Wear Your Color

Have you ever thought of color? Yes, green, yellow, pink, blue, etc. And, now you are saying to yourself where is Toni going with this? Okay bear with me.

I have now lived in my townhouse for 7 years and I decided that it is time to paint the interior again since it hasn’t been done since I moved in. Now, most of my family is saying are you kidding me – I don’t think it needs to be painted; but, those of you who know me the OCD is kicking in. I have very traditional natural colors in my house – I am not looking to go drastic here – but, instead to brighten the palette just a little bit. Maybe because it has been a long, hard winter that the Grasshopper Wing in the living and dining rooms and the Almond Toast www.behr.com in the kitchen and upstairs hallway are just a little too dark. Instead we will lighten the palette with Sherwood Green in the living and dining rooms, Bleeker Beige in the kitchen and Monroe Bisque for the upstairs hallway. The other major change is that the ceilings will no longer be a Stark White; but, instead a Linen White tying in all the colors and giving the house just a bit more warmth.

What I have tried to create is a “haven” a place that as you walk in there is a sense of calmness and relaxation. As you know I work from home so it is important that it is a “stress” free zone. It is not that I am opposed to strong colors; but, strong colors evoke an emotion; for example, many restaurants are red because it increases your appetite while; blue is known as a cool color and will reduce it. Also, for any of you who have either purchased or sold a home you understand that a natural, neutral palette is more pleasing because people can envision their own furniture in the home.

Now what about when you dress? Do you wear color? Living in New York just about every woman wears black, gray, brown or navy blue – the classic “business” colors; but, you can show your personality and your love of color through your blouse, a scarf or jewelry. Is there a specific color which makes you feel good, powerful or happy? My happy colors tend to be orange, lime green or pink; and, thankfully with an olive complexion I am able to carry them all off. Now I would never wear a lime green suit; but, a lime green silk blouse under a navy blue suit really stands out, makes me happy and I feel as if I can conquer the world.

It is spring and time to plant your flowers – what colors will you plant? The outside of my house is yellow with dark green shutters and door – many of my neighbors will plant white or red – not colors that make me feel welcome; instead, I will plant pink and purple impatiens, hydrangeas, tulips and anything else I can find in those color schemes. As I drive up to the house the color palette makes me smile and I continue to do so as I walk up the stairs and open the door.

Start each day by choosing the color that will evoke the person you want to be:
1. Strong and regal wear purple or red,
2. Feminine – pull out that pink, it looks great on every skin tone and for those of us getting older it actually makes us look younger,
3. Aloof – wear a cool blue,
4. Warm and inviting – a light green or beige.

Remember that color plays on our emotions; and, you can control your emotions through your choice of color.

Wear your color, don't let color wear you.

Don't Take for Granted

I know that most of you who read this blog were born in the United States and have always been able to exercise our liberties; but, this week’s blog is in honor of an industry colleague of mine who has been studying for her American citizenship.

I admire her as I know this cannot be easy; and, in the end she will know more about our rights as Americans than we actually will. She will need to take a test that will consist of 100 questions; here is an example of some of those questions:

• Why are there more Congressmen than Senators?
• Can you name the constitutional branches of government?
• How many cabinet members are there presently?
• What are the Duties of the Congress?
• Which States border Canada?
• What is meant by the words "Separation of Powers"?
• Who wrote the "Constitution of the United States"?
• When was the Constitution written?

How many of them did you get right? I will be honest I only got 3 of them right and that was really racking my brain to my 8th grade history and government classes when we learned a good deal of this information. If I had to take this test – I would fail. It also made me realize that almost all of us take for granted the freedom that we have.

I have traveled extensively over the last couple of decades due to my various jobs – I enjoyed seeing almost every country I was in; but, I loved coming home to the United States. What I realized while I traveled was we have so much available to us – we might not think so; but, do you have any idea how many brands of cereal or potato chips you can buy in the supermarket? Even in England there is a finite amount – there are probably no more than 3 brands of potato chips and 10 brands of cereal. When we lived in Puerto Rico during my teenage years my brother who was 9 years younger than me loved to eat Lucky Charms for breakfast. My mother could not find them in the grocery store so any family member or friend who was visiting us had to bring several boxes with them. Now, you do realize that Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth of the US and is only a 3 ½ hour flight from New York.

And how many of you have said something negative regarding one of our Presidents or a policy that has been passed? In some countries you could be jailed and/or even executed for voicing your opinion or writing it.

I have been to countries where I had to be cautious of what I said, where I had to let the man take the lead and walk behind them and where I had been warned to not leave my hotel room until my colleague arrived to escort me to dinner or the office. These are all things that we do not worry about in the US.

At this time we are hearing of the internal strife in countries such as Yemen, Egypt and Libya – what they are each fighting for is what we take for granted: the right for a democratic government where they can speak freely, vote for their leader and be fairly represented. I am not saying that it didn’t take us time to get there, women did not receive the right to vote until 1920 and African Americans did not receive the right to vote until 1965. But we got there through protest, rallying and being heard – change came about. And we only lose those rights if we have committed a crime and are prosecuted.

