Spring has Sprung!

Friday marked the first official day of spring here in Toronto, and while temperatures are still hovering around zero degrees Celsius, the smell of spring is in the air, and the days of lighter jackets are trickling in. With Easter around the corner, I can't wait to celebrate spring with my family and friends, but first, an ode to my top ten favourite things about spring:

1. Day Light Savings – even though I lost an hour of sleep when the clocks changed, I love how light it stays in the evenings!

2. Beautiful floral dresses like the one I just bought from Keepsake’s Vacate line (I bought the To The End Mini Dress in plum)

3. Mini Eggs…I know they’re available all year round now, but I still associate their delicious taste and pastel colours with spring, especially when I see them on these adorable bird’s nest cupcakes!

4. The return of fresh flowers, like these:

And these:

5. Spring rain, and, as cliché as it sounds, the smell of the rain in springtime.

6. Skirt weather is making a comeback! After a long winter, wearing skirts without tights feels like such a privilege. I love some of these new options from Shopbop.

7. While I love going to see the ballet any time of year, there’s something so whimsical about going to see a springtime matinee. The National Ballet of Canada is currently performing Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and if you’re in the Toronto area, I highly recommend going to see this beautiful show. The sets, costumes and special effects are like none I’ve ever seen before at the ballet. Tickets are available here.

8. Fresh spring produce makes for the best seasonal meals. While I’m no expert in the kitchen, I always find it easier to cook when my favourite foods are in season and widely available, and especially when the results are as good as these.

9. Running outside again! While I don’t mind being indoors on the treadmill too much in the winter, running outside feels so much better. It’s much harder to get bored when the scenery around you is constantly changing and you’re breathing in fresh air.

10. A fresh start. Whether it’s spring-cleaning or the injection of some bright colours into your wardrobe after months of wearing darker hues, spring gives the impression that new beginnings are possible. I hope your new beginnings – big or small – are wonderful. Happy Spring!