Hi Northeasterners! With temperatures spiking to 80 degrees in the last few days and with our clocks turned ahead with daylight savings, I think we can safely say that spring is upon us! This is one of my favorite times of the year – flowers are blooming, the temperature is rising, and colorful pastels start making an appearance in our wardrobes!

As a DC resident, my favorite thing about spring by far is the Cherry Blossom Festival! For those who don’t know, the Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates the gift of 3,000 cherry blossom trees given to the US by Japan as a gesture of peace and goodwill. Every year, these trees bloom for exactly 2 weeks and transform the Tidal Basin area of DC into a beautiful landscape reminiscent of a Monet painting. When my friends and I went to check them out a few days ago, we couldn’t help but exclaim over the beauty and feel a sense of pride in living in such a beautiful city.

This year marks the Centennial anniversary of the Cherry Blossoms, and the city has planned a 5-week celebration that includes parades, cultural events, concerts, and more. Local businesses and restaurants are also offering Cherry Blossom Deals, such as cherry blossom flavored cupcakes, cocktails, and spa packages. Check them out here: http://www.giltcity.com/dc

While this can be a magical time of year, the cherry blossoms also bring with them some annoyances. For those who suffer from allergies like me, springtime and cherry blossoms are the equivalent of rolling around in a mound of pollen. As fun as it was to take pictures of cherry blossoms, I paid a high price the next day by suffering from swollen eyes, a scratchy throat, and a throbbing headache. Yikes! What’s more, all the tourists decide to visit DC at exactly this time of the year to take advantage of the weather and free events, only to crowd the metro and restaurants. For those weary of large crowds and lines, checking out the Tidal Basin may be preferable over the weekdays. Otherwise, don’t be surprised if you find yourself squeezed in a crowded subway, pushed over by moms with strollers, or have people walk into the frame just as you take a picture! ;)

Regardless of whether you’re taken away by the electric energy of this time or grumpy from the tourists and allergies, spring is here and I hope you all will be able to take advantage of the events and deals! Happy Spring!