Organizing part 3 - Around the house DIY

Here are a few tips and easy projects you can do around the house to keep organized.

magnetic makeup holder & necklace organizer

IN THE BATHROOM

I will admit I love makeup (Sephora can be my best friend or bank accounts worst enemy) and I have a hard time changing things up if I don't see my options. I used to store it in make up bags but got stuck in the same old color rut. I saw a magnetic board on pinterest years ago and haven't looked back. I can quickly see what colors I have and for an unintended bonus when I travel the magnets stick together so makeup is nice and compacted. Magnets will also hold the ever elusive bobby pins and tweezers!

Making the board is a bit of an undertaking. The biggest issue is finding metal that fits your frame. I didn't want to buy tin snips so I first found sheet metal at hardware store and then found a frame that would fit it. I broke out my trust spray adhesive (for tips of usage check out my other post Wedding Ring Holder) and simply attached metal to back of picture frame.

To get your make up to stick I have used both strong magnets 8+ circle attached with hot glue gun and weaker 4+ strength sticky squares. Both magnet types are useful the stronger magnets hold heavier compacts but are tricky to get off the board. The weaker magnets are great for odd shapes like mascara and can attach to plastic tubes with out fear of melting, but do tend to only work for lighter objects.

Necklaces especially long ones I think tangle on their own when I don't look. I found that using shower curtain hooks (I got the double sided ones) was a great way for me to separate and see what kind of jewelry I have. I am not the biggest morning person so anything that can streamline my getting ready in the wee hours of the day is a plus in my book.

jar to hold brushes 

Another easy project to go along with magnetic makeup board is some place for your brushes. I simply got a square vase and plastic pellets from craft store. Dumped pellets in and stuck in brushes. They stand up straight and I don't have to go searching through a big bag anymore for my specific eyeliner brush.

love it!

KITCHEN/LAUNDRY ROOM

For under the sink this helps keep the cleaning product clutter down to a minimum. You'll need a sturdy tension rod that fits the length under the sink. Place tension rod about 5 inches from top of cabinet and hook your spray bottles using the trigger area. You'll have a ton of extra space underneath to fit all those odd shaped buckets and gadget.



IN THE CLOSET
Have a plethora of scarves and tank tops? Here is something you can do in under 5 minutes! All you need is a sturdy hanger and shower curtain hook rings.

 I was swarmed with scarves I seriously think they multiplied during storage in the warm weather months. I've used this trick for a couple years now (thanks pinterest circa 2011) and it's great space saver and time saver to pick out a scarf in the morning.

hmm maybe I should branch out in my color choices

This winter I started using this concept for my tank tops as they were taking over a whole drawer and I could never find the color I wanted. I need to figure out a way to put a stopper between rings as they like to congregate to one side that's my mission this week. At least they are out of the drawer!

Are your boots flopping everywhere? Well you can buy pricey boot forms I have a few and they work wonders but my boots are multiplying faster than I can afford them. Simple solution pool noodles!

It might be a bit tough to find this time of year but simply take the cheaper skinny ones and cut to desired size. Use a box cutter or sharp knife, it can be a bit tricky. Tada you have custom boot forms to whatever boot length you have.

Psst with the left over noodle can make light sabers, who wouldn't want to have jedi battles in your closet ..oh it's just me? sigh*


didn't see the other organization posts yet? check them out
calendars & dry erase projects part 1
communication projects part 2

Organization part 2

I will say a few more key elements to organization are repetition and communication. In addition to weekly scheduler and page protectors I keep a master calendar both in paper and on my phone. I found the more times I write something down I can commit it to memory so it does seem redundant to have many calendars going at once but for me it helps solidify what is going on.

Mostly likely you aren't an island of organization. It's great if one you have everything together but if the others in your household have no clue then there goes all your hard work. Even though we aren't in the same household W and I have shared calendars for iphone so we have a general idea of what is going on in each others lives. We can be supportive during stressful times and try to leave some times open so we can meet up. Again using the color coding helps...we can see that an orange event is coming up that means date time!

icalendars and W's command center
I made his weekly organizer horizontal

Having one place that you keep all this is key too. You can make all these great lists and charts but if you loose them what's the point. I've might have brain washed W too he has what we call: the Command Station. It is a white board with cork board around it, he has his weekly scheduler there as well. It is a fluid center for important papers, bills, needs and to do lists and general communication.

All this organizing can seem pretty sterile but there is one thing that W and I do to keep personal communicating going when we are not together.  I love you because is a great easy project and helps acknowledge your loved ones when maybe you aren't there at the moment to tell them or a reminder after you are gone for the day/weekend or whatever your schedules are.

To make it you need a simple picture frame (4x6 works well), dry erase marker and to print out I love you because photo. You can jazz it up with ribbons or other crafty bits and put it in a place you both have access to. Take turns leaving little love notes for each other.

Keeping organized part 1

It's a new year and many I know have resolutions about getting things organized. I thought it only fitting to have a few posts on that topic.

I have a lot going on at the moment (who I am kidding my life has always been like this) taking 7 classes, working multiple jobs, attempting social life and daily household needs. I constantly hear how do you do it? Well there is no magic secret I am just super organized and I use a few tools to keep up it. So here are a few tricks I do to keep it all together mostly it's all about visuals and repetition.

these are my favorite with the eraser attached & magnet

My top secret is dry erase markers! I love these things...you can write reminders on the mirrors, on picture frame, page protectors, and more. Don't the the white board limit you! Be forewarned though they are not stain removal friendly so if it gets on cloth you're out of luck


Having schedule visible at all times is a great visual cue reminder. In my room I have a weekly schedule. I like that I can glance quickly at a snapshot of the week...plus the bright colors help make it more cheerful. I've made a couple of these for gifts and they always seem welcomed  treat for the busy student.

