Organizing with Emily Ley

As the year creeps closer to an end, I begin to think about how I can make 2014 a little bit better than 2013. I've never been particularly good with New Years Resolutions, but goal setting in general is something I can and want to to work on. I feel like I've been flying by the seat of my pants for a while and I'd like to firmly ground myself a bit more. One way, I've been working on this is by organizing. I am addicted to my planner (current planner). Days when I forget my planner are an absolute waste. I write down EVERYTHING in my planner so I don't have to run through my to-do list over and over again in my head. Lord knows my head is already full enough with silly law school things. 

I recently stumbled upon Emily Ley. She just might make the prettiest organizational products EVER. Her online boutique features colorful clipboards, monogram-able desk trays, personalized stationery, and inspirational folders which all make me swoon. I'm always on the lookout for ways to make a more colorful office. My favorite picks are her Simplified Life Binder, Simplified Life Planner, Free Printables, and Lara Casey's coordinating Power Sheets. Who couldn't use a simplified life?

The Simplified Life Binder

I love the idea of having a binder as a companion piece to my planner. My current mode of stuffing receipts, shopping lists, and mail in the front cover of my planner isn't exactly admirable. This planner can be stocked with the free printables and Power Sheets mentioned below. Dividers can be used to separate work, personal, and home related documents and notes. Emily Ley also has a wedding organization planner and dividers. What a perfect gift for your newly engaged friends!

The Simplified Planner

This bad boy just might be my next planner purchase. I love that each weekday is broken down into four sections: hourly schedule, to-do list, notes, and what's for dinner. The weekends include a checklist to get yourself ready for the next week. I particularly love the meal planner. I waste so much money of food that just doesn't get eating. Planning my meals is one my top priorities for 2014! 

Free Printables

I love that Emily Ley provides a bank of free printables to stock your binder. I have my eye on the Blog planner, Fitness Tracker, and Username + Password keeper. I think I'm the absolute worst at remembering all my passwords. I also love the idea of a daily devotional. I'm am by no means religious, but just writing down things I'm thankful for or made me happy sounds like a wonderfully positive way to end my day.

Lara Casey's Power Sheets

Frankly, goal setting isn't easy to do. It's even harder when you don't write your goals down. I remember getting instructed in college to make S.M.A.R.T. goals (for the uninitiated "S.M.A.R.T." stands for "Specific," "Measurable," "Attainable," "Relevant," and "Time Bound.") I LOVE LOVE LOVE these goal setting sheets because they are a gorgeous way to make S.M.A.R.T. goals. The seventy "Power Sheets" include pages ranging from short term Monthly Goals to a page on "What Fires Me Up" to hone in on where you should be directing your goals. Best of all, they are designed to fit into the Emily Ley binder!

xo

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The Kate Spade Office

When you think of a lawyer's office, what do you think of? Rich mahogany? Deep-hued plush carpet? A bar cart stocked with single malts and cubans? God, that sounds awful. To me, working in a dark office is like working in a perpetual rainy day. I don't know about you, but my energy and enthusiasm for projects crashes through the floor on rainy, overcast days. I need color in my life to function. 

Who exudes color more than Kate Spade? While we all can't have minty green walls or peppy patterns peppered around our office, I think even the most conservative of offices can use a little fun. Yes, maybe the fun has to be "for your eyes only" (like the bow tie USB below) but if it brings a smile to your face during a busy day, then I'd say it's worth it. 

Below are some of my favorite colorful, "Kate Spade"-inspired offices. They are definitely not for a professional office but I say "GO CRAZY!" when it comes to home offices! I'm particularly in love with the third office!

Offices: 1 // 2 // 3

Here are some little knick-knacks and office supplies to add a little "Kate" to your workspace. I stuck with a black, white, and gold palette since its professional and versatile.  I'm in love with the little bow tie push pins! I can't wait to add them to my inspiration board. I'm a huge fan of paper agendas and this striped number is gorgeous. When it comes to my to-do lists and assignments, I simply MUST write them down. 

