May 21, 2014

organizing my mini office, PLUS a giveaway!

as i was planning the design of my mini office, i was contacted by the folks at staples, who wanted to know if i was interested in using some of their products to make my office as efficient as possible. 

now, i am a little bit of a nerd when it comes to organizing. my husband likes to joke that i like to buy "containers for my containers", and i have to admit there is a lot of truth to that statement!
of course, i was pretty thrilled, and have been SO happy with the items that i chose!

this little white stack and fit organizer is part of the martha stewart office collection at staples.


the bottom drawer has come in handy for all of my labels! the top stack and fit component is a great place to store those little odds and ends that never seem to have a really home!


don't even get me started on the retro style pencil sharpener!  i have gone through at least 3 pencil sharpeners in the last few years, and i finally decided to opt for a good old fashioned manual one. this one is just like the one i remember from elementary school--SOLID and sturdy and works amazingly well.




the magnet board is from ikea, but those clip on magnets have been PERFECT for holding all of those papers and bills that need immediate attention.






of course i also grabbed a few essentials---i am a zebra pen fanatic. they are the O.N.L.Y.  pen i use!! i also use a lot of highlighters in my planner, to color coordinate all of my consultations and activities for the kids, and who doesn't love a nice new sharpie? (answer--my KIDS. that is why i have them up high on a shelf inside one of these oskar boxes. shhh!!)


i took a chance and decided to order some of these oskar storage boxes. they come in some really pretty colors, but i chose gray.
they are really amazing. very sturdy, and they actually come with a metal label holder, but my shelves were too shallow, and so i turned them to the side and added these chalkboard labels.


they hold items that i do not need to access very often. like sharpies that i don't want my kids stealing.


i am really in love with these clear "project cases"


they have done an amazing job at making my fabric samples and trim samples more accessible. 




i love that they easily stack and fit on even the shallowest shelf space.

perhaps my favorite things are my coordinating file folders and file hangers! they make my file drawer look so pulled together. the avery martha stewart labels add just a touch of color, and for the first time ever, all of my files are labeled properly and look great.

i also ordered one of these really cool rubbermaid bento boxes.


 i actually had an AHA moment, and decided it would serve me better inside the armrest of my car!



i have been hunting for something that would fit all of the items that i use a lot, and this was the perfect fit!



the box actually has little fold out organizers so that you can customize the box to fit your needs, which is completely genius!


***this giveaway is now closed****

and, now some good news:
staples is offering $100 to one lucky reader to choose one home office item up to $100 in any of these three categories:


just leave a comment and you will be entered! i will be selecting a winner on MONDAY. so, someone will have a very happy memorial day.
i will announce the winner on instagram---and will also respond to their comment on the blog!

***this giveaway is now closed****

68 comments:

  1. Love how your office turned out. I'm so envious of your storage system! I just wish I even had matching boxes for a start. But I feel like I need so many sizes. Never thought to look at staples yet though!

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    1. i was surprised by their selection!! they have some great stuff online that they don't have in their stores. :) good luck!

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  2. I love the Modway Noblesse Parawood/Faux Leather Dining Side Chair. Thanks for the giveaway!

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

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  3. This would be fabulous! We could definitely get organized!

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  4. Thanks Autumn and Staples! Love those Oskar boxes.

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    1. me too! they are stupor sturdy. my 10 year old son actually stepped on the lid of one of the boxes and it looked totally fine afterwards! (lucky for him!)

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  5. Wow! Thanks so much. Love your little office

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  6. A-
    My favorite part of this post is the pencil sharpener...haha! About 6-9 months ago, we too had our fill of electric sharpeners. We purchased a silver Exacto manual from Staples (just like the school type in the '70s)...and we LOVE it. We are going to be moving next week, and get this--the buyers of our home specified keeping the sharpener. What?! I guess they have kids the same height as our youngest who will be starting school, and it was supposed to be a humorous "I'll buy your house if you throw in the pencil sharpener"...yet they really do want it. What the heck--it played a part in sealing the deal. First thing on my new move supply list: a new Exacto pencil sharpener from Staples! :D Good job on your selections for the office...Staples is an organizer's "Toyland", for sure.

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    1. that is crazy. sometimes i think buyers get a little carried away...but i guess at the end of the day, if they are buying a HOUSE, they have a right to ask for a few little things. i totally agree that these old-school pencil sharpeners are pretty great, though! best of luck in your move!! and good luck in the giveaway! :)

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  7. That office has really come together! Even my husband, who was reading over my shoulder, commented how big it looks! And we totally need a new chair, so this would be fantastic! Thanks :)

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  8. A new chair would be perfect. Still using the card table chairs in my boys room!

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  9. I love your office! And the organizational project is great. I

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  10. Beautiful office, Autumn! Thanks for the give-away and the pencil sharpener tip. Does it work well even when it is not bolted down? Also, I'm embarrassed to ask because I am so late to the chalk label party and it is so off-topic, but what kind of chalk pen do you use? I have been trying to figure out what to use for ages... Can't wait to see what else you are doing with the rest of the house!

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    1. it really does! it is WAY better than all of the electric pencil sharpeners i have been using. it actually has some holes that allow you to screw it down if you want. there is also another one that has a suction feature, if you want to "mount" it to a smooth surface.
      i bought my chalkboard pen at michaels in scrapbooking section. :)

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  11. I love that pencil sharpener. Your office is beautiful.

