This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MegaPrepped #CollectiveBias

Oh do I have an awesome DIY for you today!  It's "Glam up your Bathroom 2.0"!  In case you missed my original Glam up your Bathroom post be sure to check it out.  Today's DIY is even more simple and even more glam than the first.  This DIY uses makeup!  Yes that's right.  This DIY will use supplies you likely already have in your bathroom!

We're going to make this fabulous framed makeup art for your bathroom.  I wanted something glamorous [obvi] and something that would make a big statement on a budget.  Makeup in itself is art.  So why not choose it as a medium for an art project?

I took off to Walmart to purchase frames for my project.  I had a very specific look in mind for my frames.  I wanted something modern but not matchy matchy.  While I was at Walmart, I grabbed up some toilet paper.  My eyes were immediately drawn to the Quilted Northern® Ultra Soft & Strong® with Cleanstretch (9 Mega Rolls).  I can't think of a better way to stay stocked up on toilet paper without having hundreds of rolls stacked up.  Space saver! The Mega Rolls are 4x bigger than regular Quilted Northern® rolls. 

For the falsies frame I grabbed some super cheap falsies from Walmart and just lined them up on white card stock and framed them.  I mean seriously, how easy is that?!  Plus, look at how fresh and glam they look!  I advise getting at least 2 different styles of falsies like I did.  This creates a variance in texture.

These were super FUN to make!  Keeping with how simple these are, I bet you know what I did here.  Yup, you guessed it!  Slather on a few layers of lipstick and pucker up girl, cause we're kissing paper.  I chose several different shades of lipstick and kissed my card stock.  Slap that puppy in a frame and voila!

The larger one I wanted to be a little less busy.  I wanted a lot of the white showing much like the falsies frame.  So I grabbed those same shades we put on our lips.  I pressed the lipstick directly to the card stock and dragged it across in a line.  You'll want to apply a good amount of pressure here.  It creates texture.  Put it in a frame and we're done!

Display them however you'd like.  You can hang them or stand them up.  I opted to place them on my shelving that I store my extra Quilted Northern® Ultra Soft & Strong® with Cleanstretch rolls.  Who knew you could make toilet paper organization so glamorous?  I did!

|| SUPPLIES||

♥Frames

♥Lipstick tubes in varying shades

♥False eyelashes

♥White card stock

While you're out picking up your supplies for this Glam DIY, don't forget to pick up Quilted Northern® Ultra Soft & Strong® with Cleanstretch mega packs.  Because there is NOTHING glamorous about running out of toilet paper!

How do you store your stock pile of toilet paper?  Out in the open or behind closed doors?  Be sure to tag me on social media when you make your own Glam DIYs!

ultimate glove box organization

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GiveExtraGetExtra #Target #CollectiveBias 

I recently received a new car as a gift from my in-laws for my birthday.  I normally keep a very messy car, but have changed my ways with the new car.  Today I want to share with you how I maintain ultimate organization in my glove box.  Glove boxes are the junk-drawers of your car.  We tend to toss anything and everything into them.  That makes it difficult to find the necessary things when we need them!  I put together a fantastic binder to contain all important documentation in a neat and organized way.

I picked up my supplies for this project at Target.  As you know, I always check the cartwheel app before I run in.  I found this coupon to save 10% during February on New Extra® 35-stick pack.  I ALWAYS keep gum in my car, so I grabbed 2 of these.  I purchased the Extra® Gum Spearmint and also the Extra® Gum Polar Ice®.

The new Extra® 35-stick packs make it convenient to divide up.  My son can throw some sticks in his backpack, I can toss a few in my purse, and keep the durable recycled packaging in my car.  You can find the new Extra® 35-stick packs in the checkout line at your local Target.

Here's what I picked up for the project:  A mini 3 ring binder, pens, and dividers with tabs.  All of these supplies can be found in the Target One Spot.  They're affordable and make this a super cheap DIY!  I purchased the pens as extra pens to keep in my glove box.  You just never know when you'll need a pen.

||WHAT YOU'LL NEED||

♥Mini 3 Ring Binder

♥Hole Punch

♥Marker

♥Paper Trimmer

♥Full Size Dividers with Tabs

You'll need to size the dividers to fit your binder.  I was using small page protectors to put my documents in inside the binder.  I hate when divider tabs don't stick out past page protectors, so I sized mine to stick out.  This made my sizing a little random, but it works.  You'll want to cut out the dividers leaving the tabs so they're already made for you.  Be sure to mark where you'll need to punch your holes too.

