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I am thrilled to introduce you to my friend, colleague and dreamwork mentor, Warm Spring Kristina Hutch Matthews. Kristina is an artist, writer, animal lover, healing arts practitioner and so much more! Her mother is also an accomplished and prolific artist and together they run the Penfield Arts Center.
We immediately clicked when we met and I was excited to give her a color analysis given her natural talent for all things aesthetic. I wasn't surprised to see her closet immediately following the analysis was filled with muted colors. That is typical these days, especially for those with a creative style. But, I was shocked to see her closet a few months ago. She has completely transformed it from the dusty colors of the past to lighter and brighter colors focused especially on the warmth of Warm Spring. She has learned that the golden browns of her hair and eyes work perfectly as neutrals replacing blacks and grays.
Over the years, I have utilized many personal development tools but it was Kristina's dreamwork class that has given me the most incredible AHA moments. I thought the class would be fun and interesting and help me understand why I saw a whale or something like that but dreamwork is so much more!! Kristina has a talent for giving feedback and fresh insight into a situation that may be challenging or lingering from the past. My understanding of how to remember and process dreams has truly been life changing and transformative. Kristina has brought so much color into my life! Read more about her journey with her artistry and healing practices in this month's blog:
What fun to introduce the incredibly colorful Bright Spring, Natalie Rae Dickerson! I met Natalie when she was in the process of taking over the fabulous fine clothing store, Panache Consignment from my client and colleague Joan Lincoln. Meeting Natalie was like a burst of fresh air. She radiated warmth and vibrancy and was very game to learn more about what colors would be ideal for her. It was no surprise that she absolutely popped in the bright colors and that she jumped right in head first into wearing them. Every time I pop in to the shop, she is shining in some new combination of her colors. She redesigned the store to be organized by color and I find it so easy to find colors for myself and my clients. Read more about her international journey in the world of fashion and color in this month's blog.
It is a thrill to introduce you to Bright Winter, Bianca Calascibetta founder of UCO, a creative marketing firm. When she enthusiastically called me to schedule a color analysis after seeing another client of mine looking pulled together, I knew I had to get her in for a consultation asap. Her excitement was infectious and it only increased when she saw herself in her colors and out of the drab bronzers and muddy cosmetics she had been wearing. Her BRIGHT personality and dramatic but romantic style suited the bold, saturated colors. When I had the pleasure of helping her edit her closet, I could see that she was used to toning herself down with dull colors so that she didn't stand out. How refreshing to see her in colors and styles that suit her personality and coloring. The affect is harmonious and draws you in. Learn more about her experience and unique insights in this month's blog.
It is my pleasure to introduce you to this month’s Dark Winter feature, eyebrow, skincare and permanent hair removal expert, Gia Pauldine. Gia was one of my first clients when I started my color analysis business nearly 20 years ago. It was around that time that she also founded her business, Restoration Electrolysis, LLC.
Gia was easy to analyze. Her deep brown hair worked well with black and dark brown neutrals that were then and still are so easy to shop for. A few pops of rich reds, deep greens and purples and she was good to go for many years. When she decided to go gray more recently and wondered how to incorporate it with her clothing choices, we had the pleasure of reconnecting and working on her wardrobe and closet. I was amazed at how gorgeous her skin looked and she introduced me to some of the skin revitalization services she offers now including light therapy. Learn more about her unique, wholistic eyebrow makeovers and skincare maintenance to the process she went through in letting her hair go naturally from a dark brown to a multi-hued gray and how it impacted her clothing choices.
It’s a treat to introduce you to this month's colorful lives feature, Soft Autumn Tim Stich who is also my son!! Tim’s experience with shopping for clothing and wearing color is unique as I become a color analyst when he was quite young. When he and his sister Clare were little, I tried dressing them in bright colors with strong patterns as was the style then.....but even before learning about personal color harmony, I started to sense that the clothes overwhelmed them and began dressing them in softer colors and solids. I was even shocked the other day to discover when I pulled out his school photos that every single photo (even before I learned of his color palette) was taken in a Soft Autumn color. You can see how his life has evolved wearing the soft, earthy colors that suit his ruddy hair, freckles and soft blue/green eyes.
