In a fit of desk-cleaning, I picked up our copy of Elaine Ryan's Color Your Life. The book has exercises like collecting magazine clippings and thinking about colors in your favorite outfit or that you associate with happy times. There's also a chapter on how to design your bedroom (something I wish I had read before redesigning my bedroom), with space for notes about furniture, window treatments, lighting, carpet, etc.
Another handy thing: tear-out color bars. Each of the colors is numbered, and you can mix any of the evens together. Or any of the odds, but just not even and odd.
All in all, it's a useful reference book with beautiful photos.
I also like Domino's slide show of paint palettes. They show more pastel combinations than jewel tones, but their choices are worth checking out. My favorite: the poppy and pale pink combo with yellow as an accent. Now I want to make a necklace with poppy-colored CZs and rose quartz. But, what to use for the bright yellow?
What about your own color inspirations: do you have a favorite book, website, or tip to share?