It seems that when cool products become popular, there’s little time to get on board after the masses. For example, washi tape came out, crafters were using it like crazy and then I was like, “WTF is washi tape?” Let’s back it up.
Washi tape is Japanese masking tape that is pretty.
I’ve summarized, obviously.
The tape is reusable, biodegradable and is made from renewable resources.
Q: What can it be used for?
A: Everything. More specifically, organization!
For example…
File Folder Labels
Source: i heart organizing
Buy inexpensive folders and washi tape. You can reuse both of them over and over. Click the image to see how iheartorganizing did it.
Binder Clip Decoration
Source: Crap I’ve Made
You can decorate all sorts of binder clips. Grab a variety pack of washi tape and just start taping.
Ring Around the Cup
Source: Crafty and Creativity
Plastic glasses and washi tape is all it takes. You can use a variety of colors to spice up a look or use the tape to write names on each cup so your guests know where they set their drink down.
Plant Markers
Source: Ann Kay Home
Talk about inexpensive! These plastic plant markers just have a little bit of washi. Write the plant on the tape. That’s it.
Washi Magnets
Source: Etsy Dallas
These washi magnets look like pieces of tape on the refrigerator. So cute! Grab a roll of magnets (one side is sticky) and some washi tape. Stick the two together, use scissors to make it look like tape or a simple rectangle and you’re done.
Cord Labels
Source: Landee See Landee Do
Why didn’t I think of this? I’ve been fishing for random cords under my desk tugging on each one to see what slides off my desk. That’s my very scientific way of identifying which cord goes to which electronic. Washi tape and a sharpie. Done.
Hanging File Folder Labels
Source: May Richer Fuller Be
If you click the image above, you can view a quick photo tutorial. I would probably go with a less “busy” design for the washi tape but it’s all based on preference. This is a great idea because you aren’t wasting anything. You can use and reuse. Lurrrve!
Personal Wine Glasses
Source: The Kitchn
Cocktail hour, anyone? Here’s some wine. Here’s some washi tape and a pen. Put the tape on your glass and…CHEERS!
Personalized iPhone Charger
Source: Delicious Spaces
Wrap it up. Wrap it up. Uh wrap it up, wrap it up.
Anyone singing “Walk it out” right now?
Washi Agenda
Source: Ms Magpie Designs
I get all weird writing in my agenda. This is a perfect solution. I never know if I should write with pen or pencil. What if something changes? What if I have too much in one day and something gets lost within the list of things to do? See the stress I go through? Thanks Ms. Magpie Designs. You’re brill!
Creative Clipboard
Source: Delicious Spaces
Two things: Dollar Store clipboard and washi tape. Preettttttyyyyy! Hang them on the wall with various projects or one for each family member and you’re organized. In fact, make it a family project. Pick out your own colors and designs.
Washi Thumbtacks
Source: How About Orange
The idea of getting something inexpensive and making it cute completely makes my day. you an purchase these thumbtacks for a crazy amount of money OR you can get the ol cheap-o’s and washi them up.
I FREAKING LOVE THIS STUFF!
Thank you, Japan.
Wanna share this with friends? Just click one of the buttons below and easily share.
Why are cords so ugly? They drive me crazy. I’ve been known to be on my hands and knees on more than one occasion, tucking cords in between the carpet line and the base trim of my wall. I’m sure I’m stripping the cords in order to make it appealing but I just can’t stand the look of cords creating a maze around the house leading from one electronic device to another.
When we moved into our house (three years this July), we temporarily ran our cable cord from an office to my son’s playroom via the ceiling. Again, this was temporary.
Three years in July. Just in case you forgot. Looking at this makes me absolutely crazy. I don’t know what to do with it. So I went searching.
How does one hide these blasted things? I’m throwing in a couple ideas on how to hide your router or cable box. Both are a pain in the arse. Click on the image of each idea to find out more.
Source: Decoist
There’s that white picket fence everyone talks about wanting.
Source: Sewing Barefoot
Use books to hide a router or cable box. I’d choose the smart books to make me look good. I’d also make sure that no guests went up close to take a peek at them only to discover that they were so useless to me that I mutilated them in order to cover up something that’s allowing me to watch Real Housewives of Orange County.
Source: Angie in the Thick of It
Hide your flatscreen cords behind this cool DIY trim. I need a TV like this, a wall this color and pretty much everything in her living room.
