Fun with Filing
January 7, 2010
Ha ha. Got you on that title. Filing, fun ? Filing paperwork is about as fun as doing your taxes or getting a root canal. Filing paperwork is zero fun as my daughter would say, especially if you’ve let it get way out of control, like I have. Filing is the exactly the opposite of fun. That is, until you come across some very pretty organizational tools.
Hello my lovely.
I saw this deliciously darling file tote at the local stationery store and had to have it. Notice how it knows how chic it is by calling itself a “pretty file tote”. Kind of like that 80’s Pantene commercial where Kelly LeBrock used to say “Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful.”
I don’t hate you “pretty file tote”. No darling, I adore you, especially after you saved me from such wicked despair.
Self proclaimed “pretty file tote” inspired me to tackle what was tormenting me for months – a ghastly pile of paperwork to be sorted. I’ll spare you the photo of what my haphazard box of disorganized papers looked like a few days ago. Let’s just agree It was the definition of a filing nightmare. Besides, if I showed you, self proclaimed “pretty file tote” would gasp audibly and refuse to be associated with such a mess.
Enter attractive office supplies, and my dearest darling love – the Brother label maker.
I had a pretty good plan awhile back. I was really good at discarding junk mail the moment it crossed the threshold. I separated and recycled it the minute it came through the door.
The leftovers were the true problem. I had a mediocre system in place before, “Bills” here, “Catalogs” there. I had all the birth certificates and legal documents kinda sorta pretty much organized. But way too much miscellaneous paperwork was slipping through the cracks. The “mail to be sorted” multiplied like rabbits overnight. It became my nemesis. I would pass by it late at night, fist in the air, and mutter through gritted teeth “Curse you, vile mail to be sorted box”. Yes, I hated it that much.
My previous system was like any invention. Often it takes the first edition to reveal the kinks in the design in order to work them out. I think I’ve finally worked them kinks out.
I’ll agree to reveal my plan, but you’re all sworn to absolute secrecy. Never mind that I’ve published this for the world to see. Details.
First, I highly recommend you arm yourself with a label maker. As you can see, we have a mutual attraction to each other.
I love my Brother label maker. He had me at hello.
He helps me do this . . .
And this . . .
Boooooo. Taxes. Blech.
One of my biggest organizational problems was saving, organizing, and then finding receipts. Thanks to “pretty file tote”, my dilemma is solved. Now, I get kind of giddy filing receipts.
And I can’t be the only one who adores this up close and personal shot of pretty labeled file folders. Totally Flickr worthy.
My next organizational stroke of luck was finding these portable letter size hanging files at Tar-jay. Okay, they’re plastic, but that’s just fine with me, because they will be completely hidden from view. Plus they’re cheap.
I printed up some Avery labels . . .
Slapped them on the side of these portable holders . . .
See, they’re not completely hideous. Apple green lids ? Me likey.
They store ever so perfectly inside a standard depth cabinet.
And they stack too, just in case anyone wants to store them vertically.
Simple pleasures.
Don’t forget when sorting through paperwork to get yourself another muscular helper. Mr. Shredder is short, compact, and destructive to any document in danger of revealing my true identity.
But oh no, I didn’t stop there. Important keepsakes and lesser used texts aka ‘foreign language’ *hangs head in shame* get their own personal bin.
Coupons get their own basket, cause I’m a big collector.
I have a teensy addiction to fabric swatches, so I corral my collection in this bin I picked up last year at Michaels.
Recipes go in a simple three ring binder. I’m dreaming of laminating them all someday to keep them from getting sticky, oily, or smeared from, dare I say it, drool.
All that loose change was driving me crazy so I repurposed this candle holder.
Note to self. Must train husband to deposit spare change here.
There’s just nothing better than these acid-free photo boxes for storing all those pictures !
Kid workbooks and art get stored in these fun magazine holders and art boxes from The Container Store.
We make a big production out of storing their drawings here. Call me a mean mommy, but in the dark of night I sneak in and separate the sillier doodles from the truly charming creations. They haven’t caught me yet. Sssshhhh.
All of their toys and stuffed animals are kept in these colorful bins and baskets with homemade labels.
My home office supplies are kept tidy in this highboy I refinished last year.
I whittled down the magazines to just my favorites, and store them in these baskets in my home office.
Computer software, cords, and scrapbook supplies all are hidden in a series of these pretty and functional woven basket boxes purchased last year from The Container Store.
I keep CDs and other small items in these fabric boxes.