Once I had them all cut out, I used a label maker to label my tabs.  I chose to categorize my tabs into: Maintenance/Repairs, Mileage [I track mileage for business purposes], Emergency, & Insurance/Registration.

In the Emergency tab I put my roadside assistance info, emergency contact numbers, etc.  This will make it helpful when in a situation where you need that information fast.

Once I completed the dividers, I put them in my 3 ring binder.  Then I sorted all of my glove box papers and documentation.  I placed the documents into page protectors and put them in their corresponding section of the binder.  

I really like having all my maintenance info where I can flip through and see what has been done.  This is useful for cars that still have warranties because you're taking the car to the dealership frequently for upkeep and maintenance.

Place the binder in your glove box along with your owner's manual and you're all set.  I of course placed my new Extra® 35-stick packs in there as well.  More gum for me to share with my passengers!

How do you organize your glove box?  What ideas do you have?  Do you also keep gum in your car at all times?  Let me know in the comments!

how I run an efficient online business

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PutALabelOnIt #CollectiveBias

Running a business is hard work.  I work from 8am to almost midnight some days.  My day has to flow as efficiently as possible, or I'd never accomplish anything.  Today I'm going to share with you my tips and daily tasks that help me run the most efficient online business that I can.

While my business is based online, I'm actually a very analog person.  I need tangible lists, folders, invoices, and planners.  Can all of these things be housed digitally?  Sure they can, but that's not how I operate.  I need a physical daily to-do list that I can physically cross off.  I need physical file folders that I can put actual paper invoices and receipts into.  And it's no secret I keep a physical planner for organizing my life.

One of the most important tools for helping me stay not only organized in my business, but actually help me create perfect packaging for my orders is my DYMO LabelWriter® 450.  I purchased my DYMO LabelWriter® 450 with a value bundle pack at Staples.com.  This thermal printer has been a game changer for me and my business.  Be sure to go check back every week for Staples Daily Deals for special deals on your favorite DYMO LabelWriter® products including DYMO LabelWriter® 450 Bundle, LabelWriter® 450 Turbo, and LabelWriter® 4XL Turbo!  The DYMO LabelWriter® 450 Turbo is great for printing USPS postage right from your computer with no monthly fee needed.  It prints at high speed and takes the LabelWriter® 450 to another level with printing up to 71 labels a minute.

I use the DYMO LabelWriter® 450 thermal printer to quickly make labels for my product packaging.  Talk about efficiency!  Etsy shops are known for their attention to detail with packaging.  Gone are the days of printing out full sheet labels on my inkjet printer.  That was costly due to the price of the labels and the ink.  Plus it can take forever when you're trying to print a lot of labels at a time.

||PACKAGING LABELS||

On my packaging labels I put my shop name, my shop url, my blog url, my Instagram username, and my YouTube channel.  This puts my social media info directly into the hands of my customers and encourages them to follow me creating a better relationship between us.

One of my most productive tools I created was my folder system.  It's a form of the infamous 43 File Folder System.  This folder system is my life line.  If you're not familiar with the system I did a post about it in January, but I've since altered some of the ways I use it.  My etsy business is growing quickly and I have orders to make nearly every single day of the week.  With the help of my DYMO LabelWriter® 450 I was able to create new labels for my folder system.

||FOLDER SYSTEM||

I have 12 folders labeled January thru December.  Then I have 31 folders that are labeled 1 thru 31.  At the start of each business week I print out my order receipts from customers.  I then place them into the corresponding folder of the day of the week I will be making their orders.  Every single morning after I've completed my morning routine, I sit down with a cup of coffee and my folder for the day.  Today's folder is 12 since it's the 12th day of the month.  I also place reminders or written to-do lists into the daily folders.  This keeps me from inserting too many items into my planner and making it bulkier than it already is.

The DYMO LabelWriter® Value Bundle Pack comes with 4 different rolls of labels to get you started.  The thermal printer also comes with DYMO Label™ software which is incredibly user friendly.  I was able to whip up my label designs in no time.  The DYMO LabelWriter® 450 lets you print crystal clear bar codes, labels, and graphics with 600x300 dpi resolution.  You also have the option to create custom labels from 60+ label styles and layouts!  Being a thermal printer you eliminate the need for expensive ink or toner.  This is a huge plus for me.  The DYMO LabelWriter® 450 is primarily available online, however it's available in some stores so be sure to check the store locator.

