Very few things make my heart skip a beat faster than a new online retailer of pretty office supplies. Maybe a shirtless David Beckham. No…I’m actually more excited by this new find.

Have you seen Girl of All Work? Penelopes, you must.

Their site isn’t huge, yet. It’s focused and well-curated. It’s no See Jane Work – yet – but it’s got tremendous potential.

I love every item they’re offering. The designs are exquisitely cute and the prices are reasonable compared with similar retailers.

Here’s a glance at what went into my shopping cart at Girl of All Work today:

Classic Tiles Page Flags

Peel and Stick Tabs

More Peel and Stick Tabs

Birdie Notebook with both lined and blank pages

A Teapot Journal for jotting down recipe ideas

My only two suggestions for the awesome people at Girl of All Work? More and larger images, especially showing the inside of notebooks, tablets and pads and more inventory. I know they’ll get there soon. They’ve got so much potential here.

Have you found any great new online retailers lately to help you find pretty office products? Let us know!

Related posts:

1. Peeping Penelope: Home Office Before and After by Centsational Girl
2. Here’s a bird I’ve got to have: pretty ways to store your paperclips
3. Focus on: Bob’s Your Uncle

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the office supplies website See Jane Work was a big reason I decided to start Penelope Loves Lists.

For years, I’d spend waaaaaay too much time on the See Jane Work website, trolling page after page of gorgeous, useful supplies for my home and work offices. I loved it. And I soon realized that other like-minded souls felt the same way. That was my first inkling of the Penelope Personality.

Holly Bohn, Founder of See Jane Work

So, it is with absolute pleasure that I introduce you to Holly Bohn, founder of See Jane Work. She’s a Penelope herself, living a busy life filled with career, kids and family life. She’s found a way to hold it all together beautifully. And today she’s telling us how:

When did you start See Jane Work? What made you take the leap?

I started planning it in 2003, but didn’t open the site until July of 2004. The idea was born out of frustration looking for one place where I could find stylish, yet affordable, office supplies. I would have to say that although I did a ton of research before starting, there is always a dose of ignorance that helps you take the leap.

What physical items keep your work organized? (notebooks, binders, etc.)

I love binders, magazine files, and letter boxes. I like my book shelves to look neat so books or other materials that don’t stack well go into magazine files or letter boxes. I also love to collect information so binders with sheet protectors are a key tool for me. Just to name a few, I have a binder for recipes, a binder for organizational tips, a binder for cute outfits (yes, I’m serious), and a binder for decorating.

Are you a “list” person? If so, what kinds of lists do you find yourself making most?

My lists are all over the place. I like to have standardized lists like check lists for the kids and housekeeping check lists, that sort of thing. I also have what I call loose lists, you know the ones you probably won’t follow exactly, but need to quickly write them down so you can get them out of your head and go to sleep. An example might be ideas for better managing my time or goals at work.

What do you look for in a perfect notebook?

I like the idea of having just one notebook so that you can always find your notes, but honestly I end up changing depending on the situation. If I need to look serious at a meeting, I’ll use a Semikolon Clamp Binder with See Jane Work Basic Notebook Paper. If I want to look fun, I’ll use a See Jane Work Composition Book.

A notebook must be stylish and have perforated, lined and hole punched pages.

SemiKolon Clamp Binder

See Jane Work Composition Notebooks

What software or online tools do you use to keep yourself organized?

I use Microsoft Outlook to organize email, contacts, and appointments. I have a file system on my computer-no random saving to My Documents, and I use a task program on my iPhone. I’m still getting used to the task program, I do prefer written lists so I might stop using it.

Mac or PC?

PC I used to be an accountant so I have always used PC’s. Company-wide we use PC’s so it would be a challenge to change.

How many hours a week do you spend on your work, on average?

I’m embarrassed to say as it sounds a little annoying, but I LOVE my work. I would rather do my work than anything else. I eat, breathe, and dream work. I probably average about 60 hours a week. Sometimes more, sometimes less. I do have three kids so that takes a lot of time. I need to exercise more, so I will probably try to cut back this year. I didn’t have to work quite as much when the economy was stronger, but that is probably true of a lot of people.

