Trash to Treasure Trash Can

While I was at Ross the other day I picked up this garbage can for $4. Don’t you just love the blue color? Uhmmm, no! Maybe in another room, but not my bathroom.

First, I primed it because it was so dark and I didn’t want to use all my heirloom white paint trying to cover up the blue. I’ll be honest with you, I only use primer about 50% of the time.

Then I painted it heirloom white and liked how it looked, but I wanted to make the center design pop a little more.

So, then I made a big mistake. UGH! Ugly. I didn’t even have to finish and I could tell you this was a big disaster. I very strongly hate dislike it. This was all I could wipe off.

So, I used more heirloom white and painted over it again. Aaah, much better and I think the detail pops enough. And I don’t want to have to paint it again.

I love spray paint and being able to cover up my mistakes!

I’m linking to:

Get Your Craft On Thursday at Life As Lori

Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage

Show and Tell at My Romantic Home

Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous

Creative Cats at Poppies at Play

Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest

Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors

Weekend Wrap Up Party at Tatertots and Jello

DIY Project Parade at The DIY Showoff

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On The Porch

Talented Tuesday at My Frugal Family

Tip Me Tuesday at Tip Junkie

Power of Paint at Domestically Speaking

Penny Pinching Party at The Thrifty Home

Filed under Bathroom, Decorating, Painted Furniture | Comments (24)

Open Storage in the Master Bathroom

It’s Why Not Organize Something Wednesday again.

We don’t have a lot of storage in our bathroom. These 4 drawers and 2 cabinet doors are it. So I needed ways to have storage in the open but also have it look decorative and attractive.

We started by adding 2 shelves over the toilet area. The top shelf originally had towels and washcloths on it, but they have since been moved. The picture on the top shelf is one my mom painted. It’s always been my favorite painting and after bugging her for years, she finally gave it to me. Thanks Mom! 

Under the top shelf, I added hooks for my necklaces. I don’t have the patience to untangle my necklaces and I like the decorative touch it adds. I also like all the colors and the way they look hanging there, plus I can find what I want quickly.  

On the silver tray, I keep my watchbands. My daughter made these for me.

This egg crate holds some of my necklace pieces, bracelets and charms. The one on the other side holds my post earrings and rings.

I put a piece of screen in this oval frame and attached a ribbon to the back to hang my other earrings from. It hangs on the wall beside my sink.

These boxes hold other bracelets, pins, tie tacks and jewelry my younger kids have given to me. They’re on a shelf above the little table.  

I love this little table. It fits perfectly beside the tub and the towels look great on it.

The glass jars hold cotton balls, q-tips and make-up rounds. They sit on a tray I bought at the Dollar Store.

This is the only bar soap we buy and we buy it in bulk. I love displaying it this way.

We hang all our towels by hooks, rather than bars. It looks neater in my home, because no one ever hangs them on the bar correctly. 

So what’s your preference? Do you like open storage or do you like everything packed away behind closed doors? Next week I’ll show you the storage behind the doors.

I’m linking to:

Works For Me Wednesday at Rocks In My Dryer

Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts

Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage

Strut Your Stuff Thursday at Somewhat Simple

Friday Fun Finds at Kojo Designs

Victory of the Week at Design-Aholic

Make It For Monday at Cottage Instincts

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On The Porch

Motivate Me Monday at Keeping It Simple

DIY Project Parade at The DIY Showoff

Tip Me Tuesday at Tip Junkie

Filed under Bathroom, General organizing | Comments (24)

New Little Chippy Table

I found this amazing little table at a consignment/thrift store. I knew I had to have it the minute I saw it and I knew right where I was going to put it. In my bath room.

This is what used to be beside my tub holding my pretty glass jars full of q-tips and cotton balls. Not very pretty, but functional.

And here is the table now. Can you guess what I had to do to it, before I could use it? Absolutely NOTHING! I just stuck our black and white towels, wash cloths and jars on it. And it’s perfect.

I bought this cute little tray at Dollar Tree to hold the glass jars.

I’m really crushing on this table.

It fits perfectly between the door and the tub.

And looks at those gorgeous curves.

Chippy Paint.

And the detail on the legs.

Sometimes it’s nice to buy something the way you like it and not have to do any work on it. So, what do you think?

Have a Beautiful Weekend!

