Meet Nicole, My Flamingo Friend

What can I say....I love her! My blogging friend, Nicole @ Live Laugh Decorate is here today. She is one talented and funny lady. She has also been a help to me with Florida questions.....because she lives there. I will definitely be meeting her since she is on the way to Ikea. Although, I would go just to meet her.

This is probably the perfect example of her work. You can read about it here...it's gone a little viral.

I'm sure you know her....but if you don't, you would like her. So go check her out after you see what she has put together for us.

When Linda first told me she was moving to Florida, I jumped off my chair, did the hallelujah dance (mixed with some dancehall moves of course) and screamed to the heavens. A blogger bestie moving to your home state is kinda like hitting the lotto.

Linda was quite possibly the first blogger to EVER comment on our blog and to offer up advice and a warm welcome. She hasn't stopped since so I think you can say I kinda love her like cooked food.

To extend her a warm welcome, I'm here to enlighten her on our dearest state bird, the flamingo.

For her arrival next year, I'm pulling out all the stops. First, I've asked the Naples town council to line I-75 with pink flamingos. I've also asked the folks at the Hialeah Park Race Track (a place once filled with flamingos, and whose logo includes said birds) to invite her down for a flamingo inspired day at the races.

Well, okay, I don't really have that kind of pull, but I'll at least send them a suggestive Tweet or 10.

Until then, I think it's only fitting that she immediately suspend her love affair with all things chinoiserie (okay, maybe only temporarily) and embrace this amazing trend of weaving this state icon into her own design projects. 

The Pink Pagoda

Believe me, it's a mandate for all local designers and we followed suit recently out of fear we would be face deportation to places like I don't know, New Jersey? 

To get started, pink flamingos should be placed in every room as she stages her home for sale. I mean, what better way to remind folks who have to shovel snow, that you're moving to place sans snow?

Here are some spaces to get her motivated.

Contemporary Dining Room by Beverly Architects & Designers Siemasko + Verbridge

Yes, that Flamingo is facing the ocean. Who needs to eat at this fab dining table? He is ready for the beach in no uncertain terms.

Eclectic Decals

Prospective buyers who wish to use your powder room should be reminded of Florida with every flush.

via Pinterest

Reminded even more as they take a soak in this very pink and fabulous claw foot tub.

The Company Store

What? You feel the need to take a nap now and again? Well please do so with some flamingo on the brain. Sleep tight. 

Via The Gilded Mint

Via Indie Girl Hair Ties

Tropical Entry by Other Metro Artists and Artisans Studio Arterie

Oh no! You weren't happy with all the flamingos? So sorry to hear that but please sit here on this lonely bench and let us cheer you up before you go.

Thanks so much for having me over Linda! Hope you've enjoyed my homage to the wonderful flamingo, a bird you'll be seeing a lot of in the next year. 

Hope you're also getting some much needed rest this summer and packing, albeit ever so slowly.