5 Tricks to Make Spring Cleaning Fun

Courtesy of Kayla Kitts
Photography by Zing Images/Getty Images

Hi Friends,

Yes, you read that right. We've got tips to get the whole family motivated to join in on the seasonal cleaning spree.

Did you know that 54 percent of Americans are completely and utterly overwhelmed by the amount of clutter in their lives? I totally believe it. That's why we're so enamored by Pinterest-inspired cleaning hacks and new ways to make this daunting task seem more...well, not so daunting. And if you've ever had to wrangle your S.O. or family into seasonal cleaning then you know how much of a firestorm that can be.

The experts over at VarageSale, the virtual garage sale for your phone, have shared some tips on how to motivate your family to join your spring cleaning decluttering mission this year (without using food as bribery). Take a look!

Turn Clutter Into a Vacay Fund

Promise the family a fun trip funded only by the money made from selling your items online. The extravagance of their trip will be determined by how much they sell.

Show the Kids What Their Clutter is Worth

Ask your children to pick five to 10 toys in their room or play area that they’ve outgrown to sell. Once sold, show them the money they’ve made, and divide the loot into streams of spending and saving.

Do a Decluttering Scavenger Hunt

Give each family member a mission to find items in their room within a list of categories (i.e. one pair of shoes, two shirts, three books, etc). The family member to finish first is the winner.

Let's Make a Deal: Clutter-Free Edition

If you buy your child something new, s/he has to find two to five items to part with in exchange. They might start with smaller items, like an old coloring book or just one toy car, and that’s okay. Once the game is established, push them to part with bigger items.

Take the Cake

Start a friendly competition between family members (you can make teams for the little ones) where all sales from their sales go into a communal pot. Whichever team sells the most takes the pot for that contest! Winners get to choose a fun family activity using money from the pot, like going to the movies or getting dinner at their favorite restaurant. The pot starts over the next day or the next time you want to tackle more spring cleaning so kids stay motivated to win.

Dance the Clutter Away

Be realistic and make time for a dance party. Removing the dust and cobwebs of winter can be an overwhelming task. Tackle the job in digestible blocks of time by creating a playlist of four to five of your favorite high-energy songs. Add a sixth song at the end that will inspire you to enjoy a mini dance party break. (Taylor Swift, FTW!)

Let's have fun...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

7 Spring-Cleaning Tips

Courtesy of HGTV

Hi Friends,

If spring is in the air, don't let a musty house spoil it. Here are seven tips for giving the season the welcome it deserves.

1. The best refrigerator cleaner is a combination of salt and soda water. The bubbling action of the soda water combines with the abrasive texture of the salt to make a great cleaner.
2. The best way to get rid of lime buildup around the faucet it is to lay paper towels over the fixture, soak it with vinegar and let it set for an hour. The deposits will soften and become easier to remove.
3. Clean screens with a scrap of carpeting. It makes a powerful brush that removes all the dirt.
4. Clean windows with a rag and soapy water, and then dry them with another rag. You can also go to an auto-parts store and buy a windshield squeegee, which cleans very well.
5. If drapes are looking drab, take them out of the window, remove the hooks and run them through the air-fluff cycle in the dryer along with a wet towel (to draw off the dust) for 15 minutes. Hang them back in the windows immediately.
6. Clean the blades of a ceiling fan by covering them with a coat of furniture polish. Wipe off the excess and lightly buff.
7. Sometimes comforters, blankets and pillows don't need to be cleaned, but they do need to be aired out after a long winter in your closed-up home. Take them outside and hang them on a clothesline for a day.

Simple ways to make the yearly chore less of a chore...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Happy President's Day!

Hi Friends,

We wanted to share this poem about our leaders who put pride in Red, White & Blue.

Our Presidents

by Winifred Sackville Stoner, Jr.

George Washington, Adams and Jefferson three
First rulers of Uncle Sam's land of the free:
Then Madison, Monroe and Adams again
All clever and upright and good honest men;
The Jackson, Van Buren and Harrison first,
Tyler and Polk whose terms were so curst
By war with the Mexicans who lost in the fray -
Then Taylor and Fillmore and Pierce held their sway.
Buchanan and Lincoln, Johnson and Grant,
Then Hayes, martyred Garfield, despiser of cant,
Arthur and Cleveland, Harrison (Ben)
McKinley the martyr, beloved by all men;
Then most energetic and strenuous Teddy
And plump William Taft for a second term ready
When Wilson was placed in this nation's great chair
And promised to always rule wisely and fair.

Happy President's Day from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hi Friends,

May you enjoy the day with the person closest to your heart...

Happy Valentine's Day from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

5 Last-Minute Valentine's Day Decorating Ideas

Courtesy of Kim Stoegbauer

Happy Valentine's Friends,

Decorate for Valentine's Day with easy-to-create paper crafts that can be whipped up in minutes. Our featured Easy Doily Garland is one of my favorites. To create a doily garland, fold six-inch doilies in half and use double-sided table to attach a thin ribbon in the crease of each doily. Use a paper punch or hand cut small hearts; attach to the center of each doily with double-sided tape.