Over the years, he has mostly been very eager to wear what suits him and looked to me to help him distinguish soft autumn colors from the two seasons nearby - warm autumn and soft summer. We enjoy shopping together, especially now that he lives in Manhattan and the shopping is abundant. It can be a challenge to find his colors in sizes and style that fit but when its perfect, it feels great and he knows it. Read on to learn more about what it’s like to be a guy whose mom is a color consultant!
I am so excited to introduce you the “entertainingly irreverent” (Associated Press) Soft Summer, Valerie Peterson. Valerie is an extraordinary storyteller in a variety of media including scriptwriting, screenplays, fiction, non-fiction and book publishing/consulting. I analyzed her colors years ago in Rhode Island at a girls weekend hosted by a mutual friend (color analysis and girls weekends make a great combo!). In the years since, Valerie has embraced her Soft Summer colors in spite of living and working in New York City where black is a standard and practical.
It was a thrill when her publisher chose a photo of my family for her wonderfully spirited book, Peterson’s Happy Hour. On page 46, you can find me with my family - brothers, Mike and Tim and my parents Marcia and J. Michael Jones circa 1970. The book features many more photographic gems and recipes for a fabulous social gathering!
In this month’s colorful lives blog, Valerie shares her journey with her color palette. As with all her writing projects, she is humorous, colorful and entertaining! She has kept in great condition and still uses the Sci Art swatch book that I provided back in those days!! Be sure to check out her large body of work on valeriepeterson.net and read more in the blog:
While doing color analysis in Boston in June, I had the pleasure of meeting Danielle Burton and giving her a 12-Season Color Analysis. Danielle had recently experienced a 4-Season Color Analysis with a House of Colour consultant and was told she was a Winter. I was skeptical that she was any type of Winter (in the 12 season system, there are actually 3 Winters - Dark Winter, Cool Winter and Bright Winter). Her light eyes, natural lighter and soft brownish hair and skin tone were much more consistent with my clients who fall into the lighter seasons, especially Summer.
Since her hair had been highlighted, we covered it with a neutral gray cap to do the testing portion of the analysis, ensuring that the lighter color did not sway the results of the analysis. It was clear from the beginning that Danielle was responding more harmoniously to the cool tones even some of the lighter cool winter drapes which was consistent with her 4 season color analysis.
But, while she contrasted with any drapes that were dark and bright, she was softened and balanced by the lighter cool tones, particularly Summer. The dark colors brought out shadows under her eyes and the brighter colors overwhelmed her and brought attention to themselves. In the end, she looked lovely and perfectly balanced and harmonious in the Cool Summer colors!
"While I had a great experience at House of Colour, I do think they are missing out on a ton of research and color science by not including the 12 seasons and variants. The added layer of cool vs bright vs dark was a huge difference for me and really solidified which category I best fit”.
Enjoy reading more about Danielle’s experience with both systems and her reaction to her diagnosis as a Cool Summer:
What fun to introduce Cool Summer, Genevieve Van Voorhis. Gen is an American who has been living in Berlin for many years and recently founded her own nanny service, Lighthouse Nanny specializing in English speaking nannies and babysitters. She put together a wardrobe in a large international city where black is the preferred color choice and her business demands that her clothing must be casual, comfortable and simple when interacting with children.
Gen spent some years thinking she was a Soft Autumn but actually is a Cool Summer. The good news is that after some adjustment, Gen is now fully enjoying the joys of wearing colors that are more perfectly harmonious. Her coloring is actually the essence of the Cool Summer season - soft, muted medium brown hair that lightens slightly in the summer, large round blue eyes and cool porcelain skin.
