Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Have You Ever Seen a Fat Zebra?


Most Likely Not!
Submitted by LeAnna Sheehan - Sheehan Personal Training

In the book The Pleasure Trap by Douglas Lisle and Alan Goldhamer, they cite the fact that overweight wild animals are non-existent.  These same animals have an abundance of food resources and can eat as much as they want, so why don’t they gorge themselves?

Maybe it's because their primary meals don't consist of prime rib, pasta primavera, chicken parmegian, and scallops covered in cheese.  Humans have become conditioned to eat processed and massively laced fat foods, and they taste good!  The only problem with this is that these foods that taste so good are also the ones which are creating disease and making this country the unhealthiest that it has ever been.  The foods that have been shown to greatly improve our health and reverse such diseases as cancer and heart disease are also the ones that people seem to eschew.  While animals have the opportunity to gorge themselves and eat until they explode, they do not.  Yet most Americans know the dangers of eating the above mentioned diets, yet still indulge in chemically laden and fat filled foods with reckless abandon.  Why is that?

They don’t because of the “Law of Satiation” which states:  In a natural setting of caloric abundance, animals will consume the correct amount of food needed for optimum function.[1]

What this means is that there are millions of humans that struggle to count their calories and constantly battle to keep their weight under control, but there are billions of animals that can do it effortlessly.  Today it is estimated that more than one half of Americans are either obese or significantly overweight.  The number of people classified as obese has doubled just in the last 20 years.[2]  It doesn’t seem to make sense, unless you examine the types of food that are eaten today in the Standard American Diet.  

Over the past one hundred years, there has been an exponential increase in not only overweight Americans, but in the disease suffered by them.  If all animals have an innate mechanism that signals the body that enough sustenance has been eaten for optimal function, then why isn’t it working for humans?

Despite the misguided speculation of “diet experts” and the over 25,000 books that have been written on them, the solution is simple.  Our modern diet is artificially concentrated, and this artificial concentration causes our internal calorie counting machinery to make errors.  Specifically, our calorie counting machinery consistently underestimates the caloric value of artificially concentrated foods, and this inexorably leads to overeating.[3]  Our machinery is breaking down and causing our disease-fighting and health creating cells to end up looking like a scrapyard.

The diets of most Americans are artificially concentrated with high-fat animal products, oils, sugar, and mostly refined carbohydrates.  People regularly eat butter, eggs, burgers, ice cream, fried food, fast food, and other processed foods which have chemicals and high fat percentages vastly greater than what would be found in a “natural” diet.  Fat is always calorically concentrated so it has a greater caloric density.  It is this unnatural concentration that causes mistakes by our calorie counting machinery.[4]  This in turn leads to overeating, obesity, and disease.


[1] Lisle, Douglas J.,Ph.D. & Alan Goldhamer, D.C., Healthy Living Publications, The Pleasure Trap, (2003)
[2] Shell, E.R. The Hungry Gene, Atlantic Monthly Press, (2002)
[3] Lisle, Douglas J.,Ph.D & Alan Goldhamer, D.C., Healthy Living Publications, The Pleasure Trap, (2003)
[4] Ibid
Foxborough, MA 02035
(508) 543-1313

