Sizzlin' Summer Sunshine

Summer officially starts June 21st, so get ready to look sizzlin' hot! Let the sunshine infuse your closet with some yellow! If you're bikini-ready (ummm...that means no muffin-tops, and I know you know what I mean!), heat up the pool when you show up in this hot bikini number like the one above from Forever 21.

If you ARE sporting the muffin top mentioned earlier...please honey, work the accessories instead! Let this amazing Juicy Couture yellow flower "Flights of Fancy" ring tickle your fancy and this Melie Bianco faux leather tote both from Nordstrom brighten your outfit. With high temperatures expected this summer, I expect you'll want to cool off your toes with a stylish yellow sandal like this one from Nine West. The right yellow handbag and sandal combo will go well with any sun dress you might already have in your closet. Add the twist of yellow, and you'll light up that old favorite.

If you were poolside during the day, and now you want to show off your tanned shoulders, I found this ruffled silk halter from BCBG. I think halter tops are perfect for a night out on the town, especially if you add a black pencil or mini skirt..WOW HOT HOT HOT! If you're wearing a flowing yellow evening dress instead, try adding a draping gold necklace. You can spice up a plain yellow tank or v-neck tee shirt with fashion jewelry that gives off hints of gold. Something like this beautiful antique gold shade tree necklace I found at Banana Republic can make your yellow positively beam.

These long, hot summer days are the perfect time to fire up the barbecue, or invite friends over to hang out. During these gatherings, don't forget to wear what you eat!!! I can see you now...sporting your hot yellow bikini and heating up the grill for your guests. Why not throw on one of the summer's most popular vegetables...corn?!

Sweet yellow corn is an excellent source of Folate and Thiamin, a.k.a Vitamin B. The body needs Thiamin to form Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) which is used to produce energy in every cell of the body. You're going to need that energy if you plan to be active in the summer heat.

If one of your girlfriends is expecting a bundle of joy, help a sister out and put some corn on her plate because it also provides folate which mamas need for their little buns in the oven. Taking folate during pregnancy helps women prevent anemia.

After the delicious BBQ, you can help you guests cool down with plenty of water to keep them hydrated! We don't want anyone passing out from the heat, and not being able to see you in your splendor! Add some pineapple as a garnish to your water to give it that summer flare and a touch of Vitamin C to help them stay healthy.

That's it for now! Enjoy your summer season!! I can't wait to help you dress in even more luscious summer colors, and show you the matching fruits and veggies to help you stay fit!

Don't forget with Palette 2 Palate color is in all year 'round!!

Love in Lavender

I can't help but stop and take a look at my surroundings this spring. Everywhere I turn I see lavender flowers blooming. Those pretty purple flowers, not to mention the gorgeous falling jacaranda leaves remind me of a beautiful, fresh, new spring romance.

This spring, fall in love with lavender, and who knows, someone may fall in love with you. Painters are often inspired by lavender as they create masterpieces based on this amazing color. Lavender is a great color to add to your wardrobe and you have lots of shades to choose from depending on your taste. You can find a solid lavender top just like the eight sixty ruffled silk top above at Nordstroms for $88.00. You can combine it with any black or white bottoms.

This color is great to accessorize with silver, gold, or other metallics. How about metallic sandals and lavender toes? Next time you get a pedicure, think lavender!

If lavender's not your favorite color to wear, try using it as an accessory. Dooney and Bourke makes a gorgeous lavender pocket sac. Look for the medium zipper hobo. If you have the pocket book for it, they've dropped the price from $235 to $176. This little handbag makes a great accessory you can carry all spring long. You can even take it with you while wearing a plain white t-shirt and jeans. The lavender will make your whole outfit "pop!"

Also, look for dresses with lavender inspired prints. Above is a great space-dyed little dress I fell for from BCBG. It's a little pricey at $138, but well worth the love you'll get when you wear it.

Don’t just keep the lavender garden outside. Bring it inside to your dinner table, or take this mouthwatering color as part of a raw purple cauliflower salad to your next potluck. It'll be the talk of your table. They won't know what just popped out of the garden and landed on their dinner plate. If you're palate is craving cauliflower, why not go purple? It has the same flavor as the traditional white, but will add pizazz at your next dinner event. It also makes for a great, low-calorie snack, but make sure to eat it raw to get all the nutrients it has to offer.

Purple in this veggie comes from anthocyanin which is basically the pigment that appears in red, purple, and blue fruits and vegetables. It's a great source of vitamins C and K, as well as dietary fiber, which you need to stay regular. We don't want our fashionstas to get verklempt (emotional) because their system's all clogged up.

You might not find this purple broccoflower at your local grocery store, but you, as the health-conscious fashionista probably already have your local farmer's market programmed into your GPS. If not, you better get on it, girl! Imagine searching for the perfect purple cauliflower while carrying your cute little pocket sac. Wow, I think I'm in love!

That's it for now. Don't forget with Palette 2 Palate, color is in all year 'round!

Orange Crush

A true fashionista loves to make a grand entrance. Orange is the color you can wear to make heads turn, and before you leave, you can bet everyone in the room will have an orange crush on you.

Bold, bright colors can inspire and uplift anyone's mood. You might even get a smile from Oscar the Grouch. So go ahead, add some bright, bold citrus colors to your wardrobe this spring and summer, starting with orange.

When wearing this fantastic color, mix it up with something white. How about white shorts, or a white pair of pants or skirt?

Another great combo you can pair it with is brown. I'm not a fan of black and orange, unless, of course, you're going to a Halloween party. When it comes to accessories, silver is good, and also wood jewelry. Try wooden bangles and earrings to give it an ethnic look. If you're daring, combining turquoise jewelry with your orange will grab even more positive attention.

You can find eye-popping orange outfits in different price ranges from BCBG to Forever 21. We found a gorgeous sheer-pleated top at Forever 21 for under $30, and for those with a bigger budget BCBG has your orange crush for around $220.

I always say wear what you eat! So if you're wearing orange, then you're eating oranges. And you're also eating other popular citrus fruits like tangerines, lemons, and grapefruits, which are high in Vitamin C and good for your immune system.

But since we already talked Vitamin C, let's check out an exotic orange fruit...papaya! I love papaya because it's chock full of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is good for your eyes, skin, and nails. And if you're talking skin, fresh papaya has active enzymes that can give you healthy skin. Don't go for over-the-counter papaya lotions and scrubs. Step up your beauty regiment a notch and create your own natural treatment by not only eating the fruit, but using it on your skin. Over the counter products are processed to give them a longer shelf life. That means they lose the enzymes that give you that glowing summer skin. So go ahead and get the full effect of all papaya has to offer...and prepare for others to start crushin' on you, because your fabulous skin and your gorgeous orange ensemble will light up any room.

That's all for now. Don't forget with Palette 2 Palate color is in all year 'round!