The Color Issue

Crayola "colored" Bubbles

2012-02-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

I was in Target the other day and as I was rushing to get some last minute things for dinner, I stopped dead in my tracks when I spotted this...COLORED BUBBLES! Of course I had to try them out! They had blue, green and fuchsia, so I got the fuchsia---(naturally ha).

I was so excited for Sage to play with them (and even more excited to see what the bubbles looked like)!

We ventured outside, and between the extremely fuchsia liquid (watch out...it STAINS) and the NOT SO fuchsia bubbles I was sorely disappointed. They really should call these Colorful (when popped) bubbles--b/c when they pop they stain whatever it lands on (in our case it was Josh's white sweatshirt and the sidewalk...he wasn't too thrilled)

Oh well, it entertained her for about 1.2 seconds--I mean really though how less fuchsia could these be? Moral of the story--false advertising gets me every time. dang it.

a colorful lamp shade accessory...

2012-02-21T06:00:00.000-08:00

I came across these fantastically colorful "things" from the Chic Shop. At first I thought they were cute bottle toppers like these. Than I realized I was completely wrong...these clever little "things" are for the tops of your lamp shades to "add character to even the plainest lamp"! How fantastic is that!?!

There are so many to choose from (but I narrowed it down to my favorites below). Of course I LOVE the Zulu Train Collection (handmade in Africa); and I really couldn't help but drool over the stone pieces in the "Rock -N-Rolla Collection"! It's like the cherry on top of your lamp shade...oooh I think I just might have to get some :-)

check out all the others HERE

Anthro has dog-gone-done it again

2012-02-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

I was in Anthropologie the other day and just HAD to take a picture of their window display! They took hundreds of wooden paint stirring sticks and painted them all different colors; then hung them from the ceiling with a piece of yarn. They were all different lengths, and not one was painted the same. It was SO NEAT!

How great would this display be at a baby shower (in pink or blue)...or at a reception when you first walk in!?! Or, at a birthday party hanging above the gift table...I mean the possibilities are endless!

Back in the day, I worked at Anthro (hey you can't beat that discount! ha) and was always in awe at the creativity behind the display team...simply amazing.

HAPPY PRESIDENTS DAY TO YOU ALL...nothin' like a three day weekend :-)
p.s. I found a place online that sells wood stir sticks for pretty cheap here... or you can get your own quote for a special quantity here. But I am sure Lowe's has good deals too!?!? This is surely on my things to do for my next party!

Color List

2012-02-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

I LOVE these bowls...they are not only super colorful, but also eco-friendly! Go figure?! I wish I had a kitchen with a wall of glass cabinets, simply so that I could display things like this! Some day. Some day.

Once again, the weekend is just around the corner--so here is a little eye candy for you to start it off!

***Oh and p.s. I bought RED lipstick you guys...yes I did! I will be posting about my find next week--still not to sure about it...but hey what the heck.

1. I want a whole vase filled with these...how beautiful!!!

2. Coldplay...your album design is amazing (and so is your music)

3. Get inspired by the color-inspirator

4. Amazing mini food artwork...cutest things ever

5. This doesn't have much to do with color...but my oh my it sure looks delicious!

6. Gold wedding gown...now this is about the closest thing to heaven

7. Peacock feather

8. A swimming rainbow

wearing green, red & orange...yay or nay?

2012-02-16T08:12:00.000-08:00

When I saw these photos of Katharine Mcphee I thought "now that is a trio of colors I never would have thought to put together...." and you know what, I think I really like it! Who would have thought that wearing red, orange and green together would look so chic?! I must say she really has come come a long way since her American Idol audition...:-)

What do you think of this...mimic or steer clear from?

The Color Run...

2012-02-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

I received a few emails about THE COLOR RUN and OH MY GOSH. I am totally in! How fun does this look?! 3.1 miles of color madness!!!! I love it. I have been slacking a lot lately when it comes to running (I use to be so dedicated **sigh key word USE to be ha), but when I saw this I got SO excited...what a great way to go out and just have some fun...some very bright, cheery, COLORFUL fun! Check out the site to find the city closest to ya--maybe I'll see you there! ;-)

I LOVE TODAY...BECAUSE TODAY IS ABOUT LOVE

2012-02-14T08:43:00.000-08:00

I remember I heard someone express how much they despised Valentines Day. They went off about how it just depresses them and what not. Then I will never forget what I heard from her friend who said "Valentines Day isn't about lovERS its simply about LOVE".
Isn't that such a great way to think of it?! It's a day to show our family and friends and those we love most just how much we appreciate them. Its a good excuse to bake heart sugar cookies, and make sappy/cheesy cards...its a day to heart attack a friends room or shower them with chocolate kisses. It is the one day where LOVE is thick in the air...and that is a great thing indeed!

My sister found this video...and I wanted to share it with you. Because I just love you all :-) Happy Valentines Day!

Valentines for You...

2012-02-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

I know I have said it time and time again, but I really do LOVE Valentines Day. So with that said, I decided to design my Valentines this year. I guess I felt like it gave it a more personal touch. Plus, I couldn't really find any little V-Day tags that I liked?!? So if your in the same boat as I was...here are a few to choose from that I put together. Go ahead...print them out and tie them onto a treat for your friends and lovelies! And of course...I hope you all have a wonderful day of LOVE...<3

Find printable version by clicking HERE

Ona Bag Giveaway WINNER!

2012-02-11T12:45:00.000-08:00

Okay...so I had the hardest time trying to figure out how to choose a winner for the Ona Bag giveaway. I normally use random.org but there were so many entries that I just didn't think counting through all of them would be the best way. I forget where I ended off, I lose my count...plus this was a HUGE giveaway. I wanted it to be done in a GREAT way.

So I copied and printed off ALL 541 entries (almost 30 pages worth!!!!)...I then took out all the double and triple entries (b/c that wouldn't be fair) and cut them into strips. Then I put them into a box...and let the "real queen of the house" choose a lucky winner!

And she did. And I think that lucky winner will be very happy!!! :-)

CONGRATS to Mrs.Duerrs!!!!

Email me your address (colorissue@live.com) so we can get it sent off to you!

Thank you ALL who entered...I truly wish I could have picked all of you. But now you know what to ask for for Valentines Day?!?! :-)

xoxoxox

Valentine Fortune Cookies...

2012-02-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, I attempted to make fortune cookies from scratch. Lets just say they didn't turn out...not even remotely close :-(. It's always a bummer when your ideas don't pan out the way you imagined. THEN I decided to take an easier route, and instead of making them from scratch...I used pre-made pie crust!!! (always my saving grace haha)

You will need:

-pre-made pie crust

-flour

-sprinkles

-red food coloring

-cup of water

-small brush

-small strips of paper with your fortunes typed or written

-11x17 pan

First, spread a little flour on the surface of your cutting board, just so the crust doesn't stick...

Next, lay out your crust and take your cup to cut out as many circles as you'd like.

Then lay them all onto your 11x17 pan, (if you're wanting them to be colorful, skip down a few steps)

and place your fortunes right in the middle...

Then you simply seal them up and close the edges nice and tight...

For the red cookies, I placed two drops of food coloring onto the dough and spread it with the brush. I let it dry for about five minutes...then put the fortune inside, and sealed them like I did the others. If you don't want any color, then just brush on some water and add your sprinkles!

I then placed them on the edge of a cup so that they would fold nicely. :-)

Once I was finished with all of them, I put them on the pan and cooked for about 8 minutes at 375°

DON'T FORGET***Today is the last day to enter the ONA Bag giveaway! :-)

p.s. I've gotten a few emails from people who mentioned that they're having trouble entering the giveaway. Thanks to my friend Ashley (who figured it out!) you have to go down to the bottom of the entry page and click "load more" and than you will be able to find your comment. For some reason it just doesn't display ALL of the comments at once... Sorry about that...I'll admit it's slightly annoying?!

A colorful shirt for Sagey girl...

2012-02-09T06:30:00.000-08:00

Is it weird that I get SO excited to dress my little girl up on Valentines Day?! Last year she wore this bright pink tutu and these heart tights and a felt heart headband that I made. Now that I look back...um can anyone say overkill? So this year, I am takin' it down about ten thousand notches (at least in my book...ha) and I decided to make her a shirt from the buttons I bought from THIS boutique.

I bought the shirt from Kohl's and took off the flowers...

I measured the length and width, and marked right where the center of the shirt was. That was my starting point.

Then, slowly but surely I assembled the buttons and jewels with what else but fabric-tac glue! (I was going to hand sew them on but then realized that I was out of my mind...that would have taken forever!)

Here is the finished product. I am thinkin' little jean jeggings and a red hair bow...oh I just have a feeling she's going to have a hay day trying to pluck these off. **sigh

Oh well...I'll cross my fingers that doesn't happen.

PINK S'more Party Favors...

2012-02-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

The only thing better than a warm, good, marshmallowy, chocolate covered s'more is a PINK warm, good, marshmallowy, chocolate covered s'more!

This last weekend, we had a game night with some friends and I decided to make these super simple but very tasty party favors! All they have to do is pop them in the microwave...and its like they roasted it themselves.

You simply need graham crackers, cupid-mallows, and your favorite chocolate candy...and of course cellophane or little bags to put them in (got all my stuff at Wal-Mart).

click HERE for printable tags!

Red & Yellow Hearts

2012-02-06T08:00:00.001-08:00

There are a few reasons why I love the weekends so much. For one, its a nice break from the "work week". For two, I get to sleep in a little longer while the mister takes care of the babe (because we all know babies don't believe in weekend morning sleep-ins--at least not my baby?!). And three, we get to enjoy breakfast together. So, needless to say Saturday mornings are my favorite! I decided to go with our numero uno breakfast choice...pancakes. For the best part...I cut some strawberries and bananas into heart shapes for that special touch of love :-)

Perfect for a Valentines Day breakfast or brunch...wouldn't you say?!

I had some extra strawberries left over, so I cut a slit on the bottom and hung on the glass rim...

I think he liked it :-)

I'm gonna warn ya...this week is full of DIY Valentines Day projects and lots of food posts! Just gettin' ya excited for the big day of LOVE! :-)

ONA BAG GIVEAWAY {NOW CLOSED}

2012-02-03T03:00:00.000-08:00

Okay you guys, this is amazing and I am SO excited to finally announce...

THE VENICE ONA BAG GIVEAWAY!!!

Have you ever heard of Ona? They are one of the finest camera bags I have seen yet, plus I love that it doesn't even look like a camera bag! These beauties are premium leather and retails for $329. So go on and choose one of these four delicious colors: stone, plum, camel, or black! Doesn't get much better than this, I tell ya!

How to enter... (all entries must include these three steps to be valid)

1. Become a Color Issue follower (just click the join this site button in the top right!)

2. Leave a comment and let me know which color you would choose (I know its a hard decision!)

3. Lastly, spread the word and let me know where you shared

***and of course, if you'd like to get the latest and greatest info on ONA follow them on Facebook and Twitter

DEADLINE IS NEXT FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH @ MIDNIGHT PST...winner will be announced the following Saturday! gooooood luck!

