Because Cleaning Your Closet is Harder Than You'd Think...

I'll admit I've never really cleaned out my closet to the point of totally overhauling it before. Oh yes it's pretty well organised especially for how small it is, but I must admit there is that top shelf way up by the ceiling that I'd never really gotten tidied. I've had the same bedroom and therefore the same closet since I was born, and eight teen years is quite a while for childhood, let's call them "mementos" to accumulate. And by mementos I mean countless drawings, school pictures, little toys, cd's and various types of trading cards.

The core reason I had always avoided tackling that shelf is because literally everything has a memory attached. How exactly do you decide what to keep and what to toss, without keeping so much you feel you need to be on an episode of Hoarders, or trashing so much you feel like you're throwing away your childhood?

Well after about six hours and two full trash bags, I accomplished my goal of cleaning that shelf. Through that process I've come up with some good tips for closet cleaning.

1) There's no need to keep duplicates. Sure that drawing of a princess I drew in fifth grade is cute, and so are the other forty nearly identical ones. Keep a couple and toss the others.

2) Don't keep things that are un-used and easily replaceable. Sure you may need that item you're thinking about keeping, one day, in the future, for something you can't foresee... But if it's worth two bucks and you can get it anytime at Walmart, the space it's taking up is probably more valuable than the item.

3) If there's an item you really want to toss but want to remember the attached memory, just take a picture of the item. That way you have the memory saved and the space freed up.

4) Sometimes it's easier to let an item go if you know it's going to a good home. Donate un-used toys or give them to a neighbor or relative.

5) Last but not least, If you really love something, or it's really memorable don't try to force yourself to trash it. Those notes and pictures your friends wrote for you in grade school are irreplaceable, and you can always find room for a few pieces of paper.

Thanks for stopping by!
Tell me your best tips for closet cleaning and organization in the comments!

How to Remove Labels From Jars

I always rescue all the empty jars in our house from the trash and use them for crafts.

But those stinkin' labels are such a pain to get off!

This weekend I had quite a collection of jars that all needed to be un-labeled.

And through the process of cleaning them I've learned a few tricks for label removal and I thought I would share them!

You Will Need:

• A bucket ( a bath tub will work too but it's less mess to this do outside)
• Goo Gone
• An Old credit card or gift card
• Dish soap
• Vinegar (optional)

Now there are two different ways to remove labels; one for plastic labels and one for paper labels.

 

For plastic labels:

First use the credit card to scrape off a corner of the label, then pull off the rest of the label if you can. If not keep scraping it off with the credit card.

Once you have the label off use the goo gone and a paper towel, and if need be scrape off any excess adhesive residue with the credit card.

Then wash off the jars with the dish soap and vinegar.

For paper labels:

Soak the jars in water for about 10 minutes. Scrape off the label and adhesive with the credit card. If there is still adhesive residue, dry the jar and use the goo gone, then wash the jars. (Since goo gone is and oil it will only work on dry surfaces.)

Now you have some usable jars!

I'm working on a jar lantern craft so stay tuned for that!

Thanks for stopping by!

Merry Canary: Outfit of the Day

Hey there!

Here's an outfit of the day from earlier this week.

Sweater - Walmart

Black Tank - JCPenny

Skirt - DIY

Shoes - Payless

Belt - Kohl's

Bag - Target

Here's a close up of the fabric. It has little palm leaves and birds. This skirt was originally a button down shirt, but I cut off the neckline and added some elastic and ta da! Skirt.

Thanks for stopping by!



Mosaic Manicure

I was inspired to do this after hearing about the caviar manicure, which is basically a kit with tiny seed beads you put on wet nail polish, that give your nails have a cool texture.

I didn't have any seed beads but I did have some square cut craft glitter so I came up with this.

I really like the trend of having one nail on each hand different than the rest. I also thought ten extremely glittery nails might be a bit much.

I did this in basically the same way the caviar manicure is achieved. I applied one coat of nail polish and let it dry completely. I used a Zoya polish in the color Kristen.

Then I applied a second coat of polish and while it was still wet I dipped my ring finger in the glitter. I let it set for a minute and then applied top coat.

If you want to add another layer of glitter, just apply another top coat, and dip you nails back in the glitter.

I really like how this turned out. It's very fun and It's more dramatic than just using a glitter polish. It has more texture and shine than a glitter polish could provide.

Thanks for stopping by!



70's Style: Outfit if the Day

Hello!

Here's what I wore today!

Purple Top - Target

Yellow Tank - JCPenny

Jeans - Kohl's

Sunglasses - Charlotte Russe

Shoes - Payless

I love the 70's vibe this outfit has. Between the flare jeans, the oversize sunglasses and the paisley flowy top, it just exudes 70's style to me! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Comment question: What's your favorite decade for style?

Outfit of the Day

Hey there!

Here's an outfit I wore to my classes last week.

Sweater - JcPenny

Skirt- Old Navy

Shoes- Payless

Bow Belt - Kohl's (came from another skirt)

Earrings- Forever 21

Thanks for stopping by!



February and March Birchboxes

Hey there!

I recently got my March birchbox and since I never posted my February box I thought I would post them both!

February's Box

To be honest I haven't tried anything that came in this box yet. However there are some cute and intriguing things.

1) The Beauty Blender makeup sponge. It's the pink thing in the upper right of the box. I've heard good things about this; that it makes your makeup look really nice.

2) Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. (the little grey box top right) This is basically a container with powder in it that you add water to and use as a face scrub. It seems like you could just use baking soda and get the same effect but I haven't tried it yet.

3) Eye Rock Designer Liner. These look really cool. They're eyeliner stickers. They look a tad tricky to apply but they're very cool and dramatic looking.

4) Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint. (not pictured)

This is just a small sample of tinted moisturizer. It looks like it will match my skin tone well.

5) Heart Shaped Nail File (top left) This is so cute. I'm thinking I'm going to keep it in my purse. Love it!

 6) Last and possibly least I got a card for some free music downloads for Green River Ordinance. I haven't downloaded them yet so I don't know if they're any good. They name also sounds vaguely familiar but I can't think of any of their songs.

March's Box

This was my third box but for some  reason my card said "Welcome to Birchbox!" like my first one did. I didn't mid much though because I really liked this box.

1) Ahava Essential Day Moisturizer. ( top right)  I tried this out on my hand and it seems nice. It's light and not greasy. It does have a, let's call it different, smell. It's not a bad or strong smell but It's not a typical scent you would expect. I would describe it as sort of a mineral like smell; salty almost.

2) Annick Goutal Eau d'Hadrien. (top left) I love this perfume it smells soooooo good! It says it is inspired by tuscan citrus groves with lemon, grapefruit and green mandarin notes.

3) Color Club Nail Lacquer in Peace Out Purple (lower right)

I like this polish I used it on my toes. It's a very bright almost neon purple so it's not for everyone, but I think it's festive, It's also formaldehyde and toluene free.

Peace Out Purple Toes!

4) Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint.( center right) 

I got another one of these in my box this month. Birchbox actually emailed me to apologise for sending me a repeat sample, but I don't mind.

5) Orofluido Beauty Elixir (center left)

This is a hair oil and it smells nice. It has a very mellow, mild vanilla scent. It says it has argan, linseed and cyperus oils. I'm excited to try this one.

6) Tea Forte Skin Smart Teas (center)

Last but certainly not least are these yummy looking teas. They are flavored green teas. I was really happy to get these because I love green tea and the different flavors are a fun twist.

Well that's every thing from my birchboxes!

Tell me in the comments: Do you get birchbox? If so what's been you favorite item?