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 Fiickr 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
I love all of your ideas!! My husband is in the military and every single paper has to be kept, FOREVER (so he says, lol) Our file bins are a huge mess and your post has really motivated me to tackle the monster. Thanks so much!
I am pretty good at this kind of stuff but you have completely inspired me to update and make it prettier! THANK YOU…I needed this!
I’ve always wondered if you’re supposed to keep old statements. Every year I put my old statements in an exandable accordian file but do I really need to keep them? I’m trying to get organized and it’s happening very, very slowly. And by the time I do finally get something organized it’s become outdated. Wish we had a container store!
Thanks for sharing all your ideas. LOVE organizing. LOVE my labelmaker. For recipes, mine are in plastic page protectors in my binder. Kind of like laminating, without the hassle. HTH.
UMMMMM, I’m so jealous!!!……..I really need to get to work. You have inspired me.
Wow! You are an inspiration Woman! I have been sat here in the mess of paperwork I have created for myself wondering how on earth I was ever going to be able to see the carpet again. You have inspired me (again!) to get cracking and organize this mess in a beautiful way. Thank you.
Wow! That looks great! I must get on my organizing too. But blogging is so much more fun!
You have accomplished an amazing amount of work in a very short amount of time! We will now dub you super woman.
My favorite tip… out with the old, in with the new. We only keep our latest utility and credit card statements, and replace them each month with the newest one. All my filing, other than the birth certificates, etc, fit into one half of a file drawer. 
Okay. I’m buying a plane ticket to California and hunting you down, so that I can STEAL all of those beautiful containers. I’d bet your linen closet DOES look like that pic.
Kate, only you could make organizing sound FUN.
Don’t you just love looking at all the organized things when you are done? I am a professional organizer, and I still tell my clients that I will just look at a freshly organized spot as I walk by it. LOVE IT! Great job!!
I am bowing down to you Organization Goddess!!!
Very nice.Let me get down to organising my stuff.Am home schooling 3 of my 4 little ones.So it s soo tempting to Organise first or teach first.Did I just say that !
I have a lot of those clear plastic ‘envelopes’ that are nice and large. I have them labeled with fairly generic terms like ‘house’, ’2009 taxes’, ‘kitties’, and things like that. We have an antique oak file cabinet and all of the plastic envelopes are filed in there. I also keep the instruction manuals for all the appliances filed in there and keep the receipts for any work we have done on the house along with the business card stapled to it. That way if we need someone to do work around the house we know who did it last time…and we note if we liked their work or not too. Recipes are kept in a 3 ring binder inside the plastic sleeves to keep them from getting messy. And my sewing room is in the midst of a big reorganization too; I have a passion for needlepoint and have created lots of interesting ways to store my threads and supplies. Don’t you just love pretty organizing tools and supplies?
I keep my recipes in a binder, but in the clear page protectors. Holes are already punched & the recipe stays clean. No need to laminate! Here’s how I organized my painting room:
http://mypaintingroom.blogspot.com/2009/04/peek-in-my-room.html
This is my kind of stuff. I just love to organize (I know-sick) and I also actually like doing my taxes. My stuff doesn’t look this good everywhere…but, I slowly work on trading out ugly plastic containers for cute ones. I don’t see organizing as work, I see it as fun!
i need more storage in my craft room and office. thinking of a good and cheap way to have some shelving in. may have to go the ikea route. i love what you have done. can we have a picture of your entire room to see how its all set up in there?
Cracking up at the “Target & Home Decor” label.
I corralled all of my loose recipes that I always wanted to try (but really were just a messy stack) into file folders labeled by type: Appetizers, Brunch, Beverages, etc. These are stored in a file box in my pantry. I then committed to trying 1 new recipe a week so we could work through the stack. Those we like, get put in a “TO FILE” file folder, and eventually make their way into our family cookbook when I have time to transfer it over. Those we don’t, get tossed!
I make a home for everything but I still don’t put it there. You are my organizational hero!
Thanks so much for sharing all of your tips! I’d love to see a pic of the whole room to see how you cleverly disguised everything!
Instead of laminating your recipes, you could always put them in those clear, protective sleeves…much cheaper! Just a suggestion.
It’s amazing what a large amount of items an armoire can hold, especially when stocked with horizontal & vertical file storage, plastic pull-out drawers, little bins, etc. To corral the various lotions, hair products, medicines, & other personal items in my linen closet, I have simply cut down a few large, sturdy boxes & covered them with fabric. Use this trick anywhere you need some pretty confinement of various possessions. It looks cute with Contact paper or scrapbook paper as well. (When you’re done, smile at the inexpensive & triumphant outcome.)
I am so drooling…my goodness. Talk about an organizing fix! Ahhh I needed that
Kate – thank you SO much for your inspiration! So far I am still decluttering – going to go through the whole house which will take a while. Question for you: What is the font that you used for the “Rainy Day Fund”? It’s too cute!
