3 ways to get a jump start to summer

By Nicci Jordan Hubert

Back in February, Royal Caribbean aired one of the best commercials I’d seen in ages. It plays a song about embracing the chill of winter by snuggling up by the fire–“it’s winter again,” the crooner sings–yet images float of people snorkeling in a beautiful ocean, drinking ice-cold margaritas, and standing beside an open window with lightly flowing curtains. The commercial ends with a woman’s voice, “Don’t you just love February?”

Of course, nobody loves (the cold in) February — thus the irony. The commercial had me mesmerized, practically salivating for a cruise. Alas, my friends. Here it is, late March and I’m nowhere near a cruise line. As I write, it’s chilly outside, and raining to boot. Once again, winter has overstayed her welcome.

Is there any reprieve? Consider:

SELF TANNER

I recently tried Beautisol‘s skin-type specific Need I Glow More? face tanner and I’m loving it. Although it took me a little while to get used to the process of applying facial self tanner–which includes q-tipping excess product and making sure it’s well blended into the hairline–I’ve found that I somehow feel warmer by wearing it. And I love that their tanners are customizable to skin type (normal-oily or dry). My skin tends to be oily, and I certainly didn’t break out from the tanner. I also applied their All Seasons Glow body tanner, just to my arms and chest, and looked honest-to-God as though I’d been a little sun-kissed. Over the past week, I’ve walked around knowing that although I haven’t been on any cruise, I look as though I’ve at least been outside for at least one gosh-darn second. The thing I like best is that the results are subtle — no one has commented on my new light tan, which I like because I’m not really into advertising my self-tanner use (umm unless it’s for a beauty blog).

FRUIT SALAD

Although the weather doesn’t want to cooperate with the date, seasonal fruits are still making their way to our markets. I bought strawberries yesterday that were so plump sweet, I ate the whole thing with whipped cream. It was summer in a snack. You can also find mangos, asparagus, and clementines at in-season prices.

MEXICAN FOOD

Few foods feel summerier than Mexican. Guacamole…margaritas…fresh salsa… I’ve been craving Mexican lately and it doesn’t take a therapist to link the craving for Mexican to a craving for summer. In the end, I decided I wasn’t going to wait for the weather to catch up. I made fresh guac the other day with the simplest ingredients– huge avocados, cilantro off the stem, gorgeous garlic, and fresh-squeezed lime juice.

What are ways you prep for summer early?