Valentines Day nails with an element of surprise :-)

2012-02-02T06:00:00.001-08:00

What color do you think of when you hear Valentine's Day...red or pink?
I simply say, "why choose?!"
To me, the day of love wouldn't be the same without this fantastic duo!
So I decided to use both (pink & red) for my nails. Kinda fun to change it up a bit! :-)

p.s. did you know that tomorrow is NATIONAL WEAR RED DAY. Its a day to wear red, and show your support for women's heart health!!! I am such a huge advocate for this, my dad has a condition called cardiomyopathy, it is something he struggles with each and every day. So anything to support heart health and bring unity to families who struggle with heart conditions is such a special opportunity!

So go ahead and show your support and wear the color of love TOMORROW! :-)

"LUSH"ious indeed!!!

2012-02-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

I have this weakness for smelly things (mostly lotions, perfumes and soaps) and Lush is a soap heaven!

My favorites were the face soaps (made with crushed almonds and oatmeal!?) and this bubblebar called "sunnyside up", it looked like a bar of gold diamonds! You simply break a small piece off, and put it in your bath and it turns your water into this sparkly sea of gold and glitter! AMAZING!

They have the cutest things for Valentines Day too! Oh I think I just might have found my new favorite store...my little Sagey girl loved it too (she was having a hay-day sniffing all of them, it was hilarious)

p.s. thank you for all your great red lipstick tips...I had no idea there were so many tricks! I think I just might go buy some today! Yep. I'm gonna!

My great dilemma with...

2012-01-31T06:00:00.000-08:00

I so wish I could wear red lipstick and not feel slightly out of my comfort zone. Every time I see someone struttin' along, sporting ruby red lips I think "gosh I wish I could pull that off" but every time I try, its a-no-bueno-no-go-not-good-just-stop-now-disaster.

exhibit a: In highschool, I tried wearing red lipstick to a dance. Lets just say in all of my pictures, I had RED TEETH. Why didn't anyone tell me I don't know?!?!? Red lipstick is the hardest to keep off of your pearly whites! A little tip: When someone has lipstick on their teeth, please do them a favor and TELL them for cryin' out loud! Looking at the photos now, its about the funniest thing ever...but ten years ago, mmmm not so much :-).

exhibit b: Another highschool story...one day me and some girlfriends where at the mall checkin' out the cosmetic counter. We all decided to try on RED lipstick. I of course chose this fire engine, shouldn't even be a lipstick color, shade of red. We all had our laughs, and then I went to take it off and it literally would NOT come off. I could have shaved my lips OFF and you still would have seen the remains of it. I wiped away as much as I could, feeling completely like a clown (literally) and of course ran into my huge crush on the way out! What are the odds?! Then he said "what did you eat that was red?!" I wanted to die. DIE I tell you! haha. Oh gosh. Red lipstick is just out to get me, I swear.

So this is my question to you all...do you wear red lipstick? If so what is your favorite shade? And if you don't wear it...why not?

Crayons & Fire

2012-01-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

A few years ago, my mother in law gave me a "wax seal kit" for Christmas. She knows how much I love stationary, and everything that goes along with it. :-) I love the the looks of a beautiful wax sealed letter (when I use it, I feel like I am living back in the day when letters were written on scrolls and then sealed with a nice blob of hot wax ha) I actually wax sealed my Christmas letters with an initialed J and it was the perfect last touch!

So I thought it would be so fun (since one of my MOST FAVORITE holidays is coming up...Valentine's Day!) to make special little Valentines with a "heart"felt wax seal! (this project uses matches and fire, so adult supervision is a must!) What you need:

-Crayons (I used pink and red)

-Sharp object to dig in small spaces (I used the end of a mechanical pencil w/out the lead)

-Few small pieces of paper (this is the canvas of your wax seal)

-a match

First, take the paper off of the crayon. (for obvious reasons)

Directly over one of your pieces of paper, take a match and melt your crayon so that about five or six drops of wax fall onto your canvas.

This is what it looks like...I love the marble texture of it! Then, let it dry (takes only a few seconds)...

And start sketching your little heart design...for the red I simply did dots in the shape of a heart.

With the pink ones, I carefully (don't be to rough or your seal with crack) dug out a hallow heart

Then I wrote a little "happy Valentine's Day" message...

poked a hole in the corner, added a ribbon and now I can tie it onto a little V-Day treat :-)

the city of Love

2012-01-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

So...Josh and I are planning a trip to go out and venture the wonderful world of Europe in a few short months and I am SO EXCITED! Ever since we got married we have been wanting to go back there. So now that that time is so close at hand, it almost seems surreal! Oh I just can't wait!

So, in honor of Italy I thought I'd share some "things that make my eyes sing" with an Italian twist, because I just can't get it off my mind! :-)

1. What I'd give to ride the streets of Rome on one of these
2. Lemoncello recipe (from Amalfi)--I just simply love the color thats all ha
3. Can I please be HERE...like right now?!?!
4. Italian etiquette...that pizza looks divine
5. The colors of Venice
6. Campanile di Curon (didn't even know this existed until today)
7. Holiday markets...the Italian style
8. My future summer home (a girl can wish)
9. My sister in Rome, just livin' the dream :-)

Hope you all have such a great weekend...I have a lot of fun posts in store for next week that I'm super excited about!!! See you soon!!!

***p.s. I have no idea who the artist of this painting is...I simply stumbled upon it. There was no other information; so if any of you know PLEASE don't hesitate to leave a comment!

A walk to the mailbox...

2012-01-26T06:00:00.000-08:00

"In reality, there aren’t many things in a day that are totally without significance. Even the mundane and repetitious can be tiny but significant building blocks that in time establish the discipline and character and order needed to realize our plans and dreams." -D.Todd Christofferson

***quote from this article

I read this the other night, and it really has had an impact on me; especially over the last couple days. Yesterday, as Sage and I made our "insignificant" walk to the mailbox...this article came to my mind. I always point out the flowers, the sky, the fire hydrant. Yesterday was different though, yesterday she pointed to the hydrant and exclaimed "lello" (she has never done this before...)! I could have cried I tell ya! I said, "YES that is yellow!" and right then and there I KNEW that those daily, mundane walks to get the mail was a very significant building block indeed!

It is seemingly fitting that yellow is the first color she has verbally recognized...simply because she is such a cheerful and bright little one. Oh how I love her.

I guess I needed to just be reminded of such a simple thing. Even a stroll to get the bills can be something special! (The sunset last night was so beautiful...not a cloud in the sky)

Fantastic Fonts...

2012-01-25T06:00:00.000-08:00

I love typography. The biggest deal breaker (besides the color choice) on any invitation, business card, logo (if you using words) etc. is the font!

I came across this awesome font and couldn't help but share it! How neat are all the details and the colors!?!

And, if any of you are looking for a good Typography book (since I know you all would love to read all about fonts before bed *wink wink) my favorite typography book hands down is THIS one, by Emil Ruder.

Oh my, I am slowly realizing that I really am a graphic geek...haha oh well.

Who said books are only good for reading?!

2012-01-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

I love buying old books (you can find GREAT deals at salvation army or thrift stores) and taking those ugly paper slips off to expose their true cover! They usually have a very vintage and colorful look to them! So to add color to my side table, I put a couple books underneath my lamp (plus it added some height)!

Books are SUCH a great way to get creative and add not only character but COLOR to any room--and that my friends is why I love them so much! Here are some bookshelves that I really do A-D-O-R-E (minus the last one...that is just for a kicks and giggles)!

This video...I probably watched about ten times (can ya' blame me?! actually don't answer that haha)

human bookshelf image HERE all other images found HERE

the love garland

2012-01-23T06:30:00.000-08:00

The color after my own heart...would have to be PINK. I know its such a "girlie" thing to say but it really is such a great color! This heart garland is super easy (and super pink *ha), and is such a fun little project for your little ones who like to get their "craft on" :-). I did this with a small group of ten year olds, who I teach at my church, and they LOVED it!

All you need is:

-construction paper (you can do any color you want!)

-thin crochet yarn

-a needle with a big enough eye (hole) that crochet yarn can fit through...

-a hot glue gun

Cut your cardboard into strips (I cut mine about 2 inches thick). It totally just depends on how big you want your hearts...if you want them smaller, cut them shorter and thinner :-).

Then take your strips and glue one side glue ends on top of one another to make circles. I did about 15 of them...

Then, flatten each one, and push the ends together to form a heart shaped

Then measure your yarn to however long you want your garland to be. Tie your yarn onto the needle, and push it through the bottom of the hear, and then through the top. Pull it all the way down to where you want the heart to be. (I placed mine about 10 inches apart). Lastly, to keep it in place, glue the two "heart humps" together and squeeze it right on the yarn where you want it to stay.

Just keep repeating this until your garland is filled with love :-)

Color List...

2012-01-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

I haven't done my color list in quite some time! I thought it would be fun to do another "color perception" photo, simply to reiterate how color really does just make everything better! Isn't it amazing how your perception changes with this image...first dark and creepy then slowly starts having a Cirque Du Soleil feel (the creepy part is still kinda there though haha)!

1. Who needs real tattoos when you can get these?!

2. A kiss with a hundred people (look really close)

3. A vintage feel to these bibs...so cute!

4. Colorful candleholders...modern & super vibrant

5. Wrap a gift with graphic tape adds a bit of spunk!

BY THE WAY...those who did THIS tutorial...I'd LOVE LOVE for you to send me photos of your fingertips! It would be so much fun to see the different variations, and it would make for a great post!!!

I must say, the weekend couldn't come fast enough. Have a great one my friends!

Pantone Colors

2012-01-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

I am in love with these pantone mugs. What a great way to add color to your cup collection...it even has the pantone number for each different color! Such creative minds out there.

**side story: Back when I was a sophomore up at school, I was in my second semester of my advertising program and I decided to apply for a job with the design department (creating posters/brochures etc. distributed throughout campus). Anways {long story short} during the interview the guy asked me what the difference was between pantone and cmyk colors. I was stumped..."um-cmy-pan-huh?!" He looked at me like "wait...your studying design and you don't know what that is?!" To my credit, I was ONLY in my second semester...how was I suppose to know right?! Needless to say I did NOT get the job. To top it off...guess what I learned about a week later--yep PANTONE and CMYK. Go figure?! :-)

So if any of you are wondering (don't blame you if you aren't...haha) Pantone is a set of standard colors for printing, each has a specific color. Usually it's more vibrant and accurate and tends to present a crisper, graphic quality. CMYK color allows more color possibilities, but sometimes a poor print job or color mixture can result in duller, less accurate colors.

Here are some of my favorite Pantone colors as of lately...apparently the fashion trend for spring 2012 is tangerine (and colors similar to it)...which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

out with the old...in with the new...

2012-01-18T06:30:00.000-08:00

A few months ago, I went down to my mom's to help her take down these dreary black velvet curtains (yes I said it, "black velvet"...but to my moms credit it was the style back in the day?!). That window had seen better days let me tell ya!

She had repainted the walls from a dark orangey color, to a lighter (almost opalescent) white. So, her next item of business was to take down the furry drapes and add in something a bit more uplifting :-). I thought it would be fun to watch and learn (she really is such a great seamstress...)

tips: **painting a room a lighter color will always open up a space making it look more open.

**to add an illusion of higher ceilings and more space, try taking your curtains all the way up; it works wonders!

This is what the curtains looked like BEFORE:

My mom is super creative, she even hand painted this wall and added a frame collage with a lot of sentimental photos and other meaningful things. I thought it was such a cute touch!