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

2011 Tax Planning for Businesses

Submitted by Marietta Z. Courtney, CPA, MST

Q.  What is Tax Planning?
A.  An analysis with the goal of helping you keep more of your hard earned money.  It’s a tool to be used to help you make sound business decisions and minimize your taxes.
Q.  Is it something only big companies do?
A.  No. Everyone can benefit. You work hard for your money: going to trade shows, networking events, increasing your visibility, blogging, etc.  You need this information to help you decide on your action steps.  If you do nothing with it, its what the federal and state governments will tax you on and then there  will be less money available for the business.
Q.  Is it expensive?
A.  It does not have to be.  It can be as basic or detailed as you need. You can start by doing the analysis yourself. Then talk to your CPA about your results so you can decide on appropriate action steps together.
Q.  Do I wait until the end of the year?
A.  If you wait, it may be too late. The goal is to determine what you can do in 2011.
Example for a cash basis business:  For Discussion Purposes Only
1. Determine your Net Income (Profit) or Net Loss - The total income for the year of your business (example- cash received) LESS total expenses (example- cash paid out and you may also have some non- cash expenses such as depreciation). 
2 A. Are you left with a Profit ?– are there any items you’ve been meaning to buy for your business, any expenses coming due soon that you can pay before the end of the year, any groups your business was looking to join, did you want to sign up for training or conferences. Talk to your CPA to find out what additional deductions would be allowable.
2B. Are you showing a Loss? Have you had Losses in previous years and could your business be in danger of being treated as a hobby by the IRS? Talk to your CPA to find out if this is a concern for your business, what it would mean and if there is any additional income you can recognize this year.
REQUIRED DISCLOSURES: To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the IRS, I inform you that any tax advice contained in this communication (including attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code.
Marietta Z. Courtney, CPA, MST
Serving Business and Individual Clients for Over 18 Years
(617) 416-2096
www.courtneycpa.com

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Time on Your Side

Submitted by Tamara Myles 


    One great way to increase productivity is to better manage your time. To begin, get an accurate gauge of the real time it takes to accomplish a variety of routine responsibilities.
    Use a kitchen timer to measure time spent on your work activities. You'll likely discover that most unpleasant tasks don't take as long as you think they will. And most pleasant things tend to drag out a bit longer than you'd expect. Then, use this information to help schedule future tasks. If checking and returning phone messages takes an hour each day (who knew?), then block off that amount of time for phone calls. Clearing off your desk by filing papers may seem like an unending job, but in reality, it may take only ten minutes. Now it seems more manageable!

     Then, become more productive by avoiding interruptions. Did you know that the average office worker is interrupted 73 times every day? Be prepared for these obstacles by setting aside time each day for "open office hours," and let your  colleagues know they can drop by during this time for  assistance.
     Use your lower-energy hours as your open office hours so you don't waste peak productivity periods. That way, you can devote time when your energy is highest to plow through your absolutely-must-do tasks.
    Close your door or consider putting up a "do not disturb" sign outside your doorway to let office mates know when you need privacy. Of course, emergencies will pop up occasionally, but by following these guidelines, your productivity will soar.

Tamara Myles
Tamara Myles Consulting
www.tmylesconsulting.com
508-837-4112





Note, The Women's Business Network of Southeastern Ma would like to congratulate Tamara on passing the exam to become a Certified Professional Organizer (CPO®). This certification is a voluntary, industry-led effort that benefits the members of the organizing profession, as well as the public. It recognizes those professionals who have met specific minimum standards, and prove through examination and client interaction that they possess the body of knowledge and experience required for certification. This program recognizes and raises industry standards, practices, and ethics. Certification of professional organizers maximizes the value received from the products and services provided by a CPO®.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Redecorating Dining Room - Paint and more (6)


Submitted by Dotty Wyman

The dining room project is once again moving along.  When the rain came, so did the painter for some interior work.  He called me on Tuesday last week and was there on Thursday to start the job.  Since I had already selected the colors for the room and ordered the wallpaper, he could come even on such short notice.  The work to replace the baseboard moulding, wallpaper and paint was completed in two days.  They accomplished everything I requested.  There were only 2 small changes to the original estimate, which the painter confirmed with me prior to starting.

A view of the overall look of the walls

The picture above shows the rich brown paint on the upper portion of the walls which is balanced with the bold striped wallpaper below the chair rail.  The 2 3/4" baseboard moulding has been replaced with 7 3/4" moulding (the same height as the heat registers) and all the trim has been painted with a fresh coat of white paint.  I decided to paint the ceiling a golden yellow color (pictured below).  I thought the color on the ceiling would give the room a more contemporary feeling and it was an opportunity for me to introduce the yellow color from my design inspiration photos into the room.

Below are a few more detailed pictures of the walls and ceiling.

