When you begin to tackle your springtime and Easter decorating, an excellent place to start is with your mantel! But before you spring for those store-bought decorations, why not tap into your creative side and embellish this piece of your home with a few personalized pieces you already have lying around? If you're not sure how to start, I've got a roundup of easy-to-mimic mantels that are sure to inspire. Click through for 7 simple ways to brighten up your mantel for spring! - By Jacinda Boneau

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Dishwashing do's and don'ts

These Dos and Don'ts will help you to become a dishwashing pro.

Adding Detergent
DO use only the recommended amount of detergent -- too much can leave behind a residue, and too little can result in dirty dishes.

Filling It Up
DO run only full loads. If the dishwasher is partially full, use the Rinse-Hold cycle to remove odor-causing foods. This is more economical than rinsing dishes by hand, which can waste up to 20 extra gallons of water per load or 6,500 gallons per household each year.

Rinsing
DO use a rinse aid. They lower the surface tension of the rinse water so droplets don't form. Particularly helpful if you have hard water, they also help dishes dry faster, which can be helpful when using the Energy-Saving Dry cycle or air-drying dishes.

Drying
DO dry dishes on the lowest temperature setting. Hotter temperatures can leave spots on glassware.

Related: 10 Ways to Save Energy at Home

Not Dishwasher Safe
DON'T put the following into a dishwasher: acrylic, adhesive-joinedRead More »from Dishwasher Dos and Don'ts

Lately I've been seeing embroidery hoops aplenty, popping up just about everywhere as colorful and inspired decor. I'm sure you have, too. From mobiles to wreaths to colorful wall art, the ideas are seemingly countless, and most of them are inexpensive and pretty easy for beginning crafters to tackle. Bonus! So with embroidery hoops on the brain, I went in search of some inspired crafts to add a little punch of fun to your home or your next party. Click through for 7 clever ways to use embroidery hoops in your home! - By Cyd Converse

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Lively and lush wallpaper designs! Breathe new life into a room with one of these ever-fresh takes on the classic motif.

See more from HouseBeautiful.com:

The Biggest Decorating Mistakes

Designer Tricks for a More Comfortable Home

Amazing Designer Kitchens

Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.

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Getting organized is as easy as following these ABC's (and D's) By Woman's Day Staff

What to Put Where
The key to a tidy home isn't putting stuff away-it's storing your belongings in the right places. Whether you use an item every day or once a month, clutter can be cut down just by knowing what you're most likely to use when. Keep reading to discover the time- and money-saving benefits pf dividing your stuff into categories A, B, C and D. Photo by Getty Images

A Items
You use these at least once a day, like your toothbrush. "So you want to have them in 'A spaces'-out on the counter, right there by the sink," Lorie Marrero, creator of the Clutter Diet, explains. An everyday watch, say, would go in a dish atop the dresser; your underwear should be in a top dresser drawer.

Related: Try these 8 ingenious cooking gadgets.

B Items
They're still used a lot, but more like weekly (a mixing bowl, your workout clothes). "They should be inside cabinets, rather than on the counter, and higher up or lower down in shelves and drawers than A items."

Related:

Read More »from The Best Places to Store Every Little Thing

Aries (March 21 - April 19) Though the sun is shining and everyone around you is happy, you may be feeling a bit blue this week. Cook yourself some comfort foods and indulge in whatever your heart desires. Remind yourself to close your eyes and envision the brightness of the future. Today's Aries Reading: Free Sample Past Life Reading

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) In the way that a baby is often drawn to shapes or colors, your mind will work on a fundamental level today. You may not be able to stop thinking about the hue of the curtains or how lovely the bread was with breakfast today. Think small and find peace in the simple things. Today's Taurus Reading: Free Sample Karma Reading

Gemini (May 21 - June 21) No matter how much you want to enjoy the meal your housemate cooked for dinner, you keep pushing the brown rice from one side of the

Read More »from Astrology.Com Daily Home & Garden Horoscopes -- Wednesday March 20, 2013

Cleaning the bath tubSpring is your chance to turn a grimy home into a spotless oasis. But it isn't easy, especially if you do things that actually make your home dirtier in the process. To help take the headache out of Spring Cleaning, we asked the experts for tips on how to sidestep common slip-ups.

Mistake #1: Not Getting Organized
Write down a game plan to help you prioritize and stay on task. "Start with your least favorite rooms, like the kitchen and bathrooms, which typically take the most work," says Meg Roberts, president of Molly Maid, a national residential cleaning service. Then, gather your supplies in a bucket and carry them with you from room to room so you don't waste time running back to the cleaning closet.

Mistake #2: Going At It Alone
Doing the brunt of the work by yourself can lead to a long day and sore muscles. Delegate simple tasks, such as dusting, shaking out rugs, and clearing clutter to children. (For a printable kid chore chart, visit

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On a spring-cleaning kick? Make your kitchen so spic and span you could eat off the floors.