Source: Popsugar Living
This extension cord cube makes for a very tidy and organized cord holder.
Just grab some PVC pipe and screw it in to the back of your desk. Ghetto but effective. Never overlook the simple solutions.
What about a rain gutter? This idea is quite brilliant if you ask me.
This basket is a simple drawer organizer. You can find it at Target or even the dollar store. Add in some hook screws and you’re golden. This is the under side of a desk.
Source: Modresdes
This is called the Smart Plug Hub Cable Organizer. The image makes me happy. Isn’t this just so perfect?
- Source: Lacey Haskell
I’m pretty sold on this idea. Inside the little box is a router. With storage this side, you could put a ton in here. I tend to over-stuff storage areas and I’d do the same here. I love it. Storage under the seat with storage in it. Following me, here?
So, now…what on EARTH do I do with our “temporary” cable cord idea in my son’s play room?
We were so excited, and so spent, after completing our new book, “How to Get Your Business Online” that we posted it on Pinterest, our website, Instagram, etc, but totally forgot to introduce it to you. Duh! We’ve spent months pouring our blood, sweat and tears into this resource guide for you, the small business owner. Drawing from the mistakes we’ve made in the past starting our own businesses, we’ve compiled a ton of detailed instructions and resources to help you get your small business up and running including tips to get your business seen online.
Editing, editing editing…
The more we edited, the more content we added. Our goal was to have “How to Take Your Business Online” be the only resource you’ll need to get your business up and running. While writing this guide, our focus was on providing solutions to obstacles that may be preventing your business from having an online presence.
After months and months of development, we finally completed what we think is a totally kick-ass business start up guide. By the time “How to Take Your Business Online” was finished, our little guide had turned into sixteen chapters!
Formatting, formatting, formatting
Our book is written in layman’s terms, not techie language. It’s written for the normal, everyday, limited computer-skilled business person. Even if you spend very little time on the computer, with the help of this guide, you can still get your business online, set up and be active on Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook, and learn how to market your business, completely on your own, all for zero dollars!
We are so proud to present…
How To Take Your Business Online
a simple guide written in layman’s terms
Featuring…
- Step by step instruction on how to get your business started TODAY on a $0 budget!
- Sixteen chapters of simple, easy to follow explanations with lots of visuals
- Packed full of downloads, printables, and resources!
The entire book is beautifully formatted for printing, including cover and section dividers. Print your pages and put them in a 3-ring binder to keep at your desk. You’ll find you’ll refer to the hundreds of resources provided in this book over and over again.
The Online Business Start-up System eBook includes everything you’ll need to take your business online.
Get it TODAY! We promise you won’t be disappointed!
[spacer size=”20″]
[spacer size=”30″]
For more details and a look at some sample pages, visit the eBook section on our website
HERE.
If you have business start-up questions, please ask them in the comment section below. We love questions, and we love hearing from you. We reply to ALL comments.
Come join our Facebook community, and then pop on over and visit us on Pinterest.
Thanks for reading our blog. We just love ya!
Whether you are working from home or simply pay bills and keep life organized (i.e. the Command Center), you need some sort of home office area. A “home office” doesn’t have to be huge. You can use anything from a closet to an in-kitchen counter to a spare bedroom so you always have an excuse to NOT have people over. My office is in our home’s spare bedroom. See where I’m going here? There are great hotels nearby.
No matter what you’re doing, you’ll need something to organize the following essentials:
- Office supplies (pens, stapler, calculator, scissors)
- Loose papers that you’ll get to now, later or someday
- Appointments or even just days of the week
- Magazines, books, pamphlets, catalogs
- Crap. The stuff people set in your area because they are too lazy to set it in their own area (for me, it’s little cars…lots of little cars. FYI, my office is right next door to a playroom that is much bigger yet everything ends up in my area).
- Files and Bills
- Coupons
- Notebooks
- Reminders
- Stuff that doesn’t have a category (chapstick, push pins, ribbon)
We all want our personal space to look awesome, always be organized and completely functional. All of the stars align for those who are professional organizers. Unless your focus is on organization and efficiency ALL THE TIME, it’s not going to happen. There, take that stress from your day. You don’t have to be perfect but you can come dang close and fake it the rest of the time.
You can create a space that is functional, makes you feel good when you’re in it and lives up to the “everything has a place” statement.