I read once that organization simply requires a ‘home’ for everything. It helps if that ‘home’ is somewhat attractive. At least for me.
Sooooo, what’s left in my house after this mad organizational spree? The linen closet.
But for the sake of fantasy, let’s just pretend that my linen closet looks like this. . .
and my bathroom closet looks just like this . . . mkay ?
Better Homes and Gardens (both images)
What’s your best kept secret for clever filing and storage ? C’mon, spill the beans. We all want to know.
Tags: filing, fresh start, Organized
We may spell it differently down in these parts, but boy are you speaking my language. Loved the post on organiSing ;)
Love all the pretty baskets for organizing, thats what makes organizing so much fun! Yes, I said fun…I am a organizing junkie too! I have a binder of recipes like yours but I have put them all in plastic sleeves to protect the pages…cheaper than laminating them and I can switch them out easily if I don’t use it often.
i am seriously loving your organization tactics….organizing is my favorite activity ever! looks like a blast!
I love this post! I’m all about the organizing too- especially when you have pretty storage boxes and bins. I’m also in a love-love relationship with my labeler. It just feels so good, like a deep breath of fresh air, to have everything in order. Now, you can allow more of whatever life wants to bring your way. A good car wash helps too. I do the same thing with my recipes, but put them in a plastic sleeve to keep the messes at bay. I have a separate binder dedicated to desserts, since they’re my fave and I have so many!
Ooo, I love this post! I’m a fairly new reader and just love your style and advice! Did you just recently get those file storage boxes at Target? You’ve inspired me to tackle our paper piles! Thank you! -
Ohhh DOLLAR TREE!! I love the bins that they sell. I have organized my pantry with cute bins from the Dollar Tree (http://paulsbride.blogspot.com/2009/08/pantry-organization.html)
And I have also organized our linen closet and my kids closet with other bins from their.
It doesn’t sound very stylish, but at least ours has some great storage options available and you truly can not beat the price!
I totally just used the wrong “their” and it is driving me nuts.
Sorry.
Love it all!! I also keep recipes in a 3 ring binder but I use the plastic sleeves from Staples/Wal Mart or Target. Easier than laminating!
I love it. You are so organized. I’m trying to be organize starting this new year. I love plastic bins and I just bought some at Loves that was on sale…
You have some pretty boxes….
My goodness – you did this all in one day? I heart my label maker, too. But . . . I also love bins, and files, and containers . . . I love this!
Love it! Where did you get the large flat boxes for your kids artwork? BOY, do I need those!
Sooo loving it! Thanks for all the tips! My year-long goal is to find a home for everything, which means the label maker will be working overtime!!!
thanks for all the inspiration!! I need to get some more containers I find homes for more of our STUFF!! – I’d love to see some shots of the rooms/space where you have all of this stored!
BTW – I just bought a great presentation book at Barnes & Nobel over the holidays that I play on putting many of my printed recipes into!!
~TidymOM
Wow! Can you come to my house?! I DREAM of having organization like you. And pretty containers, baskets and file folders. Some day. I bought a few pretty baskets but the organization is not there. Neither is the pretty-ness (it’s just a bunch of paper shoved into the pretty basket). Maybe when my office gets done… IF that ever happens….
See now, I find a post like this interesting. I consider myself an organized person, but I also like it to look good ~ kind of like a laundry room, it might as well look nice since you’ve got to do it! I’ve got some projects I am working on now to pretty up some organization I already have going on, and some new storage I’ve brought in for all of the crafty supplies I’ve been accumulating. I love finding stuff like you’ve shown.
You…are my organizational hero. I shall be studying this until such times as Project: Clean Sweep 2010 begins in my house. Three weeks and counting…
This post is 55 kinds of joy. I’m going to save it and read it over and over bc it speaks to a deep level of my soul, Kate. I just love it.
OK, going back and re-reading.
What a job! Your energy seems to be boundless. Talking about organizational tips for the bathroom – I have adopted this wine rack (a thrift store find) into a towel rack hanging over the bathtub.
Is it possible to insert a pic into this comment box? Help!
You are so organized, I thought I was organized. I love all the colorful file folders and boxes.
Thanks for all these great ideas! I want to be organized… just having a hard time getting there. This is great inspiration!
These are some great organization tips – thanks! And, hello! Love that linen closet idea too!
For the recipes, I do something similar, only I have plastic sheet covers that I slide them into. I can remove the recipe, use it, get it wet, wipe it off, put it back, and it’s safe. Love love LOVE the system.
