Earth Day is almost here! (It’s on April 22.) Want to show the planet some lovin'? We’ve come up with things you can reuse in cool ways instead of sending them off to hang out in a landfill. Who knew being green could be so much fun?

Adorable Jewelry Organizer

All you need for a bling holder you’ll love? An old frame, liquid glue, pushpins and some cork sheets (get these for cheap at a craft store). Just take the glass and back off the frame, cut the cork so it’s the same size as a photo that would fit in the frame, and glue it in place in the opening. Once it’s dry, stick colorful pushpins in the front to hang your jewelry on. We love the way the finished product looks hanging on the wall -- and you’ll never need to hunt for an earring again!

Wacky Wire Ring

Betcha didn’t know you could make something this cool out of boring old paper clips! Grab a bunch of the colorful ones -- stick with your favorite hue or mix up a bunch if you’re feeling really artsy. Unfold them so each one is straight, then reshape them into a swirling pattern, bending each clip around the clump of paper clips as you go. Once you’ve made the bauble as big as you want, attach one more paper clip to the back and shape it into a ring so it fits your finger.

Crazy-cute Locker Magnets

These are about to become your new favorite locker accessory. Collect a few bottle caps from old-fashioned glass bottles, fill them with liquid glue, and then pour in some glitter. Once they’re dry, stick a magnet on the back -- either use self-adhesive magnets from the craft store or cut off a piece from a magnet sheet and attach it with a dab of glue. Love it!

Personalized Journal

Does anyone else have a serious hoarding problem when it comes to old greeting cards? We feel guilty throwing them out, but they’re not exactly doing any good just taking up space in your junk drawer. Get some use out of ’em by turning them into notebook covers. Here’s how: Open up a card, and then trace the outline onto 10 sheets of paper. Cut along the guidelines, staple the pages to the card at its crease, then fold everything together. Now get writing!

Chic Vases

Keep an eye out for any pretty jars or bottles in the pantry that are almost empty. Before Mom throws them away, ask if you can have them instead. Rinse them out, stick a flower or two inside, and you’ve got an instant set of bud vases! Display a few grouped together for a pretty effect.

Sure, you’ve got your school supplies covered -- notebooks, three-ring binders, No. 2 pencils. Those are easy. But what about the rest of the stuff you need? Don’t worry: We’re on the case!

What to Wear
Even if your school requires uniforms, you’ll want to look put-together after dismissal and on weekends. Here are the 10 mix-and-match items you must have in your closet this fall:

1. Military-style lace-up boots that are clunky and chunky

2. Zip-up hoodie in a muted gray or khaki

3. Lots of solid-color, long- and short-sleeve scoop-neck tees for layering

4. Dark-wash jeans that fit but are still a little baggy (roll ’em up!)

5. Brown or black leather belt to wear with jeans or to cinch dresses

6. Cardigan sweater in a bright color or a pastel (bonus: get one with ruffles or appliqued details)

7. Button-down tunic that can be worn as a shirt or dress

8. Solid-color leggings and striped socks (try wearing them together!)

9. Brown or camel-color peacoat, either solid or plaid

10. Knit cap and scarf set in colors that complement your wardrobe

Stuff Your Backpack
Smart girls have necessities that go beyond the school supplies stashed in their backpacks and lockers. Here’s our list of never-leave-home-withouts: (They’ll come in handy, we swear!)

1. Tampons and feminine pads (just in case)

2. Fresh, clean underpants (ditto)

3. Spare, neutral-colored sweatshirt for days it’s colder than you expected

4. Safety pins to quick-fix clothing tears, popped buttons and broken zippers

5. Granola bars for when your tummy goes “grrr” way before lunch period

6. Deodorant and breath mints so you don’t repel the boy you’re trying to attract

7. Headbands, barrettes and ponytail elastics (plus a brush or comb) for bad hair days

8. Compact mirror so you can fix hair and check for stray food in your teeth

9. Toothbrush and toothpaste in case something is stuck in your teeth (er, braces?)

10. Lip gloss (duh)

Get Back in the School Mindset
Yeah, the lazy days of summer are coming to an end. Sorry! Time to shake that do-nothing ’tude and get back into full swing. Hey, it’s not so bad -- just do these five things, and you’ll be ready to go:

1. Rise and shine! Set your alarm a little earlier each day so you’re not draaaaaaagging yourself out of bed that first day of school.

2. Read something. Check out a book from the library (even a romance novel will work!) to get your brain back in action.

3. Go for a new do. Get a fresh haircut (bangs are in!) or just play around with pulling your hair into a loose bun or cute braids.

4. Smell good. Try a soft-scented body wash or spritz. Something light -- maybe floral or fruity -- is great for daytime. Steer clear of strong, heavy perfumes.

5. Smile! Even if you’re dreading going back to school, force yourself to crack a grin. It’s the best way to make new friends this school year.

Nothing to do? No way! We have a ton of stuff you and your friends can take on for some summer fun in the sun. Get outta the house … NOW!

Summer Fun Activity No. 1: Balloon Battle-mania
Pick up some balloons at a party supply store. Fill with water by wrapping the lip of the balloon around an outdoor faucet, then tie in a knot. Divide your friends into teams and start launching! Yeah, it can sting a little to be hit with a water balloon -- but it sure feels good to get wet on a scorching-hot day!

