Spring is here on the calendar and even in some gardens. Each time I run (or stroll) through Manhattan, I see more and more springtime hints and flourishes. Starting with wisps of forsythia a few weeks back and now, the bright green tips of flowering bulbs pushing up from the earth and sprouting from tree branches. It’s time to lighten up our days and our homes.

While I’m not the most girly of girls, sometimes a splash of pink or a whole roomful of the blushing hue, makes me happy. Here’s some inspiration to bring pink, green, and Spring into your home.

Celebrate Simplicity: I often grab the nearest vessel to hold flowers in my home - especially plain, colorful blossoms from the corner deli. Coffee mugs, soda glasses, and canning jars all match the simple quality and elegance of unadorned flowers. I have a small collection of vintage blue Ball jars I like to use as a contrast to my modern kitchen. But I just stumbled on these vibrant green jars at Fishs Eddy and I couldn't wait to fill them with a handful of pink tulips.

Vibrant Green Ball Jars at Fishs Eddy on Broadway.

Plant Life: If you're lucky enough to have a small plot of earth, inside or out, plant live flowers to extend your enjoyment of the early Spring blossoms. These hyacinths were hiding under plastic on a chilly early morning visit to Union Square Greenmarket, but they'd give off a fantastic hue and scent on your windowsill as the weather warms.

Get Composting: My visit to the Greenmarket started me thinking about cooking and growing edible goodies. I'm not sure I have the time for gardening this year (...someday) but we do like to cook in our home. Perhaps this is the year to start composting again. Even in Manhattan - the land of small kitchens, few yards, and many potential pests - the ease of composting has grown with the support of local organizations and government. In addition to advice and tips, composting advocates offer an increasing number of drop off sites - which has always been one of my barriers. My other barrier has been the composting bin, and how it works functionally and visually in my home. (Experts suggest storing compost in the freezer/refrigerator, but that space is extremely dear in my home). I started a small Pinterest board of a few of my countertop options. I'd welcome suggestions from others as to your composting faves and tips.

Neither pink nor green, but there's nothing wrong with red in the kitchen. Found on williams-sonoma.com

Lighten up Your Wine Glass: The warmer weather will bring crisp whites, fruity roses, and fun homemade fruit sparklers. Also at Fishs Eddy, I spotted these Italian wine glasses, perfect for Saturday afternoons.

Bring it Home: Soft pink and new growth fresh green bring a gentle vibrance to the home. Paint, accents, and furniture - thoughtfully balanced together - welcome Spring into the room, regardless of the design style. Scroll through my Houzz ideabook for a few examples.

Think Pink (and Green) - Welcome Spring Home

Happy Spring!