She measured the length (from the ceiling to the ground, since that is how long she wanted them to be) and width of the window--and then added on about 20" more of fabric to the length so that it would "puddle" on the ground. She says the "pooling" gives it a more sophisticated look. :-)

She also bought "black out" fabric to line the back of the curtains so that the sun wouldn't shine through. Is this fabric not adorable!?!?

Here she's lining it up perfectly with the black out fabric. ***You only need the black out fabric for where you window is...it doesn't need to go all the way to the ground if that's how long your curtains are.

She then ironed each side...so that the fabric laid flat (it makes it easier to pin the hem, which was about 3/4" folded over twice)

Finally, after a few long hours of me watching and my mom sewing haha, we put these babies up! Let me tell ya, it really did make a world of difference!

It's amazing to me how changing curtains can completely transform an entire living space. I guess that goes for a lot of things when it comes to decorating...from paint colors, to pillow choices...it's the small details that make a massive difference!

So glad she got rid of those ugly black things...now I can openly admit it haha.

FIND FABRIC HERE

The happiest place on Earth...

2012-01-17T07:48:00.000-08:00

Remember how I said last week that I was going to Disneyland with my sister and her two kiddos?!? Welp, I've got the pictures to prove it :-)

At first I thought that maybe I shouldn't post about this, considering it isn't much of a "color issue" type thing. But as I thought more about it, I am 100% positive that there's really no other place that's as COLORFUL as Disneyland...right?!

They still had their Christmas parade going, and all the Christmas decorations up. There were ornaments and lights in every color you could possibly imagine! One of the best things, once the sun was down, was when "Its a Small World" lit up! It almost looked like the Emerald City (all you oz fans out there ha)

I left Sage home with my wonderful mom, so that the "big kids" could go have a fun time! But, I really cannot wait to bring her here some day...kids really do make things like this so much more magical!

p.s. next time you go to D-land...you have GOT to try their corn dogs. Best I've ever had, hands down

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE WINNER OF THE THEIT CAMERA BAG!!!!

workin' on my fitness...the colorful way!

2012-01-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

Sometimes my will power to go out and get my booty movin' and my heart rate pumpin' sounds about as good as going out and digging a 20 foot hole with a teaspoon. :-)

But, its a new year...with new goals! So, back to the whole "will power" issue...I have found the best way to motivate myself into gettin' my fitness on is to change it up a bit (hence the skates and jump rope). Also, to love & feel comfortable in my exercise get-up. It's so much fun to add color to your workout regime, and I mean literally! Plus it really is a great motivator! Check out some of my favorite finds...

On the nutritional side of things...I stumbled upon this wheel of nutrition plate and thought "wow, now that is pretty clever!" Not sure I would actually use it, but its a great idea! There is this list colorful ways to healthy eating that I thought was pretty interesting. I really need to start adding more RED foods to my plate--if it helps my memory I am all for it...(no joke, I lost my keys like twelve times last week!?!**sigh)

where to find it:

roller skates, my favorite Nike running shoes, greatest tank ever, colorful sports bra, I'm a capri gal all the way, and lastly the rainbow jumprope

Last day to enter THIS giveaway...just a few more hours!

a crown for the Queen...

2012-01-13T07:00:00.000-08:00

Did you know that a new Queen will be crowned this weekend?! Yep, right on top of that heavily-hair- sprayed-head!

I'm talkin' about the Miss America pageant! Will you be tuning in?

Okay, okay I will be the first to admit I am not an annual Miss America Pageant "watcher", BUT we were invited to a little Miss America party this weekend (how could we possibly resist!?). So, I wanted to make special crowns for the ladies...because, well let's be honest, we are ALL queens :-) **wink

I got these crowns in the dollar section of Target (LOVE that section) and then of course with my glitter obsession I decided to spruce these puppies up a bit. A little sparkle never hurt anyone...especially on a crown! Here's to you Miss America! :-)

Oh and here are a few links to check out this weekend...a colorful DIY craft board (so clever!), a delicious cinnamon roll recipe, some super cute retro-green earbobs, great grassy fun, and lastly a cute little bird nest-helper (never heard of such a thing!) :-)

Looking at the abstract...

2012-01-12T07:30:00.000-08:00

I will admit, I have never been one who gravitates towards abstract art...it just isn't "me". However, I came across Matt Moore's site and oh how I have seen the light! :-)

Honestly though, these pieces (which are unfortunately sold out--I think my husband is pretty happy about that *wink) are just mesmerizing...hypnotizing even! I think the first one, with the softer lines, is my favorite out of this series. So, needless to say I have turned over a new leaf! The colors, the shapes, the contrasts...perfecto-mundo (as my dad would say)!

I like taking pieces of art I love and saving the colors in an archive for future decorating...

it would be so fun to design a play room around these colors! Here are my favorites:

Marble Nails

2012-01-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

When it comes to nails...I love trying new things! Plus, it's the one thing that you can change consistently--which makes it even more fun! So, when I came upon this fantastic technique I just had to try it out! Every single nail is different--like a tiny custom piece of art, but on a much smaller scale :-)

All you need is:

-a cup half full of water

-at least two different colors of nail polish (and a very light color for your base)

-Q-tip

-nail polish remover

-tape

First, you simply pick your colors (I went with two dark and two light for a good contrast)

For the base, make sure you paint your nails either white (or in my case a very light grey)!

Then put tape around all sides of each nail (if you don't, your fingers will be a polished mess!)

Then, take the polish, and drop each color in the water one by one (it should remain on top of the water...) I got a little impatient, so I actually took the bottle and poured a little bit in rather then dropping. I think they would have turned out better if I would have just remained patient and dropped it in. Oh well.

Then dip your finger right on in...repeat with every finger.

The best part...carefully take off the tape while its still wet (so it doesn't rip off the dry polish)

Then use your Q-tip and and polish remover...

to clean up those edges!

And here you have it...your very one pieces of marble right on your fingertips! :-)

I tried the other hand using only two colors. I wanted to see what it would look like with pink...

My personal opinion...I like using more colors. It makes for a neater design!

Now go on and marbleize those nails...you know you want to!

**don't worry it may look time consuming but really it only takes about 15-20 minutes...I did it while my little girl took her nap (I use that time real wisely can't you tell?! Rather than folding laundry or emptying the dishwasher...I do my nails! haha)

THEIT camera bag GIVEAWAY {NOW CLOSED}

2012-01-09T07:49:00.000-08:00

WINNER OF THIS BEAUTIFUL BAG ...drumroll please....

(I know I say this every time, but I really wish EVERONE could win--ugh it just kills me)

congrats to JANE
(email me your address to colorissue@live.com)

Calling all you photographers, or people who have a camera who like taking pictures...or people who plan on buying a camera who want a bag to hold it in *ha...so pretty much anyone and everyone!

This giveaway is about the greatest thing ever...a beautiful THEIT Bossi bag in the gravel color. This purse is beautiful--plus they are sold out so the only way to get this exact one is to go on ahead and enter your pretty little self into the giveaway!!!

HOW TO ENTER:
1. Must be a COLOR ISSUE FOLLOWER!!! (click on the join this site on the top right so you can follow along and see the latest updates!)
2. SHARE THE NEWS via your social network and please LET ME KNOW where you shared!!

DEADLINE IS NEXT MONDAY, Jan. 16th @ midnight!!!! Good luck!

check THEIT out on facebook and twitter!

jelly my belly

2012-01-08T23:38:00.000-08:00

I woke up on Christmas day to find a gift with a tag that read, "to: mom, love: Sage" and below that was written "like mother like daughter". I opened it to find THIS fantastic jelly belly dispenser!!! I was so excited to take it out of the box and try it out! (Josh even filled it up for me...all ready to go!)

I love all the colors, all the flavors...such great eye candy! ha (no pun intended). I think my top choices (as of lately) are buttered popcorn, roasted marshmallow, cinnamon & yep the black licorice...

This little contraption dispenses a few or a bunch (depending on which setting you have it on--) just by the wave of your hand (wow I totally just sounded like someone on an infomercial ha)! It is seriously one of my favorite toys ever! Plus nobody has to put their hands all over them (don't judge me, i'm kind of a germ-aphobe...ha)

**However, sometimes this thing has a mind of its own!! The other day, I accidentally got to close to it while drying some dishes, and it shot out about twenty! When you aren't expecting it, it catches you off guard! ha

Take a peek at some seriously awesome Jelly Belly Art HERE...just blows my mind!

WINNER FOR THE CUSTOM BLOG DESIGN GIVEAWAY...
(honestly, I wish I could design something for all of you!!! I need to figure out how to add hours to a day...than maybe I'd have more time! But thank you to all how entered!)

Congrats to CAT!!! Email me Cat and we can start on giving your blog a facelift!

Paintings of Holton Rower

2012-01-06T07:30:00.000-08:00

If there is one thing I am passionate about it is art, in all its forms! I honestly LOVE it...from photography, painting, fashion, sculpturing, even food...art is such a huge part of my life, it is what I do! And if there is one common thread throughout all of these things it is COLOR. Color is such a necessity to our every day lives...it adds so much vibrance to literally EVERYTHING.

Soooo, (with that said...ha sorry I started getting off on one of my color rampages...)When I stumbled upon this video, I couldn't help but share it. It's amazing. Just amazing.

I hope you all have a very wonderful weekend! The winner of the CUSTOM BLOG DESIGN GIVEAWAY will be announced this sunday...so don't forget to enter if you haven't already!

**& good lucky-roo!!

Alice Lane's colorful renovation in Nie Nie's basement...

2012-01-05T07:30:00.000-08:00

Have you ever walked into a furniture store, and you immediately wish your entire home could transform into that exact space with a blink of an eye?! Well, for me, Alice Lane is that place!!! The owner, Jessica Bennet,was sweet enough to take the time and share some thoughts and photos of Stephanie Nielson's home basement. It is by far one of my favorite renovations done by Alice Lane! I love the colors, curtains, wall paper, even the tiny nic-naks...isn't it all just perfect?!

I asked Stephanie to share how color inspired her throughout this project and this is what she had to say, "All growing up I have been drawn to color. It does something to my soul. It makes me happy and in a good mood. Color to me means life, it means personality, it means children, it means love, and it means endless opportunities"

Thank you so much to Jessica and the team for sharing such beautiful work so that we can all drool and dream of one day having a space like this! ha.

all photos are taken by Meikel Reece

and if you like to see BEFORE and AFTER pics (and I mean who doesn't?!) then check out more photos here, here, here, here, here, here,

Oh and p.s. today I am off with my sister and her two kids to the happiest place on Earth...we all have our disney-get-ups, and you better believe I am super excited!!!

Toms giveaway update...

2012-01-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

Do you remember THIS giveaway...a real CUSTOM pair of Toms?! Oh it was probably one of my favorite giveaways on Color Issue so far! Well, I got an email from Ben (the artist) who sweetly sent me a photo of the finished product! So I emailed Grace (the winner) and asked her to send a pic of her wearing them...cuz I'm weird like that ha! Sure enough, she did! And it just made me so happy! So I thought I'd share them with you!

