warm it up

Pop it like it's hot: Use splashes of color to spice up your rustic winterwardrobe

Never wanting to blend in with the crowd, I’ve always looked for ways to set myself apart from the masses with unexpected, personal touches to my ensembles.

(Full disclosure: My pea green, patent leather blazer from Gadzooks, circa 1996, for my freshman yearbook photo does not represent my best work. Thanks, Mom, for this constant reminder by keeping that framed pic on display in your house more than a decade later. Another change worth noting: I’ve since waxed my brows to add shape to the furry caterpillars previously growing above my eyes.)

I've come a long way, and this fall I’ve been experimenting with vibrant pops of color everywhere from my wardrobe and accessories to my everyday beauty regiment.

This is an easy way to step out of your comfort zone, add playful elements to what currently resides in your closet and show some pizzazz without going over the top with sequins, bleach or other embellishments that might get you mistaken for a Dallas-ite.

Here are three areas I’m really digging to showcase some inventive color incorporations:

Shoes

This category wins the prize for my favorite piece to shop for, because my size doesn't change no matter how many food trailers I frequent or how many miles I log at the park. Yep, these size 9 feet are still going strong, dating all the way back to when I was the awkward third-grader running around the playground in my older sister’s penny loafers. Here are a few of my favorites:

Outerwear

Having spent the past five winters as a resident of either Chicago or New York, this is the first time in quite a few years I’m actually welcoming the arrival of months November through March. Embrace the cooler temps by deviating from the traditional neutral palette of winter coats and stepping out in a bolder color.

Lips

In case you haven't heard, tanning beds are bad for you, and the fall and winter months have likely destroyed the base you acquired on the lake this past summer. Instead of overcompensating with loads of bronzer and blush (guilty, as charged), transfer that urge to apply color to your cheeks a few inches down — to your lips.

It can be an incredibly scary endeavor to test out, so I recommend increasing your confidence level by wearing it around your house for a few hours before gallivanting around in public.

Don’t forget lip liner to avoid the color running all over your face a la The Joker. Also, the rest of your face should be kept as simple as possible with neutral shadow, simple eyeliner, and muted blush.

A good rule of thumb to keep in mind for the pop-of-color approach is to pick one focus area and keep everything else fairly tame. You don't want to end up looking like a Katy Perry-wannabe.

I’m all for color-blocking, but simultaneously rocking a bright coat, a bright handbag, bright shoes, bright lips and a bright pair of jeans would be tough to pull off with finesse, even at the next Rainbow Brite Fan Club Meeting. Try to start small by dressing up an all black ensemble or spicing up your classic white blouse and jeans combo with one of the focus areas mentioned above.

And if you happen to stumble upon my pea green blazer in your nearest consignment shop during your quest for colorful additions — just walk away. It wasn’t cool back in 1996, and — like my ginormo shoe size at an oddly young age — that hasn’t changed over the years, either.

unspecified

DAZZLING DETAILS

Houston artist's Indian heritage inspires luxe new jewelry collection

Photo by Hung Troung

Maison Merchant’s debut collections feature sculptural gold designs, diamond accents, and customizable details handcrafted by master artisans in India.

Houston’s luxury jewelry scene welcomes a sparkling new addition with the official launch of Maison Merchant, the fine jewelry brand founded by Houston-based artist and designer Sneha Merchant.

The jewelry line is a new creative endeavor for Merchant, whose background as an artist serves as the foundation for the collection’s sculptural, highly detailed aesthetic.

“Maison Merchant is a fine jewelry collection inspired by my artwork, intricate circular motifs, and timeless craftsmanship, blending high jewelry with meaningful design and storytelling,” Merchant tells CultureMap. “This launch represents a deeply personal evolution of my creative journey, expanding my world as an artist into the realm of fine jewelry through pieces that feel luxurious, wearable, and enduring.”

Born and raised in Mumbai, Merchant's appreciation for jewelry began early when she would visit the family jeweler with her mother. “Being surrounded by that world from such a young age gave me a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, detail, and the emotional significance jewelry can carry,” she says. “Over the years, I began designing pieces for myself, and wherever I wore them, people would constantly ask about them.”

This led Merchant to debut her jewelry line with three collections. Cœur du Monde is inspired by mandalas and balanced geometry, while Muse d’Art transforms Merchant’s original artwork into wearable fine jewelry. The third collection, Renaître d’Or, explores transformation through sculptural gold designs accented with diamonds.

Sneha Merchant brings her artistic vision into the world of fine jewelry with the launch of Maison Merchant, a collection inspired by intricate motifs, craftsmanship, and personal storytelling.Photo by Hung Troung

“Every piece is designed to transition effortlessly from day to evening while retaining the craftsmanship and presence of high-end jewelry,” says Merchant.

Clients can personalize many designs in existing collections with different colors and material selections. The pieces are then handcrafted by master artisans in India with more than six decades of experience.

“Bespoke jewelry has always held deep meaning for me because I grew up watching my mother create custom pieces to mark the most important moments in her life,” she says. “Those pieces eventually became far more than jewelry. They carried history, emotion, love, and memories that were passed down through generations.”

Every Maison Merchant piece begins as a hand sketch, which she says is often the most time-intensive part of the process. “As an artist, translating a two-dimensional artwork into a wearable, three-dimensional form requires immense detail, proportion, and refinement before the design ever moves into production.”

Merchant's long-term goals go far beyond the debut collection, which is available exclusively online. “I want people to feel an immediate sense of confidence, refinement, and presence when they wear Maison Merchant,” she says. “My vision for Maison Merchant is to create collectible pieces that people return to season after season and eventually pass down for generations.”

sneha merchant maison merchant houston custom jewelry houston jewelry