I've recently reorganized my master bathroom, using a very small budget.  Everything I used was purchased from the Dollar Tree & Dollar General.  It's not fancy, but I think it's cute and more importantly it's efficient.  I haven't labeled my baskets yet, because I haven't decided how I want to do that. Let's get to it...

In the above picture I'm giving you a sort of overview of the whole "vanity" area.  I know not everyone has a lamp in their bathroom, but I don't have the best lighting and with my POHS I don't see very well.  I HATE that the lamp cord runs behind the length of the counter, but there's nothing I can do about it.  

Here's the first bottom cabinet under the sink.  This is where I house my hair products.  There's also a lighted makeup mirror behind there in the back.  I'm storing it there right now because I can't use it.  My POHS is bothered by direct light in my eyes.  All the bins were purchased at Dollar Tree.

• A: lamp & lampshade I purchased at Dollar General for under $8
• B: Dollar General mirror for a couple of dollars
• C: Wine glass from Dollar Tree that I keep my toothbrush & paste in
• D: Glass candle hurricane from the Dollar Tree that I keep brushes/combs in
• E: Little metal bucket from the Dollar Tree for my makeup brushes
• F: Three drawer plastic storage I purchased from Dollar General.  Houses Q-Tips, Cotton balls, and Bobby Pins
• G: Tiny candle holder from Dollar Tree with a B&BW candle in it

Larger view of the Plastic Storage and my adorable metal bucket from Dollar Tree

• A: Little ceramic painted birds from Dollar General for less than a buck, they were on clearance.  One says "Live" & the other says "Laugh"
• B: These were a pinterest project.  I took glass containers from the Dollar Tree and adhered them to glass candlestick holders, put some glass beads in it, and a candle.  Spent about $9 total.
• C: The yellow basket also from Dollar Tree has washcloths in it, and the yellow tea cup was from an antique store. 
• D: This large pink basket I purchased years ago at Big Lots I believe, so I already had it on hand.  It holds all my curling irons, flat irons, and blow dryer.

• A: The wooden over the sink shelf I purchased at Big Lots several years ago.  It's not the prettiest thing in the world, but I love the functionality of it.
• B: Hello Kitty jewelry holder.  I have a major love for Hello Kitty.  She makes random appearances throughout my apartment.  I purchased this jewelry holder from Walmart about a year ago.  I put her in the bathroom for my "catch all".  This is where I take jewelry off at the end of the night, but don't feel like properly putting them away in the bedroom.
• C: Makeup pencil holder is from Dollar Tree, it's just a glass container
• D: The little tray that Jess' products is on was from Dollar General for a dollar
• E: This is an empty B&BW candle jar.  I put my phone in it when listening to quieter podcasts.  It amplifies the sound, so I can listen in the shower.

• A: Dollar Tree bin that holds boxes of gauze, bandaids, thermometer, etc.
• B: Same dollar Tree bin that I keep manicuring things in
• C: Little tin bird from Dollar General
• D: Flower arrangement from Dollar General
• E: Cute little painted 2 drawer wooden box also from Dollar General
• *All the decor items were on clearance at Dollar General.  I think I purchased all of them for less than $10.

• A: [All these bins were from Dollar Tree]  This bin has misc. makeup items that I want to store in the bathroom, but I don't use everyday.
• B: Waxing & Shaving items
• C: Sample Society product stash [I'll have another post on the contents of that basket]
• D: Another empty glass B&BW candle jar.  This one has sample society products that I'm currently using.
• E: That bin has all my currently using "face" makeup.  Like foundation, powders, blush, primer, highlighter, etc.
• F: This bin has all my currently using "eye" makeup.

.financial planning series [part 3]

Today we're going to touch on one of my favorite topics, beauty products.  Women spend an average of $15,000 on makeup in their lifetime.  I know I have spent quite a lot in my lifetime, and I'm only 30.  There comes a point when you have to separate your wants from your needs.  I'm not saying we can't indulge ourselves, because come on we all deserve the occasional indulgence.  If you have to have the Chanel Perfection Lumiere foundation at $55 a bottle, then maybe you shouldn't also purchase the Chanel Le Volume mascara [which is $30 a tube].  Be reasonable with yourself.  What is your makeup passion? What are your trouble spots?  We'll go through some decision questions to ask yourself in this post as well as some tiiips & tricks...

