Dressing up to cheer up - YouLookFab Forum

Category

What I Wore

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Dressing up to cheer up

Bijou

Veteran

This last week has been a tough one for me with the death of doggie Bijou and the first anniversary of my Father’s death. I felt down and more subdued than normal. I decided to make sure I wore clothes and accessories that spark joy for me. So whilst not feeling joyful - enjoying small pleasures has been the order of the day.

Photo 1 - walking Margot with my husband and son - such a beautiful sunny day and wearing my favourite new white winter boots were comfy and fun.

Photo 2 & 3 - my owl bag and polka dots are cheerful.

Photo 4 - probably my favourite dress, this one always makes me feel pretty and has a great swoosh factor.

Photo 5 - rainbow skirt and Bao Bao bags are wardrobe favourites.

Photo 6 - a comfy and cosy shawl. I have had this red shawl for years and it is such an good piece for adding warmth and a pop of colour.

This week, ensuring that I exercise and eat well are my missions. It has been easy to sneak in some extra dessert which I don't need and finding some clothing a little tight. Wishing you all a great week.

35 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Oh I am so sorry about Bijou. Sun and exercise are probably the best things for you right now, so you are on the right track. And you certainly put on a beautiful and cheerful front. Love all of these - happy glam!

nuancedream

Veteran

So very sorry to hear about beautiful Bijou, Despite this time of sorrow, you are taking all the right steps to take care of yourself. I am in awe of your ability to create a happy and vibrant exterior despite experiencing such sadness.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oooooh, Bijou!! I am so so sorry for the loss of your beloved dog. That is incredibly hard to bear. They become so important to us. Sending hugs to you and your family and hoping you can take some quiet time to recover.

You look beautiful and even festive in the midst of your loss. Good for you, for taking good care of yourself. I especially love 1/2.

slim cat

Veteran

Beautiful outfits - love it all ( your bags are fab! ). Outfit #5 is so perfect - the rainbow colors work so well with black - inspiring.

kellygirl

Veteran

What a great way to take care of yourself--dressing in things that spark joy. It's a win for everyone around you as well because you look nothing short of amazing! I'd be hard pressed to pick a fave but that rainbow skirt outfit is stunning! Sending hugs!

Joy

Veteran

What huge loss of dear Bijou ! Hugs are love to you and your family. You look wonderful. My favorite dress is 2/3: it is so cheerful and pretty.

Mirjana

Veteran

I'm so sorry for the lost of your dog. Good idea Bijou - dressing. I always do the same to spark joy for me. You look wonderful in all outfits as usual, elegant and chic as usual. My favorite dress is #3, and the next is #4, very pretty.

rachylou

Veteran

Oh, that is so hard. I like the fuzzy coats.

Sal

Veteran

I was wondering how you were getting along - that is a hard week. Your dresses look lovely on you- I think the turquoise is my favourite!! And I always keep a vague eye out for a similar faux fur.

Liesbeth

Veteran

I'm so sorry about the loss of your dog, and in an already difficult time. Wishing you strength. Glad to see your beautiful wardrobe brought you some joy.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I’m sorry you are going through a rough time. I’m glad you can eke out some joy by wearing your favourite things.

The rainbow skirt outfit is my favourite. Almost ombré. Divine. And I love how you’ve pattern mixed it with the bag. But you look smashing in all.

Bijou

Veteran

Shevia, it is sad to lose my beloved pet, but it does strike home the message to enjoy my loved ones here in the present, both people and pets.

Nuancedream, thank you. YLF has really helped me develop a well functioning wardrobe and so getting dressed is one of the easier and happy parts of my day.

Suz, I am taking some time out of work next week to refresh and spend time with the family.

Slimcat, I have been keeping that skirt for more special occasions, but now think I just need to wear and enjoy it. Skirts like this are good for me as I can wear then all year. My winters are very mild.

Kelly, the rainbow skirt is definitely one of the items in my wardrobe that makes me feel special when I wear it.

Joy, thank you for your message. Bijou was a much loved little dog. We all adored her, which just seems to bring out the absolute best in both animals and people.

Mirjana, yes dressing up does help. Bijou lived a happy life, so whilst we are sad, we can also celebrate the joy that she brought our family.

Rachy, I like the fuzzy coats too. I was on a Zoom meeting, wearing the pink fuzzy coat and a colleague asked if I was wearing a dressing gown!

Sal, I am well and we are coping in our own ways. Margot likes to sleep with Bijou’s favourite stuffed toy. I hope you find your fuzzy jacket.

Liesbeth, thank you. Just feeling put together did help me feel ready to face the day.