There are a lot of tasks involved with having a successful career. How do you organize your time? Do you have a method that’s worked for you?

I endorse the Regroup Method. I just came up with that right now so let me explain. With the birth of a new child, or when kids change from toddlers to school age, or when you move or get a new job, your life can unravel. You have to give yourself a break. Take some time to think about how your life has changed and what you need to do to get organized. Don’t be afraid to try new things. What worked when you were single will not necessarily work now that you are married with kids.

Describe your work space currently.

My work space at this very moment is a mess. In fact, a co-worker threatened to “out” me so I’ve decided to “out” myself. I moved into a new office and I haven’t regrouped yet. I need a few more weeks. It was more important to get my family settled. We moved from California to Florida so it’s been a big adjustment.

Describe your “dream” work space.

Bright, sunny, with a big window, a pleasant view, a large work area and cheerful colors. I decorate sort of beachy so lots of aqua and white. I like real materials so I would rather have a vintage metal desk in my budget than a fake mahogany desk. If I lived in a mansion and could have rich mahogany bookshelves filled with leather-bound books I would, but I don’t like to pretend. At this very moment I have a table made of reclaimed pine. It’s got lots of character.

What about your job work makes you most anxious and how do you deal with it?

The unknown is always nerve racking. I’m afraid of making a mistake. I design or buy things for the site that I think people will want, but what if I’m wrong. What if no one buys it?

What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to a young woman entering the work world?

Don’t apologize for being a woman, even to other women. I’m not suggesting you cry during every meeting, but it might happen once in your career. Rather than being mortified and apologizing simply hold your head up, dab your eyes, and go on as if nothing happened. Men are more willing to force their opinions, take risk, say what they think. We should be too and we shouldn’t be afraid to show our feminine side.

What’s on your desk right this instant?

Letter trays, a tray to hold my stapler, tape, pencil cup and clips-so they’re not spread all over the desktop. A lot of catalogs and 2 project organizers overflowing with work. I really need to do some filing. Oh yes, and way too many cords.

What’s your favorite book (or books) of all time?

East of Eden by John Steinbeck or Streams in the Desert.

Do you own any pets? If so, what kind?

A Portuguese Water Dog, all black. That’s as much as I can manage right now.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Champagne. When I lived in California my guilty pleasure was strawberries (slightly healthier). They grew them right by my house so they were the really sweet ones that you can’t find anywhere else. You have to eat them the day they are picked. I can eat a ½ flat of strawberries (that’s 4 of those little green baskets) in one sitting. For non-food splurges probably expensive laundry detergent. I like The Laundress and Good Home Company Beach Days Fabric Softener.

What’s your favorite way to wind down after a hard day?

A nice family dinner when the kids don’t argue at the table and everyone likes their food. A bubble bath with a magazine and glass of champagne is also fun.

ANNOUNCEMENT: And the Winner of the Knock Knock Products Giveaway is….Alyssa Holbrook. Congrats, Alyssa! Please email me so I can get the details for sending you the package.

Related posts:

1. An Interview with Julie Morgenstern: Part 2 – How Julie Stays Organized – plus a GIVEAWAY
2. New obsession: Girl of All Work
3. How This Blogger Stays Organized: Meet Benita from Chez Larsson

I love the line of products offered by Knock Knock Products. They’re so useful and witty, just like Penelopes. Their tagline is “we put the fun in functional.” Isn’t that perfect?

So imagine my happiness when the great folks at Knock Knock asked me to do a giveaway for all of you. Score!

Here’s what we have to offer in this fantastic giveaway package. One super lucky winner will receive ALL these items:

• The To Do Pad
• The All Out Of Pad
• What To Eat Fridge Notepad
• The Personal Library Kit
• Things To Do Pocket Notes

I’m most excited that my absolute favorite Knock Knock product is part of the gift pack. It’s the What To Eat Fridge Notepad. I use it for menu planning every week and find it indispensable. My family loves that they can easily glance at the pad and know exactly what we’ll be having that week. I like that it keeps things super organized and has cute little boxes to check. Hey, I get my kicks where I can!