Why do you wear makeup?

Is it to make yourself feel better?  Is it because you think you're "supposed" to?  I know plenty of women who don't really care about makeup, and wear very minimal amounts.  If this is you, then you should ask yourself if you even need it at all.  If you're only wearing makeup cause you think you're supposed to, and you feel perfectly confident without it, stop wearing it!  You don't need it.  If you wear it because you feel you "need" it and aren't comfortable in public without it, that's completely understandable.  I think most women will fit into that category.  Are you a makeup junkie?  An addict?  A connoisseur?  [This is my category]  If this is you, being frugal with makeup will be much harder!  [Trust me, I know.]

What are your trouble spots?  

Do you have bad skin?  Acne scaring?  I personally fall into this category.  I need a good strong full coverage foundation, that is quality and won't clog my pores.  Do you have beautiful skin, and just love a perfect lipstick?  Then you'd be better off going light on foundation/powder purchasing budget friendly products and splurging on that one perfect lipstick that feels like butter.  You get where I'm going with this?  We don't have to have the BEST of everything.  It's not necessary.  Sure, it's fun & tempting.  However, it will eat up your pocketbook.  

Resist temptation...

I have a full on nearly need addiction meetings type obsession with makeup.  I subscribe to about 75 Beauty YouTube vloggers.  Here's where my problem went from bad to worse...  These women tend to purchase more high end products, and OFTEN.  That's awesome for them.  It's their job!  Unless you are a beauty vlogger, or a makeup artist you don't need to hoard makeup.  [I'd be ashamed to show you my collection, it's massive]  I finally hit a point where I couldn't comfortably organize all the makeup I own.  It was my rock bottom.  My need for order and compulsive organization conflicted with my inner makeup hoarder.  It was like this lightbulb clicked on and I realized that just because Sally So & So says this new eyeshadow is the best thing ever, even though last month she was swearing by a different eyeshadow, I don't NEED that eyeshadow. I put myself on a "no buy" right then and there.  I am to use up everything I have in each category before purchasing more.  Example:  right now I have 3 brand new bottles of foundation waiting to be used.  I will use them all up before I purchase new foundation.  I don't care of Sally So & So found a miracle foundation that literally will take 10 years off your life... These 3 bottles I already have, must be used up first.  I've also noticed that since then, I have quit watching "haul" videos & reviews.  I don't need that temptation.  That wasn't even a conscious decision, I just naturally steered away from them.  

What I've Learned:

Where to spend my money && where NOT to spend my money.  When you become aware of your spending, you want to make better decisions.  I've learned that there is a dupe for nearly every high end product.  Ladies, the cosmetic industry is cut throat.  The drugstore brands are working harder than ever to have quality products.  There's some amazing stuff out there!  I have a few high end items that I can't see myself stopping use of, but I've replaced other things with drugstore.  

TIPS:

• Instead of spending $36 on that NARS contour that Sally So & So told us make her look perfectly sun kissed, purchase an affordable pressed powder in a shade 2-3 shades darker than your skin tone.
• Subscribe to ONE [not 10] monthly subscription box.  Birchbox is an affiliate with my blog, but I don't subscribe to them.  [Sorry birchbox, I'm an honest blogger...]  I subscribe to Sample Society and here's why... I feel that the products in Sample Society are much higher quality, they are crazy expensive brands that I would NEVER purchase for myself.  Here's why I suggest this... Last month I received a full size [not sample size] $30 Vincent Longo Eyeshadow Trio.  A $30 product in my box that only cost me $15, and that was just one item out of 5 that month.  I have a basket in my bathroom cabinet that is full of my sample society items.  I get so many high end eye cream samples from Sample Society, that I'll never have to purchase my own eye cream.  Reminder: these are very high end products that cost $30-$200 when purchased outright.  Yes they are usually not full size, but they are deluxe samples.  I've been using the same sample container of a Murad eye cream for 2 months.  I allow that $15 a month into my budget, because it fulfills my "need" for trying new things, while also saving me money in other ways.  If you need more info, just look at my Sample Society unboxing posts, to see what all I get every month.
• Use an eyeshadow primer, and you can purchase cheaper eyeshadow.  If you're using a primer that makes shadow last longer & increase the pigment on your eyes, you don't need expensive eyeshadow.  Want an even bigger tip?  Skip that expensive Smashbox primer, and grab a tube of Monistat Chafing Powder-Gel.  It has the same active ingredient as nearly all high end primers, and will last you FOREVER!  You can use this as a face && eyeshadow primer.  It works perfectly and is the most affordable option you will find.  
• Did you purchase a cheap mascara && it dried out on you really quickly?  Just squirt some eye drops in it and re moisten it.  