The 7 3/4" baseboard adds a strong architectural detail


The baseboard heat has also been painted white to blend
with the baseboard moulding


The yellow painted ceiling is unexpected and helps to
accentuate the crown moulding

The dining room redesign is almost complete.  The window treatments are the next step in my project plan.  I am in the process of making the drapes and I have ordered the decorative drapery rods.  

Please write me any comments or questions you may have about this redesign project.

www.DottyWymanDesigns.com 


Friday, September 9, 2011

WBN Ladies Movie Night at Patriot Place.... A blockbuster hit

The Women’s Business Network of Southeastern Massachusetts (WBN) hosted a Ladies Night Out at the Movies at Patriot Place Showcase Cinemas De Lux in Foxboro, featuring the movie “The Help” on August 16th from 6 pm to 10:30 pm. 


A select group of WBN members showcased their products to all the ladies and networked in a soothing and welcome atmosphere.
Meus Kaveny , stella & dot

CAbi,  Sue Haley












 Lots of networking and mingling took place amidst hors d’oeuvres, a wine tasting, and tarot card readings..



Thanks to Janine Cavanaugh, Helpful Organizer for arranging this event.



   Click Here to view more photos from this event.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Are You Good Enough ?

Submitted by Jen Vondenbrink - Life Simplified
Really?
That was my first thought when I saw this.  An actual ad getting people to eat lard.  Sounds incredible to us today, but back then, this was “good advice.”

Let’s say you have a great Aunt Millie who was alive during that time. Do you think she still thinks eating lard will make you happy?  Maybe she does.  Yikes, that’s scary.

Our Critical Mind
When we listen to our critical mind, it’s like listening to great Aunt Millie.  Your critical thoughts have been formed not just over your life time, but over generations.  Some information is valuable (don’t touch hot stove). Other information (eat lard to be happy) doesn’t make sense any more.
What would happen if you were sad and great Aunt Millie suggested you eat lard.  You’d probably roll your eyes and say, “Okay Aunt Millie.  I’ll have to try that,” never intending to eat one ounce of lard.
Unfortunately we don’t apply the same rules to our critical mind.  When it says something crazy like “Are You Good Enough?” we pay attention.  We even take action on that thought.

What If Aunt Millie Ran Your Family or Business?
Think of the consequences if you put great Aunt Millie in charge of your family, your business, or if she lived with you and you had to do everything she said.  You could be eating lard every day.  I know that doesn’t sound logical, but when you listen and take action on your critical thought without examining them, that’s exactly what you’re doing.

Welcome it
I’m going to suggest you welcome those critical thoughts.  Accept they’re part of you.  Don’t let it run crazy in the background dictating your actions.  Once you accept them (which doesn’t mean act on them, it just means listen), your critical voice looses effect.  You begin to see some of it’s warnings are false.  They served you and your family well in the past, but they don’t apply any more.

Walk Away
Let’s say great Aunt Millie did come to live with you.  You accept her.  You welcome her.  When she starts talking about lard, however, what do you do.  Smile, nod and walk away.  You chalk her suggestions up to her past experience.  You realize they aren’t relevant to your life today.  You don’t buy lard and you’re okay with that.

How To Live With Your Critical Mind
The same can happen with the critical voice.
  • Listen to what it says.Ask, is this true?
  • If the advice is inaccurate, continue on your path. The conflict is gone
Next Time
When your critical voice says, “Are You Good Enough?’  Answer, “I am thank you.”  Then confidently excuse yourself, grab a glass of lemonade and throw the lard in the trash.

Photo credit: Ravinsmagiclantern via Flickr under creative commons license



Jen Vondenbrink
Life Simplified
www.yourlifesimplified.com
Life Enrichment and Leadership Training
781-864-1782
 
"Life is simple when you remember to breathe."


Monday, July 18, 2011

Be The Best You Can Be

 Be The Best You You Can Be



"We can only be more today than we were yesterday" – Mary Morrissey




Keeping Up With The Jones’
What an exhausting pursuit whether you enter the race in your personal or professional life. Wouldn’t you agree?
While on vacation, I realized how much I’d been comparing myself and my business to others. There’s not one bit of empowerment in saying you’re not doing as well as another person.

