School and Office Supplies Chaos....... NOT!

One of my favorite places in the whole wide world is the office/school/art supplies department of a store. It makes me happy to see pens and papers in all colors and variety. It makes my imagination go bazinga with all the project that I can do with it. Ohh I love them like a fly to a fruit. :D

Most of us have this kind of department in our house, specially when you have school kids around. And sometimes we are just unaware of it. Because this section is quite all over the place. UNTIL, something is missing. It's hard to look for like scissors or glue when you need it most when you rely on memory alone. Like many other things it has to have a proper place in your home. It should be treated with utmost respect. Even if it is inexpensive per piece it wouldn't be if you keep on losing them one after the other.

Here are some tips on how to keep office/school supplies organized.

1. SEGREGATE 
             ~ collect all the supplies that you have and divide it according to their use or category. 
                 (ex. pencils, adhesives, paper, ruler, pens, crayons, punchers, etc)
             ~ divide them on how you want it to be categorized, in this case, it's how your mind works.
             ~ to each his own, what goes with what. :)

2. HOME FOR EACH
             ~ find a suitable container for each materials that was put together. 

 I used to use microwavable containers like these to segregate :

but it didn't work for me because they can  easily be separated from each other. Next thing I knew, only one container left on the shelf. :(

Then  I found this. Plastic drawers commonly seen in the HOME section of SM under plastic wares. Come in different colors and sizes. Depending on how many drawers you need.

 Here is some quick tip on how to remove those nasty price tags:

 Yes, honey, good old hair dryer does the trick! Turn the heat on and point it on the tag for a good 1 minute. Feel it if it is warm to the touch.

 AND VIOLA!!! It can be easily peeled. Glue residue seldom happens, but if it does, oil on a cotton ball will clean it swiftly. :)

3.  LABEL
                  ~ Label according to your chosen category

              ~ whatever container you choose, whether opaque or NOT opaque, labeling it nicely will make it look decent.

               ~ when these containers are properly labeled, it is easier to put things back in it, with out confusion, hence, saves time. (consider it like your home address, it has a house number on it.)

               

What I have is this classic Dymo labeler which I bought and  available in National Book Store .

I also have a slightly bigger drawer that can fit an A4 size paper. Each drawer can fit 1 ream of an A4.  This is where I keep my bond, sticker, colored, parchment, newsprint papers,(which I stop buying cause it ruined the printer head of my Canon Pixma, me ending up buying new printer. ) envelopes and some forms I usually need.
This container is ideal for me because it keeps my paper clean from dust and dirt. It also keeps my paper free from creases and folds which I hate most. It fits most shelves and cabinet.
 Since I dont have suitable labeler then, when I first bought this, I printed out my label like so. I attached a self adhesive business card pocket. The pockets are semi permanent but you can always change the label inside to your hearts' content. ( which reminds me to print new ones because these are not anymore what's inside.)


 4. A PROMISE TO KEEP

               ~  More than segregating, coming up with extraordinary container and labeling, keeping things together is the most laborious of all. With all the efforts done,one has to realize that this effort should come to last. So just follow this simple rule that is by the way you can print out so everyone who sees it will have the idea how this sudden organizing came about. :)

              "... place for everything, and everything in its place."

Beauty and The Best... top 5 Pick!

Ladies time for my Top 5 Beauty Must Haves.

1. A jar of POND'S COLD CREAM  in Green.

The easiest way to remove the most stubborn make-up known to human. It is dermatologist tested, won't clog pores, suitable to sensitive skin and hypoallergenic. This is the holy grail of face cleansing regimen, with or with out make up. Leaves skin soft and supple. Your lola/ granny can attest to that!


2.  A bottle of NEUTRAGENA BODY OIL.

This product is best used after a shower, while the skin is still damp, spread this oil all over the body to lock in the moisture to your body. Also good way of preventing hang nails. just dab a little amount over the cuticle of your finger nails.
Quick tip :
 Transfer a little portion to a clean atomizer for  easier application.


3. SHU UEMURA Eyelash Curler

This simple machine can do so much to the beauty of the eye. It curls the lashes perfectly... when used correctly. It's a holy grail amongst make-up artists. One should save up for this, in the name of vanity. It is worth every cents. You may try using one from Shu Uemura stores just to get the feel of what it does to the lashes.
Quick tip:
Even with out make up, you can get away with just curling the lashes, and putting on some mascara to brighten and open the eyes.

4.  GREAT LASH mascara by MAYBELLINE

Mascara can be tricky. But this one, is just so easy to use, and produce a very good result. Cheap but good quality. Everyone must have this in their vanity list!







