August 2011 Keep-It-Together Checklist

Tired of the color on your walls? Feeling like your home could use a fresh update? Painting a whole room can be expensive and time-consuming, but adding a hint of color to smaller objects can be just the change you need. Paint pieces of furniture, inexpensive mirrors, interior doors, crown molding, stair risers, or an interior window for an easy, high-impact pop of color.

Don’t save your fine stuff for the holidays. Unpack your silver because these practical, everyday ideas will spruce up your décor.

Learn to spot (and score!) the best finds at your local market.

Your go-to kitchen appliance can do surprising things like wash potatoes, clean your favorite flip-flops, and more.

Those inevitable tasks that include emptying the vacuum, clearing dead bugs from overhead fixtures, decrumbing the toaster, and cleaning ceiling fans are among the most unpleasant things to add to anyone’s to-do list. Have faith: With these smart, quick tips it’s easy to tackle even the grimiest household jobs like scouring the trash can, cleaning vents, dusting under the refrigerator, and scrubbing shower tiles.

Whether it’s a loose tile or your son’s missing puzzle piece, finding fill-ins for those disappearing household items is easier than you think.

Bathing suit season may be coming to an end, but it’s the best time of year to score big savings for next year. Hello, Summer 2012!

Making simple changes like using a hose (rather than a sprinkler) to water the lawn can save thousands of gallons of water each year.

Learning to care for all different kinds of fabric can be dizzying, but washing your clothes the right way will keep them in tip-top shape. Master the basics such as cotton, synthetics, and wool before graduating to some of the more delicate fabrics like silk, rayon, and linen.

Follow these simple strategies to keep pests away.

Take advantage of the season and enjoy fresh produce well into the fall.

Tips for making sure wedding season doesn’t break your budget.

There’s no need to call a handyman when your cutting board has passed its prime, your windows won’t budge, or the wallpaper is peeling from all corners. With minimal effort and these simple tips, you can tackle your own repairs in a matter of minutes. Pancaked cushions will be fluffed, dirty decanters magically cleaned, and worn caning restored.

Going vegetarian just once per week not only saves you money, it’s also healthier for both you and the environment.

Streamline your beauty regime by skipping unnecessary steps.

Create a comfy, warm living space with candlelight.

While your four-legged friend may be an honorary family member, sometimes his behavior is less than stellar. Does your cat toss food all over the newly cleaned kitchen floor? Does your dog bark at the chime of the doorbell? Learn how to correct the behavior with some of these easy-to-follow tips and tricks. Before you know it, you'll find out just how simple it will be to sleep without ever hearing the hamster’s wheel in the background ever again.

From your medicine cabinet to your tool kit, find out which essentials you should keep and which you should toss.

When you splurge on beauty treatments you expect them to last. Follow these simple tips to keep your spa treatment looking fresh.

Send your kids back to school with an easy, but creative upgrade to the basic sandwich.