diy: glitter mason jars

How cute are these mason jars?!

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These are super easy to make and would be such a nice addition to any bathroom or vanity set.
Simply use Mod Podge, or any other adhesive based glue on the inside of a mason jar and spread your choice of colored glitter around the inside with a paint brush. (Make sure it's colored so the inside of the clear glass can be hidden!) Add a ribbon for an extra touch with a dab of hot glue to keep it in place.

Easy and beautiful!

post-holiday deep clean

I know it's normally called spring cleaning, and it's not quite spring yet, but after every holiday season I feel the need for a deep home cleaning. It allows you to get rid of the old stuff, bring in the new stuff from the holidays, and enjoy the rest of your winter comfortably!

This list is from The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking.

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"FOYER

1. Dust lighting fixtures.
2. Wash walls and trim.
3. Wash doors, knobs and switch plates.
4. Wash bench or other furnishings. Launder bench cushion, if applicable.
5. Empty out coat closet. Wash walls and floor. Sort items as you return them to the closet.  Store out of season items, donate unneeded items. 
6. Clean or replace entry mat.
7. Sweep and scrub floors.  
8. Reseal grout lines, if necessary.

BEDROOMS

1. Open windows.
2. Dust furniture.
3. For each drawer: remove items, wash drawer, place items back neatly.  Donate Items you no longer need. 
4. Remove everything from closets. Sweep and wash closet floor. Put everything back neatly.  Donate items you no longer need. Try not to store things on closet floor.
5. Move Bed. Sort and put away anything that was under bed. Sweep or vacuum under bed. Try not to store things under bed.
6. Put bed back. Freshen mattress by sprinkling with baking soda, letting sit briefly, and then vacuuming it up.
7. Launder bedding and curtains. Wash pillows and duvet in hot water. Air out mattress pad, if you have one.
8. Dust lights. Clean lamp shades.
9. Wash windows and window sills. Take out and wash window screens.
10. Wash switch plates. Wash walls and trim.
11. Wash mirrors or dust art.
12. Wash doors and doorknobs.
13. Wash floor registers and other vent covers.
14. Sweep and wash floor or vacuum.

BATHROOMS

1. Open windows
2. Empty all cabinets and vanity. Wash inside, replace items neatly. Discard expired medications and cosmetics.
3. Wash outside of cabinets and vanities
4. Clean tub. Wax if necessary. Clean drain.
5. Clean toilet, inside and out. Remove seat and clean around seat bolts.
6. Clean sink and drain.
7. Shine faucets.
8. Clean mirror and frame.
9. Dust light fixtures. 
10. Wash windows and window sills. Take out and wash window screens.
11. Wash switch plates. Wash walls and trim. Wash doors and door knobs.
12. Wash floor registers and other vent covers.
13. Sweep and wash floors.  
14. Reseal grout lines.

KITCHEN

1. Open windows.
2. Remove and clean window coverings. Click here for instructions on cleaning mini blinds.
3. For each cabinet or drawer: Remove items, wipe out drawer, place items back neatly.  Donate unneeded items.
4. Wash and sanitize cutting boards.
5. Sharpen knives.
6. Wash cabinet doors and knobs.
7. Clean and organize pantry. Check food expiry dates.
8. Clean oven.
9. Clean stove top. Remove elements and drip bowls, if applicable, wash and put back.
10. Clean and organize fridge and freezer. Defrost freezer, if necessary. Check food expiry dates.
11. Clean under fridge and stove.
12. Vacuum refrigerator coils.
13. Clean microwave.
14. Clean crumbs out of toaster.
15. Clean and descale kettle.
16. Wipe down any other counter appliances.
17. wash counters and back splash.
18. Wash and shine sink. Shine faucet. Clean drain.
19. Clean Dishwasher.
20. Dust light fixtures.
21. Wash windows and window sills. Remove window screens and wash.
22. Wash switch plates.  
23. Wash walls and trim.
24. Wash doors and door knobs.
25. Wash floor registers and other vent covers.
26. Sweep and wash floor.  
27. Reseal grout lines, if necessary.

