I prefer to use MIME::Lite just to make life easier, following is a short sample:

use MIME::Lite;
my $msg = MIME::Lite->new(
                  From     =>  $from_address,
                  To       =>  $to_address,
                  Subject  =>  'Hello world',
                  Data     =>  'some body text'
              );
$msg->send;
[download]

This can of course be incorporated into a sub if required.

Update: fixed some obvious syntax errors (well, obvious after a cup o' joe ;)