Punch Drunk

Yesterday, I wore a hot pink-and-orange-ombre skirt.  I was pretty much ecstatic all day long — that punch of pink was just what I needed to kickstart the week and take my mind off of missing Mr. Magpie, who is currently traveling in Panama with a few buddies.  {Is it uber-lame that he’s been gone less than 48 hours and I miss him already?  To the point that I may have worked out twice on Sunday just to keep myself busy and may have also found myself thumbing through our wedding album nostalgically?  Eep.  I swear I’m a strong and independent little lady, but my GOD, I miss that boy.}  Does clothing ever work as a mood enhancer for you, too?  If not, consider adding a dose of sherbert coloring to your wardrobe.  I swear it’ll put a little pep in your step.  Prozac in fabric form. {Incidentally, get the ceramic container below for $88 from Jonathan Adler — he has an entire collection of kitschy/cheeky canisters along the same lines.}

Take this as a point in case: I wore a variation on the following outfit in Vegas, and was in a great mood all day, even after I spilled a full vodka soda on myself while trying to squeeze it into one of the koozis I’d had custom made for the weekend {rookie mistake}: long maxi skirt ($148, J. Crew), white tee ($29, Madewell), a bold necklace in a bright, contrast-color hue ($140, Loren Hope), and some neutral t-straps ($69, Zappos):

Finish with this bomb.com chevron clutch ($199, Hammocks and High Tea):

Or, how about this striped, gauzey cardi ($155, Jades24) with a crochet necklace (loves! — $220, Emma Cassi), white skinnies, and some nude patent flat sandals (Gucci, $495, Saks)?

Ideal finished with the Reed Krakoff “Atlantique” tote ($1,415, Colette) I’ve been swooning over:

Alternately, go uber-bold with a pink-and-orange asymmetrical dress (M Missoni, $745, Harvey Nichols) with a mah-jor statement necklace (OMG…Vionnet, $749, MyTheresa):

I’d finish with these sparkling flat sandals ($110, WeLikeFashion) and a gold Kotur clutch ($400, Neiman’s):

Or, how much do you love this simple pleated shirt-dress ($100, TopShop)?  Lovely with a gold collar necklace ($228, Kate Spade):

I’d finish with simple gold pumps ($225, Vince Camuto) and a pink-and-orange purse ($595, Rebecca Minkoff):

Other punchy picks to blend into your wardrobe?  How about these retro-inspired shades (love the shape — $128, Kate Spade), this striped sleeveless blouse (Equipment, $208, Les Nouvelles), and these color-blocked sandals (Sergio Rossi, $275, Barney’s):

Or, check out this artful scarf ($175, Kelly Wearstler) — perfect paired with a color-blocked clutch ($46, Tobi):

Or, let the dress do all the work with this beyond adorable ikat shift dress ($395, Sheridan French) and some cluster earrings in the same palette (KJL, $90, Bloomingdale’s):

Dreamy with some fun white sandals ($171, Pret-A-Beaute) and a pink-trimmed straw clutch ($195, Otte NY):

Um, can anyone tell I’m dying for summer?!