"Bins" Tip: 13 Pocket Accordion File from the Container Store

 I recently worked with a client who uses an accordion file with alphabetized tabs from the Container Store to organize receipts.  Receipts are filed by store or business name (so Apple Store receipts go in "A" and Trader Joe's receipts go under "T").  Many organize receipts by type: Gas, Food, Home Office, Parking, etc.  If you like alphabetize your receipts, here's a great tool! To purchase the receipt file or larger letter file, click on the link above.  The customer reviews offer other ideas to use this product: organize coupons, greeting cards, and school work.

"Bins" and "Purge" Tips: When your mascara starts to "flake out" on you

I recently did a little makeup makeover on my own and stumbled on this great article on About.com.  You can click on the title to view the link or read below!

Once you purge old makeup, how can you organize it?  I suggest a small three-drawer container that can you easily store under the sink or bathroom shelf.  Here's one from the Container Store! Each drawer can be assigned to hold specific makeup and brushes for face, eye, and lip.  You can add another container for nail, skin, and hair products.

What Is the Shelf Life of Makeup?

By Julyne Derrick, About.com Guide

Every woman we know has a pile of makeup in her drawer that she "sometimes" uses. Translation: Never uses, but keeps just in case she finally learns how to properly apply blue eyeshadow.  Beauty products do have a shelf life, however, and chances are that blue eyeshadow with the glimmery bits that you bought a couple years ago (for Halloween?) has long expired. Here's a quick guide on the shelf lives of typical beauty products. We've listed them in alphabetical order. Oh, and just one quick little "PS": Please keep in mind that these are estimates, no matter what anyone tells you, it's unlikely you'll go blind from using 2-year-old mascara.

• Concealer Up to 12 months.

• Powder 2 years.

• Cream and gel cleansers 1 year.

• Pencil eye liner Should be sharpened regularly. Will last up to 3 years.

• Eyeshadow Will also last up to 3 years. Extra tip: A dark eyeshadow can double as eyeliner, in fact, most makeup artists swear by eyeshadow used as eyeliner. You'll need a super-flat eyeliner brush for this (MAC, Sephora and Aveda have great brushes). Get the brush a little damp and dab in dark eyeshadow (black, brown or deep jewel-tones work great). Wiggle the brush into your lash line focusing on the space between your lashes, then sweep the color just above your lash line.

• Brushes Wash every 2-3 months in a mild detergent.

• Sponges Wash weekly and discard monthly.

• Foundation Check the ingredients: A water-based foundation will last up to 12 months, oil-based will last up to 18 months. You may find you need two different shades of foundation each year: One for summer when your skin is naturally darker and one for winter when you're lighter. Extra tip: If your water-based foundation dries out before it's expiration date, simply add a few drops of alcohol-free toner and shake to mix it in. No need to do this to oil-based foundations. Because they contain oil, they will tend to separate. You have to shake anyway.

• Lip liner Up to 3 years. Extra tip: Skip the push-up lipliners. They're expensive, tend to break and you never really know how much you have left until you run out. No need to spend money on lip liners, there's no secret to greatness for this product. Save your money for powders and foundation.

• Lipstick Some experts say 1-2 years. Others say up to 4 years. What everyone agrees on is that if it smells rancid, throw it out, it's spoiled. Extra tip: If you store lipstick in the refrigerator, it will last longer. Bonus tip: Want your lipstick to last longer during the day? Shade in lips with lip liner before applying lipstick.

• Mascara This product expires the fastest: Throw out after 4 months. Extra tip: If you don't want your mascara to expire faster than its fresh date, don't pump the wand in and out -- you're only exposing the product to drying air.

• Nail Polish Up to 12 months, depending on the quality and how many times you take it on a plane (the cap always unscrews on me during flights, leaving my purse a -- fume-y -- mess!).

"Bins" Tip: Post-it Durable Tabs

I was so excited when I saw the commercial for Post-it's Durable Tabs!   I've spent a lot of time battling with hanging folder labels and tabs: my writing doesn't fit the label, the label doesn't fit the tab or the tab doesn't fit into the hole.  I love that you can write out a label and stick it to the folder and be done!  Watch the commercial and try not to get the jingle stuck in your head!

"Bins" Tip: Shoe Storage

  

We've all had those mornings when we've crawled on the floor of our closet or looked under our beds to find a certain pair of shoes.  If left in a pile, shoes can take up a lot of room and a lot of your time when getting dressed.  I have small closets in my bedroom and office, so I utilize the large closet in my living room to store shoes, linens, luggage, and my favorite, holiday decorations!  I found this over the door shoe rack at Bed Bath and Beyond that holds 36 pairs of shoes.   It's very easy to assemble!  The plastic shelves snap into the piece.  There are "L" and "R" stickers to indicate the left and right sides.  Each shelf level does need to be screwed into the closet door.  Before purchasing, make sure you have a closet door made of material that's, well, screw-able. This rack is best for any shoe designs that don't go higher than the ankle.  I have another expandable shoe rack that rests on the floor of the closet that stores boots and larger shoes.  I also use a storage bin to hold flips flops. I rubber bands each pair of flips flops together so I can cut down on time searching for a complete pair.

Aside from organization, shoe racks can help you see and assess what shoes have seen better days and can keep your spending at bay.  If you only have space to comfortably store and organize a certain amount of shoes, you're more likely to keep yourself from going on that shoe shopping spending spree.

To check out these shoe storage suggestions on the Bed, Bath and Beyond website, click below:

Recommended for heels and flats.

 36 Pair Over-the-Door Shoe Rack

Recommended for boots.  Hold approximately ten pairs depending on size.

 Expandable Shoe Rack

Great for flip flops and children's shoes.

Canvas Totes