Dress: Harlow
Cardigan: Glassons
Shoes: Seychelles (Via DSW)
Well, we’ve reached that point in winter where I’ve hit my tolerance point for the cold, wet, grey and windy days. I worn my boots, layered my cardigans, embraced my hats and gloves, and now I’m ready for some sun, and some warmer days.
It’s hard enough towards the end of winter to keep yourself chipper, and this year it’s been more challenging than most for me, but I’m starting to feel a bit like I’m coming out of a long, dark, miserable tunnel, and I can finally see a glimmer of light at the end.
My Mum just spent the last week with me down in Melbourne, which was lovely, and buoyed my mood immeasurably. It’s nice to be looked after for a while. We gossiped, and shopped, and got our nails done, and played with my best friend’s baby, and ate cake and cooked and saw movies, and it was just bliss.
I’m getting a bit of assistance to get my sleeping habits back under control, which is helping me feel a bit more emotionally stable, and work’s finally starting to feel manageable again too.
I guess that’s really the secret of keeping yourself going when all you want to do is crawl into bed and pull the covers over your head: concentrating on the things that make you happy.
For me that’s been the spring blossoms in the trees, the chance to spend time with my wonderful Mum, waking up to text messages from my husband saying he loves me, brightly coloured accessories, and kitty kisses from Suki.
What makes you happy when you’re down?
It is good to hear you’re feeling well x
I love this look of yours! the colours match is perfection 🙂
kitty kisses from my two cats, and hugs from hubby are what help me through tough times…mostly kitty kisses! 🙂
Sorry to hear life has been rough. I can sympathise a lot especially if you haven’t been sleeping well. The small things can build up. I usually indulge myself – read a book that makes me happy, watch a favourite film, eat my favourite things and get in contact with the people who make me happy. Also a bit of retail therapy!
what makes me happy? friends.
you rock, Lilli, huge HUG!
The colder seasons get me down too. I paper-craft or bake until I feel better. I’m making quite a headway in this year’s Christmas cards, and a few days ago I made an absolutely delightful passionfruit cake, so I guess there’s a silver lining in every grey cloud 😀
1. Sleep (it’s really only when you start to not have it that you realise its importance, huh?). 2. Visits from beautiful friends and their mothers. 3. Caek. 4. Long luxurious meals out. 5. Movies. 6. Hug from a toddler who just ruined your night’s sleep.
I was feeling SO depressed a few months ago and was convinced I was having an early menopause! After a blood test my doctor advised that my vitamin D levels were extremely low and put me on 2000mg a day. Amazing! I am feeling much happier and not down and sad anymore. Love your blog too and I hope you feel better soon.
Hi Lilli,
I’ve only commented on your blog once before (to say that I was voting for your journal a few months back), but I’ve been a long term reader and follower of yours.
Over the weekend, I went to Hopetoun tea rooms with my beautiful friend from interstate, and as we were happily chatting away, I looked over and saw.. well, you, and who must have been your Mum at a table nearby!
I wanted to come and say hello (my friend threatened to do it for me), but I didn’t want to interrupt your afternoon, and I’m also a bit shy like that.
However, I didn’t want to completely miss out on the chance to tell you how wonderful you are, how amazing your style is, and how touching your words can be. You inspire women everywhere whether you know it or not. I hope that, as the sun begins to shine a little brighter on our lovely city, it casts more love, warmth, and happiness into your own life.
All the best!
So glad you’re starting to feel a little better. I did long distance and I remember how truly awful it was. I don’t often comment anymore (just lurk like a creep and buy way too much stuff from the tips you give me) but just wanted to say I’m sorry you’ve had such a crappy winter and I hope it improves soon! xx
((((((hugs))))))
Kitty kisses, nature, and ambient music do it for me! Also, I ask for kind words from people who love me! Take care, keep sleeping, and remember that your readers value you! xo
Your blog makes me happy Lilli.
Like you, wearing bright colours make me feel good. And making an effort to dress nicely/do my hair etc. Skyping my best friend. Watching silly movies (I recommend Pitch Perfect if you haven’t seen it yet).
