Easy organizers for ideas and loose papers

Are you a list-maker? Do you like to jot down random thoughts that have potential to develop into brilliant ideas? Do you rip out pages from magazines for future reference? I do, do and do. And it's been a struggle in the past to keep it all organized. Here are some ideas to help.

Martha Stewart's Plan-Anything Tags
Make plain notebooks work harder for you.

1. Buy labels or stickers of desired size and shape.
2. While still on the sheet, fold rectangular or square stickers in half - get a good crease using a bone folder (had to look up that tool).
3. Label your categories just under the crease.
4. Place stickers throughout the notebook, staggered vertically, by folding them at the crease and overlapping the open sides of the stickers on the page edges. See picture above.
5. For round stickers, write your label names and stick them together, back-to-back, overlapping the edge of the paper (see picture).

Thanks, Martha!

Loose Paper Organizer

Use regular three-ring binders to file away all those inspirational pages from magazines and catalogs. My favorite is a medium-sized view binder with see-through pocket overlays on the exterior. That way, I can decorate a cover page and make the outside fun.

Make a list of categories for each binder. Purchase a package of clear snap-in sheet protectors and enough index tabs or binder label dividers to cover these categories, plus extra for future expansion (or use Martha's idea above). Label away and stash those loose pages in the sheet protectors.

I have three binders that keep me sane...

• Recipes: Simple & Delicious favorites, meal planning articles and keepers from websites such as Allrecipes.com.
• Home & Holiday Decor: ideas from Pottery Barn catalogs and BH&G-type periodicals.
• Mommy Stuff: anything I might reference in the future gets stashed away, including ideas for birthday parties, time-saving tips, maternity styles, etc.

This is also good for organizing financial papers such as tax documents and important receipts. I flip through my binders every year or so and throw away anything that seems outdated or unnecessary.

Wrangle Those Random Thoughts

Being a mom seems to double the amount of thoughts that run through your head each day. Whether it's "let's have homemade waffles this weekend" or "don't forget to make the pediatrician appointment" or "that's a good short story idea" or "monkey needs more socks"...they come along so quickly that I sometimes feel as if I'm drowning in them.

That's why I keep a small journal and pen with me, usually in the side pocket of the diaper bag. Currently, it's a fun, pink little number from Moleskine given to me by my sis. One by the bed isn't a bad idea either.

It feels good to get my head and paper clutter organized!