I also utilize the DYMO LabelWriter® 450 to create coupon code labels to include in my packaging.  I can easily customize the coupon per order by printing one label specifically for a customer, or printing a bunch of labels for all customers.  This isn't a luxury you have with your inkjet printer and full sheet labels.

||COUPON CODES||
Coupon codes are a necessity to getting repeat business.  Show your customers that you're willing to go the extra mile and that you appreciate their business!  They will be more likely to repurchase from you.  This is a quick efficient way to promote yourself.

||TIPS FOR EFFICIENCY||

♥Have a daily routine:  This is vital!  If you start each day running around not knowing what you're doing next, you're setting yourself up for failure.

♥Plan and organize everything:  Chaos can ensue quickly in your office.  Make sure that everything has a home and it gets put back.  You can't operate efficiently if you can't find what you need to do your job.

♥Eat:  This may seem silly but you'd be surprised at how many people get so busy they forget to eat.  I was this way in the beginning.  I'd skip breakfast in a hurry to get my work day started.  Now I start each day with a balanced breakfast and schedule a lunch time for myself.  If you're hungry, you're not going to be at your best.

♥Know when to bring in help:  This is a struggle among most entrepreneurs.  We tend to take on the attitude of "I can do it all".  Well some times you just can't.  I recently had an incredibly large order with a very time sensitive deadline.  I told myself that I could do it all on my own.  I couldn't.  The final week I checked my pride at the door and enlisted help.

♥Sleep:  Due to my family's schedules, I don't get the recommended 8hrs of sleep a night.  It's just not feasible.  If you are able to, DO IT!  Being sluggish is the worst productivity killer of them all.  Since I am unable to get a normal full night of sleep, I take an afternoon nap every single day.  I wouldn't be able to get everything done if I didn't.

♥Batch work:  Have specific days of the week that you complete specific tasks.  For example: with all of my hats [blog, youtube, etsy, etc] I have a lot of tasks each week to complete.  So I spend one day taking photos & editing.  Then another day writing or filming.  I ship 2 days a week so that I'm not running to the post office daily.  If you tried to do a little of everything each day, you'll get a whole lot of nothing completed.

♥Create stations:  In my home office I have "stations" setup.  There's a section of the room that is devoted to making orders.  All of my supplies are in that section at that desk.  Then I have another section in my office setup for packaging.  And another section setup as a studio for filming and photography.  With everything always setup in its own section, I never have to drag stuff out or spend time putting stuff away. 

This is how I run my business efficiently and smoothly.  The DYMO LabelWriter® 450 has been a huge help in achieving this.  What is your business?  How can the DYMO LabelWriter® 450 help you run your business more efficiently?

glam up your bathroom | EASY DIYs

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CraftedExperience #CollectiveBias

I recently did a home decor post about how I love living seasonally.  In that post you see that I have an industrial style apartment.  I LOVE my apartment and love that it's unique.  With its exposed brick walls and built in metal artwork, it really is one of a kind.  However, sometimes a girl needs some "glam" in her life.  My bathroom is truly a space of serenity and glam.  When I'm having a horrible day, nothing is better than a long soak in the bath.  My bathroom is MY place for relaxation and recharging.  This is one of the rooms in my apartment that I spend the MOST time decorating and sprucing up.

Today I'm sharing with you some super easy and affordable DIYs to help you add a little glam to your day!

||GLAM TIERED ORGANIZER||

For the glam tiered counter organizer, you'll need 3 metal trays, 2 candle stick holders, and some awesome glue.  I prefer E6000 since it's great for nearly ALL surfaces.

Liberally add your glue to the bottom rim your first candle stick holder.  This glue dries clear, so you don't have to be perfect with it.  You want to make sure you have a good helping of it on there.

Place your glued candle stick holder base onto the center of your first metal tray.  You'll want to try your best to get it centered.  Press it firmly down.

Now liberally add your glue to the top rim of your candle stick holder.  Again, this doesn't have t be perfect.  Just make sure you get it all coated.

