Our home has an office and yet somehow we rarely use it. Instead, this is my home “office”. It’s a corner of the kitchen counter and it is where I manage our world. Here is what it looks like on a good day. And yes, a parking ticket is usually somewhere in the jumble of bills, receipts, and statements. (Don’t judge me. If you lived in the city where you have to remember to move your car twice a week, on alternating weeks, to various sides of the road, at various times of the day, you would accumulate a few of these babies as well. I just try to work them into the budget now.)
Needless to say this “system” was not working for me, so I decided it was time to get organized. I pulled out my cute label gun and went to work. If you don’t have one of these, get one. It will change your life. But a warning to you: You might just be tempted to start putting bossy little labels on absolutely everything. Once you start, it’s a bit addictive. So if your children walk around town with little label gun labels on their foreheads, don’t blame me. I warned you.
Okay, this was somewhat better, but still not really working for me. The files were falling all over the place and difficult to locate.
I went in search of something cheap that would work and was thrilled to find this!
It was $6 which I thought was a bit much, but it was cute, I liked the poppies, and I knew it would work out perfectly. Aaahhhh…much better. Everything now has a place and looks cute to boot.
Okay, so let’s review. Home office before….
And after…
I rest my case. Next, I am tackling the playroom. Ugh. Wish me luck. It’s a hazardous wreck right now. How about you? Any organization tips to share that have changed your world? Talk to me.
Linking up with:
Holly @ Roller Coaster Life says
Got to love parking tickets!!
I have a mean story about parking tickets, my EX step dad gave us his truck and my mom left him (yeah thanks mom) so he would not sign the title over to us and was threatening to call the cops and report it missing {great guy he is i know} so we accidentally ran a stop light, and a few weeks later got a phone call from him saying he got a ticket in the mail for running a stop light, and being the witty gal i am i stopped a thought about it for a split second and i said YEP and until you sign over the title we are going to keep running it =) MUAH HAHAHA ok now that makes me sound kind of mean but he so deserved it! =)
Your "office" looks amazing now! How easy is that! Ok so I have mine all nice and organized but its overflowing now??? What are you going to do when it becomes too much?? Did you do you tax statements in there too? What about your manuals/warranties to everything you have?? Am I the only one who saves manuals to our stuff?
<3
sun lover says
I am not even sure how I found you or this post, but I just redid some things in my kitchen with file folders and a system to help with my children, I also just posted about it. Feel free to check it out here. I think you may like the clipboard idea.
http://houseoffiveoncambridgedrive.blogspot.com/2010/01/cleaning-machine.html
Pine Tree Home says
I am a piler. I have stacks of paperwork on my desk. What keeps me sane is putting my papers into folders labeled "To Pay, To File and To Do. End of month I then take them and put into respective place into filing cabinet. Feeling organized is such a good thing.
Deb @ Confessions of an Ugly Mom says
Six bucks for poppies definitely well spent — perfect with your decor.
queenbee says
I have soooo many papers that need to be organized, I have the tools just need to take the time to get it done. Thanks for sharing and giving me the inspiration to tackle my piles of paper.
http://www.timetobeefocuse.blogspot.com
AnNicole@Our Suburban Cottage says
So cute! It has to make you smile every time you look at those folders. I'm such a sucker for things like that.
Thanks for linking up to the party!
pk @ Room Remix says
Simple, effective AND pretty. What could be better?
Melanie S says
Ugh. Now this one just makes me feel bad that I don't have beautifully labeled files. Those are really uncommonly cute file folders! You sure know how to find a good buy!
Lovely Scribbles says
Beth, you totally crack me up! I have a large rubbermade bin with hanging file folders for all of my crap-ola and a couple extra accordian files less the pretty poppies (so jealous!). Pssst…I see that your follower count changed accordingly…whew! 😉
faith says
so I just drove past a Christmas Tree Shop last night and commented (snobbishly scoffed, really) to my friend "what a stupid name for a store! how in the world do they stay in business?!" of course, I haven't ever been in one and was planning to boycott it based on the stupidity of the name alone, but reading here that you love it now means that I'll be sure to check it out! that's the power you have, Beth Hunter! use it wisely! :o)
Heather@PixieDust says
i just bought a p-touch and it's coming in the mail today – i'm so excited!!
My name is PJ. says
It's tidy and organized and pretty. Perfect.
But, seriously – are all of your file folders within that one accordion file box? I have (3) 2-drawer filing cabinets; 2 are in my husband's office and 1 is in my office – COMMAND CENTRAL-where the bills get paid.
I may not be crafty or much of a decorator, but I'm very organized. I just have much more stuff to maintain…even though I clean out my files twice a year.
M.L. @ The House of Whimsy says
WOW!!! Way to go!!! I love how January always inspires us to "get it back together".
I also looooove what you did, below, with the silver. Just beautiful! : )
M.L.
Dayka says
My home office is straight RIDICULOUS!!! I was just saying today that I need to do a redesign, because it's not functional for what I need. I wish all my stuff could be so well contained. Arrgghhhhhh!!!!!!!
HouseMama says
Lookin' good.