DINING ROOM

1. Open windows.
2. Wash curtains.
3. Wipe down table and chairs.
4. Wipe down or dust other furnishing.
5. clean chair pads, if applicable.
6. Polish table, if necessary.
7. Create a pretty spring vignette on table!
8. Dust any displayed china or serving dishes.
9. Launder table linens.
10. Shine silverware.
11. Dust art.
12. Wash windows and window sills. Take out and wash window screens.
13. Wash switch plates.
14. Wash walls and trim.
15. Wash doors and door knobs.
16. Wash floor registers and other vent covers.
17. Clean floors.

 LIVING ROOM/ FAMILY ROOM/ PLAYROOM

1. Open windows.
2. Vacuum sofas.
3. Spot clean sofas, if applicable.
4. Launder throw pillows and blankets.
5. Dust shelves, furniture and decor.
6. Clean lamps and lampshades.
7. Wash windows and window sills.
8. Take out and wash window screens.
9. Clean television screen.
10. Carefully dust electronics.
11. Tidy electronics wires. Tuck nicely out of sight. Label them, if practical.
12. Sort through music and DVD collections. Purge things that no longer suit your families interests. Organize what is left in an attractive manner.
13. Sort books and magazines. Donate or recycle ones that no longer suit your families interests.
14. Wash hard plastic children's toys with warm soapy water. Rinse and dry. Launder stuffed toys. Donate or store toys that your children have grown too old for.
15. Wash switch plates.
16. Wash walls and trim.
17. Wash doors and knobs.
18. Wash floor registers and other vent covers.
19. Clean floors.

LAUNDRY ROOM

1. Open windows.
2. Wash windows and window sills.
3. Take out and wash window screens.
4. Wash cabinet doors.
5. Wash inside cabinets.
6. Wash laundry sink. Shine faucet. Clean drains.
7. Wash outside of washer and dryer.
8. Wash inside of washing machine.
9. Wash lint trap with soap and water to remove filmy build-up from laundry soaps and dryer sheets. Let air dry thoroughly before putting back in place.
10. Wash switch plates.
11. Wash walls and trim.
12. Wash doors and door knobs.
13. Wash floor registers and other vent covers.
14. Sweep and wash floors. 
15. Reseal grout lines, if applicable. 

STAIRWELLS

1. Sweep/vacuum stairs.
2. Spot clean walls.
3. Wipe down handrail.
4. Dust art and light fixtures.

OUTSIDE

1. Sweep porches and walkway.
2. Wash thresholds.
3. Wash exterior doors. Give front door a fresh coat of paint, if necessary.
4. Clean or replace welcome mat.
5. Wash siding.

REMEMBER TO:

• Clean blades of ceiling fans.
• Sort through and organize family photographs (digitally or into albums).
• Sort and clean any extra zones such as linen closets, utility closets and office spaces.

***Read the introduction to this list, complete with some helpful tips, by clicking HERE.

Happy Cleaning!"

Again, the above list is from Imperfect Homemaking, so be sure to check out the awesome site!

nifty links

Here are some nifty organization tips that I've compiled over the last few weeks. They're super simple and make you say "why didn't I think of that?!"

Use dollar store soap holders to store card game decks

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 Use a toothpick dispenser for Q-Tips

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(This link is to purchase the above dispenser
especially made for Q-tips;
but a toothpick dispenser works just as well!)

Use baskets in your closet for accessories such as clutches and scarves

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 Use an old wipe container to hold grocery bags; Learn how to roll bags properly to get the interconnected pull out appeal here:

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 A spice rack doubles as a nail polish holder

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 Cut toilet paper rolls to hold wrapping paper leftovers

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 Magazine racks with dividers work for flipflop storage

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What's in my school bag?

If you're like me, you probably have been known to linger in the office-supply section of your local retailers, and hoard supplies. While many items in your collection are a necessity, it can get a little heavy trying to lug everything you need around. I like to be extra-prepared, especially when I'm going to be on campus for a long time period, and want to have my desk with me at all times! Instead of trying to carry around my three-drawer wooden oak desk my Grandfather made for me, I have found these items to fill my essential needs and save my shoulder and arms in the process!

To start, I like to stay stylish and don't like the look of backpacks, so yes... I carry around a Coach bag as my school bag. Judge me all you want but it is super functional and I'll show you how!

First things first, in the front pocket I have a pencil pouch which I will spill open for you with all of those extra nick-nacks you know you will need at some point in time.

In the middle I carry my notebooks and laptop (usually two spiral bounds with my 13" Macbook Pro, they fit perfectly!). Along with these items, I have my wallet and planner, naturally it's pink to brighten my day anytime I look at it.

