15 Glorious Things the First Warm Day of Spring Brings

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Okay, obviously spring doesn't officially hit until March 20, but try telling that to the weather today: Here in NYC, we peaked at a glorious 65 degrees. And while these beautifully springy temps might not be applicable to every city in the nation right now, it's the first sign of hope that everybody will experience their first warm day at some point. (Talk to the hand, Hawaii.)

From preemptively showing off some skin to sipping on your first cold brew of the year, here is a list of all the glorious things that happen on that first warm day—even if there are still a handful of cold ones ahead.

1. Bare legs. Everyone has them, even though it's barely pushing 60 degrees and any rational human being would put on some damn pants. But your voice of reason is muffled today by the cries of "THANK GOODNESS" coming from your soul. And it actually feels balmy outside, not chilly. (Magic?)

Related: How to Get Perfect Skin

2. It smells like spring. It's like your senses are heightened. Everything is brighter (sunlight!) and more colorful (more sunlight! Plants!), you catch the sound of some birds singing (and might accidentally break into song yourself because sunlight). There's that very distinctive early spring smell of melting snow and…flowers?! Nature is actually alive?


3. Your outerwear is actually attractive. In January, you faced near-suffocation by wrapping your scarf around your face, and looked like the Michelin Man in your parka-over-sweater-over-shirt getup—and you didn't do it because it looked sexy. It's leather jacket weather! Rejoice.

4. You can trade the treadmill for the sidewalk. Outdoor exercise is no longer reserved for those super-humans who run marathons in sub-zero temps—we mere mortals will happily pound the pavement.


5. You obviously need a new wardrobe this second. Move over, winter sales—who cares about a good deal if that coat is going to sit in your closet for the next eight months? Your virtual shopping cart is suddenly overflowing with breezy dresses, strappy sandals, and sunnies. You might own a lot of these things already, but it's spring! The season of rebirth applies to your closet as well.

Related: The Top Trends to Shop for Spring

6. Florals! Even tomboys might embrace a garment or accessory covered in flowers, because 'tis the season to be girly. The same applies to pastels, delicate fabrics, and bright lipstick.

7. A pedicure isn't just pampering—it's a necessity. So you just bought a bunch of sandals in a fit of temperature-induced happiness, and your feet are going to have to make their 2014 debut sometime soon. It's time to get those toes polished up so they're fit to see the light of day again.


8. Goodbye, heating bill. There are still a handful of chilly nights ahead, but at least there's a light at the end of that tunnel. Your bank statement is thankful (or, see #5.)

9. Hello, open windows! Can you imagine what's in that stale air that's been sitting in your apartment since November? Remnants of your Thanksgiving turkey? The flu you got over in January? Most of us are relatively clean, but it's finally time to introduce some airflow. Also: Your skin will not miss the months of dry heat. Hooray for that fresh spring breeze!


10. The cold is no longer a factor in your commute—or night out. What cab? You'll happily walk to the subway, and/or your local dive. It's in a different neighborhood? No matter! Fresh air will do you good, and so will stretching your legs. You might even leave the office for your mid-afternoon snack, rather than slumming it with the vending machine.

11. It's light at dinnertime. You'll do a subtle fist pump as you leave the office because the sun is still there. Happy hour is suddenly happy again.

12. You get your first official craving for iced coffee. No matter that you'll freeze while drinking it. You just felt the warm sun on your pale skin for the first time this year and you're going to trade your piping hot latte for a cold brew, dammit.


13. You pretend it's okay to dine en plein air. As in, you sit at an outdoor table for brunch, "basking in the beautiful weather"—but you're actually really freaking chilly. Not that you'd never admit it.

14. And swimsuit season just got very real. But it's okay, because #4!

But all in all, you're so very happy, because:

15. You can now say, "Remember that bitch of a winter we had in 2014? Yeah, thank god that's over."


Peace out, Polar Vortex.

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