Unique bookends that will take your shelf from yawn to yowza.

Do you look at the state of your bookshelf and hear a sad trombone? Yep, me too. I’ve got the books and the pictures and the souvenirs and the kitsch, yet it’s still missing that all-important wow factor: That primary focal point that ties everything together. Enter unique bookends – and the more unique, the better.

These stylishly simple accessories not only bring order to your ginormous collection of chick lit, travel guides and biographies, but they do so while showing off your personality. Want to know more about a new friend? Just check out her bookends. (Don’t be dirty.)

Here are 7 unique bookends that’ll transform any blasé bookshelf:

1. Coral bookends

These refreshing coral bookends are overscaled for dramatic effect. The natural beauty of the coral combined with the pale wood and mother-of-pearl inlay will make your shelf look stunning.

2. Pineapple bookends

These pineapple bookends are whimsical and just the right amount of kitsch. And for those of us who aren’t so good at the whole taking time off thing, they’ll remind us to book our vacations when we’re supposed to.

3. Vintage bookends

You can’t go wrong with vintage: These 1940s cast metal bookends are in the form of lit genie lamps set on top of books. Word is they were made by Dodge, Inc. in L.A., best known for making Oscars and Emmys. Le swoon.

4. Arrow bookends

Clearly inspired by vintage highway signs, these arrow bookends will give your bookshelf the pop of color it deserves.

5. Bicycle bookends

These adorable bicycle bookends are made of wrought iron: Strong enough to support your bookworm tendencies without that cold industrial feel.

6. Recycled aluminum bookends

These stunning recycled aluminum bookends show two Harlequins kneeling down and pushing walls of pinewood. They’re handmade in Peru by artist Luitpol.

7. Hand-carved bookends

Hand-carved by artist Gulam Rasool, these wise owl bookends are made of soapstone and would be a chic addition to any bookshelf.

Do you use unique bookends to show off your fave reads?

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Image: Bookshelf photo via Shutterstock

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Cleaning hacks to break out when unexpected guests are on their way.

This time of year is filled with surprise guests “popping by” or “stopping in” for “just ten minutes,” and if it’s been a while since you gave your place a thorough cleaning, hyperventilating into a paper bag is inevitable. The good news is there are plenty of ways to make sure your home looks clean for company – no matter how unexpected.

Here are 14 cleaning hacks that’ll transform your space into the fake cleanest home in history:

1. Toilets, tabletops and televisions

The condition of these surfaces are telltale signs that you’re living in a garbage heap. If you don’t get to anything else before your company shows up, make sure that these surfaces are spic and span. It will make it seem like the rest of your home is too.

2. Pet hair

As a pet owner, having 50 pounds of fur on everything you own is status quo – but not necessarily for your guests. Keep a rubber glove or go-to pet hair annihilator on hand to de-fuzz your furniture in no time flat.

3. Do the dishes

Even if you don’t have time to put them away, your kitchen will look much cleaner with dishes drying in a dish caddy than strewn about with a week’s worth of old food stuck to them. Ick.

4. Switch up the towels

Swap out kitchen, bath and hand towels for clean ones.

5. Straighten things up… literally

Straighten your welcome mat, pet beds, coffee table, and any other small pieces of furniture and accessories that have been moved around. Clean lines leave a clean impression.

6. Shine what’s supposed to be shiny

Wipe out your sinks, polish your faucets, and de-fingerprint any glass surfaces.

7. Check on your doorknobs and light switches

There’s usually a pile of grubby fingerprints around them. Wipe these areas clean, stat.

8. Close doors, drawers, and shower curtains

A simple move, yet surprisingly effective.

9. Stash clutter

But don’t just stuff it into a laundry hamper and hide it in your bedroom. Stash the clutter efficiently, hiding it in each room it belongs in so you’re not making hundreds of trips to put everything away afterward.

10. Freshen the air

Spritz your favorite air freshener, and open the doors and windows to get rid of any staleness in the air. A home that looks clean is irrelevant if it smells like feet.

11. Clear the seating

Make sure any blankets, pillows, magazines and so forth have been cleared off your seating areas.

12. Turn the lights on

Many people say one of the best speed cleaning hacks is to dim the lighting, but I believe the opposite to be true – especially this time of year, when it’s dark more often than not. Turn on your lights, open your curtains, and make your home as inviting and cheery as possible. Bonus: It’ll help detract from the fact that you can’t remember the last time you vacuumed.

13. Throw on some light music in the background

Atmosphere is everything.

14. Don’t forget to freshen yourself up

You don’t want to greet your guests and invite them into your (fake) spotless home looking like a “Girl, Interrupted” sequel. The whole point to speed cleaning hacks is to make it look like you have your shit together, after all.

What are your go-to cleaning hacks?

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Image: Kate Ter Haar

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