Grace gave Ben some ideas, and Ben created her dream Toms :-)...so cute huh!?!
**check out some more pics here

BLOG DESIGN GIVEAWAY

2012-01-01T13:58:00.000-08:00

To start off 2012 I thought (instead of doing a "my favorite things giveaway" like I mentioned in my last post...) it would be fun to offer a Custom Blog Design to you from yours truly...simply to say thank you for making these first few months of Color Issue better then I could've imagined!
I have been doing custom blog designs for quite some time now, and it never gets old! I think blogs should totally represent YOU...and who you are and what you love, thats why the design part is so wonderful...I just love being apart of the process! :-)

So here is to a fresh new start...and for one of you, a fresh NEW CUSTOM BLOG DESIGN! (valued at $189!!!)
**that totally rhymed! ha

So in order to win this you must please:
1. Be a Color Issue Follower!!! (if you're not sure how, just click the join this site up at the top right!)
2. Let your friends and family know about the giveaway & don't forget to let me know where you shared!

Giveaway ends next Sunday, Jan. 8th @ midnight!

Happy New Year everybody!!

half of a decade!

2011-12-30T08:30:00.000-08:00

Five years ago today, Josh and I were married for time and all eternity! When I made that decision, to say "I do" at the young age of 21, I don't think I realized just what those two short words entailed. Now, after 1,825 days, I think I have a little better understanding of what a huge decision that really was...and boy am I glad I made the right choice.

We met almost nine years ago, when we were Seniors in high school, at my older sisters wedding in fact! (i like to say love was in the air *wink) We attended BYU together (we bleed blue! ha), he went on a two year mission to Rome, we wrote eachother, I dated other people but in my mind nobody compared to Josh. And when he got back in 2006 we sealed the deal.

I am grateful for this man of mine, he really is my better half. He puts up with me and my crazy ideas and crazy self so perfectly. Not that our marriage is perfect by any means, but he is perfect for me. That I can most definitely say with 100% surety.

Happy five years Joshie, here's to many more years of growing old together.

**Have a fantastic New Years!!! I'll be kickin off my "favorite things of 2011 giveaway" this weekend!!! It's gonna be good...oh yes indeed! See you in twenty-twelve!

I adore glitzy glamorous glitter!

2011-12-29T07:30:00.000-08:00

Whoever invented glitter is a pure genius in my eyes. I really do love it (see HERE, HERE, or HERE)...I'm like a crow, attracted to anything that sparkles ha! So with that said, my sister Rachael and I wanted to do a photo shoot based all around glitter! For some reason, I feel like it's such a New Years Eve thing?! From sparkly outfits, sparkly hats, sparkly decor...

We were inspired by THIS photo, and Rachy did such a great job replicating it! It was a serious mess though, finding glitter in my hair, down my shirt, in my mouth hours later...but it was totally worth it!

So, there ya have it...lets bring in 2012 with a big glittery bang, shall we?!?
(don't mind my slightly contorted face...its hard to look half decent while blowing a pile of glitter out of your hand as it flies into your eyes/face/mouth haha)

A little crimson to start the year off right...

2011-12-28T07:30:00.000-08:00

When the clock strikes midnight this New Years Eve, do you know what you will be wearing? Or actually do you know what COLOR you will be wearing?!

There is a superstition out there, that wearing red on New Years will bring you GOOD LUCK! Now, I am not a huge superstitious person, but I'd rather be safe then sorry, right?! So, I put together some of my FAVORITE finds to share with you--in hopes that 2012 will be a year full of serendipitous events!

Whether its a small accessory or a big bold crimson statement...

dress, jeans, cocktail ring, shiny belt, Jcrew sparkly belt, lipstick, nail polish, sophisticated heels, around the ankle heels, hair feather, necklace

winner for the soft surroundings giveaway is FELICIA!!!

Felicia, email me at colorissue@live.com

Thank you everyone who participated! xoxo

Spotlight with Anastasia Marie

2011-12-27T09:10:00.000-08:00

Hi there you all!!! How was your holiday weekend?! We got back late last night, unpacked (worst part of traveling isn't it?!) and went straight to bed, but before I drifted off to dreamland I sat and played with my new toy (yes my friends I have found the light! haha)...I see how these little buggers can be quite addicting!

This week I have some fun New Years Eve posts...but before that, I thought I'd share a spotlight (since I haven't for a while). I feel like its a way to showcase people with a great eye for color! I asked Anastastia from Anastasia Marie to tell us how color inspires her! Her stationary work is simply beautiful...and I love her style and creativity! Here is what she had to say...

"I am a huge color lover. I live and breathe color. As a designer, I can't help myself. When I first stepped foot into my little home when my husband and I were looking for somewhere to call home, I really hated it. The walls were unpainted, the rooms had barely any lighting since there were barely any windows, the carpet was dark, and let's just say it was a really depressing place. (Don't worry, we fixed it up!) And if you're anything like me, the color of your walls impacts your home as well. I'm really into putting together really pretty inspiration palettes. Not only do they inspire me to create pretty cards and stationery for my clients or to sell in my Shop, but other folks get inspired too. I'm currently working on rebranding my company and I chose gold as my main color long before I even started. Now everything is revolving around that one color in attempts to compliment it. It really doesn't surprise me how one color choice is affecting so many of my decisions.I've chosen four boards with four very different color palettes that I've put together. See how my color choices for these palettes steered me towards a certain board theme, which then led to what types of images would be chosen.Afternoon Tea makes me feel all elegant. The muted colors make this party a toned down one.

Darling Apples gives me a glimpse into what an old-fashioned summer must have been like. The bright pop of the orange and green make it super festive and carefree.

Bold Mood is quite dark. The darker colors almost give it a dreary feel, but the crimson sure does lift the mood a bit.

Hello Yellow is a subtle gray party for you. But wait, that touch of yellow just changed the mood to fun!

Afternoon Tea image credits: waist bow {image source unknown}; these sweet blooms {image source unknown}; this sparkling champagne via The Sweetest Occasion; this wild bouquet {image source unknown}; this fancy hat {image source unknown}; this sweet dessert via Sara's Scrapbook; this cup of tea via Hello Naomi; and these bow shoes via Efeundodos {found via Style Me Pretty}.

Darling Apples image credits: orange tree via tompalumbo Flickr; this ribbon via BHLDN; these apple escort cards via Project Wedding; this chair via MLW; this apple table setting via Martha Stewart Weddings; these orange straws via Souder {found via Luna & Chloe}; and this apple garland {image source unknown}.

Bold Mood image credits: this tweed {image source unknown}; this cake {image source unknown}; these bundles of yarn via Brooklyn Tweed; this place setting via House Beautiful; this pretty lady {image source unknown}; this burlap bunting via MirtilloShop {Etsy}; this table setting via Jennifer Sando {found via Style Me Pretty}; and this stationery via Anastasia Marie {image by Daniel Usenko}.

Hello Yellow image credits: these shoes {image source unknown}; this cake via Martha Stewart Weddings; this glitzy outfit {image source unknown}; this yellow bouquet via Aaron Snow, found via Style Me Pretty; this table setting via The Decorista {image source unknown}; this bridal dress {image source unknown}; this boutonniere via Sara Gray, found via Elizabeth Anne; these bowls via Anthropologie.

oh and today is the last day to enter the super fantastic giveaway!

Tis the Weekend

2011-12-23T08:30:00.000-08:00

Here's to kicking off the Christmas weekend... a video of my mom, pulling out her mad skills as an ex-department store gift wrapper from back in the day! *haha
I sped it up and added some tunes to it (everything's better with music) just for your viewing pleasure :-)

Lastly, a beautiful video about Christmas...I hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend! May you soak in as much family time and good food as possible!

Don't forget to enter the softest giveaway ever!!!

DIY gift wrapping with a creative twist

2011-12-22T10:25:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things to do (to get me in the holiday spirit) is gift wrapping! I am a true believer in the statement, "its all about the presentation" So I thought I'd get a little colorful with my mom's present, and add a little twist to her wrapping this year...

You'll need:
-simple wrapping paper (I used the back of one I had since I didn't want any design on the paper)
-scissors
-felt (three or four colors)
-thin ribbon (i like it to have some sparkle to it)
-small hold punch if you have one...if not scissors will do

I got this idea from an Anthropologie ribbon I saw from last year...and I loved it! I cut out a bunch of circles from leftover felt I had...

Then I punched two holes in each circle...

I then strung them onto the ribbon (long side)

and scrunched them nice and close together (the more circles you have the closer you'll have to scrunch them together...and personally I think the more the better!)

Once I knew they would meet in the middle I took both sides of the ribbon...

tied it in a knot and then for the middle (where you'd normally put a bow) I strung two felt circles on top of each other....

and tied another knot (so they'd scrunch together--lots of scrunching in this project ha) to create a little flower :-)

I tied on a little bell (gives it a little ringy-blingy touch *ha) and slapped on a little gold round tag that I cut out from some paper I had...(I wanted to keep with the whole circular theme)

And there she sits, under the tree...waiting to be opened on Christmas day :-)

FIVE DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY

2011-12-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

My gosh, the holidays come and go so quickly, don't they?!

So to celebrate this special Christmas week...what better way then a GIVEAWAY!?!

**sidenote: I honestly wish I could enter to win this...but I think that would look a bit tacky, wouldn't you say?!**

A vintage inspired home decor and clothing brand called Soft Surroundings is giving away a beautiful Reversible Silk Fleece Throw (retailed at $95). The colors are gorgeous and not to mention...this throw is not just soft but its "cashmere-soft"! Now, who wouldn't want to cuddle up in a blanket of cashmere-softness!?

So in order to enter and win this gorgeous throw for you and your home...please do the following:

1. Must be a Color Issue follower (simply click the join button on the top right)

2. Share the news via your own blog, twitter, FB and let me know where you shared!

(if you don't have any of these...heck even an email to your friends and family will do!)

Deadline is Next Tuesday, December 27th @ midnight!

make sure you check them out on PINTEREST and FACEBOOK

hard candy for the holidays

2011-12-19T07:30:00.000-08:00

My grandma has this great tradition of making a ton of different flavored hard candy during Christmas time! Since I don't live by her anymore, I had to branch off and make my own (no more mooching for me ha).

I will admit, there are two things I try to stay away from when it comes to baking:

1.) Daunting task of baking a PIE. I have yet to make a pie with a beautifully braided crust (or even just a crust that doesn't look all skiwompus once it's placed in the dish?!)

2.) Candy (however, i actually can make some mean caramels which I am pretty proud of!)

So, I stepped out of my comfort zone...followed Grammys recipe to a "T" and it turned out great! So without further adieu here is the process...

You'll need:

-Sugar

-Corn Syrup

-Food Coloring

-Flavorings of your choice (my faves are cinnamon and butterscotch)

-Candy Thermometer

In a large pot add the karo syrup and sugar...

Boil until your thermometer reads 290°-300°

Then take off heat and add in your flavoring...aaaaand wait for it....wait for it....ONLY for the butterscotch flavoring do you add BUTTER (probably why this one is my favorite flavor...go figure?!)

Drizzle in a few drops of food coloring (red for cinnamon...yellow for butterscotch...etc.)

Then, sift your powdered sugar over a 11x17 pan

Pour the goodness... and sift powdered sugar on top!

Once its hard (about 20 minutes) crack in small pieces.

