Happy 2019 to ALL of you! If you’re like me, you may be ready to take this new year to the next level. Whether that is leveraging your creativity a little more often, finding thrifty ways to save money while still living somewhat lavishly, or just to put yourself out there and take on new challenges!

To ring in 2019, I’m taking part in the Winnipeg Renovation Show for the second year in a row seemed to me like the perfect creative start to the new year. Last year, I was involved in the Great Crate Challenge where I took two wooden crates and created something beautiful! See more on my crate-creation here.

And this year? The challenge is right up my alley… BAR CARTS!

Myself and 4 other Winnipeg influencers in the Bar Cartistry Challenge have been given a simple white IKEA utility cart, and were put to work DIY Bar Cart project, with the chance to turn it into our own creative idea! While I do love a good bar cart (obvi), I wanted to explore some other uses for the cart… and with that, immediately I thought of what every girl could use: a makeup & beauty bar (cart)!

Today I’m sharing a sneak peek of my creation, which will be on display at the Winnipeg Renovation Show, Friday January 11th-Sunday January 13th at the RBC Convention Centre.

If you make it to the show, you’ll have the opportunity to vote for your favourite Bar Cartistry creation, but once again I’m giving Winnipeggers the opportunity to take home my design! Head over to my Instagram @brainsandbronzed to enter to win my creation for yourself!

But for now, I want to share exactly how you can customize your own utility cart into whatever you want it to be! Whether you opt for a makeup & beauty bar (cart) like I did, or want to use this in the kitchen, as a mini bar, or for any other purpose, I love that however you spin it, this piece is functional and multi-purpose; but still super pretty! Here it goes:

WHAT YOU NEED:

• 1 IKEA SUNNERSTA Utility Cart
• 2 cans Rust-Oleum Metallic Spray Paint in Gold

HOW TO:

1. Tape the wheels with green painter’s tape so as to not get paint on them
2. Spray paint the cart frame. Let dry for 24 hours.
3. Once dry, spray 1 more coat. Let dry.
4. Take the tape off the wheels
5. Assemble the cart
6. YOU’RE DONE! Load it up with all your beauty essentials, and your storage cart is ready for use in the bathroom or your bedroom!

STYLE:

In everything I own, I LOVE adding my own personal style touches to it! So even though this will be stocked with my beauty products, I wanted to add some little “inspiration” pieces to add a little bit of liveliness to it.

First things first, I added the essentials: a stand-up dual sided mirror and a couple containers and trays to hold basics (cue tips, favourite products, etc.)

Then, add some pieces that you love! I love to add greenery to my spaces, so a few succulents in white pots were the perfect addition.

Once you have all the pieces in place, it’s time to add in your products! I’d keep all my daily skincare rituals, my Clarisonic device, and haircare products here! Anything that looks pretty, as the point of this beauty bar is to be both functional and look good!

Don’t forget to vote for my creation in the Bar Cartistry Challenge at the show!X