The products below are our office staples. Some of the stuff we don’t use for it’s intended use. Re-purpose, friends.
- 8 Days a Week Planner. This planner found on See Jane Work includes a more busy-life-friendly layout and options along with your typical calendar. We place ours in a document holder (#3) right next to the computer so we have a quick reference. Once you lay the calendar down or put it away, you aren’t likely to use it. We also use digital calendars but there’s just something about writing down appointments that we can’t let go of. Clearly, we’re not the only ones.
- Business Card Holder. For less than $3 you’re keeping your tasks and ideas organized. The way I use a business card holder is to prop up index cards. I have a whole stack of cards I write different topics on and add to throughout the day. For example: I have a running index card that says “Blog Ideas”. They just stack right up in front of my keyboard so I can reference them quickly. You can also use them as reminders. “Pay ___ bill by Thursday”, etc.
- Document Holder. It’s super-cheap and can be found at any office supply store. We keep this as clean as possible. Once you start stacking things up, you’ve fallen into unorganized again. Maybe create a rule for yourself where no more than 4 documents can be in there at any one time. This is for urgent, doing-now type of projects. Once you’re finished, file it away, shred it…whatever. Just get it out of there. Front and center is our calendar (as referenced in #1).
- Wire Shelving. This is pretty much the greatest (not prettiest) invention ever. If you’re working in a small space (or even a closet), these racks can create some massive organization. They are super-easy to install, can be put at any height, readjusted and more. If you’re not so sold on the idea of having wire, use shelf liners like Eat At Home Cooks did with hers. It’s a quick (cheap) fix to make a flatter surface.
- Clipboard Wall. Holy organization thisisamazing! The dollar store almost always has clipboards. Grab yourself some (cover in cute duct tape, contact paper or scrapbook paper) and pin ’em on the wall. These make for a very simple organization board. If your home office is more like a command center, assign a clipboard to each family member. If this is a working office, use the clipboards as your tasks to do. Move them around and put them in the right order as you complete tasks. Clearly this is inspiring me.
- Photo Boxes. I use these as a catch-all. My son brings home daily sheets from school and I don’t want to throw them away but they also aren’t filed with my tax stuff so I’ve designated a photo box to his progress sheets. You can use these boxes to hold additional office supplies or photos.
- Coupon Book. Because, no matter what, your office will become a catch-all. Embrace it but have the right tools to keep your stuff organized. This super-rad booklet keeps your coupons and has a shopping list notepad. All from See Jane Work.
- File Organizer. This is pretty self-explanatory.
- Desktop Lamp. Don’t create a space that’s only functional. Add some personalization and a comfy feel.
- Fresh Flowers. I’m just starting this little trick because I’m inspired by the Aedriel Originals vase. She says she keeps fresh flowers in her studio and I think it’s a pretty awesome idea. It’s a dash of life, scent and cheer added to your office. I know that sounds super-cheesy but a home office can quickly turn into a place where you spend countless hours sitting in the same position burning holes into your computer screen. Liven it up a bit.
- Cube Storage. This is for crap storage. It’s the stuff you don’t know what to do with, the bigger pieces that don’t fit into the filing system, your drawers, on shelves, etc. It’s like a junk drawer. One day you’ll go through it or if you’re looking for something and it’s not where you thought it was, it’s in one of the bins in your cube storage.
- Mason Jars. Fill ’em up! Put pens inside, office supplies, chap stick, whatever. They look cute, you can put them in a basket and group them together in an organized way on your desk or stack them along a shelf in your closet. I’ve seen tutorials on how to paint your mason jar. Just a word of caution: if you’re storing things like pens, etc, in your jars, don’t paint the inside because it will scratch and chip. Paint the outside! Here’s a cute tutorial by Julie Ann Art.
- Tax Filer. This time of year makes my heart race. I absolutely hate it. However, if you’re organized and diligent throughout the year and have a place to put all your receipts and tax information, it’s less overwhelming. This is a part of every day life. Get one for personal and professional and you’re going to feel much better when April rolls around. This, too, can be found on See Jane Work. (We’re obsessed with the site, can you tell?)
- Garbage can. For some reason, people forget about the trash in their office. Designate a place to throw things away. For your sanity. When you’re in a hurry or buried in work, you’re not going to want to pick up your trash and take it to the nearest receptacle. Get your own. You deserve it.
What are we missing? What’s your office must-have items?
