How to: Organize under the sink

 
      Ever have those days where you just can't concentrate till you get something else done? Yesterday was one of those days for me, I knew I had work to do yet I could not do it until I had bought a canvas for another project and organized my sink cabinet. Two projects that have no time constraints yet yesterday my brain decided they needed to be done then and there. 



     My under the sink cabinet has been a mess and last weekend when I had to get a band-aid out while my boyfriend was visiting and was desperately trying to hide the mess while barely opening the door so he would not see the disaster it was, I decided that was the last straw. I knew I had my new mission. So I did the first thing I always do when I have a new project idea. I went shopping!

  
It's not that exciting; I went to the Dollar Store. I bought a few things to help me with my disastrous cabinet situation. In my opinion everything looks more organized in a container. Seriously, put things a in a box and presto! Organized. Even if you just have a few bottles, try putting them on a tray, you will be amazed at the difference. Here were my finds at the Dollar Store. (In fact, I didn't end up using them all, but still at a dollar each, they were pretty cheap.


 

   

    One of the first things I noticed about my wreck of a cabinet was that I had a lot of bags, like makeup bags for traveling. I wanted some way to store them without using up precious floor space. I had these great hooks left over from another project so I took a drill and a hammer and attached them to the cabinet doors. Perfection! Also, one could use 3M hooks if you are worried about leaving holes. It frees up a ton of space. I hung up another bag off screws poking through from the toilet paper holder! Ha, I did not even have to attach a hook for that. 

   
     I organized the boxes by items, so I have the pail that holds all my first aid supplies. It has band aids, witch hazel, benzoyl peroxide, rubbing alcohol and calamine lotion. There is the big pink box that holds all my items I have extras of, like shampoo and face wash from past purchases. I have another basket that holds a bunch of guest toiletries and mini things for when I travel. Behind that there is a bag that I always keep ready with all my travel toiletries. It's one of the best things I've done, this way I can be ready on a moments notice to take a trip somewhere and I don't have to scramble wondering if I remembered to pack a toothbrush or shampoo. 

 

    Another good tip is to use a locker shelf to add more space to your cabinet, I store my seldom used (sadly) curlers beneath them. For me, I am quite lazy thus I have to keep the things I use most often in easy to reach and put back locations otherwise I will never put them in the right spot. 

 
Do you have any tips on organizing your bathroom sink cabinets?

Pretty Pretty Boards

   
  I am always saving little mementos from trips be it ticket stubs to museum guides, but I never know what to do with them. Often they just get filed away in labeled shoe boxes at the back of my closet for what occasion, I don't know. My friend, Lily (of the cranberry compote and brie bites fame) has some great ideas of how to show off your little mementos or other important things. These cute boards look great when lined up or alone on a wall, and since they are made from foam board, you can use 3M wall adhesive so you don't have to use nails (a big help for those who are renting a place). With all the different themed papers out there, you can find something to match just about anything!

I just cut the boards in the center, they were the perfect small size!

Materials:

Modpodge

Foam brush

Scrapbook or other decorative paper

Foam Board

Scissors/ knife

Directions:

1. Cut the board and paper to desired sizes, the paper can be left a bit bigger to cover the sides of the board.
   
2. Modpodge the board with a light coat, then press down paper. Go slowly, and use pressure of fingers or ruler (be careful) to work out any bubbles. Lightly modpodge the paper as well once smooth.
   
3. Let dry, then coat the paper with a second and if needed, a third coat of modpodge.
   
4. Enjoy! Use push pins or ribbon to help decorate your board!

This one is for my roommate, Charlotte, who loves old keys. See you can match any theme!

Boy’s Rooms

  

     So I meant to post a few more times last week, and I wanted to apologize for not doing so. Then again, maybe I am just talking to myself but if you do check the blog, I am sorry! I decided to take a spur of the moment trip to visit my boyfriend up in the very cold northeast. It was lovely and I got to see it snow! But while there and living in an apartment I realized some truths about boys' living quarters.

1.  Trash Cans
   -Why is it boys never have trash cans in the bathroom? I even asked my boyfriend and all he could say was that they just threw stuff away in the trash can in the kitchen, five feet away. I may just have to buy them one myself, it was so annoying when I had nowhere to throw my makeup remover cloths or a tissue. Have you ever had this same experience?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Mirrors
   -They also never have full length mirrors. How am I supposed to know if my outfit looks okay? Or check to make sure I don't have a rip on my tights? Again, boys just don't seem to understand, and I checked with all three boys in the apartment, none of them had a full length mirror.
   
3. Common Spaces
   -Whenever I come home to my place, I always say "hello" to my roommate, and somehow try to make a general announcement that I am here. I ask her how her day was or just other things, we may then both go back to our own rooms or hang out in the living room. These boys barely acknowledge each other when they come home. I felt like I was being so rude every time we came but apparently this is the norm.
   

     Though all that being said, I fully intend to break him of these habits, but I do have to admit, I have never had to tell him to put the toilet seat down. So I guess I can't complain too much!