What’s In My Bag?

purse

I am a big purse kind of gal. My items are simple but essential. Here is a look inside my bag!

You have probably heard me talk in earlier blogs about Eve Pearl Concealer. I have used it for years and no matter how many other concealers I try I always go back to this one. I keep one at home and one in my purse so I am never without.

Aquaphor is my lifesaver. I use it for lips, dry cuticles and any other area that needs a little TLC.

This iPhone 6 Case has saved me from many dropped mishaps. I love the gold and black color combination.

Keeping a Power Cord with you saves you from panic when you see that last bar on the battery. Everywhere seems to have an area available to charge your phone so why not take advantage?

These rimless Marc Jacobs Sunglasses are my absolute favorites. I have repurchased them a few times because my daughters keep borrowing them and they seem to never reappear!

This Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss has been a staple of mine for years. It matches my natural lip tone perfectly. It gives me a simple everyday look without being too much.

I keep a Notepad and pen with me at all times. I use it to make lists and jot down notes while I am with my clients.

My Tory Burch Wallet has been with me for a couple of years. I am a picky wallet person and this fits my needs in multiple ways. I use it alone or throw it in different bags. As an organizer it is essential to have different compartments in my wallet to keep me organized and this is perfect!

It has been raining in Florida everyday so I have been keeping an Umbrella with me at all times. No one likes getting caught in a rain storm especially after you get your hair done!

I admit I am at the age where I need cheaters. These Kate Spade Reading Glasses are functional and stylish. They have that Claire from House of Cards look which is my new favorite.

Purell is always in my bag. I am always asked to share especially at restaurants. Sometimes I carry two to make sure I don’t run out.

I am always measuring organizing solutions for my clients so keeping a Tape Measure is a must.

Arnica is a just in case item. It works great for bruising and swelling.

You can never have too many Hair Bands when you have hair like mine. The habit started when my girls were young and has kind of stuck with me.

This Colorscience SPF 50 powder sunscreen is the latest must have in my bag. I apply sunscreen in the morning and then reapply this throughout the day.

Hoped you enjoyed a look at the must haves in an organizers bag!

Clear The Clutter And Enjoy Your New Space

On of my latest discoveries through Instagram and YouTube is makeup and fashion guru Lisa Duncan. Her YouTube channel is on my weekly must watch list.

Her reviews on hair, makeup and fashion are not only honest but her southern accent makes you feel like you are sitting at her house drinking a glass of sweet tea.

This video is about the transformation of her FROG room(finished room above the garage). Her step by step description of what it took to transform the room was so perfect I had to share!

The room use to be her kids playroom and a sewing room but as they grew it had become a catchall for everyones unused junk.

It had been bothering her for awhile but everytime she went up there she dreaded the thought of having to tackle it and knew it would be a tough job. Most people share this feeling when they have just one room in their house that makes them crazy!

In her video you will hear her explain step by step the process she went through in one week to gain a brand new space to call her own.

Step 1 Call 1-800-GOTJUNK. She said it was the easiest transaction and well worth the money. She called on a Sunday and they came on a Monday.

They took all her unwanted items including old exercise equipment and moved what she was keeping but did not belong in the FROG room downstairs. Anything you do not have to move yourself is an added bonus!

Step 2 Replaced the carpet with a remnant piece from a local carpet store. Remnants save you money!

Step 3 Called her local Sherwin Williams store to get the name of a painter to paint the room. A fresh coat of paint is the easiest way to transform a room.

Step 4 Numerous trips to Goodwill and the Thrift Store. 

Now that the room is empty, new carpet and new paint she sits in the empty space and admits to being thoroughly exhausted. I hear that from many of my clients when we complete a project.

It takes mental and physical energy to clear the clutter. You have to have a goal in mind and see it though to the end.

Lisa shows in this video the effort and motivation it takes to transform a space in one week.

It is never easy while you are going through it but the end result is worth all of the effort!

Welcome to the Neatly Designed blog, where I share my favorite organization tips, and must-have organizing products.

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This Weeks Before & After…Pantry

With a new school season ready to begin I thought it would be the perfect time to post a before and after of my client’s pantry.

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The elements of an organized space were already there before we began. A built in pantry in the kitchen, plenty of shelving and more than enough containers.

So you are probably wondering what went wrong? My answer is LIFE.

She has three young children and even the most organized person needs a little bit of help every now and then.

To start the process:

We removed everything and yes I mean everything. It is really the most important step to an organized space.

IMG_1965Purged each container checking for expiration dates, and only put back what she needed.

IMG_1974Labeled each container before putting it back on the shelf so she would know what was in each one. Out of sight is truly out of mind when it comes to pantries.

IMG_1982Categorized items on the shelves and put the snacks on the bottom so the kids had easy access for an after school snack.

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IMG_1988Getting your kitchen and pantry organized is the perfect back to school project for parents. It will make meal time easier and prevent overbuying which saves you money. 

Enjoy the start of a new school year!