Sweet Cupcake Toppers


Dress up simple cupcake with easy-to-make cupcake toppers. To create cupcake flags, cut a strip of patterned scrapbook paper one inch by 5-1/2 inches, and fold in half. Place a piece of double-sided tape the entire length of the backside. Place a four-inch lollipop stick in the crease, and fold over the paper. Trim the end to form a flag shape. Use a paper punch or hand cut a small heart; attach the heart to the flag with a foam dot to add dimension.

Conversation Cupcakes


A new take on a classic. Instead of candy hearts this Valentine's Day, create your own conversation cupcakes with our adorable labels. Click here for the printables.

Pretty Paper Garland


Create garlands made from colorful scrapbook paper to decorate your home for Valentine's Day. Paper garlands are an easy-to-create and versatile decoration. Hang on the walls, down the stairway banister or across the front of a table. All you need: scrapbook paper, ribbon and double-sided tape. Get the how-to here.

Materials Needed:

• scrapbook paper
• thin ribbon
• scallop circle paper punch
• double-sided tape

Punch Out Circles
Use a 2-1/2-inch or three-inch scallop circle paper punch to create six flat circles per rosette. Fold each circle in half. Use double-sided tape to attach the backsides of two of the folded circles.



Attach Ribbon
Continue attaching the folded circles, alternating paper patterns. Before attaching the last circle, place thin ribbon through the center of the rosette and then attach the final circle. Repeat until desired length of garland is reached.



Love Letters


Spell out L-O-V-E or any word using inexpensive chipboard or wood letters covered in decorative paper. Use finished letters to create a banner or mantel display. Get the how-to here.

Materials Needed:

• chipboard letters
• scrapbook paper
• nail file
• ink stamp
• foam brush
• mod podge

Attach Paper to Chipboard
Trace the chipboard letter on the backside of the patterned paper, and cut out paper with scissors or craft knife. Use a foam brush to apply mod podge to the paper letter and adhere it to the chipboard letter. Allow to dry. Use emery board to smooth edges and remove any excess paper from letter.



Antique the Edges
Stamp a small ink pad around the edges to give the letters a worn look. Use ribbon to hang letters as a banner or use as a display on a mantel or table.



Perfect for our busy schedules...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Make a Valentine's Day Bird Feeder

Courtesy of Melissa Caughey

Happy Valentine's Friends,

Use pinecones, seeds and peanut butter to make a tasty valentine for your backyard birds. Learn how to make a tasty treat to spoil your winter visitors.

Gather Your Supplies

You will need: pinecones/floral wire/wire clippers/protected surface/peanut butter or sunflower butter (for those with peanut allergies)/birdseed/raisins/plates/spoon/ribbon

Wire it Up

Cut approximately 5 feet of floral wire. Fold it in half and wire the pinecone in the middle to the center of the folded wire.

Taking Shape

Continue wiring the pinecones together into the shape of your choice. Here, a heart is forming, but a circle would be just as lovely.

Extra Support

Wire the last and the first pinecones together and trim off any excess wire. Add extra wire for extra support if necessary to maintain your shape.

Peanut Butter and Seeds

Add about a cup of peanut butter to one plate and the seeds and raisins to another. Using the back of a spoon or your fingers (like me), spread the peanut butter into the nooks and crannies of all the pinecones. Then add the seeds to the peanut butter.

Freeze It

Place the heart on a dinner plate and place it in the freezer to harden up for about 30 minutes.

Add a Ribbon

Tie a ribbon to the heart and hang it outside your window.

Feed the Birds

Enjoy your backyard visitors. Here, a black-capped chickadee is caught with a seed in mid-air.

Sideways

You can also hang the heart sideways. This Carolina wren doesn't care one bit!

Have fun making this for our little friends...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Ice Cube Tray Peppermint Marshmallow Chocolates

Courtesy of Sam Henderson

Happy Valentine's Friends,

We always have leftover peppermints from the Holidays so why not put them to good use for Valentine's. Not to worry, unopened peppermints can last 2-3 years so a couple months shouldn't be a problem. Let's get started >>

Directions:
Fill ice cube trays with melted milk chocolate. Pour the excess back into bowl of melted chocolate. Fill the cavities 3/4 with marshmallow fluff using a piping bag. Add melted chocolate on top of the marshmallow fluff and shake the tray gently to release air bubbles. Freeze for 1 hour. Release the chocolate by tapping gently on counter after allowing to thaw at room temperature for 5-10 minutes. Dip the tops in melted semi-sweet chocolate and top with crushed peppermints.

