According to all the self help experts… you must love yourself before you can truly love another…right?

Sounds to me like a great excuse to show yourself the love- treat yourself to a little something special that says “I won’t wear my heart on my sleeve…but I will wear it on my shoes and bags!”

You’ll be stylishly feeling the amore all season long!

(from top to bottom) handbag from DKNY, Oscar de la Renta heart and ikat flats, lips hair comb from Azzaro, broken heart slippers from Stubbs and Wooten, sunglasses by Cutler and Gross, Flirtatious perfume from Flirt!, Geri gold and diamond lip necklace, Moschino heart bag, YSL flip flops and lip shoes by Christian Loubitin

all photos from Elle.com

Nevertheless the red roses, candies and cards inevitably show up on store shelves almost immediately after the Christmas and Hanukah decorations are put on clearance and shortly after our New Year’s resolutions are on their way out…

We always hear about the love stories, the cards and even the heartbreak, but what about the hue that has forever been tied to February 14th? Why red? Why not blue or green or purple?

According to Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute and author of “Color: Messages and Meanings,” red is the most viscerally alive hue. It is the symbolic color of the heart, strong-willed and expresses emotion. Red is linked to love and passion, and is the most physical color in the spectrum. Physiologically, red is the call to the adrenaline glands to get the body and senses activated.

Word association studies invariably show red to be perceived as the most sensual of all the colors – a perfect hue for a day traditionally set aside for people to express their love for one another.

So whether you dread Single Awareness Day or embrace that certain someone on the national day of love, you can at least dress the part and know why.

Sweater set from JCrew

A Valentino runway stunner – Fall 2007 couture from Style.com

In fact I would say it’s been the month- and perhaps even the holiday weekend- of the LGD ( little gold dress ). From starlets to fashion spreads to fashion opinions, the little gold dress it seems, is the trendiest sheath of the season.

So if your looking to add a little timely sparkle to your year end/beginning traditions, perhaps a little gold number is all you need…

In Style’s website suggest two different LGDs as the perfect party dress for the holidays.

Vogue gave gold dresses an entire spread in it’s December issue.

Baazar spotlighted gold sequined and embellished dresses in their December and January issues.

Both December covers of Lucky and Bazaar feature starlets in a LGDs.

Elle.com choose a photo of Kate Moss in a one of a kind Top Shop LGD for their look at the 25 best dressed of 2007.

Coincidentally Style.com choose the same pix of Kate Moss for there look at what to wear this New Year’s Eve. Wow, fashionistas sure love Miss Moss in this dress!

Today’s “Fashion Faceoff” on People.com just happens to feature Carrie Underwood and Kim Kardashian wearing the same Jovani gold sequin dress.

While Us magazine picked this metallic gold Alexander Wang Dress to as their “Who Wore It Best?“ for this holiday weekend.

People.com takes a look at the trend with images of Eve, Hilary Duff and Vanessa Hudgens all wearing LGDs on the red carpet.

And what will I be wearing this New Year’s Eve?… Will I partake in this trend…

Well- no doubt I’d love to show up wearing this 3.1 Phillip Lim dress on Monday night, but with a $625 price tag ( and a very tired post-holiday credit card ), this little gold number from Forever 21 is more of a reality!…. I love the idea of pairing it with dark grayish/blue tights…. I may just try this look at home ( minus the hair crimping, of course.)

In celebration of the holiday I thought I would share a few of the holiday decorations I viewed recently.

Holiday Glamour Tree designed by Jamie Drake

Glamorous gold adds a warm glow to the holidays and shines beautifully as it adorns the Holiday Glamour themed tree that greets guest at the Four Seasons Hotel in the Georgetown section of Washington, DC.

The decorated tree is the creation of master designer Jamie Drake of Drake Design Associates in NYC and was one of the trees up for auction at the Georgetown Jingle charity event held to benefit the wonderful Pediatric programs at Georgetown University Hospital.

Jamie has created some of the country’s most dynamic, distinctive, and livable interiors for everyone from Madonna to New York City Mayor Bloomberg. He recently completed the renovation of Gracie Mansion, the ceremonial residence of the Mayor of New York.

In addition to having a phenomenal ability to work his magic in both traditional and contemporary interiors, he uses color boldly, fearlessly, and with great flair. What a talent! I’m a big fan of his and enjoyed seeing him while he was in DC.

Jamie Drake with Kate at the Georgetown Jingle

The beautiful suzani fabric from Donghia seen in my photo with Jamie Drake above and the one below was the inspiration for this festive tabletop designed by David Herchik of JDS Designs.

A suzani is delicate needlework on cloth and has been part of Central Asia’s folk art history for centuries. Donghia has updated the suzani with unexpected colors while capturing this time-honored art in its true form.

One Thousand and One Nights of Hope designed by David Herchik

The jewel tones celebrate the mysticism of far away lands and set the mood for a modern holiday dining experience. David’s delightful wit shows up in his designs as he mixes fine china and crystal with bright acrylic flatware.

The design and decoration of the tree created by Robert Pahnke and Susan Pilchard reflects the style, color, simplicity and rhythm of the artist of the Washington Color School.

In the style of the Washington Color School artists

The bold color, scale, design particularly pay homage to Gene Davis a key painter of the movement. The bright white tree illuminated with white lights create a backdrop reminiscent of the walls in Jefferson Place Gallery and show off the painting of fabric that twist around the branches from bottom to top.

This tree is a beautiful reminder of a time when Washington, DC was in the forefront as the United States developed their own movements in the arts.