That's all I'm going to go into today.  I'm going to start a budget friendly beauty series so we can go more in depth.  In the mean time, check out myyy Pinterest board DIY Beauty.

xo Emilee

financial planning series [part 2]

I am in no way a college educated professional financial planner, but I think I'm about as self-taught educated as a person can get!  :)  You can be too.  While we're on the subject of self-educating ourselves to become financially serene, I have a tip for you.  You DO NOT need to purchase 100 different books on budgeting from people who make millions of dollars selling those books.  There is a wealth of knoweledge already provided for you on the internet.  If you want to know what "Mr. Money Advice Man" suggest for budgeting, google it!  I guarantee you there is a million blogs, articles, and forums that have leaked all the good points in his book.  I will be honest when I tell you, I've never read one of those Best Selling money guru's books.  We're smart women... we know deep down what we need to do to make our household budget work for us.  We're just scared, lazy, or frustrated.  Don't be!  It's not hard, and the reward is worth it.  

Today I want you to gather all your bills, pay check stubs, and bank statements.  [Don't be scared]  Get familiar with what you have coming in, and going out.  Look at what you need to cut.  Listen, I'm all about having a good time & enjoying life.  If you want that Starbucks, have it!  Just make sure to budget in how much you actually can afford.  If you have more bills than income... you cannot afford Starbucks.  [But that's a whole other post.]  How many vices do you have?  Do you need ALL of them?  If you're buying Starbucks in the morning, Subway for lunch, vending machine at work for a snack, ordering pizza for the family for dinner cause you didn't meal plan... we've got a problem.  So get all your financial statements, some highlighters [I'm a major color coder, so you will see me advise using highlighters often], and a pen & paper, and a calculator, cause we're going to dissect!

Dissecting your finances:

We're going to start small.  I want you to take last months bank statement.  Grab a green highlighter, and I want you to highlight all income.  Total it up and write it on your piece of paper.  Once you're done, just look at it for a moment.  Think about how hard you worked for that money.  How many transactions do you have that are money spent, in comparason to your income?  A lot?  Look at how quick you were to waste that hard earned money.  I like to look at everything in how much I had to work to pay for each item.  Let's say you make $10 an hour.  Remember that Starbucks trip?  You ordered your Venti Carmel Macchiato and then also decided to tack on a muffin for breakfast.  Your total will be with tax, nearly a full hours worth of hard work.  As you go through your statement, I want you to highlight in pink all the purchases that were made that you regret.  [Don't be hard on yourself, we all have them.]  Total those up and add them to your piece of paper under your income total.  Grab a blue highlighter now, and we're going to highlight all our "bills".  This will be mortgage/rent, utilities, phones, cable, internet, car payments, insurance, etc.  Add up that total and write it down underneath your "regret" number.  Let's stop and subtract those 2 from our total income.  Where does that leave you?  Are you already in the hole?  Do you have tons leftover [if so, what're you doing reading this? haha!]  

I want you to think about what you're looking at.  Are you content with your money spending?  Are you ashamed?  Figure out where you stand financially.  Is there some adjustments that need to be made?  If there are keep following this series.  I have tons of advice on frugal living, without feeling like you're deprived.  

