20th Dec. '07 • Category: Fashion & Beauty • Tags: fashion, garnet, gift-ideas, jewelry, red
Authored by Kimberlin Brown
Being born in January means you have GORGEOUS garnet as your birthstone. Lucky for us it is jeweler Kimberlin Brown’s birthstone as well and today we posted an article on Sensational written by Kimberlin about this regal red gem.
I was most surprised to learn that this amazing stone comes in a virtual rainbow of choices not just red.
19th Dec. '07 • Category: Holidays & Occasions • Tags: Christmas, gift-ideas, holidays
Authored by Julie Hoylen
It happens every year- you’re left with that one person on your gift list that has you completely stumped- perhaps it’s a brother who has everything, an overly picky best friend who never seems satisfied or a co-worker whose name you picked for the office gift pool- but you barely know… whoever it may be, the big question remains- “what do I give”?
Well I found myself recently in this same gift conundrum-(let’s just say to be fair, my friend has high standards !) What could I possibly give her that would possibly wow her without breaking the bank? I discovered it was as simple as using a little color knowledge, to turn a practical purchase into a spectacular gift!
Start with a simple gift that anyone would be happy to receive- a beautiful ball point pen, a warm, cozy scarf or an ipod case for example- in a color that best represents who you think that person is. Then on the gift tag, explain to the lucky recipient why you choose the color.
For example…. you gift your brother with a red ballpoint pen, the message being ” Red represents action and confidence, it increases enthusiasm and stimulates energy…. just like you do everyday for your family!”
A yellow leather post-it note holder for your co-worker’s desk with the message-”yellow represents optimism and creativity… just like you bring to all of the office meetings”
And just so you know…. my picky friend will find herself opening a lovely, soft winter scarf in the perfect shade of purple because- “purple is the color best worn by those with mystic and royal qualities”- a true fit for her “inner- princess”!
Read more about the messages and meaning of color- you’ll never look at gift color choice the same way again!
and just in case my gifts might work for you, visit…
More fun gift ideas in a spectrum of color choices…
17th Dec. '07 • Category: Fashion & Beauty , Category: Holidays & Occasions , Category: Home & Garden • Tags: gold, holidays, metallics, silver
Authored by Julie Hoylen
We’ve been writing a lot about the popularity of metallic colors over this past year. Whether it be fashion, home, garden, technology or automotive- the shimmery hues of pure metal truly appeals to designers and consumers alike.
Elle Decor’s look at the trend of metallics
So I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that advertisers and retailers gravitated to this trend for the holidays. After all it’s glitz is both sophisticated and festive.
But while silver seemed to be on everyones minds this summer and fall ( remember those silver ballet flats that were on everyone’s must-have list), gold seems to be the hot metallic to ring in the new year!
Everywhere I look lately there is a golden glow- as Gold is the color du jour for fashion, home decor and even advertising.
Just take a look at how these companies are enticing shoppers to “go for the gold” this holiday….
Gucci choose a golden palette for both their jewelry and newest fragrance campaigns.
Macy’s featured an all gold accessories campaign for the holidays.
Donna Karan named her newest fragrance Gold, while the ads for both Sarah Jessica Parker’s Covet and Fendi’s Palazoo seemed to be dipped in gold dust.
Burberry choose to feature their iconic trench in gold for their winter campaign, while Coach followed suit- showcasing a golden version of their famous signature C motif.
Bebe and Arden B., known for their spicy apparel use gold to rev up the sex appeal even more- in a Studio 54 kind of way.
Mikimoto’s golden pearls and Neiman Marcus’s gold clad model exude to consumers a desire of pure materialistic luxury!
The newest ads for American Express feature a jet-setting Beyonce decked out in all gold- Do you suppose she coordinates with her gold American Express card?
Have you noticed a golden glow in ads lately?
Some of what we’ve said about glamorous gold recently…
Metalics at home
Metallics in garden
Metallics you wear
Liquid Gold
Glamorous Gold
Gold shines as “Color of the Year”
Next, I’ll be taking a look at the trend of gold for holiday fashion and home decor…
14th Dec. '07 • Category: Fashion & Beauty , Category: Home & Garden • Tags: blue, color-forecast, color-trends, purple
Authored by Kate Smith
The gorgeous hue Blue Iris was chosen as the color of the year for 2008 by Pantone a global authority on color.
The color of ocean and sky, blue is perceived as a constant in our lives. As the collective color of the spirit, it invokes rest and can cause the body to feel calm and isn’t a feeling of calm just what we are seeking as the world around us becomes more complex?
Purple gives Blue Iris a sense of mystery and luxury. It takes blue from tried and true to new and intriguing.
Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute shared with me that they chose this blue-purple blend because it is a color that represents the overall color direction Pantone sees for fashion, cosmetics and home products in 2008.
Wellspring palette from the Pantone Home Furnishings Forecast
While blues and purples are shown across the eight Pantone palettes they make an especially strong showing in Wellspring a palette described as, “Universally understood as cleansing and clarifying and as the world’s most precious commodity, water provides the Wellspring that literally supports and sustains life.”
“Blues and aquas clearly define the liquid’s cooling and more soothing qualities, highlighted by a glimmer of effervescent undersea green, violet and indigo. The undulating tones of mother of pearl and sandy shades of the shore bring a beautifully warming balance.”
More on Pantone’s color of the year on Color Pro…
12th Dec. '07 • Category: Destination Color • Tags: travel
Authored by Kate Smith
I am so please that CMG featured my article on Marrakech in the Winter 2007 Color Chips. The photos they added look great!
If you’d like to read the article it is available on Sensational Color.
Also you might want to look back at Jaima Brown’s post Blushing Beauty which she wrote shortly after her recent trip to Marrakech.
Another great read is the blog My Marrakesh. Maryam does a wonderful job of giving us a view into an American families quest to build a guest house in Marrakesh. The pictures and writing are both inspirational.
Enjoy the journey to this colorful destination…even if only virtually.