I bought some overpriced black and white file folders to put in my office, but at least I feel sophisticated now. Sometimes a girl has to do that for herself. 🙂
The Yorgason's says
I struggle with Paper. It seems like you get it under control and next thing you know. There is tons more. That is when I bought a filing cabinet. It honestly saved my life. I don't' know what I would have done with out it.
Nancy says
I so understand the 'mark of the beast' 🙂 When I am playing Solitaire? I begin a new game if the score is ever that number. Had a lady that came through out boutique, her purchase subtotal, with tax, was $66.60. She bought a bow to offset it 🙂 Christians shy away from that number!
Jenny B says
Love it Beth! and the poppies will go with your new non red kitchen too!
Annesphamily says
You are the best Beth! Always finding neat ideas to organize things, whipping up great treats for the family and basically keeping me entertained with all your wonderful ideas! Thank you!
Chelsy@ Sweet Pea Kisses says
Ooohhh, ooohhh, I have a playroom suggestion! Remember your cute diaper boxes? (how could you forget:) I have about five of them in our playroom, one is for puzzles (and all those mix-matched pieces), blocks are in one, and so on. Maybe they will help you organize the playroom 🙂 can't wait to see what genius ideas you come up with!
jenjen says
Great job Beth! I tried cleaning up my office a little today too. I love that filing system – awesome! I need to make one of those!
XOXO
Jen
Mandi @ Finding Home says
Oh for the love of organization! Be still my heart. Isn't it amazing how much more space you have after you organized? I think I need a lablemaker…but truly, I know I'd be labeling everything. And I'm not sure I could really stand it.
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
Looove your file folders. 🙂 I'm a paper trail girl too. I just get nervous about having all my stuff on the computer and worry about losing it. Your *office* area looks great now. 🙂
Jeanette says
Pretty files make me want to organize for a few minutes, but then I get over it. LOL
Alexis AKA MOM says
Looks amazing, I'm loving those files they are so cool and for $2 what a great deal. I so need to do that. Could a would a should a … LOL 🙂
Cathy says
What a great looking way to secret away that pile that just never seems to end;)!!! Love it!!!
Enjoy!!!
XOXO
Cathy
Sandi (Meme) says
Love organization ideas! Keep 'em coming! Have a blessed week!
Destination Seaborn says
I would love to have a label maker! I tend to be a little OCD so I'm sure my kids AND every article of their clothing would have labels.
I TRY to keep my bills nice and tidy by using a three ring binder with a plastic folder for each acct. At the end of the year, everything should already be organized so I can just slap a year on the outside of the binder and then start again with a new binder and folders.
Because Max has special needs, I also keep a seperate binder for all our medical and health insurance claims.
Hey, it's neat to hear someone say they shop at Gabriel Bros too.
Lisa
Carli says
The label maker-You're hilarious, I need one of those! I have one of those filing systems buried away somehwere,( ut it's not nearly as cute as yours!) I soooooo HEART the Christmas Tree Shop, they don't have them in NC, I think the farthest they go down is PA, bummer!
Carmie says
Great job! May I make a suggestion? I learned a while ago and this has helped me a great deal – Make sure all of your file tabs are on one side. Much easier on the eyes to go up and down in one direction than back and forth across the tabs.
Courtney says
Such a great idea…who doesn't have those stacks???
Tanya says
I'm with you on the paper copies of statements!
Melissa Miller says
That looks really great Beth! Love the red flowers. Fantastic job!
LOL! On the *beast* remark. I'm approaching that number and already thought of that. He! I hope someone helps me out then as well.
Have a blessed day. ~Melissa 🙂
Carmen says
My home office is on my lap. My husbands? Well, that's just scary…I try to stay out of that room. Anyway, I just followed too…my menobrain had been telling me all this time that I already was a follower. Good thing my lap is organized.
Dixiejet says
This is great ! My "Home Office" is a "breakfast-in-bed" tray right next to me on the love seat as I type this ! LOL !
Beth@The Stories of A to Z says
I bought it a discount store I frequent called Gabriel Brothers. The file folder was actually labeled a recipe folder. I'm guessing you might be able to find something similar at TJ's or Marshalls.
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
I love that file holder, Beth! The folders too! I am reworking a desk we have in our living room as my temporary home office. The desk is never used and became a dumping ground. I intend to get in the drawers and clear them out, and they have these great file drawers, but it needs something kind of sturdy like your holder to keep the folders straight. Can I ask where you got it? I was looking in Staples today, but didn't see anything that caught my eye, although they now have a wonderful selection of decorative folders.
The Domestic Chick says
I am in the middle of organizing month at domestic chick. I have tackled jewelry, stockpiling items, a filing system, shoes, clothes, craft closet, etc. It is not so fun in the organizing moment, but after…oh the bliss. I have asked my readers to organize with me and so many of them have joined the cause. It has been fun. I have a few more areas to tackle. Have fun organizing:)
Em says
You're inspiring. Really.
Tomorrow is toy room time for me as well. Might as well utilize my PMS for good.
But the evil me wants to curl up on the couch and eat chocolate.
I'll let you know who wins…
Shannon says
My desk is so much worse then that. I dont know if I would even show what it looked like in its current condition. I am working on a little project right now to conceal, or hide the toys in the playroom (aka family room). Should be finished in a day or less, come check it out if you can.
Kristi says
I followed you 😉