I'm a bit shy, when it comes to things behind closed doors, I figure there's a reason you close the door right?? So I thought about when I'm at a party and I realize my eye makeup is smeared and I need a q-tip, or I'm there and I realize that one hour of nervous chit chat with your husbands boss has used up 13 hours of your 12 hour deodorant's promise. Whatever it is . . . things happen at parties.
We're hosting a few holiday parties this month, and I made up a little kit to deal with . . . well, everything.
I call it my Powder Room Party Kit.
1) Matches in the bathroom. I'm not sure if I need to say anymore but I will for those of you who don't know what matches in a bathroom are for. When matches are lit the sulfur dioxide smell masks the 'other smell'. Better than any air freshener on the market ;).
2) Tampons, there is nothing worse than having to casually ask the hostess for a spare. Especially if she's had a few too many egg nogs and keeps screaming "What?? You Need What??" over the music, because I guarantee the second the music goes dead you scream out TAMPON!
3) Mouthwash, with a few little plastic shot glasses from the dollar store. There is also a roll of dental floss inside there, you could also offer some toothpicks.
4) Panty liners.
5) Some Medicine, Aspirin, Tums, and Benedryl. I always make sure to keep an allergy pill close at hand when entertaining and would suggest others do the same even if they don't have allergies. You never know when someone might really need one.
6) Small deodorants from the travel bins at Target. A couple of little deodorants is a good idea. I have a small note on them, suggesting people take them home if they used them because honestly we aren't going to re-use them, and throwing them out would be a waste.
7) Q-Tips, always handy.
8) A travel bottle of strong hold hairspray, a hair elastic, and a bobby pin!
We keep our kit in our main floor powder room, under the sink. Oh and I almost forgot to mention . . . EXTRA TOILET PAPER always make sure there is extra toilet paper!
What an awesome Idea! I had a couple of these items under my sink (namely matches) but this is such a considerate thing to do for your guests. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOh! I will definitely do it! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea!
ReplyDeleteYou are going to take the crown for hostess with the mostess this party season! Check out that kit you have honestly thought of everything, even down to the shot glasses for the mouthwash! Awesome :)
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great idea!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea Ashli. I know some will ask, "well, how do your guests know about the items if they are in a cabinet under the sink?" Trust me people...when in need, your guests are going to go through your cabinets (even without permission), just saying...keep em neat!
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea. I put cotton balls and q-tips at the guest bath.
ReplyDeleteAmazing idea! Might I also suggest some safety pins in one of those extra compartments you have. Never know when a broken strap may reveal a little too much a party.
ReplyDeleteSuch a smart idea! In our guest bathroom, I try to keep some of those things out in the open. Cotton balls and q tips are in glass containers on a shelf, as is the toilet paper. We've got a bottle of mouthwash on the shelf, too. It makes if so much easier for guests to know they can just take it, without having to search or ask.
ReplyDeleteWill you please tell me where you got the divided basket???? conoil@yahoo.com
ReplyDeletewww.lovebeinganonny.com
It's from Homegoods. I see them there all the time. You could also find them at The Container Store.
DeleteHope that helps! :)
Ashli
Great idea!! I am going to try and make one of these...
ReplyDeleteLove it! I also love the comment about the matches ..lol.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome idea.. love it! And I've never heard the matches thing before, smart!
ReplyDeleteFantastic idea! I'm going to clean out my powder room bathroom right now!
ReplyDeleteAs someone with severe allergies I love that you thought of having allergy pills around. Very thoughtful of you.
Seriously...this has to be the BEST post I've read this holiday season. I keep a small lidded basket in my guest bath for overnight guests...it holds the usual (extra toothbrushes and paste, Q-tips, small packets of body wash, hairspray, tampons, panty liners). I'll admit, never thought of putting it on the counter for a party...PERFECT! Love the idea of matches and the mouthwash with cups. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love this post! And I want to know as well, where did you get the basket??
ReplyDeleteHi Heidi,
DeleteThe basket is from Homegoods, but you can find them at the Container Store as well. You could also probably find them at Target!! :) It's actually a sock or panty organizer! :)
Hope that helps!
Ashli
Brilliant. Love the basket itself too. Did you say you put it out on the counter during the party? Otherwise I'm assuming your guests wouldn't know it's available?
ReplyDeleteHi Jeanene,
DeleteWe have glass cabinets in our powder room, so I'm not too worried about people finding it. But I think if you have the counter space, it's a great idea to put it out. Although the tampons might make some of the un-married men uncomfortable . . . married men are use to seeing tampons! haha
Lots of Love
Ashli
Your comment about matches made me laugh out loud (at work no less!) - but it is SO true. I discovered the joys of this trick when I was an overnight guest at my aunt and uncle's very small home. There was a dish on the bathroom counter with a collection of vintage matchbooks (that my aunt had explained she buys at Estate sales to use - not to collect). Although I have never found cool matchbooks like hers, I immediately purchased regular matches that I leave on my bathroom counter - next to a candle in case people not in the "know" would question why on earth I had matches in my bathroom ;)
ReplyDeleteI love this. You're a genius!
ReplyDeleteSuch a clever and thoughtful idea. I second one of the above comments - safety pins and double sides tape for fashion emergencies would be a great idea as well. I'll totally be doing this for my next get together! x
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. I bought a little plastic bin that holds the spare toilet rolls in plain view. Nothing worse than having to go through someone's cupboards if you are in need of loo roll!!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!! I feel the same way with the mini deodorants. Might I suggest these nifty little wipes:
ReplyDeleteMen: http://lafreshgroup.com/travel-lite-amenities/personal-care/travel-lite-antiperspirant-wipes-men-48packets.html
Women: http://lafreshgroup.com/travel-lite-amenities/personal-care/travel-lite-antiperspirant-wipes-women-48packets.html
You are so organized and such a thoughtful hostess. I read a couple of comments that mentioned adding a few safety pins to the box. Twice I've been at a family function where someone has had a clothing mishap that required a quick safety pin fix to get through the evening. You never know when a little indulgence may send a pant button flying! (this has happened but thankfully not to me).
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful holiday.
Great idea, although now what excuse will I use to snoop in their cupboards? :) Love it!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great idea... we are hosting a party on Sunday and I am going to create this little emergency kit for our bathroom. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea! I love reading the comments to see what other people suggest to put in it. Do you put a little sign on the box or something that tells them to feel free to use?
ReplyDeleteI just love this idea, nor have I ever heard of doing this for guests but it totally makes sense. I think you're starting something here by inspiring us all to be good hostesses :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic idea! You are a top notch hostess Ashli.
ReplyDeleteYou have absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about. This is such a wonderful idea. I'm going to attempt something similar in my guest bath. Plus, this will help motivate me to organize, hehe.
ReplyDeleteYou are a very thoughtful hostess. I have extra band aids, safety pins and clear nail polish to stop "toe-runs" in nylons. I've never thought about deodorants.
ReplyDeleteYou are so thoughtful and clever! This is a GREAT idea!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea! I know how much I appreciate when a restaurant or event location has a little helpful basket in the ladies room. Why not at your house too?
ReplyDeleteI wish my husband's family would have read your post before Christmas... I could not breathe all day on Christmas because my allergies were so bad and I forgot to bring my own meds. Great tips!!
ReplyDeleteOh I love this idea. I found you from the I heart organizing site and just love this party/hostess idea. New follower :)
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! Since all of our family lives out of town I could see making this into a travelers extras kit.
ReplyDeleteI found your blog via iHeartOrganizing. And I'm definitely subscribing :)