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  

Monday, January 23, 2012

Now the ground is white...A one-horse open sleigh ride

photo via AllAspen.com


This is part 3 of a 3 part post.  Please read part 1 and part 2 for more details on snow days in Aspen, CO.  



This year I wanted to find a  
timeless,
classic, 
old fashioned
winter charm family activity.
So I searched and googled and then... 
Umm, hello sleigh ride!   
 




In Aspen, Colorado, we finished off our vacation with a traditional old-fashioned sleigh ride.

"Dashing through the snow, in a one horse open sleigh...over fields we go, laughing all the way..."


The boys took some time to greet the gentle yet powerful animals.  Horses are incredible! The boys picked out their favorite horses and waited with anticipation to see which horse would pull their sleigh and what his name would be.


Meet Ben.  
The powerful horse that pulled us gently through the snow powder.



The bells were the most charming of all!  
Their light jingle made a merry path 
with every step of the way. 



Cameron loves horses.



Everything had to be JUST RIGHT before we took off...



Lots of warm blankets layered on the black sleigh 
to provide extra comfort for little toes. 


Finally time to bounce into the sleigh!


Cuddle close and hold fast loves.


Scarves,
down coats,
thick blankets,
hats pulled tightly over heads...
only our noses are exposed to greet
the icy winter.



"Dashing through the snow..."



in a one horse open sleigh..."



"Over fields we go"
 

"Now the ground is white...
go it while you're young...
and sing this sleighing song!"



"Jingle bells, 
jingle bells, 
jingle all the way...


O what fun it is to ride 
in a one-horse open sleigh"




warming us up from the inside out.
Bye beautiful horse
and thank you for pulling us over 
the snowy white hills.


 I thrive on experiencing these charmed moments 
with the ones that make my heart laugh over and over again.
I love my family truly, madly, deeply (said in true 90s lyrics).





Our sleigh ride was magic.  All my days I spend with my family is magic, whether it's washing dishes together or painting the town red. 





This is part 3 of a 3 part post.  Please read part 1 and part 2 for more details on snow days in Aspen, CO.  



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  

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Family SNOW morning in Aspen, CO with hot chocolate on a stick



This is part 2 of a 3 part post.  Please read part 1 for more details on Aspen, CO.  Part 3 (the sleigh ride) is coming soon!


During the holidays our family took a vacation to Aspen, Colorado and LIVED some winter wonderland moments for a few days.  On this particular day, we enjoyed some SNOW TIME fun...

Bundled up with layers of long johns, 
down feathers, 
and wrapped scarves...



White streets are one of my favorite things about snow days! 
It feels as if the world has stopped, 
traffic mellows, 
and there are no barriers.  
We can just run and play everywhere! 

And who are those 3 boys in the street anyways?! 
They look too tall to be my kids...


We spent a morning in Aspen just BEING.
   No itinerary, no paid amusement, 
just the five of us in an open park in Aspen, 
with SO many snowflakes! 


I couldn't get enough of this "pinch me!!" view.   
God is the coolest artist I know and it makes me so excited! 



I adore this view! The flawless blue sky traced the outline of a grand tree, 
with clusters of pinecones huddled on branches. 
Amazingly beautiful. 



The big snow covered trees were so proud and welcoming too.
Kotah found his way inside a tree's branches.


Then the boy STUFF happened.  
Past the outer branches of these majestic trees is a SECRET giant playground
formed of a maze of branches.   
The branches enticed my little people...of course. 


Up, up, up...


The boys climbed so high, 
making this Mama's heart dance a little faster.


Champion forest tree climbers, booyah.


Meanwhile, Chris is as chill as he always is.  
In any ordinary instance, this photo would look staged. 
But it's all legit loves! ;) 
This is the family where the Mr. always carries his guitar everywhere and plays it anywhere
and the Mrs. always carries her camera everywhere and snaps it anywhere.
Because of that...perfect shot!


These photos of Chris with his guitar make me smile inside out. 
It's just SO HIM! 
He quietly plays that thing anytime, anywhere.

There could be complete chaos next to him 
and he would still look like this...
so chill and calm.


"I'll smile when you hand me my camera back...pretty please."
 

 ...but there's no one else I'd rather be with. 


Fresh balls of snow
perfectly formed in glove-covered hands

 
With three boys and a fierce Daddy...
watch out..



  


Brrr
 Kotah




Cameron


The anticipation of hot chocolate
eagerly plays in young minds after a day in the cold snow. 
Fingers wrapped around a big steaming mug of chocolate
thaw through icy mittens
warming us up from fingertips to toes.

Jingle bell songs and hot chocolate

 I've recently found a little treasure that I've mentioned already before! 
The concept is simply adorable yet sophisticated, 
fun yet full of quality.

Squares of flavored chocolate sit at the bottom of individual sticks.  
Easily stir the chocolate stick into a big mug of hot water or hot milk.
Salted Caramel is my favorite!


The possibilities for these unique hot chocolate sticks are endless. 
They are perfect for entertaining, party favors, and gifts.  
I shared ideas previously here  on how to use them for gifts.  



Ticket Kitchen's hot chocolate on a stick are a new favorite of mine! 
I just double love these adorable things. ;) 



 For more hot chocolate ideas, 
visit a past post for a simple hot chocolate bar at home after a day of sledding:



Our family day in the Aspen mountains was a memory keeper.
Classic recreation of snowball fights, guitar songs, and hot chocolate sipping
remains timeless for a reason...
it works. 
It makes families close and it makes hearts happy.



This is part 2 of a 3 part post.  Please read part 1 for more details on Aspen, CO.  Part 3 (the sleigh ride) is coming soon!



The government makes me say that I was compensated for this post but all thoughts and opinions are my own and always will be!



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