Shopping: Pantone’s Colors Of The Year, 2016

The trend forecasters at the Pantone Color Institute have spoken and their crystal balls predict that the color of 2016 will be not just one, but for the first time ever, two colors: Rose Quartz (a pale mineral pink) and Serenity (a light powdery blue). While a surprising choice at first, Pantone’s annual forecast is a telling of our times. The decision to pick two colors usually associated with baby girls and baby boys is to upend the established gender stereotypes. According to Pantone, society is “experiencing a gender blur as it relates to fashion, which has in turn impacted color trends throughout all other areas of design.”

To celebrate these beautiful, progressive colors, we put together a list of gift items that will help you move forward into 2016!

PANTONE UNIVERSE Mug with Gift Box
Have a peaceful moment of tranquility with a cup of hot cocoa this winter. This Pantone Universe mug’s one side is Rose Quartz, while the other side is Serenity. Combining two colors of the year 2016, it is the very definition of a harmonious new year’s start. Blue and airy like the winter sky pairs well with the comforting powder pink, just as cocoa and marshmallow go hand in hand. $25, pantone.com
SEPHORA+PANTONE UNIVERSE Color of the Year Layer Lipstick
Hey moms! Be the star of your New Year’s Eve party in this Sephora’s limited edition Pantone color of the year 2016 lipstick. Add a flattering swap of pale pink to your festive look with this velvety, ultra-hydrating, sulfates-free gem. The pastel shade can help you create a bold graphic look or mixed with other shades for a more natural makeup. The lipstick’s high-wattage shine will create an iridescent shine that will have all the spotlight on your lips. $18, sephora.com
Compartes BISCOTTI HOTTIE Dark Chocolate Biscotti Bar
Chocolate is known for its many therapeutic qualities, one of which is triggering relaxation. Compartés Chocolate Bar fun flavor, Biscotti Hottie, will help you keep calm during the turbulent times thanks to the dark chocolate flavor and the serene wrapper featuring Pantone Colors of the Year Renaissance sculptures. Inside is delicious organic dark chocolate, handmade in Los Angeles that comes with the addictive crunch of the beloved Italian dessert, biscotti. It will make a perfect gift for the trendy gourmand in your life $9.95, compartes.com
aden + anais classic swaddle in wink
Your baby will love this pre-washed, ultra-soft , and breathable swaddle. It’s machine washable and can be used as a stroller cover, burp cloth, or a nursing cover. While nursing can be a chaotic time, the calming Pantone colors featured on this 100 percent cotton aden + anais’ (which is based in Brooklyn and founded by a mom-of-three) swaddle will soothe the baby while providing comfort to the mother. $16, adenandanais.com
Vineyard Vines Girls Chambray Embroidered Popover
Let your little fashionista ring in New Year’s in style! Keep her on trend with this Vineyard Vines’ chambray popover in Serenity blue, featuring Rose Quartz colored collar and sleeves embroidery accents. The 80s inspired boxy yet feminine shape of this 100 percent cotton top also has an embroidered whale along the hemline. This machine washable comfortable popover will become your little girl’s new favorite wardrobe staple. $55, vineyardvines.com
Lilly Pulitzer Girls Mini Riley Infinity Loop Scarf in Oh Shello
January is the season of winter escapes to places far, far away with sand and palms. Whether you’re planning your next resort family vacation or simply want to add a bit of Palm Beach sunshine to your kid’s life, use this Lilly Pulitzer’s mini infinity scarf. The printed loop accessory blends two of Pantone’s colors of the year in a harmonious marriage between Rose Quartz and Serenity. It will elevate your child’s mood and provide a much needed sense of sunny respite amidst the winter blues. $32, lillypulitzer.com
Made in Clay Stars from ABC Carpet & Home
Twinkle, twinkle little star. The symbolism of the five-pointed star has changed over the years as each culture interpreted it differently. What better way is there to reflect on its ever changing history then with the help of Pantone colors of the year that are all about the changes in our society towards tolerance and acceptance. These Rose Quartz and Serenity ceramic stars handmade in an atelier in Milan will make for a great nursery decoration! Available localled at ABC Carpet & Home. $20-35, abchome.com
Stoney Clover Lane Sailboat Bracelet
Let your troubles sail away with this sweet sailboat bracelet. The signature Stoney Clover bracelet not only comes in the trendy pale blue seersucker hue, but it also has a sailboat emoji charm that is guaranteed to bring many adventures and personal journeys in 2016. Make a wish when the clock strikes at midnight and when the strings wears off and the charm falls off, it will come true! This bracelet will look fashionable on its own or stacked up with others from the collection. $15, stoneycloverlane.com
My Melody USB Wall Charger
This My Melody USB charger works for a variety of smart phones and tablets. Notably, it comes in the fashionable shade of Pantone’s two colors of the year. It’s an amazing gift for families with kids who love travel or anyone who likes cute phone accessories. You can fold the plug pins and create a portable unit, while the soft rubbery cat and mouse design give it a cute look that conveys compassion and balance. Keep your smartphones charged so that when the important moment for a photo arises, you’re all ready to go. $30, sanrio.com
Vera Bradley Tech Backpack in Alpine Floral
This Vera Bradley backpack evokes Pantone’s choice to include two colors in its form and function. The backpack is decorated with plant imagery in Rose Quartz and Serenity, but its function also represents the idea of gender fluidity and open-mindedness. It offers a separate padded laptop compartment plus a front pocket for tablet users. With plenty of room for organization and storage, including a variety of interior pockets, this machine washable bag will make for a perfect back to school’s winter semester gift for techie of both genders in your life. Stable, constant, and comfortable, it’s the perfect union between Rose Quartz and Serenity, male and female. $108, verabradley.com