A Simple Lesson – It’s All Up To Me
Years ago, when I was in retail, we had a year of unrealistic budgets. The calculations made the numbers impossible to achieve.
In order to build momentum in my store, I focused on week to week and month to month growth, rather than the numbers on a page. That shift allowed me to stay motivated, motivate my team and when the new budgets were published, we were poised for success.
I admit, until recently I’d forgotten that lesson. Since vacation I’ve begun to look at myself as my only competition. I compare me to me. “How did I do yesterday?” “How did that compare to the day before?” Not “How am I doing compared to them?”

Be Your Own Biggest Competition
Whether it’s personal or business goals you’re looking to achieve, this shift will rev up your energy rather than tear it down. You’ll also find success much more easily than when you compare yourself to others because there’s always someone new to compare to, but there’s only one you.

Do you agree or disagree? I’d love to hear your opinion.

Jen Vondenbrink
Life Simplified
http://www.yourlifesimplified.com/

Friday, July 1, 2011

Take Care of Your Skin !

Submitted by Patty Nameishi - NuSkin
                                      
Beaches and barbecues await... While you're cooking up those meats on the grill, be sure you're not cooking your skin as well! 
An estimated 3.5 million Americans develop skin cancer each year; be smart about your sun protection. You can avoid this disease, and look younger longer.  
Recently, on the Today Show, Dr. Nancy spoke about the new sunscreen guidelines that will be implemented in the US including requirements to list ingredients in labeling. Some of the labeling thus far has been deceptive, and it's time for this needed change.
SPF 15 cuts out 93% of the suns harmful rays. Most Dermatologists recommend a SPF of 30. "Above 30 or higher you're looking at marketing, not science", a noted doctor stated. Its not the number; you need to keep reapplying, every 2 hours if you are in the sun.

What does SPF stand for?
SPF stands for sun protection factor. SPF is a factor of how long you can remain unprotected in the sun without burning. For example, if you begin to burn after 10 minutes in the sun then applying a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 will allow you to remain in the sun for 150 minutes before beginning to burn.
                                                        
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends people to use about one ounce of SPF 30 to cover their bodies, a glob about the size of a golf ball.

For information on our products and science, please visit my website www.agingmyth.nsedreams.com 
Patty Nameishi
NuSkin


To see what's in Patty's "Summer Survival Tool Kit" including a great special offer for WBN members, Click Here

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Tax Tips from Marietta - Child Care Expenses

Qualify for the Child/Dependent Care Credit and claim summer day camp and childcare expenses.

Need to reduce the amount of tax that you owe? Well … you may be able to claim a credit if you pay someone to care for a dependent under the age of 13, or for your spouse or dependent who is not able to care for himself or herself. The credit can be up to 35 percent of your expenses. To qualify, you must pay these expenses so that you can work or look for work. Here are some things you need to know:  

·         The cost of day camp may count as an expense towards the Child and Dependent Care Credit. Keep in mind that expenses for overnight camps do not qualify.

·         You must have paid the child and dependent care expenses so that you (and your spouse, if filing jointly) could work or look for work. If you do not find a job and have no earned income for the year, you cannot take this credit.

·         You must make payments for child and dependent care to someone you (and your spouse) cannot claim as a dependent. If you make payments to your child, he or she cannot be your dependent and must be aged 19 or older by the end of the year.

·         If you pay someone to come to your home and care for your dependent or spouse, you may be a household employer who has to pay employment taxes. Usually, you are not a household employer if the person who cares for your dependent or spouse does so at his or her home or place of business.
·         If you pay expenses to a sitter at your home or a daycare facility outside the home to provide child care, you may get some tax benefit if you qualify for the credit. You will need the name of the child care provider, the address, the identification number, i.e. Social Security number or Employer Identification Number and the total amount paid.

