Signs of Spring

I have always loved Spring. For me, it has always been synonymous with excitement, rejuvenation and a certain newness for which I've always been enthusiastic. 

While now that newness is certainly in part due to the new items of clothing and accessories that I collect and can wear once the weather gets warmer, my true love for Spring comes from my childhood. Growing up in New England, Spring was especially exciting because it meant the end of the dreadful and cold Winter and the coming of Summer. 

My dad as a undeniable enthusiasm for the small wonders in life. He loves holidays more than anyone I know, he glorifies every small characteristic of summer and insists on enjoying the most simple of things - like fireflies at night in Summer and being the first footsteps on freshly fallen snow in Winter. My penchant for relishing in my enthusiasms is certainly derived from his. 

Springtime in New England was the ultimate time to enjoy the small wonders of nature, and in fact, my dad insisted on doing so my whole life. In March, we would go out and look for the "first signs of Spring". The first person to spot a Red Breasted Robin in the park would get a prize. Even when I was just a little baby, my dad would always insist my mom, my sister and I go for picnics with him as soon as the weather allowed. 

But by late April and early May, the snow had melted for good and the cold spring rains had given way to the blossoms of Spring. One of my favorite things to do was to tromp around the yard in the country with dad and cut an abundance of branches off the Forsythia bushes that had nothing but tiny buds on them. We would transport the branches back to the kitchen in the city and fill six or seven large vases with them (always making a mess, which my mom surely did not appreciate). We would leave them on the sun-drenched windowsill above the kitchen sink to "force the Forsythia" until they would bloom with what seemed like a million yellow flowers and fill the house with springtime cheer. 

My dad also always was sure to point out how important the patterns of spring were. He grew up in Buck's County, Pennsylvania on a vast property. His mother, an otherwise cold, unforgiving and Victorian figure in his life, insisted that each of the children have trees planted for them. Since my dad was born on the last day of April, he had Cherry and Dogwood trees planted for him because they bloom just around his birthday. Enjoying things like how close to his birthday the Dogwood tree in our yard bloomed, was one of those small signs of Spring that affected who I am today. 

Now, as a "New Yorker", I still relish in the small signs of Spring and take extra care to partake in Spring pastimes, even though I cannot experience Spring the New England way. Even when I am running in a million different directions around the city, I always find time to buy fresh flowers - tulips and hyacinths or peonies for my apartment to remind myself how much I love Spring.

Spring is New York is certainly special in its own right. Those first few days when you can really enjoy being outside imbibing on a glass of wine or lunch (without intermittent shivers), are glorious. In Spring, New Yorkers finally emerge from the innards of the fluorescent-lit concrete jungle to feel the sun on their pale cheeks and the city is vibrant with excitement of what's to come.

In New York, I always remind myself that one must always take care to entertain even the smallest of enthusiasms so that you don't lose those certain ineffable qualities of life - the intoxication of Spring being one of them. I always try to have a picnic in Central Park. Perfect Picnic, a New York company, is the best way to have a hassle-free and idyllic picnic and will do the entire thing for you (just be sure not to forget your boater hat). I also always try to take a row boat out in Central Park and follow it with lunch at the Boathouse. I take my coffee or cocktail whenever possible and weather permits. And of course, I always have fresh flowers in my apartment. Sometimes in New York, it's easy to get caught up in work, events and commitments of all sorts - but in Spring, I try to always be reminded by my dad's spirit and excitement for the smallest of things (his daily 5 am texts don't hurt as a reminder either), and try not to let the season pass without noticing and enjoying signs of Spring. 

My perfect Spring outfit this year includes these super fabulous gingham pants (and who does;t love statement pants), by Veronica Beard. They are available at Intermix. I paired them with these amazing Alexander Wang suede sandals with an architectural lucite heel. If these don't scream "It's Spring and I'm chic," then I'm not sure what does. Also available at Intermix. The straw bag is vintage CK Bradley and the hat is J. Crew. Eugenia Kim also makes great hats for days in the Park. This particular hat is a showstopper and I have been wearing it nonstop and it looks just as great on the beach in Bermuda as it does galavanting around Washington Square Park. It is available at Moda Operandi.