the color lab blog

I live in sweatshirts. Even before the pandemic, I'd perfected my work at home style and included a vast array of joggers and wide leg sweatpants plus coordinating sweatshirts in ALL the colors.

But as we have begun to come out from hiding a bit more, I figured I had to find some way to utilize the comfort and ease of sweatshirts for even the dressiest of occasions.

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!

Since I'm still on my hiatus from purchasing new clothes (it's so hard!), I've had to become a bit creative with what I do with what already exists in my closet. I've found that styling my sweatshirts is actually very easy!

If you look at these versatile tops just like you would any other blouse, sweater or cardigan, it makes putting together unique looks quite simple. I'll admit, you do have to change your view of what a sweatshirt actually is but since they now come in so many styles, prints and colors, it should be a smooth transitional shift to your fashion sensibilities.

 

 

 

 

For instance, here's a daytime look I styled using a very simple sweatshirt:

 

 

SHOP THE LOOK

1.  AMAZON ESSENTIALS Crewneck Sweatshirt

2.  JULRE DESIGNS STUDIO Color Drop Earrings in Toffee Chalcedony and Carnelian

3.  PRADA Round Sunglasses - Bloomingdales

4.  COACH Soft Tabby Shoulder Bag - Bloomingdales

5.  LYSSE Textured Faux Leather Leggings - Bloomingdales

6.  TORY BURCH Jessa Loafer Flats

7.  JULRE DESIGNS STUDIO Color Drop Choker Necklace in Tiger Eye and Sunset Yellow Chalcedony

 

 

Using the same sweatshirt in a different color, this is an outfit you might try for a not-so-dressy-not-too-casual Holiday party or date night look:

 

 SHOP THE LOOK

1.  JULRE DESIGNS STUDIO Vishuddha Earrings

2.  AMAZON ESSENTIALS Crewneck Sweatshirt

3.  SAINT LAURENT Tweed Cap Toe Pumps - Bloomingdales

4.  THE DROP Maya Silky Slip Skirt - Amazon

5.  ETIENNE AIGNER Ella Small Woven Satchel - Bloomingdales

6.  JULRE DESIGNS STUDIO Ella Cuff Bracelet in Black Smoke

 

I suggest pushing the sleeves up to elbow length and perhaps a casual tuck in to the waist of either of these looks gives them a fresh appeal.

You can also interject a little fun into your sweatshirt collection! Tie-dye, embroidery, blouson sleeves and fun quotes or sayings are all ways of expressing your individuality with this versatile top.

I've collected a few of my lively faves below for you to shop and get creative with to style your own looks:

SHOP THE STYLEBOARD

1.  POLO RALPH LAUREN Printed Sweatshirt - Bloomingdales

2.  WHISTLES Joie Graphic Sweatshirt - Bloomingdales

3.  BILLY T Stardust Embroidered Sweatshirt - Bloomingdales

4.  SANDRO Sun Graphic Sweatshirt - Bloomingdales

5.  STYLE & CO Animal Print Sweatshirt - Macy’s

6.  INC INTERNATIONAL CONCEPTS Printed Off-The-Shoulder Sweatshirt - Macy’s

7.  ADIDAS ORIGINALS Essentials Fleece Sweatshirt - Macy’s

8.  RBX Fleece Pullover Sweatshirt - Amazon

9.  EYTINO Color-block Tie Dye Sweatshirt - Amazon

 

So there you have it - sweatshirt style that's fun, easy and ready for your action-packed life or the one where lounging is the primary activity!

 

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

 

 

 

 

I love to cook! Cooking is therapeutic. Dicing and chopping, slicing and dicing, grilling and chilling....it's all so cathartic. Using the finest fresh ingredients and high quality cookware is a thrill!

Here's the thing. I don't have time to cook anymore and while I try to squeeze in a meal prep on slightly less hectic weekends, my intentions are usually thwarted by some unexpected business task or just utter exhaustion.

Luckily, I live with the most intuitive home chef I've ever met. I'm not exaggerating when I say his skills with the skillet are incomparable.

He doesn't use cookbooks and he seems to have no need to plan. (Although he does say that he consults with this cookbook for inspiration from time to time). He can take whatever food is available in our kitchen and make magic.

 

I hope you love the products I recommend! This 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!

 

Most of his meals are filled with color. Sometimes the palettes seem to be so expertly coordinated that I have ask if he worked with a color chart to create the dish.

While he says it's coincidental that his meals have vibrancy and depth, I'd like to believe he has a creative eye for composition and detail and that some of me and my deep love of color has rubbed off. (You should know that I see art in everything, even food.)

 

 

His latest masterpiece was mindblowingly simple yet tasted just as layered and flavorful as many dishes I've consumed in fine dining restaurants. Also it's meatless so you can add it to your Mondays and vegetarians can enjoy. Perfect for lunch or dinner, this meal can be prepared in 45 minutes or less! 

Vegetable Color Blast Bowl 

serves 2

Ingredients

1 large sweet potato, cubed

1/2 cup of fresh corn kernels  (frozen corn can be substituted)

1 cup of brussel sprouts, shaved

1 cup fresh carrots, shaved or chopped 

1 cup fresh kale (frozen kale can be used)

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon curry powder

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt to taste

Olive oil spray or 1 tablespoon virgin olive oil

1 cup brown rice

 

Directions

1. Cook brown rice according to package instructions.

2. Place all ingredients except brown rice and kale in an air fryer (we love this one).

3. Spray a light coating olive oil on the vegetable mixture and cook in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Alternatively, add virgin olive oil to a saute pan at medium temperature and saute vegetables until tender.

