the color lab blog

So the super home chef/man in my life has another hit meal to share! As is his cooking modus operandi, this dish is colorful, easy to make, healthy and delectable. If you're in need of a delicious lunch or dinner idea and love fish, consider his appetizing recipe below. The secret sauce? Prep time is minimal and the Air Fryer gives the fish a perfect crispness without a batter. 

 

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!

 

 

Salmon and Fettuccine Fiesta

serves 2

Ingredients

1 lb salmon filet

1 pack of refrigerated fettuccine pasta (we like this brand)

3-4 garlic cloves, sliced

¼ cup diced onions

¼ cup diced black olives

1 medium green pepper, diced

2 tbsp olive oil

½ cup sundried tomatoes in olive oil, sliced

¼ cup black olives, diced

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried oregano

½ tsp dried thyme

¼ tsp red pepper flakes

1 cup diced tomatoes

2 bay leaves

Freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt to taste

1 cup fresh chopped spinach (frozen spinach in a bag can be used)

1 tbsp butter or buttery spread

 

 

 

Directions

1. Saute garlic, onions and peppers in olive oil.

2. Add sun-dried tomatoes, black olives, basil, oregano and pepper flakes. Stir and cook on medium heat for 2 minutes.

3. Stir in fresh tomatoes and bay leaves. Cover pan with lid and simmer for about 20-30 minutes to create a sauce. 

4. Slice salmon into serving sizes and season with salt and pepper. Take 1 tbsp of the sauce and drizzle over salmon.

5. Place salmon in air fryer at 350 degrees for 8 minutes (for medium doneness). Alternatively, you can pan fry the salmon in a little olive oil.

6. Cook fettuccine according to package instructions. Drain.

7. Steam spinach until tender. Once done, season to taste and toss with butter.

8. Serve by layering each serving with fettuccine first, spinach, salmon, then top with the rest of the sauce. Enjoy!

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

I’m not the silent type. But I also am not the type that needs shout out about everything that I do. I've always known I had a voice thanks to incredible parents who encouraged me as a child to speak my mind, even when it went against their principles. They always listened to my young, naive perspective. Sometimes they would agree with my vision. Most times they would counter with whatever parental directive they thought was appropriate and we would move on. Even if I didn't get my way, it never stopped me from saying how I felt because I knew, at least I would be heard. As a Black woman, I don't always get that same level of respect. But I move forward in my power and speak my mind, even when others may not be listening. The senseless murders of my people that have been spotlighted in recent days and weeks are not new. History is sadly still repeating itself. What’s new is that modern technology has made it possible for ALL to see the atrocities that have been happening to people of color for many lifetimes. The sudden bursts of causal energy that I’ve been seeing are always necessary and welcome but what’s needed more than anything is a lasting passion and a committed fervor for blasting out hate, injustice and inequality. That requires talking to people to gain knowledge, listening to those whose opinions may differ from yours and doing the important work that is parallel with your life vision. And while I may not be a shouter, I am definitely a do-er. ⁠⁠

If you are searching for ways to make your voice heard, here are a few suggestions:⁠

⁠
VOTE⁠
Make sure you can be heard by electing local, state and federal government officials who are aligned with your beliefs. If you need to register to vote or want to check your voter registration status, you can get started at Vote.org or RockTheVote.org.⁠
⁠
SUPPORT⁠
Identify organizations that are doing the hard work of fighting social injustice and racial inequality. Volunteer to help or donate. As an example, through our Giving Is Easy program, my company is donating 100% of the proceeds from sales of jewelry from a specially curated collection to several organizations we believe are standing for what’s right and just. ⁠I am personally matching every dollar spent. We salute Color of Change, Innocence Project and When We All Vote. 
⁠
TALK AND LISTEN⁠
Conversations with family, friends or co-workers on social issues can be very difficult, but they are some of the most powerful ways to create change. My life partner, a Black man, recently had one of these tough conversations with a co-worker. She, a White woman, asked him how he was doing in our current climate. She admitted that he was the only Black person that she really knew well. That, in itself, saddens me but if we don't travel in the same circles, for whatever reason, this is reality. In an effort to compliment him on being such a great co-worker, she quipped "You are the whitest Black man I've ever known!". My partner says he was immediately taken aback and deeply offended but he felt this was an opportunity to help create change and understanding. He explained to her that Black men don't aspire to be White men. We value who we are and love the skin we're in. He went on to say that all Black people want is to be respected for who we are and afforded the same rights as all human beings should be. It was a stressful interaction, I'm told. But when they ended the dialogue, they both felt a deeper, more meaningful understanding of the other. That's a step. When you decide to really open your eyes, ears and heart to speak truth, you become the change, and in turn, a real giver and do-er. ⁠
⁠
May we learn to live in love, compassion and harmony. Through our collective ongoing actions and efforts, we can help erase the scourge of hate.