Aren't they just pretty?! It almost looks like glass. Maybe that's what I should call this...Glass Candy! Just a nice & COLORFUL treat to have sitting around for people to snack on :-)

Hard Candy Recipe:
-2 cups sugar
-2/3 cup karo syrup
-3/4 cup water
-1 tsp. flavoring
-1 tsp. food coloring
**if making butterscotch add in 4 TBS butter when you add in the flavoring.

Boil ingredients until thermometer reads 290°-300°. Remove from heat, let bubbles go down THAN add in flavoring and food coloring.
Sift powdered sugar on pan...pour hot candy and sift powdered sugar on top. Break apart when hard.

Easy as pie! haha or should I just simply say EASY.

We've got a Winner!

2011-12-17T11:58:00.000-08:00

I so wish I could give EVERYONE this fantastic statement necklace...but Katie IS having 20% off over at her Etsy shop...so hurry on over and pick out somethin' great!

***Mama23 email me at: colorissue@live.com and we'll get that necklace to you right in time for Christmas!

Friday Color List

2011-12-16T08:00:00.000-08:00

Isn't it crazy, how your perception changes when COLOR is added to the picture!? There is something so classic about a black and white photo...so I took the original and did just that! Then I slowly added in the color. From classic to funky in seconds, and I go from thinking JCrew to Betsy Johnson in a jiffy! Wish i could rock blue hair... (maybe in my next life?! ha)

So here is my Friday Color List...Just one more Friday until Santa comes!!!

1. Some sah-weet sweaters...great conversation pieces :-)

2. 100 best holiday cookies! Um..yes please!

3. For all you lucky San Franciscoans (a place where you can shop til' you drop!)

4. Good old holiday cheer from Jimmy Kimmel...these videos are hilarious!

5. Christmas cards that made me giggle a little :-)

6. Best looking pies I've seen in a long time

7. Microbe Holiday art...crazy stuff?!?!

8. Vintage Christmas ads (the wording is the best part!)

9. A picture speaks a thousand words **wink wink

10. Last but not least, my guest post about the reason for the season! :-)

Hope you all have an absolutely, positively wonderful weekend! And don't forget that today is the last day to enter THIS great giveaway...so don't miss out!

Christmas Card

2011-12-15T07:30:00.000-08:00

There is a saying that I once heard, "it's easy to take a picture, but the talent lies in capturing the moment..." My sweet sister Rachael took our family pictures (for our Christmas card) when we were up in San Fran for Thanksgiving. Let me tell ya, this girl has talent! Indeed there are perks to having a photographer in the fam-damily :-) **wink wink

She found the perfect little secluded road surrounded by the most beautiful trees...and thankfully it wasn't raining that day (oh, blessed sunshine!)

When I look at these pictures, I'm reminded of how fortunate I am to have these two in my life. I am so thankful for my little family. It's so true, that anyone can take a picture but it takes true talent to capture a moment...thanks Rachy for capturing these sweet moments!

Sage even left her hat on--which is a miracle (I think it helped that my other sister Paige came along to distract her ha)

check out more of Rachaels work here

DIY Christmas Tree Garland...

2011-12-14T08:00:00.000-08:00

I decided that I wanted to make my own garland made from little pom-poms (to go with the whole "circular" theme from my tree skirt)

I got a big huge bag at Michaels for $6.99 and then I bought a smaller bag of glittery ones for about $2.99. Then I simply strung all 725 of them with a needle and thread. It took me a little (well alot) longer then I had anticipated, but I think it paid off?!?! At least until next year when I want an all glittery one! haha no I'm only kidding.

I do love the way it looks on my tree...just adds a bit of COLOR :-)

Oh and don't forget to enter the Katie Bartel Necklace Giveaway...it is pretty sah-weet lookin'!

Colorful Stocking Stuffers

2011-12-13T08:21:00.000-08:00

Growing up...my favorite part of Christmas morning was opening up my stocking-- I always looked forward to the small packages that were hiding deep inside!

I somehow stumbled on this site called "Fred Flare" and was completely amazed at their random (and occasionally hilarious) products. I mean honestly, whoever these creative mind(s) are who think up these gadgets...I want to meet them! :-)

Just to name a few that I sorta-kinda want to waste my money on (yes, I said "waste"... considering I really don't need cupcake floss...but it sure would be fun to try!)
1.scratch map of where you've been (for all you world travelers out there!)
2.texting gloves
3.cupcake floss (why didn't I think of this?!)
4.earbuds (there are tons of different ones to choose from!)
5. "tea" rex...(just a cutesie twist to a tea bag))
6.fingerstaches (these would be so fun at a party...as you go around snapping pictures of everyone)

A little somethin' I like to call, "Button Bling"

2011-12-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday to you all! How was your weekend? Mine was busy,busy but just delightful...full of yummy food (that always makes a weekend great right?!), a game night, going to see Christmas lights, and Sage even met Santa for the first time (which she wasn't to happy about...I think the big red suit threw her for a loop)

Oh the beginning of a new week...exactly 13 days until Christmas! Can you even believe that?! which means new fun projects and posts to share with you all!

Remember the bag of buttons I got from this little craft boutique? Well, I finally put them to use! I thought these would be such a fun gift to give to your friends or to yourself :-)

All you need is:

-colorful buttons

-"ring bling" which I got at Joanne's fabric store

-hot glue gun.

Pick out the buttons you want to use, and make sure you cut off anything that sticks out so it lays flat.

Then simply assemble them the way you want...I liked stacking a few on top of each other!

And here you have it...some nice button bling for the holidays!

Holiday Giveaway--Exclusive Color Issue Katie Bartels Necklace!

2011-12-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

A Holiday Giveaway...that has such a nice ring to it, don't you think?!

Tis the season of giving...and I am honestly so ecstatic for this special holiday giveaway simply because it not only radiates color, but Katie Bartels (a jewelry designer out of New York) designed this necklace as an exclusive piece just for Color Issue! I must say, it'll make for some beautiful "neck frosting" :-)
Her work is so unique and just exquisite--and I am so glad she wanted to share her talent!

To win the Color Issue Katie Bartels Necklace (retailed at $185) you must please:
1. Be a Color Issue Follower
2. Share the news via you own blog, twitter, FB...& leave a comment letting me know where you
spread the news!

***Deadline ends next Friday, December 16th @ midnight!

p.s. Katie is offering 20% off at her etsy shop! Just enter promo code: FFHOLIDAY2011 at checkout!

Classic Red & White Stripes

2011-12-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

This is my baby girl, Sage. She is my little side kick, and I just can't get enough of her! (except when she screams non stop while driving in the car...we are working on the whole "forming words" thing.)

I decided (b/c I couldn't resist any longer) to put her in her Christmas Eve pj's a little early this year. We have this family tradition, ever since I was little, of getting pajamas on Christmas Eve. It is probably one of my favorite things. Even to this day, I love getting a new pair of pj's.

This is the classic stripe top and bottom from Polarn O. Pyret and I am not kidding, they are the softest things ever! I absolutely love them (including the little patch on the arm--so cute). I am seriously contemplating buying my own pair--they do come in mama sizes (just fyi)!

So, if you're on the pj bandwagon...I would highly recommend these! Plus, who can resist a baby in red and white stripes?!

What are some of your own fun family holiday traditions? I am looking for new ones and always love hearing new ideas...

p.s. tomorrow...oooh tomorrow...have I got a fun surprise!

Embrace the bolder sock!

2011-12-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

There is just something about a man who wears bold colored socks that simply grabs my attention..(still trying to convince my hubs to give in to wearing the bolder sock) I think it just adds a little element of surprise, wouldn't you agree?
I am a huge fan of bold socks...it's one way to spruce up your outfit without being to obvious.
I put together some of my favorites for this season. They make great stocking stuffers too! Go figure :-)

THIS article made me laugh a bit...perhaps I should print it out and put it in my husbands sock drawer?!

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Homemade Pomegranate Jelly

2011-12-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

This last week, I went and visited my parents who live about an hour away from me (which I am so grateful for...) and we made Pomegranate Jelly from off our tree in the backyard. This fruit, once you open it up...has the most beautiful, vibrant seeds inside. They almost look like little gems...:-)

I have never had Pomegranate jelly before, so I was a little skeptical on how good it would be...and let me tell you (in case you think the same way as I did) this jelly is SO very delicious! Plus it makes for such a cute, festive, bright RED gift for your friends--

You will Need:

-About ten pomegranates (or you could buy pure pomegranate juice at the store if you don't want to hassle with the seeding and juicing)

-1 box of pectin

-1-2 lemons

-5 cups white sugar

-6 to 7 8oz. jars

First you want to pull open the pomegranate to get all the seeds out. **a special tip: seed the pomegranate under water that way the seeds wont splatter!

Drain the water and you're left with your little pomegranate gems...:-)

Then it's time to juice 'em! You'll be amazed at how much liquid you get out of these little seeds...

This is what they look like juice-less (in case you were curious?!)

In the meantime, prepare your canning by boiling your lids for several minutes. Leave them in the warm water until your ready to bottle it all up! (these MUST be hot in order for your cans to seal!)

Get another pot of water ready, to boil your bottles...

Next, measure out your pomegranate juice, and your lemon juice in a 6 quart pan. Put on stove until it starts boiling...(I think this lemon squeezer is the neatest thing...turns them into lemon pancakes *ha)

As soon as it starts to boil, add in the magic stuff--Pectin! (find it at any grocery store)

Place on high heat, bring it to a boil and stir constantly...otherwise it'll clump and burn (no bueno!) Continue stirring until it reaches (as my mother says) "a rolling boil that cannot be stirred down"
Then add in your 5 delicious cups of sugar! Boil hard for 2 minutes...Remove from the heat and let stand for about a minute...

You'll notice this weird foam forming (thats a tongue twister ha) simply scrape it off and discard.

Then comes the fun part--start pouring. Fill up the jars about 1/2" from the top

Make sure you wipe the rims clean!

Remember those lids in the hot water...now is the time to get them out. With tongs, carefully place the lids and screw them on nice and tight

Last but not least...set the sealed jars back in boiling water for about five minutes.

Then take them out...and as they cool you should hear them POPPING (which is a good thing...that means your jars are sealed!) When they are cooled...put them in the freezer or fridge...or wrap a nice little bow around them and wish your friends a very Merry Christmas!

for printable POMEGRANATE JELLY RECIPE...click HERE

Who won the bangle?!

2011-12-04T09:54:00.001-08:00

Thank you to everyone who entered this months giveaways!!

I think I am going to make my THANKSGIVEAWAYS a November tradition here on Color Issue! What do you all think?

I thought it was so fun to share some of my favorite things with you--plus who doesn't like free stuff?!

Some day, I want to be like Ellen DeGeneres and giveaway a free car! Maybe next year? :-)

Hey, a girl can dream--right?!

Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend!

p.s. Sammy make sure to email me you're address so I can send you your beautiful bangle!

Friday Color List

2011-12-02T07:30:00.000-08:00

1. A real GOLD Christmas Tree...Santa can you bring me this?
2. Tulips...they were the first flowers Josh ever gave me :-)
3. Different colored eyes (such a cute photo here)
4. You're a mean one Mr.Grinch
5. Hot air balloons...colors are always more vibrant in the sky
6. Matthew Cusicks fantastic map collages! So creative!
7. Christmas decorating on a budget...glitter makes everything better :-)
8. Dancing in public with a wreath Christmas sweater...a-w-e-s-o-m-e
9. Pink sunset eyes for a night out on the town
10. My mom's Christmas tree at night...one of my all time favorite things!

