Hello! Have any of your New Year resolutions included the one about watching what you eat? Thought so! However, it seems that no sooner have we got over the excess of Christmas than we are surrounded by the further temptation of the ‘choc-fest’ that is Valentines. This is the day that we celebrate romance and associate with declarations of love and the giving of hearts and flowers.

I thought you might be interested to know a little of the background to this tradition.The origin of the celebration of Valentines Day is said to have had its roots in the times of the Roman Empire and the pagan Feast of Lupercalia. Each year in the month of February the shepherds would gather to praise their god Lupercus, in the hope that he would protect their flocks from the wolves that prowled around Rome.

The fertility goddess Juno was also honoured as part of this ritual. Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses, Juno was associated with the moon and with all aspects and cycles of womanhood. The festival of Matronalia celebrated this goddess of childbirth, motherhood and women in general. Women would participate in rituals at the temple and would receive gifts from their daughters and husbands whom were expected to offer prayers for their wives(!).

In these times the lives of young boys and girls were strictly separate. But, on the eve of the festival of Lupercalia a match-making custom took place where the names of young girls would be written on slips of paper and placed into jars. Each young man would draw a girl’s name from the jar and they both would then be partners for the duration of the festival.

However it was the actions of Saint Valentine, a priest in Rome at this time, whose name also became synonymous with this ancient custom when coming to the aid of marrying couples in secret, led to his death at the hands of  Emperor Claudius II in 270AD.

Through the ages many different ‘Valentines’ traditions have continued including the custom of sending our ’sweethearts’ loving messages on this day. The colour that we associate with ‘love’ and it’s qualities of nurture, romance and compassion is the ultimate universal ‘feminine’ colour – pink.

Wearing shades or tones of pink emphasise our approachable, soft and caring qualities and wearing the right pink will make you appear quite ‘alluring’ – even attracting the attention of a possible mate! Lighter pinks seem to us softer and sweeter, perhaps more gentle. Brighter, clearer pinks can be seen as more youthful and fun. Dynamic hot fuchsia or magenta pinks are stronger and more assertive. Deeper pinks or red-pinks can seem more passionate.

More likely than not when we think of romantic thoughts our mood can be described as ‘in the pink’ meaning happy and in the best possible health. Many cosmetic and some skin related healthcare products will be packaged in pink. In colour psychology the colour pink also represents the physical self, reminding us of skin it is physically soothing so it can be a colour to think about using for the bathroom where of course we are in the ‘psychological mode’ of thinking about our bodies. Similarly you might like to consider using shades of pink in your bedroom where you get dressed, apply skincare and make-up. Warmer orangey-pink tones are more ’sensual’ colours to use in the bedroom and can remind us of warm sunsets before the darkness of night-time settles in.

Warm orangey-pink tones are more sensual

Which are your most ‘romantic’ colours?

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I’ve recently returned from a short winter break to find that nature has awoken and finally there are signs of spring! Everywhere I look I see swathes of daffodils waving in the breeze and the cheerful abundance of crocus flowers. Daylight seems lighter, a little longer and the skies a brighter blue as real ‘colour’ begins once more to emerge in the natural world.

Spring sweeps in like the proverbial breathe of fresh air and represents everything that’s new. Typically all spring colours that occur in nature can be described a light, warm and clear. If you look all around you at the colours of the grass shoots, emerging buds, blossoms and flowers you will see this.

The ‘colour personality’ that mirrors this season will most likely have an innate sense of youthfulness or a young outlook. They may even work with children or young people for the spring personality cares deeply about others and would do anything for anyone.

The ‘bubbly’ spring personality may have light coloured curly hair and bright, clear sparkly eyes. You’ll usually spot them in the thick of it at any social occasion for they love to party and would most likely be first on and last off the dance floor! They are most likely to suit clothing in light, crisp, fresh, smooth textures and fabrics perhaps patterned with polka dots or other small, fine designs. Gold jewellery or jewellery that sparkles, glitters or has a quality of ‘movement’ is quite likely to suit them.

The essence of any children’s products or services with an emphasis on youth, music, dance and fun will be best captured and communicated by the use of a ’spring’ palette of colours. Yellow is a key spring colour. Reminding us of the return of warmth and sunshine, it relates to our emotional well-being, confidence and self-esteem. Bright, fresh greens can seem particularly ‘youthful’ whilst a lively light orange represents fun and sociability.

At home the spring personality will appreciate a lot of light and sparkle. Colours again will be light and warm with light coloured woods and ceramics; fine, crisp textures and small patterns or prints. Look to Kath Kidston’s fun products and colourful design http://www.cathkidston.co.uk/Default.aspx?language=en-GB&extcam=ppc_google for inspiration on the sort of colour and style that would appeal to the spring personality.

Or research the clear, crisp elements of Swedish, Nordic and Scandinavian design influences that includes a lot of the qualities of ‘light’ – Nordic Style http://www.nordicstyle.biz/accessories.php

And finally invite in the spirit of spring and celebrate the tradition of Easter by adding some natural colour with fresh spring flowers!

Spring hand-tied arrangement and tulip jug www.interflora.co.uk

Which colours enhance your physical colouring and mirror your true personality?
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Which colours will most effectively communicate the values of your business?
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