Enjoy reading more about her journey with her colors in this month’s colorful lives blog:
It is my pleasure to introduce you to Photographer Extraordinaire, Light Summer Natalie Sinisgalli, founder of NSP Studio in Rochester, NY. In recent years, I have noticed incredible photos of my clients in their colors and wondered about the photographer who captured them. Natalie and I finally connected last year and exchanged services. Since then, she has embraced her light colors and even had to courage to wear a light green suit to a recent award ceremony. What a delight to see her accepting the prestigious Athena Award in that suit! It’s certain that everyone who attended will long remember how she sparkled and shined in that color.
Natalie’s passion for helping women find their inner strength and beauty is a perfect compliment to the my goals as an Image Consultant. We want people to feel good about themselves by being who they are. Natalie’s photos capture the essence of her clients and show what is unique about them. When combined with the perfect colors, the result is a personal color harmony masterpiece!
Read more about Natalie’s journey with her Light Summer colors:
I am delighted to introduce you to Light Spring, Dana Emmings, a professional Ayurveda Practitioner and founder of Sacred Life Ayurveda. Each time I see the photos I took of Dana years ago I have to stop and stare at how she perfectly balances with the light and fresh colors. It is a pleasure to share not only those photos with you but Dana’s journey “into the light” since her color analysis!
Originating in Indian culture, the ancient practice of Ayurveda restores you to a complete, balanced state of being. It heals through natural means that not only alleviate symptoms, but actually rejuvenates vulnerable and weakened areas in the body. By finding your personalized balance, Ayurveda brings you back to wholeness through the right diet, herbs, exercise and other lifestyle changes for your body.
The essence of personal color harmony is also balance. We all fit into this incredibly complex and yet simple natural world. The philosophies of Ayurveda align perfectly with my approach to helping my clients enhance what they are naturally.
I am thrilled to introduce you to Warm Spring, Amy Coté. She is a trailblazing Legal and Risk Counselor and Founder of Think Out, who advocates for the people, ideas, and practices that help her clients avoid costly and unnecessary litigation, thereby eliminating waste and increasing revenue. Amy truly believes that when entities do better, we all do better.
Her golden eyes and warm red hair with a hint of freckles exemplifies the glowing nature of the Warm Spring. As a natural redhead, she has endured all the stereotypes about redheads but as it relates to tenacity, endurance, and professional prowess, she truly is a shining example of “kissed by the fire”. She has also struggled through myth’s such as “redheads should never wear red” and more regarding her coloring.
She has worked to find appropriate clothing for the courtroom without defaulting into the dark neutrals or muted colors that dim her sparkle and radiance. White is a great alternative to black as a neutral for those with lighter coloring. Learn more about her journey with Warm Spring colors in this month’s colorful lives blog:
I am filled with joy and gratitude in introducing you to my pathfinder, friend and colleague in embracing simplicity and harmony in our surroundings - Personal Space Visionary and founder of Wylde Grace Studio, Lyn Nene.
I was transformed when I first learned some simple practices about the ancient art of Feng Shui from Lyn decades ago. We instantly connected that our homes are an extension of ourselves and the significance of color and simplicity in the clothing and spaces that surround us. I have enjoyed sharing the journey with Lyn in getting to the essence of the services we offer our clients, transforming ourselves and our businesses.
We agree that your personal space is the next level of expressing a harmonious balanced and simplified life and are introducing a special package “Color Me Clutter Free in the Bedroom” for Indigo Tones clients combining a personal color analysis with a personal space consultation using Lyn’s unique and modernized Feng Shui principals.
Read more about how Lyn’s life has brightened, her work has evolved and her business has grown after discovering her bright spring colors in this month’s colorful lives blog.
I observed grace under pressure in a high pitched environment when I met this month’s Bright Winter feature: Cindy Christi at the United States National Pageant several years ago. As founder of Cindy Christi TV, Cindy helps CEO’s, Speakers, Best Selling Authors, On-Air Personalities and Pageant Contestants fall in love with their brand voice, so they can step into the spotlight and lead their legacy with confidence, clarity and ease.