Peace & love,

⁠

We need color in our lives now more than ever! The power of the countless shades, hues and palettes that are so prevalent in our daily lives is often diminished and sometimes completely overlooked. The brilliance of bright, cheery colors uplifts. The subtlety of pales and neutrals calm and soothe. The intensity of hots and vibrants can inflame and incite. So it is inevitable that our feelings and emotions would be tied to the colors we see.

The Color Lab Blog has been my playground for trend-watching, especially trends that connect us to color.  At the beginning of every season, global color authorities come out with their version of what they think hues people will be wearing or furnishing their homes with. My Spring/Summer 2020 Color Trends Report is all about a palette I feel is fresh, invigorating, and bold enough to command attention when attention is needed. I honor this palette's collective commitment to making the world a joyful, color-filled place by sharing these carefully and painstakingly selected choice of colors for the life you now live.

 

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!

 

SHOP BY COLOR AT THE COLOR LAB SHOP

 

These are the colors I'm coveting for the rest of this Spring and through the Summer season of 2020:

COLOR VIBES

Poppy Red - a soft, pink-red

Radiant Yellow - golden brilliance

Artichoke Green - earthy and exuberant

Blue Jewel - an intense classic

Carrot - an energetic, vibrant orange

Cockatoo - a lively, green-blue glow

Blooming Dahlia - subtle and alluring pink-brown

Tandoori Spice - a warm, tangy brown-red mix

Prism Violet - a rich, intense purple

 

And since I'm a sucker for a great dress, I found a few budget friendly choices from Amazon in 3 of these shades for you to wear once we can safely socialize in a brand, new way. Shop the styles below 

GRACE KARIN Women Sleeveless Deep V Neck Casual Cocktail Pencil Dress

 

 

MUXXN Women's Vintage Style Wrap V Neck Tie Waist Cocktail Dress

 

 

HANPCEIRS Women's Boatneck Swing  Cocktail Dress 

 

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

 SHOP BY COLOR AT THE COLOR LAB SHOP

 

 

image: abc carpet & home, New York, NY

Over the years, I have found that decorating with pillows is one of the easiest ways to refresh your home and incorporate new patterns, textures, and colors into your decor. And as a PwPP (Person with a Pillow Passion), I exercise my right buy colorful cushy cushions whenever I can. One such shopping excursion took me to one of my fave pillow emporiums in New York City, abc carpet & home, where I found a plethora of pigment-rich pillows in incredible fabrics.

image: (top left, clockwise) Master Bedroom, Living Room, JulRe Designs Studio, Master Bathroom

There aren't many rooms in my home that haven't been touched by a pillow treatment or two, but that's not because I have an obsession. I mean, I do but that's not really relevant, is it? And though the standard square pillow will always be my go-to classic, other shapes such as bolsters and lumbars are the perfect way to add even more appealing optics to your pillow pastime.

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!

 

Here are some tips on how to decorate with pillows of many shapes and sizes:

It's Hip to be a Square Pillow 

image: Missoni Home Pasadena Pillow

PILLOW TALK: While a good square pillow can hold its own, placed solo on a chair or stacked in multiples on a sofa, the shape coexists well with others. Use them as a foundation for a pillow arrangement: Place two squares with an striking lumbar or bolster pillow for a stylish, cohesive look.

