Thrifty pink antidote to the blues

Pink "harlequin" sweater by Perry Ellis that I've had since 2001
- pretty much the only fashion item I have kept from that era!

This post is dedicated to my dear pal Robbie, with whom I haven't spoken in ages (but rectified that with a Skype marathon yesterday), who also knows the joys and pitfalls of living in a coastal town (in his case, in Vancouver, Canada): the happy part entailing glorious beaches and dunes; the bad part, icky bone-chilling rain and wind.

My solution to the blues I was feeling as a result of the crappy weather and missing my hubby? Aside from yoga, talking with friends, laughing and, of course, browsing in my fave charity shops - colour. I read once that pink makes you look young (is that where that expression comes from, "In the pink"?). I'm not sure if it does, but that jolt of colour certainly boosted my mood.

J Crew wool blazer found in a Toronto thrift shop; pashmina and brooch found in charity shops.

I decided to really pink out - donning an and old Perry Ellis sweater with a recently-thrifted wool cashmere scarf and vintage brooch. I even put pink lipstick on. I don't often do pink, but when I do, it's killer with black.

Could I leave it there? It was a pound!
I'm really getting into brooches now - they're fab on a blazer or denim jacket.

And you know what? It worked. I had such a silly grin on my face as I was walking back from grocery shopping in the drizzle that someone stopped me and commented it. I told him, "There's reason to smile!". Could this be the same girl from hours previous who just wanted to sink back into the duvet and sleep for the day?



Today the sun is back, and all is right in the world, especially since I'll see hubby tomorrow. And you know what? Pink is everywhere. Yay.