Living in Louisiana my whole life has led me to appreciate the importance of Mardi Gras. While a few other states may celebrate Mardi Gras as well, no one celebrates it quite like Louisiana. Since New Orleans is the center of it all; Louisiana takes Mardi Gras very seriously. If you're from Louisiana, you appreciate the months of January and February for their endless celebrations of Mardi Gras, and if you are from New Orleans the celebration lasts all month. Here are a few signs that the glorious Mardi Gras season is upon us.

1. You can get a king cake anywhere.

These delicious cakes covered in icing and sugar can be found anywhere during Mardi Gras season and come in various flavors. Need a king cake? That's okay, check your local Walmart because they're bound to have one.

2. Houses are covered in purple, gold and green.

Take down the Christmas decorations, and put up the Mardi Gras decor! It's the time to let your Mardi Gras flags fly high and show off your new purple, gold and green wreaths that you made!

3. You can never have enough beads.

If you don't leave Mardi Gras with your neck fully wrapped in beads that reaches up to your chin, did you even go? For the next couple of days, don't be surprised when you find beads everywhere you turn.

4. Everyone starts to bring out their purple, gold and green shirts.

Chances that you won't be matching someone else in the exact same Mardi Gras shirt are very slim. Everyone's rocking their purple, gold, and green so that's all that matters.

5. Zydeco music is on full blast.

You've learned to love the sounds of an accordion and a washboard. Mardi Gras just isn't the same without it's sweet sounds.

6. Crawfish season is back.

Ah crawfish, everyone in Louisiana looks forward to crawfish season. When you see the crawfish restaurants opening back up, you know that it's Mardi Gras season. Mardi Gras is not complete without a good ole crawfish boil.

7. We sure do love parades.

Mardi Gras is not Mardi Gras without the week (sometimes month) long parades. There are so many decked floats with crazy themes and the people on the floats toss beads, cups, t-shirts, etc. Be careful because when one of these hits you in the head, it hurts. Overall, the parades are the most exciting. The costumes, music, floats, and performances make the Mardi Gras parade.

So get ready because Mardi Gras is approaching! Break out the purple, green and gold, buy a king cake, and go eat pounds of crawfish as you listen to a live (zydeco) band. If you've never experienced this wonderful season, it is a must. Mardi Gras in Louisiana is like no other. See y'all at the parades!