Pantone's Color of the Year

Several years ago, my classmates and I had to sit in on a special seminar about color and fashion. It was at 8am, barely related to my major, and I'm pretty sure I fell asleep in my chair for the majority of it, but there was one key thing I took from the lecture: The 2009 color of the year was Insomnia Yellow.
I refused to believe it. It was the most hideous color I'd ever seen. It was like neon yellow mixed with lime green and hints of brown. I immediately hated it with a passion. But without fail, it became the most popular color that year. I saw it everywhere.

-in fashion.

- in accessories

-in design

 I finally gave in and accepted it when I saw a  fashionable friend of mine owning not one, but TWO articles of clothing in that color. I silently wept inside, but gave up my fight.
I have since learned that the color was not called Insomnia (no idea where that name came from) but the much more pleasant Mimosa Yellow.

Every year, the color authority, Pantone, releases a collection of colors that they claim will be the most popular colors of the year and one color to be the Color Of The Year. Quite a title if you ask me.

The 2009 Color of the Year was Mimosa.
The 2010 Color of the Year was Turquoise.

And, fellow pink lovers rejoice, the 2011 Color of the Year is Honeysuckle.

How beautiful is that? So much more preferable to Mimosa.
In case you're curious (I was) the rest of 2011's colors (at least the spring colors) are these:

Beautiful colors, every one of them.
They're also available on Visa cards, if you love them that much. Seriously.

The undeniable point is once Pantone names a color of the year, it immediately becomes the most popular color in every field. Since not everyone will love exactly this shade of pink, the surrounding colors are generally accepted. This is probably how I ended up thinking that awful insomnia yellow was the true color of the year when it was just an off branch of Mimosa.

If Honeysuckle isn't your cup of tea, pick a shade you can live with and go with it.
The Pantone website states that they chose Honeysuckle following Turquoise to literally ward off the blues of last year. Honeysuckle is an invigorating color that will embolden us to face our everyday troubles with courage and bravery. Think of it as the pink version of power red. This is not baby nursery pink. This is a kick butt and take names kinda color.

I have collected a few pictures of Honeysuckle from various fields to prepare you for 2011.
Enjoy. :)

They even have a collection of Honeysuckle-ish yarns for me to choose from. How thoughtful.

Incorporating a new color into your wardrobe or home decor doesn't mean a total overhaul. A few key pieces are all you need. A new scarf or bracelet. A throw pillow or blanket. A bouquet of fresh flowers. Unless Mimosa, Turquoise or Honeysuckle is your favorite color, there's no need to go overboard, because you can be sure there will be a new color of the year next year.

Until next time,
xoxo.