Brooklyn, it does feel like a bit of a rough patch. Hopefully happier days are ahead. I do love how the fabric of this skirt is ombre.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I have been thinking of you too and your sad loss just over a week ago. Out walking with your family and Margot on a sunny day helps appreciate the ongoing good things. It’s hard that it’s the same time of year as your Dad went.
Pic 1 is great and there is my favourite skirt on you in pic 5.
It’s good you are taking a short break.

Mainelady

Veteran

I am so very sorry for your losses and your sadness. With people and with pets, when their halos are ready, our hearts are not. Fresh air, exercise, time to reflect and cherish memories are so important to take care of yourself. You really do look beautiful and dressing to find comfort and joy is a wonderful plan. The owl bag always prompts a smile and your red shawl......oh so cozy and fab!

Bijou

Veteran

Jenni, I love that my rainbow skirt is a favourite for you. Yes, a relaxing break will be good as we get to the end of another school term. I was lucky that Covid working from home meant I spent lots of time with Bijou before her stroke.

Mainlady, I really love the owl bag too. It is a similar colour scheme to a Westie. My best friend gave me some cute doggie earrings, so I even have some Bijou bling. It is nice to think she is a little doggie angel, happy with my previous Westies.

Anonymous

More love for rainbow skirt and the owl bag! The house just seems so empty after a loss doesn't it Or we'll think we see them out of the corner of our eye?

Minaminu

Veteran

Oh Bijou, I am so sorry for the loss of your loved ones. One step at the time, lots of self care and love seems to be best approach.

RobinF

Veteran

Yes, dressing nicely can make a big difference in how I feel. You always look amazing to me - we have very different styles but I am in awe.

And look at that blue sky - gorgeous!

Bijou

Veteran

Suntiger, yes the house does not feel the same. It is lovely at how so much personality can be packed into one cute furry body. She was a happy and joyful presence in our house and so dressing in a happy and joyful way oddly made sense to me.

Minaminu, I have a beautiful photo of my dog as a puppy leaping onto my Father. He is laughing at how excitable she was, so it is nice to know that they are together.

Robin, that is one thing I love about YLF is how we all dress differently. I must say that I always feel cheered by a beautiful blue sky. We had rain today, but I was lucky to be able to get a dog walk in during one of the sunny patches.

Helena

Veteran

You look beautiful. Huge hugs for your recent loss and difficult anniversary. xx

JAileen

Veteran

You have a wonderful wardrobe to draw on. These outfits ought to cheer you up, but still, it’s hard. You know how much I love your owl bag. Well, your Bao Bao bag is pretty great too!

Our dogs should live much longer. Here’s a picture of our first Jack Russell. Yes, he is airborne! He was was only 11 when he died.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

kkards

Veteran

I’m a total believe in dressing up the outside to help us feel better on the inside
and you’ve done it really well. Love the white boots in #1 and #2, they look fresh and fab...my fav is the rainbow skirt with the short jacket.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Such a hard time, and my heart goes out to you, Bijou. Much love, and soak up extra TLC from precious Margot. That's the best therapy of all.

Despite your sadness, you look absolutely KILLER gorgeous. My word! Soooo glam, dressy and beautiful. My favourites are #1 and #2, but of course you are stunning in everything. You have a wonderful wardrobe, and I can see how effectively it sparks joy

nemosmom

Veteran

You look fantastic as always, Bijou! What a difficult and emotional week. Loss anniversaries are so hard. I am glad you could find comfort in your wardrobe

Cardiff girl

Veteran

so sorry that You are having a difficult week,much sympathy for your losses.You look fab,very glam and cheerful.

Bijou

Veteran

TG, a tough week but I know how lucky I am to have a great family and friends and also my YLF friends too.

Janet, as a birdwatcher I think you need an owl bag too. A gorgeous picture of your dog, Jack Russell’s are so lively.

KKards, yes it does help to feel like you are holding things together.

Angie, little Margot is such a sweetie. She is being very attentive to DS who has felt this loss the most. Bijou was with him his whole life.

Nemosmom, I love how there are so many animal lovers on the forum.

Cardiff Girl, yes it was not a bad week all things considered. Forwards is the only way to go.

cindysmith

Veteran

So sorry about your little furbaby (((hugs)))

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Bless precious Margot for being supportive in that very special and in-comparative doggie way. xo

Bijou

Veteran

CindySmith, thank you so much. My gorgeous dog enjoyed her life so very much, which inspires me to be more present rather than constantly thinking ahead.

Angie, little Margot is such a sweet dog. We have found having her and keeping up our walking routines has most definitely helped.

12