Beige doesnt have to be boring, does it?

Beige is a color that has gotten a bad rap as of late, often called boring, safe and invisible. I admit that I have called these things as well, but I come to the realization that beige can be fun, in your face and just as obnoxious as the brightest of brights. Beige, much like black or navy, is a color that is often used for staples and meant to be accented by other colors or prints. Part of its purpose is to be in the background.

The shade itself runs the gammut from oatmeal to nubuck to taupe, but at the end of the day its all beige and that's not a bad thing. Take these custom made Christian Louboutin's for instance. Created specifically for Christina Aguilera for the movie Burlesque, these beauties give her petite in 5'2'' frame a lift and they do it like no other. With a nod to his "Margot" design, these white and silver shoes do wonders for the beige category. They wouldn't know how to blend into the background if they tried, and I dare say, they wouldn't even bother attempting. These are meant to be seen, flaunted and coveted and according to many sites, they are. Some girls have even requested Ms. Aguilera to pass them on. While most of us would not be able to afford something akin to these, their $2495 is a bit cost prohibitive, it is still possible to get the feeling with something much more affordable. Now while these arent going to be the pair that every girl covets, they demonstrate how one can get something just as interesting on a much smaller budget. Created by Irregular Choice, these Can't Touch This pumps are no shrinking violet themselves and scream "look at me!" And at $129 from Akira, a pair that the rest of us could actually afford.

You can see in these two examples that beige does not have to be 'boring' but there is nothing wrong with being in the background either. They both have their place, its just a matter of what you need and want. As Adrienne said, "I can't walk around on my rent," and I more than agree but a girl can dream though, cant she?

Shall we Treasure our Turquoise?

Turquoise is a color and stone that has been revered by those in power for centuries. Archealologists have discovered it adorning Egyptian queens dating as far back as 5500 B.C. and hundreds of others since then. And still today, the stone is a symbol of life, wealth and good fortune, by many cultures around the world. The turquoise stone is found in both the blue and green family. The green caused by the presence of iron in the soils where it is formed and the blue caused by the presence of copper. While the blue may be more popular in clothes and accessories today, the green is most often found in jewelry, typically that of Native American or Aztec influence. This necklace for instance, by Raymond Beard, Navajo, called Antiqued Silver Bead & Carico Lake Turquoise Naja Necklace. He uses both the blue and green turquoise stones to embelish this gorgeous silver necklace.

Because Turquoise has been around for so long, the blue shade has made it into regular rotation on the fashion circuit and just last year, 2010, was Pantone's color of the year. Because of its vibrance it floats seamlessly back and forth from accents to staples and harmoniously works with most color palettes. Even when used as an accent in an already bright color scheme, Turquoise has the ability to ground the whole outfit so as not to become overdone or stylized. These Nine West Nicefit Pumps are a great way to inject some color and suprise to an otherwise understated outfit, letting the shoe truly steal the show.

Typically a color associated with summer, its inner warmth gives those wearing it a glow. So be a queen today, powerful and revered. Maybe not the status symbol of yesterday, but the color is still one to make others stop and take notice.

Did you know that nothing rhymes with Orange?

Orange is one of those colors that universally most people feel that they cant wear. But this is not true. While we may not all be able to get away with the orange of childhood, the spectrum that exists within orange is beautiful. From pale melons to infused burnt oranges, the options are endless. Orange is a happy color that lifts spirits and can be very comforting all the while energizing. When using orange, though, most relegate it to the background for accents, and while it works well here, it can also do wonders when allowed to take center stage. But because most shades of orange are only a shade away from garish, it does benefit one to take your time with choosing the color and placement of the color so as not to become lost in it.

I was perusing online and came across these darling studs by Betsey Johnson and I actually grinned at the computer screen. While Monica may find them scary, these are a pair of studs that can lighten the mood all the while remaining understated, simply because they are studs. A way to not take yourself too seriously. Part of this is accomplished by the color in and of itself. The shiny orange laquer is unexpected but simultaneously appreciated. Maybe not appropo for every situation, certainly not for an interview or black tie dinner, but every other in between.

For me, fashion and color is about expressing yourself, having fun and not taking yourself too seriously. Everything you wear should look polished and on purpose yet not severe. Knowing who you are and exhibiting that through dress should never be a problem...though I do draw the line at a flaxseed mumu.

One of the best neutrals ever...

Per Adrienne's request, this week we are going to talk about one of the best neutral's ever. Navy. Navy is such a stately color. Its saturated, refined and stands out or blends into the background beautifully. Often used in sailor themes, it is beautifully accented by any color, though when it comes to aquatic themes, it's most often paired with red and gold. And preferably with stripes. But I digress, when it comes to neutrals, the goal is to have a color that will go with most everything else, in some way, shape or fashion. Neutrals are like basics. They mix and match and form a cohesive look, relatively easily. There is a reason why a lot of people default to black, and sometimes grey. It goes with everything, but when you are looking to spice it up and add some visual interest, try the simplicity of navy. Because navy is such a dark color is is great when worn as a bottom (ie. pants or skirt) because you can mix just about any color from your wardrobe and not have to think too hard about it. When used as a completer piece (ie. cardigan or blazer) it polishes your look in a way that makes it look like you got 'dressed on purpose.'

