this one hue

I know a while back this color became a big obsession. It was EVERYWHERE. I suppose I have this thing about trends: I usually feel iffy (or totally not a fan) at the beginning. I didn't get what people saw in this color. But now that a little time has passed, when you stick mustard yellow in designs or wear it, it isn't just because it's the trending color. It's because it's bold and classy and unique and I love it.

The perfect front door color, high wasted skirt color, and statement armchair color. There are so many things you can do with it. And oh man, I'm a fan of some good versatility.

Besides the fact that I'm dying over that top sofa and wish it was in my living room right now, I can't wait to incorporate this color into some new design projects I'm working on.

sunday palette: peach + blues

In all honesty, I have no clue what all this random hodge-podge of things laid out actually is for. There's some notebooks, some tickets, some folders, a cashier notebook, some ribbon, and a tiny calendar. Can't quite figure that one out. But what I do know is, I liked it on Pinterest because I loved how airy and pretty it felt. It's like the colors you want your dream, imaginary beach house to be. Light and inspired by fruits and beaches and porches. I'm all about it.

Now, where's a beach I can get myself to asap?

Source: Color Me Pretty by Decor 8 on Flickr

sunday palette: pinks + purples

Calling this ladylike because lets be honest, nothing makes a girl feel prettier than red lipstick or a night out where she can dress up in a bold dress and some pretty heels. Or is it just me?

Anything that looks like watercolor has me inspired and wanting to pull out my paints and start playing. This print nails it on the head: bold colors with a touch of more subtle shades and shapes that leave the viewer imaging the person that they're looking at. I can totally envision this piece framed on a vanity station or in a bathroom.

Also, if your giddy for red and purple lips this summer, Revlon just came out with this new line of lip stains that are totally reminding me of these gorgeous deeper shades. (They actually do stay on all day long... you can eat and even take naps and your lips will still be as bold as they were before.... Barcelona Nights and India Intrigue are my favorites.) If you'd rather rock some red with a cute outfit, check out this latest pin of mine with the cutest red skirt.

Source: Bright Pink Part 2 by Jenny Liz Rome on Society 6

"just in time for spring" color palette

California doesn't really have seasons. Californians sometimes think we do, but anyone from the East Coast will laugh at you. The only thing that seasons are good for (in my book) are a little extra rain in the winter, months of being able to wear shorts at night in the summertime, and color palettes. Not kidding. I have this weird love of seasonal color palettes, who knew.

My parents knew, thats who.

As a kid I used to go to Home Depot with my parents and pick the prettiest paint color chips out and bring them home. I ended up with a stockpile of hundreds of those little cardstock paint colors of every paint brand. How embarrassing is that? Most kids collect toys, I collected colors. I also changed my mind about what color I wanted my room to be all the time, what color scheme I wanted my room to fit into was ever-changing, and what new bedding and curtains I wanted to get to mix things up was equally constantly revolving. My room received the brunt of my color scheme obsession. I just always loved to mix and match hues and now that weird childhood obsession turned into something rather useful as a graphic designer.

Whenever I'm creating something that can go a few different directions in terms of the color scheme used, I tend to lay out the different options in a palette form. Then I'll try out the design using the various palettes and see which one stands out most to me. There are some cases in which I love them all, good thing designers just call those a 'series' now-a-days. I tend to just find a way to incorporate an array of color options if I literally cannot decide. Make a few various advertisements, make different options for someone else to pick from so I don't have to. Story of my life. 

I decided to share this palette I put together because (1) it's almost Springtime, (2) Spring is my favorite season unquestionably, and (3) these colors are currently spread out all over my life. Truly. My nails are currently taupe and my lip color is bright coral. My current obsession is this dusty peach color... enough of an obsession that my entire branding as a designer is wrapped around it and I bought a lipstick in the color 'smoked peach' today. I kid you not. Because what more could a graphic designer want then for her lipstick to match her invoices. Oh Lordy.

These colors seem to just be feel good colors. They remind me of farmers markets and floral arrangements and a bright, airy, fun life. I love it. And shoot, I'm ready for spring, ya feel me?

Sources: All found via Pinterest