·         If your employer provides dependent care benefits under a qualified plan, you may be able to exclude these benefits from your income. Your employer will be able to tell you whether your benefit plan qualifies. There are limits to the amount that can be excluded from your income.  

Be sure to take advantage of this credit if you are eligible. _________________________________________________
Here’s a list of helpful IRS forms and publications:
·      Form 2441, Child and Dependent Care Expenses
  • Form W-10, Dependent Care Provider’s Identification and Certification
Contact me with any questions or for more information.
Marietta Z. Courtney, CPA, MST

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Redecorating Dining Room - Select Finishes (3)

Submitted by Dotty Wyman - Dotty Wyman Designs
This is my third blog about redesigning my dining room.  I initially identified the Wynn Hotel lobby as the inspiration for my room.  Next I made a plan of all the tasks I need to accomplish prior to starting work or making purchases for this redecorating project.  I have determined the scope, budget and date I would like to have the room completed.  Now I am able to do more of the fun and creative parts of decorating, selecting the finishes to be used in the room.

 The walls will be painted and wallpapered in a dark brown tone, similar to some of the Wynn lobby walls.  Since the furniture in the room is also dark I have selected a striped wallpaper with a lighter brown color as well.  The wallpaper will be hung below the chair rail and paint above it.  All the moulding in the room will remain white.  This will help to keep the room from getting too dark.  The fabric choices will also need to be light in color to keep the room lively and inviting.

Wallpaper to be used below chair rail

Four fabrics have been chosen for the room.  The window treatments will be made from a bone colored velvet and rasberry/green tassel trim .  The dining chair seats will use a raised velvet rasberry colored dot pattern along with a green fabric used for piping around the edge.  Finally, the upholstered chair in the corner will use an intricate and colorful floral fabric.  The floral fabric helps to tie all the other fabrics together.  Usually, I will find the fabric with the large print and multiple colors first and select the solid, stripe and/or small patterned fabrics after, but this time the floral was the last fabric selected.

Overview of fabrics and wall coverings

Dining chair seat fabric

Dining chair welt around edge of seat

Upholstered chair fabric

Drapery trim
Now that I have made all of my selections I need to verify everything is available.  Once this is accomplished I will order the fabrics, trim and wallpaper.  I will also start the process of hiring the trades people.

Dotty
Dotty Wyman Designs

Monday, June 20, 2011

Tips To Maximize Summer for Entrepreneurs

submitted by Jen Vondenbrink - Life Simplified

The sun is out and the days are warm. I don’t know about you, but I’ll admit it’s hard to stay focused when summer calls. All you may want to do is jump in the pool or head to the beach. Memories of a snowy winter are still fresh and staying inside all day doesn’t seem right.

 
Photo credit: myrtlebeachblog via Flickr under creative commons license

Being an entrepreneur isn’t a jail sentence.  You started your own company to have flexibility to enjoy these moments.  Now that your business is up and running, however, you find it difficult to extract yourself from your office.

Fear not.
 Here are some productivity tips that can help you maximize your summer.

Get up a little earlier. 
There’s something revitalizing about listening to the birds first thing in the morning.  Get up about 30-60 minutes earlier.  Do some stretching.  If it’s nice, get a walk in.  Or if you’re like me head to the office

Schedule a personal day
Want to go to the beach?  Plan a “personal day.”  You remember those from your previous life, right?  They’re special days you took off during the work week as mini vacations.  Give yourself so many personal days a year, then plan them into the calendar.  There’s nothing better than looking forward to an impromptu vacation.

Give yourself the night off (or even better, the weekend off!).
 Lots of companies have shorter Friday’s during the summer.  Some even went to 4 day work weeks in the summer.  If your business can afford it, plan some of these.

What’s the benefit of taking these few small steps?
Sanity, creativity and productivity.  You’ll find you’re more invigorated when you are working because you have these treats to look forward to.
 