And don't forget to enter the Kate Spade Giveaway!! Only Two more days!
**image found here

Tis' the Season!!!

2011-12-01T07:30:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking a lot about what I wanted to post about for the month of December...and I thought it would be a lot of fun to do a countdown!

A festive post for every day until Christmas...and what better way to start off the month (since Santa comes in only 25 short days--does that overwhelm anyone else?!) to create a little twist on the countdown chain!

I always LOVED making these when I was little...I just remember getting to the last few rings and hardly being able to contain my excitement. Oh, to be a kid again. :-)

Instead of paper, I decided to go to the 99¢ store and buy five packages (with five sticks in each pack) of glow bracelets. My little nephew loves glow sticks, so I thought this would be so much fun for him! And when the glow starts to fade, just pop it in the freezer for a bit and it will be good as new...(just a little tip I learned a while back)

Only 3 more days to enter the KATE SPADE giveaway...don't miss out!

My little Sagey girl had a hay day with it...the things that keep these little ones entertained ha!

A morning with the Queen Bee

2011-11-30T08:00:00.000-08:00

About two weeks ago I took the morning and went to the Queen Bee Market--a place where home vendors get together once a year to showcase their fantastically creative work! It was so much fun to see all the clever things people came up with...I most definitely was inspired! I have a tendancy to think "gosh, I could TOTALLY make that" and then I don't, and then I kick myself for not just buying it in the first place. :-)

So my big purchases consisted of a big bag of really neat buttons (which I have a very fun project in store!!!) a little bow tie for my nephew, and a rose clip for my baby girl.

Here are a few photos of things I really loved...

A little cupcake pin cushion. I don't sew very well, but I do love cupcakes...so maybe this would motivate me?! ha

This dresser was one of those "I could totally do that!"...I am sure its harder then it looks.

These hats are so cute...perfect for a little girls birthday party (dually noted!)

Do any of you crochet? Is this not SO cute?! It wasn't for sale which I was sort of bummed about.

This was one of my favorite booths...this girl did so many creative things with ripped strips of material!

from pleated poppy

TOMORROW is DEC. 1ST...which means it's the first day of the

and boy, oh boy do I have lots of fun Christmas posts for you all!!!

Tis the Season...and Oh how I love this season...

and if you haven't already...go enter the KATE SPADE GIVEAWAY!!!

Sisterly Love

2011-11-29T07:30:00.000-08:00

I am the second oldest of five girls. I know what you're thinking, "you're poor dad!" But let me assure you he got/gets plenty doted on :-)

This last week we all went up to the San Fran area where my oldest sister lives to celebrate Thanksgiving.
I don't live by any of my sisters, two are going to school in Utah and the other two live in Nor Cal. So when we all get together it is surely one of my favorite things. There is just something so special about having a sister...let alone four! I am so thankful for each and every single one of them. It's funny how different we all are, and yet somehow we just mesh perfectly (most of the time haha).

My sister Rachael (the only true blonde in the bunch) is a photographer...so we got a lot of fun pictures this last week! Including my little families (complete w/ my hubs and baby girl) for our holiday card... which I will share very soon!

I think some of the best family photos (as far as wardrobe goes) are ones that aren't so matchy-matchy; instead try wearing something that shows your personality and who you are--it just so happened that in these pictures, Sadie (unintentionally) wore a sweater that tied all of our colors in! Go figure?! :-)

Kate Spade thanksGIVEAWAY...save the best for last!

2011-11-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving...sorry I have been so MIA but I think this very last thanksGIVEAWAY will make up for it!!!

Have I mentioned how much I adore Kate Spades new holiday line?! I could hardly wait for this week to come...I saved the very best for last!

A gorgeous Kate Spade Crystal Kaleidoscope bangle! (retailed at $178 buckaroos)

Imagine sporting this at your upcoming Christmas parties...so festive and colorful! I love, love it...

In order to enter you must please:

1. Be a Color Issue follower

2. For extra entries share it in more then one place...blog, twitter, facebook...even an email :-)

3. Lastly, let me know where you shared the colorful news!

Deadline is Saturday, Dec.2nd @ midnight!

***THE WINNER FOR THE CUSTOM DESIGNED TOMS IS (drumroll please...) GRACE***

Spotlight: Summer House

2011-11-26T20:10:00.000-08:00

I asked Laurel, from Summer House to share some advice about adding warmth to a room. Her response was fantastic and I have been waiting for the right moment to post these special tips!

"Over in our neck of the woods, at SummerHouse in Ridgeland,MS, we have some talented designers who chimed in on the topic!

Designer Elish Phares (who is the right hand woman toSummerHouse principal designer Lisa Palmer) says, “I think a “warm” room isn’talways about the color itself but the toneof the color. For example, grays are usually considered cold, but then you canhave a warm gray that is really inviting. I think texture really warms up aroom, too. Linens, velvets, furs… Layers add a lot to the warmth of a space!"

Designer Betsy Pevey said, “I think you can have a cozy room in almost any color range. I like to make a room more cozy by adding a rug. Rugs ground the space and define it. I loved designing the room in this picture because of the great things I had to work with. The great colors and the mix of textures make this traditional space beautiful.”

Meagan Burks, one of the youngest designers at SummerHouse says, "One of the easiest ways to add warmth to a room is through task lighting.” The soft glow of a small white light makes color more fascinating! The room in this photo is a great example of how warm + cool colors add so much to a space, making it inviting, interesting, and cozy!

Laurel, the SummerHouse social media girl and lover of beautiful interiors, says her favorite warm rooms incorporate great neutrals and traditional “warm colors” like reds, oranges, and yellows. “My favorite warm and cozy rooms have neutral walls and pops of warm color.

We are all passionate about color, as is Aarean, and truly believe that color is one of the things that makes life so fun and fascinating! Without color, what would this world be? Just think about it! Color is a necessity for happiness, right?! We love using the right colors to make peoples’ homes more beautiful. For more colorful work by the SummerHouse team, head on over to the Interior Design section of our website! www.summerhousestyle.com/design.

Thanks so much SummerHouse team! I love your work, and love all the warm cozy color combos!

DIY: Anthropologie Ornament look-a-like

2011-11-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

Can you believe that tomorrow is Turkey Day?!? Tell me, what is your favorite part of the holiday? For me its a toss up between family getting together...candied yams...& leftovers. :-)
With that said one of my favorite holiday traditions (that I have grown to love) is putting up the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving.
Each year, I try to get at least three new ornaments. I have been eyeing all of the beautiful ones over at Anthropologie but cringe at the price tag...so I decided to make my own with the inspiration of these two lovely little pieces of "tree jewelry":
sparkled snapper/turtle sparkled koi/fish

You will need: glue gun, glitter, elmers glue, scissors, a small styrofoam ball (got mine at Michaels), and cardboard.

First, cut the styrofoam ball in half (this will be the shell of the turtle)

Then paint on a nice thin layer of glue and sprinkle some sparkly glitter! Set aside to dry.

Next I cut out 16 small rectangular shapes about the size of a golf ball (I can't really think of what else to compare the size to?!) You'll also want to cut out five smaller rounded versions for the legs and tail.

Take each piece and paint on glue and then lay on the glitter...the more the better! LET THEM DRY. Starting from the bottom of the ball, I hot glued the first row and slowly moved up until the entire thing was covered...do NOT lay the very top piece on until...

you poke a hole and put a piece of ribbon through it, THAN glue it on top nice and tight! Otherwise you'll have a sitting turtle rather then a hanging one.

Then for the head, I simply took a scratch piece...about 6" wide and rolled it up like this...

and to create a rounded head, I made a ball of tape (size of a grape), placed it on one end and sealed it all up so it looks like one piece! Then I painted on some glue and sprinkled on the glitz!

and here ya have it...my anthro turtle ornament look-a-like (still haven't named him yet)

For the fish (this one is a bit easier and less tedious)...I drew and cut out a fish from cardboard. I then traced another head and mouth so that...

it will look more dimensional...

Simply glitter up only the tail and fins and extra head...set aside and let dry.

Then I used scraps and cut about four long strips to cut the scales out of...

I cut out about 28 small circles (size of a quarter or so)

and like I did for the Turtle, I painted on glue and used pink and blue glitter to be-dazzle them

When you lay on the scales, start at the tale and move towards the head. Glue the head on last! That way everything overlaps each other from the head down.
**oh and I used a little blue tac for the eye!

and don't forget to glue on your ribbon so that you can hang him (the back isn't so pretty...but who sees that?!)

And here she is...so lovely in pink and blue :-)

The best thing about this project is that I was able to make THREE fish and TWO turtles which, if I bought them at Anthro, would have costed almost $100!

By making them, I only spent $5 (I already had the glue and glitter)

Hope you have a very, very Happy Thanksgiving!!!! I will be back this weekend to put up the very last thanksGIVEAWAY (which I think you'll love!) and also to announce the TOMS giveaway winner--so if you haven't entered go here

ThanksGIVEAWAY #3...a custom pair of TOMS

2011-11-20T12:00:00.000-08:00

Do you have a pair of TOMS? well, either way you're in luck!

I have one pair and I love them to pieces!

For my third thanksGIVEAWAY, enter to win your very own custom pair of TOMS designed by Benjamin Paras!!!

"The custom Toms Shoe illustrations are one-of-a-kind and are unique to every pair. As a long-time wearer himself, he very much believes and supports the company's philosophy that for every pair bought, one pair is donated to a child in need. His designs usually emphasize vivid color and imagination, with the client's idea spearheading the design."

A pair of TOMS with a special touch of Ben's artistic talent...what more could your feet want?! :-)

In order for you entry to be valid you MUST please:

1. Be a Color Issue follower (just click the join this site on the top right corner)

2. Visit Ben's shop...you can either pick a design or customize your own!

3. ...and lastly, spread the news and let me know where you shared!

Giveaway ends next Saturday, November 26th @ midnight!

(to which the very last giveaway will be announced (oooh I saved the best for last!)...honestly how did this month go so fast?!)

Spotlight: Being Fashionably Bold

2011-11-20T07:30:00.000-08:00

It's always fun to see what people come up with for the Color Issue Spotlights. I love being inspired by others through their creative eye!

I asked Candice, to share some of her favorite fashion "do's" for this season!This is such a great, colorful outfit and I love the glittery heels (oh yes please!)...

top, skirt, heels, clutch, bracelet, tassle bracelet, scarf

"Hi There! I'm Candice from TeaTime Thoughts!
When it comes to fashion, color blocking has become one of my very favorite trends for this year! The vibrant hues and touches of glitter are the perfect combination for a lunch with girlfriends or an evening out on the town!
I started off with a vibrant fuchsia skirt, skinny blue belt, and a simple striped shirt (a must have!)
Top it off with some bold and dainty bangles, and a touch of glam with glittery heels (that will surely elongate your legs)!
To keep out the cold, and keep in the style, add extra polish with a cozy fur scarf. It's a fun alternative to a vest, and still keeps your neck quite warm!

All of these pieces can be mixed and matched with other wardrobe staples like jeans, blazers and boots to create a bunch of gorgeous looks each time. Remember, your best accessory is confidence, so have fun, love your outfit, and take a risk every now and then!"

