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February 2012 Keep-It-Together Checklist

Notepad with a pencil

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  • Add color to your home. Equipped with a can of paint (and a few other supplies), it’s easy to brighten your space in just a few short hours. Try a bold color on both unfinished and finished wood furniture or even your glass coffee table. For a smaller project, use colorful paint to reinvent a ceramic lamp, a wooden mirror frame, or even throw pillows. The possibilities are endless!

    Related: Easy Paint Makeovers

  • Organize a dinner swap. Have a few friends and neighbors each prepare one of these big-batch meals and swap, that way can enjoy a variety of delicious meals without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Related: Organize a Dinner Swap

  • Get crafty. Enlist the kids help to make festive Valentine’s Day decorations.

    Related: Heart Garland

  • Keep your tables in top shape. Protect the tables in your home from unsightly rings with these one-of-a-kind coasters.

    Related: 9 Cool Drink Coasters

  • Fix dinner faster. Use this guide to arm yourself with an arsenal of tricks in the kitchen. Make breadcrumbs and freeze leftover tomato paste to so your leftovers from a recipe don’t go to waste. Or, learn the fastest ways to core an apple and seed a pomegranate to get lunches and snacks ready more quickly.

    Related: Kitchen Tricks and Tips From Our Expert Cooks

  • Make last-minute Valentine’s Day Gifts. It’s not too late to show your sweetheart some love. These creative, no-fuss DIY projects make perfect last-minute gifts.

    Related: Romantic Valentine’s Day Shortcuts

  • Get ready for tax season. It’s that time of year again. Download these handy apps to get a head start on this year’s taxes.

    Related: 5 Useful Tax-Season Apps

  • Give yourself a break. Work one (or all) of these simple relaxation strategies into your day to keep stress levels low.

    Related: Relax in An Instant

  • Make your home happier. Did you know certain colors affect the way you feel? If you’re in need of a quick pick-me-up after a long winter, or simply looking for a change, a new paint color in your home might be the perfect solution. These warm neutrals, greens, and blues will not only look great on your walls, but they’ll make you feel better, too. Now, that’s a win-win situation.

    Related: Paint Colors That Boost Your Mood

  • Stock your pantry. Pick up these 11 ingredients for six nights worth of delicious, time-saving meals.

    Related: 6 Fast Freezer Meals

  • Save money on redecorating. Now’s the time to invest in that statement piece you’ve been holding out on—February is the best time to score great deals on furniture.

    Related: Your Month-to-Month Guide to Shopping Deals

  • Hydrate your skin. These products will help soothe the effects of cold, dry winter air.

    Related: Best Products for Dry Skin

  • Spend less time cooking. Last-minute dinners don’t have to come straight from a box or a can. Fresh arugula and prosciutto can do wonders to dress up a frozen pizza, and just four simple additions can transform an ordinary can of chicken noodle soup into Thai coconut soup. With more than a dozen other convenience food upgrades to choose from, preparing dinner will seem like magic.

    Related: 18 Easy Convenience-Food Upgrades

  • Pamper your nails. Keep your fingers from feeling the wrath of winter by giving them a little extra TLC. Why not paint them a nice winter shade while you’re at it?

    Related: Winter Nail Care Tips

  • Repurpose household items. These everyday items can be used in different ways to help fix common winter problems.

    Related: Wintertime New Uses for Old Things

  • Save on summer travel. It's not even March, but booking early not only gives you something to look forward to, it also cuts your costs dramtically.

    Related: Save Big on Summer Travel

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