One thing of note, I use the right side of the What To Eat Pad as my shopping list for the following week, rather than for the things they assign to those spaces. But I figure they’ll be ok with my creativity.

To enter the giveaway:

1) leave a comment here telling me which Knock Knock product knocks your socks off
2) leave a comment saying that you’ve tweeted this post
3) or, you can do both and double your chance to win.

All comments must be in by Sunday, January 16th, 2010 at midnight. A winner will be selected randomly and announced soon after on the blog and via email.

Good luck!

Related posts:

1. Announcement: Big Ideas Notebook Giveaway winner
2. Olive Manna from Heaven: a GIVEAWAY of listmaking goodies
3. Big Ideas Notebook: a new favorite and our first GIVEAWAY

Today in our “Focus On” series (wherein I get to put together fun collages with Polyvore and pretend that their useful), we’re taking a look at Bob’s Your Uncle, a “think outside the box” maker of smart office supplies. I’m a huge fan.

I think what I love most about Bob’s Your Uncle products is their mix of clever, tongue-in-cheek styling with rock solid performance. They aren’t just silly for silly’s sake and I appreciate that.

Here are four of my (many) favorite products:

1. I get asked all the time what notebook I use to keep my To Do Lists – this is it! The Off The Grid Notebook. (The perfect grid paper spiral notebook!)
2. Punctuation Page Markers. Add a little bit of zotch to your boring ol’ documents.
3. The Multi-Task Planner Journal: chock full of all kinds of useful items, including grid paper, check box pages for lists and a planner journal.
4. The 8 Days a Week Mousepad Notepad: keep your weekly schedule right on  your desk with this tear-off mousepad notepad. Eight days = Monday – Sunday + Someday. Perfect.

You can check out their online store or buy many of their items at See Jane Work or Amazon.

Related posts:

1. A Really Juicy Giveaway of Knock Knock Organization Products
2. Organizing in a pretty pink place: girly office supplies
3. New obsession: Girl of All Work

Here’s a product that had me wondering “why didn’t someone think of this sooner?” I love the Smead Tiered Stadium File for its simple genius. They took a page out of good sports venue design and created an expandable file that is tiered, rather than flat. It’s thinner than most like products, so it uses a smaller footprint on my desk. And i feel like I can see what’s in the file folders much more easily.

Even with its more streamlined size, there’s still plenty of organizing oomph here: 12 expandable pockets, large enough to hold up to 800-900 sheets of paper. It’s made of a tough Tyvek material, so it’s got staying power, and it’s navy blue color works with most color schemes.

While it can be used with or without folders, I like the ease and look of using their SuperTab folders with it so I can just grab the paperwork on a particular project and head out for a meeting. I used just 2 colors of the folders (Penelope’s khaki green and glass blue, of course!) for a more restful feel for my eyes.

Speaking of those SuperTab Folders, they’re pretty smart, too. They have extra large space for labels, which means I can either do labels in a nice, large font, or, more likely for me, include more info about what’s inside. {I like to do two lines of information: a header and then sub-title with details like the meeting date or the specifics of the topic.}

One last bonus here: I have to admit that I like Smead’s website, too:  It asks you a few questions about your needs and your work style (I love that part) and then recommends solutions. Would it be embarrassing to tell you that sometimes I just make up various “organizational needs” just to see what the Smead folks are going to suggest to me? Probably.

Important note regarding this review: as with all product reviews I do on Penelope Loves Lists, the product featured here was sent to me for testing but I did not receive any further compensation for the review (though, in this case, that was offered). Also as a matter of policy, what I say in my review is absolutely true. I will never recommend a product that I don’t honestly think is useful to you. That would just be dumb, wouldn’t it?

For more info on my overall review and advertising policy, click here.

