While plaid seems to have made a trendy fashion comeback this year, I think it’s a classic and timeless pattern and perfect for the holidays. I’m a long time plaid-aholic (anything in Burberry check is a serious weakness of mine) and have to confess that Gap’s plaid and cheer-tastic holiday campaign this season (created by CP+B) puts a smile on my face. . .especially this super fun buffalo plaid bus!

(image on left spotted here, image on right spotted here)

Inspired by the warm and cozy feel of a plaid pattern, I’ve decided to make a homemade hot cocoa mix for my “all-purpose” holiday gift for this year. A mix is easy to make, holds up well in the mail and is sooo yummy. I created a similar version of the label I’m using just for Color Me Inspired. Simply download the pdf right here, print on full sheet label paper and trim to size. Or, print on cardstock and punch a hole in the corner to use as a gift tag.

Today’s Color Me Inspired Download: Free Printable “Homemade Hot Cocoa” label

We’ll be back to posting our regular color inspiration boards soon, but I wanted to start the week off with some holiday inspiration found via these vintage Christmas cards spotted here and here.

Hopefully this free printable gift list will help inspire your organized gift giving this year. Having a list and making a plan for gift-giving helps ensure you don’t forget anyone or over spend on last-minute purchases. Simply download the PDF, print on letter size (8.5 x 11) paper and get you list going today!

Today’s Color Me Inspired Download: Free Printable “Check it Twice” holiday gift list

Agnus Hyland of Pentagram Design was commissioned by Rizzoli to design the accompanying book for Wes Anderson’s latest film, Fantastic Mr. Fox. The Making of Fantastic Mr. Fox looks like an incredible insight into the behind-the-scenes creative process and perfect color inspiration for Thanksgiving; more spreads over on Pentagram’s site. Going to see a movie on Thanksgiving day is one of our fun family traditions and my vote will be for Fantastic Mr. Fox!

Design veteran Ellen Lupton is definitely on my short list of design heroes. A writer, curator, and graphic designer, Ellen is director of the Graphic Design MFA program at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) and curator of contemporary design at Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum. Just spotted Ellen’s Stock-a-Rama (posted on her Twitter) and it’s a great free resource of Ellen’s illustrations for your blog or other non-commercial project. p.s. For even more inspiration, check out the sneak peek of Ellen Lupton and Abbott Miller’s home over at Design*Sponge.

Happy Halloween from Color Me Inspired! Thanks so much for sticking by us as we’ve been a bit slow posting. We’ve got some really fun boards coming up inspired by suggestions from YOU. Stop in on Monday for a gorgeous fall-themed board.

I just HAD TO SHARE this fantastic pumpkin idea that I randomly stumbled across online. Now that is dedication to your color craft!

Photo: Joe Buckland via Veer

One of my best friends just returned from a trip to Morocco and I was so excited that she was willing to let me share a couple images from her trip. Definitely atypical to my usual style, but I was still feeling very inspired by the bold geometric shapes, vibrant colors and more is more approach.

Travel is one of my passions and Morocco is one place on my “must visit” list, but not likely a trip that will happen for me in the near future. In the meantime, I’ll continue to visit via Maryam’s lovely blog, My Marrakesh (hello, gorgeous Moroccan wedding blankets!) and be reminded to take closer look at the details in the world around me for inspiration.

Wishing you all a wonderful and inspiring weekend. . .be sure to check back on Monday for a new and very special color board and printable!

Have you heard of 20×200 yet? It’s an amazing website where you can find affordable art for your home or collections. Each week they debut two new pieces, one photograph and one work on paper. You are able to order the pieces in various sizes, the smallest of which is offered at $20 and available to the first 200 buyers. Get it? They’re so creative!

I’ve been checking the site every few weeks and have found many artists’ work that I have like but these prints by Lauren DiCioccio really capture my heart. Partly for their pure aesthetic value and partly because they are inspired by fashion magazines which I happen to have a slight addiction to.

Here is how Lauren describes these pieces:
Fashion magazines are the source materials for my series color codification dot drawings. I make each piece on a sheet of frosted mylar laid over a magazine page. After assigning a color to every letter in the alphabet (numbers are in grayscale, 0=white and 9=black), I apply tiny dots of paint over every character on the page. Each drawing I make has a different color codification, and therefore a different palette. The resulting painting is a legible blur of dots in the form of the article’s layout — like a system of Braille for the color inclined.

Head over there and take a look around. And don’t forget to check back in as their collection is constantly changing. Supporting the art community is something we can all profit from and with talent like this, you build a beautiful art collection without breaking the bank!

While we are primarily giving out color inspiration for brides-to-be and extraordinary event planners, we really want Color Me Inspired to be a place where readers can come to be inspired in all areas and phases of life, from your wedding day to your home.

I am a blogger’s blogger. I have so many blogs that I read every day in genres varying from design to photography to baking and home ownership. One of my favorite blogs, that I stalk religiously (love you Petersik’s!) is Young House Love. It’s a powerhouse of a blog run by the cutest couple you will ever find and it’s all about interior design, decor, and home improvement. Recently, these two helped out a family member by designing a nursery in her home on a budget. I’m a fan of nurseries that don’t scream “NURSERY” and blend in with the overall style of the home and of the family and this one caught my eye. I love the Curious George colors and details. (It was one of my favorite books when I was young.) I just had to share it with all of you because the colors are simply delectable for a baby boy. It’s a perfect example of how creative color schemes can really transform a room and how you can incorporate amazing color and design on any budget. (They completed the room for $358!)

Click here to be taken to the original post at Young House Love

photo credit: Young House Love