But dont send navy to the neutral zone to die. When done is fabulous textures and styles, navy can also make a statement. Take for instance this BCBGMAXAZRIA strapless dress. The varied textures and subtle inflections of color make this dress standout even though it is done in navy. Navy has an innate refined quality to it that says, "I'm cool, calm and collected." Navy gives the impression that one is in control of themselves and isn't afraid to be just a little bit different. Everything we wear speaks to how we feel about ourselves and what we are trying to say to the world, even if inadvertently. Black says this is my routine, my whole closet matches itself. Navy says this is my way of life, I did this on purpose. What are you saying to the world today?

Green Day...it's not just a band anymore...

I was talking to a friend of mine last night and she was giving me the details of how she had inspired "Green Day" in her Master's Program. She is a recent transplant to the Bay Area and said that people there dont wear color. Just black and grey. She and I come from the same world, where color and pattern are necessities in life and there is no reason to be bland. She said, "They look at me in my sparkly shoes like I look crazy but they're wearing a flaxseed mumu. Honey, I'm not the one that looks crazy." She said she was talking to her study group and suggested that they all wear green on Tuesday. "Well that spread like wild-fire and I get to class and EVERYONE is wearing green! It was great! Next week we're wearing purple." It was after talking to her that I remembered that it was because of her that I fell in love with jeweltones. My favorite of which is Emerald Green.

Emerald Green is one of those colors that to me is universally flattering. I have yet to see it on someone where the color is not complimentary. Because the tone of the color is relatively dark, it is most often reserved for colder times of the year and formal occasions. Personally, I think that the color translates through seasons and should not be relagated to only formal occasions. A lot of us also wear it as accessory pieces. A great statement bag or a piece of chunky jewelry that will make someone else stop in their tracks to find out where you go it. It works with most color schemes but also stands well alone. I have been looking for the perfect green tote sized purse for a while now and have yet to find THE one. I will one day. There is one from the  Cambridge Satchel Company that is trimmed in navy that I love, but it is more of a work bag than a purse, but hope is not yet lost. I will one day....have my very own Green Day.

Color of the Year - Honeysuckle

Pantone has declared that Honeysuckle is the color of 2011. And who can blame them? Honeysuckle is a color that is inspiring. The mere sight of it lifts your spirits and "emboldens us to face everyday troubled with verve and vigor."

This color, classified as a reddish pink, is bright, summery and reminds us of the plant it is named for and its ability to send us back to those carefree summer vacations at the lake with evenings spent chasing fireflies. Honeysuckle has been incorporated into many designers Spring/Summer 2011 lines and was seen consistently on the runways this February.

Being one with a predisposition for all shades of pink, I was immediately in love. The vibrant hue translates from men to women to interior design in one fell swoop. It can brighten your mood in a moment and gives an overall sense of uplifting calm and subtle control to manage any task from mundane to overwhelming. It has already been translated from high fashion to budget friendly as evidenced by Alber Elbaz in both his Lanvin line and ready to wear with H&M.

Spring and summer almost always bring with them a renewal. People begin to feel energized and motivated to reemerge into the world and experience more. Some attribute this to the change in weather and that cant be ignored, but with the change in seasons also comes the change in color schemes, like it or not. And it is these colors that really make a difference. Color has an influence on how we feel and what better color to inspire us all to conquer the world we have been retreating from for the last few months than one in the beautiful shade of PANTONE® 18-2120...better known as Honeysuckle.

Shoes to cure any boring outfit...

It is always my goal to look like I got dressed on purpose, even if I'm just wearing a tshirt and jeans. Its a fault of mine, I guess. I get it from my parents. They are ALWAYS dressed to the nines, ALWAYS. And growing up I always felt out of place...until I discovered my own style, that is.

Now while I am not always dressed to the nines as my parents were, I developed this preference to look like some thought went into what im wearing...other than it's clean. Somewhere around junior or senior in college and solidified by grad school, I managed to define my image. Most would characterize it as off-beat, odd and random but I like to think of it as classic with a twist. I enjoy traditional pieces, but those done in unconventional ways. If I'm going to wear a pair of oxfords they are going to be blue patent leather, etc. But with anyone, we all have our go-to pieces. Those pieces that are our defaults that we gravitate towards because they are familiar or easy. And along the way I decided that while a black flat shoe was easy, a purple one was unexpected, polished, on purpose.

Since that time, I have always kept a pair of them in my closet. I've had satin, leather, two-toned, patent and for me they go with everything. Everything. Some would disagree, and that's ok, but for me, throw on a pair of purple shoes, like these Steve Madden, Taylas, when you would have worn black and all of a sudden you have a pop of muted color that compliments most palettes. If you think about colors on the color wheel, those you see in stores, most of them are complimentary to purple. Not all of them match, but they definitely compliment. And for me, complimenting is all you need. Never one to be matchy-matchy, I prefer to look like I made a statement and not that I overwashed a particular piece of my wardrobe or got dressed in the dark. Thus, purple. You should try it.