5.  CLEAN & CLEAR Oil Absorbing Paper

I believe in  a saying that " Oiliness is next to Ugliness". Oil should be in a machine, not on someone's face. When ever you feel like you're face is wet and greasy, grab some of these. It absorbs the oil with out disturbing the make-up underneath. It's a girls best friend next to Diamond.


These are my Top 5 picks for February. I'd be posting every month for your vanity list. :)

RE PURPOSED (Jars)

I usually buy those sinful cheese dips in a jar. And also when it's empty already, I wash and store it. Suddenly I realized, I have a drawer full of it. I cant just throw it away. What to do???

RE PURPOSE !

This jar can be use as a container of sooo many things that can fit in it. And I have a very nice idea on how to use it. 

 Remove the cover.

 Clean jar with soap and water. 

 Put in a  big bowl. Boil 1 part vinegar and 10 parts water. Pour over the glass jar carefully.

It will help loosen the label on the jar, remove unwanted odor and sanitize the jar.

Leave until the liquid is cool to touch. 

Remove the label carefully. Clean glue residue with oil.

Again wash with soap and water. Let air dry.

Meanwhile, wash the cover with soap and water.

Dry and spray with paint color that you like.

Wear protective glove when doing this. 

Prepare working surface by putting old newspaper on it. 

Put the cover on it and spray paint left to right starting from 2-3" before the cover itself to reduce bubble formations.

 

If you have lots of jars like this, you may take it to another level by categorizing it by colors.

Like this finish product here. I color it matte black because these jars carries cotton balls and swabs that I use for my make-up. The other colors that I have are sky blue for kids bathroom, white for mine.

Also planning on re purposing those Gerber baby food jars into spice bottles.

Gatorade glass bottles can be use to serve refreshments like iced tea lemonade and soda. Just use smaller ice cubes and a straw when serving.

 Possibilities are endless!

Finished Product

DIY 101 ( Binder Make-over)

Did you ever try organizing your files in those  3 ring binders that you see in office/school supplies section, buying one for each individual category? And then just ending up putting it inside the cabinet because it's kinda "unposh" or just dull, hideous or maybe sometime too uncool for eye to see?
*raising up right hand*("Pick me! Pick me!")
Oh boy! Ive been there. To solve the problem, I allot a day for a BINDER MAKEOVER!!!

Here is what I did. 

Materials:

1. Flat spraypaint (acrylic) ( I chose black) Optional
2. DIY ModgePodge (1part Elmer's glue, 1 part water)
3. Piece of cloth(choose what you like best)
4.  Glue gun with glue stick
5. Cartolina or craft paper 
6. Scissors and paint brush (1")
7. old newspaper ( for protecting the surface)
8. Self Adhering label pockets ( optional )

Directions:

• Prepare by spreading the old newspaper on your working surface
• Remove files from the binder and set aside. Clean binder with dry piece of cloth.
• If the ring of the binder is already tarnished or has rust on it, clean it with dry cloth. 
• If opting to use spray paint ( like I do) cover the sides of the ring to protect the binder from splatters. Spray up and down covering the ring surface, stop for couple of minutes. Do it one more time and let it dry.

•  Measure cloth by spreading the binder on to it, on the wrong side of the cloth, cutting 1 inch longer on ALL sides.

•  Using paint brush, spread thin layer DIY Modge podge on the outer surface of the binder. Cover it with cloth.Using the palm of your hand smoothen any wrinkled part.

• The next step is to put hot glue on the binder's edges and folding in the excess cloth on the side. Press the cloth to adhere on the binder, putting extra care on the corners.
• You may put cloth on the middle of the binder if the ring is lying on the right side like mine. Use hot glue on all sides.

• Measure your choice of craft paper 1/2 inch smaller than the size of binder flap. 
• Using paint brush apply thin layer of glue in mid part of the binder avoiding the cloth, and put the craft paper on it 1/2 inch away from the edges.
• Do the same thing on the right side.

• Edges of the craft paper should stick to the cloth. Do this by using hot glue. Press after applying hot glue to make it looked like it was done professionally.

Edges of craft paper should look like this.

You may start putting the files back

Adding index tab would be a great idea.

Finished Product

You may want to use some book plate such as these:

to make it more nice and organized.


Happy Crafting!


 

Blogging Virgin!

Hello people of my universe! I hope you'll find my first blog helpful. Don't fret. It's my first. I'll tackle things that bugs, exhilarate, fulfill, madden common people like me and you. I'll share tips on how to make things a tad bit easier in this very very complicated ecosystem that we are trapped in. Help lessen the negativity and shower positivity. You might find something erroneous, you're free to leave a comment or two. If you liked it, give me not one, not two, but three snaps baby!