Our roles at the pageant were aligned in helping the contestants and National Titleholders shine on stage and throughout their reign. Cindy’s professionalism and ease in front of the camera and steadying presence onstage set the tone for contestants and the pageant as a whole.
I noticed how she stood out in some of the bright clothing she wore and offered to determine which bright colors were her best; Bright Winter? Bright Spring?
It was clear right away that she was a Bright Winter when I started draping her. Wow! She truly lights up the room in the right pops of color.
Learn more about Cindy’s color-filled journey and how applying her perfect shades elevates her brand, business and homelife in this month’s Colorful Lives blog.
The past year I had the fortune to get to know an amazing couple who uniquely embraced growth through color and brought much inspiration to me personally and professionally. They worked as a team with me to modify their wardrobes, redo their closet and bring all they learned during their color consultation into other aspects of their lives.
In October, I introduced you to Warm Autumn, Erin Sirianni and now it is my pleasure for you to meet her Cool Winter husband, Danny. While Danny's coloring is dark and cool, his personality is warm and open. As a Realtor and business owner of Sirianni Realty, he understands that real estate decisions are made visually and viscerally. He saw immediately the value in wearing flattering and harmonious colors and promptly incorporated it into his approach to his business.
Read more about his journey in this month's colorful lives blog.
It is my pleasure to introduce Dark Winter, Meg Casebolt, founder of Love At First Search, an agency that guides small online business owners, especially female entrepreneurs in creating search friendly websites and strategic content. She helps her clients to optimize how they show up in search results in Google, Youtube, etc - Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
I learned to start by identifying the core essence of my business, to choose visuals and words that would be send out a clear message in an appealing way and how use all the tools to help viewers see me clearly and navigate around my site effortlessly. It is so similar to how I help my clients understand their coloring and style with special tools to authentically maximize a natural look in the simplest, most streamlined way.
Meg and I both help our clients to be seen! Read more about Meg's journeys with her color analysis and how it has influenced her online image.
The past few months have been so rewarding helping clients purge their closets of items that may be their style but not in flattering colors. So many of us are ready for a simple, streamlined wardrobe where everything in it feels like a YES!
Some really motivated clients wanted to edit their closets and were happy for Indigo Tones to help them find a good home for some of their favored items.
As soon as the clothing exchange got started it was amazing how excited everyone was to purge and donate pieces that were not right for them. A big motivator was knowing that they would go to the right person who shared the same size style and was just as eager to find the items in their own colors and lovingly wear them!
Everyone in the clothing exchange had a blast and continues to enjoy curating their closet to be a unique expression of their coloring and personality.
Enjoy the pics of the exchanges!
It is my great pleasure to introduce Dark Autumn, Joan Lincoln - Rochester, NY's fashion and beauty icon for decades! She lives life with style & flair and a never ending enthusiasm for connecting and collaborating with local businesses and charitable organizations. Her entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen belie a family oriented local girl sensibility and humanity that she brings to her business ventures.
I have collaborated with Joan for years. In the decades since I opened my first studio in Pittsford, NY around the corner from a fabulous boutique she managed, she has become Rochester's leader on all things involving fashion and style.
We share a passion for empowering women to be their best by making style affordable and accessible while lessening the impact of the fashion industry on the environment.
Read more about Joan's eclectic and expansive contribution to helping women in this month's colorful lives blog.
The last several months have been an absolute joy working with Warm Autumn Erin Sirianni to get her closet completely refreshed and full of items that she loves. She was very focused and determined to only have things that worked and the effort she made was worth it! She completely changed her hair, she passed along hundreds of items of clothing (see where some of them landed!), purged a huge percentage of her closet and shopped everywhere from the Indigo Tones resale shop to Panache Consignment to Goodwill to stores at the mall.
Erin is a Professional Development and Life Coach who gravitated to more structured, classic clothing as it felt the most professional but as we worked with her body shape and her personality we discovered she really likes a bit more drama and softer lines suit her shape. Read more and see all the transformations in this month's colorful lives blog!
