Cool Blues

While this time of year, I naturally turn to clothes in rich, warm hues and comforting textures, there's something equally as luxe as these vibrant looks that Gucci sent down the fall 2011 runway. I absolutely adore all the sumptuous shades of blue, which would be gorgeous and invigorating to wear now and all the way through winter.

Photos from here. 

True Blue

I love the color blue any time of year, but on a hot summer day, isn't it particularly refreshing? I'm smitten with these happy blue finds by Kate Spade.

Photos from here. 

Cool

I am enamored of New York artist Suzanne Caporael's striking prints. Whether she's exploring geometric forms or depicting a landscape, her work pulls me in. I especially like the ones that employ cool shades of blue and green. Have a look at a few pieces:

Photos from here.

Know Thyself

This weekend has been filled with lots of the things I love: going out for sushi with my husband, getting lost in a book, going for a long run, cuddling with the pup and devouring a big stack of magazines checked out from the library.

While there's hardly a magazine I won't read -- or enjoy, most likely -- I was blown away by the September 2009 issue of House Beautiful. I know, it's a little old but this, the Fall Color Issue, is packed with info that's anything but dated. There are house tours to pore over, a feature on the color amethyst and lots more.

But what I especially love is the back page, which lists twenty questions that help determine one's "color personality." I love this type of thing, just for the chance that it will help me understand myself better. And indeed, this quiz was quite illuminating. Here are HB's questions and my answers:

1. What's the first color you see in the morning? Either the pale turquoise of our bedspread or the soft white afghan knitted by my grandma that I pull on top at night or the light gray walls of our bedroom.

2. What color are your eyes? Blue -- like denim, really.

3. What color do you wear the most? I definitely have a thing for dark pink.

4. What color do you never wear? Coral.

5. What color do you wear when you want to feel sexy? Black most of the time, but white in summer or on vacation.

6. What color gets you the most compliments? Usually blue, sometimes yellow.

7. What color is your lipstick? I'm more of a gloss girl, but I have a deep pink lipstick I like.

8. What color was your living room when you were growing up? White.

9. What color was your bedroom growing up? Lavender. I really, really wanted this color although I don't remember why.

10. What color are your sheets? White -- definitely my preference for sheets.

11. What color was your favorite crayon as a child? Green, my favorite color for awhile as a kid.

12. What color is your car? White.

13. What color was your prom dress? Light turquoise, actually the same hue as my bedspread. Weird.

14. What's your favorite gemstone? Diamonds or sapphires.

15. What is your favorite flower? Pink peonies and white tulips and roses.

16. What color makes you happiest? A cheery yellow.

17. What color depresses you? That really awful mint green.

18. What color calms you? Deep blue.

19. What color makes you grind your teeth? Warm beige.

20. What color would you like to try, but are scared to? I'm kind of intrigued by champagne, either in a formal dress or some sort of home accessory.

Here's what I've learned: Apparently I really like white, blue, deep pink and pale turqouise, with a little gray, yellow and green thrown in. Cooler shades all around. In our house, these are the prominent colors. Wow, right on!

A Happy Home

While the weekend's not quite over yet, it's certainly been a full one already. We spent a lot of time planning and pricing out materials for a handful of home projects. It's easy to get overwhelmed when there are so many improvements we're looking forward to doing. I need to remind myself it takes time to create a home -- and that that's part of the fun.

This beautiful house, owned by at Style at Home editor, is a good reminder to slow down, take a deep breath and enjoy the process. That way we'll end up with a home we love -- one that's grown naturally and is filled with things that are meaningful to us. It will truly be our home, just like this gorgeous place reflects its owner. By the way, I love all the blues, grays and whites she used. So pretty!

Photos from here.

Blue Mood

Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm not in a sad state of mind. But I am completely digging the blue-tinged photography of brianwferry on Flickr.

There's something so purely beautiful and quietly stirring about the images from his good set. Even though the subject matter is varied, each photo is resonating with me tonight.

Here, come take a look:

Photos from here.

Dreaming in Blue and Green

Two summers ago my husband and I were able to take a little getaway to Lake Placid. It was such a beautiful, peaceful, charming place and we had a wonderful time relaxing and exploring. And the ferry ride over from Vermont was beautiful as well.

My mind keeps wandering there today, to the blues of the ocean, lake and sky and the greens of the grass and trees.

Come, take a little breather with me.



Photos by me.