Showing posts with label amazon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label amazon. Show all posts
It can be really tempting to have that junk drawer/cupboard/room but i've made it my mission to make all of the storage space in my house fully functional and not just a dumping ground. Here are some of my top tips as well as the storage solutions i use.


The majority of the storage solutions in our house are from one of three places; Amazon, Target or The Container Store (aka heaven). For our office cupboard, the majority is from the latter two.

I wanted to go for simple, bright storage options that would fit with the rest of the house and lucked out with finding exactly what i needed online.


For the smaller items that i wanted grouped into specific sections, i went for these Nordic Baskets from The Container Store. I decided to go for lids on these in case i wanted to stack the smaller size on top of them in the future if i needed more space but you can also buy them without.

To label them i just used my paper cutter to slice blank note cards into the right size then hand-wrote the labels and tied them on with bakers twine. You could definitely do something more permanent and fancy but i like this option so i can easily change them if i need to.


For these lower shelves that are a little bigger and had larger items in them, i went for these woven storage baskets from Target (the white isn't available online any more but the grey and black are).

These bins are useful for larger items, toys, games or anything that can just be tossed in together. If you had wider shelves, they'd be nice arranged width-ways too!



I wanted to have paper somewhere easily accessible but still organized so i picked up three of these stacking wire trays (shallow medium) from The Container Store to separate card, paper and mailing labels. They also have other sizes in these if you wanted to use them for other purposes like produce/ toiletries etc.


The only other things i have on display in the cupboard are my bulldog tape dispenser and some cute binder clips on top of our Epson printer as well as our Go board (the stones are in a basket with other board games, i just liked how this looked out on the surface).



Here are the basic steps i generally use when organizing any area of the house! Be sure to share your own in the comments!

  1. Figure out any additional storage you need. Although we had these shelving units, they're not the best for smaller items since they just end up thrown into their relevant cubby hole. I went for some large woven totes as well as some smaller ones so i can easily take out a box at a time. Theres no need to buy all new storage if thats not an option for you either, i've used empty subscription boxes, shoe boxes and anything else i could get my hands on (i wrapped them in vinyl if they were especially ugly).
  2. Remove everything from the space. This might be storage boxes, shelves or a cupboard but removing everything from the space and assessing what you have vs what you actually need is much easier when its all laid out.
  3. Look at each item before you return it to its home and group similar items together, in an office for example, this might be mailing supples/ travel documents/ stationery etc. Organize it in a way that makes sense to your brain.
  4. Employ the use of labels if you have lots of similar looking storage, even though i know whats in each box this way so do others if they need to grab something! I like to use the dymo embossing label maker or just make my own with card, a hole punch and some pretty thread.
  5. Go white. This is especially useful in small dark areas and will really brighten up the space and make it seem larger. Alternatively you could also go for things with horizontal stripes or just storage to match the rest of your house. Make that "junk cupboard" as pretty as the rest of your home!

As always, don't forget to log in to your Ebates account (i know i always appreciate the reminder) when shopping online in case they have cash back on the stores you're shopping from.

(this post contains affiliate links)

A few of you saw me mention Umbra jewelry organizers in my April Favorites and asked to see more so here are some close ups and more info on them!

Tesora Jewelry Stand - $30


When searching for jewelry organizers i was feeling really underwhelmed until i came across Umbra, who appear to have a chic and minimal solution for all your organizational needs.

I decided to go for a couple of items from the concrete and copper range and a Curio tray but really i'd like one of everything. They have so many different designs and finishes for lots of their products from travel cosmetics organizers to ring holders to clocks and even kitchen accessories. 

Curio Tray - $15


The Toronto based homeware design company truly have a little of everything and blend form and function perfectly. A couple of my other favorites from them are the Savore salad bowl with servers, their Fiboo bathroom collection and their Kera bathroom collection.

I purchased my items on Amazon since i have a Prime account but they also sell direct from their website. Be sure to sign into Ebates if you're going the same route to get cash back!

Tesora Jewelry Box - $30


If you like contemporary design, you might also want to check out Umbra Shift for some incredible design pieces with a Scandinavian influence (for example, these chic bottle openers).

I've been really impressed with Umbra so far and will definitely be revisiting them the next time i need some organizational bits and pieces.




