the color lab blog

Palazzo, pajama or bell bottom? It doesn't matter what you call them because wide leg pants are the answer to the comfort conundrum. I'm reluctant to stuff myself into anything called "skinny" or things that fit tight and snug anymore. Except leggings, but that's another blog post. I'm happiest when I'm loose and free and can bend down without my pants feeling like painful sausage casings. 

{Image above} Juliet is wearing: Leopard Sweater by J. Crew Merchantile and Pants by J. Crew Collection: (both no longer available but similar ones here and here | Shoes: Nine West (no longer available but love these | Earrings: Custom by JulRe Designs

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!

{Image above} Juliet is wearing: Cropped Hoodie by Uniqlo (out of stock but similar style here | Pants: Lou & Grey | Sneakers: Keds | Hoop Earrings: (gifted but similar ones here) | Handbag: Gifted | Custom Earrings: JulRe Designs

A friend complained that fuller pants made her look larger. They might, in some cases but that's a small sacrifice when you no longer wish to be tied to trends that don't allow you to function as a movable human being. I'd rather look a bit fuller than to feel constricted and uncomfortable. Comfort first!

Image above: Juliet is wearing: Teddy Coat by Zara (no longer available but similar style here | Sweatshirt and Pants: Lou & Grey | Handbag: old but love this one | Boots: Nine West | Custom Earrings: JulRe Designs Studio

While I understand that the voluminous silhouette may not be everyone's fit choice at first, consider that the fashion world has made some very chic and polished versions along with styles that are in soft, creamy, loungy fabrics so your styling options are vast. 

So get loose, be free and check out some of my favorite wide leg pants below!

1.  Karen Kane Printed Wide Leg Pants - SOLD OUT. Love these!

2.  Coolibar Enclave Wide Leg Pants

3.  Lauren Ralph Lauren Wide-Leg Satin Pants - a different style here.

4.  AQUA Ribbed Wide Leg Slit Pants - This option is fab!

5.  Alice & Olivia Athena Printed Wide Leg Pants - This print is no longer being sold but I adore this style.

6.  DKNY Striped Pull On Pants - No longer available. These work wonderfully for Fall.

7.  AMiERY Comfy Casual Pajama Pants

8.  INC Tie-Dye Wide-Leg Sweatpants - SOLD OUT. These are fabulous too!

9.  Adidas Original Primeblue Wide Leg Pants

10.  standards & practices Sophi Cropped Palazzo Pants

11.  Alice & Olivia Dylan High Waist Wide Leg Pants

12.  CULPOS x INC Sequined Wide Leg Pants - No longer available but these are the perfect alternative

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

At the time this post was written, there were 38 days until the end of the Summer season. The CALENDAR end.

I'm always a little annoyed at things that have unwritten rules based on nothingness, like "don't wear white after Labor Day" or "Pumpkin Spice Lattes are Fall drinks". Who says? Who is this invisible authority figure that puts arbitrary timetables on everyday living? 

Margaritas have long been associated with warmer times, beach vacations and paper umbrellas. But I'm here to break the cycle of seasonal rule domination by declaring Margaritas a colorful mocktail for all seasons.

My Blue Agave version is a refreshing mix of bitter citrus and spicy with a side of mild sweetness. It's a cocktail for ALL seasons. 

Watch my how-to video or follow the complete recipe below for all you need to add my Blue Agave Margarita to your home bar repertoire!

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 Blue Agave Margarita

makes 1 drink

INGREDIENTS

• ice
• 2 oz. tequila or tequila alternative
• 1 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz. Monin Blue Curacao Syrup
• 1 oz. Monin Agave Organic Nectar
• lime slices
• salt

Glass: Margarita

Garnish: lemon, lime, salt rimmer

Glass Size: 14 oz.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Fill serving glass full of ice.
2. Pour ingredients into cocktail shaker in order listed.
3. Add ice from serving glass.
4. Cap shaker and shake to mix.
5. Slide a lime slice around the rim of serving glass.
6. Dip serving glass into a salt rimmer.
7. Pour ingredients back into serving glass.
8. Add garnish, serve and enjoy!

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

This post is not about a particularly healthy meal. I know I try to highlight foods in this Colorful Eats series that represent our good-for-you way of eating. But in these challenging and uncertain times, occasionally a little decadence is called for. Sometimes demanded.

So when the Home Chef Extraordinaire was trying to come up with his next creation, he went blank. As he struggled with concepts he thought you would enjoy, his writing pad remaining empty for hours, I tried to make some admittedly lame suggestions and after he returned a long blank stare, I offhandedly quipped "Why not NOT cook at all?".

It turned out to be the lightbulb in the refrigerator moment he needed. He tossed around a few fantastic ideas with me, some of which will make the blog at later dates.

Since it's almost football season and we are big fans (Kansas City CHIEFS, y'all), we're always in search of the best game time snacks. And what could be more perfect than a beautifully carved wood board rendered invisible by hoards of artisanal meats and cheeses!

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!

We were new to the world of Charcuterie when we started this project, having only experienced these tantalizing spreads at parties. We've admired the creativity involved in the placement of each food element and wondered if we could create our own delicious, colorful (of course) and aesthetically pleasing version for next Sunday's game.

We set out for our local Whole Foods Market to see what ingredients we could discover. We had no real strategy and no list. And it turns out that's the best way to design your own board. No need to overthink it. Just go with what looks good, tastes divine and appeals to your eye.