Related posts:

1. A Tool for the Penelope on the Go: Cascading File Tote
2. Organizing in a pretty pink place: girly office supplies
3. Good question: how to organize your knitting

Last week, we got our keyboards nice and clean. Now, we need to give a little love to our desks as a whole. This assignment applies to you whether you work at a formal office, a home office or at a nook in the kitchen.

Let’s take just 8-10 minutes and see what we can do. Move fast and don’t get distracted. This shouldn’t take a bunch of time or be a big struggle.

1. Take everything that’s not plugged in off your desk.
2. Get a damp cloth and wipe down the entire surface of the desk.
3. If you haven’t already cleaned your keyboard, take a minute to do that.
4. Gently use a dry cloth (or these handy anti-static monitor wipes) to dust your monitor.
5. Wipe down your phone and other items you’re constantly putting your hands on with a Glass Plus Wipes towelette. Look at the handset of your phone where your ear goes. Isn’t that gross?
6. Quickly glance through your pencil cup and make sure you’ve only got pens, etc. in there that you really use. Remove anything that shouldn’t be there. (For example, you probably don’t need that half of a red crayon in that cup, right?)
7. Now start to put things back on your desk, but use this opportunity to ditch anything that doesn’t have to be there. A less cluttered desk = a less cluttered mind.

I realize that there are many more things you could do to fully clean every item on your desk, but, for our purposes here, we’re just looking for a good, simple level of clean. I think if we feel that we have to get into the nittiest of the gritty in tasks like these, we’re less likely to actually tackle them. So, for now, this is good enough.

Now, step back and admire your handiwork. Feels good, doesn’t it?

Good job, Penelope. Now back to work.

ANNOUNCEMENT: If you’ve always wanted a Penelope button to put on your blog, well, today’s your lucky day! Now’s the time to tell everyone you’re a Penelope and you’re proud of it. You can grab the new buttony goodness here.

Related posts:

1. Assignment: clean your refrigerator and make your food happy
2. How to Clean Your White Mac Keyboard- because you know it’s driving you nuts
3. Assignment: Computer Desktop de-clutter, or, do this now, you’ll be glad later

You’re all reading Centsational Girl, right? If not, do. It’s author, Kate, does the most beautiful interior design projects, and does them on the cheap.

Even better? She spills her secrets and gives us each the sense maybe we could do this stuff, too. You know, if we all had impeccable taste and never slept, both of which describe Kate, I think.

A little while ago, Kate posted her own home office design before and after and the result is unspeakably gorgeous. The kicker is that she spent just $995 on the makeover (not including accessories.) What a feat from such a talented woman.

Here’s the office before the makeover.

Centsational Girl's Home Office: Before

And, after. Cue the “Hallelujah Chorus”.

Centsational Girl's Home Office: After

I love the how the natural light works so well with her color choices. But, my favorite item: the blue Mason Jar. What a pretty place to keep your pens.

Centsational Girl's New Desk

Uber-pretty and super organized bookcases make this space perfect.

So now you’ve got two assignments:

1) Click here to see many more images of the makeover, including more “before” photos. Go get inspired to zotch up your own home work space in a thrifty way.

2) While you’re over at the Centsational Girl site, subscribe to Kate’s RSS feed so you can stay up on all the DIY excellence she’s churning out.

Related posts:

1. Peeping Penelope: a look at Simplesong’s home office
2. New obsession: Girl of All Work
3. Penelope’s Favorite Websites: Paper Source for pretty office supplies

One of the great things about my job is that I get to work both from my office (where I get to catch up with my sassy co-workers – who happen to be some of my best friends) and from home, where I can get some time to concentrate.

The challenge that results, however, is the carrying of my paperwork back and forth. I always want to have my active files with me. I’m not really a briefcase kind of girl, so I was super excited to stumble across this tool from The Container Store: the Cascading Letter File Tote.

