The spring break season doesn’t really take place in spring at all. For many people, it typically starts in early February and goes through mid March, when many colleges have their breaks. I live in New Jersey, and growing up a lot of families flew or drove to Florida for a week in February. (A few went north to ski, but more went south.) This is such a popular time for family travel, suburban legend has it that the public school district in my hometown changed their spring break vacation from Presidents week to the week before only after being petitioned by many winter-weary parents who wanted to take families south but not incur ‘holiday week’ prices. (Watercolor by Laura Trevey, crab luggage tags from Salmon Barn.)

As I’ve mentioned, I do like winter. Just the other day, I happily walked through New York City bundled in a down coat puddle-jumping the sidewalk-moats. (A sidewalk-moat, for all of you non-NYC natives, is a disgusting phenomenon that occurs as the snow melts and forms ginormous slush puddles around street-corners, making it impossible to cross without fisherman-style waders.) I didn’t look as cute as this model from Charlie and Sarah’s shop. Not even close.

The sun felt good, and I was warm under my three layers of clothing. But that’s not to say I wouldn’t like a little tropical change of scenery. Someplace sunny, green trees, and blue seas sounds wonderful. Shedding the down coat might not be bad, either. (This dress from Ishkabiddle Designs screams for warm weather–and creamsicles.)

The local stores have shed their winter coats. Window displays are full of wonderfully light fabrics, brighter colors, and lightweight totes and beach bags. Perhaps my favorite item of the warm-weather get-away is picking out a new beach bag, like this one from Willywaw.

Although I’m not flying south anytime soon, I do like searching for the perfect warm-weather gear so I’m ready when it does appear.