Jen Vondenbrink
Life Simplified
www.yourlifesimplified.com
Life Enrichment and Leadership Training
781-864-1782

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

HIPPA laws and your college student

submitted by Karen A. McSherry - Attorney at Law

Graduation season is here.  A joyous time, to be soon followed by a (maybe) heart wrenching time as your “baby” goes off to college to live the life of an adult.  Yes, despite how they appear to us, those 18 year olds are adults, who, with the exception of the right to drink legally, have all the rights and responsibilities of an adult.

So, what does this mean for the nervous parent at home?  Well, despite the fact that Mom and Dad’s names appear on the tuition bill, parents really have no authority to receive grades, talk to the school, or make medical decisions in the case of an emergency.  That is, unless of course, you have had the foresight to have your child execute a power of attorney and health care proxy prior to leaving for college.
A power of attorney can help if you need to straighten out finances either at the school or back home.  Without this document, parents won’t be able to deal with an insurance company for that auto accident or talk to the bank about that overdraft. 
If your child becomes ill while at school, HIPPA laws will prevent the school from releasing information, unless of course, your child has waived those limitations in the health care proxy.
 

Send your child off to school with more than just a laptop and extra long bed sheets for the dorm room.  Send them off with the piece of mind that Mom and Dad can still lend a helping hand.

Until September I will offer all WBN members a discount for children going off to college.  A power of attorney and health care proxy will be $100.00 for both documents.



 
Karen A. McSherry
Attorney at Law
187 Washington St. (Rte. 138)
North Easton, MA 02356
Tel: 508-238-3333
Fax: 508-238-1500
EM: karen@KmcSherryLaw.com

Web: http://www.KmcSherryLaw.com


Redecorating Dining Room - Planning (2)

submitted by Dotty Wyman - Dotty Wyman Designs
 
The planning portion of any design project is the most important. Start by identifying the scope of the project and your budget. These two steps are critical whether you use an interior designer or do the project yourself. The scope of my design project includes painting and papering the walls, replacing the window treatments and reupholstering the chairs. Things I also am considering to replace are the base moulding and adding recessed lighting. My budget is $4,000.

Below I have outlined my project plan. These are all the things I want to have accomplished before I have any tradespeople come to my home or order anything. Remember this is a design plan and may change as the project evolves.

Project Plan for Dining Room
  1. Identify scope and budget - above
  2. Identify date needed - If you want a project completed prior to a special event try to start it early, 2 to 3 months prior. Design projects always seem to incur delays. Lately, many fabrics are not carried in stock and the waiting time to get them can be 8 weeks. I would like to have my project completed over the summer. I am in no rush, but want to set a deadline for myself.
  3. Select finishes - I like to have most or all new finishes and fabrics selected prior to purchasing anything. This allows me to coordinate and see how everything works together. Also, if a finish is no longer available you have the opportunity to change several of your choices if needed. For example, if the paint color is based on the fabric that is now out of stock, you can get a new fabric and adjust the paint color to match. Your choices can't always occur in advance for large projects, but for my dining room project I believe it is the best approach.
  4. Hire trades people for each job - I will need to hire a carpenter/painter, electrician (if needed) and an upholsterer. I am hoping the same person can do the painting, wallpapering and moulding replacement, since it is a smaller job. I will use the same upholsterer and electrician I have used in the past. As a designer, I have contact with trades people that I trust and have seen their work. Make sure you hire reliable people with references. I will make the window treatments myself, but have factored their cost into the estimated budget.
  5. Timeline for project task completion - Most design projects need tasks to occur in some type of order, because they are contingent on the prior task. The painter/carpenter need to come first, then I can install the window treatments. The upholstery can be done any time (no contingency). If I decide to add recessed lighting, the electrician will need to come first. They will make the biggest mess and the painter can repair any damage.
  6. Execute the plan - Purchase fabrics, paint, wallpaper. Have your room ready for the trades people to do their work. Communicate with tradespeople what you want. It's hard to fix something that is already completed.

I am starting to get a good sense of where my interior design project is going. I now have my inspiration, my project scope and the design plan in place to get started. My next step is to start moving on the to do's created in my design plan. I look forward to sharing my fabric, paint and wallpapber choices.
 