Cascading Letter File Tote from The Container Store

Look at that! At the office, you hang it from a convenient spot and all your files are handy. The clear pocket at the top can hold any thing you want. I’ll have it contain my Monthly Overview list, which keeps me on track for that month’s work. (It’s color coded and gorgeous, might I add.)

When you’re ready to go, you just fold up the tote and you’re off! And (you knew this was coming, didn’t you?) this tool gives you the perfect excuse to buy some cute new file folders, given that it offers a spiffy place to display them.

Might I suggest these?

Letter-Sized File Folders from The Container Store

Because my “active files” change often, I like to be able to quickly change with them without wasting folders. The Erasable File Folder Labels are a the perfect solution.

Erasable File Folder Labels from The Container Store

This system would also work well for someone who works from home all the time and has a small space in which to do that work. While the work is progress, you can have the tote open and be in “action mode” and when the day’s done, you fold it up and tuck it away. Out of sight, out of mind.

Ah, Container Store. Have I told you lately that I love you?

Related posts:

1. Penelope Product Review: two simply smart office products
2. Get ready for tax time: I wish this were fun
3. I love a tool that does it all

Today’s post begins a new feature on Penelope Loves Lists called “Interview with a Blogger”. I’m absolutely fascinated by the ways other bloggers work, especially how they organize their time, their physical workspace space and their blog. I decided to start asking some questions of bloggers I admire.

My first interviewee is one my favorite bloggers, Jessica from Lavender & Lilies. She’s super smart and creative and I love her blog. Here’s what Jessica says:

When did you start your blog? I started a sort of test blog in March of 2009 and then started my blog with Blogger in April of 2009.

What physical items keep your work organized? (Notebooks, binders, etc.) My iphone and my laptop.  I tend to get inspired in random places so I use my iphone to make notes of ideas for posts or interior design ideas.  I get a lot of ideas from magazines and I rip the pages out and scan them onto my computer.  I pretty much hate loose paper so I scan everything into my computer.

What software or online tools to you use to keep yourself organized? I am a huge user of the Picasa Photo Albums on Google.  I upload all of my decorating, crafting, entertaining or gardening ideas.  I also use the Notes function on my iPhone for quick note taking when I am out and about.  I also use iPhoto to store and organize photos I personally take.

Are you a “list” person? If so, what kinds of lists do you find yourself making most? I am a huge list person.  I make lists for everything: to do lists, grocery lists, weekly menus, packing lists and most recently I have been putting together lists of trips I want to take in the next few years.

Where/how do you store ideas you get for content? I am inspired by nearly everything: magazines, traveling, television, the internet…  If I am out somewhere I will make a note of it on my iPhone or snap a picture of something that I think is a good idea.  If I am online, I save photos to my desktop so I can upload the photo with my post.  If I am inspired, I always try to write the post as soon as I can.  If I wait, I tend to lose interest. I am very ADD that way.

Mac or PC? I am a Mac girl through and through. I hate PCs.

How many hours a week do you spend on your blog? I typically spend several hours on the weekend writing and scheduling my posts for the week. I also check my blog periodically throughout the day. I love comments so I  am always checking for those.

There are a lot of tasks involved with successful blogging: writing content, guest blogging, commenting on other blogs. How do you organize your time? I always try to have my week’s posts scheduled for the week by Sunday night. My work schedule and commute give me very little time during the week so I don’t write my posts during the week generally. I do guest blog occasionally but I do have to say I don’t do as much of that as I should.  I usually check other blogs and comment at random times during the day. If I stay in my office through lunch I will take 15 minutes or so to check and comment on my favorite blogs. I also spend at least a half hour or so commenting on blogs in the evenings.

Describe your current work space. I have to say my workspace is very portable. I use my laptop to store images that inspire me for content and I have a notebook I jot down ideas so I can blog while in the bed or watching a movie with my husband. I use our desktop computer sometimes for blogging but typically that only serves as a hub for our movies and photos.