Let's cover what we've done so far.  We've created our financially serene workspace in part 1, and now in part 2 we've dissected and assessed our finances.  Give yourself a pat on the back!  We're making progress!

financial planning series [part 1]

Let's talk about money.  I know, I know, money is something that each and every one of us have a love/hate relationship with.  I want to help you have more of a love for your income.  A respect for the hard work you do, and an appreciation for the hard work your husband/wife/significant other does.  Now, I'm not wanting to turn you into a money hungry greedy Mr Scrooge.  I just want to help you become financially "serene". 

First and foremost I want you to think about how you pay your bills.  What's your ritual?  Do you have one?  Where do you sit down and do your financial planning?  Do you have a desk?  The coffee table?  The dinner table?  Floor?  Is bill paying something you regret?  Financial planning is something that we HAVE to do.  Much like eating and showering!  We might as well learn to enjoy it.  [Or at the very least, be able to sit down and do it without the need of antacid and a xanax haha!]  

We're going to create a space that is calming and serene.  A space that you enjoy and brings good positive energy to you.  I'm not telling you to run out and purchase a bunch of decorating items, organizing items, and a desk.  That would definitely defeat the purpose of all of this.  Work with what you have!

If you have a desk:
What is the state of your desk?  Paper clutter galore?  How can you be serene with your bill paying, if you're sitting in a clutter swamp?  Organize that puppy!  Do it now!  If you can't even find your bills, how are you going to be able to pay them on time stress free?  

If you don't have a desk:
For the longest time I did all my household planning including finances at the dinner table.  I know what you're imagining.  You picture paper clutter all over the dining table, a laptop sitting there, and yesterday's coffee mug!  Well you're wrong!  I had a wonderful tote that I kept everything I needed.  That tote lived in a chair tucked under the table.  This portable office housed my netbook, my kindle, my budget binder, my planner, pens/highlighters, charging cables, and anything else I needed including my "serenity items".  I use this one from Reisenthel, it's sturdy & has an aluminum frame...

Serenity items & creating your space:

I LOVE candles!  Sorry Scentsy ladies, I can't live without my candles.  There's something about that flickering flame that calms me.  My candle of choice is Bath & Body Works candles.  "But Emilee... those are expensive!"  They can be, you are right.  I ONLY purchase them when they are on sale.  2 for $20 is when I usually stock up and I always stack a coupon with that.  For a quality candle I have no problem spending $10 a piece.  You could even get the smaller ones that are even cheaper, which I might suggest to you if you're taking advantage of the portable office approach.  To me, having a candle flickering and emitting the most pleasant aromatic experience is a bill paying necessity.  What do you feel most calm with?  Classical music playing?  Candle burning?  Being surrounded by pictures of loved ones?  Think of the things you LOVE!  Make sure to incorporate that into your space.  Make it a happy place for you.  How about your favorite tchotchkes?  You need a space that you are happy to sit in, feel comfortable in, and that is YOURS.  If you're taking advantage of the portable office, you may be at the dinner table or coffee table.  During bill paying time, that space is YOURS and YOURS ONLY!  

Homework:

I want you to hop on Pinterest.  Create a board just for ideas for YOUR PERSONAL SPACE!  An Illustrated Discovery Journal of sorts [If you're not familiar with Sarah Ban Breathnach's books, an Illustrated Discovery Journal is a Visual Autobiography of your Authentic Self.  Pictures that speak to you, ideas, things you love.]  I want you to focus on things for your space.  For example:  Take this picture of an office space below...

photo credit

This wouldn't take much to create.  What do you love about it?  The desk?  Well that looks like a wall shelf!  Take shelf brackets & a shelf, mount it on the wall.  Voila!  How about the flowers?  That could easily be replicated with Dollar Tree items.  Find "office" spaces that you love & pin them!  Then use your creative side to recreate them!

I will do this homework with you!  Once you've created your board, post the link in a comment below.  Share your progress!  We are in this together!  Happy pinning!

happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July!

sale alert! [e.l.f.]

e.l.f. cosmetics is celebrating their 9th birthday with a free gift!  You can get the 85pc Birthday Palette ($150 Value) for FREE when you spend $25 or more!  This offer is valid 7/2-7/8 only using coupon code BIRTHDAY at check out!