Here are six easy and stylish looks for pashminas, a type of cashmere scarf known for its diversity and uses. The range of clothing it goes with starts at sleeveless dresses and goes all the way to a t shirt and jeans. An amazing fashion accessory it can be worn in any event, during any season, for any occasion.

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Mardi Gras Fashions For Men

We carry an assortment of elegant styles for men to wear during the Carnival season.

Crown Cufflinks in Silver by India Stewart

Rebirth Silk Tie by India Stewart

Mardi Gras Fashions for Women

Mardi Gras Pins

Queen FLeur de Lis pin

King Cake Pin by India Stewart

http://www.thegardengates.com/product.aspx?zpid=22801

Mardi Gras Decorations

Mardi Gras Plates and Platters

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Kissing Crawfish Mardi Gras Ornaments

Kissing Crawfish Mardi Gras King Glitter Ornament

Mardi Gras Kissing Fish Jester Ornament

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We recently started featuring some really great planters from Cyan Design on The Garden Gates website. Unique and stylish they are by far some of the most interesting planters available on the market.

The Java Planter by Cyan Design is a rustic planter set with height in the middle and has room for trailing on the side so perfect to contain alyssum or potato vine, or in a shaded area an ivy would looks sharp.

Cyan Design’s Sheldon Square planters are perfect for a rosemary topiaries or your choice of annuals. Crisscross wrought iron makes them a really unique and hip item for your garden.

Check out our Decorative Garden Planters section for more great ideas from Cyan Design.

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Please keep in mind that all the cut flowers used can be interchanged with your favorite mix of purple, green and gold flowers. Feel free to be creative and experiment!

Step 1: Place perfect arranger into your vase

Step 2: Place leaves around your vase to ‘hide’ the perfect arranger

Step 3: Cut your flowers at a 45 degree angle using your flower pruners

Step 4: Begin placing cut flowers into your vase using the perfect arranger as a guide.

Step 5: First place your cut flowers into the perfect arranger ie. Gerber Daisy, Dutch Iris and Bells of Ireland

Step 6: Make sure that flowers are placed securely into the perfect arranger

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One when is a good time to plant:

Here in Metairie, Louisiana plants survive in hardiness zones from 8b to 9a. Because of the climate we experience…some 70 degree days some 30 degree days there are some important tips one needs to know when working on or preparing ones garden for the upcoming spring.

#1 Today is a great day to plant! Just as tomorrow and the next day and the day after! As long as a shovel can get into the dirt so can the roots of a plant. It is because the ground hardly freezes here that we are blessed with the ability to start plants on their growth journey a little early. It is actually better to plant in the winter then the spring or summer in New Orleans. The main plant parts may be in a dormant state but the roots of the plant are actively seeking water and nutrients year-round. Because of the root stimulation the plant can be much more prepared to take on the heat of the summer with an extra few months of root growth.

On the importance of Mulching:

#2 Mulch! Mulch! Mulch! Now that the fall leaf color (not that there is much in New Orleans) has made its way into the trash or compost pile its time to add a fresh layer of crushed pine needle much to help keep moisture in the soil around plants. Winters tend to dry plants out especially if there is no mulch.

His thoughts on Pruning

#3 Pruning is a great idea on plants not flowering in the spring. As long as the plant flowers after April, pruning is recommend during the winter. Choose a cool day to do it so as not to stunt new growth which may occur on warmer days.

Keep off the grass!

#4 Stay off your turf! Let it remain dormant if it is a warm season grass, it can not regenerate to repair itself when it gets into the dormant state.

Consult with a landscape architect

#5 If you do not have a plan for your garden or yard now is a perfect time to work with a Landscape Architect on preparing the perfect atmosphere for your outdoor living. Set up a consultation at the Garden Gates today!

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Kings Cake Pin

One of the funnest items celebrating Mardi Gras that we have here at The Garden Gates is the King Cake Pin by India Stewart Designs. Sure to be noticed  this detailed pin has green and purple along with the gold for an exciting Mardi Gras display. Perfect to wear to parties, parades, out to dinner.

Rebirth Silk Tie by India Stewart

The Rebirth Silk Tie by India Stewart features a phoenix Fleur de Lis design on it. The Fleur de Lis is a symbol of New Orleans, so it becomes a de facto symbol for Mardi Gras. 58 inches long and 100% silk, this tie is perfect for any man going to a a parade or party but doesn’t want to get into a costume. Stylish and elegant, they can be found at The Garden Gates. Also available in yellow and blue.

Flambeaux Torch Pin by India Stewart

Carried to light the way of night time parades, the flambeaux torch is a beautiful symbol of Mardi Gras. Be a keeper of the flame and wear it proudly!

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They had no idea the 1st clue ” 9 letters” would lead them to an  ” Apple iPad” as a gift for a job well done.  So we went round and round for about and hour with some really funny ones.  Vacations, Strip Club( Jesse- mind in the gutter) , Steve Jobs( Emily-you win) Pinterst( we’re obsessed)

Beth and I passed out neatly wrapped gifts and I said, ” In my spare time, I wrote a book and signed the 1st copies for each one of you”  Of course  they opened their presents and as you can see….they were very happy that it was an iPad and not a book written by me.( but when I do write that book…they will be able to read it on their iPad)

We have they best staff, the best customers, the best vendor partners and I get to share all this with my best friend( my crazy wife- Diabla Blanca as Jesse like to call her)

Today- I had a great time watching people I truly cherish be so surprised….Thanks for Making The Garden Gates Great….

Remember to Be Merry- Be Happy and Give more than you take…

Beth and Chad

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Get your own Flying Pig Garden Statue here. Check out other cool animal garden statues here!

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