For the love of makeup...

When it comes to makeup, I'm a junkie! I've admitted it - I know I have a problem, but I don't want help! My vanity is overflowing with enough makeup products for 10 people! I have added my vanity to my never ending reorganization list - I'm hoping to get there this summer sometime. My computer desk/command center was a huge task and I'm still trying to figure out the best way to reorganize the vanity so it makes sense for me! You can view my post on reorganizing my computer desk here. I have more coming with the computer desk this summer. The command center was only the beginning!

Anyway, back to makeup...

I've always known about Urban Decay's products, but I've never ventured into their realm until just recently. I started with the Naked 2 palette, and once I tried it, I was in love! It's such a versatile palette.

When it came in the mail, I couldn't wait to try it! It came with a super cute lip gloss too! I toyed with the different shades and couldn't find the right combination for me - so I took my search to Youtube! There are so many videos on the naked palettes! I spent quite some time viewing, but I found a couple videos that had really great tutorials for everyday makeup wear with the Naked 2 palette!




I like this look a lot. I do a couple of things a little differently, but I'll add that information at the bottom!

Here's another one that's a super cute smoky/gold-ish tutorial!




I have worn both of these looks with my Naked 2 palette and both looks are very versatile. I have a couple of preferences for mascara and primer though.

For mascara, I'm absolutely in love with Maybelline Volum' Express Falsies Flared! I have tried countless mascaras and this is what works best for me! It thickens and lengthens my lashes beautifully. You can find it here.

Also, for a primer, I use Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Original. The tube is small and can seem expensive at $20, but I've had mine for a few months now and have hardly even put a dent in it. You know the term, 'just a dab'll do it'? That's the case when it comes to this stuff! You only need a tiny bit! You can find the primer here.

Do you have any favorite beauty products? Drop me a line in the comments and let me know or email me!

Ciao for now, bellas! :)

Disclaimer: the above is all my personal preference. I am not being paid to endorse Urban Decay or Maybelline.

Houston, we have a problem...

Do you ever have one of those days where you just want to reorganize every single thing in your entire home? (Fair warning - this is going to be a LONG post!)

I got a bug on Saturday and dragged husband and v1.6 shopping! We got new curtains for the dining room and the bedroom (I woke up WAYYYYY too early on Saturday from the blinding sun that we, here in the Northern Tundra New York, haven't seen in months!) and I picked up some stuff to organize around our computer desk!

It had gotten to the point, for me, that I hated even approaching the dreaded desk! I couldn't stand our filing cabinet or the mail sorter/wooden slot thingy/catch-all! I don't know about you, but organizing for me is all about visual stimulation. I loathed the filing cabinet so I stopped filing things. I despised the mail sorter so I stopped using that. In turn, this transformed one of our counters in the kitchen into a mail sorting area. This didn't work - it's right in front of the microwave!

So after moving countless papers on Friday while making dinner I said to myself, 'self, it's time we put a stop to this!' Really though, I had been working up to this for weeks. Planning in my head, writing things down, and combing Pinterest.

So I'm going to share with you how I transformed my computer desk area to a command center/mail station.

It took almost the entire day on Sunday to get this done, but I had a TON of stuff to sort through! Take a look at the two drawers in my old filing cabinet...

Here's the top drawer

Here's the bottom drawer

 

Can you say HOT MESS?! UGH! This project has been at the back of my mind for quite some time now. We've had this filing cabinet for over 5 years and I really haven't liked it since we got it.

 

Here's the whole area...

 

 

We visited Target and Office Max on Saturday and I found everything I needed. First, I'd like to give credit to a couple blogs that I took inspiration from. A Bowl Full of Lemons is an amazing site with so many organizing projects! Also, The Organised Housewife has some awesome stuff too!! I definitely recommend visiting those two sites if you're looking for organizational ideas!

 

My first steps were to empty out the old filing cabinet and sort through ALL the papers! That was the worst part and took the longest! I had a huge bag of recycling and a large pile to be burned. It cut down on so much though. I suppose that was probably half the problem with the old filing cabinet though. I didn't want to clean it out, but there's nothing like 'new' organizing stuff and the promise of a new system to get me moving.

 

I found a great mesh sorter at Target for $15. I am calling this my command center. I have hanging files for 'Incoming Mail', 'To Be Filed', 'Meal Plans', and 'School Papers'. Also in this command center I have my address book, a clipboard, 2 spiral notebooks for blogging and writing, and also a calendar to plan out meals.

