Pretty Likes Purple

I love watching the sun begin to set in a purple-y ski creating an ombre effect with a deep violet sky fades to a soft lavender at the horizon. These D&G Sunglasses ( Endless, $135 ) recreated that effect during even the brightest times of day.

We all scream for purple Ice Cream Makers! I wonder what purple ice cream would taste like. Would a grape sorbet be good? There is always the classic purple cow float with grape juice and vanilla ice cream. What about a raspberry and purple basil sorbet? A four berry frozen yogurt could be tasty. I've even hear of something called "ube" ice cream , which is made from purple yams. Of course, a classic vanilla topped with purple sprinkles might be the best of all of these creations. I guess I have all summer to test these cool purple recipes in my new Cuisinart plum-colored ice cream maker ($49.95, Sur la Table) .

Who is the fairest of them all? You are, obviously. But don't use a homely mirror to showcase your beauty. The fairest of them all deserves to be viewed in the fairest of all mirrors. Pictured: Purple Baroque-Style Mirror, Neiman Marucs, $495

I had two rag rugs in college that helped transform the plasticy dorm "carpet" into more friendly flooring. They folded up small to suite the nomadic nature of college life. They cleaned easily and withstood stains surprisingly well. If only mine had been purple like these rag rugs from Urban Outfitters ( 2x3 Rag Rug $14 ; 4x6 Rag Rug $49 ).

I have a purple lava lamp. It's the one remaining item of my teenage decor. It completely captures the hippy-dippy boho-chic style i fully adopoted during junior high and high school, but the purple lava with clear liquid in a silver base are toned down enough to fit with my more sophisticated decor. This Retro Radar bedding set ( Overstock.com, $49.99 ) reminds me of my lava lamp, and it would be a great way to recaptures the style of my teen years without reverting to that exact denim and tie-dye situation.

While Southern cuisine isn't my specialty, I have a strong bond with Paula Deen. That bond is called butter. It seems Paula and I share another bond--Purple! Paula's selling a set of purple porcelain pots and pans at Target for $119.99 .

I love music. + I love purple. ---------------- I love these head phones Pictured: Thoroughly Modern Musician Headphones in Purple, Mocloth, $67.99

When I was a child, I went to a family friend's clown college graduation. (I'm not afraid of clowns so this was not a traumatizing event). Our friend was a hobo clown called Boxcar Ernie. He taught me how to make balloon animals. (I even have a purple balloon pump. Yes, have, not had.) This balloon dog bookend (Modcloth, $39.99) is just the right mix of silly and cute. They also come in orange, but the purple is obviously superior.

I love purple, but wearing it everyday or wearing an entirely purple outfit can be a bit much. (Though that doesn't stop me). To really make purple stand out, it's helpful to have an eye-catching signature piece like this vintage costume ring fashioned from a fabulous Amethyst Glass Banquette surrounded by little faux pearls. This is the kind of ring you could wear everyday and still have people notice it. It costs $45 at Stone Hill Collectibles .

Elizabeth Taylor's passing has reminded us all of those extraordinary violet eyes--a rare and exquisite eye color. Thankfully, we live in a time when we don't have to leave such luck to nature. We can, at least for a little while, have violet eyes too with violet contact lenses. Pictured: Dual Tone Violet Colored Contact Lenses, Best Colored Contacts. $29.99

Elizabeth Taylor was a woman of rare beauty. Her allure, her glamour, her fire and her piercing, violet eyes will never be forgotten.

I'm not really a fan of snake skin or snake skin prints. It's not my style. Plus, I really like snakes, and a snake skin bag just seems a little cruel. I don't have one, but I'm not allergic to them so they are actually a potential pet (as apposed to everything that is furry or feathered). If purple snakes really exsisted--as this Diane von Furstenburg purple snakeskin tote ( Saks Fifth Avenue, $295 ) suggests, that might completely make up for my lack of fuzzy companions.

Well, Punxsutawney Phil didn't exactly predict purple, but he did predict an early spring, which means these Floral Fandango Heels ($188 from Anthropologie) may be trotting down the street soon (even though it feels like it will ever stop snowing here in Metro Detroit). Sadly the Michigan groundhog, Woody the Woodchuck (woodchucks and groundhogs are the same) didn't have the same good news. She (yep, Woody is a she) said we'd have six more weeks of winter, and she has been right 9 out of 12 times. Phil has only been right about 30% of the time. If you're putting your faith in Woody, these purple suede boots ($75.78 on Zappos) maybe a better buy right now.

You see a commercial for Ally Bank and think to yourself, "The debit card is purple. I should totally switch banks!"

My New Years Eve dress was supposed to be green this year, but the zipper broke so I headed to Marshall's hoping they could save my debut into 2011. I came home with two options--one purple, one black. Sadly the black one won the battle so I'll have to rely on purple tights orp party shoes to add my favorite color to the mix. These purple bow pumps would be perfect: Pictured: Ambrosia Pumps, Norstrom $79.95

Merry Christmas! May you receive purple gifts. And if you're a wonderfully whimsical purple fan, perhaps you'll receive them under a fairy tale purple tree. Pictured: Purple Whimsical Pre-Lit Christmas Tree, Avalon Garden, $97.96

You aren't the only one who wants a purple Christmas dress. You tree wants in on the action, but it will let you off cheap with this affordable offering by Jaclyn Smith. Pictured: Jaclyn Smith Today Velvet Visions 52in Tree Skirt, Kmart, $13.39

You've run out of wrapping paper and the stores probably have too. For majestic wrap, turn to simple brown mailing paper with a bold purple ribbon (a color that's probably left in the regular wrapping section of the stores). It will look elegant and unique against the see of shiny red, green and metallic papers. Pictured: Purple/Teal Sparkle Wired Ribbon, Crate & Barrel, $6.95

When I was little twirling in my Christmas dress was all part of the magic of the season. My mother always made sure I was lavishly decked out for the holidays. Back then my favorite color was pink so I think my mom kept toward traditional holiday colors, but this purple dress would be perfect now. It comes complete with a bow plus a conservative neckline and sleeves to make it Christmas Eve service friendly. Pictured: Teri Jon Roll Neck Party Dress, Nordstrom, $358

I've always dreamed of going ice skating at Christmas while it's snowing. I've never been ice skating and would probably break a bone, but it seems like a wonderful thing to do. I wouldn't mind if my skates weren't purple (but that would be even better). I guess I settle for an ornament to remind me of my dream. Pictured: Quilted Ice Skate Ornament, TheQuiltedHouse on Etsy, $5