Friday, January 27, 2012

Personal-Care Bathroom Organization & Fresh Homemade Soap Lovin

Organization (not to be confused with cleaning) has always been a big passion of mine ever since I was a little girl.  I would organize for FUN everywhere I went.  I've shared a tiny bit of organization here and here and here and here on this lil blog and I'm hoping to share more this year. 

In our master bathroom I've used a categorized box system for years that works very well for me! Against all organizational advice, I don't have ANYTHING labeled in my bathroom. Umm, wow and oops.  This organization system for my personal care items is more raw and homemade instead of professionally polished.  But it has worked so well, that I haven't changed a thing!



 Okay, this is the system I've used for years and I double love it.  On the inside of my cabinet you'll see boxes holding products. (Behind the boxes is just extra inventory).  Each box serves a purpose.  I have a box of anti-aging products, a box of morning and night cleaning routine products, a hand & foot care box, a hair care box, etc, etc.  The most important thing I've found with organizing bathroom self-care supplies is that it is key to keep products that are used AT THE SAME TIME together...in the SAME SPOT.


Let's pull a couple of the boxes out so I can show you examples.  To hold my supplies, I re-use all those sturdy, pretty boxes that make up and perfume gift sets come in.  Of course, you can easily buy baskets, bins, or tupperwares for a cleaner more polished look, but I really like those free pretty boxes!

Everything is designed to be instantly grabbed with one quick movement.  No more opening and closing drawers one thousand times.  Grab a box, put it on the counter, use the products, put the box back.  Hello simple.


This is my most-used box.  It holds the products I use for my DAILY cleansing routine.  I just pull it out and set it on the counter each morning and evening.  Box it up and put it away when I'm done.  So easy and everything stays organized forever and ever. {wink}


This is my anti-aging box.  Anytime I want to do a skin care routine for preventive maintenance, I easily pull out this box and it has everything I need. 


This box isn't used as often but it is hand and foot care items.  You can also store nail polish with these supplies.  And while you're staring at my favorite hand lotion, let me explain! ;)  I love, love, love times a thousand L'Occitane Shea Butter hand lotion.  It is better than anything else.  I'm not the only one who feels this way.  Every 7 seconds, someone around the world buys this hand lotion.  It is worth every pretty copper penny. 


I have every topic and category for personal-care in BOXES!


I've always said that if something is not pretty I don't keep it. This applies to things behind closed doors as well.  After I return from a trip to Sam's Club, I take the inventory of supplies out of the commercial packaging and line my shelves.  Not only is it prettier (big points there), but the supplies are easier to access which will keep cabinets neater.    


On the bottom shelf is our first aid area.  I have a pull out drawer instead of a box since there are too many supplies to keep in one box.  I also use a glass cube for the more commonly needed first aid supplies. 



I also keep this clear travel bag in my bathroom cabinet.  It is the correct size for airline travel.  I keep it stocked so when we leave for any vacation I can just grab and go.



As I've mentioned, I use quite an eclectic collection of organizational boxes for my bathroom.  This basket was a gift from my parents when they arrived home from a coastal vacation one year.  I use it to store our extra toothbrushes.  Toothbrushes need to be replaced EVERY MONTH to keep the family sanitary.  Keeping a bundled supply in this basket makes it easy for everyone to grab a new toothbrush when needed.  



Because I use Q Tips and cotton balls with nearly every box, I keep them out all the time for easy access.  I store them in this beautiful goblet vase.  Chris gave me flowers in this vase for my 19th birthday and I've used it for this purpose ever since!



In summary:



If you're already over organizational ideas on just waiting for the PRETTY stuff, I have something FRESH and exciting to share...



SOAP.



Who knew?


 


I've never gone so crazy over body soap as I have recently.  Last year I did a homemade soap giveaway.  I also shared more about this soap over the holiday season.  My friend makes incredible homemade soap.  I was instantly sold on how pretty is was but after I used it I was sold on how AMAZING it was compared to typical store bought soap.  I will not be using store bought soap any longer! Seriously.  This homemade stuff makes us feel so fresh and clean! Chris was instantly sold on it too.  It is much healthier for our skin too because of the ingredients it is made with.  I am not getting paid or compensated to say this.  This is NOT a sponsored post.  I just love this stuff. 


Sarah makes a large variety of scents.  I bought a collection from her.  It is extra fun because when we need a new bar of soap I get to pick out whatever I want out of my jar!  It's these little things that make life happy.  


