2.11.2011

An Organized Life: The Office

I thought I would share the office space/keeping room first since it was the hardest to clean out. In the beginning I had this space, plus a cabinet in the kitchen and the bottom of the pantry which adjoin this room. My goal was to whittle it all down to this small area and I did it! Oh, and did I mention it was hard?


This space is what keeps Kellen Jacob Photography, our home, and everything else going. It HAS to be organized. Each ikea magazine file holds paper, office supplies, mini albums, etc. I am hoping to buy a label maker to take this all to a whole new organized level. The drawers house my array of stationary. The binders are from Rusell and Hazel and I adore them. I also managed to move the printer off the shelves into a spot where it is less obvious. Did you notice the jar full of ribbon? I so adopted this idea from Emerson Made. Makes the ordinary so much more special and if I can see it then I am more likely to use it.


This is my new/old filing system. Old as in I have had it for awhile and new as in it is now working for me. I have a file for everything. Things to file, KJP, taxes, school, ideas, and even a file for things I have no idea what to do with. This new system will hopefully keep things from piling up on my desk when I am being too lazy to file it in the pretty little binders. We are also planning on getting a fire safe box to keep important documents and things of sentimental value.




I didn't show a full room view just because I am awaiting our new sofa and that will still be a few more weeks. The fabrics on top of the bench are one's that I plan to incorporate into the room. I am going to try to do a bit of color this year. Hope it works out.


You know how I am trying to not shop for too many new clothes this year? Well, a purse isn't technically considered clothing. I am still trying to decide whether to keep it or not. It's Cynthia Rowley and I bought it at TJ Maxx. I think she is really pretty and I did use my own spending money so it didn't come out of our main account which is the whole goal anyway. Do I NEED a new purse, no, but it has been well over year since I got my last one.  SIMPLICITY.

*Scratch the last part. I pre-post. I kept the purse. I LOVE it.

57 comments:

Unknown said...

Good Job! Don't you love a clean and organized space? I just got done doing the same thing in my house and it feels wonderful. I like your new fabrics (and the purse!).

###### said...

love your bag...and ummm the office is NNNNNNNNNNNNIIIICE. Great job. Great blog.

Melissa said...

Paula, where dis you get your rug? You have inspired me to tackle the huge amount of organization I need to begin around here!

Helena - A Diary of Lovely said...

well done on the office, looks great and so neat and WELL DONE on the bag, beautiful!!!

lizziefitz said...

Good thing you kept the purse! I spotted on the chair in pic#3 and was getting ready to say shazaam! I want a label maker too. Maybe cupid will bring me one?

Andrea said...

Love the purse. As the proud owner of a label maker, I can assure you that it is a necessity for your whole new level of organizing. Have a great weekend!

Tiffany @ Savor Home said...

I love your office and the bench is lovely as well. Oh and I love the ribbon jar- I'll be stealing that idea. But most of all, I am SO glad that you decided to keep that bag! Gotta love TJMaxx.

Also, I did a really quick post on simplicity yesterday. Stop by if you get a chance. Have a great weekend!

Annie said...

your office looks sooo good! a little organization definitely pays off! (and that purse is fabulous. so glad you decided to keep it!)

Danielle (elleinadspir) said...

I love that you share my obsession for cleaning and organizing. Yesterday I was asking if I was crazy, but ive decided crazy or not, it's just me!

That purse is amazing! Love it.

Ceri said...

Hi Paula,
Where is rug from? I've been searching for a b&w striped runner for my bathroom... I love the printer on the basket! great ideas! Just an fyi, my husband just turned me on to "Getting Things Done" - system for organizing everything that piles on your desk (and in your head). I just started using the "Things" app and it has changed my life!
Hope you're well!

Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies said...

I am totally going to steal your ribbon idea. Love it! I also love the purse. Keep it!

Erin Deegan said...

glad you kept the purse. it's fantastic! your office is looking great and so organized... i'm a little jealous! i need some organizations around these parts.

Ashley said...

Oooh, the ikat fabric on your bench is beautiful! Happy Friday, Paula!

Brigette said...

I LOVE that bag...don't get rid of it!

Staley Mc said...

Paula I love the purse! I think you made a good choice on keeping it, it is fab!! Hope you have a lovely weekend!

Donna said...

Love the organization...doing a bit of that myself! And yes, KEEP IT!!!

Kim Russell Photography said...

Love the purse! You have to keep it. Is your bookshelf from Ikea? I need something just like that.
Thanks- Kim

Marianne said...

You are so inspiring with your organization. I really need to go through my office files. May have to takle that project over the weekend. Love the purse!

coolkids said...

um purse!! yes that is a keeper!

Unknown said...

Before I even saw your post, I posted about our office today...Not about organization, but more asthetic use of space. I envy your pretty & practical space! I especially love the lamp and the fabric on the bench.

The purse is nice, but it is not what I pictured you carrying...I was seeing you more with a funky, repurposed diaper bag or a fun little clutch! Have a wonderful weekend!

