Add a Little Love to Your Bathroom

I have an addiction to products.  Especially hair and face products.  It has always been a problem for me to organize my bathroom sink because it always looks cluttered with all my products.  I came up with a solution.  I decided to give my bathroom a little love.  Here are my solutions for extra space without the visual clutter.

Over the Top Storage

I wanted to change up the color scheme in my bathroom.  As you can tell from the photo, a full transition has not been achieved just yet.  I decided on black, grey, and Celtics green! The first thing I did was purchase this inexpensive metal storage piece from Target. I placed a plastic basket on top of the tank and filled with extra toilet paper.  I am a firm believer in the toilet paper being visible and easily accessible for guests.

I purchased the three boxes from Ikea.  The two larger boxes were 2/$4.99 and the smaller box was 2/$3.99.  Let me break down how I used these boxes for storage. 

Box #1: Hide your little extras

I used box #1 to store bobby pins, little sample perfumes, room sprays.  Ok, now I know you are wondering about the white box.  It is filled with those feminine care products.  Reusing small boxes like this is a great way to keep those products hidden and tucked neatly away.

Box #2: Hide your perfume

I used box #2 to store all my perfumes.  They are easily accessible but are hidden away so that they do not take up space on your bathroom vanity.

Box #3: Hide your hair utensils

I used box #3 to store all of my hair brushes and combs.  They are nearby for easy access but are not visible and taking up space.

Top Shelf: Keep it simple with a candle that brings color

I bought this candle jar at a local discount store for $.75.  I added a large tealight candle purchased from Ikea a set of 12/$5.99.  When the candle is lit, it gives off a beautiful green glow and the vanilla scent lingers in the room.  

Use top of organizer to hang hair ties and headbands

I hung my hair ties and soft headbands on the top of the storage rack.  This is convenient for me to grab in the morning when washing my face or applying a face mask.  If you do not like the hair accessories visible, you can store them away when guests arrive in one of your three boxes.

  

Add an Extra Shelf

As I mentioned before, I needed somewhere to store all of my products.  I added a shelf to the wall to add that extra space.   I purchased the shelf at Ikea for $1.99 and the brackets for $.50 each.  I used plastic anchors and screws to attach the shelving to the wall.  I displayed my products on the shelf so they are easily accessible but not cluttering my vanity space when I have guests. 

I then added three pictures that I painted free hand (you can see how to do your own here).

I hope these hints were helpful in helping you save some space in your bathroom.  I definitely feel more organized!

After my added organization skills

DIY: Picture Frames to Fit Your Style

A few months ago, I was browsing the aisles at Target when I came across a few clearance items.  To my surprise there were a few frames among the pile of items.  Each self standing frame held two photos, had no broken glass, just scratches on the black metal framing.  My creative light bulb lit up.  I could make these into anything I want.  So for a few dollars each, I purchased them.  Now that I am redecorating my apartment, I decided to use the frames on my bookcase at my walk-in.  My space is black, white, and red so I wanted to change up the frames.  Here is that experience.

Mosaic Tile Frames

You will need:

Picture Frames
Any old, broken, chipped, or even new will work.  You can also purchase them at Goodwill, Salvation Army, or any other second hand store.

Mosaic Tiles
80 Stone Tile set purchased at Michaels for $5 (use a coupon!)

Glue Gun/Glue Sticks


1.  Remove glass from frame.  Laying frame flat, lay out a pattern on your frame with the mosaic tiles.  I did alternating of white, slate gray and light gray.

2. Move your designs to the side but remember to keep in order.


3.  Here comes the tricky part.  I used stone tiles on metal so the glue does dry quickly.  You have to be ready to attach as soon as you apply the glue or it will dry.  Great thing is, that if you mess up, with a little strength you can remove the tile and glue and re-glue.

4.  Once you glue all the tiles on the frame, remember to pull all the extra stringy glue from the frame.

Add your favorite photos and you have created a simple masterpiece.  Everyone will think you purchased expensive frames but in reality you spent under $10 for both!  These also make great gifts and you can personalize colors for any space.

Purchase This Amazing Nail Polish For Only $1

On a trip to Germany a few years ago, I purchased a few Essence Colour & Go nail polishes for a few reasons, they were small to travel with, the colors were amazing, and they claimed to be a quick dry polish.  At only about $1 I thought I would give a few of them a try.  I fell deeply in love with these polishes.  The colors are amazing, they do dry fast, stay on as long as more expensive polishes and have a "wet" look.  I do not tell you about these polishes so that you can covet them and not have access to them.  On a recent trip to Ulta, to my amazement, I spotted the brand.  I was more than excited to purchase another polish for $1.  They do have fewer colors for purchase here in the United States and to my knowledge, Ulta is the only place they are available here in the States.  My favorite is "Sweet as Candy".  It is a softer pink color when on nails than shown but use three coats with this color as it is a little on the sheer side.  It looks fabulous for a neutral everyday color.  I also currently love "Walk of Fame", which is more of a taupe than it appears on the website.  It is a great warm tone for this time of year.  For $1 each go crazy and try them all!! 

