Lists and Notepads

I'm always talking about making lists.  And I want you to use to lists efficiently rather than let them end up as more paper clutter.  So here are good notepads to keep on hand that let you scribble down things for your to do list and keep you on track without overtaking your desk:

I love my Moleskine notebook.  This tiny pocket size fits neatly into my purse side pocket, making it easy to grab when I need to quickly write something down.

These Post-It notes are lined; perfect for making lists.  And then you can stick them where you need them (if you're running errands for the day, stick it to the front door so you can double check everything before you leave) and toss them when you're done.

Very self explanatory, these notepads will keep you on track. 

This classic spiral notebook (with a cute little cover, I might add) is easy to tote around. I just ask that you use it consistently and consecutively and toss it when you're done.  Don't switch back and forth between pads, leaving a collection of half used notebooks.  That just adds to your piles of clutter!

Tell me, Appleshiners, what type of notepads do you prefer to use?

How To Recycle Your Magazines

(via redpunchdesigns)

I'll be the first to admit it: I love magazines.  I'm a visual, tactile person and there's something lovely about flipping through the colorful pages of a magazine instead of mundanely clicking around the internet.  Yet I looked at my stack of magazines today and realized it was time to sort through and throw some out.  Well, not throw them out but, rather, recycle them.

Long gone are the myths of being unable to recycle 'glossy' paper.  Most sanitation departments now accept magazines.  In fact, one of the things I love, love, LOVE about NYC is the city's commitment to recycling.  Check out their full list of what you can (and cannot) recycle.

Although, I don't immediately toss a mag once I'm done with it.  I usually save the fashion and gossip ones to share with friends on girls' nights in.  And my building has the recycling bins set up inside so often times I put my used magazines on top, in case a fellow neighbor wants to read them.  This works with used books, as well.  And small furniture.  And some clothing.  It's kind of like a community swap at our first floor recycling center.

I try my best to move out magazines as soon as I'm done with them.  Yet if they've managed to pile up, take a moment to flip through them, tear out any pages you really want, and send them on their way asap.  Clearing out stacks of unused materials is like an instant-makeover for organization.  And you knooow how I feel about paper clutter.


Tell me, Appleshiners, how often do you recycle your magazines?

Business Card Organizers

Last month was a busy blur of introductions, handshakes and business card swapping.  I've amassed a pile of cards, stuffed in a ziploc bag inside my desk drawer.  A couple times a week, I make a point to process the contact info to my computer.  Then I got to thinking, what about business card organizers?

If you're a visual person (like me), then you might appreciate keeping all your contacts at hand, flipping through them one by one or scrolling down page by page of attractively imaged cards.  Here are a few flashy organizers that keep your contacts in one place:

(Girl of All Work)

(SeeJaneWork)

(Galison)

(PriaVanda)

I like the idea of a mini-binder; sleek, slender and you can tuck it away on the bookshelf.  Yet those rolodex options are might fine-looking for a desktop.  Or maybe you're not a paper person and you'd prefer to keep your contacts online.  If so, then check out this cool app that enters info for you with a snap of your camera phone.

Tell me, Appleshiners, how do you organize your business cards?

PS- Look at this nifty card stand to put on your desk.

These creative card ideas are really out there. 

And when it comes to handing out your own business cards, my friend, Michael, says, 'a card is like a kiss'.  What??

Grab a Towel

Making messes is a part of life.  So grab a towel, wipe it up and keep on moving.

My friend, Landis, has accomplished the ginormous task of living this past year entirely without paper towels.  She used a variety of dish towels to wipe up her small messes; this and this were her favorite and most effective towels.  Check out her great tips on how she made it work.

I, on the other hand, while not completely banishing Bounty from my life, have made an effort to cut back on the paper products.  I don't have a washer/dryer in my small, pre-war apartment so keeping up with the wash is a little difficult.  Instead, I limit my paper towel use to cleaning dirt or sticky messes and use the washable towels for spills that can easily be wiped up.

I'm not sure I could quit 'cold turkey' for a whole year but I'll admit- no more paper towels would, in turn, eliminate some paper waste.  And I'm all about cutting down on waste.

Tell me, Appleshiners, could you make it a whole year without paper towels?

An Organizer's Dream: Crafts Room

I was the little girl who went on playdates and cleaned up my friends' rooms for fun.  And I'd mentally configure every small space I encountered into a one-room home.  The bed would flip out over the kitchen sink, which was above the stove and next to the closet, all on one wall.  That left me 3 other walls to construct.  Yup, that's when I knew that lifestyle organization would be my thing.