Summer Fun Activity No. 2: Forever … Flower Power
Pluck flowers from your garden or wild varieties growing around your neighborhood and press them into keepsakes:

1. Arrange each flower between two sheets of waxed paper.

2. Place on an ironing board, cover with a thin dish towel and place a warm iron on top until sealed.

3. Let cool and trim to fit into a small frame, or to use as a bookmark.

Summer Fun Activity No. 3: Obstacle Course, of Course
Using garden hoses, lounge chairs, spare tires, picnic tables and whatever else you can find, map out and set up a challenging course for you and your friends to hop over, then crawl under and run around as fast as you can. And the winner with the fastest time is …

Summer Fun Activity No. 4: Make a Scene!
Break out the art supplies and paint or draw an image of some summer scenery. Do a sketch of your yard’s landscaping or create a canvas painting of a beautiful beach scene you’ve dreamed up. Hmmm, a dream scene.

Summer Fun Activity No. 5: Build a Fortress
If you and your friends are handy with some basic tools, you could build an elaborate fort from scrap plywood and other materials -- complete with painted details and window treatments. Or … just put together a temporary fort with lawn chairs and large beach blankets. Girls only or boys allowed?

Summer Fun Activity No. 6: Clean up!
Get all your buds to clear out their rooms and closets, and sell all your old toys, clothes and accessories in a yard sale. You’ll get rid of junk and rake in cash in one full swoop!

Summer Fun Activity No. 7: Free-for-all Mall Crawl
Yep, the mall is air-conditioned. But instead of your usual shopping trip, have a scavenger hunt for freebies! Pair off -- nobody goes solo, please, it’s unsafe -- and hit up stores for free items (cosmetics samples, sugar packets, shopping bags and so on). At an agreed-upon time, reconvene at your meeting spot to see which of you squirrelly girls gathered the best bunch of loot … and no sticky fingers.

Summer is about hanging at the beach or catching up on TV shows. But it can also be the perfect time to create your own summer business and rake in a little cash. Ready for a summer biz blitz? Here’s how to get started.

Summer Business Strategy No. 1: Figure out Something People Want
Maybe you’re a wiz at building blogs or baking cupcakes. Think about your talents or interests, and pair them with a service or product that’ll attract customers to your summer business. Remember, it’s important to choose something that gets you excited, since you’ll be spending a lot of time working on it.  

Summer Business Strategy No. 2: Come up With a Game Plan
Once you decide on the business idea you want to launch, start doing some research and scour some books on how to write a business plan. You can find out really cool things like what an executive summary or a financial plan is.

Even if you don’t write a formal business plan, research your summer business idea and be ready to explain it to others: “I tutor elementary school kids in math and science” or “I make recycled jewelry out of soda cans.”

Summer Business Strategy No. 3: Spread the Word Around
Even if you have the best summer business idea on the planet, you’ll need to promote it. Otherwise, people won’t know your biz exists. Depending on the type of business, you could set up a Web site, distribute fliers or meet with community members. (Be sure your parents are on board with your promo plan first.)

Girl World Daily reader Maya, 16, who plays clarinet and several other instruments, offers private music lessons for younger kids. Maya teamed up with a woman who runs programs for kids and provides space for lessons. “She doesn’t know anything about music, but she knows how to get the word out and who to contact,” says Maya. “Don’t be shy. You have to be outgoing if you want your business to blossom!”

Sure, sharing a room isn’t the ideal situation. But it happens. Here are some tips for carving out some personal space in a shared room, setting sibling boundaries, compromising on the decor and more!

“I’m dying for a little alone time!”
Maybe you want to crash on your bed, turn on your tunes and chill. “Sometimes, my little sis gets really annoying, and I just want her to leave me alone,” says GWD reader Leah, 9, who’s been sharing a room with her sister, Laurel.

Room share boundaries: Not in the mood to hang out? Instead of squawking “you’re always bothering me,” work out a schedule so each of you gets some private time. Maybe on Mondays and Wednesdays you get an hour to yourself in the afternoon; she gets the same on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Bonus bedroom tip: If you want a friend to sleep over, ask your sister if she’ll snooze on the couch, then let her have a friend over the following weekend.

“My sister raids my side of the closet.”
Sharing a bedroom doesn’t mean sharing everything in that room. “Once, I wore my sister’s new sweater. I was walking down our street with a friend when she drove by, slammed on the brakes and made me take it off right there,” says GWD reader Deb, 14.

Room share boundaries: Make an agreement that before “borrowing” each other’s clothes, shoes or jewelry, you’ll ask first -- and you each reserve the right to say no. Respect each other’s right to have dibs on your own personal belongings.

Bonus bedroom tip: Mutual respect must flow past the wardrobe too. Some areas are completely out of bounds: diaries, desk drawers and personal computers.

“Help! She puts princess posters all over our walls!”
When sharing a room, sisters need to be able to express themselves. But maybe you’re a bold and edgy kinda gal, and your sis is into frilly and fluffy stuff. How can you create a peaceful space without dividing the room with duct tape?

Room share boundaries: Start with the walls. Get ideas from decorating books and have a planning session. If you can’t agree, pick two colors -- perhaps bold but complementary, like orange and blue. Then decorate your area with wall stickers, dangly mobiles or a mural.

Bonus bedroom tip: What to do if you’re a neat freak and she’s a slob? The room is lived in, so it doesn’t have to be perfect, but set a weekly tidy-up session. (You can probably get your parents to back you up on this one.)