2014 Agenda $36 // Gold Bow Pushpins $24

  Monogram Card Set $25 // Exclamation Paper Weight $30

  Bow USB $50 // "Let's Do Lunch" Business Card Holder $20 

xo

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Top image via Kate Spade

Desk du Jour

While this is set up a little bit more like a vanity, I love the idea of having a hanging light above the desk as opposed to a table lamp which takes up precious space. The rich wood contrasts nicely with the softer colors of the walls and oriental rug. Throw a comfy pillow on the chair and this could be a workable home office. 

Image via

Desk du Jour

Ok the wallpaper in my last desk du jour post got NOTHING on this bad boy. The chevron wall's only saving grace is that for the most part it would be behind me while working. Now let's talk about what I do like: white desks, chandeliers, off-center placement of the desk, and the grey wall. In other pictures, you can see that the wall opposite the desk is painted in chalkboard paint. If that chevron wall was replaced with chalkboard paint, this office would be 10x better!

Image via Made By Girl

Desk du Jour

Ok so there is no chance in hell I will ever own a desk in this shade of blue, or any shade of blue for that matter. Color and crazy distracting wallpaper aside, I love this set up. L-shaped desk are big enough to have all your necessities within reach yet spread out to avoid clutter. That hutch is phenomenal with the antique pulls and wire insets on the cabinet doors. That little shelf for the printer is a dream come true. I always struggle with a place to put my printer. Either it hogs half my desk or its awkwardly next to it on the floor.

Image via AnnetteTatum.com

Desk du Jour

First off, I have major respect for a stylish home office that actually has a task chair that looks like it can be used for hours. Sure antique wingback chairs make for a great picture, but when it comes to getting work done, lumbar support is essential. I love the chunky frames for the wall art and storage unit to keep things out of sight. You can't really see it in this picture, but the cabinet pulls are lion heads! Buying furniture from big box stores then personalizing it with items from stores like Anthropologie is an easy way to have an expensive look without the price.

Image via MadeByGirl

Office Obsession: Desk du Jour

I love everything about this office. Even the ugly chartreuse-colored chair is working for me with the tan walls and clean white furniture. My favorite part of this office would have to be the beautifully curated credenza behind the desk.  I love the symmetry of the lamps and the idea of keeping fresh flowers in the office but still out of the way.

Image via HGTV.com

Office Obsession: Desk du Jour

Can't go wrong with a Parson's Desk! I love the extra storage above the desk on the shelves to display knicknacks and books. You can get floating shelves like these from Ikea. The only thing I would change is to put the printer on the filing cabinet to free up some leg room.

Image via http://www.clairebock.com

Office Obsession: Russell and Hazel

Sitting in the library all the time makes me dream of the day when I will have my own beautiful office without noisy 1Ls and librarians. My fantasy office would undoubtedly be outfitted in Russel and Hazel products. R & H's products are extremely functional for the workplace, but have a feminine touch. Best of all, none of the products are overly cutesy and would make someone question my professionalism. The perfect balance! Here are some of my favorite Russel and Hazel products:

From top to bottom:
1. Ten Binder Set $350
I honestly have no idea why these are so expensive but the gold foil stamped roman numerals make this too good not to include.

2. Acrylic Collator $44
I love acrylic pieces for desks because they don't add bulk to the desk surface.

3. Mini Smart Date Planner $68
This looks like the perfect planner with the ability to add and remove sections as needed. I can't wait until August so I can get the mid-year version!

4. Personalized Embosser $66
Ok, not a necessity, but I'm pretty sure I could find a purpose for this bad boy. Embossing a firm's letterhead onto envelopes would be a nice touch!

5. Acrylic Stapler $24
Let's face it, this stapler is a WHOLE lot prettier than those big black clunky monstrosities.

6. To-Do List Adhesive Notes $10
To go with my Smart Date Planner of course! Currently, I have Post-its for my weekly to do lists all over my planner. This looks a lot more streamlined and organized. I love the area to check things off!

7. Acrylic Tape Dispenser $24
Like the collator, this tape dispenser wouldn't add to the clutter of the desktop because of its transparency. It's sharp edges add to the ultra-streamlined look.