I'm moving, and I'm extremely hating the packing portion of it.  So for those NOT in the know, I'm moving to a new place with a washer and dryer in the apartment!  And a dishwasher!!  And balconies and central heat/air!!

Don't ask me how much my rent is, because it does make me just a little sad.  But do come over once I've settled in for a house warming party!

What I've found hidden in my shoe-size closet are shoe boxes!  Empty shoe boxes that I've saved because I hate throwing anything away!  I looked on my dresser to random makeup and nail polish, and DING, the lightbulb above my head went off!  These shoeboxes would be PERFECT to store all my makeup!  It's just big enough to toss in big junky loose powder jars, and small enough so my teensy tiny lip glosses and eye pencils won't be lost!!

Am I a genius or what?

If you are really short in money and you have a massive collection like me (hence why you are really short in money), shoeboxes will make excellent storage solutions.  You can easily organize and label every single item you own!!

The only downside, if you are anything like me, is that once something is out of my sight, I generally forget that I have it.  So shoeboxes are NOT great permanent solutions for peeps like me.

Ok, gonna go back to procrastinate!

Oh yea, have YOU entered in my giveaway yet??  Thanks to everyone who has entered thus far!  I have totally forgotten about the yucky bugs that fly around!!  But then there are also cute bugs like lady bugs and fire flies too!  And ugh, the sweat!  I resort to baby powder during super hot sweaty days where my underboob gets all yucky!  If you haven't entered, go here:  http://juicywatermelon.onsugar.com/3205153

So this topic of storage solutions has been brewing in my mind for almost a month, but there's been so much going on, it's been hard to organize my thoughts!  In short, I'M MOVING!!!  It is extremely exciting, and I can't wait to move into my new place, but ugh, the packing is so not fun.  I just stare at my things and have NO idea where to start.

Just to let you guys know, by nature, I'm disorganized.  Apparently I have the form of OCD where yes, I must do things a certain way (it manifests at work), but I can also be extremely disorganized.  For example, when I process samples at work, I have to first line them up in order, and process them in order.  When I make our gel maps, our samples must be in order with the lower ID number on top, and the higher ID number on the bottom.  Before I load a set of samples, all the tubes must be aligned with the hinges all faced a certain way.  It absolutely drives my friend crazy, since I start to hyperventilate when it's not done my way.  BUT, I'm extremely disorganized otherwise!  And it shows in my makeup storage!  I don't want to scare you guys, so no pictures are provided.  =P

So I've thought of some ways to help primarily ME with my storage/organization issue, and thought I'd share!

The first I thought of were makeup bags.  Makeup bags are CHEAP, and often times free with purchase!  All those department store brands give out free makeup bags all the time.  Especially Clinique, who is now giving away a Trina Turk designed makeup bag filled with Clinique goodies!  Makeup bags are great for everyday use.  Get 3 makeup bags and set them on your counter or wherever you put on makeup.  Store all base makeup in 1, all your cheeks in another, and eyes and lips in the third.  Granted, this is for everyday, so the relative small size of the bags forces you to not toss every single item you own in them.  Als, it forces you to switch up your everyday products once in a while!  You can also put everything in 1 bag, your brushes in another bag, so you can easily toss them in your bag for easy touch ups.

When I was looking up makeup bags, I found one that I thought was extremely innovative.  It's one of those products that you thought, wow, where was this when I needed it?  In this case, it's the IcyBag!

What's an IcyBag?  It's a chic looking makeup bag that's completely insulated, and it comes with a gel pouch that you can freeze then dump in the bag to keep all your makeup cold!  Everyone's had their lipsticks melt, so this is one way to keep your lipstick from melting.  You can also store your skincare items that are temperature sensitive in them.  The bag is measures 6x2x8, and the pouch measures 3x6.  It's a good size to carry out and about, especially since the weather is getting hotter and hotter!  Think about it, no more melted makeup!  I only wish it was a tad bit bigger, but nevertheless, it's a really innovative and useful item.  Granted it's not free, but it's only $15 for the bag and 1 gel pouch, and $2 for the bag and 2 gel pouches.  Definitely affordable, especially when it saves one Dior lipstick that's more than $20!

I'm going to get back to staring at my mess and attempt to pack something.  Oh yea, do come back sometime this week and I put up my giveaway item!  I checked out the postage price for international shipping, and turns out, I can totally afford it!  So, do come back sometime this week!  It's not anything huge, but it's a little something!