A good way to recycle those peppermints...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Ice Cube Tray Coconut Crispy Chocolates

Courtesy of Sam Henderson

Happy Valentine's Friends,

Coconut lovers cannot wait to get there hands on these tasty little morsels and we're going to share the simple steps to make your very own.

Directions:
Melt two cups of semi-sweet chocolate. Add 1 cup of shredded coconut, 1/2 cup of rice cereal, and 1 teaspoon coconut extract. Stir to combine and press into ice cube trays. Smooth the top and freeze or one hour.

If you are not a coconut lover, these may change your mind...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Ice Cube Tray Orange Buttercream Chocolates

Courtesy of Sam Henderson

Happy Valentine's Friends,

The days of biting into a chocolate and wishing you hadn’t are over. These orange buttercream-filled dark chocolates are a far cry from the boxed versions. They are smooth and full of orange flavor. Dark chocolate and orange make a perfect pair. These simple chocolates are better than any boxed version and can be made easily in ice cube trays. Get the recipe here >>

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• zest of one large orange
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/2 teaspoon orange extract
• 2 cups dark chocolate

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add orange zest and cook for two minutes. Add cream and cook just until cream bubbles. Pour hot mixture over white chocolate chips in a heat proof bowl. Add orange extract and whisk until smooth. Refrigerate for at least one hour.



Fill ice cube trays with melted dark chocolate. Pour the excess back into bowl of melted chocolate. Place the tray in the freezer for at least 15 minutes.



Roll pieces of the orange filling (about a teaspoon depending on the ice cube tray) between your palms to make a ball. Place a filling in each of the cavities. The filling should only fill about 3/4 of the cavity.



Pour melted chocolate over the filling to fill each of the cavities. Shake the tray gently to release air bubbles. Scrap the top of the tray with a bench scraper or rubber spatula. Freeze for at least one hour. Release the chocolates by tapping gently on the counter after allowing the chocolates to thaw for 5-10 minutes at room temperature.

You cannot get enough of these buttercream treats...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Ice Cube Tray Dried Citrus Chocolates

Courtesy of Sam Henderson

Happy Valentine's Friends,

Feeling guilty about treating yourself to chocolate; feel a little better with these so easy ice cube tray Dried Citrus Chocolates.

Directions:
Fill the bottom of ice cube trays with dried citrus peel. Melt dark chocolate to fill the remainder of the cavities. Freeze for one hour before releasing from ice cube trays.

Your fruit for the day...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Ice Cube Tray Pumpkin Spice Peanut Butter Chocolates

Courtesy of Sam Henderson

Happy Valentine's Friends,

If you are a chocolate and peanut butter lover, this is the Valentine treat for you.

Directions:
Fill ice cube trays with melted white chocolate. Pour the excess back into the bowl of melted chocolate. Pipe a layer of pumpkin spice peanut butter. Top with melted white chocolate to fill 3/4 of each cavity. Freeze for one hour before releasing. Trim away excess on bottoms of chocolates with a paring knife. Drizzle the tops with melted semi-sweet chocolate to finish.

TIP: If you cannot find pumpkin spice peanut butter make your own with 1 tablespoon of pumpkin spice per cup of smooth peanut butter.

Yum!

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design.

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Ice Cube Tray Maple Buttercream Chocolates

Courtesy of Sam Henderson

Happy Valentine's Friends,

Valentine and chocolates go together. Making your own is easier than you might think. These maple pecan buttercream-filled dark chocolates are an easy way to create a chocolate treat that is a bit more refined. The filling is smooth and creamy and super simple. Maple and pecans go together perfectly. They are even better when coated in rich, dark chocolate. Set a few aside because they won’t last long. Get the recipe here >>

How to Make Ice Cube Tray Maple Buttercream Chocolates
Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• zest of one large orange
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 cup white chocolate
• 1 tablespoon maple extract
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 2 cups dark chocolate

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add cream and cook just until cream bubbles. Pour hot mixture over white chocolate chips in a heat-proof bowl. Add maple extract and whisk until smooth. Refrigerate for at least one hour.



Fill ice cube trays with melted dark chocolate. Pour the excess back into bowl of melted chocolate. Place the tray in the freezer for at least 15 minutes.



Flatten pieces of the maple filling (about a teaspoon depending on the ice cube tray) and lay them flat on your palms. Add a few chopped pecan pieces to the center of each. Gather the sides and make a ball by rolling between your palms. Place a ball in each of the cavities. The filling should only fill about 3/4 of the cavity.



Pour melted chocolate over the filling to fill each of the cavities. Shake the tray gently to release air bubbles. Scrap the top of the tray with a bench scraper or rubber spatula. Freeze for at least one hour. Release the chocolates by tapping gently on the counter after allowing the chocolates to thaw for 5-10 minutes at room temperature. Dip and swirl the tops in slightly cooled melted chocolate for decoration.

Your friends and family will marvel at your skills...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne