Shopping: Pantone’s Colors Of The Year, 2016

The trend forecasters at the Pantone Color Institute have spoken and their crystal balls predict that the color of 2016 will be not just one, but for the first time ever, two colors: Rose Quartz (a pale mineral pink) and Serenity (a light powdery blue). While a surprising choice at first, Pantone’s annual forecast is a telling of our times. The decision to pick two colors usually associated with baby girls and baby boys is to upend the established gender stereotypes. According to Pantone, society is “experiencing a gender blur as it relates to fashion, which has in turn impacted color trends throughout all other areas of design.”

To celebrate these beautiful, progressive colors, we put together a list of gift items that will help you move forward into 2016!

PANTONE UNIVERSE Mug with Gift Box
Have a peaceful moment of tranquility with a cup of hot cocoa this winter. This Pantone Universe mug’s one side is Rose Quartz, while the other side is Serenity. Combining two colors of the year 2016, it is the very definition of a harmonious new year’s start. Blue and airy like the winter sky pairs well with the comforting powder pink, just as cocoa and marshmallow go hand in hand. $25, pantone.com
SEPHORA+PANTONE UNIVERSE Color of the Year Layer Lipstick
Hey moms! Be the star of your New Year’s Eve party in this Sephora’s limited edition Pantone color of the year 2016 lipstick. Add a flattering swap of pale pink to your festive look with this velvety, ultra-hydrating, sulfates-free gem. The pastel shade can help you create a bold graphic look or mixed with other shades for a more natural makeup. The lipstick’s high-wattage shine will create an iridescent shine that will have all the spotlight on your lips. $18, sephora.com
Compartes BISCOTTI HOTTIE Dark Chocolate Biscotti Bar
Chocolate is known for its many therapeutic qualities, one of which is triggering relaxation. Compartés Chocolate Bar fun flavor, Biscotti Hottie, will help you keep calm during the turbulent times thanks to the dark chocolate flavor and the serene wrapper featuring Pantone Colors of the Year Renaissance sculptures. Inside is delicious organic dark chocolate, handmade in Los Angeles that comes with the addictive crunch of the beloved Italian dessert, biscotti. It will make a perfect gift for the trendy gourmand in your life $9.95, compartes.com
aden + anais classic swaddle in wink
Your baby will love this pre-washed, ultra-soft , and breathable swaddle. It’s machine washable and can be used as a stroller cover, burp cloth, or a nursing cover. While nursing can be a chaotic time, the calming Pantone colors featured on this 100 percent cotton aden + anais’ (which is based in Brooklyn and founded by a mom-of-three) swaddle will soothe the baby while providing comfort to the mother. $16, adenandanais.com
Vineyard Vines Girls Chambray Embroidered Popover
Let your little fashionista ring in New Year’s in style! Keep her on trend with this Vineyard Vines’ chambray popover in Serenity blue, featuring Rose Quartz colored collar and sleeves embroidery accents. The 80s inspired boxy yet feminine shape of this 100 percent cotton top also has an embroidered whale along the hemline. This machine washable comfortable popover will become your little girl’s new favorite wardrobe staple. $55, vineyardvines.com
Lilly Pulitzer Girls Mini Riley Infinity Loop Scarf in Oh Shello
January is the season of winter escapes to places far, far away with sand and palms. Whether you’re planning your next resort family vacation or simply want to add a bit of Palm Beach sunshine to your kid’s life, use this Lilly Pulitzer’s mini infinity scarf. The printed loop accessory blends two of Pantone’s colors of the year in a harmonious marriage between Rose Quartz and Serenity. It will elevate your child’s mood and provide a much needed sense of sunny respite amidst the winter blues. $32, lillypulitzer.com
Made in Clay Stars from ABC Carpet & Home
Twinkle, twinkle little star. The symbolism of the five-pointed star has changed over the years as each culture interpreted it differently. What better way is there to reflect on its ever changing history then with the help of Pantone colors of the year that are all about the changes in our society towards tolerance and acceptance. These Rose Quartz and Serenity ceramic stars handmade in an atelier in Milan will make for a great nursery decoration! Available localled at ABC Carpet & Home. $20-35, abchome.com
Stoney Clover Lane Sailboat Bracelet
Let your troubles sail away with this sweet sailboat bracelet. The signature Stoney Clover bracelet not only comes in the trendy pale blue seersucker hue, but it also has a sailboat emoji charm that is guaranteed to bring many adventures and personal journeys in 2016. Make a wish when the clock strikes at midnight and when the strings wears off and the charm falls off, it will come true! This bracelet will look fashionable on its own or stacked up with others from the collection. $15, stoneycloverlane.com
My Melody USB Wall Charger
This My Melody USB charger works for a variety of smart phones and tablets. Notably, it comes in the fashionable shade of Pantone’s two colors of the year. It’s an amazing gift for families with kids who love travel or anyone who likes cute phone accessories. You can fold the plug pins and create a portable unit, while the soft rubbery cat and mouse design give it a cute look that conveys compassion and balance. Keep your smartphones charged so that when the important moment for a photo arises, you’re all ready to go. $30, sanrio.com
Vera Bradley Tech Backpack in Alpine Floral
This Vera Bradley backpack evokes Pantone’s choice to include two colors in its form and function. The backpack is decorated with plant imagery in Rose Quartz and Serenity, but its function also represents the idea of gender fluidity and open-mindedness. It offers a separate padded laptop compartment plus a front pocket for tablet users. With plenty of room for organization and storage, including a variety of interior pockets, this machine washable bag will make for a perfect back to school’s winter semester gift for techie of both genders in your life. Stable, constant, and comfortable, it’s the perfect union between Rose Quartz and Serenity, male and female. $108, verabradley.com

Adventuring Portal

<p><a name="m_-1473885667065203258__Hlk72147528"></a>Adventuring Portal runs Dungeons and Dragons (D&amp;D) games for kids.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We have created a safe online space for tweens and teens to learn and play D&amp;D.</p> <p>Our D&amp;D Summer Camp session are a one-week experience.&nbsp;&nbsp;Monday &ndash; Friday.&nbsp;&nbsp;Each day will be 3 hours of gaming (with 2 breaks build in).&nbsp;&nbsp;15 total gaming hours for $180.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you have played with us before, you are entitled to 10% off.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Need your kids, nieces or nephews, grand kids or neighbor&rsquo;s kids to be occupied for a bit so you can get work done &amp; take care of your to-do list? Maybe your tween or teen is still a bit isolated and craves connection with their peers? Whether your teen/tween has played D&amp;D before or is brand-new to the experience, this safe space brings players together to have fun and solve problems as a team in ways few other online opportunities do.</p> <p>All our games focus on experiential learning.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Our players leave knowing all the basic game play as well as experiencing: teamwork, bravery, compassion, generosity, negotiation, improvisation, gamer etiquette, strategy, critical thinking, problem solving, cartography and probability - all through online D&amp;D adventuring!</p> <p>We are an inclusive organization and welcome gamers who are LGBTQIA+ and those on any spectrum.&nbsp;</p> <p>All girls&rsquo; groups available.&nbsp;</p> <p>I am a parent, a certified elementary school and middle school math teacher and last summer in the midst of the mess started&nbsp;Adventuring Portal, an&nbsp;online Dungeons &amp; Dragons&nbsp;business&nbsp;for kids. There are so many benefits to playing D&amp;D and I hope you will consider us as a great way for your child to safely socialize, grow as people and have a great time.</p>

A-Game Sports

<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;">A-Game Sports is a premier provider of sports camps, programming and instruction for kids of all ages ranging from toddlers to teens. As an instructional and recreational youth sports facility, our goal is to make athletics a rewarding experience for all kids. A-Game Sports is located in New Rochelle, NY, and offers camps, lessons, customized programs for more than 10 sports and rental space for private events. A-Game Sports was founded in 2013 by two guys who decided that it was time to do what they truly love in life. Since then, we've made the ideology of fusing hard work and fun into a reality. Our dedicated staff of professional coaches share their enthusiasm with kids of all ages and skill levels that take part in our programs.</p> </div> <div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p> </div> <div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;">With turfed fields for soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and flag football, batting cages and tunnels for baseball and softball, and various basketball programs, A-Game Sports is one of the premiere sports facilities for kids and adults of any age. Aspiring athletes and fitness enthusiasts will benefit from our many strength and conditioning programs, while children new to sports will learn skills and techniques within their chosen sport, all while having a great time and keeping the game fun.</p> </div>

British Swim School - Manhattan

<p>The premier learn-to-swim provider for people of all ages, offering programs for children ages 3-months through adults.&nbsp; British Swim School uses gentle teaching methods and a survival-first approach to help people of all experience levels become safer, stronger swimmers. British Swim School&rsquo;s safe, fun, and effective instructional program has made it the preferred choice for parents and students for over 40 years. Come see the British Swim School difference!</p>