Explore MetroWest Boston

<h1>Turn Whining into Winning in MetroWest Boston</h1> From beer gardens to corn mazes, state parks to beautiful art, MetroWest Boston is a great destination for a weekend trip! Enjoy <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/get-outside/?imgoing-place=hopkinton-state-park-61a91acef30b531a665ab64d">Hopkinton State Park</a>&rsquo;s gorgeous foliage while kayaking on the lake or hiking, mountain biking, or snowshoeing on the amazing trails. In the evening, catch a play, musical, concert, art exhibition, dance performance, or immersive theatrical event at <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/culture/?imgoing-place=hopkinton-center-for-the-arts-63c03d7e0d792d753263b4d1">Hopkinton Center for the Arts</a>. Get a great night&rsquo;s sleep at one of the region&rsquo;s hotels, such as <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/where-to-stay/?imgoing-place=the-verve-hotel-boston-natick-tapestry-collection-by-hilton-61aa4790f30b531a666119e4">The VERVE</a>, with its fun and funky pop art d&eacute;cor, or <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/where-to-stay/?imgoing-place=aloft-framingham-6216279ccc891d1d0862c8c2">Aloft</a> with their pool tables and lobby games. In the morning, visit the <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/culture/?imgoing-place=danforth-art-school-61a8e11cf30b531a66592d90">Danforth Art Museum</a>, a jewel box housing 3,500+ artworks from three centuries, including groundbreaking sculptures depicting the African and African American experience by Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller. Cross the street to the <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/culture/?imgoing-place=framingham-history-center-61a8e11cf30b531a66592d92">Framingham History Center</a> to explore their new multilingual exhibit that traces the city&rsquo;s immigration story, from those fleeing the 1690s Salem Witch trials, to the Irish and Italian influx in the 1800-1900s, to the current migration of Brazilians. &ldquo;Framingham&rsquo;s Collective Journeys&rdquo; includes oral histories, interactives, and artifacts. No visit to Framingham is complete without stopping at legendary <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/eat/?imgoing-place=jacks-abby-craft-lagers-61a8e11cf30b531a66592da0">Jack&rsquo;s Abby Craft Lagers</a>, one of 17 breweries in MetroWest, where you can enjoy a flight with a schnitzel sandwich or their famous Framinghamburger. Afterwards, spend a few hours at <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/activities/?imgoing-place=level99-64a8389c51f92a351a6a3f06">Level99</a> testing each other with 50+ mental and physical escape rooms and challenges. The next day, tour the <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/where-to-stay/?imgoing-place=longfellows-wayside-inn-61aa7aa3f30b531a66621f57">Wayside Inn</a>. The oldest inn in America&rsquo;s 100-acre property includes the Old Barn, now a farm stand with displays of antique farming tools, the historic Grist Mill, and beautiful grounds containing the Longfellow Memorial Garden, the Redstone Schoolhouse from the poem &ldquo;Mary Had a Little Lamb&rdquo;, the Martha-Mary Chapel, and Josephine's Pond for fishing. Stay for a delicious gourmet meal in their historic dining room. Spend the afternoon at the <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/culture/?imgoing-place=american-heritage-museum-61a92852f30b531a665b17bf">American Heritage Museum</a>. Start your tour in the depths of a WWI trench listening to a nurse&rsquo;s first-hand account from the Western Front while bombs explode above you and the floor begins to shake. This extraordinary museum features one-of-a-kind historic aircraft, tanks, cars and rare relics from the Revolutionary War to today, in immersive exhibits and living history events. Afterwards, wander the charming shops and boutiques of downtown Hudson. <h3>MetroWest Boston offers these and many other attractions, activities and events for the whole family!</h3>

Studio E Art Classes

Art, drawing, illustration, painting, and pottery.&nbsp; Studio E Art Classes for ages 2 &frac12; to adult offers a creative space to find joy and rest in the creative arts. 7-week sessions are available for all classes, or just drop into a class to give it a try. Studio E Art is a great place to schedule a birthday party, celebration, scout troop activity, fundraiser and more.&nbsp; Summer camps for children and tweens are available for half or full day in art or pottery. Find a complete list of classes, descriptions, and times on our&nbsp;<a href="https://studioeartclass.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a>, or give us a call at 631-744-4001 <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">

Belle da Costa Greene: A Librarian's Legacy

The Morgan Library &amp; Museum will present a major exhibition devoted to the life and career of its inaugural director, Belle da Costa Greene (1879&ndash;1950). Widely recognized as an authority on illuminated manuscripts and deeply respected as a cultural heritage executive, Greene was one of the most prominent librarians in American history. The exhibition will trace Greene&rsquo;s storied life, from her roots in a predominantly Black community in Washington, D.C., to her distinguished career at the helm of one of the world&rsquo;s great research libraries. Through extraordinary objects―from medieval manuscripts and rare printed books to archival records and portraits―the exhibition will demonstrate the confidence and savvy Greene brought to her roles as librarian, scholar, curator, and cultural executive, and honor her enduring legacy.