WINNER FOR THE thanksGIVEAWAY NECKLACE (thanks to random.org) is...PAIGE!!!
thanksGIVEAWAY #3 will be up around noon today...so make sure to come back and check it out!!!

Spotlight: Colorful Ceiling Inspiration from Arcadia

2011-11-19T09:00:00.000-08:00

LAST DAY TO ENTER THANKSGIVEAWAY #2!!!!

Hello! I'm Joanna, a writer for Arcadian Lighting, a terrific online source for light fixtures for every decorating style. Some color-timid decorators shy away from using bright hues on the walls. Can you imagine being brave enough to paint your ceiling vivid orange or using bright floral wallpaper? Some decorators are doing just that with great success. We're loving the innovative way some of these rooms turn out!

A whimsical cherub amongst lilies and lily pads top off a vintage kitchen. A lack of upper cabinets keeps the kitchen from becoming crowded or feeling smaller.

A geometric pattern on this low ceiling gives an optical illusion. White on the bed and ceiling make the color on the walls pop.

A floral wallpaper adorns the ceiling of this small bedroom. The layering of so many textures could have been too busy, but it works well here!

A silver flocked ceiling makes a dramatic statement in this bright orange room. Modern furnishings, textiles and art blend well with the ornate traditional feel to the room.

A dramatic ceiling gives this traditional setting a sophisticated contemporary feel. The unusual lighting fixture might have looked odd but it marries the formal feel of the room with modern furnishings.

An outdoor room is finished with a Moroccan tile ceiling in shades of blue and yellow. A large light fixture goes with the opulent feel of this room beautifully.

So...what do you think about vibrant, boldly colored ceilings after these little pieces of inspiration?

(Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

Friday Color List

2011-11-18T07:30:00.000-08:00

1. This Rubiks cube art (love this creativity!)

2. A french manicure with colored tips

3. The color & smell of lavender

4. Kate Spade's holiday gift guide...talk about an explosion of color--genius I tell ya!

5. M&M's reflection (this is so neat!)

6. Adding streaks of color to your hair

7. All the different eye colors out there

8. The old adage, "red sky in morning, sailors warning"

9. The Marble Cathedral of Chile...stunning!

10. 3-Dimensional paper art

**Can I just say TGIF!!! Have a glorious weekend...and don't forget to enter THIS giveaway!

Where are you sitting on Turkey Day?

2011-11-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

Do you use name tags on your tables for Thanksgiving? I think place settings with name tags can be such a creative touch to your table decor. I found some cute, simple, and inexpensive ways to spruce up your name tags for this holiday! Instead of using plane old paper, try one of these for a turkey day twist! I am sure your guests will love it too...

**use black paper and a white crayon and draw your place mats

**tie or tac on a little tag to a pear or pumpkin

**use a simple pine cone or nut for a touch of fall

**scribble on a leaf or a pumpkin for a natural feel (one of my faves)

pine cone photo here, other photos here

p.s. Christmas is just around the corner!! Can you believe it? And the IHOD Holiday Gift Guide just came out...and my glitter nails are featured in it!!!
I was ecstatic when I saw it...and so I thought you just might like to see what other goodies are inside!
Take a peek and check it out HERE

p.p.s. I have a bunch of GREAT holiday posts and gift ideas...starting the day after Thanksgiving! I am so, so excited! I am not sure what it is about Christmas, but it just brings out the wanna-be-martha-stewart/paula deen in me :-)

Colorful DIY Accessory

2011-11-16T07:30:00.000-08:00

When I was younger I LOVED making necklaces, bracelets, earrings...pretty much anything I could put beads on. I grew up in a home with four sisters (lots of estrogen ha) and jewelry making was always such a fun thing we could all do together...
So I decided to revert back to the good old days and make a double stranded necklace for one of my friends...call it an early Christmas gift :-). She is somewhat simple and so I figured greens, yellows and clears would be just the right trio!
First you need your beads. Make sure you lay them out so you can see what your working with; and so you can figure out the order of your stranding.

You'll also need either clear string or I used soft flex wire...i feel like its sturdier...

Make sure you have your clasp and your wire clamps (not sure that's the technical term for these little things but its what I call them...they are the things you use on the end of your wire to attach it all together and keep it in place)

Next you'll need your jewelry pliers to squeeze the clamps nice and tight...

Measure how long you want your necklace...for me I measured about 35" for the longer strand and 32" for the shorter strand. Then, take a clamp and loop the wire through...

and squeeze the life out of it!

Like this (sorry its blurry...taking a pic with one hand can get a bit shaky):

Then attach the other strand like this:

The the best part...creating your necklace! After they are all on, DON'T pick it up until you finish squeezing the clamps to the other ends of your wire...otherwise you'll find all your work on the floor (speaking from experience that is the worst thing ever!)

And there ya have it...a nice accessory to add to the bunch :-)

**speaking of necklaces don't forget to enter THIS giveaway! :-)

Picking a palette for your artwork

2011-11-15T08:00:00.000-08:00

I absolutely love this artwork by Yangyang Pan (titled:The Far Side)

The colors are just soothing to me. It almost reminds me of a field of wildflowers.

Someday, I want to design a room around this piece...

I found the best site that uploads any image/artwork/picture of your choice and then gives you a palette to work with! Isn't that just genius!?

The site is called pictaculous...and the best thing is that it's so easy to navigate!

p.s. don't forget to enter this weeks giveaway!

I uploaded it and this is the palette it gave me. To be honest, I probably would have chosen to go with more purple then orange...but when it grouped these together I actually really, really liked it! Who would have thought?

**oh and the other great thing...you can upload this palette on your phone so you have it on the go! Why didn't I think of this idea?!

My love affair with Joe...

2011-11-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

Fifty five fantastic colorful Joe's huggin your buns...what more could a girl ask for?

This new thing with colorful pants is probably my favorite trend since scrunchy socks. What a great way to add color to your wardrobe!

I mean look at all the options! You better believe these are on my Christmas list!

**aren't all these poses so great...I sat and looked at every single one trying to figure out what she was thinking...like the third row in green pants, "super staaaaah!"

ThanksGIVEAWAY #2

2011-11-13T06:30:00.000-08:00

Well, another week has FLOWN by and you know what that means!?!
Out with the old and in with the NEW thanksGIVEAWAY for this month (so exciting!)...
A beautiful, personalized gold initial stamped charm on an 18" gold filled chain from Tea Party Jewelry.
There is something so dainty & sentimental about this necklace; I just simply LOVE it!

So, ya know the drill...in order to enter you MUST please:
1. Be a Color Issue Follower
2. Spread the giveaway news (oh, and let me know where you shared the love)

Giveaway ends next Saturday, November 19th @ midnight...
and yep, that is when thanksGIVEAWAY #3 begins--

Thank you to everyone who entered last weeks thanksGIVEAWAY.

I wish I had a HOBO for each and every single one of you (but I'm not that rich...perhaps someday!?)

So (thanks to random.org) congrats to Leslie--who was the big winner of last week's prize!

Friday Color List

2011-11-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

photo found here

1. Hot Pink toe nails in the winter
2. The color of a crisp pie crust (click here to get some decorative pie edge tips)
3. A perfectly roasted, golden marshmallow
4. This adorable color parade! (thanks for sharing Catherine)
5. Afghan girls eyes from one of my fave National Geographic covers (see her 17 years later)
6. These cute and delicious swirly baked apples
7. Milky white plumerias (when I lived in Hawaii, I would always pick these from a nearby tree and put it behind my ear...)
8. How fantastic is this colorful recycled clothing art?!
9. The gorgeous Sistine Chapel

**tomorrow is the last day to enter the HOBO wallet giveaway so hope on over if you haven't already!

Spotlight: Rachel from Elegance Redefined

2011-11-10T09:00:00.000-08:00

I met Rachel back when we were college students...when around this time of year we were wearing snow boots and heavy wool jackets. (kind of miss those days actually)...now she lives in the Golden Gate City where she is a wife, mama and an interior designer. Her work is clean and fresh, and always inspiring. She was nice enough to share some of her expertise on how she chooses her colors to decorate both small and large spaces.

"Putting color up on the wall can be a nerve racking decision. I've worked with plenty of clients too nervous to put anything besides beige up on the wall! Something to keep in mind when choosing a color is to see how much time you will be spending in that space, and what emotions you want when you walk in the room. Family rooms often have many windows that draw your eye outside, and that is where you want a lot of your focus and attention; which is why many large areas are normally neutral.
If you pick a bold color for a room you will be spending a lot of time in, remember that it can wear on you. In my experience gathering rooms should be a bit more neutral; whereas for smaller rooms (or spaces you don't spend much time in) be creative and have fun with color! In this client's room we were really inspired by the fall leaves outside. We chose a warm yellow, which is perfect year around. Then, to balance the bright yellow we decided to go with a darker, neutral drapery fabric and bedding."

palett:

Oh, and if you haven't already checked out this weeks THANKSGIVEAWAY...click HERE!!

Early 1900's in Colour

2011-11-09T08:13:00.000-08:00

What is autochrome?
When I stumbled upon these historical photographs online, and learned about this industrial process I was amazed!

"Autochrome was the first industrial process for true colour photography. When the Lumiere brothers launched in commercially in June 1907, it was a photographic revolution - black and white came to life in clour. Autochromes consist of fine layers of microscopic grains of potato starch dyed either red-orange, green or violet blue combined with black carbon particles, spread over a glass plate where it is combined with a black and white photographic emulsion. All colours can be reproduced from three primary colours."

These pictures are absolutely amazing! Don't get me wrong, I love black and white photos, but to see these old historical pictures come to life with color...well, it completely changes the tone and feel of the images. To actually see the colors they wore, the colors of the their surroundings, the color of their eyes...it's just so beautiful. Here were some of my favorites:

portrait:

below: algeria

below:Bulgaria

below:France

below:Ireland

below:Sweden

this photo below was taken during WWI. I love the way she is holding her little doll.

Read about where they got these photos and see more of them HERE

12 Layer Birthday Cake

2011-11-08T11:00:00.000-08:00

So I had this "brilliant" idea for my baby girls very 1st birthday cake. I didn't want just any ol' bday cake...I wanted a special one. A cake with LOTS of color and layers, and then I created this image in my head of a miniature 12 layer b-day cake!!! That sounds fantastic!

I know what you're thinking..."Why 12 layers?" Well, I thought it would be neat to have one layer for every month since she's been born!!!

And when I get something stuck in my head, there is no turning back...even if mid-project I think to myself "what did I get myself into?!?!"

(which I may or may not have thought during this cake extravaganza...)!?!

It was most definitely a learning experience...so here are my tips for the future 12 layer cake maker:

p.s.You should start prepping about 2 days prior to the day you actually want the cake!

Main ingredients (not to bad right?!) but you will also need wax paper and plastic wrap.

CLICK THE "READ MORE" BUTTON BELOW TO SEE FULL POST!

I made the cake mix and poured it into an 11x17 pan so that it would be much thinner and only cooked it for about 15 minutes. I let it cool completely!
For the first layer I wanted it to be about the size of my small mixing bowl, so I traced it and used that as my starting point:

I would then place my " paper circle" on the cake and cut around it. After each time, I'd cut the paper just a bit smaller for each layer. Trust me, you'll think you don't have enough cake but you will!