Place your second metal tray onto the top rim of the candle stick holder.  Press firmly to get good contact of the glue on the tray.

Repeat those steps until you have 2 candle stick holders and 3 metal trays stacked up and glued.  You'll want to let this sit for at least 24hrs and up to 72hrs [based on the glue's instructions].

Once it's cured, you've got a beautiful glam tiered shelf for your bathroom counter!  Super easy, and super cheap.  You can get these products anywhere, but I picked mine up at Wal-Mart!

||GLAM COTTON SWAB & ROUND HOLDERS||

For this project you'll need 2 glass vases and 2 candle stick holders.  You'll also need your handy dandy glue!

Just like the tiered shelf, you're going to apply your glue liberally to the top rim of the candle stick holders.

Then place your vases onto the glued rims of the candle stick holders.  Even easier than the tiered shelf, and makes such a beautiful statement piece for your bathroom counter.

||GLAM WHITEBOARD||

For the whiteboard you'll want a pretty but non-expensive picture frame and scrapbook paper.  You'll need to cut down your scrapbook paper to fit the size of your picture frame.  I chose 5x7!

Now you have a pretty framed "whiteboard" that you can write notes or "to-buy" lists on!  You can either use dry-erase markers or a plain sharpie marker.  Dry-erase will come off easily with wiping.  If you choose a sharpie marker, you'll just need a paper towel dampened with alcohol to remove.

This DIY "whiteboard" is super handy to make reminders for when you use the last of something.  I like to use it to remind me to buy toilet paper!  Unfortunately, that's one of those items that you CAN'T do without!  So when you are on your last couple of rolls, use your glam DIY "whiteboard" to remind you to pick some up!

While at Wal-Mart, I picked up Quilted Northern Ultra Soft & Strong® Bath Tissue.  Quilted Northern is a 100 year old brand, and is a bath tissue that I trust to get the job done.  They've recently updated their packaging to a more modern look.  It's sewer and septic safe so you can flush confidently.  I love that it's strong and flexible!

||GLAM MOUTHWASH CONTAINER||

One of my most favorite tips for easily adding glam to your bathroom is to use a glass or crystal decanter to hold your mouthwash in.  It's super chic and makes even oral hygiene feel glamorous!

Add a wine glass or martini glass to pour your mouthwash into, and you've got an oral hygiene glam party!

Lastly, I like to keep a recipe book stand in my bathroom so that while I'm getting ready in the morning, I can prop up my planner and take a look at the day ahead!  

[haha, you had to know my planner would make an appearance!]

What are your favorite tips for adding some "glam" to your bathroom?!  I'd love for you to share them!

|| PIN IT ||

how I setup my 43 folder system

The last 6 months have been a mess of paperwork and receipts all over the place.  Tucked into planners, folders, files, envelopes, etc etc.  I knew for 2015 I needed a better system.  So I turned to the 43 Folder System made famous by David Allen and his book "Getting Things Done".

My setup is technically 45 folders, but the idea is the same.  I added in an "inbox" and an "outbox".  I needed a designated generic inbox & outbox for when I don't know exactly when & where a specific item needs to go in the system.  For example: I have a paid post that I've worked on for a company that is in review.  I won't know when to file that paperwork until they give me green light.  So it's currently tucked away in the generic inbox/outbox section.

I really wanted to use my label maker for labeling the folders, but my label maker is on the fritz.  I had a pile of papers that I NEEDED to organize, so I couldn't wait for a label maker resolution ahah.  I sat down with my stack of folders I'd been collecting from the Target One Spot && UrbanGirl, grabbed a Sharpie pen, and went to town [while watching Doctor Who].

I'll admit there's no rhyme or reason to my folder colors.  I loved them all and didn't care that they weren't all the same.  The shades flow nicely enough for me, so I'm happy with them.  The "month" folders are by SemiColon from UrbanGirl.  The rest are all from the Target One Spot.

Here's a closer look.  I'm currently using what I believe is a plate organizer for your cabinet.  I have my eye on a specific file folder holder from Target, but I'm crossing my fingers that it'll eventually go on sale.

Now every morning when I sit down to start my day, I grab that day's tickler folder to see what I need to do.  Right now, this has mostly been used to organize my blog business paperwork.  That's the majority of the paperwork I accumulate.  

Do you use the 43 Folder System?  How does it work out for you?