the color lab blog

You may have met our JulRe Designs Lifestyle CFO (Chief Fun Officer), the indomitable, narcissistic and sarcastically comedic tuxedo feline, Sparky on some of my social media pages. He is a Maine Coon mix that we adopted from the wonderful Atlantic County Animal Shelter in my hometown of Pleasantville, NJ and we are smitten.

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!

He has an incredibly complex personality (moody changes to feisty within seconds) and is keenly aware of the power of his cuteness. He uses it with an unrelenting abandon to get whatever it is that he desires. From his very specific food preferences to his predilection for toys that are noiseless and contain abundant amounts of catnip, @SparkyBooBoo is our resident cartoon character. If you are a pet lover, follow his colorful adventures on Instagram.

 

If loving pet parents are being honest, we will admit that from time to time  we've succumbed to the adorable and perceived whims of our animal-children. I raise my hand as a guilty party. I have spoiled Sparky and I no longer run my own house but he brings so much joy to my family that his unwitting narcissism, created in large part by my actions, is something that has become an acceptable price to pay for the happiness of our dear kitty.

 

 

So with his fondness for a very fixed list of daily use items, I thought I'd share what it takes to keep our furry friend healthy, happy and purring while also helping us maintain his care with ease. Here are a few of Sparky's favorite things:

 

 

1.  Yeowww Catnip Toys  (see the video above for Sparky's real-time review)

2.  KeBuLe Cat Laser Toy (keeps your cat excited and engaged!)

3.  Bergan Turbo Cat Scratcher (see the love below!)

 

 

4.  WOPET Automatic Pet Feeder (great for feeding kitty on a schedule)

5.  Petmate Eco-Friendly Breakaway Cat Collar (safety first!)

6.  Spot Sponge Soccer Balls (for a game of toss that doesn't destroy the house!)

7.  Hertzko Self Cleaning Grooming Brush (oh, the feel-good the purrrrrs....)

8.  PetSafe SlimCat Meal-Dispensing Toy (perfect for snacks!)

9.  Burt's Bees For Cats Natural Dander Reducing Wipes (sulfate and paraben free! Smells wonderful!)

10. Best Friends by Sheri OrthoComfort Deep Dish Cuddler (cat cushiness!)

 

Pets can bring joy and happiness to our lives yet there are so many animals who aren't as fortunate as Sparky is to have a loving, caring family. Too many don't have homes, are being treated with cruelty and indecency and need warmth and kindness. There are wonderful organizations that were founded on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment at the hands of humans and must be protected. If you can find it in your heart, please adopt a pet from a reputable shelter. If taking care of a pet in your home is not possible, please consider donating to our favorite, the ASCPA through Sparky's fundraising page or to any of the other organizations that believe in the humanity of animals.

Until next time, may your life be filled with happiness and COLOR!

 

 

 

 

My new Colorful Mocktail is....(drumroll)....this healthy take on a traditional Lemonade. The addition of Turmeric, a natural anti-inflammatory compound, makes it good FOR you. It's my salute to Summertime and it's just the right drink for picnics and cookouts. Every time I've served it, I run out, no matter how much I prepare. I've been asked for the recipe more times than I can count so I'm taking that as a sign that I should share it with everyone!  Watch my how-to video or follow the complete recipe below for all you need to add my Spiked Turmeric Lemonade to your at-home mocktail list!

 

 

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!

 

 

 

JULIET'S SPIKED TURMERIC LEMONADE

makes 1 drink 

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! 

 

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:

 

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!

 

 

 

 

FROM OUR PARTNERS 

Spring has sprung but only on the calendar in the Northeast. Cold and rainy days lead to frigid nights with the occasional burst of warmth and sun. While it may be a few more weeks before the weather actually reflects the season, I've moved ahead with my budding bevy of beverages.

To start things off, I give you a celebratory brunch booster - my Prickly Pear Pink Champagne. A friend from my taste tester group has already served this pretty-in-pink, slightly sweet, subtly tangy bubbler at a baby shower and it was a hit!

 

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!

 

 

 

 

 

For those who aren't fans of super sweet drinks, this one's for you. With just 5 ingredients, it's a quick fix for a party, warm weather meal or any joyous gathering. Try my recipe below or you can see how I put it all together in my REELS on Instagram.

 

Juliet's Prickly Pear Pink Champagne

makes 1 serving

INGREDIENTS

• 6 oz. St. Regis Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Brut or your favorite champagne 
• 1/2 oz. Monin Desert Pear® Syrup
• 1/2 oz. pineapple juice

Glass: Champagne/Flute

Garnish: lime

Glass Size: 8 oz.

 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Fill serving glass full of ice.
2. Pour ingredients into serving glass in order listed.
3. Stir gently to mix.
4. Add garnish and serve.

 

Drink colorfully!

 

 

 

 

 

 

You may have noticed that I've been M.I.A. from the blog for over a month. Life has an unpredictable flow - sometimes it moves at a snail's pace then suddenly lifts you out of your comfort zone and tosses you into unfamiliar spaces with no instruction manual. That kind of explains the last few weeks of my life.

I've moved my personal and professional lives to a brand new city with brand new energy. It's been exciting and unsettling. Anyone who has moved into a new home knows that it takes a village but we only had a tiny hamlet. The adventure continues....

What is beyond me is that while most everything has been unpacked and put in its proper place, there are still some items from my kitchen that either lost their way, decided they weren't willing to make the move with us or have just vanished into thin air. I thought hosting a small dinner party last week for a few friends was a good idea but in the process, I had to repurchase many things I thought I already had. 

One thing that was on my side was that I was able to catch a few fabulous sales on dinnerware, drinkware and cookware. Here are a few things I bought or want to buy for cooking and entertaining that may still be available at great prices:

 

1.  These knives are so durable and stay sharp.

 

OUR PARTNER