Monday, August 16, 2010

25 You Asked: Did You Get the Memo?

I have been receiving some "buzz" and questions regarding our happy little memo station located in our kitchen area:


Like "Where in the world did you snag that?" and "How do you use it?"

So where did I find it?  Well, it was a little splurging that happened in stages, but I just knew, as an organizing crazy person, that I had to have it!

I purchased one piece at a time, from the Pottery Barn Daily System {which must be fairly popular since they have had them for sale for eons}.


And as fantastically perfect, functional and adorable as every single piece of the system is, it also comes at a pretty not so adorable price.  I purchased our Daily System Letter Bin's and Office Organizer back in the days when I was working full time and had a much nicer income, and a lot less DIY time.  Those days are long gone, and if I had to do it again, I would have gone for something a lot less pricey yet equally effective {Just because today I couldn't fathom spending that type of moola on anything that could be made on the cheap!}

Finding a rack that is typically intended for magazines would actually be a wonderful option if you are looking to sort more than just mail.  I have quickly found many "mail" slots available when searching online, however, it's important to be cautious of their size, meaning you are very limited to sorting only envelope sized papers.

A wall mount magazine file is great for assigning members of the family their own "bin" or "in box" to keep track of their personal papers, such as baseball schedules, school supply lists, homework, to do's, etc... all in one handy location, which is why IHeart our memo station.

Each dude/dudette in our family has their own personal bin, in which they can always rely on to find the most current information that pertains to them.  The hubs and I can find any "to do" items such as bills to mail or invites to RSVP to, and the kiddos can find all of their school and activity related papers.

I would definitely recommend a station like this for any busy or growing family, and if you are a good bargain shopper, you could find all sorts of adorable mail/magazine files that mount on the walls, at a plethora of places outside of Pottery Barn. 

Like the most magical place in the world... Target!  Remember those bins I hung in our closet to stash our cords and batteries?


They were scored for around five buckaroos each, a far cry from the $50/piece Pottery Barn versions, yet could offer the same functionality!

There are also a variety of wood or mesh versions on the market that could easily be sprayed with some color and/or mounted on a piece of framed wood with some labels slapped across the front.  Ugh, totally one of those major "Why didn't I think of that sooner!?" moments!!

Buyers remorse?  Maybe a little... But at the same time, they have lasted us a couple of years already and they still look like they are fresh from the box, and by ensuring we don't lose a piece of important information, they have proved priceless!


Anyone have any DIY versions of a memo station that you have already completed and would be willing to share with the rest of the wonderful readers?  How do you all keep yourselves and family organized in the paper department?  Memo me with your goods!


25 comments:

  1. I totally wanted to make one of these myself since I also loved the Pottery Barn versions. My father-in-law actually snagged a smaller version for us at his local Goodwill that had never even been used! It's a dark wood tone and has a picture frame built in that is totally cute! I would have never thought to look there, but would totally recommend checking there for those you don't think they could make one!

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  2. What a coincidence, I just happened to pick up the same magazine/mail holder from Target today. I'm happy to see from your post that it looks like it holds a fair amount and is sturdy enough to hold batteries and cords. I bought it for our closet to hold dog treats, bones, etc.

    So reading this post has led me to read all of your old posts about organizing, such as your pantry. I was wondering how you make your cute and colorful labels. Is there a specific program that you use? Thanks so much!

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  3. Here is Office Max's version...
    http://www.officemax.com/home/custom.jsp?id=m5730050

    I have seen several out in the bloggy world! I think you could use a large picture frame for your base, fill it with either sheet metal or glass for magnets and or dry erase board. I always seem to see the wall pockets at the thrift stores...usually a horrible dark wood with gold and green roosters that could easily be painted out to match the frame!

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  4. great post :) it looks awesome and such a great way to organize!

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  5. I've been hunting for something similar in Australia for quite a while, but so far no joy.

    Fingers crossed something turns up - my partner is aay for 2 weeks at a time so I need somewhere to safely stash his mail. At the same time, I need somewhere for him to put mine, otherwise I'll find it 2 weeks later under a pile of 'stuff'!

    Love this post!

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  6. I'm glad to see that you're blogging again since your flooding. I like your updated photo. I recently dyed my hair darker too. I'm going in for a touch up on Thursday. I love having my hair done it just feels good.

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  7. I love your memo station. I'm hosting We're Organized Wednesday this week and would love for you to join the party. There's an awesome giveaway too. Hope to see you there.

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  8. Love this. I just found a magazine holder in the goodwill today for only 4 bucks i plan on painting it white and hanging it in the kitchen. Where did you find those backpacks for your boys they are cute.