 

Long and Lean: Lumbar Pillows

image: Yves Delorme Tonga Decorative Pillow - Bloomingdale's

Lumbar pillows are those chic rectangular shaped cushions you're not quite sure what to do with. Their name is derived from the support they offer to the lower back but they offer a unique design element to any room. You can find them in many sizes, from standard (around 14″ x 22″) to oversize (typically 60″ in length.)

PILLOW TALK: Lumbar pillows are typically used as a focal point—the pièce de résistance in the position of prominence of a pillow grouping. But this versatile style can do it all solo. Try using a pair as armrests at the ends of a couch for a contemporary look.

 

Raise the Chic Quotient: Bolster Pillows

image: Harbor House Crystal Beach Quilted Bolster Pillow - Macys

Long, cylindrical bolsters are similar to the lumbar pillow in that they come in a wide variety of sizes and can be used for both back support and decorative purposes. They are a bit more traditional due to their shape.

PILLOW TALK: As member of the lumbar family, the bolster is often seen as the on-the-bed rockstar, but I also love it alone on a quirky chair or at the ends of a dramatic daybed.

 

The Unorthodox: Uncommon Shapes

image: Cyprinus Carpio Creative Knot Throw Pillow - Amazon

From updated classics like cube and box pillows to quirkier designs such as spheres, stars, and animals, an offbeat pillow may be just the touch of whimsy your room needs.

PILLOW TALK: Use them anywhere you'd place a standard throw pillow! Mix and match with other comfy, loungy cushions for super coziness.

Want to try a new pillow or two? I've got 20 goodies so shop my 20 cushy cushion picks below:

 

FOR MORE HOME DECOR IDEAS, SHOP THE COLOR LAB SHOP

 

 

 

This isn't my typical post about a single color or color palette. It's about an enduring trend that's currently seeing a resurgence in popularity. And while this trend is everywhere right now, its lasting power is testament to its impact on design in all areas. You see it in fashion almost everywhere and interior designers and home decorators have been using it homes and offices for years. So it begs the question, are animal prints an oversaturated, long-running fad? It depends on your level of tolerance for it. Personally, I love the craze so much I've treated it like I would a neutral color and incorporated my fair share of leopard, zebra and cheetah prints into my home and wardrobe.

image: left to right - my leopard print coat from LOFT (no longer available), desk chair by World Menagerie at Wayfair (no longer available, but here's a similar style you may like)

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!

 

 

But I have a strategy for its usage. Trust me, I've seen my fair share of crimes of the animal print kind. Overdoing these prints is easy to do. The repetitive patterns are intense so they require a light hand. But if you use my plan of action, in this case, for your home, you can use animal prints to create a very warm, inviting, creative vibe for any room and keep it from looking like you are hosting a wildlife conservancy.

image: Furnishings Mogul, Holly Hunt's Chicago Apartment - Architectural Digest

Start by adding one item to any room that needs a refresh or an energy boost. That item can be a massive piece of wall art or a porcelain vase placed prominently on an end table. Rugs are also a good choice for giving a small but powerful update to a room in subtle colors by creating an enlivening focal area that immediately draws the eye to it. Consider placing that remarkable table you adore or an antique desk on top of an animal print rug and you create a timeless conversation starter.

image: Bedroom from Decor Aid 

Or for a major impact move, you could use wallpaper in a smaller print for an entire room. Create movement and vitality in a space that needs a little texture. Find a print you love and run with it! 

image: Pinterest

  

 

I've uncovered 6 decor items that you can easily incorporate into your home, just to see if the animal print vibe is right for you. Shop my Animal Print Product Board below:

 

1. Kevin O’Brien Studio Snakeskin Print Oversized Velvet Throw

2. Popular Bath Gazelle Shower Hooks

3. Safavieh Lighting Collection Sahara Table Lamp

4. Bridgeport Home Maasai Mss3 Round Area Rug

5. DENY DESIGNS Leopard Heart Side Table

6. Gifts & Decor Leopard Lily Blossom Tealight Candle Holder Centerpiece

 

Until next time, live a color-filled life, 

 

 

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