Bug season has returned, and from the picnic blanket to the dinner table these little critters pop up to bite and annoy us human beings. No matter how “natural” you consider your lifestyle to be, you probably don’t want bugs crawling through your house and over your skin. Although the best natural bug repellent is prevention (keeping your house clean with all food sources sealed away), even the tidiest among us can get attacked by buzzing, biting insects.

We like oranges in my house and that means lots of orange peel waste, but adding too much citrus to the compost pile can be tricky and I don’t feel right throwing them in the trash. I do use the garbage disposal sometimes, but I like to try and use the peels around the house as much as I can--they can be surprisingly versatile. There really are an astonishing number of uses for orange peels in the home, so, the next time you eat another piece of that citrusy goodness, consider trying out these great ways to use those peels.

Furniture polish can be incredibly helpful in not only removing dust, but in also giving your home a fresh and sparkly look (crucial for when the in-laws visit, right?). But those store-bought brands (rhymes with "Ledge") can exacerbate allergies and cause even worse health issues. No, don't fret. Just make your own furniture polish. It's easy, effective and safe.

Decorating with fresh cut flowers is one of the easiest ways to brighten your spirits and add beauty and fragrance to your home. Flowers have the power to transform any space from blah to wow, whether decorating for everyday or for those special occasions. With a little creativity, a little work and some research, you can make your home into flowering paradise.

Just when you thought your kitchen was clean…it probably isn’t. At least according to a new study of everyday kitchen appliances and tools. The results of the study, which scoped out the areas where germs hide in kitchens, will make you want to scrub your kitchen again and again. And again. Considering that 21 percent of foodborne illness outbreaks are caused by food consumed in private homes, the results of this study are particularly creepy. Find out what the study uncovered as the nine germiest spots in our kitchens.

Could someone you don't know walk into your home and get a feel for who you are? If you answered no, it's time to bring that awesome personality of yours into your home décor. You aren't a cookie-cutter person, so your home shouldn't have cookie-cutter decor either. Here are three questions you can ask yourself to help you get there.

We all know (and live by) the slogan “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” I certainly do my best to implement it into my life as much as possible. But the reuse imperative sometimes gives me a little trouble, even though I know full well that reusing trumps recycling in its positive impact on the environment: there are fewer consumer goods produced, which reduces pollution and the depletion of fossil fuels and other natural resources.

They come in different shapes, sizes, patterns, textures, and colors. They have so much power, yet, they're often underappreciated. What am I talking about? Throw pillows. Yes, throw pillows have power. Here are three home decor design tips on how to bring the power of throw pillows into your home.

It’s the time of year for spring cleaning! Before you get scrubbing, washing and dusting, make sure the products you use to clean your home are actually cleaning it—not dirtying it up with chemicals and toxins. Too many store-bought cleaning products today contain ingredients that are harmful to you and to the environment. Here’s a roundup of the cleaning products to watch out for and the ones to keep on hand. Happy cleaning!

You can ignore Christmas, you can skip Halloween and you can sit out New Year’s Eve – but you can never forget Mother’s Day. Sure, your mom would be happy with a big bouquet of flowers, a fancy dinner or a box of organic chocolate truffles, but why not get creative and give her something that will truly make her smile from the bottom of her heart? Spend some time and effort to present a Mother’s Day gift that is guaranteed to make mom smile.