3. Steam the kale until tender.

4. Serve by layering brown rice first, vegetable mixture, then top with steamed kale. Enjoy!

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Cocktail or beverage? I'll let you decide. My Blood Orange Ginger Iced Tea is my last ditch effort to hold onto Summer for as long as possible.

However there really is no reason why this drink can't work for Fall as well. Just substitute cold tea for hot. The flavors will still be refreshing and delicious!

The flavor of Blood Orange is similar to the orange fruit we know and love. But there's a layer of berry-ness that gives it a richness that is almost wine-like.

Ginger is a fragrant spice with a slightly peppery undertones and a sweetness that is warm and zesty.

I love citruses all year long and the richness of blood orange is smooth and satisfying, not at all tart and biting like some can be. The addition of ginger makes this drink extra special!

This beverage is great for lunch, brunch or partytime. Or just when you need a liquid pick-me-up. 

And with only 3 ingredients, you can whip up a pitcher in no time! 

Watch my how-to video or follow the complete recipe below for all you need to add my Blood Orange Ginger Iced Tea to your home bar drink 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 Blood Orange Ginger Iced Tea

makes 1 drink

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 oz. Monin Blood Orange Syrup
• 1 pump(s) Monin Ginger Concentrated Flavor
• 7 oz. fresh brewed tea (here's the infuser pitcher used in video)

Glass: Tall/Pint

Garnish: orange slice, mint sprig

Glass Size: 16 oz.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Fill serving glass full of ice.
2. Pour ingredients into serving glass in order listed.
3. Pour mixture into cocktail shaker and back into serving glass to mix.
4. Add garnish and serve.

 
Until next time, let's raise a glass to living a life filled with COLOR!

 

 

 

 

After the tumultuous times the fashion and accessories industries have endured, it's time to celebrate the return of the biggest runway show ever, New York Fashion Week!

Unfortunately, many designers and creators were not able to sustain the heavy financial losses that have been the industry's regrettable fallout from the pandemic.

The stories of the struggles of designers to keep their doors open has been heartwrenching. Non-profit organizations like ICON360 were created to help support established and emerging designers during these times however so many have been unable to reinvent or recreate themselves and their companies in economically sustainable ways.

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!

 

 

So the fact that New York Fashion Week has returned at all, albeit at a smaller scale and much more virtual, is reason to celebrate that the art of fashion is not dead and the tenacity of the many talented professionals in the field remains intact. The high levels of passion and creativity are inspiring to me as a designer who has experienced my own challenges to keep my dreams alive.

So.... a celebration is definitely in order! I've collaborated with my jewelry designer alter ego to create a GIVEAWAY for you that's all about fashion AND color!

GET THE DETAILS AND ENTER BELOW!

 

 

 

image: Regina Andrew Design Bubbles Chandelier

 

My Colorful Quarters series is always about the cost effective ways you can add color to your home without having to completely renovate the spaces that need a refreshed look. This edition is all about one of the simplest, often forgotten way to make your style and functionality upgrades without breaking the bank.

A lighting fixture update can have a huge impact on your home’s interior design, so get inspired by some of the ways you can update your home’s lighting!

COLOR YOUR WORLD

Whether you're going for a simple, streamlined contemporary vibe, a flavorful, eclectic bohemian look or just matching your own decor vibe, adding a bit of color with your lighting fixtures is an easy way to inject a new dynamic in any room you want. 

Choose colors that suit your personality or the mood you are trying to create. Looking for peace and calm in your bedroom? Try adding pale greens or soothing blues to the shades of your nightstand lamps. Want to turn up the heat in in an otherwise cool, sedate living room? Be daring and hang an ornate orange chandelier or place a brilliant red floor lamp beside a comfy reading chair. The options are endless!

image: Avram Rusu Studio/HGTV.com

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!

 

FIXTURE MIXTURE

There are many types of fixtures for you to choose from: 

Chandeliers make the most eye-catching impact. Because they are often looked at as large fixtures, dripping in opulence in a foyer or over a formal dining room table, they are often not a consideration, but they are actually quite versatile and now come in many different shapes , sizes and of course, colors. If you want to create an exciting focal point in any room, they are a fantastic option. 

 

 image: HGTV.com

 

 

 

 

Sconces are the fix for any area you want to bring to life. Whether you use them to spotlight artwork hanging from a wall, feature a beautiful door or to frame a bathroom mirror, they can be an inexpensive option to add color and pop anywhere you desire!

image: Laura Swimmer/Coates Design Inc. via HGTV.com 

 

LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE

Lighting fixtures styles don't just end with Chandeliers and Sconces. Take an existing floor or table lamp, switch out the traditional white shade and add a colorful and/or patterned one for a vibrant room transformation. Use red to add high energy and intensity. Add bronze or gold metallics to create elegant warmth. A strategically placed textured purple shade can provide a regal sophistication. Or opt in to joy and happiness with a cheery yellow. 

I was inspired by the fun I had searching for lighting fixtures for a client's room refresh project that I decided to share a few of my finds for you to shop from the product board below: 

 

 

1.  Regina Andrew Design Malibu Chandelier - style is no longer available but here's an interesting alternative.

2.  Anxwa Firefly Agate Chandelier - sold out but here's a very similar one 

3.  Monaco Table Lamp

4.  Louis Poulsen AJ Sconce

5.  Safavieh Quatrefoil Table Lamp

6.  Versailles Floor Lamp

7.  Decor Therapy Framboise Fringe Shade Floor Lamp - size no longer available but here's a smaller version.

8.  Ripple Pendant

9.  Avedon Mini Table Lamp

10.  Livex Ardmore Pendant

 

Until next time, live life in COLOR!