My Makeup Collection, Organization, and Vanity (+ Video!)

Happy 2015! To start off the new year, I wanted to share something that I've been meaning to blog about for ages: my vanity area. I'm really happy with my current set-up (the IKEA Malm Vanity and Alex 9-Drawers), and I thought this might be helpful in case any of you are looking for ideas on how to organize and store your makeup.

I initially tried to do this in photo and text form but I found it was way easier to film a video explaining everything. That means this post also marks my first foray into Youtube! Disclaimer: I have absolutely no idea how to make videos, having never done one before, so apologies for the terrible quality and extreme shakiness. Apparently I have no idea how to hold a camera straight, haha.


To make up for my severe lack of video editing skills, I'm also including some photos. You'll see that I use a variety of different storage/organization solutions, from plastic 3-drawer sets to cutlery trays and reused beauty boxes.

What's In My Work Bag?

I've always enjoyed those "what's in my bag?" blog posts and Youtube videos, so why not do my own? I personally love seeing what people carry with them on a daily basis... it's funny how some are super minimalistic while others seem to carry their entire lives with them. I think I fit somewhere in the middle, but I'll let you guys be the judges of that!

Since the majority of my week is spent at work, I decided it made most sense to show my work bag. Evenings and weekends I tend to carry a lot less in a different/smaller purse (usually my Marc by Marc Jacobs Hillier Hobo).

Anyway, so here is my black Longchamp Le Pliage "Shopping" Tote (I also have a purple one and a limited edition red Galeries Lafayette one from Paris) and what's inside:

WALLET
My beloved Miu Miu Matelasse wallet (in pale pink, stone, and sea blue), which was a gift from my bf. It holds all my cards and money, of course!

MAKE-UP BAG
This is the Tory Burch Brigitte Cosmetic Case in "Dakar" (different prints here, here, and here). It fits quite a bit but I try not to carry too much makeup around with me because not only can it get heavy but I'm afraid of losing my favourite or limited edition products somehow. Maybe I'm just paranoid, haha.

BUS PASS
If I drove to work, parking would cost me a fortune so it's much cheaper for me to take transit. Thankfully my bus ride is only 15-20 minutes; I don't know if I could handle a super long commute!

WATER
Staying hydrated is essential so I try to carry a bottle of water with me at all times. Usually I have a refillable Bobble but recently I've been drinking this Icelandic Glacial natural spring water. It tastes great, is the world's first carbon neutral water brand, and I love the glacier-inspired bottles. Random but cool fact: Parfums Christian Dior recently selected Icelandic Glacial as a key ingredient in its new line of skincare products!

PLANNER
I'm obsessed with organization so I keep track of my entire life in my Moleskine, which is colour-coded thanks to my collection of Staedtler pens! Check out this post for an example of what it looks like on the inside.

SNACKS
I hate being hungry with nothing to eat so snacks are important. I usually carry a granola bar of some sort and/or fruit. This strawberry tupperware container was from Daiso, the Japanese $2 store. I couldn't resist, it was too cute!

UMBRELLA
It rains all the time here in Vancouver and I hate getting stuck without an umbrella. Especially in the Fall/Winter months, I always have one in my bag. This one is by Moschino.

EPI-PEN
I'm the queen of allergies (nuts, shellfish, most raw fruits and veggies, dust, pollen, hay fever, etc. etc.). Unfortunately my nut allergy is deadly so having an Epi-Pen on hand is a necessity.

+ CELLPHONE & HEADPHONES, GUM, KEYS


And here's a peak at a few of the things I carry in my makeup bag (other less exciting things include Band-Aids and bobby pins). I try to keep it to a minimum but always end up toting around a ton of lip products for some unknown reason.

Vasanti Lipshine in North Sea, Benefit Ultra Shines in Who Are You Wearing?, Paul & Joe L/E Lipgloss, MAC 

Lipglass in Nymphette, Chanel Rouge Coco Mademoiselle, MAC Hug Me Lipstick, EOS lip balm, Hello Kitty 

tissues, MAC Studio Fix, MAC Pressed Blot Powder, L'Occitane En Provence Cherry Blossom Hand Cream

If any of you have done a similar post or Youtube video, please post a link because I'd love to see!

Spring Snapshots

Time for another edition of my iPhone Snapshots featuring deliciousness in the form of food and desserts, some recent purchases, and other miscellany. As you can see, I have been filling my new-found free time with some of my favourite things to do: eating, shopping, cleaning & organizing (does this make me weird?), and reading.

Enjoying a delicious bowl of pho - yummy!

Cajun Tuna Tacos at Ebisu

Strawberry Cheesecake & Earl Grey Tea at Cheesecake Etc.

Frozen yogurt and a game of Guess Who? at Scoop! on West. 4th

New earrings and vintage scarf from Front & Co. on Main Street

My new jewelry tree - in its preliminary stages as I decide which items to showcase

Currently reading: Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

All photos taken with the Instagram App for iPhone... if anyone has an account, feel free to follow me (and I'll follow you back)! My username is alison_elle.

Tiny Closets: Organization 101

This weekend, I was overcome with the sudden desire to reorganize my closet a bit. The problem is it's way too small for the amount of clothes I own and I refuse to stop shopping (common dilemma for us shopaholics, no?). Oh, how I long for the day when I can finally have a walk-in closet!

But until then, here are a few things I've been using to try and maximize the tiny space I have:


1. Flocked Hangers

These hangers are super thin and lightweight, so you can fit a lot more in your closet than with those big wooden and plastic hangers. Plus, they're covered in velvet flocking so that your clothes don't slip off!

I believe that the original ones were Joy Mangano's "Huggable Hangers" and sold on the Home Shopping Network. However, lots of other companies have begun making their own versions, which are just as good and cost much less. I got mine on sale for only $5.99 for a pack of 10 at London Drugs. You can also find similar ones at HomeSense and Costco.


2. Baskets on Wheels

I'm in love with IKEA's Antonius frame and wire baskets, which like everything from IKEA, are completely customizable. If you don't like the wire baskets, for example, there are plastic ones. I also added wheels to mine so that I can move them around easily.

These baskets are great for anything that can be folded/doesn't need to be hung up. I use mine for basic items like tees/tanks, sweaters, and pants. And they may not look it, but they do hold a fair bit... I can fit about 40-50 t-shirts in one basket.


3. Hanging Organizers

Because of the way my closet is laid out, there is an odd corner section with no bar/shelving. Basically, useless. However, turns out it's the perfect size for two of these hanging organizers (also from IKEA).

I bought four (two of the clothes-sized ones and two of the shoe ones) and then sewed them together to make two organizers that are double the length. The clothes organizers are great for stacking out-of-season items/bulky sweaters or things I don't really wear much but don't want to get rid of yet. I keep most of my shoes/boots in the hall closet, but use the shoe organizer in my bedroom closet for heels/dress shoes.


4. Baskets and Bins

Baskets and bins are basically the easiest storage solution ever. Got some clutter? Toss it all in a box and suddenly everything looks cleaner and more organized!

Plus there is such a huge variety of options out there: plastic stacking boxes, wooden baskets, etc. so it's easy to find ones that co-ordinate with your decor.

I use the bins in my closet for miscellaneous accessories like scarves, hats, gloves/mittens, and belts.