Jessica's blogging workspace

As for my office at work, I am insanely organized. We are a paperless office so all of my files are stored on a server, which I access from my computer.  I keep very little paper at my desk and any documents I have to keep I store in polka-dotted Kate Spade folders in a folder stand on my filing cabinet, which is empty because I hate paper.  Did I mention that I hate loose paper? I am a trial lawyer so I have to keep resources for trials, case law, etc.  I store all of those in organized binders that I keep in a bookcase. For me, a sign of a successful workday is a clean desk.

Describe your dream work space. Oh my goodness I could keep you here all day!  I want my own office space that I don’t have to share with lots of storage for office supplies, stationery, gift wrap, crafting supplies, etc. I would love a big desk with shelves mounted above and a dock for my laptop so I can use a large monitor and keyboard when I am at my desk.  A great scanner/printer combo and a high end photo printer are musts also.

I also would want well-organized drawers and cabinets for all my office supplies and a fabulous framed bulletin board lined with gorgeous fabric.  Bookshelves for my books and accessories would line a wall. In the same room I would like a work table and stool for gift wrapping and crafting.  I would also like a large comfy chair and ottoman for reading or list making. The room would, of course, have to be painted a fabulous color with amazing drapes and a rug with all of my favorite prints on the wall. It would be sanctuary of creativity.

What about your blog work makes you most anxious and how do you deal with it? I think I get most anxious about making time to visit and comment on other blogs. I think it’s so important that we support one another and visit each others blogs. When I get really busy I always worry that I am not being faithful to my fellow bloggers. I have been blessed by so many amazing blogging friends that have supported me and my blog and mentioned my blog on their sites, which has in turn brought me so many new readers. I always want to return that favor and show that appreciation. To deal with this, I try to make sure I visit those bloggers that are faithful to my blog at least every 3-4 days. I don’t put the pressure on myself to comment every day but I do make it priority to let them know that I do appreciate the inspiration they give me.

What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to a new blogger? Let your personality shine through your blog. This took me a while to learn how to do.  When I first started blogging, I obsessed over posting on things I thought people would like or using content I thought would bring me the most readers.   It’s hard to write good content if you really are not interested in what you are writing about. Once I let that go and started posting on what inspired me personally, the traffic on my blog spiked and I started really having a lot more fun with my content.

Blogging is a huge creative outlet for me. I have a very stressful job and blogging has given me such a great way to express myself and my creativity.  Now that I really have learned to blog about where I am at in my life right now, I find that I truly enjoy blogging and that more and more people seem to be drawn to my blog as well.

Related posts:

1. How This Blogger Stays Organized: Meet Benita from Chez Larsson
2. How This Blogger Stays Organized: meet Jules from Pancakes & French Fries
3. How This Penelope Stays Organized: an interview with Holly Bohn of See Jane Work

It’s that time again: time for some voyeuristic peeking into a beautiful home office workspace.

This time, the home office belongs to blogger Suann Song from Simplesong, one of my favorite blogs. I found this little gem via another fantastic blog: Ill Seen, Ill Said (is that a great name, or what?) She does a great series called “Where We Blog From”, and I’m fascinated by it.

Take a look at Suann’s office and then be sure to pop over to each of the blogs mentioned above. The Peeping Penelope in you will be glad you did.

I love the natural light and the hardwood floors. I also love the glass-topped desk and the way she angled her shelving unit in the corner.

But I really, really love the chair. I know my Boston Terrier, Cooper, would love to curl up there while I worked. Maybe we could get Suann to tell us where she got it?

The office is simple, and so pretty. She strikes a perfect balance between usefulness and pretty touches. And, she’s a Mac girl. Just sayin’.

I wonder, too, how many of us have “Keep Calm and Carry On” posters somewhere in our offices? I know I do. Makes me feel better. It’s a stiff upper lip kind of thing.

Be sure to hop over to Jane’s post on this office to see more photos and get details.

Thanks for the inspiration, Suann and Jane!

Related posts:

1. Peeping Penelope: Home Office Before and After by Centsational Girl
2. Penelope’s Favorite Websites: Paper Source for pretty office supplies
3. A Tool for the Penelope on the Go: Cascading File Tote