great wide open.

in honor of earth day, here are the best ways to enjoy boston's version of the great outdoors without getting your hands dirty. (and what to wear while doing it, natch.)

not-so-mellow yellow.
vivid colors take center stage among spring's earthy neutrals. case-in-point: the sunny, supple kooba waverly bucket bag ($635). lemon-colored leather and silver-tone details will keep your spirits bright: even if the temp suddenly drops back to a realistic new england level. available at the tannery. 39 brattle street. near church. 617.491.1811. www.kooba.com


made in the shade.
when you find that perfect pair of face-flattering shades, you want to wear them even in the rain. the marc jacobs striped-arm sunglasses ($430) have a rimless aviator frame with black and gold accents. it also doubles as a headband in case april showers hit. available at moxie. 51 charles street. near mount vernon. 617.557.9991. www.moxieboston.com


nice stems.
mac skinsheen leg spray ($22.50) is the ultimate tan in a can for skirt-ready legs. this shimmery spray is the answer to pale gams. think of it, not as a spray paint, but as a natural-looking bronzer. leggings can officially go into hibernation. 112 newbury street. near clarendon. 617.267.0013. www.maccosmetics.com


square meal.
sleep in, grab the paper and head to everyone's fave comm ave patio for a lazy morning treat. the Z square banana walnut crepe ($5) tastes like dessert but fills like breakfast. any day that begins with powdered sugar and sunshine is sure to be sweet. 580 commonwealth avenue. near blandford. 617.425.0101. www.z-square.com


garden variety.
visit the public garden and sip cocktails at the excelsior. pay homage to boston's other garden (and the celts) and order a kevin's garnet ($14) that is a mix of stoli ohranj, chambord, triple sec, blood orange and a drop of champagne. it's the perf spot to take in the tulips and keep your distance from tourists. 272 boylston street. between arlington and charles south. 617.426.7878. www.excelsiorrestaurant.com


batter up.
celebrate the 30th birthday of the best men in your life: ben and jerry. harvard square is home to one of the first ben and jerry's scoop shops around, so satisfy your sweet tooth and order a cone filled with their newest flavor: yellow cake batter ice cream, swirled with choco frosting. 36 JFK street. near brattle. 617.864.2828. www.benjerry.com


anchors away.
the nautical look is totally working right now. harness your inner sailor (or pirate) and kick off the start of new england sailing season on a boat tour of boston harbor. this weekend, boston sailing center staffers will take you out on 23- to 40- foot skippered boats and offer free snacks. just call it a sample sail. april 26 and 27. lewis wharf. 617.227.4198. www.bostonsailingcenter.com