Green is the New Black

Back in January, Pantone named emerald green color of the year for 2013, and we couldn’t be more thrilled! Now, with the changing of the season and St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, this earthly hue is the perfect color to energize and refresh your look with the greens of springtime. Here’s a look at its many simple applications in fashion, beauty, decor and design.

Wear It: This month, we were pleased to see some amazing emerald hues hit to runway during New York Fashion Week 2013. From Vera Wang, Nanette Lepore, and Vivienne Tam seems like every designer had green on the mind. Even stars like Natasha Bedingfield and Olivia Munn were seen sporting this hot color to Fashion Week events. However, if you’re looking to work this trend on a budget I really love this versatile emerald dress from Mod Cloth for $53.

Live it: Whether you add some plush greenery to your space or some new emerald pillows or vases, it’s very easy to update a room with this vivacious color. If you’re bold enough to try it, I’d even try painting an accent wall in your living room or bedroom with a green hue like this Highlands Green paint color from Benjamin Moore.  Benjamin Moore’s paints are also eco-friendly, offering products with some of the lowest VOC emissions of any national paint brand.

Look it: Updating your beauty case with some touches of emerald is another way to stay on trend this year. You can easily update your look with an at-home manicure with this gorgeous Essie nail polish color called Trophy Wife. If you’re feeling really courageous this year, try this eyes shadow duo by NARS cosmetics called Misfit. Whatever you chose to try, it’s good to know that a rich jewel tone can be flattering for just about everyone regardless of skin tone or hair color.

Accessorize with it: Wearing emerald jewels is an outstanding way to feature 2013’s color of the year, but some of us aren’t willing to drop major dough on a piece of jewelry that’s only on trend for 12 months. However, I like the idea of getting a green iPhone case, like the Barely There case from Case-Mate.

Watch it: Whenever I think of the color Emerald, I automatically envision the wonderful world of Oz. I always love to kick back on a Sunday night a watch the 1939 classic, but lucky for us 2013 is the year of the Disney will release Oz The Great and Powerful, starring James Franco and Mila Kunis.