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…

• Cross’s Apogee Ballpoint Pen

• Yellow Leather Post-it Note Holder With Pen

• J.Crew’s Torino Scarf

More fun gift ideas in a spectrum of color choices…

• International Arrival’s Rainbow Photo Pack

• Gap’s Cable Knit Beanies

• Dransfield and Ross Coaster Sets

• iPod Socks

• Crate and Barrel Leather Card Cases

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…

When I open my mailbox to find a brand new sparkling issue, I swear my serotonin level doubles- it’s kind of a sickness.

But some good can come from this obsession of mine…. I’ve decided each month to do a wrap up on what my favorite magazines are saying about color- a quick flip through the trends and ideas that keep us inspired each and every month.

“Red is not a color for sissies, but you can’t go wrong with this orangey red that reminds me of carved cinnabar boxes from China. It’s warm and cheerful with chintz. Or add a coat of gloss for a lacquered effect and the room will feel like a glamorous jewel box. go out and buy two buckets of red and change your world in a weekend.” designer Todd Romano talking about Farrow and Ball’s “Blazer 212″- “Color For Coziness”… House Beautiful

“The allure of jet-setter style is irresistible: graphic black and white against a polished interior best exemplifies the globe-trotting gourmet high life.” Elements of a Room/ Chalet Style… House & Garden

“At it’s best, plum evokes royalty and is as rich and elegant as it is interesting, adding an unexpected dimension to upholstery or even tableware. Plum is every-where these days, and it’s utterly classic when done right.” The color you need now… Southern Accents

“Shades of gray…a pair of deep, gentle hues, combined with bright-blue accents, create a dreamy, restful retreat.” Paint palettes… referring to Benjamin Moore’s Rushing River and Nightfall… Domino

” I’ve realized going to the extreme with one color is fun when you play off different textures.” fabric designer Kitty White talking about decorating her own home… Cottage Living

“I choose my menu based on color a lot of times. I love a colorful plate of food, but not necessarily a colorful plate. If I’m serving on fiestaware, I might not put as much thought into the menu as I would if I were serving dinner on Russel Wright white plates, for example.” actress and author Amy Sedaris talking about the affect color has on appetite… Metropolitan Home

“Metallic- Get ready, get set, and go for the gold- not to mention the silver, bronze, copper and more. From fabrics that shimmer to wall coverings that shine, there is a mine’s worth of precious metals out there guaranteed to put a gleam in your eye” from Trend alert…Elle Decor

“All is bright- for her annual Christmas Eve dinner, Gael Towey ( chief creative director of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia ) dresses her New York City brownstone in an unexpected holiday color- pink… the table, dressed in rosy pink linens and bejeweled with pink roses and shining lusterware plates”… Living

“Usually strict evergreen loyalists, we fell in love with this cotton-candy-ish conifer. It’s unabashedly festive, and you don’t have to strap it to your car to bring it home. Traditional trimmings wouldn’t cut it, so we wove jumbo lights in and out of its branches, then dangled glass globes and plastic balls, which have the sheen of soap bubbles “ from Glow and Behold- holiday decorating… Blueprint

“Gifts Galore… shades of coral, winter whites, peacock palette, candy colors” holiday gift ideas… Town and Country

“I like to give my friends the royal treatment with gifts of sparkly metallic finishes and crown motifs.” Mary Emmeriling on what she will be gifting this holiday…Country Home

“Hot colored appliances- it used to be that purchasing an orange or yellow mixer constituted a commitment to colorful decor in the culinary zone. But now, with manufacturers introducing major appliances in vivid shades such as cobalt blue and deep burgundy, you can make a statement from the kitchen to the laundry room”. from Fresh Faces: New this season… Home

“Juicy News, Ripe tangerine and turquoise are bountifully in season” Elle Fashion Trends… Elle

“I think the color is a translation of all the energy that’s in London,” says David Saunders, a fine-art-print designer who put together his bright, geometric first collection under his David David label this season. State of the Union, Sarah Mower spotlights the most optimistic, color crazed collections to come out of London in years…Vogue

“Pearly Whites, pristine and cool, a frosting of pearls gleams on a quilted bag, silk shoes and an angelic necklace.” Scene Stealers accessories… In Style

“Equal parts playful and ladylike, jewel-toned pieces add the perfect jolt of color to my winter wardrobe.” Hope Greenburg, fashion director from- what I want now, editor’s picks… Lucky

“It was a year of rainbow brights. Style setters worked the room and the photographers in bold blues, steamy reds, and fiery yellows.” from Best Dressed 2007- Primary Colors… Harper’s Bazaar

As a quick note, before I close my first post on the subject, I must mention my personal sadness upon learning that House & Garden’s December issue would be their last to print. I absolutely loved that magazine! I read Dominique Browning’s editorials each and every month and devoured every beautiful issue. Their website, blogs and art direction were a huge inspiration to us as we were developing this site. Our best wishes for a successful creative future to all those involved!

I just had to share these fabulously colored eggs with you.

They were dyed and photographed by the very creative John Suler. Visit him on Flickr to see more of his photos.

So, what is the most popular color of Easter egg dye?

Americans love the color purple, according to a survey by Paas, a company that makes egg decorating kits.

Thirty percent of those responding to the survey picked purple as their favorite color for egg dying.

Teal ranked second (17 percent), followed by green (12 percent), and red (11 percent).

An estimated 180 million eggs got a splash of color for Easter this year.

What is your favorite color to dye an Easter egg?

Read more…