All I ask is that as you watch other countries fight for their rights you give thanks to those rights you take for granted on a daily basis. There are many individuals who risk their lives to become a US citizen; and, we should be thankful that we do not have to take any tests to receive those rights.

Best of luck Indi as you take your United States Citizenship test.

Display Your Green

Are you Irish? I am not; but, in New York, Boston and Chicago on March 17th – St. Patrick’s Day everyone is Irish and proud to flaunt this heredity. Parades have been celebrated in various cities since last weekend – my town had their St. Patrick’s Day parade yesterday although the largest and most famous parade will actually happen on St. Patrick’s Day in New York City. This is the only parade that I know of where New York City actually paints the parade route; and, of course it is “green”.

Living in New York there is a parade for every heritage; Italians on Columbus Day, Greek, Puerto Rican, Dominican Day, etc.; but, every one doesn’t claim to be Italian and wears hats or the Italian flag on their face. Same for Puerto Rican day – it is generally the Puerto Ricans who are lining the parade route. Have you ever wondered why everyone wears the green on St. Patrick's Day?

I don’t think that I can answer that for you; but, I think I might be able to give some insight as to why we embrace the Irish spirit. My cousin married into an Irish family – these are hardworking individuals who have a zest for life, family and service. You will notice that throughout the country most of our Policemen and Firemen are of Irish descent and it is a family tradition for each generation to follow in those footsteps.

Thursday everything will be green. When I lived in NYC there was an Irish bar that I passed on my way to work each morning. On St. Patrick’s Day at 7AM in the morning there would be a line of individuals waiting to go into the bar that was already crowded to get their green beer and green bagel. Yes, on St. Patrick’s Day in New York you can get green bagels. There will also be many people who will be at church before they head off to the parade.

I can understand the wearing of the green – if you have ever been to Ireland you will understand why. This country is lush in greenery and that is all you see as the plane goes to land at the airport is a sea of green. Then it is their friendliness and their “gift of gab”. I remember that my cousin’s wife could speak to anyone without hesitation and continue to speak for hours on end. This is a country rich in religion, pagan and survival heritage and they rightfully take pride in this.

And, lastly, it is the food and drink. Now I have to say that the Irish are not necessarily known for their culinary skill although that has been changing over the past few years; but, on Thursday there will be many families who will be eating corn beef and cabbage – at my house (yes, I am hosting St. Patrick’s Day dinner) we will have shepherd’s pie with brown bread (which I will bake) and Irish soda bread. Since I am cooking I have to admit that I do not like corn beef and I do not like the smell of boiled cabbage hence why shepherd’s pie. As for drink let’s not forget Guinness which this year turns 250 years old and Jameson’s for Irish whisky. I have to admit that I have tasted a Guinness and find it heavy although for those of you who are beer drinkers it has less calories than regular beer and I am fond of an Irish coffee.

However you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day – go ahead and show your zest for life, your gift of gab and proudly wear the “green”.

Erin Go Bragh!!

What Are You Doing for the Next Six Weeks?

Wednesday, March 9th is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Lenten season for many religions. We are preparing ourselves for a period of denial that we force upon ourselves - so we think that for the next few days we will indulge. Tuesday will be Mardi Gras (the largest indulgent day) and you may have already planned what you are going to eat and drink as a celebration or in final readiness that some of these things you may miss for several weeks.

For Lent as a child I would go ahead and give up chocolate or cookies or ice cream – all things I didn’t eat every day and so it really wasn’t much of a sacrifice. That isn’t to say that for many of you Lent isn’t a sacrifice; as it is, if daily you enjoy a bag of potato chips, a piece of cake, a cigarette or even a drink; whatever you give up it is something you enjoy every day. But, what I have always wondered is why do we sacrifice? What do we learn or earn from giving up something for 40 days; especially if we may go back to it after Good Friday?

Several years ago I decided that I would no longer give anything up for Lent. I really didn’t do anything wrong or had a bad habit that I wanted to correct. What was I going to give up, my morning cup of coffee? I don’t think that those of you who know me would want to be around me if I did something like that.

What I decided was that rather than give up something that I would not miss – I would instead do something that would make me a better person after the 40 days. I know you are saying – WHAT? I am not talking about working out or watching your diet for the next 40 days although those are all great things to consider; but, what about your attitude, how you deal or think about people, issues or things?

This is what I mean. How often do you criticize and not realize that you are doing so? Do you look at an individual and say, “those shoes don’t match that outfit”, “those clothes don’t fit her right”? What if for Lent you gave up criticizing others – even if you don’t say it to their face; but, are just thinking it or mentioning it to a friend. What if for Lent you would see the good in the individual, their green colored eyes, their nice thick hair or that they are always the first one to lend a helping hand?

More importantly, what if you thought of yourself and your life positively for the next six weeks? Could you wake up for 40 days and begin with a smile? Can you find pleasure in hearing a bird sing or seeing the first crocus of the spring? Can you give thanks for living one more day? Find joy in the simple things in life: a child’s smile, or how your partner may grab your hand as you go for a walk.

So this year don’t give up something for Lent that has no meaning to you; but, instead take a look at how you might want to change your perceptions of people, or the ability to love life more or to enjoy the very simple things that nature and man has to offer.

Lenten should not be a period of denial; but, a time of growth and understanding.