Just peek in the jar and choose a scent...



Citrus and Oatmeal...


It seems silly, but pretty little things and fun choices make life brighter.  My soap bar jar makes me smile.  We live in such a monotonous society sometimes.  We all shop at the same retail locations and buy the same stuff.  We go through the same motions, at the same time, and it robs us of our purpose and joy.  If you try to change just a few tiny things in your everyday life, you will create YOUR OWN life, with YOUR OWN identity and life will never be boring. 


 Handmade soap in every bathroom...


See more scent varieties at Sarah Lee's Soap Blog.



Fresh homemade soap is one of my new FAVORITE THINGS! 
If you use homemade soap, I would love to hear from you! It's a little thing that has made a big difference in my life.  To see more about the soap I use, visit Sarah Lee's Soap Blog.

 
That's a wrap on 
bathroom self-care organization 
and fresh homeamde soap heaven.

If you have any other orderly ideas to share, please do!
Order is so under rated.  
It we gather a few minutes to organize,
we save TIME. 
With order, we are able to be 100% more effective with our daily tasks, 
giving us more time to do what we love. 


 




This post is linked to:   Under the Table & Dreamin, Think Pink Sundays, Seasonal SundaysMet Monday, Making the World Cuter, Tuesday Tutorials and Tips, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, DIY Design, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, Organize and Decorate Everything, Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff,   Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up  DIY by Design  

18 comments:

caveman said...

One of the things I really admire about you is your organizational skills. Whenever I am trying to organize things at the office, I always ask myself, "How would Lisa do this?"

And a huge +1 to loving Sarah's soaps! Success is in the details and this particular detail really makes a difference in appreciating each day.

Anonymous said...

I love your organizational ideas..I too use homemade soap and have for a year or so now..It really is good for our skin (all natural) and the smell can't be compared to store bought ones..I have a friend who makes them and has a cute little shop on her property..I am off to check out your friend's soap now..Have a great weekend..

Blondie's Journal said...

Your ideas are fantastic! I am in the midst of cleaning out and organizing my linen closet and vanity. These ideas will definitely help! I am now going to check out Sarah's shop!

XO,
Jane

Judy@cutest-little-things.blogspot.com said...

I thought everyone stored their stuff in boxes! My cabinets look pretty much the same way :) Funnier still is the toothbrush tip! I just replaced all of our toothbrushes today (I'm fanatical about replacing them regularly - esp. after someone has been sick).

The soaps look sublime! I buy handmade soaps at craft festivals - but your friend's look sooo extra pretty! Lucky you!


Judy@cutest-little-things.blogspot.com

Shelly said...

Using boxes is a great idea. I was in desperate need of organizing help with my toiletries. I think it will be fun finding cute boxes to use too. I'm pinning this idea to pinterest.

I'm going to check out the soaps now.

Jenny said...

How cool. I have like 6 beauty products (might explain something - ha!) and two bars of soap going at any one time. I'm impressed with your mad selection of products AND your organizational skills!

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

Your soap looks so pretty!

sweet violets said...

Your closet looks exactly like mine!!! I love to use those same pretty boxes from cosmetics purchases!!! And organizing is a passion of mine....so fun to do during the winter months...going to check out the soap site....hugs...

Snap said...

Organize, organize, organize. How much easier our lives are! Love the soap, too!

Pattie @ Olla-Podrida said...

I am a nut for homemade soap. I just can't get enough of it. I thought I needed a support group. Thank goodness I'm not alone. Thanks for this great post.

Comeca Jones said...

I wish those soaps were scratch and sniff!I love the way you reuse the boxes!

b. said...

The soaps look pretty next to the tub!

You sure can organize, huh!!!

SAHMmy Says said...

Excellent use of on hand organizers; thanks!

Shiloh said...

You've got a great bunch of ideas. I have a lot of boxes in my cupboards too. Unfortunately, they're more clutter containers than organizers. I need to work on that.:)
Shiloh
everydaygameplan.net

Unknown said...

I so need to be organized when it comes to products like these. I'm so helter-skelter with it all. Thanks for the great tips! And I especially love that big glass jar with the gorgeous soaps! I have a feeling I will copying that. :)

Anonymous said...

This idea is really fantastic and wonderful.I really like this different type of ideas.I really like it.


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Its So Very Cheri said...

Hey Lisa,
I've been getting caught up on some of your posts.

It has been way too long.

Cheri from Its So Very Cheri

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