Everyday Pick-me-ups
Brighten your outlook with three products designed to beat the doldrums.
Good days, bad days … our mental health ebbs and flows. A positive byproduct of this unique time is we’ve emerged equipped with our own arsenal of rituals for those days we need a lift of one sort or another. Go for a run or go for ice cream. Get dressed up or get into some sweats. Whatever helps us get over the hump and into the zone, we’re done making apologies for looking after ourselves. That’s a beautiful thing.
Featured this week are three such finds to inject a little color and fun into your day, as well as some encouragement to break out the bubbly more often. Hopefully these pick-me-ups will make you smile and stand a little taller.
It’s a new week. You’ve got this.
1. NARS Lipstick in SCHIAP (£22)
My gorgeous mother taught me the power of a signature lip color. She’s been wearing this lipstick for as long as I can remember. It’s vibrant, cheery and perfectly matches her personality. While I haven’t found my one color yet, I do have a top three, which includes this vivid pink from NARS inspired by the signature fuchsia of Italian fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli. With moringa and passion fruit seed oils, it’s matte without looking or feeling dry and doesn’t bleed. It also looks fantastic on all skin tones. Putting this shade on just makes me feel like Boss Barbie.
2. ME+EM Satin Wide-Leg Track Pant (£185)
When you’re not feeling 100 percent, the clothes you put on should bolster confidence. For me, a favorite silhouette in a power color always does the trick. These wide-leg satin track pants from ME+EM are a more sophisticated nod to a resurgent trend that can be office wear or loungewear. Founded by Clare Hornby in 2009, the label’s ethos is “intelligent style.” I quickly fell in love with their elevated basics made to mix, match and last. Forget boring suits and co-ords—pair these pants with the blazer pictured above for an even bigger jolt of electric, mood-lifting green.
3. Lucie Kaas x Sketch Inc Kokeshi Dolls (€44 and up)
I love having art and collectibles in our home that remind us of our favorite people and places. A little something extra, right? For our current home in London, I could find no better fusion of our expat lives in Japan and England than this wee Elton from Danish company Lucie Kaas. Japanese wooden kokeshi dolls are traditionally carved and painted by hand, without any defined limbs. These come in a variety of sizes and adorable characters, from Audrey Hepburn to Ziggy Stardust. Wee Elton now resides in our entryway and makes smile every time I walk in and see his sassy little self.
Something to think about …
Moving to a new country during a pandemic was weird, to put it mildly. Unable to go out, the days began blurring together. To help make weekends at home feel more special, we started having Champagne Fridays and haven’t looked back. No matter what is or isn’t on the agenda, we crack open a bottle of bubbles and celebrate another week of getting through, getting by, being together and being present.