Display Your Accessories for Easy Access

The one thing in my life that has always been organized is my closet.  I take pride in my clothing and accessories and I like everything to be colored coordinated.  My scarf collection has always been something of an issue to display.  Here is my solution.

 

Accessory Display

You will need:

Hanging Rail 
Ikea for $2.99

S Hooks
Set of 10 at Ikea for $.99

Screws
1 1/4" purchased at Lowes

Plastic Anchors
1" purchased at Lowes

Phillips Screwdriver

Drill or Hammer

Level


1. Holding your bar on the wall, place your level on top of the bar.  Move the bar until it is level.  Use a pencil to mark the four holes on the rail.

2.  Drill a hole on each pencil marking. (If you do not have a drill, you can use a hammer and a screw to make the hole.  Once you hammer the screw in the wall, remove the screw with the hammer.)

3.  Place a plastic anchor in each hole.

4.  Place the rail on the wall.  Using your screwdriver, screw the screw into the four holes, attaching the rail to the wall.

5.  Hang accessories from the bar or hang by using the S hooks on the rail. 

There you go!! You have a beautiful accessories bar.  I used my bar display my scarves (color coordinated of course!) and my long necklaces.  You can hang hats, purses, scarves, jewelry, anything your heart desires.  The laundry bags you see can be purchased at Ikea for $4.99 each.

Top 5 Friday: Shampoos

 

I am constantly asked by friends and family about what products I use.  Everything from hair care to moisturizers to cosmetics.  Every Friday I will be posting my Top 5 of a particular product.  Shampoo is a great place to start.  I am a world traveler so a few items are international but are still available online.  Here we go.

1. One 'n Only Argan Oil Moisture Repair Shampoo

My current obsession is this amazing shampoo infused with Argan oil. For those who are not familiar with Argan oil, it is derived from the Moroccan Argan Tree. The oil, moisturizes your hair without the added weight.  This particular shampoo is sulfate free and leaves your hair silky smooth after just one wash.  The smell is better than any other Argan oil shampoo I have come across.  It is also safe for color treated hair as it leaves your hair soft with no buildup or extra oil.  You only need to use a small amount so it is a great value at around $10.  I purchase this shampoo at a local Sally Beauty Supply but it is also available at your local Ulta.   




2.  Schwarzkopf Bonacure Q10 Time Restore Shampoo
Ok I know that you are puzzled why a mature hair shampoo made number two on my list.  This shampoo will change every thought you have ever had about your hair.  The website claims, "Q10-PLUS-COMPLEX stimulates the production of vital keratins that would otherwise have been lost over time hair - making true beauty timeless."  It transcends that statement.  A few years ago, I realized my hair was not growing as fast or thick as it did in my youth.  It puzzled me, I am in my twenties and my hair was slowly thinning and growing at a slower rate.  I saw this shampoo at a beauty store in the local mall.  I am a very big fan of any Schwarzkopf products and when I realized it is supposed to stimulate growth, I thought I should give it a try.  Not only does it make your hair grow faster, but it is a great moisturizing and thickening shampoo!  This is also great after removing extensions because it helps to regrow the hair you lost.  It is available on Amazon.com and at specialty salons.   

3.  Schwarzkopf Gliss Kur Liquid Silk Gloss Shampoo
Five years ago, on one of my many trips to Germany, I forgot to pack conditioner.  When my best friend took me to the market to find a conditioner, I stumbled upon this brand.  I must admit that at the time I picked it for its soft gentle aroma but I soon came to realize it is an amazing moisturizing shampoo.  The smell leaves your hair perfumed but not with an overpowering scent.  The scent is reminiscent of a grown up version of baby powder.  It leaves your hair silky soft but is also suitable for fine hair.  This particular type of shampoo by Schwarzkopf is not readily available in the United States, however it is available on Amazon.com if you are lucky enough to acquire a bottle before they sell out on a weekly basis. 

4. Frederic Fekkai Essential Shea Shampoo
Frederic Fekkai is a genius.  My younger sister will tell you that I have sworn by this shampoo for years! I am always on the lookout for moisturizing shampoos that do not weigh the hair down.  This is top notch!  The smell is great, you only need a small amount to silken your tresses and the immediate change in your hair texture will impress you.  If you have never tried a Fekkai product, you do not know what you are missing.  All of the products and lines by Fekkai are amazing.  I also recommend the Brilliant Glossing Shampoo for a little more shine and the Protein Rx Reparative Shampoo for those tresses that need a little extra love.  This shampoo is available by various retailers, including Ulta and Nordstrom.