Just remember - if you choose to go meatless, don't call it Charcuterie. There are rules - meat MUST be involved, so sayeth the cured meat gods. It becomes a snack board without them but those are wonderful too! Here's how our Charcuterie experience took shape:

1.  We found the right board to build our platter. Large cutting boards, marble slabs, slate boards or ceramic platters are great options.

2.  We selected a variety of meats. Traditional Charcuterie is all about cured meats but since we wanted to stay nitrate-free, we chose Colameco's prosciutto, sopressata, chorizo and salami. This brand also uses no antibiotics and their meats are minimally processed.

3.  Cheese? Please! There was an overwhelming array of hard and soft cheeses to choose from. You can't go wrong with your selection. Stay true to your taste buds. We went with cheddars, brie, gouda and gorgonzola.

4.  Pitted greek and black olives were a must plus some brilliant red Peppadew sweet piquante peppers, roasted garlic cloves, cornichons for good measure.

5.  A sliced french baguette and lightly salted crackers were important for creating bite-sized stacks. With all of the savory-spiciness, we balanced the board with a delectable Blood Orange Marmalade, Hot Pepper Jelly, Fig and Ginger Jam and a variety of mustards from Stonewall Kitchen.

6.  For fresh fruit, we went with grapes because we already had them but berries and dried fruits are good too.

7.  You can certainly use a variety of nuts but we decided on carmelized walnuts because once we tasted them, nothing else mattered.

8.  To up the fancy factor, add some fresh rosemary or mint sprigs.

9.  Serve with your favorite wine or beer. More important than anything else, have fun arranging and eating your Charcuterie board!

When it comes to color, I haven't written the book but I sure have READ the books. One thing I know for sure, color is so much more than what can be gleaned by the naked eye. Color influences our perceptions, touches our deepest emotions, and moves our decisions.

We have always existed in a color-filled world but we are rarely aware of the impact color has in our daily lives. Through books we can take a deep dive into the ways in which color has influenced our understanding of our global community, our differences and our commonalities.

From the sun-drenched beaches of the Mediterranean to the works of Impressionist artists, these books are both tools for expanded knowledge and simply yummy reads.

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!

Curl up with these books for a little trip down colorful highways and byways or display them on a coffee table to entice your guests. Here are 9 favorites from my personal library:

1. Color: A Natural History of the Palette by Victoria Finlay - The author is a genius at expanding our knowledge of color through the ages.
2. Pantone: The 20th Century in Color by Leatrice Eiseman - The quintessential book on how color has expanded our horizons from the "house that color built".
3. The Rainbow Atlas: A Guide to the World’s 500 Most Colorful Places by Taylor Fuller - Travel takes on a renewed importance when you take in the beautiful bucket list places profiled.
4. Black Is A Rainbow Color by Angela Joy - Not necessarily a book on traditional colors, per se, but one of the best children's books on skin color, race and culture written from a child's perspective.  
5. Interaction of Color by Josef Alber - The literal bible of color theory, this book has helped shape my color career and continues to be a guide for my jewelry designs.
6. The Colorful Kitchen by Ilene Godofsky Moreno - Plant-based foods never looked (or tasted) so good! A vibrant book of vegan recipes from a fellow New Jersey native (and somewhat of a neighbor).
7. The Color Scheme Bible by Anna Starmer - A must-have book for a map to bringing new life to any room through color and other home decor inspiration.
8. Bisa Butler: Portraits by Erica Warren - Artists who use color in a manner that evoke strong emotional responses are my jam! Bisa's work not only speaks, it shouts loudly and with passion.
9. Flower Color Theory by Darroch Putnam - Ever wonder how floral artists create such seamlessly elegant flower arrangements? This book will have you heading to the nearest farmer's market or flower stand to grab a few bouquets to play with.

You can depend on this color combo to bring the summertime sizzle. Limelight and Sulphur Spring bring new meaning to brightness! They're eye-catching but never gaudy. Always current and filled with the promise of life at its most vivid. 

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!

We've been seeing variations of this color duo in fashion for years. Glowy neon yellow-greens have become a staple in activewear and accessories. I designed these Lemon Tree Earrings using these vibrant shades and will always have this palette somewhere within my jewelry collections. But I'm seeing it pop up more for home interiors lately and I love the trend!

I'll admit, I'm not brave enough to incorporate it into my home in a substantial way but I will use it to accent in an area that craves energy. The kitchen below has a proportionate balance that refreshes the senses and doesn't overwhelm. This highly functional room is a natural fit for such "health-conscious" colors.

image: Better Homes & Gardens

Bathrooms are unsurprisingly another perfect space for colors that pop. I adore the floor-to-ceiling tiles as a bright focal point. Green and clean!

image: Elle Decor

The color palette is so appealing that I've used it in our company branding and incorporated shades of Limelight and Sulphur Spring into my design studio. Although the slippers chairs you see below are no longer available, this one is a new favorite!

image: JulRe Designs Studio, South Orange, NJ

If you're not filled with the audaciousness that the tones of Limelight and Sulphur Spring require, then I've selected 6 fab, fun home decor items that will let you dabble with these high volume shades without a huge, long-lasting commitment. Have fun shopping below!

For more color and home decor inspiration, check out my Color Craze: Limelight and Sulphur Spring board on Pinterest!

Until next time, keep living a color-filled life!