 

The filing cabinet came from Office Max for $40. It wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but close enough. I also picked up plastic hanging files (these are sooooooo much better than the green paper-ish kind - they last much longer) and color coordinated file folders at Target as well.

 

 

The color coordination really helps me to stay on track and it actually helps me want to sit at the desk and file or do paperwork! I'm really happy with the way it turned out and I'm happy to say that there is NO mail or papers on my counter right now! Granted, it's only been 2 days so far, but hey...I'll take it.

 

Inside of the new filing cabinet

 

Here's the finished product

 

 In addition to creating this command center and reorganizing our filing cabinet, I also created 2 binders. The green and gray colored one is our home management binder. I got it on clearance at Target for $3 and it came with nice tabs! I put a tab in there for bills and budget, current policies (this can be medical, auto, home, etc.), medical contact information and allergy information as well as a cleaning schedule.

 

The small white binder is for v1.6! It contains all of his school information, class information and report cards.

 

One thing I did realize while doing the research for this project is that there is no one solution that is going to work for everyone. For instance - I only have 1 child. Having 3 calendars with different activity information, school information, etc is not beneficial to me as he's only 1 kid! Someone with a family of 4...well that would probably work much better for them. Keep that in mind when tackling your own organization projects! What works for your neighbor might not work for you! Don't get discouraged though, just keep trying until you find a system you love and that works for you and your family!

 

Hopefully you enjoyed this post today! As always, let me leave you with a funny - I think this is how my husband feels sometimes when I'm constantly bombarding him with information, projects, crafts, etc. Especially when I get going on something - I'm usually plotting and planning in Excel, Word or on paper! Always charts, lists and notes with me!

 

 

Don't forget to connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

 

Ciao for now bellas!

 



Welcome!

Hi there and welcome to my blog! There’s something so exciting, to me, about a fresh page with no text!

 

I should probably start this welcome post with a little bit about what topics I hope to cover with my blog.

 

First, I’m always on a mission to organize my home and my life. I spend so much time reading articles about organizing, but one thing I’ve discovered is that there is no one solution for every person! My first big project I’d like to tackle is my computer desk. I’d really like to turn it into a command center for my family. So be on the lookout for that!

 

Second, my weight loss journey is a major hitch in my giddy up! I have a 6 year old son and after I gave birth to him I was really unhappy with my appearance. I had lost about 30lbs within his first year of life and I put very little effort into it – I basically stopped snacking after dinner and went for walks as much as I could. It melted away, but I’ve been stuck for five years now.

 

My mom has heart disease and adult onset diabetes. I grew up in a household where food was used for celebration and comfort. There was always food and it has taken me a long time to get out of that mindset. I’m not blaming my mom for my weight, but I do not have the best track record with food and weight! (More on that in my next post!)

 

Third, I’m a beauty product junkie! I LOVE trying new products and could spend hours browsing in Sephora. Right now, I’m in love with Urban Decay’s naked palette. It’s so versatile! I also battle with adult hormonal acne. I’m always on the lookout for new products to try on my skin to battle the nasty pimples! More on beauty in the future!

 

Fourth, I love reading. Getting lost in books is one of my favorite things to do! I just started the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J. R. Ward. I like it so far – I’m about halfway through the first book. Have you read any good books lately? I am a huge fan of the Harry Potter series and the Twilight Saga. I also love writing – although I don’t think I have written anything worthy of publishing, it’s still a nice escape!

 

Fifth, my son and I enjoy projects! I’m using the word ‘project’ loosely because his idea of a project and mine sometimes conflict! I’d love to share some cool DIY stuff that you can do by yourself or with your kids. For example, we just made homemade crayons for Valentine’s Day. I get a little sick of all the candy that’s involved with Valentine’s Day so I wanted to do something that his friends could enjoy long after the holiday!

 

So, lots of topics to cover here! I’d love to know more about YOU! Do you have a great book to recommend? Do you have a new recipe to share? Have you done any cool crafty projects lately? Share them with me! You can email me anytime at colorcodedapples@gmail.com I promise I’m friendly and I’ll respond!

I'll leave you with this hysterical picture that makes me crack up everytime I see it! I live in the Northern Tundra New York, so I'm more than ready for spring!!

I have no idea where this picture came from or who to credit for it! If you know, please drop me a line so I can give proper credit!

 

Ciao for now bellas!