Beach Bag Organization

We are officially halfway through summer - how did that happen?! Yet it comes around faster and faster as each year passes! But let’s not get completely ahead of ourselves and dismiss all the beach/pool days we still get to soak up!

Beach bag organization is soooo a thing and if it’s not than I’m making sure it is! For a couple of years now I’ve kept a bag that’s been solely dedicated to family fun times in the sun and water that lives in a IKEA bag with our beach toys. This makes life so much easier when packing up and less planning/thinking time - just grab and go!

Here’s my list for a successful beach trip:

• A travel bag with handles (I learnt this wonderful hack from my friend Rachel at Space in It’s Place Organizing! I used to use a closed one zipper bag but sometimes you’d have to dig to see your items but with this route you can see everything at a quick glance and saves you time!)

• Sunscreen

• After-Sun Spray (this is my fave kid friendly mom hack product if your kids get a slight burn. I spray this on real quick until we are home and I can lotion them up with good ol aloe!)

• Baby Powder (removes sand from your feet like a BOSS!)

• Lip Balm

• Hand Sanitizer

• First Aid Kit (nothing fancy just the basics…think cut toe on a sharp rock)

• Sea Salt Hair Spray (to help tackle messy beach hair)

• Brush

• Hand Cream

• Pain Relief for mild headaches

• Travel Sized Shampoo & Conditioner/Body Wash

Hint: After beach season I like to throw this bag in a backpack for swimming lessons or pool days during the colder months!

Pro Tip: Place your beach bags, toys, mats & sunshades in the same spot in your garage or storage area! Make it simple on yourself by having them hanging on a hook or a shelf so there’s no thinking if you forgot anything because it’s already all together!

Organize smarter to spend more time doing what you love best and not spending wasted time searching!

Now go out and enjoy that summer sunshine!

My Top 4 Must Have Organizational Products!

One of my favourite topics is products! I am a firm believer in using what you have on hand (life isn’t Pinterest Perfect!) but if you want to completely transform a space and increase it’s functionality than investing in some key items will really set up that space for success!

Wine Bottle Holders

But hear me out….use them as water bottle organization! These iDesign or MDesign are some of the best on the market. The outstanding quality and stackable capabilities really gives them versatility to use in a cupboard or even upright in a deep drawer!

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Turntables

You could say I’m very passionate about turntables! I’ve mentioned them in some of my other blogs ( 5 Way to Organize Spices & How to Organize Makeup) This style is made in 9’, 11’ & 14’ which gives many options for a variety of spaces. Turntables are perfect for corners of pantries, under bathroom sinks, to hold cosmetics, and so much more!

Pot Lid Organizer

You will never regret purchasing this IKEA Variera! It sells for only $9.99 (CAD) and it can be customized to fit the size of the drawer/cupboard where you store your pot lids. What I love most is that it can be doubled up as a baking sheet pan organizer as well. One secret I don’t share often about this versatile product? Try it for sorting your families tablets and electronics!

Drawer Dividers

These are a perfect fit in the kitchen to house and divide large cooking utensils but the absolute best use is in a deep drawer to divide Tupperware lids. I learnt this wonderful hack from my friend Jen @theSimplySorted - check out this post to see what I mean!

I hope these products get you excited about organizing your own space - if it’s too overwhelming you know how to find me!

What’s in my Organization Bag

I call it my Mary Poppin’s bag – It carries my essentials for when I’m out organizing at a client’s home.  Sometimes I utilize it a lot and sometimes I barely touch it depending on the type of space I am doing.  I would have loved to have access to a list like this when I first started Sparx Organizing!  Because I believe in community over competition and bringing others up, I’m spilling all the details on what’s in mine!

The bag

                I have 2 types of bags, both from a company called Thirty-One.  They are such amazing quality and stand up to everything.  They don’t buckle with carrying heavy weight either (although sometimes I struggle!)

All the Tools

·         Label Maker

·         Rubber bands

·         Basic Tool Set

·         Museum Gel (this holds trays in place so well in drawers or the fridge – think of the gel used to hold your new credit card on the paper that comes in the mail)

·         Paint & Chalk Pens

·         Sharpies

·         Post-it’s (to label totes, etc before making final labels)

·         Command Brand Strips & Clips

·         Batteries for your label maker

·         Cell Phone Charger

All the Cleaners

·         Young Living Thieves Cleaner (great on tough sticky messes)

·         Hand Sanitizer

·         Norwex EnviroCloth (perfect for wiping cabinets without having to use cleaners and worry about ruining client’s drawers, etc.)

·         Rubber gloves for those dirty spaces (think storage or garage)

·         Garbage bags, Recycling bags & Ziploc Freezer bags

·         Large Fabric Tablecloth (I use this to cover client’s floors or countertops to ensure I don’t create a mess or scratch any surface.  For example, when I empty a pantry everything comes out onto the tablecloth)

·         Alcohol Wipes (gets that sticky residue off when labels don’t peel nicely – and more compact that carrying around a blow dryer!)

Personal Care

·         Water bottle (must have – stay hydrated Friends!)

·         Indoor sneakers or Crocs (you’re feet will thank you!)

·         Snacks (organizing makes you hungry! Think nut free granola bars and fruit)

·         Band-aids (I cannot count how many times I’ve accidentally cut myself!)

·         Advil or Tylenol

·         Headphones if you’re working in a quiet space (I like to listen to music while I work – keeps me motivated!)

·         Lip Balm

·         Deodorant (no one will admit but being a professional organizer can be a workout!)

·         Feminine Hygiene

If you are feeling ambitious you can create your bag(s) right off the hop or slowly build up your inventory like I did!

Happy Organizing my fellow P.O’s!

How to Organize Makeup

We use makeup to help make ourselves feel more confident to the world! Whether you use a lot or just a little there has not been a household that did not have just a bit for me to organize! Here’s my top tips on how to store those eye shadow pallets or eyebrow pencils – because who knew in the 90’s that brows would become so important in the future!

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In a Drawer

This is by far one of my favourite ways to store your make up if you have a drawer! Using drawer inserts or dividers will really keep everything in groups – think all concealers and foundations in one insert.  It’s easy to maintain and you can see everything at a quick glance!

Under the Sink

If you lack drawer space, under the sink is just as practical but requires a bit more thought.  Create a drawer system using a product like iDesign or Sterilite drawers.  Many of these stack perfectly so if you have a ton of makeup you can divide it between multiple drawers.  As always organize by like items - put your brushes together, contour and highlight pallets, etc.

On the Counter

This works best when everything is contained.  Try using an acrylic container or a beautiful divided basket that compliments your décor.  You want to keep this option very simple and clean to avoid visual clutter but it’s great if you are working with very limited space!

Decant that makeup friends! Unless you have a very small amount or travel weekly it’s best to keep your makeup out of a bag.  Nothing falls to the bottom or becomes hidden so you can see everything very quickly!

Pro tip: write on the bottom with a permanent marker the date that you purchased your new summer blush so you know when it’s expired and time to buy a new one!