DYI project: purse organizing!!!

I seem to be on a diy mood these days; I needed to organize my bags so I went around the house looking for 'supplies'. I found a few old wire hangers, a broken wooden closet rod, old shoe dust bags, and two metal wall brackets (could be used for hanging flower baskets, or closet rods).

The spot: if you have ever lived in an older home, then you know most of those closets seem to have LOTS of wasted space above the closet rod/shelf, this is exactly what I faced.

First I took the brackets and screwed them into the studs at the very top of a closet corner, screwing them to the ceiling too. Once secure, I added the rod (which was the perfect fit to the space!

I took the dust bags and cut them in half lengthwise, removing the draw strings.

I then took the wire hangers and bent both ends upwards and poke the top end through the seam side (in the center).

And this is what I ended with:

This will not be a permanent fix for my purse storage, but it'll sure help while I find a more permanent option (I have some hooks in mind but haven't found them yet).

I hung two purses per hanger, and the dust bags are meant to protect my purses' handles from the metal hanger (better be safe than sorry).

I now have room under those purses to store the less structured bags without compromising their shape and I saved quite a bit of space by doing this. I'm all about looking for creative ways to reuse items you already have to solve common storage problems you may find. Hope it helps!

Look of the day: Polka dots and red lips!

With having all (well, almost all) my shoes in plain sight, I couldn't wait to start posting my #oodt. Today's casual look incorporates classics, polka-dot dress, wedges, denim jacket, and res lips! 

This strapless dress I've had for YEARS!!! I honestly don't recall where I even bought it (and I removed the tags). The jacket is a classic cut Gap jacket I bought at a thrift shop for $3. The wedges are an oldie from Justfab (where I've bought the majority of my shoes). The necklace I bought from a local jewelry crafter. 

This is Salome wedge, I LOVE the ribbon detail! 

A few weeks ago, I bought my first EVER red lipstick; I was always afraid of looking weird with red lips (and red is not my favorite color, so that doesn't help) but I have to say that I'm really liking it! It's by Revlon #740 (Certainly red).

Project: DONE!

I wish I could say that I did this in a day, but with my busy schedule it took me four days; I'm very pleased with the result.

I DID IT!!!! Total project cost less than $60!!! For two wood, sturdy, and huge shoe cases!! 

Current DIY project: process part 2

CLEANING DONE! Because we live in an older home without mega tall ceilings, unfortunately I had to lose one foot of height of each shoecase. My husband cut the top shelf off and added the removed board back on top as additional support.  I had to remove the back panel because it had water damage and some rotting, I replaced it with a thinner panel (which was cut to size at home depot). 

Now came painting time! I used this paint I had bought at walmart on clearance (for only $4!!!!) a while back. I didn't buy it for anything specifically, but knowing how much I love diy projects, I knew it'd come in VERY handy!

It felt good to go to bed and see this!

While moving it, we had a bit of an accident and chipped the bottom corner off. I just need to touch it up. I love that it has that old and a bit rustic feel to it.  

Current DIY project: the process!

Woohooooo! It feels good to be done with reorganizing (and significantly downsizing) my shoes and bags.

It started with two 8 ft x 4 ft book cases we bought this past weekend. They were DIRTY! but had great backbones, they were used in a a storage warehouse and were not well taken care of. We paid $15 each, it took lots of elbow grease, some paint and well, see for yourself!

This is how dirty they were, and it wasn't just dust, it was stuck on and needed lots of scrubbing.

First round of brushing off the dust.

After second round of scrubbing with a brush and cleaning with a damp rag, it started to look less daunting.

Just DIY'ng at home..

This past weekend was quite busy around here (as usual), but this time I started reorganizing my shoes and getting rid of my two current bookcases (or shoecases as I call them). My husband and I found two new ones that need LOTS of work, but are worth every cent!
 I started the project this weekend but so far I lost a foot............. a foot of height of the bookcases that is! I'll update you soon, they need to be done this week!!!!

My china

I present to you, MY CHINA! I love the soft and feminine details, the embossing and dainty feel of the pieces. It started as a set for 8, and depending on what you are eating lol, it's now down to a three-eight person set. Hey, life is life! I LOVE MY CHINA!

And it continues...

After reading my initial post, you might have been left wondering how bitter of a life I have lived, right? wrong!
Growing up, we all face our struggles, our challenges, or experiences, those things that mold not only part of our childhood but also how we may see life as an adult. Starting with the analogy of my mother's china, I wanted to give you a peek of what brought me here, to the blog world again; show you that every person has those defining moments in their lives. Mine were a bit on the harsh side (feeling wise), but by no means I want you to think I hate my mother lol, she's a great person, we just have different parenting styles (and her times were different than mine). I can't say I would have done different, I don't know what she felt or lived to push us to be 'perfect', all I know is that her tough love made me the strong woman I am today. Yes, I could have broken down and gone down the drain of pity and self destruction while claiming I wasn't loved blah blah blah; truth is I don't have time for that BS, I have dreams and goals. I am a strong person who has never forgotten her faith and family. I love who I am today, not perfect! but happy and grateful. And by the way, it was awesome visiting her on mother's day!
 I hope the story of my mother's china can be helpful in some way, I know this may not be that 'aha' moment you've waiting for in your life, but at least I hope it can come in handy in your life one day.

Having said that, let's bring you up to speed in the Yuyis life. I am a blessed wife and mother of three children, four furbabies. A chef and caterer by profession, and fashionista at heart! I love papercrafts, DIYs (when time permits), home decor (which has been undeniably neglected with a hectic schedule), sports, arts, and spending time with my loves. Life hasn't been easy, but then again, I have never met a TRULY HAPPY individual who has had a happy life. They all have had struggles but have learned to be happy with what they have. I'm a fairly reserved person with my personal life (odd, considering the initial post and title lol), but I love sharing pictures of shoes and fashion. Brace yourself, pictures are coming.