Afterwards, so the layers didn't stick to eachother I put wax paper in between them...

I then wrapped them good and tight with the plastic wrap...and put them in the freezer over night so that they were hard enough to frost. (this is where I messed up...my friend jamie told me you should freeze and frost (aka the crumb layer)...then freeze and frost again(the last frosting layer will be nice and smooth)...you live and you learn right?!

So anyways the next day I made 12 different colors of frosting...mixing all sorts of die together. After about the 7th layer I was running out of ideas so you just have to get creative with your mixtures! ha

it makes a bit of a mess...but worth it!!!!

I didn't want to mess up the frosting by putting the plastic wrap all over it, that would have been a bummer. I have this big glass jar that I use for decoration (now don't laugh), so I just stuck that over it and put it back in the freezer for one more night.

About 3 hours before the party I took it out and let it soften up...

then when the time came I excitedly brought the mini 12 layer cake over! I just KNEW that my baby girl would scream with excitement--and as you can see she screamed alright but not with excitement. She wanted nothing to do with it. I mean I know the frosting job isn't perfection but geez.

**sigh. Oh well. It was fun to make...even though I am bummed I didn't get a good picture of the final product. But you get the idea?! A mini cake for my little mini-me. At least the other kids loved it. ha.

Color Issue ThanksGIVEAWAY--HOBO Wallet

2011-11-06T06:30:00.000-08:00

November is a month of thanksGIVING.

Each and every Sunday of this month...i will be doing a Color Issue ThanksGIVEAWAY!
(4 weeks=4 giveaways of some of my favorite things)
So what better way to start it off then with one of my all time faves..a sexy red HOBO wallet!

Ho' bo that?!?! (kinda sounds like how about that! ha)
Oh I love love love mine...it's really the PERFECT wallet/clutch.
The size, the texture, the color...its just beautiful in every way, shape and form. :-)

So here's how to enter:
1. MUST be a Color Issue follower (click the join this site on the top right)
2. Share the HOBO news...via FB, twitter or your own blog! (don't forget to let me know where you shared-for your entry to be valid!)

GIVEAWAY ENDS NEXT SATURDAY (nov.12th) @ MIDNIGHT
(& a new G.A. will be announced the following Sunday)

Happy ThanksGIVEAWAY month from me to you!!!

Spotlight: Sycamore Street Press

2011-11-05T11:24:00.000-07:00

I have known Eva (one of the owners of Sycamore Street Press) since I was just a little one. My older sister was best friends with her younger sister all growing up. Eva is SO creative and SO inspiring. When she started her business I was ecstatic considering I have a slight obsession with stationary...so I asked her to share a little blurb about where she gets her inspiration from...

"A little over two years ago, Kirk and I moved to a beautiful mountain valley in Utah. All of a sudden, nature was no longer something we "got away" to. It was no longer a pretty idea. It was our reality. For the first time in a very long time, nature directly inspired my work. I don't see other houses or buildings when I look out my window. I see trees, deer, birds, wildflowers, the sky, and the mountains.
One of my favorite times of year is the fall. Reds, golden yellows, toasty browns, and fiery orange. That deep orange color has made its way into Sycamore Street Press's color palette. It's both earthy and bright -- a lovely combination. With letterpress, we print each color separately, so it only makes sense to use one or two on each item. This limitation can become a strength if we choose colors that make a real statement. I think this orange does the trick."

--thanks Eva! so, so much!

Aren't these images so fantastic?! I love the orange...so "fallish"!

2011-11-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

photo found HERE

Holly's Color List:
1. The golden crisp of fresh-baked cookies
2. ...& the creamy milk alongside them
3. The sweet blossoms in Spring
4. ...& the warm leaves in Autumn
5. The glow of the clouds at sunrise
6. ...& their vivid reflection at sunset
7. The ever-changing irises of my gentleman's eyes
8. ...& the rosy flush of my cheeks when I'm near him

Thanks for sharing your list Holly! I especially love #1 and #2!
Have a very happy weekend...and OH boy do I have a great giveaway that starts this weekend!!!! I'm giddy just thinkin' about it! hint: it's one of my favorite things and it fits in your purse!

Spotlight: Sheye Rosemeyer

2011-11-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

When I stumbled upon Sheye Rosemeyer's photography, I thought I had discovered a whole new world. The way she captures color, lighting, pure emotion is just breath taking (plus she lives in Australia...my dream place!). I was ecstatic when she happily accepted to be spotlighted! Read her story about her sweet Ava HERE. I truly can say, she has inspired me to be a better mother, to appreciate the things around me each and every day.

So without further adieu here are her questions and answers. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did!

1. What isyour favorite lighting to shoot in and why?

Thelast two hours of daylight are my absolute favourite to shoot in. The way the sun turns so golden and thelong shadows, I can't resist picking up my camera at that time of day. If there's a tiny bit of cloud coverwhere the sun still peeks through, even better..Then the light seems to be amix of silver and gold :)

2. Whatcolors do you find photograph really well as far as wardrobe goes?

I love tophotograph soft pastels. They'reso flattering and also easy to expose for. You don't get color casts that stronger colors can have orthe reflection that white gives. Late afternoon light at the beach with muted colors just worksbeautifully.

3. Wheredid your warm and soothing style of photography come from?

Thewarmth probably comes from using the late golden light that I include in a lotof my images. The first shoot I remember where late afternoon light became myfocus was in 2007. The way the sunshone through the fabric of a dress and the interesting shadows itprovided..suddenly I was more intent on capturing the sunlight than anythingelse and my editing became about highlighting that.

And soothing? I guess Ilove to capture my subjects in a gentle way..almost ethereal? I like my images to have an almoststorybook feel to them.

4. Whatare you favorite colors to photograph?

I tendtowards wanting greenery in my images. I'm happiest in a natural setting..a forest or a big open field, withsunlight of course. Inediting I like to alter the tones and create different feels.

5. How doescolor play a role in the way you want your photography to be portrayed?

I’m quite agirly girl and a lot of my images have soft pretty tints added in editing sooverall, color is very important to my style. I chose the name “Eye Candy” for my actions andworkshops because I love candy colored anything. Not quite pastel and not bright, the perfect tones for me!

6. What has beenyour favorite shoot so far?

Itchanges all the time but in my top three consistently would be Anna, whom Ishot in Orange County last year. It was a personal project shoot and a little more themed than I normallydo..she was a fantastic model and I was really happy with the images.

7. Where do you get your inspiration from?

Childhood,daydreaming, beautiful people,sunlight, raw emotion.

DIY: Sparkly Bulletin

2011-11-03T07:30:00.000-07:00

I bought this bulletin board so that I can have a place to put all my loose papers- you know, trying to organize myself over here...and I wanted to add a little COLOR to it. I am WAY into glitter lately (remember my nails?). So I figured what better way to spruce things up then with glitter?!

All you need is: a bulletin board, some glue, a paint brush, mod podge, and glitter!

This is my lampshade I have in my office (a great TJ Max find) I added a string of beads on the bottom of it and so I chose to match the glitter to the pink beads...to tie it all in.

1. Just paint on a nice thin layer of glue....

2. Put some paper underneath and on top to catch all the fallen glitter...I did this in sections and simply moved the paper as I went.

3. Then once I was done with sprinkling...out came the Mod Podge to seal the deal!

4. I got a bigger brush and gently painted it on top of the glitter just so that the glitter had a nice top coat so it wouldn't fall off...(don't mind my claw hand ha)

5. Then...(i am a bit of a perfectionist, don't hate me...) I went around with tape and got all the excess sparkles off the board.

6. Added some push pins (these are earrings of mine that don't have matches to them...they make PERFECT push pins)

7. Lastly, hang it up for all to admire. Just gives it a nice touch don't you think?

The End.

Diamonds are a girls best friend

2011-11-02T07:30:00.000-07:00

What can I say...I love diamonds. Like I really, really love them.
So when I stumbled upon this site that gave the top 10 most expensive diamonds in the world--
I couldn't help but share some of my favorites!
honey bunny, if you're reading this...I wouldn't mind any of these for our next anniversary! *wink

Take a gander at these beauties...the colors, the size, the sparkle...no wonder us gals love them so much! :-) Are they not amazing! Which color would you choose?

The Steinmetz Pink Diamond/$25 million/ size: 59.60 carats

The Heart of Eternity/$17 million/ size: 27.64 carats

The Allnatt Diamond/ $3 million/ size: 101.29 carats

The Moussaieff Diamond/$7million/ size: 13.9 carats

Spotlight: Mary Jolley and my trip to the Farmer's Market

2011-11-01T07:30:00.000-07:00

We ventured off to the local Farmer's Market this last weekend where every food & flower stand bursted with color! Its one of my favorite things to do on the weekends...and the great thing is that they're everywhere! So I asked my sweet friend Mary Jolley (author of: My Green Diet) to share how color has inspired her, since she is a farmer's market guru!

"I love to go to the farmer's market and see different heirloom varieties of vegetables. I get inspiration from seeing piles of different colored squashes and tomatoes.

I tell people to Eat the RAINBOW... different colors mean a different vitamin and mineral profile. Green for chlorophyll (a fantastic color to eat lots of). Orange for Vitamin A and C. Blue and red for antioxidants. (This is obviously a drastic simplification, but helpful when trying to get all your vitamins).

Bright colors signify ripeness, freshness, and garden goodness. Colors make food sing; take your meal from a single note to a beautiful melody by incorporating fresh colorful fruits and vegetables.

Eat your colors to increase your health, gladden your heart, and enliven your soul."

I love that last sentence...eating colors obviously is the key! Thanks so much Mary! (hey that totally rhymed ha)

check our her site HERE--and some of her favorite recipes: Thai Salad, Spiced Peaches, and Walnut Pesto

I thought I'd share some photos of our little outing...oh isn't food just glorious! :-)

This was honestly one of the largest dogs I had ever seen! Like a small horse I tell ya!

Peacocks...

2011-10-31T08:02:00.001-07:00

So when I was about 18 months old I loved chips and dip. Dipping them in everything I could possibly get my little hands on; it became a regular occurrence. We lived in Arizona, and we would get these beautiful peacocks randomly coming into our backyard and stare at their reflection in our sliding glass door (did you know peacocks love to look at their reflection...?) So one day, I decided to take my bag of chips...venture outside and dip my chips in the nice piles of poop that these birds would leave behind. Are you gagging yet? Yep, when my mom came out to find me doing that I think she about had a heart attack! Oh could you imagine?Thankfully I can't remember this incident (i just believe what I've been told)...& don't worry I haven't tried that delicacy since. :-)

So there you have it...I like to think that that is when my love for peacocks began...haha.

Now to the real eye candy of the post...there is something so beautiful about peacock feathers. The vibrance, the blues mixed with the greens. Oh its such a great pallet of colors!

So here are a few great finds that I really just love!

random fact: Peacocks are actually peafowls--Males are called peacocks and females are called peahens. Baby peafowls are called peachicks. who knew?!

1. Alexandria Gunmetal Peacock Bracelet, 2. Peacock Chair by Dror, 3. Alexandria Gunmetal Peacock Fringe Earrings, 4. Etsy Peacock Print 5. Lauren Merkin Lotte Feather-Print Clutch, 6. Peacock Crochet Scarf, 7. Mustard Cloche Hat with Peacock Feather