5. Henna Egipcia Shampoo
While on a weekend trip to Mexico this past summer, I was so excited to scour the supermarket for beauty products.  This is my tradition when I visit any country, I want to know what products they offer that are not available in the United States.  I came across this shampoo.  It comes in different types for different hair colors.  Being a blonde, my particular bottle is "Dorado".  The smell is amazing and it really leaves my hair moisturized and glossy.  It makes my tresses soft without any buildup.  This product is made and sold in Mexico but can also be purchased online at Amazon.com.  They sell out fast and the colors vary but if your color is sold out, keep checking back for new stock.



I recommend not using a single type of shampoo for more than two months.  After around two months, your hair will not respond to a particular shampoo the same way it did in the beginning.  This is why I like to keep three types of shampoo to use in rotation to keep my hair fresh and new.  I hope my list was helpful and I look forward to your feedback! 
 

Make Your Eyes Stand Out With a Less Expensive Alternative

I have been a Dior Diorshow Black Out Mascara addict for years now.  I have long thick eyelashes but I have blonde hair.  See the problem?  When I wear mascara, you can see the roots of my lashes.  My younger sister takes care of this by having her eyelashes dyed (which you can have done at your local Aveda salon at a low cost).  For me, it has not come to that yet but I have decided that my Dior mascara needs to take a little break.  Mostly because it tends not to last as long and costs around $25.  Although nothing will be able to replace the look it gives my lashes (full, no clumps, long lasting, no running, and super super super BLACK pigment).  I slowly started to look for a cheaper alternative for everyday use.  I thought if I could find a daily replacement, I could save my Dior for those Dior moments in my life.  I am here to let you know, I have found a suitable alternative.  The CoverGirl  commercial with Taylor Swift caught my eye.  The newest mascara claimed to be light and use beeswax to keep your lashes light.  On a trip to Target, I breezed through the cosmetics aisle straight to the CoverGirl products.  Alas, there it was, CoverGirl Natureluxe mascara.  I scanned past the usual tones offered (including black), and as the choir of angels sounded, very black!! Only $7.99.  I could not wait to purchase my new mascara and take it home for testing.  I was amazed and happy to report that it works just as well as my Dior. 

I do recommend that you do not purchase the waterproof.  Waterproof mascaras tend to dry out your lashes and contribute to breakage.  This is why many women feel wearing mascara makes their lashes thin.  Make sure to not only moisturize your face everyday but also show your lashes and eyebrows some love too.  I hope you have the same luck I did with this product.  Take my advice, think of your mascara as you do your heels, you need an everyday pair and a special occasion pair.

Making Your Own Artwork

I am always on the lookout for artwork for my apartment.  I am very picky and the only artwork currently on my wall consists of framed vintage Bruce Springsteen posters, an Audrey Hepburn poster, and the LIFE magazine photo of JFK and RFK.  As many of you know, I am redecorating my large living space and I am in need of some new/creative artwork for my walk in area.  I was inspired by this link I saw on pinterest.  I made it my own and here are the results.  Enjoy!!

Custom Artwork

You will need:

Canvas
(I bought a set of 7 square ones at Michaels for $11.99)

Acrylic Paint
(I used a basic black, you can use any color that matches your space but make sure it is Acrylic paint)

Fabric Paint
(Match the color to your acrylic paint or use an opposing color for a more pop art look.  I used the Slick type to make my designs pop more)

Mod Podge
(any type) 

Foam Paintbrush
(I recommend the foam brushes because bristle brushes can break off stick to your paint)

Fine Paintbrush
(this is for gluing the design to the canvas, the smaller your fabric paint strokes are, the smaller brush you will need)

Designs
(I used animal print, so I googled animal prints to find my patterns and then printed them)

Scotch Tape

Wax Paper

1.  Cut your wax paper according to the size of your canvas.

2.  Using your sponge brush, paint your canvas with acrylic paint (using black, I had to paint three coats)

3.  Lay out your design and tape it down to your workspace.  Lay the wax paper over the design and tape in place.
 
4.  Trace over the design on the wax paper with your fabric paint.  I am right handed so I started from the left and worked my way right so that I would not mess up the design.  I used a canvas that was larger than my printout so I had trace the design, remove the tape from the design paper and tape it down again.  Then I traced the right side of the design.  Let the fabric paint dry overnight.

5.  The next day, carefully remove each design from the wax paper.  MAKE SURE YOU WAIT OVERNIGHT OR THE PAINT WILL NOT BE DRY!!

6.  I followed the shape from the wax paper when I placed the design on the canvas.  Once I placed my designs on the canvas, I glued the designs one at a time on with mod podge and a small paintbrush.  I used the end of the paintbrush to tap down on the design so the glue would stick and to protect my hands from sticking and pulling the designs off of the canvas.  Let dry overnight!!!

 For me, I wanted to do a zebra print and I tried doing it as seen above, but the lines were so complicated to lay down on the canvas.  I free handed that design with fabric paint onto the canvas.  Once you practice you can do this with any design!!!

Click photo to see my masterpieces!!!