Through Rose Colored Glasses said...

I'm really glad you kept the purse. and the office looks great. And those fabric samples, so amazing!

Eden Lang said...

Paula...I love your new bag!!!! I want one too:) I'm in diaper bag stage still. lol. there are some cute ones but nothing that come close to that new bag of yours.

Macy Dawn said...

SO glad you kept the purse, although I would be glad to take it off your hands (or your guilty conscious).

JMW said...

Great, GREAT office space! Would love to have something like that in my own home. I don't need a new purse either, but I sure do WANT one. I can totally relate and glad you kept it. :)

The Hoppers said...

You inspired me. I just cleaned out my junk drawer. Baby steps. It's all about baby steps.

Allison {Live Love Small} said...

your office looks great! love the fabrics!

Erica Cook said...

Things are looking great! I'm working on my office today too. Nothing exciting... just removing clutter.
Glad to see you kept the handbag! It's awesome. wishing you a fab Friday! xo

Elaine said...

Everything looks great! I would LOVE to find out where the fabric is from? King Cotton perhaps? I think it would be perfect as pillows for my new couch. Thanks!

Jaye said...

Good! I'm glad that you kept her, you deserve it! She's pretty.....

Splendid Willow said...

You stylish girl you! I just (literally 30 minutes ago!) came back from TJ Maxx and Nordstrom Rack - and I saw no bag as lovely as this one. Keep it or send it to me!

Your office looks fresh and organized and it is going to be so much fun to see the room with the new sofas!

Happy weekend to you.

Warm hugs,

Mon

nanne said...

love the purse!! our t.j. maxx here has a pink, tooled cynthia rowley purse that wants me...bad!

i'm trying to resist.

nanne in indiana by way of alabama

Wahzat Gayle said...

Love it wish I could get my space that organised... does it count that I am trying?! :D
That bag was definitely a keeper.

Unknown said...

I keep my pens in a silver julep cup at work too :)
Thank goodness you kept the purse, it's a beauty! x

paula said...

the rug is brown and white and I got it at Target a few years back for $15. I get more compliments on it than any other rug in my home. ha.

Ellen said...

Lovin the purse. Glad you kept it.
You have inspired me to get organized at my own house.

Hana said...

you're funny & i can COMPLETELY relate. glad you kept it! the office looks great, can't wait to see your sofa pick! xo

salwar said...

Nice decorated house.. love the decorations...

Unknown said...

Love the office, especially that yellow chair!! Where, oh where did you get it? LOVE!

Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss said...

Everything looks great. And I have a folder too--- the one that doesn't have a label because it has all of the 'i don't have a home' paper!

molly b. said...

Two of my fav things? Organization + purses. So, so glad you kept it!Love your fabric choices, btw.

Cassie said...

Love the rug!! And so very pleased you kept the handbag - every girl needs a new handbag more than once a year!
xx

Lindsey said...

lovely purse!

i really like these personal posts from your home and seeing how you are keeping up with your resolutions. thanks for sharing!

xo.

Unknown said...

The purse is lovely and I totally understand that you kept it.
Have a nice Valentines Day!
u.

Casa Très Chic said...

Love the purse and your office, so organized.
Have a nice week.
Hugs from Brasil
Tereza

la la Lovely said...

Glad you kept the bag... LOVE it.

Lori said...

Cute purse. I love the chair it's hanging on!

Truly Smitten said...

omg! I LOVE your BAG and I LOVE your office even more!!! and I LOVE tjmaxx! hahaha! So many things to love =)

Anna said...

Well done! Really looks perfectly appointed.

And I'm with you on the simplicity front. I'm finding I really love fewer things, but nicely made. Simplicity can be a truly delightful form of luxury.

Muffy. said...

I adore your office, especially the yellow chair! Would you share where you found it? Much Thanks

paula said...

The chair is from cb2. We adore it :)

Unknown said...

Good choice to keep the bag. She is pretty.
Your office looks great and I love the pop of yellow for the chair. Can't wait to see more of what you do with it.

Candie Rossler said...

Organizing is something that I must practice these days, because seriously I'm such a clutter diva! My small office, which is near our fabulous iron stairs is the only organized part of our home. I don't know why, but maybe because the most important documents are in there, so I must regularly arrange them.

My Many Moments said...

I need that purse! You needed it too! It will go with everything!
Take Care,
Heather
mymanymoments.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

GORGEOUS purse!! And you got it at TJ Maxx so BIG plus! Glad you kept it! & glad I stumbled across your blog! Love it & now following :)

MEGAN LAND
xx

The Single Nester said...

What a lovely space and girl! That big is awesome. Was it crazy expensive?

Funkufvw said...

Paula I love the purse! I think you made a good choice on keeping it, it is fab!! Hope you have a lovely weekend!

Nathan Johnston said...

Wow, nice bag! Hehe . . . Love your space, though. Keep posting!