Inspiration For SPRING!

I will finally accept the fact that it is almost spring. Granted, I never actually had a winter, but that's okay, at least spring in middle Georgia is beautiful enough to make me forget all of the other seasons.

I am actually excited about Spring. In the south, there are dozens of festivals to attend. Our cities bloom like nothing you have ever seen. I promise to try to attend as many as possible, just so you can get the full effect of what I am talking about.

Today, I am sending you visuals. Plenty of inspiration for spring - from clothes to recipes to gardening tips. (Of course, it's all my opinion, of course!)

If you want to view the original sources for any of these pictures, simply follow me on pinterest. There you will find the pics with links to the original owners. A link to do so is on the left hand side of my wall.

NOW - let's think SPRING!

It's typically hard for me to let go of my dark colors, even in spring. I found this outfit and thought it was the cutest thing. Every owns a pair of khaki shorts, and how about that animal print bag?? I thought it was sassy enough to keep the darker color edge I like, as well as keep you cool down here! (Yes, it climbs into the 80s and 90s in the spring here.)

This year, I have fallen in love with gray again. I go through phases with gray - but it's back in my wardrobe. I thought this little outfit was too cute. Looks comfy for every day. Not to mention, I am super in love with anything lotus - loving the necklace and silver nail polish!

My parents have a huge garden, and I really want to find my own place and have a little garden. I thought this was such a clever idea. A great way to recycle old rain boots. Plus, the colors are so whimsical. I think this would look great on the fence!

Zucchini Frittershttp://www.alexandracooks.com/2011/07/07/zucchini-fritters-with-tzatziki/

Speaking of gardens - need some new ways to eat the veggies you are growing? I love this idea. These are Zucchini Fritters. Just click on the link to be taken straight to the recipe. The ingredients can come straight from your garden and farmer's market:

 2c zucchini, 1/2 cup potato, 1 TBS chives, 1 TBS mint, lemon zest, egg, onion, flour, butter, salt, greek yogurt, lemon juice

This outfit screams NICOLE - BUY ME. I am definitely more comfortable in pants over shorts - and this has the colors I would wear. Still has a cover, just in case it gets cold. LOVE it for roaming around on a Saturday to meet friends for coffee.

How many old bikes do you find at flea markets. Heck, how many do you have in your garage? Why not put it on the patio, paint it a fun color and let it stand as a wonderful addition to your garden? I love this idea. Even if I end up in an apartment, how cute would this be on a patio?

I would love to go to an old salvage place, get some old tires, paint them bright colors and do this in the backyard. I think it would look cute and bring so much character to the area Autumn plays in.

I am not a big fan of the sticks in plants (heck, mine never stay up,) but if you drink a lot of wine, and have been collecting your corks - this is a great idea for a plant marker.

This looks like a dream for me. Saturday afternoon's reading by the garden?! I am sure there have GOT to be kits at Lowe's and Home Depot. Would be fun to create!

I have been selecting flowers I want to plant, and this is snow crocus blue pearl. I love the color!

I am finally gearing up for heading back to the gym - and I found this fabulous water bottle that will hold everything you need! Not to mention, it is blue!

This just says, "Nicole - let's go on a road trip and why don't you wear this as you wonder the streets?" I love the colors.

Time for a spring bag. THIS BAG.Seriously, I pick this bag.

Another every day wear for spring!

Again, I mentioned I did not like sticks in the plants. Here's a fun way to mark your plants, without worrying if the stick will get knocked over or blown away during a storm. Plus, I live with artists, could get some neat stuff out of them.

We have some old trees just laying around, since we live in the Oconee National Forest, and had to have the land cleared for my parent's home. What a neat way to utilize the wood!

Time to help the parentals with a little more curb appeal!

Always wanted to try and plant some English Lavender

How about some frozen lemonade with coconut rum? How a great cocktail for when friends come over to admire your garden!

I am in love with this outfit. That shirt is fabulous!

Another great way to use your goodies from the garden - these are watermelon bites. with feta & mint!

Or how about some cheddar drop biscuits with rosemary and thyme?

I am crazy about turquoise - I fell in love with these!

Pink is the color of Macon - how about jazz it up a bit for work? ;-)

Using items from your herb garden - Homemade cilantro dressing

I love the purple border to the garden.

Basically, I hope each of you takes some time and think of ways you can help the earth with it's birthday! I like to think of spring as earth's birthday - it's waking up, and putting on it's Sunday best. Maybe you can start with one plant, inside. Or maybe you can get creative and use some of these ideas. It never hurts to try.

Try growing some veggies, fruit or herbs. Attempt some recipes with your organically grown items.

Pick out a few new outfits to lounge around in.

I'm actually looking forward to spring. Today I am putting away the sweaters, the coats, and preparing to hang my greens, my light blues, my pinks.

It's time my friends. :-)

Don't forget, to see the sources and get more info - head to my pinterest page.