For those items you are grabbing constantly, I leave mine out and loose in the front pocket of my bag. They include cough drops (it's that time of year!...also convenient for the person sitting next to you with that annoying tickle), gum, my ID carrier, lip balm, highlighter, pencil, pen and white-out. 

For the less-used but still necessary items I use a pencil pouch stuffed in the front pocket of my bag along with the loose items. Inside are extra pens, pencils and highlighters, my phone to computer cord, lotion, a stapler (yes I have a stapler in my coach bag!), erasers, hand-sanitizer, Kleenex (again with the cold season), and of course post-it notes.

So you see... everything fits functionally and effectively! Some may say I'm asking for back problems later in life, but it truly weighs less than my high school backpack and looks ten times more appealing :).
How do you carry your school/work supplies around?

Get Organized on your Wish List

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Use your holiday wish list to help you get and stay organized for the upcoming year. Keep things trendy and inspiring to help  you stay on track. Here's what's on my wish list this year:

Desk Caddy

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 Kate Spade Sticky Note Set

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Greeting Card Organizer 

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 Coral Leather Gift Pack: Winterland

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 Leather Briefcase

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 Retro Square Pens

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 Vintage Pattern Notebooks

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apartment helpers

Check out these neat products to help keep your small (or large) space nice and tidy!

I could have used these when I had roommates

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It's a pain to have to sort through laundry at the laundromat,

so do it easily at home with this laundry organizer

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Some shoe organizers make it hard to tell what pair you're reaching for, not this one!

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Fridge organization! Heaven on earth...

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Genius, rotating plugs to fit those pesky large plug ins!

Why haven't I seen one of these before?!

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These cute plug holders would definitely help with saving energy by encouraging unplugging items

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spotlight: MochiThings

I was in the process of finding things for another organizing post, when I stumbled upon MochiThings. You guys may have visited the site or heard of it before, but I had not and I'm in LOVE. They have the cutest purses, pouches, desk organizers and office supplies at a fairly reasonable price. Normally, I wouldn't drop $20 on a pencil pouch, but once you see it, you will know what I mean by being cute enough so you have to afford it!

I love so many of the items it's so hard to choose what to show you guys! But take a look at these and then please go to mochithings.com to check it out for your self!

I recently spoiled myself and bought an iPhone 4S and have been looking for a new case for it, this is one of my favorite that I've seen so far!

 Button iPhone Case $35.95

I need one of these organizers for my school bag, it would seriously help me find things mid-class so I'm not the one noisily digging for a pencil or my chapstick

Slim Purse Organizer $37.95 

 How cute are these little guys? I would smile every time I open my school books!

Frog Index Sticky Note $2.95

You don't have to feel like the nerdy kid bringing their lunch to school anymore with this stylish lunch pack

Dream of One Day Picnic Pouch $27.95

Honestly, this tape could be very bad for me... my entire property would be decorated with it!

 Flower Pattern Fabric Tape $5.95

Talk about organized... this pouch comes made for your iPad, but they also have different dimensions for notebooks, notepads, or whatever you'd like!

 Better Together iPad Pouch $48.95 (on sale now for $34.27)

Okay, come on, so cute, right?

Ribbon Pencil Case $20.95

home life

Here are a few cute ideas to dress up areas in your home. Some of these are items you can buy pre-made, but I think they would be super easy DIY things too!

Clear containers labeled to store items, or decorative pieces like the flower shown below.

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Shoes are pieces of art, so why not display them like so? Use a ladder to brighten up a dull corner and display your artwork. 

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Hot glue embellishments like fake flowers to a plain mirror.

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Use an old window as a picture frame.

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travel tip

A must have for traveling, and so easy to make!

Sew a washcloth to get this tidy travel keeper. Add a cute ribbon on the end for keepsake purposes. When you're home from your travels, just throw the towel in the wash, super easy to clean up!

makeover my makeup

Today marks my first official day of summer! I have one more (extra) semester of college left before I have to face the real world. I moved back home with my parents for the summer so I could focus on horse showing this season, for those of you who don't know I competitively show horses. While I do love being around my family all of the time and my own room with much more space than my apartment... I now have to share a bathroom. I'm a neat freak, but not everyone in my family is, especially my little sister. Here are some cool and slick organizers that I may just have to "gift" to my family members! (and of course one for myself :))

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[via] makeup included on this one!

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