Instant Christmas

Hi friends,

Here is a quick family recipe that will ensure you are instantly feeling the spirit of the season. My mom has made it since I was a child. When the scent is present throughout my house it brings back so many memories of Christmases past.... I usually package it up and give it to friends but I didn't get it done this year so I'm sharing it with you virtually and hoping it will get you in the mood for Christmas and maybe even inspire you to share a batch or two with a friend or neighbor.

Aroma of Christmas

3 sticks of cinnamon

3 bay leaves
¼ cup whole cloves
2 sections lemon and 2 pieces of orange peel
1 quart water

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and keep simmering over low heat. Add water as needed; it evaporates quickly. Enjoy!

From our home to yours, Happiest Holidays.

Love,

The Andersons

2012 Color of the Year

Source: PANTONE

Hi friends,

Unless you are a color enthusiast like me, you may have missed PANTONE’s announcement today revealing their 2012 Color of the Year. They posted a press release early this morning east coast time and I caught it on Facebook before I went to bed last night. I was excited to be one of the first to find out (yes, I am a color geek like that!) and I was over-the-moon to see that they chose a reddish-orange (very similar to my signature color) called Tangerine Tango.

Source: PANTONE

PANTONE, the global authority on color, describes Tangerine Tango as a “vivacious, enticing hue.” The press release continues: “The 2011 color of the year, PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle, encouraged us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor. Tangerine Tango, a spirited reddish orange, continues to provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward.” Don’t you feel energized just reading that?

My “color guru” Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute^®, describes it as: “Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it . . . . Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

Wow, that is pretty powerful. And I think it encapsulates why I love color so much. The subconscious meanings that color evokes are so powerful. These words describe the message that color can send. That’s precisely why I chose a similar color (PANTONE 485) for Fleurish Partners, my marketing and communications consulting business. When I was working on my logo, the direction I gave my graphic designer for the color was I wanted it to communicate radiance, high energy, joy and passion. Currently my color only has a number, but I think it needs a name. I’d love any suggestions you have.

The dress I wore for my 40^th birthday celebration recently was pretty close to Tangerine Tango….

And my new car is pretty close too....

Maybe I was a bit ahead of PANTONE on this one, and in fact it was my 2011 Color of the Year! In all seriousness, I am thrilled that they chose a color that I have worn and used for years and many people think of as my signature color. I hope it means good things for me in 2012 that I am aligned with the global authority on color.

Colorfully,

Amy

Get your 70’s Colors On – It’s Saturday Night Fever!

It's no secret that I turned 40 recently, that I love birthday celebrations (not just mine!l) and I love color.... On Saturday night, my husband, Geoff, and I will be celebrating our birthdays with about 50 of our closest friends. Geoff and I were born 13 days apart in 1971 so we are sharing this momentous occasion. He is leaving all of the planning up to me. After the surprise he gave me for my birthday (a new car!), I am happy to let him off the hook. Plus, this is my thing! I love planning parties. I am thrilled to be planning a colorful 70s-themed 40^th birthday bash for us.

The Theme and Color Palette

One of my favorite things about planning a party is coming up with a theme and color palette. For our party, I found inspiration in the 1977 hit movie Saturday Night Fever and my new favorite book: PANTONE: The 20^th Century in Color. According to the book, “Travolta’s white suit, the louche darkness of nightclubs, and the silver mirror balls are the starting point for the Night Life palette. Radiant pink and orange, pulsating yellow and cobalt, recall the passionate wonderland of the dance floor.” Disco and glitz were all the rage during this era too.

 Source: InStyle

The Setting

Next was finding the perfect venue. We landed on “The Bar” at one of our favorite restaurants, Olympia Pizza on Seattle’s Capitol Hill. It’s warm, cozy, hip (but not too hip!), urban and yes, colorful! The restaurant is our go-to casual weeknight dining spot. We love the food and have gotten to know the friendly staff over the years since we’re they’re so often. It’s kind of our home away from home.

The beautiful bar at Olympia Pizza is from Pioneer Square's departed J & M Cafe, a college haunt.

Source: Capitol Hill Seattle Blog

 It’s not quite New York’s Studio 54 but we think it’s perfect.

The Fashion

Another one of my favorite parts of any occasion is figuring out what I am going to wear. Geoff wasn’t too keen on a costume party so we compromised. The invitation states: “We hope you will take some inspiration from the colors of the 70’s…. Costumes are optional but loud colors are not!”  There has been a bit of confusion amongst my friends about what to wear. I am telling them they can interpret it however they want. My goal is fun and color....  If you’re stuck for what to wear, here is a bit of inspiration.

My friend Tracy challenged me to wear this hot pink number.

 

I am opting for a red-orange dress with a large ruffle across the neckline that is inspired by Saturday Night Fever. Geoff is still contemplating his outfit. I think he would look great in a white suit, don’t you?!

If you’re still stuck, the Pretty Parlor on Capitol Hill has some great vintage dresses. Or just wear something colorful from your closet.

Signature Cocktail

And last but certainly not least, another favorite was coming up with a signature cocktail just for our event. Geoff and I both love margaritas and I wanted our signature cocktail to be colorful, of course. So the fabulous bartender at Olympia Pizza came up with an orange margarita which I have named the Orange-alicious Margarita. This delicious concoction is Sauza Hornitos tequila, muddled limes, oranges and lemons, fresh lime juice, and a splash of mandarin liqueur, on the rocks with salt.  Yum!

I'm ready for a fun party and for my forties to be fabulous! Bring it on.