I’m linking to:

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous

Friday Fun Finds at kojo designs

Trash to Treasure at Reinvented

Viewer Inspirations at So You Think You Can Decorate

Filed under Bathroom, Decorating, Thrift Store Finds | Comments (21)

Earring Holder

I’ve had some requests for earring holders so here’s the latest one I made. Can you believe I painted it white instead of black? It started out gold and after 3 coats it was finally heirloom white.

Here’s the supplies I used.

Cut the screen to fit the frame opening plus a little extra to allow for stapling it to the frame. I just used old scissors. Then use a staple gun to attach the screen to the back of the frame.

Attach the ribbon, for hanging, to the back of the frame with the staple gun.

Now it’s ready for hanging. I like using hooks or knobs to hang it from for a more decorative look. 

So cute. I hope she likes it! I’m linking to Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On The Porch and the Before and After Party at Thrifty Decor Chick. Go on over there to see what other awesome projects have been completed and transformed. I’m also joining DIY Day at A Soft Place To Land, Trash to Treasure at Reinvented, Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage, I Can Make That at Just A Girl and I Made It Without My Hubby at Shanty 2 Chic. There’s always amazing projects to get your creative juices flowing. Go check them out.

2oth Penny Pinching Party at The Thrifty Home

Filed under Bathroom, Decorating, General organizing | Comments (18)

Earrings Organized and More Halloween

It’s Why Not Organize Something Wednesday and I am exhausted. There’s so much I need to get done. Just small things, but I need to be able to mark them off my list or I’m going to go crazy. So today’s organizing is going to be a easy one. I don’t have a ton of earrings, but I like to be able to see what I have and I don’t like them tangled. This is what I have in my bathroom (I have more earrings on there now, this was taken a while ago):

Just take a frame you like and paint it whatever color you prefer (uhmm, black for me). Then cut the screen to fit the frame. Attach the screen to the frame with your handy dandy staple gun. Attach your ribbon of choice to the back of the frame with your staple gun again and you’re done. You can use a knob, hook, or any other fun thing you can find to hang it from. I’m making some more of these for birthdays I have coming up, so I’ll show them to you soon.

Here’s the way we’ve organized my daughter’s earrings. I love these ceramic egg crates. I have 2 of these in my bathroom now too. One for post earrings and earring backs and one for small bracelets. They have them at Tai Pan Trading for only $3.98:

I have so enjoyed decorating for Halloween this year and so it continues. I thought my spiders needed a little makeover, so they got some glitter:

The orange spiders got “sterling” and the black ones got “hematite” from Martha Stewart:

Then I had a pumpkin that needed some bling. I traced a “J” then lined it out and filled it in with a black paint marker. I love this marker, so much easier than paint and a brush:

I let it dry for about 15 minutes then added the bling (got them at Big Lots for 50c):

Here’s a close-up. He’s sitting on the front porch now. I’m not sure if it looks like warts or bubbles. Oh well, it’s done:

I’m linking to Works For Me Wednesday at We Are That Family. She has a list of 10 ways to please your husband. What’s something you can you do to please your husband? I took boiled eggs and shoes to mine today, while he was at work. Does that count as one? I’m sure I can think of more ways.  

Have a wonderful day, whether you’re organizing or crafting!

Filed under Bathroom, Crafts, General organizing | Comments (5)

Beachy Bathroom

I love the beach, but don’t have it represented much in my home, except for the boy’s bathroom. This my ode to Florida bathroom. We lived in Florida for a few years and my parents live there now. This reminds me of the beach and how much I want to go back.

This is a picture of  my kids and some cousins in the gulf. Also some vinyl lettering:

 Here are some shells my kids collected while at the beach. My older son made the bowl in ceramics class. Does the counter make you think of sand?

This is a picture of my daughter helping her grandma hunt for shark teeth. Love the weathered looking frame:

I love my blue walls. When I first painted it I wondered if it was too bright, but I love it now. The blues and greens always bring me back to the beach. The shower curtain reminds me of bubbles and foam. Don’t miss the little fishy rug:

Thanks for visiting! 

I’m linking to:

Best Of the Nest at Nesting Place

Favorites of 2009 Room Re-do’s at The Lettered Cottage

Filed under Bathroom | Comments (15)

Nod to Florida Bathroom

This is my main floor hall bathroom that is mostly used by the boys. But visitors also use it, since it’s by the main living areas. I wanted it to be the boys, but I didn’t want visitors to feel like they were intruding in their space. I started thinking about some of the places my family loves and Florida came to mind, so the bathroom became a nod to Florida.