I was excited to see Deb Willsea again on my recent travels to Cape Cod, MA. We met years ago when I did a her color analysis in Rochester, NY. Deb's petite frame and creative personality style create unique challenges in finding sizes that fit correctly while seeking unusual, creative clothing in the earthy soft autumn palette.
It was a joy to feel the harmony she had created in her home on Cape Cod using Soft Autumn colors and natural materials as we weeded out items in her closet that don't work during a recent closet "rehab". Read more about how she has incorporated the concepts of balancing a natural environment for learning in developing the Cape Cod Toy Library Inc based on the Reggio Emilia philosophy in this month's colorful lives blog.
The Reggio Emilia philosophy aligns perfectly with the concepts of personal color harmony - environments that are aesthetically attractive will help foster children’s learning as well as provide a setting that is welcoming and relaxing for adults.
It has been a whirlwind since Soft Summer Kara came to a class I taught on the science involved in Personal Color Analysis this past spring. She immediately booked a color consultation and hit the ground running in a concerted effort to create a professional wardrobe in spite of unique challenges.
Kara is the Director of Security Strategic Initiatives for a large financial institution and needs to dress in a more neutral, reserved and traditional way.
Much of the more structured, detailed classic attire in her industry is too overwhelming for her petite frame and preferred natural style. Read more about how she was able to stay within a budget but was willing to invest in the initial color analysis consultation, a capsule wardrobe package and a personal shopping trip with me.
It is my pleasure to introduce featured Cool Summer, Haberdasher and Executive Clothier, Chuck Alf.
For over 20 years Chuck has been addressing the sartorial needs of CEO’s, senior partners, professional athletes, business owners, wedding parties and everyday people who want their clothing to look, feel and fit perfectly. Chuck's colorful personality and understanding of personal colors makes him unique in the bespoke industry.
Learn more about Chuck’s evolution in the custom men’s clothing business, some of his unique clients like the Buffalo Bills and how understanding his colors has influenced his business.
I was so inspired when I met professional organizer, Light Summer Lorraine Bohonos. Lorraine immediately embraced her colors and revamped her entire wardrobe following her color analysis. It is not surprising given her passion for simple, streamlined living and the philosophies she promotes with the organizing business she founded, Home Free.
With an artist’s eye and true belief that your environment affects how you live, Lorraine works with each client to create the most useful, organized and beautiful space for them to thrive.
Read more about how Lorraine's color analysis has influenced her life and business in this month's blog. And take a peak at all her gorgeous Light Summer Sara Silvio jewelry.
It is an honor to introduce you to Warm Spring, Kathleen Pringle. Kathleen is the founder of Kathleen Pringle Group Inc, a Career Strategy and Executive Leadership Coaching business. She has spent decades helping her clients to empower themselves and their organizations.
Kathleen speaks to large groups often and understands the significance of personal branding. With her vibrant personality and radiant smile, she stands out in a crowd. She exudes confidence in herself, her business and any organization she is representing, especially when wearing her colors. Around Rochester, she is a "Roc Star".
Read more about how a empowered image has impacted her life.
I am thrilled to introduce Marcia Sutherland Podhorecki. Marcia is a fun loving friend, a creative interior designer and lives an energetic life surrounded with color. After analyzing her colors as Bright Spring and learning more about her entrepreneurial spirit and various businesses, I was inspired to create this Colorful Lives Blog series. Her spontaneous nature and love of pops of color is evident in her wardrobe, her design sensibility and her home decor. She perfectly captures the spirit of the Bright Spring personality!
Learn more about her use of bright colors in her wardrobe and design businesses.
My life brightened significantly when I met Bright Winter, Deb French! She uniquely blends her passions for movement and the natural world with her work as a dance and yoga instructor and as co-owner of Pack, Paddle, Ski - an adventure travel business.
Deb personifies all that is Bright Winter. Her deep coloring is enhanced with her bright, colorful personality. She is swirling with energy and vitality and enters every situation like a breath of sunshine after a long winters gloom.
Read more about Deb and the way she has combined her passions and her unique perspective on the colorful world we live in.
