Friday, January 30, 2009

Chasing Away the Gray

It's January. The holidays are over and for the next several weeks, I'll be trying to survive the remainder of winter.

Now, before you go rolling your eyes -- because I know what you're saying ("She lives down South, for crying out loud!"), it's true that we don't have the bitterly cold temperatures to deal with. But, this is also the part of the year where we get our highest percentage of cloudy days.

And it's the clouds.

They get me every time.

I can withstand the coldest of temperatures (I did once live in Michigan) if the sun is shining. But the gray days. Ick. My mom and sister will vouch for me on this one -- a gray day can turn me into the biggest grump on the face of the earth.

I may have a touch of that whole Seasonal Affective Disorder thing.

I even may have considered purchasing a light box at one point (for the sake of my loved ones).

I can't help it. The gray. It gets to me.

So, while I was at the beach the other weekend, my sister and I managed to squeeze a trip in to my most favorite place on earth -- the Tanger Outlets -- for a little retail therapy. I was already kind of crabby, because not only was it raining when we woke up (the weatherman had predicted sun!), but it was pretty cold, too.

Yet, I managed to drag myself to the outlets anyway. (It's a tough life I lead.)

While browsing through the stores, I noticed a certain color that must be "hot" for spring. It was this super-bright electric yellow.

It made me think of this:



And this:




This:



And most importantly, this:



I'm telling you, just looking at it lifted my spirits on that miserable day.

Now, while I don't think I'd be bold enough to buy a jacket, dress or pair of slacks in that particular color, an accessory is a different story.

I snapped up one of those faux pashmina scarves in the brightest yellow I could find.

I've been wearing it on the grayest of days, and can I just say, it takes me to my happy place.

It really is the little things, isn't it?

And at ten bucks, it's a heck of a lot cheaper than a light box.

Do you dislike winter? What helps you get through the bleak winter months?

9 comments:

Kristen said...

Diving into a project helps me forget that it's yucky outside. Right now I'm planning my husband's Indiana Jones-themed 35th birthday. And working on Aaron's Valentine's for school.

But I was checking out scarves at Target this week. I didn't purchase, but when they go on sale, BAM! All the bright colors are definitely happy-inspiring! And I'd love to see a photo of you rocking the yellow scarf!

mah-meeee said...

if you ever get that so bad, feel free to come to cali. i'll have a lounge chair ready for ya!

love that yellow, btw. i think adding a bright color on you or in the house will certainly help with chasing away the gray!

Joy said...

Oh how I love the sun....even though it can get a bad rep, I love it so!

When I start to get that winter blah feeling, I always buy some flowers- some cut, others an actual plant (usually some kind of bulb) it seems to help tide me over until spring!

mer@lifeat7000feet said...

The SUN is my friend! The thing about Colorado is that we get 300+ days of sunshine a year. Sure, we have snowy and cold days, but the sun is a huge boon!

Anonymous said...

I'm with Kristen up there. I think a photo of you in that canary yellow scarf is in order.

That way you could add a little sunshine to all of our days!

Jean said...

Lovely post and photos....but where was the one of you in said pashmina!?

Btw, there's a sisterhood award for you on my blog x

Anonymous said...

I need the sunshine as well. I squeezed you some bright yellow lemonade on my blog! Just for little ol' you! Check it out!

Elizabeth said...

I feel ya'! I actually enjoy a gray day every once in a while, but more than one and it gets old. I need the sun. Everything looks better in the sun. I wear my pink pashmina on the gray days and you're right, it helps!

AndreaLeigh said...

i'm in such a funk lately, and I'm thinking it might just be this dreary weather. i love the colder temps, but I need the sun to come out.