Tuesday 20 March 2012

hello, spring & yay, i’ve been published!

spring5 YAY! It’s officially the first day of spring! Although it’s feeling a lot more like summer – it’s been in the mid-20s here the last few days, and it’ll be hot till Friday. How crazy is it to be wearing a T-shirt and shorts outside when it’s still technically winter!? Well, OK, I guess it’s normal if you’re lucky enough to live somewhere that’s always warm and sunny ;-) But here in Ottawa, wearing summer clothes outside when there’s still snow on the ground is just WAY too weird!

And equally exciting as the warm & balmy weather is that I’ve been published in the Spring 2012 issue of Our Home Ottawa! YAY! It’s just a small half-page article about Extreme Makeover: Kindness Edition, but better small than not at all! Plus when you’ve been writing your whole life and have always dreamed of being published, it’s a pretty major thing :-) Click here to read the Spring 2012 issue online. My article is on page 67.

article our homes ottawa

Five easy ways to say hello, spring!

1. Fresh flowers

The tulips are just starting to poke through the soil, but it’ll still be a month or so before they’re in full bloom. Get a head start on spring flowers with fresh flowers in your home. You can pick up an inexpensive bouquet at your local grocery store and either display it as one big bouquet, or break it up in to smaller arrangements to scatter throughout your home. {I shared this flower decorating tip on the Style At Home blog here.}

blue vases white flowersImage via beahcomber simply living

2. Freshen up your front door

Have you been thinking about sprucing up the front of your house, but you’re not sure how? A couple of coats of paint on your front door will freshen things up. Just make sure the temps are 10C or above before you get going. If you’re feeling daring, why not go with a not-so-typical front door colour {just make sure it works with the style and colours of your house}. My front door is CIL Peacock’s Plume – it makes me happy every time I come home :-)

turquoisedoor logo

Although I camethisclose to painting my door bright green, just like this awesome door:

Bright_front_doorImage via Shelterness

Hmmmm, maybe a project for this spring…

3. Fresh air

open up your doors & windows and enjoy the fresh spring air blowing through your house. Extra-sweet if it’s oceany spring air!

breezy bedroom 
Image via House of Turquoise, deign by Donna Elle Interior Design

4. Spring-cessorize

You don’t have to do a lot or spend a lot to spring-cessorize your home. Change up the cushions on your sofa, put away the cozy throws, rearrange your accessories. Cushions like these in a bold floral fabric will instantly bring spring into your home. {These babies aren’t cheap, but you could probably find similar cushions at HomeSense/HomeGoods, or even sew a few of your own.}

 bluebellgray1
Poppy from Bluebellgray

bluebellgray2 
Secret Garden from Bluebellgray

Sea_flower_cushion_-_Red
Sea floral cushion from Kristy Lee Interiors

5. Clean up the patio & deck

Hose down the deck boards, clean & set up the patio furniture, and get ready for lots of al fresco dining from spring till fall.

Voiles sur la terrasse - Un Cœur en Provence ©

How do you welcome spring into your home? Leave a comment and let us know :-)

kelly sig 

Photograph of pink blossoms via GPS.

12 comments:

  1. congrats on being published, Kelly. That's awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congratulations! You deserve it! I always dream that a famous person will read my blog one day and say....write my life story :)

    Love the pillows, too!

    blessings,
    karianne

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congratulations again Kelly, I'm very happy for you. I open my windows first off, to get rid of all that stale winter air. It has been a fabulous spring here, just hope it lasts.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Congratulations on being published. I ADORE those cushions -- trust me to love something too expensive! I've been keeping flowers in my foyer and on the dining room table (visible from all rooms except the bedrooms). And yes, my windows are open as well :) Happy SPring

    ReplyDelete
  5. Congratulations on the magazine feature! That is exciting.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yeah to being published.....well deserved Kelly. My doors and windows are open too, but the thing I love to do more than anything ,is hang laundry on the line

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congrats on being published! Woohoo! So great to have hard work recognized.

    Great tips for Spring. So glad it is here. And I love that neon green door.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congratulations! And thanks for voting on Kelly's waffle!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congratulations on being published! I think all us bloggers fully appreciate the excitement that comes with seeing your words in a traditional subscription-based print publication!

    :)

    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  10. WooHoo!! So fun to be published...I would think. ;) And your door color is so spring and cheery, love it!

    ReplyDelete
  11. A big CONGRATS to you Kelly! (Just seen this). You know what they say "one must start some where". Next it will be your name in lights!
    Great post, BUT what is one to do 'when the mind is willing but the body just ain't?' :) ie: Clean up that patio and deck, paint the front door and so on and so on ............
    Hugs -Brenda-

    ReplyDelete