(this post contains affiliate links)

Its no secret that 2 of my passions are organizing and food so allow me to combine the two...



Growing up, my mum always had various jars that she would decant dry food basics into and i always remember loving making food with her and getting to spoon ingredients out of their pretty jars. To this day, those same jars are still on the shelves in her house.

So when Adam and i recently started to try and be a bit smarter about what we're buying and taking advantage of bulk items where possible, it made sense that i follow in my mum's organized foot steps and get our pantry into shape!











We started by assessing which few items we always repurchased and might benefit from buying larger versions of, then figured out which sized jars we might need and went from there. Obviously you can redo it all at once if you want to but i'd advise starting with your essentials first!

I recommend the brands Le Parfait or Weck, both of which you can find on Amazon.

Not that theres always a need to (since the jars are clear) but, since one flour looks a lot like another, we decided to buy a Dymo embossing labeler. Clearly we ended up labeling everything because we liked how it looked so much! (i will say if you're planning to do lots at once, you might want to pick up tape refills)


So now our pantry not only looks pinterest-worthy, we also get to take advantage of giant sized items from places like Thrive Markets, Amazon or our local co-op. It also makes for easy list-making when you're about to grocery shop because you can easily see whats running low vs taking out every packet and shaking it like a crazed child at christmas.


What are some of your favorite items to buy in bulk?

Shop my favorite jars below!


Soma created possibly the chicest water filter there ever was after being disappointed with others on the market and feeling like it wasn't an item they could leave out on their table at dinner. I'd say they succeeded on all fronts.

Not only do their filters provide you with delicious water, they also donate to Charity: Water with every purchase.

I ordered mine on Amazon here and the first one that arrived came with resin on the handle and scratches but Amazon replaced it immediately and the new one was fine.

















Form:
Why can't everyone design things as simply as Soma? The design is clean, sleek and theres no extra frill.

The shatterproof plastic is BPA free and the handle is made of sturdy white oak.

The filling lid door opens automatically for refilling and the new filters are very easy to install.

Pouring is smooth and the lid is very firmly on there.

If the pitcher isn't your thing, they also offer a carafe option which holds 48oz.








Filter:
Little did i know, until i watched this video, what garbage is usually in water filters and how badly they can impact the environment. The soma filter is the first of its kind and completely biodegradable. Instead of plastic resin, the water is filtered through... well, burnt coconut.

Another thing i love about it is how easy it is to install when you need a fresh filter. The filters come in their own resealable bag so you can soak them right in there prior to just dropping it into the reservoir. The filters are said to last 40 gallons and you can subscribe to have your filters delivered automatically at a much cheaper price!

The water tastes great (people who say all water tastes the same are just plain wrong) and i've not experienced any weird carbon flakes (a la Brita) or plastic resin (ahem, zerowater) in my drink which is always appreciated.

You can read more about the filter itself here.


Function:
Considering this plastic pitcher can hold 80oz of water, the construction; especially of the handle, feels very sturdy and strong. Its easy to pour and the spout doesn't drip which seems to be rare in water filters.

The flap on top which allows you to fill it will flop down when you turn on the faucet by the weight of the water which generally works very well. On occasion, the flap doesn't go down and you end up with water everywhere but i'd say its about 1 in every 10 fills that it happens and since i fill over the sink its not really an issue any way. I just poke it down with my finger to start the flow when this happens and the water takes care of it from there.

After filling, the filters drains FAST (better than brita or zerowater, imo) which i love since i drink so much water and hate waiting for the reservoir to drain for ages before i can top it up more.

The lid clips on solidly so you don't have to hold it on when pouring- its not going to come flying off!


Where can you get yours?
Although i did order mine on Amazon (sometimes it works out better if you have points or an Amazon card), you can buy the pitcher and prepay for filters at a much cheaper price at their website. Buying the pitcher and prepaying for 12 filters as a bundle saves you almost $50!

Soma also have a "give $10, get $10" program so if you'd like $10 off your order, you can sign up via this link.

Okay, so this month went by prettttty quick! Here is everything i've been loving!



Items mentioned-


Other links to check out-


Its never been any secret that i hate Walmart and adore Amazon, lately its become even more evident with my discovery of Amazon Pantry!
















