As the weather warms up, use one of these smart buys to bestow sun-kissed beauty-sans the harmful rays.
See more from CountryLiving.com:
How to Get Younger Looking Eyes »
The Best Beauty Balm Skin Perfectors »
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Think of this as your ultimate cleaning checklist: Easy ways to get your kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living room, laundry room, and patio in tip-top shape for spring.
Kitchen
1. De-Smudge Windows
A simple mixture of two parts water to one part white distilled vinegar is all you need for a streak-free finish on windows and glass surfaces. Wipe the inside of windows from side to side, and the outside of windows from top to bottom.
2. Clean Around and Inside Appliances
Sanitize your dishwasher by placing a shallow dish of vinegar on the top rack of your dishwasher and run it (empty) on a long sanitation cycle to kill fungi.
3. Create a Natural Air Freshener
Whip up a room deodorizer on the stovetop by simmering orange rinds or lemon slices and rosemary in a pot of water. The scent will freshen your space.
Plus: How to keep white carpeting bright and clean »
Bathroom
4. Clean Your Counter
Organizer MaryJo Monroe of Respaced says those little bottles of lotions and potions are
Flip through these entertaining ideas for Easter that your friends and family are sure to enjoy.
See more from CountryLiving.com:
47 Delicious Easter Dinner Recipes »
21 Easy Easter Cakes and Desserts »
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Nursery owner Flora Grubb shares the 10 most common mistakes made while shopping at the nursery and how to avoid them.
MISTAKE #1: Shopping for just flowers, not foliage
SOLUTION: "I often tell my customers that every flowering plant is beautiful at its prime - full of lush, abundant blooms," says Flora. "But then I'll ask, 'How does it look for the rest of the year?'" Before you buy, consider the plant's leaves and structure. Include specimens with spectacular foliage, like the annual coleus, the shrub cotinus, or decorative grasses to help keep beds interesting when flowers are not at peak.
Plus: 16 Free Garden Plans You'll Love »
MISTAKE #2: Buying insufficient amounts of a single variety.
SOLUTION: "Taking home only one or two pots of a particular specimen is a surefire way to make your garden look hodgepodge," says Flora. Depending on the size of the pot and the type of plant, she suggests buying at least three containers (though six or more of a species is
Face creams get all the glory, but these anti-aging body products go to work on everything else.
See more from CountryLiving.com:
How to Get Younger Looking Eyes »
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Celebrate Easter with these recipes and decorating ideas for festive cakes, fruity desserts, and other yummy treats.
See more from CountryLiving.com:
13 Ways to Host a Great Easter Get-Together »
Recipes to Make With What's In Your Pantry »
10 Easter Egg Decorating Ideas »
49 Kid-Friendly Family Recipes »
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We stocked this armoire with organizational strategies that recast bed-and-bath basics as a decadent experience-for you or a guest.
See more from CountryLiving.com:
Our Ultimate Guide to Kitchen Decorating »
9 Easy Ways to Refresh Your Country Kitchen »
10 Ways to Design a Colorful Bedroom »
70+ Living Room Design Ideas You'll Love »
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Our traditional Easter breads, flavorful sides and main dishes, and an array of sweet treats will help to make your Easter celebration truly special.
See more from CountryLiving.com:
13 Ways to Host a Great Easter Get-Together »
Recipes to Make With What's In Your Pantry »
10 Easter Egg Decorating Ideas »
49 Kid-Friendly Family Recipes »
Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
A carrier pigeon, clad in a vintage-postcard print-could there be a wittier way to convey your dinner party's pecking order? We fell for the concept upon spying it in Clare Youngs's Book Art (Cico, $21.95). Then we simplified the process for you
carrier pigeon placecard1. Print our placecard art onto 8 1/2''W x 11''L card stock, cut out, and fold in half as directed.
2. To equip each pigeon with a message, write guest's name on a 5/16''W x 6''L strip of paper and curl the ends by wrapping them around a pencil.
3. Then loop the string around the bird's front leg before perching him atop a plate.
4. Let your guests take them home afterwards for a sweet party favor!
See more from CountryLiving.com:
Cheerful and Fun Craft Projects for Spring »
13 Ways to Host a Great Easter Get-Together »
Delicious Easter Cakes and Desserts »
27 Easy Easter Crafts »
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Go beyond food coloring! Try these beautiful and clever ways to decorate with and dress up Easter eggs.
See more from CountryLiving.com:
13 Ways to Host a Great Easter Get-Together »
21 Easy Easter Cakes and Desserts »
37 Cheerful and Fun Craft Projects for Spring »
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