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  12. I wish your office was my office. Your pretty organized files, mine. Everything is beautiful.

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  13. Glad I'm not the only one who has to hide sharpies! I have the Martha Stewart organizers in blue, love them in my kitchen!!

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  14. I have hidden my sharpies, too! And I would love this- we're still very much getting settled in our new home and this would be great!

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  15. Oooh, awesome! I'd love a mini filing cabinet to get more organized.

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  16. I'd actually use the money toward a gaming chair for my son. His games are in the basement, and he would love it. Didn't even know Staples sold gaming chairs. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  17. It looks beautiful! I sure could use this giveaway money for a new filing cabinet!

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  18. Awesome! Thanks Autumn & Staples! Super exciting!!!! :)

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  19. Your office looks great! And I'm loving the giveaway--we really need a new chair!:)

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  20. Love it - and love your ideas for getting organized.

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  21. Wow - I love how your office turned out, Autumn! I am really impressed by the organization and the great décor. You have proven that you can have both form and function! Great giveaway - seriously need a desk for my husband's office.

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  22. My office is a WRECK! Could use some help from the folks at Staples. Thanks!

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  23. I have the same container fedish!! Nick doesn't understand it either. Your office is amazing!!

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  24. We'd love a new chair! Great giveaway!

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  25. I love how your office turned out...and the teacher in me loves all of the organization going on in there! I need a new filing cabinet for my office :)

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  26. Love the Office Star Avenue Six® Wood Jasmine Accent Chairs! LOVE your office makeover!!! You inspire me.

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  27. Would love to win $100 from Staples! We're building a new house with an office, so we need lots of stuff!

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  28. Great updates! They are getting me in the mood to get organized.

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  29. I could definitely use a new work desk!
    yes.4eva.r(atgmaildotcom)

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  30. I am so impressed with your mad organization skills! Definitely need some of that in my life!

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    1. whoo-hooo!! according to my count, you are reply number 33 and just won the $100 from staples!! congratulations!!

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  31. Your new office is so inspiring! I love how efficient (not to mention beautiful) you've made it. I'm going to need to step up my own organization, as we just bought a new house and are in the process of selling ours. I really want to start out right, using all the new space!

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  32. Autumn I love your design style-classic clean lines and great use of texture & color! I love finding others who love to organize as much as I do if not more!!! I admire all your work, how you make everything look rich & beautiful!

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  33. Love your office…I would love to win the $100. I am reorganizing my desk now and using lots of your ideas. I really need a new chair:)

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  34. Of course, please enter me! I have those clear "project cases" too and love them. In fact, I need more!
    btw: the blue walls look wonderful!

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  35. Looks great! I am redoing my office too and could use some storage items.

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  36. Your office is a dream! I'm about to go through a moving purge and I would love some money to reorganize once we move to our new house!

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  37. Zebra Pen . . . I haven't tried that, I'll pick some up this weekend! I always learn so much from you! Love your office, accessories, and your blog!

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  38. I love what you've done, when I build my dream home it will have a mini office like yours!

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  39. Great space! I love the magnetic clips and those bento boxes!

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  40. I like the color scheme of your office.

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  41. Staples has been my "go to" office supply store for almost eight years! They are the absolute best!

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  42. I really love what you selected! That level of organization just looks and feels luxurious! !

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  43. Office is amazing & I love the colors! I am definitely getting one of those sharpeners.,.we've gone through so many electric ones?!

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  44. i really need to do something better with our home office space because it lacks style and organization badly!

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  45. Thanks for the giveaway! I love your office!

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  46. Your new office looks fantastic!

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  47. Oh I love what all you did! So organized! Thats what I need to do! I love those clear project cases! Now...Im inspired! :)

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  48. Staples® Osgood™ Bonded Leather Managers High Back Chair, Black would be perfect and it is $99.99 carolynishis@gmail.com

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    1. Shared this giveaway on facebook as Carolyn Barnett https://www.facebook.com/CarolynBarnett1954/posts/576740572440407

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  49. LOVE your office. Staples is my weak spot!! I have a thing for organizing and office supplies!!

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  50. My home office definitely needs some organizing. Thanks for the great ideas.

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  51. I like the desk selection, especially the Ameriwood Tiverton Executive Desk, Expert Plum.
    kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom

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  52. LOVE your new office, looks great!

    My office could definitely use a new comfy chair!

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  53. Love the magnetic board, I wish I could be so organized.
    njharmonyg at aol dot com

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  54. I have never seen those Rubbermaid Bento boxes. How cool ae they?? Great job!
    Dmoretti1967 at yahoo.com

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  55. I would love to win - I really could use a new office chair, the one I have is really old, uncomfortable and keeps getting lower and lower so I have to keep pumping it back up only for it to gradually fall down again. Thanks for the chance.

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  56. Thank you for the wonderful ideas...Our oldest just moved out and we are not sure what to do with his room!!

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  57. love your office, it is inspiring me to clean up ours, which is also a dumping ground!

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  58. I want to win!!! Hope it's not too late. I was going to go to Office Depot for printer ink and paper but now I think I will go to Staples. Love the project boxes in clear...I can use those and the Martha Stewart line. Your office has me inspired!

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