Decades later, I still play pretend with an imaginary space.

This image from Better Homes and Gardens is such an awesome inspiration for a crafts room.  There's ample storage yet everything's close at hand.  Letting your space ramble gives way to disorganization.

You can get the shelves here, the storage unit here and the baskets here.  These are a alternative type of wall shelves, if you'd prefer.  And here's a desk similar to the one pictured.

The designer let the storage space continue up to the ceiling with covered baskets, great for small items.  They even used these magazine holders for the shelves.  The flow of the room allows for lots of crafty materials to be contained in a small space.

And the best part about the design is the colors.  The soft gray walls, white and natural units, with only a dramatic pop of blue print keeps the space creative but not overpowering.  Ah...I love a good day dream.


Tell me, Appleshiners, how would you organize your 'dream' crafts room?

Recipe Boxes

As soon as I'm done Appleshining for the day, I'm scootin' home for a dinner date.  The weather's still cozy enough for lasagna and I found a great recipe from Southern Living last month.  (You can take the girl out of the South but you can't take her SL mag away.)

I like tearing out recipes from magazines or finding them online.  Once I've prepared the dish and determined if it's a keeper, I'll write it by hand to put in my recipe box.  There's something so comforting about handwritten recipes.  I remember watching my mom and grandma pull out their recipe boxes every holiday; kinda makes me feel like I'm passing along an heirloom.

There are a few different ways to categorize your recipes.  When in book form, it's best to sort by course.  Although, with loose recipes, I like to sort them alphabetically by the title/main ingredient (put chicken dishes together, lasagna recipes under 'L', etc.)  This helps avoid confusion when searching for recipes. 

If you're looking to get a new recipe box, here are a few to pick from:

A bamboo twist on the classic wooden version that I grew up with.

Cutesy saying on a marigold colored box.  (Wonder if it says, 'good lookin' on the backside?)

A vintage tin box from eBay.

Look at all the bright, preppy colors the Jack and Lulu boxes come in.  I like the yellow honeycomb print.

Tell me, Appleshiners, how do you sort your recipes?

PS- Here are some gorgeous letterpress recipe cards and dividers!

Appleshine: Filing Cabinet

Remember yesterday's post, when my client accused her office of being a 'dumping ground'?  Well, I think she meant her filing system.  Or lack thereof.

Yes, sorting through paper clutter takes a loooong time.  But it needs to be done.  If you're going to tackle it on your own, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1) Reading paper files, over and over again, will be tiring.  So don't overwhelm yourself.  Take breaks or work in 30 minute intervals over several days to complete the task.

2) If you have paper to be shredded, put it aside.  It takes too much time to shred as you go.  Instead, finish the filing and then you can multi-task shredding while watching TV.

3) Let your papers decide how to divide your files.  Start with the basic categories:

     Home                             Credit Cards

     Car                                  Paychecks

     Medical                         Cell Phone

     Kids                                Utilities

   Then come up with the sub-categories as you go.  You might not need a whole file dedicated to your root canal surgery.

4) Try to eliminate as much paper clutter as possible by transferring to online e-files. Most bill services offer online banking and many companies will email you a receipt rather than a printed hardcopy.  It's an easy switch that will save space and stress in the long run.

Tell me, Appleshiners, how do you arrange your files?

PS- Remember my new favorite store, C-Wonder?  A reader just sent me this great new addition to their online store: check out their trendy iPod Speaker.  Thanks for the update!!

Mail Organizers

The battle against paper clutter is an ongoing fight.  Do your part by clearing up the 'mail zone'.  

Maintain your mail center close to the front door, limiting the battle grounds.  If you can, keep a small garbage basket or paper shredder handy to toss out the junk.  And I highly recommend an organizer, preferably one hanging on the wall, to sort and store mail as soon as it comes in.

Here are a few suggestions:

It's basic, it's black and it's functional; therefore, fitting into any decor.

If you're up for a DIY project, grab an oversized flap of burlap and an old bulletin board.  If not, you can get one just like it from Etsy.  It acts as both separate shelves and a note board.

Or this chalkboard version is great for a studio or one-bedroom apartment. Small and compact, you can write notes to yourself to stay on track.

I like this modern take on a wall organizer.  The metal shelf comes with magnets to post bills or notices.  

Tell me, Appleshiners, how do you sort your mail?