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  9. That is so awesome! I am wondering the same thing as Emily, how do you make such cute and colorful labels??!! I don't have one creative bone in my body.

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  10. Hi Emily and Sharisse!

    I actually use Microsoft Excel to make my labels and templates, I am hoping to share some details of that process here on the blog!

    And queenbee, I snagged the adorable backpacks on clearance from Pottery Barn Kids at the end of the school year two years back when they were uber cheap {well, for Pottery Barn anyway!}.

    xoxo,
    Jen

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  11. So super cute! I have wanted the pottery barn organizers forever! I can never decide between this one and the bed bath and beyond version (black wood and 1/2 the price i think? which is uber tempting!) eek! Loving your blog btw! Can't wait to see more <3

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  12. I just wanted to post here. I just the other day bought one of these. It is almost exactly the same as yours...but I got it at our local wholesale store (BJ's) for $29.99!!!!! I wish I could attach a picture...I swear...it is almost identical to yours! LOVE IT!!!!

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  13. would you consider putting something like this in your home office? The kids put have their backpacks/jackets in our laundry room and I am not sure if where to put our memo station. Any recommendations? Thanks!!!!

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  14. I usually recommend putting it somewhere that is easy access for everyone, so that it gets used. Otherwise, it's still too easy to pile things on the counter. However, it's all about making it work for the space you have... and if you think it would work best in an office and you could ensure you were bringing things to and from to that room, I say go for it!

    xoxo,
    Jen

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  15. TOO funny you wrote this - one of my readers sent me here when I asked for help with my design challenge - I WANT THAT POTTERY BARN system, but will not pay the money. So I am going to try a DIY version. We will see how far I get.

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  16. for a DIY approach, check out ikeahackers.net under "a place for everything" it shows some really nice mail slots that they made out of shelving materials.

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  17. Where did you get the label holders that are on the front of the slots? Did they come like that or did you buy them?

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  18. @Rebekah, the label holders came right on the mail slots themselves. However, I have seen similar ones you can attach to items here: http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=label+holders&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&hl=en&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1440&bih=741&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=6615706452310481105&sa=X&ei=QsY5TpPlPILosQLUkPwx&ved=0CI4BEPMCMAA

    Thanks so much!

    xoxo,
    Jen

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  19. greatings from germany - i love your blog..... look what i found.....http://www.ponath-crew.com/?p=666, she took over this great idea and DIY. maybe that`s a nice information for your readers.
    Wish you all the best for 2012 and i will surly stay on track of your blog....
    Caroline

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  20. Hi Jen!

    I just discovered your blog on Pinterest yesterday, and I haven't been able to put down my computer since! I adore all of your ideas and can't wait to get started! I am actually wondering where you purchased your coat rack? I've been searching online, but can't find one that looks as nice as yours! Perhaps you actually made it:)

    Thanks!
    Amber

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    1. Great question - I believe it was a Target find a couple years ago. They have a hook and hardware isle, that's where I found it.

      xoxo!
      Jen

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  21. I found something like this for $17... http://www.abcdistributing.com/For-the-Home/Home-Office/Office%2BEssentials/Wooden-Wall-Calendar-%26-Organizer/prod580167.jmp?sorted=Y&navAction=push&fm=leftnav&categoryId=cat51556&navCount=0

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  22. Hi!
    I found you blog via Pinterest and I must say that I love it. Your way of writing, your pictures, your organization skills and your way of sharing it all with us. I'm 22 and have ADHD, which make it very hard for me to keep my home organized and clean. You know, stuff everywhere, dishes all over the kitchen sink, DIY projects all over the place...
    But through therapy and a lot of "jävlar annama" (Swedish saying for "fighting spirit", kinda..) I've manage to find my ways to keep things kinda OK anyway. And your blog have many great ideas that have helped me alot. Especially this post, since we have a little problem with our mail going all over the kitchen...
    Well, what I really wanted to say was just:
    Thank you!

    /Trollis

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  23. this isn't as nice as your option but much less money. Clear mail sorters from Office Depot - add some spray paint and cute labels and it could be a great idea. Love your blog and learning a lot! I have a door to the basement in my kitchen and this might be where I end up putting our sorting system. Thanks for all of the great ideas. http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/851604/Office-Depot-Brand-Single-Wall-Pockets/?cm_cat=2000000371 Only $13.49!

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  24. I was wonderfully surprised to find identical organizers as those from Pottery Barn at the Sears Outlet for only 23.00 each. What a steal!!

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