I am so excited to introduce you to a trusted colleague and fellow color enthusiast, Jewelry Designer Sara Silvio. Years ago a client of mine introduced me to Sara's work and since then I have had the pleasure of analyzing her colors, choosing pieces which have become favorites in my own jewelry collection and collaborating to bring our clients masterfully crafted wearable art.
After years of preparation, Sara and I are now launching an exquisite line of jewelry exclusively curated for the Indigo Tones 12 seasonal tones. With unequivocal passion and painstaking enthusiasm, we have created collections of unique pieces inspired by her world travels to reflect the colors and vibe of each season. Meet Sara!
I am thrilled to introduce you to a Rochester treasure and the hippest Optician on the planet - Dark Autumn, Tamra Asmuth, founder of One Hip Chic Optical. Tamra and I realized our shared passion for color and art during her color analysis many years ago. Since then we have collaboratively helped our mutual clients to confidently wear eyeglasses that enhance their unique style, face shape and coloring.
One Hip Chic offers an interesting selection of unique frames by designers from all over the world. Her local shop was recently named "America's Finest Optical Retailer" by Invision, a leading industry magazine.
It was a treat for me to do a "surprise" color analysis for Donald Green for his 50th birthday several years ago. He was a good sport and went along for the ride and jumped enthusiastically into his Warm Autumn palette. Donald is a Podologist and runs a specialized European foot care center. I was amazed at his professionalism and attention to detail on my first visit. He and I share a similar exacting approach to our systems and methods and I appreciate the care he gives each and every client.
In the years since his color analysis he has incorporated his colors into his business branding and lifestyle.
I am pleased to introduce you to Peggy Morgans. She is the founder of Parkway Window Works, an award winning custom drapery workroom exclusively serving interior designers and architects in the Rochester, NY and Finger Lakes region. Peggy's attention to detail and craftsmanship is like no other and her work is in high demand. I love following Peggy on Instagram and seeing all the incredible completed projects in every color and style.
I was thrilled to share my knowledge of color harmony to her highly skilled seamstresses and designers in her colorful workroom.
It is a pleasure to introduce you to Anne Lindyberg. After her color analysis, Anne had the confidence to let her hair evolve to her natural gray. The overall affect is harmonious, appealing and surprisingly youthful.
She has a holistic approach to her work as a Counselor and how she builds her wardrobe. It is important to establish trust with clients and and to convey a confident, pulled together look. She radiates as someone who knows herself and can help others do the same.
Meet Cool Summer, Jayne Burmaster. Jayne's specialty is working with product designers all over the globe to design sophisticated, contemporary, environmentally responsible chairs.
Jayne's creative sensibilities and meticulous attention to detail is evident in every aspect of her life. She has taken her passion and enthusiasm about her wardrobe to the next level by dying her favorite pieces to Cool Summer colors. Learn more about how Jayne uses her knowledge of color harmony in her design work and creating a perfect cool summer closet!
The Indigo Tones Personal Color Plume© is the most useful tool to shop confidently for clothing, accessories, cosmetics, hair color and more. Read on to learn how to understand the layout and design and how to use your swatch book to build a coordinated, colorful wardrobe that enhances your unique style with total confidence.
Kerry spent years in the corporate world interviewing and hiring before establishing Indigo Tones to help her clients understand how to feel confident in colors and styles that flatter them in any setting. She was asked to appear on Good Day Rochester to tips and suggestions for presenting your best image in a virtual meeting.
Welcome to the Indigo Tones blog: The Luminous Plume, Living in Color! I'm excited to share concepts in creating personal color harmony, answer your questions about wearing color and introduce you to amazing clients who are embracing life, living authentically and joyfully. I hope you will find the blog interesting, inspiring and entertaining!
I am excited to introduce you to some amazingly colorful clients in the Colorful Lives series. On their journey to understanding their colors, these entrepreneurs have been influenced by and incorporated color into their wardrobes and businesses in unique and unexpected ways.
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