use it

{ a word on half used bottles. if you're anything like me, you can't stand the half used bottles of product that line your shower. it drives me bonkers! i can't even explain the satisfaction i get from using every last drop of shampoo, and the difficulty i have throwing out something that's still half full- torment!

tips to help avoid your shower being taken over by product:

1. i never buy something that i already have- only one bottle of body scrub necessary, even if the perspective product smells like coconut and the packaging is 'oh so beautiful!' i can always pick it up when i'm done with my old bottle.

2. buy shampoo and conditioner in complimentary amounts- i tend to go through shampoo faster than conditioner? {i know it's usually the opposite for most women} so, i buy two bottles of shampoo and one conditioner, or if i still have plenty of conditioner left, i'll just buy a new shampoo. your shampoo and conditioner don't have to be the same, plus, mixing it up a bit helps avoid product build-up.

3. use product for multiple purposes- so you've had that bottle of facial scrub for quite a while- use it to start exfoliating your knees, elbows, and feet. that 3/4 full shampoo that just isn't going anywhere- use it to shave your legs. repurposing product works great.

pic via clinique

clutter tip

{ i know it's been said a million times, but a tried-&-true tip to reduce clutter is to keep a container handy for donation items. i keep a big, sturdy basket in an accessible spot, so that as i come across things that i either don't need or want anymore, i can just toss them in. when the basket is full, i drop its contents off at my local donation center.

as you start your spring cleaning, it's a good idea to grab 3 containers and mark one as 'keep,' one as 'toss' {or donate}, and one as 'not sure.' as you move from room to room, reevaluate all of your clutter and sort accordingly. you'll feel lighter, be more efficient, and feel more relaxed as your environment becomes less jumbled.

de-cluttering ideas:
organized home
real simple

pics:
1. cb2
2. the container store
3. mamas & papas
4. ikea