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Thursday, August 23, 2012

Fall Cleaning and Other Things That Aren't OCD Symptoms

Let’s get one thing straight: I do not have OCD. I don’t mean to sound like Todd Akin, but I’m not referring to legitimate OCD, where you literally can’t enter a room without stepping in and out 37 times in a row. I mean the kind that people use as an excuse for their superiority complex. I know a lot of girls wear this diagnosis like a badge of honor; a kind of pledge into a club of people who outwardly mock their odd rules of “no shoes in the house” or the fact that they simply will NOT eat red meat because it’s not clean (??? ) but secretly pat themselves on the back for, ya know, being better at life than everyone else. These people are sick and should be shot on sight.

So, I do not have OCD. What I do have, however, is a completely random and inexplicable need to ORGANIZE ALL THE THINGS!! every now and then. Last weekend, it was my vanity.



I spend a lot of time here at my vanity, with my vanity. It’s not exactly perfect—my “vanity” is actually a desk and a separate mirror leaning against the wall, both from West Elm several years ago—but I’m a firm believer that every owner of a biscuit should have one. The grooming process is one that should be enjoyed and indulgent. However, the way I’d been keeping things, it was less Disney princess and more hot tranny mess. I have, I dunno, probably 3 dozen make up brushes, I’m suuuuuuuure a hundred eyeshadows, and oodles of lipsticks, glosses, and crayons. So when the ORGANIZE ALL THE THINGS!! mood struck, I gave in and did just that.

You should take absolutely ZERO advice from me on organization, but in the interest of being an over-sharer, here’s how I approached the whole thing. 


I started by clearing everything off and out of the desk. After giving it a good scrub, I put back all the items I actually wanted out where I wanted them, and then planned everything else around it. So, my tray went back first (it was a great Target find a few months back), followed by my makeshift brush holders (recycled candle holders—they were expensive so I’m getting my money’s worth!--and my great grandmother's depression glass), and my mirror. 

That was basically all I wanted out, so then it became a matter of organizing the roll-out drawer. I bought two new organizers in black from Target that were apparently recalled, so I ended up snagging them for $1.99. 

I then divided all my make up into piles to figure out what to do with them: eye stuff; face stuff; lip stuff; trash. Once the piles were built, I frontloaded the organizers with the stuff I use most commonly, like powder, blush, and eyebrow stuff, because god knows I’m too lazy to pull it out all the way to see what’s lurking in the back!
An hour later, and I know have a minimalist grooming space. Well, as minimalist as I'm gonna get.
I have no clue if I did a good job at this whole organization thing, but I’ll tell you this right now: my closet is up next.


How do you organize? What's the hardest part about organizing in your opinion??

13 comments:

  1. I don't know. I can fit all of my makeup into one makeup bag. I'd have anxiety with all those little jars and brushes. WHERE DO THEY GO ON MY FACE?

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  2. I love this. I too, try to keep my makeup to a minimum because I am too afraid to change it up, but to organize a bunch of brushes and colors, this looks great! I love the candle jars as brush jars.

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  3. You are funny. This is beautifully organized & that's a beautiful collection. I love the reuse of the candle jars.

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  4. What a lot of make-up, I want it!

    I'm like you, I don't get why people use OCD as an excuse, there's a line between keeping things clean, and obsessive cleaning!

    Lauren,
    Fashionswirls.blogspot.com
    xx

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  5. I'm pretty obsessed with seeing how other people organize their stuff. Love this!

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  6. Wow! I haven't seen Coty's Airspun Face Powder in years. Before I discovered Bare Escentuals, I used Coty's face powder for years and years and years!!! I love the tray from Target. Very chic! That's not a lot of brushes. I can show you a lot of brushes. Good work on all the organization. The tassel on the doorknob is a nice touch. P.S. How on earth did Kyle live with all that mess?

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  7. I just saw this and thought of you from the post you did with the lemon pops...

    http://www.bakerella.com/play-time/

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  8. I love organizing! U know how ppl "work out" to feel better... Not me I'm still pissed a out working out even after its over, but I do feel better after organizing this post even makes me feel better!

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  9. Looks fantastic - I want all your makeup! I have the naked palette and absolutely love it! Now if you can just keep it this organized, that's the key...

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  10. Obviously you did an amazing job of organizing this thing. Now come do mine. Kidding, I don't have a vanity. Wish!!

    Also, PS, OCD is sort of a spectrum disorder, with mild and severe versions encompassing a wide range of symptoms, including in some cases what is known as "unwanted thought OCD" in which the sufferer basically can't stop having unwanted thoughts about something, obsesses over it, and changes their behavior (like avoiding stuff) because of it.

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  11. my makeup doesn't really have a home and is left in the makeup bag i took on holiday, so i am hardly using any of it and also the bag is driving me crazy.

    i should really find it a proper home--you have inspired me to sort it out.

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  12. I love that you reuse the candle holders! what a great idea. how do you get them so clean? I always have a lot of wax at the bottom.

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