IF you’re feeling flat, the best thing to do is wear a bit of colour. My new suede shoes fit the bill. I picked them up at an antiques centre in Hamilton, Newcastle. The centre used to be a crafting Mecca my mum visited when we travelled down from the Hunter to do a spot of Christmas shopping. It was a strange thing to be walking over the marbled floors and past counters I know used to stock strange embroidery implements, strands of colourful thread and bolts of fancifully printed fabrics.

As for the shoes, tottering around in colourful heels can actually lift the spirits.