To make this is super easy DIY craft just find a collage frame. There are lots of different styles and prices. I like the 8 photos since it gives you an extra day for notes. Use scrapbook paper or any other paper and cut to fit into frames. Really dark paper or a busy print makes it's hard to see your writing. Attach marker to a string and attach to back of frame. Viola you are ready to go.

One more tip for managing a number of people or items is having some kind of code. Color coding and symbols worked wonders growing up in a busy household of 6. We each had colors to distinguishing was going where..hmmm maybe that's where I get all this list making from.

all ready for next semester

 With my classes I like to match my notebook or folder with the color I make the class on the schedule. That way early in the morning when my eyes are still half glued shut I know to grab the blue and red folders for the day and yellow the next. I got started on this in high school. My school rotated class meeting times every single day of the week...so I quickly had to come up with a system to maximize those 3 minute class change breaks so I could get as much socializing in as possible!

The other things I can not live without is page protectors! These babies are great for writing on with a dry erase and I used them in my classroom all the time. Plus they are super cheap! Print desired list or assignment and put into to sleeve and then write away to your hearts content. It's a great learning tool, they really help me memorize/quiz myself for anatomy class. I just used a ring to keep pages together and carried it all over for a study session on the go. I also used it to help sort out what was due for all my classes and a giant to do list. You can laminate (I have one of those too) pages but it can be costly and is permanent.


Overall the main thing for staying organized is finding what works for you! Try a few things, adapt them to your needs and you might be surprised how simple things can help.

#3.13 Party Popcorn Round Up

So not too proud that some dinners reflect being a super busy college student *cough like carrots, a coke, and popcorn *cough, cough.  Oh well but it's counting as a vegetarian dinner list item

Other times I like to make what I call "party popcorn" to take to events and make as gifts. Basically it's popcorn with melted chocolate and other yummies mixed in. Here is a round up of some of my favorite concoctions as well as others that look pretty darn good. 


Popcorn (basic)

I like to make my popcorn in the microwave lunch bag style. It's simple, mess free and allows you to start with a blank canvas to add as much or little seasonings and mix ins to it. Plus I figure it's a whole lot healthier than whatever chemicals and oils are in microwave popcorn bags!

All you need is a 1 brown lunch bag, 1/4 cup of whole kernels, and a microwave. Dump kernels in bag (kernels have all the moisture they need to pop inside so no need to add any oils)

Fold over top of bag a couple times and place in microwave standing up for 1-3 min, depending on your microwave. Just listen for popping to slow down. Dump in a bowl and top with whatever. It should yield about 8 cups of popcorn. 

Sometimes to get flavoring to stick you might want to lightly spray with olive oil or pam.  I like it salty/sweet so I add salt, cinnamon and bit of sugar to mine mmm. Get creative with siracha, garlic powder, lime, rosemary and any other flavor combination you can think of!

Party Popcorn

Make your basic popcorn.  1/4 cup kernels = 8 cups popped I usually do two batches (it goes quickly)

Lay out kernels in jelly roll pan or large mixing bowl. It's messy no matter what you do.  Be sure to remove all unpopped kernels out this could be a choking or tooth hazard later! Sprinkle popcorn with a bit of salt to help pull out the flavors even though it's a sweeter treat.

melt chocolate until it is pretty fluid

Melt about 10-12 oz of chocolate melts in the microwave or double boiler until liquidy. Be sure to do it in small increments as to not burn the chocolate. Pour over kernels and mix with your hands...it can be hot be careful!

Coat Popcorn with chocolate...this is messy!

Quickly sprinkle liberally with rainbow nonpareils, mixing to make sure it is evenly coated. Allow popcorn to set for an hour or so (optional but seems to turn out better). Keep in a air tight container for up to 3 days if in the rare occasion you have left overs

Monster Munch

 Now that you have the basic this is where the possibilities are endless depending on what color chocolate, caramel, or sprinkles you use and add ins. You can use other candies like m&ms or candy corn, nuts, pretzels, cereal, and dried fruit.

Monster Munch or Turkey Feed

Start with party popcorn base. I used orange chocolate melts to go with the theme. I added about 2 cups of peanuts, 1 bag of candy corn and yellow/orange/white nonpareils to this mix. I packaged it up in little treat bags and gave out to friends at school. It was fabulous and so addicting!

Here is a round up of other recipes that look delicious

Salted Caramel Popcorn via  cookies and cups

Christmas Crunch via Cooking Classy 
you can change this up for any holiday really...just switch up the colors

1. Cinnamon bun popcorn (cinnamon caramel corn with pecans and white chocolate) via Our Best Bites

2.  pink party popcorn (made with white chocolate) via Erin Cooks

3. Poppin’ popcorn brittle (caramel, M&M’s & peanuts) via Orville Redenbacher’s

4. S’mores popcorn via Nest of Posies

5. Chocolate & peanut butter popcorn  via Brown Eyed Baker

6. Popcorn trail mix with dried fruit and nuts via GoodLife Eats

-Sriracha, Lime, and Sesame Popcorn
-Rosemary, Brown Butter, and Lemon 
-Popcorn, S’mores Popcorn
-Maple-Bacon Popcorn
-Parmesan-Garlic Popcorn

recipes for these 5  amazing options at Buzzfeed 

As you can see possibilities are endless and they make a great gift, party food or even dinner. Enjoy!