Pink is a promise in the springtime. It’s the early buds on wintery trees and the soft glow of cold morning sunrises.

Whenever I use pink, especially pretty pinks, I ask myself if I’m leaning on a cliche. Pink for spring — how unoriginal. Millennial Pink — that’s an outdated trend. Tropical Pink — such a lazy choice.

Yet pink on pink is my go-to for spring flatlays. Colorblocks with pink look fantastic. Antiqued pinks warm my soul like the “cabin” from Virgin River.

My creative director’s eye rips pink apart and questions whether we really need another pink design in a world that pink-washes everything feminine. But consumer trends (and my artistic intincts) follow the color cycles of nature. Right now, that’s pink.