Thanks!! Maci
I love your organization. It just makes me swoon with glee and delight. I pride myself on being well-organized, but I have to admit that my game has been a bit off since I moved. I’m still looking for some essential organization pieces, mainly a good filing cabinet/bookcase duo to organize my boxes and files and things so they don’t sit on the floor. I might just have found it. I think that labeler is going to be next on my list.
FABULOUS blog and ideas! Love your humor too. I’m afraid I’m a little organization nut, and you’ve certainly made it appealing to be so!
I am so inspired by all your organization! It is a cold snowy day and perfect for a cup of coffee and tackling at least one drawer. Thanks! I might just break out that label maker…
I too am a nut for organization. I bought my first home shredder the other day and I was the happiest girl in the world. I shredded to my heart’s content. Now I don’t have to save those pesky enveloped and such with my name on them. Whew! Thanks for this post… very inspirational. I’m currently re-painting a desk so I can have my own office. Should be fun!
You are an inspiration! I just love your descriptions and photos! Too bad I am headed out the door to work…I would love to just stay home and organize my office this morning. I’m going to read this post again on Saturday morning and try to tackle my office and filing!
Great title, and I thought to myself I don’t know if I can ever have fun w filing. Your organization really inspires me!
Right now, my org skills include piling papers on desk and once or twice going through them and tossing them out. I have no skills. Do you hire out?
The formerly organized girl who still lives inside me and wants to come out is just hopping up and down with joy. I had one of those Brother label makers when I was working, and as nerdy as it sounds, it was FUN to play with.
There’s just something about seeing all those bins with brightly colored folders and matching labels.
I like the way you’ve organized your magazines. Mine are getting a little out of control.
By the way, I did a little write-up of your fabulous etsy store in my post today, and made sure to link to you.
Just fyi…
Big applause for what you have gotten organized. It’s bee-yoo-tee-ful!
I have been meaning to tackle my office for some time- I think your post inspired me to make it a weekend project! My label maker and I have got a hot date.
You are now the Queen of Organization! I love filing because it leaves things so nice and neat!
I love labels! So many great ways to file. I am laughing to see that I have 2 of the same magazines in my stash…someday I will have the pages that are my inspiration filed from my big mound! lol Another great post!!
Hugs,
~Victoria~
My heart just went pitter patter with one look at all your colorful and meticulous files and storage bins. You’re a girl after my own heart
it would be much easier to keep your recipes in sheet protectors!!! no spills or splatters and absolutely no punching holes in an important piece of the recipe information!
I’m so ridiculously impressed! I’m totally stealing some of those ideas from you (giving you full credit of course
). Thanks sooo much for the inspiration!
I began with organizing/decluttering a couple of weeks ago and I’m loving that it is the focus of your blog for a few days! Your pics send me to a happy place. I have a special relationship with my label maker too
You are inspiring me to post some pics of my organizing lately. I have cleaning ADD though, keep bouncing from project to project!!
Thanks for sharing !
I totally want a label maker. I think I might buy myself one next week. haha I do keep myself somewhat organized but I do confess…I have a small box under my desk and I just throw stuff in there that needs to be filed. I will call it my ‘stuff to file later box’ haha. Then I go through it and usually don’t need that stuff anyway, so it gets shredded.
Thanks for all the super ideas!
WOW. Organized lady!
My favorite organizational thing that I do is I ROLL my towels. Yup, that’s it.
But it’s really great actually. They are much easier to grab and they are more compact this way. We have a lot of towels..
Wow you’ve done amazing! Definitely going to store some of your ideas away for later.
Centsationalgirl – love the organization!!
I stick my recipes in the clear sheet protectors in two binders: Recipes to try and My Recipes (tried and true). I’d love a laminator, but the sheets work pretty well.
Great job!! I do a major clean out and organizing at the beginning of the year as well, but this year its getting tougher. You have inspired me to keep at it….even if its for a half an hour after work. Can you tell me the brand of your shredder? I like the size and mine just died a few weeks ago
Will you marry me? Ha ha, I’m totally kidding! But I adore what all you have done here. I call myself neat and organized, but you make me look like a slob. Kudos to you for finding all these great (and pretty!) ways to organize your stuff!
So cute!
I love your systems. I am horrible at filing. I have a big stack of paper for the last 6 months that I have to file before I clean out the files for the new year.
I am so JEALOUS along with the rest of the world who could only dream to be as organized so neat and cute as you! You have it all! totally jealous!
I have the Zooey issue of Domino in my fave magazine stack too!
I love the colors and I will have to make a coupon thing like yours!! I also love the photo boxes!!
Another great post! Cute office supplies always help make a mundane task better. A good hot beverage and favorite music are good motivators too. It’s too bad once we spend so much time organizing, it almost never stays that way, especially when you have a husband and kids.