There are many reasons why i hate Walmart, its overwhelming; the people working the pharmacy try and add me on my personal facebook; and its packed with angry shoppers any time of the day. So any excuse to shop elsewhere is fine by me.

Our town doesn't have a Target and other stores are either really expensive or just don't carry the products i want. Amazon, however, does carry those items at great prices AND delivers!

















Prime Pantry is a Prime Member perk that allows you to shop household products, foods and personal care at low prices (they often have coupons available) and have those items delivered at a flat rate of $5.99 regardless of whether you're filling it with 50lb of dog food or paper towel and toilet paper.

Its an awesome solution for anyone short on time, who doesn't have the transportation to lug their groceries home or is a hermit, like me.

If you have Amazon Prime, you can already utilize their Pantry program but if you want to try it, you can sign up for a 30 day free trial here.

Oh, and as if that wasn't enough, they also look out for your poor back!


















Ya welcome!


Part "Whats In My Bag", part "Packing Like a Pro"... all here!




Items mentioned:

Don't forget to check my Instagram @wifelife for giveaway info starting 12pm EST or 5pm GMT!


I posted a couple of pictures of my new lighting to snapchat and a few of you asked about what i was using so i thought i'd make a short post showing you guys the basis of what i use to shoot my videos!

















Canon 70D with 18-55mm Lens- This is the camera and lens package i bought together on recommendation from a friend.
The camera is pricey but the quality and auto-focus powers are insane. Have you ever watched youtube videos where peoples faces are always out of focus or all you hear is the autofocus whirring/ clicking sound as it adjusts? This will NEVER do that.
You can set it to always pick up on your face and it will adjust it's focus silently. The lens is perfect for beauty videos whether at arms length or extremely close up. Its also a great lens for photos!

Canon EF-S 10-18mm Lens- This is the lens i use for wider shot video (more talkative/ fashion, less beauty close-ups) and wide angle photos. I am not an expert in any of this but i love it for the things i just mentioned.

LimoStudio Softbox Lights- I'm still in the process of figuring out the best ways to use these but if you have minimal daylight for photo or film, these are really handy.
They do give a slight blue cast but i'm guessing i could figure out a slightly more neutral/yellow filter fairly easy (if your other lighting is yellow, this would probably even it out).
The stands are easy to put up and the boxes easy to dismantle so they can pack up compactly. My only complaint is that the cables aren't very long but an extension cord isn't a big deal.

AFAITH Tripod- I got sick of my janky old tripod giving me blood blisters every time i struggled to adjust it so figured i'd invest in something more sturdy. WOW what a difference it made, this one is way more adjustable in every direction and i don't have to worry about it tipping because its a little weightier than my old one. It can definitely do more than what i need it for though so check the product images for more info/ideas.

NEEWER Ring Light- I should first clarify that this is a ring LIGHT, not a ring FLASH; meaning it stays on all the time. That being said, it works great for photos or videos. Its great for detailed close ups of things like eye makeup in video and also for product pictures. It has two power settings for more or less light and comes with 6 lens adapters ranging from 49mm up to 67mm.

Spare Canon Camera Battery- Although the battery that comes with the camera lasts well, its always nice to have a spare charged at the ready because they can take a while to charge back up if you're in the middle of a tutorial. This fits in the same charger, too (obviously perhaps).

Memory Cards- For video i prefer to just use the biggest GB card i can find so i have a few of these 63GB ones.

Memory Card Storage- Whether you're traveling/ vlogging or just need somewhere to keep your cards organized, this little thing is awesome. It has 12 spots for the cards i mentioned above (i keep empty ones on one side and full ones on the other) and also has spaces within those 12 for micro and mini SDs. Pelican are super durable so whether you're throwing shit out of a helicopter onto cement or are just clumsy, this is awesome.

Rode Video Mic- Although the built-in mic on the camera is fine, this is WAY clearer! It fits into the hotshoe of your camera and takes a 9v battery.
If you're filming from afar and want the mic nearer, you'll need an extension cable and a stand (desktop or floor-standing but we had a mic stand already so i just got a 3/8" / .375" adapter for it).
If you're filming outdoors/ in the wind, you might want to get one of these dead cat things to put over it to minimize wind noise.