You'll Thank Me Later...

*Before you read any further, I need to share something - Added October 15, 2012 -Please note the very last line on this page (which some readers are just skipping over -
**PS - For the original sources - go to my Pinterest page - Cool Ideas. :-)

My Pinterest page link is located on the left hand tag. I never pinned this blog post, nor do I care if others do or don't. My blog followers come to my page for stories, not for crafting ideas. I wrote this post before the whole pinning fad became super popular.
Also - I work in Marketing and I am a journalist, please visit my disclosure tab at the top of my blog for any questions on the legalities around anything I have posted.

Thank you,
Nicole Abdou
Author, Destination Unknown.

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Shhh! I've got a few secrets to share with you. Oh, and they are EXCELLENT ideas.
Let's just say, it's a little gift from me to you - I did all the research, now you can reap the benefits!

Below you will find my top 25 BRILLIANT ideas!

1. Next time you throw a party, instead of worrying as to whether you have enough of something, or having to take a break and make drinks - just pre-mix your cocktails or juices and BOOM - what a wonderful way for guests to take care of themselves. (Not to mention, how adorable are those mason jars?)

2. I am sick of traveling with my jewelry! So much so, that having to untangle the necklaces are getting to be almost too much. Problem solved! String your necklace through a straw and ta-da! No more tangles!

3. Brilliant makeshirt platter - take a $1 store candle stick and a $1 store plate, glue each other, and you have a beautiful platter.

4. Do you have a hard time tossing clothes? I know I do! Here is a wonderful test! Simply take all of your clothes and place them in the opposite way in the closet on January 1st! If by June 1st, you have not turned the hanger around, simply toss! Brilliant!

5. This is a beautiful idea. Low on cash, but high on style - take your old jars and paint them. They turn into beautiful vases!

6. Next time you travel, here is a brilliant way to take a healthy snack! Contained and less mess!

7. I have sooooo many accessories, and here is a beautiful way to keep your bracelets organized. Take an old paper towel holder, paint and and BOOM - a wonderful bracelet stand!

8. My necklaces are another problem. I have tons of costume jewelry, and here is a cheap way to hang them all. Just get a cheap or old towel rack and use those old $1 store shower rings or any old rings and it's a wonderful way to keep your necklaces organized. (Not to mention, the nice jewelry boxes never have enough hooks!)

9. I just adore old apothecary jars, but to actually buy one is very expensive. Here is another $1 store trick: take a $1 store glass and one of the candle sticks, attach and you have a ready made apothecary jar!

10. This trick makes me sooo happy. To keep massive/messy spills off of your stove top, simply coat it with car wax, and wipe clean. In the future, spills and splashes will come right off!

11. This is a great way to politely get your friends to put away their phones next time they come over!

12. I never actually use those mesh shoe organizer things, heck my shoes hardly ever fit in them. Here is a wonderful way to organize your cleaning supplies and hang on your pantry door!

13. I am not very creative - but this is a wonderful way to make your own vase! Simply get a plain glass vase, wrap rubber bands around it, spray paint it, and remove the rubber bands. An interesting piece is left! (Could be great for candles also!)

14. I think this is a brilliant way to keep people from digging through the frig for snacks. Just take an old plastic container or pan, and fill it with all of the healthy options and place it in the frig! Easy goes it!

15. I am in love with this idea. Buy a cheap frame from the dollar store, and grab one piece of your favorite scrapbook paper. Paint the frame, and place the paper inside. Get a dry erase marker and you have a customized wipey board!

16. This is a wonderful way for those of us without big families to divide up the proper portions of meat. Simple place it in a zippy bag, use a pencil or ruler, then freeze. You can easily break off the portions you need!

17. I think this is a fun and pretty little idea. Take a ceramic cup or bowl or whatever you like. Get a piece of lace and modge podge it to the ceramic. Then paint. Makes a beautiful original piece.

18. I take my make up brushes very seriously. I invested in a very expensive set a few years back. Here is a great way to store your brushes on your counter! A container, some marbles and voila!

19. Praise the Lord - a place to put those lids!! Get a magazine rack - and ta da!!

20. My husband does not like us to wear our shoes in the house. Here is a genius way to keep your shoes by the door - get a coat rack and hang it by the floor. No more messy shoes crowding the door way.

21. I love this idea for canned goods. Just get one of those file things from your office, and flip it upside down, and it's an instant space saver!

22. Another cute idea to store all of your ear rings. Get an old cheese grater, spray paint it and here you have an instant ear ring holder!

23. This is something I plan to do this upcoming year - get a big jar, and each day, or week, write one blessing or beautiful memory. On New Year's Eve, open the jar, and read it!

24. What a brilliant way to use those old bread clippy things. Keeps the guess work out of it!

25. I finally know what to do with those old binder clips at home!!!!!

Hope these ideas were helpful!

**PS - For the original sources - go to my Pinterest page - Cool Ideas. :-)