Dotty Wyman
Dotty Wyman Designs
www.DottyWymanDesigns.com
info@dottywymandesigns.com

Friday, June 10, 2011

Emotional Effects of Colors



Submitted by Marie Hoyt-Pauriry - Pixel Artists Design
 
We have been getting more requests for logo design. And this article about the emotional effects of color can help you choose what color(s) you want for your logo. Or at the very least, explain the meaning of the colors you have already chosen…

Colors have different psychological effects, positive as well as negative. This point must be kept in mind while choosing colors in your design since various colors convey varied meanings
Color Wheel

Red

Red is the color of energy, it’s bold, it’s powerful, it’s vibrant. It has the longest wavelength (the distance over which the wave’s shape repeats). It’s the color of effectiveness, excitement and liveliness. All over the world we follow red traffic light to stop, its visibility is the strongest amongst all other colors because of its highest wavelength. On the other hand its negative impacts can be aggression, visual disturbance and strain. You live in a red room for a day and you will go crazy, it has to be complimented with other colors to make it subtle.

Yellow

Yellow is a very emotional color, it is the color of self esteem, confidence and optimism. After red yellow has the longest wave length, appearing to be strong from a distance. World over yellow cabs can easily be seen, sunflowers, daffodils appear to be friendly. Contrary to this it also communicates few negative values like depression, hatred and anxiety.

Blue

Blue is the color of intelligence, vastness, royalty, serenity, coolness and tranquility. Sky appears blue and gives calm effect, water appears blue and gives peace of mind. Blue appears to be the favorite color of most of the people but on the other hand it is also a color of coldness, unfriendliness and unemotional.

Green

Green is the most refreshing and cool color. Green is the color of life, fertility, reassurance, peace, harmony, balance. Nature is green and how soothing it is to our eyes. Not a single tree in this world is of the same green tint or shade, yet it appears to be so full of life and create environmental beauty.  As for its negative traits it is the color of Boredom, stagnation, blandness and enervation.

Violet

Violet is color of truth, luxury and spiritual awareness. It has the shortest wavelength therefore it is considered to be weak also. A color of introversion and suppression. It is associated with deep contemplation and royalty, meditation and quality.

Orange

Orange gives warmth, comfort, security, passion, fun and frolic. Due to the mixture of red and yellow it gives stimulation and sensuality. Use of too much orange gives a feeling of no serious attitude and gives a feeling of deprivation if used with black.

Pink

Pink is a cute color, very feminine, love and tranquility. Though pink is a tint of red but it soothes rather than stimulates. It gives comfort and suggests grace and elegance. Sometimes too much pink looks physically weak and appears full of flaws. It creates impact of inhibition.

Grey

Grey is a neutral color, not giving a direct psychological effect. It may represent emptiness and dullness. It gives impression of dampness and right tone of gray must be used otherwise it may make your composition depressive.

Black

All colors are absorbed in black. Black is glamorous, graceful, efficient and security. Women wear black to attract, they look sophisticated. Black creates hindrance since there’s no light no reflection. It works perfectly with white thus the co relation is either alternation or repetition. Black is the color of mourning also. Too much black creates heaviness and scary look.

White

White is pure, clean, hygienic, innocent and simple. White is total reflection. It gives perception of space, too much clutter in a design can be overcome by using spaces of white. The negative effect of white is that it makes other colors used with it cold and unfriendly. Can create a diminishing effect.

Brown

Brown is the color of earth, rugged, serious, old, and ancient. Rustic look can very well be created with this color. Since brown is the combination of red and yellow with much larger percentage of black, it also gives the same seriousness as black but in a warmer way. It is natural and supportive but at the same time it is too non humorous and appears heavy.

http://pelfusion.com/design/color-wheel-classifications-emotional-effects-and-color-theory/

marie hoyt-pariury
designer ~ sales ~ social media
mpariury@pixelartists.com
p 781-355-2160
www.pixelartists.com/marie