Top 11 ways to Spring Into Summer 2011!

With the long, cold winter we've just had you're probably feeling that your "Get up and Go" has "Got Up and GONE"!  If that's the case then read on for some great tips for Springing into Summer this year! 

There are some fab deals to get you out and about and a cracking mix of products and services to inspire you too!

#1 - Get out and about!

How are you going to spend your weekends this year!?  We are very excited to bring you several ideas to inspire you…and one of our favourites is the fantastic Packages being offered by Leicester Promotions - our 4 U Review Panel are busy trialling their weekend breaks!  They offer several packages geared to family or just adults and combine a wicked weekend of fun with overnight stays at award winning hotels.

As nights are lighter and the days feel longer, now is the time to explore the range of activities in and around your local area and also the National Activities and Events that are taking place this year!  For instance, Grand Designs LIVE! happening next month will inspire you with hundreds of ideas for your home and garden!  And you can win tickets here!!  

Fancy something different to bring out the animal in you? Why not see Ekram Alam’s Animal Fayre coming to the UK this summer? Win tickets here!! 

Or if you fancy a Music Festival, why not put your name in the hat to win tickets for VegFestUK  - there’s a fantastic line up this year with Ms Dynamite, Aswad, Goldie Lookin Chain, Black Roots & The Selecter  - all coming to town for VegfestUK May 27th – 29th

#2 - Get kitted out!

Get the right gear for your activities and sports this year - whatever the weather!  Throw out last years worn out trainers, and greying T-shirts and buy yourself a couple of quality items to see you through 2001!

Helly Hanson have a great range of clothing for a whole range of outdoor and indoor activities - technical outdoor, training, watersport, mountaineering, running clothing, and more! 

Even if you’re just going for a run, make sure you have the correct shoes and support wear – you will minimise the wear and tear on your knees in the long run! And don’t neglect your ears either!! Get your top tunes on the iPod and try out the new Powerbeats - our 4 You Review Panel are currently reviewing these!

#3 - Get Creative!

Why not unleash your creative side this Summer!!  The hazy Summer Days are approaching along with the dreamy sunsets which means you can capture great photos or watercolours - if you're prepared!  So get your gear together and make 2011 your year to record your best work.

Or be inspired by the experts and get yourself along to the Purbeck Arts Festival which celebrates our changing light and colours through art: painting, sculpture, music, dance, film, story-telling and other forms - and see the brilliant work of hundreds of artists.

Perhaps you fancy yourself as a budding Mike Leigh, Speilberg or Tarrantino! Kirin Ichiban Short Films are giving you a chance to enter your short films to their 2011 First Cut Initiative Awards with a £5000 prize!  You can only lose - so enter your best works today and see just what could happen!

Why not explore the range of software available too for easy craftwork and take the hardwork out of processing your designs. You can find almost everything online - for instance all the craft skills, designs and templates you could ever need are included with with CraftArtist Platinum – so learn and do everything from the comfort of your own home! Our 4 You Review Panel love this software and gave it at brilliant 10 out of 10 for supporting your craft hobbies!

Or why not wander around and take in the delights of everyone else’s hard work! Go and see the range of skills on show at the Dollshouse Festival for instance, where intricate detail and craftmanship is on show with every house! Win tickets for this event here! 

#4 - Get out on the open road!

Do you fancy a road trip this year to discover the sights and wonders of the UK? If you fancy hitting the highways and byways of Britain, why not check out some of the rural attractions on the way or build them around a tour of the National Events in the UK this year!

And if you love bikes, then the whether is perfect. Or if the “idea” of bikes appeals more, then why not see California Dreamin' Expo Custom Bike show this year! You can win tickets too!

If you like cycling, why not step it up a gear and get practising for the 3 hour, 400 mile, London to Edinburgh bike ride for Orchid, the UK's male cancer charity.

No road, bike or cycle trip is complete with a Picnic!! So don’t forget to pack your lunch and maybe even stop for a YooMoo at one of the many outlets around the country – you’re sure to stumble across one!

#5 - Get in shape!

2011 could be your year to catch the fitness bug!  There are several new activities to hit the block which have taken the UK by storm!!  ZUMBA and Military style Bootcamps are extremely popular and new providers are springing up daily!  Our County websites are jam-packed with information - search your area today and sign up to get the excess wintry pounds shited PRONTO! 

Or maybe you would like to get in shape from the comfort of your own home? We do everything else online, so why not sign up for personal training, diet plans and motivational support, all from the comfort of your front room!! ikeepfit.com are currently being reviewed by our 4 You Review Panel as a home-alternative to losing weight. Our reviews will be online shortly!

Or, why not set yourself a goal to join one of the National Sporting Events occurring this year – London Marathon, BUPA Great North Run, Triathalons?? - maybe even get sponsored for a good cause and get in shape in the process!! 

#6 - Get a life!!! - Time for a New You

Take a look in the mirror, spring is a time to change and develop! What are you going to do differently? What could your new image be with just a few minor adjustments?