I think thats all the obvious stuff, if you want to know what editing/ computer bits i use just let me know and i'll create a separate post!

Finding wintery smelling candles is easy; theres fir tree scents, cinnamon spice scents, santa claus' beard scents... but it seems finding summer scents that aren't super floral or really plain is a little harder. Don't fear though, i'm on it!

Recently while browsing vegan goodies on Amazon i came across Wax Wick & Flame candles. They make vegan, hand poured candles in Los Angeles that contain no chemicals and come in amber glass jars to protect their hand blended scents from degrading in the sun.

Their "Time" series comes in 4 scents; Dawn, Morning, Afternoon, Evening and Dusk. I decided to order Dusk and Dawn (isn't that the period of time where the most fun happens?) without even reading about the scents and i'm really pleased with my choices!




Dawn: Smells like fresh milky goodness. Imagine sitting down for breakfast and putting your nose into a bowl of oats tossed with coconut milk and you just happen to be sitting next to fresh cut flowers from your garden. It's an amazingly balanced candle that teeters on the edge of fresh and warm.
Dusk: Smells like warm, light, woods, floral and a hint of musk. This one has a little bit of everything. It's bright, floral, musky, and warm. It has many deep layers, a subtle softness, fresh musk, and warm spice. It'll keep your sensations spiked and appeal to both men and women.

If you are looking for a really luxurious smelling, clean burning candle i'd really recommend giving WW&F a try. I find them to have equally as good scents as some of the really expensive candles out there but without the insane price tag!

Plus, you can reuse the jars after once they're cleaned out and store your own body scrub in them!




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I've had lots of lovely messages and comments on my closet decor lately so i wanted to compile some of my favorite, reasonably priced, favorites that i've added in lately. All of them are pretty monotone but i just love how it looks against the rich red wood in the rest of the room.




I mentioned this trunk in my September favorites and i'm still smitten. I originally wanted it just as a table of sorts but now keep my seasonal shoes inside!



I love trays as a way to keep my perfumes or lotions organized and displayed nicely at the same time, after all, some products are too pretty to hide away! These are some great options from Target.



Likewise, with makeup brushes, some are just too pretty to hide away. For those brushes or if you just like to have everything easily accessible, these are some pretty options! Some are intended for brushes, others are candle holders or vases. (used up candle glasses and decorative mugs work perfectly too)





Part 2- here
Part 3- here

It can be hard to find storage for cosmetics that is as cute as it is functional and thats why i usually stick to acrylic; its hard-wearing, you can easily find what you're looking for and it goes with any decor.






After years of throwing my nail polishes into a big tub and only using the ones that happened to work their way to the top, i decided i should try displaying them so i can easily find what i want and hopefully would stop buying the same three colors over and over because i forgot i already had them.

I found these tiered racks from Amazon, each hold around 60 polishes depending on the brand and are priced around $25.









A good friend of mine used to work in Muji in the UK so when i was in the market for something to organize lipsticks and glosses, i took to their website to see what they had to offer. I picked out this 5 drawer case which is perfect for lip products, brushes and eye pencils/mascaras. 

I put my gorgeous OCC brushes in the top drawer since they are too perfect not to be on show. 
You could also lay fabric in the top drawer and display your favorite pieces of jewelry. 








As far as i'm concerned theres no such thing as a chic tissue box, no matter how hard the tissue companies might try. When i saw a similar acrylic tissue box on Karissa Pukas' channel (i think), i clearly had to have one, too.

This one was from The Container Store and has a hinged lid you just plop the contents of your tissue box into.

(The glass brush holders were old vases i had flowers arranged in and the agate coaster was a gift.)






My Clear Cubes were definitely my biggest splurge in the organization department but at the time i bought them there weren't any other companies producing anything like it. You can see these "in action" in my ancient, crappy makeup collection video!

I did post other options on my tumblr a while ago so check them out here if you're looking for alternatives.






If you are considering acrylic storage options i really recommend getting a cleaning solution/ kit for it. I don't clean mine as often as i should, as you can see in the pictures, but when i do they look brand new!

What are some of your favorite ways to organize your cosmetics?