Pantone Fashion Color Trends for Fall 2009

Pantone the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, announces the PANTONE Fashion Color Report Fall 2009. The report features the top 10 colors for women's fashion for fall '09. The report is available free-of-charge from the Pantone Website. Must haves for fall:
• Tailored riding jacket in Gunmetal Gray or Black
• Leather jacket - Leather is definitely a must-have for fall. Aside from "rock redux" another hot trend for fall is "everything leather."
• Something draped -I think drapes are quickly becoming a mainstay, just like capris. But then again, there is something very classic and elegant about drapes, especially on long, flow-y dresses. Check out Versace's fall collection for romantic, draped dresses. If you're into draped accessories - you read that right - accessories, Style.com recommends Viktor & Rolf's draped clutch.
• Over-knee-boots – They aren’t just for stripers anymore. They've got to be one of the sexiest footwear/apparel pieces ever created and they look delicious when paired with mini.
• Strong shouldered jacket - I cringe at the shoulder padded jackets, but Fall collections this year are obsessed with big shoulders. Prominent shoulders are everywhere - on full dresses, mini dresses, and of course jackets. Can you say hello 1985?
• Color - After last year's back to black theme, designers take us to happier and more hopeful territories. So go ahead and wear something colorful, go for neons if you must even if it’s as an accent color in a fedora hat or scarf.

It's rough being a Princess

I saw these pictures online and loved them. They are from a collection entitled Fallen Princesses by photographer Diane Goldstein. The ones below are a few of my favorites.

Snow White - Living the Dream!

Cinderella A tough day at the castle.

Jasmine - War can really ruin a girl's happy ending!

Bell - We all have to go through alittle pain to be beautiful.

Jimmy Whooo?

Charlotte Russ has made every budget shoppers dream come true. A knock-off pair of Jimmy Choo's cutout shoe bootie that are a dead ringer for the designer original . Charlotte's version is selling for $26.99. These shoes would look great with a pair of rolled up boyfriend jeans or add a little bit of edge to a white femine flirty dress.

Seasonal Sales

I love shopping! I love shopping even more when I feel I’m getting a great deal. With that in mind here are some of my favorite finds on seasonal sale items. Happy shopping!

Outdoor pillows from
Restoration Hardware $15.99

Bronze lanterns from
Restoration Hardware $13 - $35

Outdoor oil lamps from
Restoration Hardware $5.99

A set of 3 wall hanging baskets from Pottery Barn $39.99







Wine and cheese tote from picnicfun.com $28

DIY Wine Bottle Torch

I saw this and absolutely fell in love with it. If you’re a wine enthusiast or your having a wine themed party these torches would be great in any backyard or on a deck. The idea comes from Erik Anderson of Gerardot & Co.- a creative branding and design agency in indianapolis. Erik was kind enough to share this fantastic project that turns an everyday bottle into a modern backyard tiki torch on his blog. For instructions for this do it yourself project click here.

Not that I need a reason to open a bottle of wine, but now there is reason not to be disappointed when the bottle is empy.

2010 Color Trend Forecast - Part II

Color- it’s all around us and it influences our moods even if we don’t realize it. The colors that we choose to wear or decorate our homes with are a reflection of ourselves. So let’s continue our look at the color trends for 2010 to see the hues that will be popping up in fashion, home décor and event décor.



Pantone’s Galaxy is well reflected in a palette that truly illustrates the harmony of hue found in the nocturnal sky. Mirroring the colors of the earth, the greens, called Greener Pastures and Peridot, are powerfully contrasted against the deepest extraterrestrial blues, silver and stormy violets. Brilliant sprays of turquoise and a radiating orchid tone enhance the atmosphere, while Rich Gold embodies the energy and splendor of the epicenter of it all – the sun.

Benjamin Moore’s the new luxury is more about values and less about wealth. Sophisticated deep and rich tones. Bold translucency and art-inspired brights contrast against beige grounds. Gold, bronze, copper. Sustainable color choices accented with luxurious chromas of organic brights….think eco-chic. Colors include: sandlot gray, granite, wild orchid, caponata, summer plum, gold.

2010 Color Trend Forecast - Part I

Pantone and Benjamin Moore, two companies that know a thing or two about color, have released their forecast for 2010’s hottest color trends. From muted, subdued shades to bright and bold the color trends for 2010 promise to be fresh, yet sophisticated. These new shades will inspire hope and bring comfort to our day-to-day lives. We will see these colors everywhere from home décor, to fashion, to special event and wedding decorations. Color can be a powerful influencer of mood and a reflection of who you are. Where better to wield the power of color than your home, wardrobe or next soiree? So let’s take a look at some of these exciting color palettes.

Let’s start with my favorite –Pantone’s Greenmarket. The local farmers market was the inspiration behind this palette. The colors in this collection have wonderful and appetizing names like Tomato Puree and Beaujolais, with the tang of Super Lemon or bite of Apple Green, to the more exotic flavors of Dijon, Paprika and Chutney. Greenmarket contains representational hues that entice and appeal to both the eyes and the taste buds.

Both Pantone’s Gatherings and Benjamin Moore’s Genesis color schemes brings together a compilation of colors that are warm, earthy, and comforting and that is demonstrated the appropriately named colors: Pantone’s Cypress green, Smoke Blue, Sand and Oasis mixed with the magic of Twilight Mauve, the piquancy of Lemon Curry and Benjamin Moore’s Abby Brown, Forrest Moss, and Fruit Cocktail.