Spring cleaning! This is my favorite time to clean out my bookshelves, which, over the winter, seems to have collected both dust and clutter. It’s also the best time for me to do a bit of redecorating. After all, having a clean, stylish bookshelf is more appealing, plus reading becomes more enticing if all the books and magazines are organized.

Bookshelf redecorating doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive—you only need to change up your style a bit for a more attractive bookshelf.

Use boxes/jars/collections to break up the steady array of books.

Don’t jam everything back into your bookshelf right after dusting! The quickest way to spice up your bookshelf is to add visual appeal by breaking up the horizontal wall of books. Grab your craft box and place it in the middle of one shelf and then put the books back in. You can also use a clock, jar, or your collection of trinkets for this project. Vases or framed photos of you and your family also work well for your shelves.

Aside from giving your shelves a visual break, inserting objects between your books adds charm to the bookcase while keeping a cozy appearance. This tip also infuses decorative flair into your rooms that you can match with your interior design.

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Create a designer table setting with just a few styling tips used by designers and domestic divas everywhere. And since spring is all about freshness and sunshine, you can be sure that these tips are not only quick and convenient, but also budget-friendly.

Go crazy with bright patterns for spring.

If you have simple white plates and plain silverware, do not despair. You can create a fabulous table setting by accenting these basic pieces with bold patterns.

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This spring, there are a lot of vegetables that you can add to your kids’ diet without making them run the other direction. These veggies not only provide ample nutrition for your family, but are also in season, which makes them both affordable and delicious.

Budget-friendly? Check. Nutritious? Definitely. But the question remains: will my kids eat vegetables?

Our children’s main concern regarding food is taste, not health. If it tastes good or sweet or meaty, then they want it. But if it tastes funny or too leafy, they reject it. Hence, the secret to making kids eat vegetables is to make them taste good.

Spinach

Photo from EverJean via flickr, CC BY 2.0

Aside from being Popeye’s favorite strength booster, spinach is also rich in calcium, vitamin A, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids, among other nutrients. This in-season vegetable has a subtle taste, much like lettuce.

So, how do you make your kids like spinach? Hide it in lasagna!

This delicious recipe from MyRecipes.com uses spinach as filling for its Last Minute Lasagna. This dish makes use of parmesan and mozzarella to even the taste of the spinach, resulting to a scrumptious pasta dish that the entire family loves. It takes about an hour to make, which makes this recipe an amazing go-to meal that’s still special even when you’re running late.

Tip: To make this dish more likeable by your kids, add ground beef to your filling.

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Create an amazing Easter atmosphere for your home by making your own Easter decorations using your old Christmas wreaths.

Repurposing your old wreaths saves you money and gives you a new decoration for your home. Here are three quick and easy decorations to help you save time, especially during this busy holiday. Before you get started, though, make sure that the wreath you’ll be using can be altered.

Easter Wreath

Photo from apium via flickr, CC BY 2.0

Decorating your wreath for Easter is easy and takes about an hour or so. All you need are plastic eggs in pastel colors, hot glue, and colorful ribbons.

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Some flowers not only are decorative but can also be used in your dishes. With springtime giving us a variety of blossoms, you can bring an additional pizzazz to your everyday meals with these simple, flower-infused dishes and drinks.

Hibiscus and Jasmine

(l-r)Photo from Kanko and joebaz via flickr, CC BY 2.0

Hibiscus and jasmine are only two of the many flowers used for tea, but they are among the most delicious.

The flower of the hibiscus plant is commonly used for tea and tastes heavenly. With its interesting crimson color, it looks fantastic when you dine outside. Hibiscus tea has a sharp, zesty taste and can be served either hot or cold.

The jasmine flower is mostly used to scent green or black tea. The dried flower is mixed with the tea base which absorbs its scent. This kind of drink has a subtle sweet taste and is my personal favorite for afternoon tea.

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