HOB Salons Award-winning hairdressin group HOB salons have some fantastic deals this year and our 4 You Review Panel have been busy testing out their “Treat me like a Princess” Hair package! Why not treat yourself - in time for the Royal Wedding! 

And, whilst you’re looking for a New You, don’t neglect the easiest way to transform your image – with a great new pair of glasses! The New Gok Wan range at Specsavers is out now!  Gok says: ‘My aim was to create a capsule collection of glasses that would look at home on any catwalk but that crucially, was wearable and affordable. The range will appeal to people of all ages, so long as they like stylish design.’

#7 - Get ahead!

Besides the courses you can find in your local community why not consider an online course, for instance the online Nutrition and Health Course - as we’ve negotiated a 50% discount for What’s On 4 Me fans!  Many hobbies and interests can now be supported by online courses, so get searching today and see what you could be enroled on tomorrow!

There are even one-day courses to fast-track your skills in a short-time!  With a little planning you could even combine with a weekend away for yourself (or you and your partner) with a one-day course!  Who knows, you could enrol on an interior design course with MY UNIQUE HOME, take in a show and try out a new restaurant – just to kick off your weekend in the Capital!

#8 - Get down and dirty in the Garden!

Whatever your level of enthusiasm for the garden and gardening in general there are activities to suit everyone. Unleash the designer in you with making your own bird table or sundial. Or dedicate a patch to vegetables, sunflowers or hothouse! 

Or if you don’t have much garden space, why not spruce up your exterior with a couple of hanging baskets, they don’t take up floor space but still give you the opportunity to get your hands dirty, get creative and provide some much needed colour for your garden this Summer!

And whether you have a garden or paving, you need to make sure you keep a handle on the dreaded weeds which creep up quickly and ruin your tidy patch!!  Our 4 You Review Panel is currently reviewing a number of Round-up products as Round-up have everything you need to keep those nasty weeds at bay - including their innovative "Pump n Go" with a whopping 3 minute continuous spray, as well as "Tree stump and root killer" and "Tough and Deep Root Ready", ideal for tackling nasties like Japanese Knotweed!

#9 - Get with the Season!

Spring has sprung and the UK is coming alive with Spring & Summer Fayres, Garden Shows, Flower Shows, Egg hunts, May Day Parties and Royal Wedding Events!!  Why not check our National Events for details of many of these – or get involved with your local ones!

And if you really want to bring the Royal Wedding alive for you and your family in a very non-traditional style, why not get yourself down to Willows Farm Village where the farm village is gearing up for a four day celebration of the forthcoming regal nuptials with red, white and blue bunting, wedding themed children’s show and the royally-inspired sheep race!! 

Each sheep taking part in the race is named in honour of a member of the Royal Family including; Princess Ewe-genie, Princess Baaa-trice, Lamb-illa Parker Bowles and Prince Chops!!  You can cheer on their favourite to win the 200 metre race.

And it's nearly the season for BBQ’s - so get your out for a pre-clean and test-drive! As always, make sure that the food is well cooked – why not oven prepare it beforehand to ensure your guests stay well and come again! 

And stay safe - a handy gadget to keep with the BBQ is the Flexutility Lighter from Zippo  – always a winner to keep you safe at arms-length!

#10 - Get stuffed!!!

If you’re a Food fan then there are a number of Food and Drink Festivals around the UK  – why not get yourself down to Tewkesbury for the Food and Drink Festival. You can even win tickets here too!

Or how about the Big Lunch - you could organise something local for friends and family or even your whole street!  Celebrate summer in good-old British style!

Perfect for Choc-a-holics - get yourself to a chocolate-tasting session with La Maison du Chocolat for a tasty afternoon – or order online and enjoy at home!!

If you’re in the Capital this year, for the Royal Wedding or taking in a show, why not mosey on down to tibits! Our 4 You Review Panel sampled tibits in March and gave a 5 star review of their wonderful meal with a startling twist!!  Where else do you pay for your food by it’s weight!!  Check it out!

If you're planning on entertaining this summer, perhaps a BBQ or two, then why not gear up with a SodaStream - this years must have gadget!!  No more lugging litres of fizy pop from the supermarket - just make your own as and when you need it!  You'll also be doing the environment a favour as 1 SodaStream bottle can replace 3000 bottles and cans!  Our reviewers said "Within 10 minutes of opening the box we had a litre of fizzy drink made! The Mango and Apple was certainly a winner and the Cream Soda was a dream!" - read the full review from our 4 U Review Panel

#11 - Get organised!!

It’s time for a Spring Clean! Clear out your clutter and get it down to your local car boot sale - check out your local ones here. 

And there are numerous good books on de-cluttering, but why not take a look online at the House Doctor to find useful advice to clear out your junk!  You may be up till midnight having a good ole sort out after a quick read here!

Then once your home and garden are decluttered, why not make a special purchase to enhance your new look and reward yourself? Wilkinson have superb ranges for both indoors and outdoors this summer!