 

I’ve had this basket for years and it’s been used in many different rooms. I thought the natural color would look great with the bright washcloths tucked it. Plus I’m short on storage in this small bathroom and the basket holds a lot of washcloths and some hand towels. Ammon likes to pick out a different color to use every time.

The bath towels are stored under the sink and rolled up for easy retrieval. Plus I like how they look rolled up and you know everyone looks through your bathroom cabinets.

 

I took out the towel bar and hung these three hooks for their towels. I think I got the hooks at Michaels for a few dollars each. The boys weren’t hanging up their towels very well. They were mostly on the floor, so this is easier. They always get them on the hooks now. Notice, I did have to put their names on them. One of them, who should remain nameless, kept using everyone else’s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I bought another hook for the hand towel, because that wasn’t getting hung up either. The little one still has a hard time, but everyone else gets it where it goes. The picture above it is of Amanda looking for shark teeth at a beach in Florida. Her grandma collects shark teeth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adam made the bowl in ceramics class and the boys picked up the shells at the beach. I bought the blue glass jars at Michaels and they’re filled with band-aids and q-tips. The little one can never have enough band-aids available to him. The counter top reminds me of the beach too.

The area above the toilet has two green gates, I love, but I don’t remember where I got them. I like the green against the blue walls. The small picture is of some of my kids and their cousins in the ocean. They didn’t go in very far because it was in December and pretty cold. The lettering says sun, surf, sand and reminds me of how much I miss the beach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s the bathroom from the hall. See, it’s pretty small. The walls are more a blue than green. I’m not sure why they look more green in some of the pictures. I like the shower curtain because it reminds me of bubbles. And I like the white trim against the blue walls.

 

I feel like it’s almost finished but I’m not sure what to do with the mirror. Should I paint some molding white and surround the mirror like a frame or take down the mirror and put up a smaller one? What do you think?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed under Bathroom | Comment (1)

Bathroom Towel Storage Solutions

Everyone’s bathroom is different and has to accommodate a different number of people daily. Storing towels can be a challenge especially if you don’t have a linen closet. Here are some ideas for storing all those towels and keeping them looking neat and tidy in your bathroom:

 

·                    Roll hand towels and store in a small wine rack on the bathroom counter.

·                    Store washcloths and hand towels rolled in a basket and placed on the counter or toilet tank.

·                    Do you hang towels from a hook or towel bar? Kids have an easier time hanging towels from a hook, but towels dry quicker hanging from a bar. So you decide.

·                    Hang new, unused paint cans in a group with the top of the can sticking out from the wall. Roll towels and store inside the cans.

·                    Lean a decorative wood ladder against the wall and hang towels from each rung.

·                    Fold towels uniformly with raw edges tucked in for a neater look.

·                    Use towels of all the same color for a clean, neat look.

·                    Use an over-the-door towel holder to take up less bathroom space and leave wall space for a cabinet or mirror.

·                    Rolling towels and placing them on a shelf or in cubbies can save space, keep them contained and look decorative.

·                    Build shelves in the unused space above the toilet tank. Start the lowest shelf at about eye level when standing. Use it to store bath towels, hand towels, washcloths, toiletries, etc.                      

Filed under Bathroom | Comment (0)

Decluttering Your Make-Up

          Most cosmetics don’t have expiration dates on them, so sometimes it’s hard to tell when your mascara and lipstick are not at their best. Toss out any cosmetics that have changed color, texture or smell. Don’t keep any cosmetics too long, because some old formulas can cause irritation and infection or lose their effectiveness. And you don’t want old make-up cluttering up your space, while you’re hunting for the nail polish that still works. Just like everything else, don’t hold on to make-up that’s past it’s prime. Here’s a checklist of cosmetics and suggestions on when to toss:

 

·                    Mascara- keep for three months. Don’t pump the wand, it will cause it to dry out quicker.

·                    Eye and Lip pencils- up to three years. Sharpen tips regularly and toss out if they become dry or crumbly.

·                    Nail polish- up to one year. Store in the fridge to prevent it from separating. Instead of shaking it to mix, roll it between your hands.

·                    Lipstick and Gloss- up to two years. Long wearing formulas evaporate even faster.

·                    Powder cosmetics- up to two years. Toss them when it’s hard to pick up the color.

·                    Foundation- one year to 18 months. Water-based formulas last up to a year, oil-based products to about 18 months.

·                    All-natural cosmetics- up to six months. Since they don’t contain preservatives they don’t last as long. Store in a cool, dry place.

 

 

Filed under Bathroom | Comment (1)