to call on it again and again when you're in need of something fierce and fiery on the menu. As always the Home Chef Extraordinaire kept the cooking simple and healthy with the use his formidable power blender and air fryer. And the beautiful serving platter he selected makes this dish all the more spicy! (The platter seen here is currently unavailable but I love this one too!) Have no fear and give this delectable dish a try. The recipe is ready for you below:

 

 

Jumpin' Jerk Chicken Wings

 (serves 4)

Ingredients

2 spring onions, roughly chopped
1 sprig of thyme
1 fresh red Scotch bonnet, stems removed and roughly chopped
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp ground allspice
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp ground nutmeg
1 tbsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp dried parsley
1 tbsp white pepper
1 tbsp ground cumin
2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp brown sugar
1-12 oz bottle Red Stripe lager or any amber lager beer
3 lbs chicken wings, cleaned, tips removed, drums and flat separated

Directions

1.  ADD all ingredients except chicken wings into a blender and mix well to create a marinade.

2.  PLACE chicken wings in a large sealable refrigerator bag. Pour marinade into the bag. 

3.  SEAL bag and toss chicken wings so they are well coated.

4.  PLACE bag into refrigerator and marinate chicken wings for 1 hour. (Marinate for 12-24 hours for more intense flavor)

5.  PLACE marinated chicken wings into a pre-heated air fryer. (Alternatively, chicken can be placed on a foil lined baking sheet and baked at 400 degrees, about 45 minutes)

6.  COOK chicken wings in air fryer on the Chicken setting - 25 minutes at 380 degrees.

7. SHAKE the air fryer basket about halfway through cooking.

8. REMOVE the chicken wings and place on a serving platter.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Magnetic Measuring Spoons from Spring Chef

We surprisingly received quite a few invitation to 4th of July festivities this year. Some of our friends have made the decision to continue with the tradition of outdoor BBQs, cocktail parties and the like. And while we appreciate that they have tried to pull off these events as safely as they possibly can (small gatherings, hand sanitizers and promises to monitor social distancing), we're not quite comfortable with the idea of group socializing yet. So we'll be wishing everyone well via video and thoroughly enjoying the weekend at home watching the hit Broadway musical, Hamilton, now streaming on Disney+, sips of wine on our porch among the hanging plants, herb gardens and citronella incense and delicious meals from the home chef extraordinaire. 

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!

This weekend, we get to indulge in his Turkey Burgers with Asian Slaw. The flavors are just so yummy. He's added some of his tasty Shoestring Sweet Potato Fries and has done almost the entire meal in his magical Air Fryer. 

While everything in this meal is delectable, the Asian Slaw is a standout. The flavors are so well balanced, you can also serve it as a side for any Summer weeknight lunch or dinner for the entire family. With the Turkey Burgers and Sweet Potato Fries, prep to plate is under 1 hour! You'll find the recipes below:

Turkey Burgers with Asian Slaw

serves 4

INGREDIENTS

Asian Slaw 

2½ cups shredded cabbage

1 small white onion

½ carrot, grated

1 tbsp dried cilantro

2 tbsps rice wine vinegar

2 tbsps low sodium soy sauce

2 tbsps brown sugar

1 tbsp sesame oil

1 tbsp low fat mayonnaise

Salt & pepper, to taste

 

Turkey Burger Patties

1 lb ground turkey (85/15)

2 garlic cloves, minced

½ tbsp ground ginger

2 tbsps hoisin sauce

1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce

2 tsp sriracha 

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

1 cup panko breadcrumbs

Sesame seed hamburger buns

 

Sweet Potato Fries

2 large sweet potatoes, cut into shoestring strips

2 tbsp olive oil 

2 tsp salt

½ tsp paprika

½ tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

 

DIRECTIONS

Asian Slaw

1. MIX together the cabbage, onion, carrots and cilantro in a large bowl.

2. WHISK together the vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, mayonnaise, salt and pepper in a small bowl.

3. TOSS the vegetables with the vinegar dressing and let the Asian Slaw marinate for 3 minutes.

Turkey Burger Patties

1. MIX all of the patty ingredients together in a large bowl until combined.

2. FORM the turkey mixture into 4 patties and set in the refrigerator.

3. SELECT PREHEAT on your Air Fryer and press START. Alternatively, you can heat a frying pan to Medium HIgh on your stovetop. NOTE: the stove top method will take up to 10 minutes longer.

4. PLACE the turkey patties in the preheated air fryer or frying pan.

5. COOK for 10 minutes at 400 degrees. Remove, cover and set aside.

Sweet Potato Fries

1. SELECT PREHEAT on your Air Fryer and press START. Alternatively, you can heat a frying pan to Medium HIgh on your stovetop.

2. ADD the cut sweet potatoes to a large bowl and toss with the oil until the sweet potatoes are evenly coated.

3. SPRINKLE in the salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder and onion powder. Mix well.

4. PLACE fries in preheated air fryer baskets and cook for 10 minutes at 400 degrees. Make sure to shake the baskets halfway through cooking. Or pan fry the sweet potatoes until tender.

To plate, place a turkey burger patty on top of an open sesame seed hamburger bun. Top the burger with a serving of the Asian Slaw. Add a serving of the the Sweet Potato Fries and ENJOY!

 

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