Aww, Suki is the cutest! I have 2x cats and 2x dogs so they cheer me up a lot with their shenanigans. Someone is always up to something, the sneaky buggers 😉
Aside from that I like to indulge in funny movies, my favourite chips and a bit of retail therapy never goes astray either. Recently I was being tested for breast cancer and was naturally petrified (waiting is the WORST), and I accidentally spent a few hundred bucks on some memorabilia from my favourite band. Oopsie. On the plus side, I don’t have breast cancer (yay!) and now I have some cool stuff to hang on the walls (yay!). But it did blow the budget a bit. Oh well. YOLO, as the kids say these days, haha!
Glad you’re feeling a bit better. Keep on snuggling your kitty. Make plans for fun things so you have stuff to look forward to. Eat chips. Drink wine. Remember that bad times don’t last forever.
xx
P.S. grey and yellow are my favourite colours, and I loved this outfit.
You look great – the dress looks so comfy and easy to wear, and the yellow works perfectly! So glad to hear that things are starting to improve for you; your army of readers will be, too 🙂 Things that make me feel better are: making proper meals and sitting down at a neatly laid table to enjoy them, baking, knitting, writing my journal, and reading novels without interruption. Plus, of course, spending time with my brilliant friends!
Suki makes an amazing accessory! You should “wear” her more often.
Baking makes me happy, to answer your question, but also: i like starting my monday morning (Germany, 10:20 a.m. right now) checking new posts at frocks and frou frou.
Nice outifts combined with your incredibly nonchalant writing style whilst sipping my coffee is a good way to start a day! Thank you for that!
Both of my little cherubs are autistic and my pick-me-up-coping-mechanism is to take time to do my hair, put my lippy on and pick out a great frock every single day.
Besides kisses and hugs, watching Miranda makes me laugh, coffee makes me happy and after I drop the kids at school, I turn the radio up really loud and sing all the way home.
You also make me happy. I visit here and buy things and drool over your outfits.
xx
More fab winter busting pops of yellow!!
Not sleeping sux 🙁
Hugs from little people – nothing like it to make you feel instantly better- luckily I have lots of friends and family with littlies so an array of gorgeous poppers to choose from!! Spending time with those I like and those I love, reading a great book, tidying up (ok not the actual tidying but the end result- same with any exercise though walking is good and a good result part with music I love)…
By the end of winter I get hardily sick of wearing black. I feel like I’ve attended funerals all winter long. I think color definitely helps with the blues and doing stuff you enjoy. Running isn’t my favorite thing to do, but I run pretty regularly now and it does help with my mood and helps me feel virtuous for doing it. Getting out and being with people helps too, not to mention doing a nice thing for someone else. I’m glad you got to spend time with your mom!
Red shoes and popcorn. 🙂
Loved your phone call out of the blue. I was feeling a bit grey too (with Mae having a bit of a hard time) so we are matching.
I’ve been wearing a lot of charcoal this season – it’s softer on my pale skin than black – and I love teaming it with mustard, burnt orange or teal. So I was excited to see this colour combo on you too Lilli – it looks great!
Hey there,
It’s is my first visit to your blog. I just wanted to wish you a speedy trip back to happyville and that I think you’re super cute and your blog is fab.
🙂
Ash
Sunshine, exercise and a modicum of bitching to a good friend about how crappy I’m feeling. I suffer from mild SAD in winter if they are grey (a rarity in Brisbane but it does happen….). I’m glad I found your blog on the Guardian and now this as well – I’ve just strayed into plus size territory, was feeling quite down about no longer fitting into my clothes and feeling constrained by arbitary fashion ‘rules’ that I was happy to break after reading you. Ta very much!
Well, first off a big hug! I’ve had a few struggles (as we all do) over the last year-year and a half. End result is that I started to have panic-attacks. Not a fun feeling. Opening up to some people about my problems and having a serious talk with my doctor has helped. “Confessing” or opening up took a huge weight off of my shoulders. I’ve also started to take medication both for depression and to help sleep at night, and I’m feeling much better. Its not for everyone, but we also must get over the stigmas surrounding our mental health as well – even if its just a situational/temporary thing.
Hope you are feeling better soon.
Silly comment from – when my comment posted it’s tomorrow in Australia! Gave me a giggle since its 3:37pm on August 29th where I am, and 5:37am on the 30th in Australia 🙂
It’s been a while since you posted, hope you’re doing ok. Hugs from a long time lurker.