You are inspiring. I am ready for you to visit my little dinky place and see what kind of disasters we could tackle. I am feeling motivated right now, there is so much that can be done, and I have plenty of baskets. I am really digging your “rainy day fund” vase as well. We have a quart mason jar that my husband decorated with skateboarding stickers in college, and it is almost full (once again) of the spare change we get (it’s become our Wii fund this time). I digress…..I LOVE your ideas. saving this one to refer back to!
Oh how I wish we had a Container Store close by (my hubby is glad we don’t!)! Everything looks great, you’ve given me some more inspiration!
I put my recipes in page protectors. Buy some and put them in!! Then you won’t have to bother with laminating. Just a thought. Abby
You have been one busy girl. I know that I am late commenting but I have been busy painting so I am behind in all my blog reading. Anyway, I LOVE my label maker. He is so wonderful. I love fabric boxes like you and I love anything to do with organizing. It just makes me happy.
Very inspiring. I tried to stay with you for you 5 day plan, but I’m stuck on day one and 4. But I have a big house ,and a real mess to contend with. Every day I tackle an area ,and donate. Thanks for the motivation. I can’t wait to be oganized too.
Opps I meant day 1 and 2.
You gave me a great idea on how to organize all those pages I yank out of magazines for future projects!!!
OMG. I have serious organizational envy right now. I LOVE all your organizing systems AND the fact that you have a labeler. Swoon! Hopefully this will inspire me to give my study a serious organizational overhaul. It needs it….bad.
I love an “over the door” shoe organizer with clear plastic pockets for organizing my linen/bathroom closet. The pockets are perfect for storing extra shampoo/lotion/toothpaste and such. Everything is easy to find and you don’t have to waste valuable shelf space for all of those small items!
Very pretty, you have give me some fabulous ideas! thanks for sharing
Wow, you totally had me for a second with that linen closet picture, I thought “Oh my gosh, if that is her linen closet I might just cry” Whew, great job on the rest though, I now realize I just need more containers, my new years resolution is to have a “home” for everything.
Where did you get those acid free photo boxes? My father recently unloaded all of my baby photos on me, and I despise photo albums (the plastic eventually ruins the photos), so something like that would be perfect for storage.
Such pretty storage… I especially like the Rainy Day Fund. Ours just gets thrown into a little tupperware thingy in the junk drawer. I think I need a pretty jar with a ribbon and pretty tag instead. :-)
I didn’t read through the other comments, but rather than laminating the recipes put them in sheet protectors. They wipe off beautifully!
That actually does make filing look fun. Great job!
I just found your blog and love it! I love organizing and I love seeing how other people organize! This post was perfect for me! Thanks for sharing.
Love this!!! Glad to have been introduced to your blog. :) Can you share where I could find these lovely file folders and such???
Thanks!
~Tracy
Hi! I didn’t read all the comments, so maybe someone already mentioned this, but for my recipes, I use page protectors instead of laminating.. something like this: http://www.staples.com/Avery-Page-Size-Sheet-Protectors-Nonglare/product_64102?cmArea=SEARCH
These make it super handy to pull out the recipe I want and bring it into the kitchen without the worry of spilling whatever I’m making on the recipe. Plus, I can pull the recipe out if I decide I want to make changes to it, and mark the changes right on the same page (laminating might make this not so fun).
Great post! Stumbled upon your blog looking for filing hints and boy did you come through.
Oops hit the button too soon. I also wanted to thank you for the idea of breaking down the receipts into categories. I am beginning a search for one and wish I had done it that way instead of throwing them all together (in different piles). I also recently bought some of the plastic file boxes (buy one get one free at CVS drugs) with turquoise lids. Looking forward to reading more of your posts.
You are my idol. ‘Nuff said.
[...] so pretty file totes! Do you recognize the blue one? I have one for all my receipts, and I love [...]
Beautiful. Definitely inspirational. Will…. keep…. plugging… away…..
Ohhh, I have no clue how I missed this in January, but I am eating it up now. Feeling overwhelmed, I need to fan myself with something from one of my junk piles now to keep from fainting, maybe… ;) Love the label maker idea, might just have to get me one of those (except then how do you keep from labeling EVERYTHING? I fear I’d be a label making monster…)
[...] Fresh Start’ series where I kicked my booty into gear with some serious decluttering, recycling, filing, and all natural [...]
I use a 3-ring binder as well for all the recipes I print online or tear out of magazines. Instead of laminating them (who has the time?!) I use 3-hole punched plastic sleeves from my local dollar store. I can usually get at least a 10 pack for $1 and this way all my recipes stay clean.