Organized MAGAZINE INSPIRATION FILES {Name 5 Things}

I’m thrilled to introduce you to my friend Emily, author of Name 5 Things, who I’ve recently discovered is kinda like my twin in many respects:)  We actually live about 10 miles apart, are both lawyers, have babies (although hers are the furry kind!) and I’ve spotted many things around her home that I also have in mine!  If you haven’t been to her blog, I encourage you to check it out- I’m certain you will love what you see!   image ********** I was flattered when Megan asked me to participate in her organizing series to start off the new year!  Megan is creative and truly inspiring, has such a beautiful family and home, and is one of the sweetest bloggers around.  So I was thrilled when she asked me to share a post about organization. I love magazines and subscribe to a number of them, but they can take up a lot of space.  So rather than keeping all of them around, I like to pull out the inspiring rooms and ideas, and keep just those pages in binders instead. image1 I use sheet protectors (like these) to store the pictures.  That way I don’t have to hole punch anything.  It’s also super easy to change the order of the pages or to add more protectors when things start to fill up. image2 image3 And to keep things in somewhat of an order, I have them organized within the binders by rooms.  One binder has living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms.  And the other has bedrooms, bathrooms, offices, and miscellaneous (aka: bed bath and beyond).  The miscellaneous tab is where I put articles about various topics like arranging gallery walls, collecting antique bottles, party tips, cleaning stone countertops, etc. image4 It is so nice flipping through all of the images and seeing all of the inspiring spaces (and not having the ads get in the way)! image5 However, I do like to display a reasonable number of magazines out on our bookshelves.  (And I just can’t bring myself to tear up my old Domino mags.)  image6 I also leave some around on our ottoman for reading while curled up on the couch and for guests to flip through. image7 With all of the new online magazines like Rue, Lonny, and the upcoming High Gloss, you can still get all of your eye candy without having to worry about the storage problem.  But keeping my electronic inspiration pictures organized is a topic for another post!  Thanks for having me, Megan! ********** After reading Emily’s post, I went straight to Target to get some of those binders, but they didn’t have any more in the pattern I wanted!  Such a great idea- my inspiration pages are in a giant heap!  P.S.  Did you spy that gorgeous wallpapered bookshelf in the background of the picture with the Domino magazines?! Thanks everyone who is reading along with our organizing series, I hope you are getting inspired to clear away the clutter so that you have more time for LIVING!! image

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Meet Megan

Hi! I’m Megan, mom to a thoughtful teenager and spunky young girl. We call Houston home and recently moved into our dream home. I traded my lawyer hat to become a full-time blogger in 2010. I love sharing my passion for affordable fashion, home decor, organization, & fitness to help inspire you to take care of you!

34 Comments

  1. I've been needing to do something like this for awhile, and it really is such an easy fix, not sure why I've put it off.

    Looks like a trip to Target for some cute binders is on the works for me!

    x

  2. I have piles of magazines under my bed… shhh, don't tell anyone. I must do this!

    Loving this series Megan!! 🙂 xoxo

  3. This is terrific! I was just looking at my stack of home magazine piling up and wondering what to do. Thanks for sharing…

    I am a new follower and adore your blog! Your home is beautiful. I was wondering if I could feature your closet on my blog? It's my dream closet and would love to share…

    Karla

  4. Thanks twin for letting me participate in such an awesome series! Hopefully Target will get some more of those binders in stock soon.

  5. I've been doing the binder thing for years and I absolutely LOVE it! I keep the magazines out and in one piece as long as they are in the current month. After that, my scissors and I go to work 🙂
    Happy new year!

  6. I have an inspiration binder, but I haven't put anything in it in ages b/c 1. I wasn't reading my magazines and 2. I didn't use the page protectors…I was sticking them in this little envelope thingie.

    I am definitely going to go out and get a new binder and some page protectors!

    Nice guest post. 🙂

  7. such a wonderful idea! i've been contemplating a few different ways lately to organize all my inspiration photos, and this is a great one. thanks for sharing!

  8. I was just saying to my husband that I need to do this. I need a whole binder just for organization and cleaning tips! I have those white Ikea magazine holders, too, and they are bursting!

  9. I am ordering that acrylic tray today. I have been eyeing the acrylic coffee table from there too. I am trying to justify the purchase as it is "baby-proofing" the den! Great idea about the binders going to def organize all my ripped out pages that way. I already do it with recipes from cooking mags, don't know why I didn't think to do it for decorating ideas. Also going to check out her blog now.

  10. I just went through my magazine piles in an effort to tidy up in the new year and did the same thing with binders and clear pages. I donated the used and abused magazines to my local library's free bin. Not sure if y'alls has one but it's where I've gotten ahold of many House Beautiful and Coastal Livings. Just take a page or two out and res-hare!

  11. Great and beautiful ideas here. I used to tear mag pages out too. But i havr to be honest, i barely find the time to read them anymore being a blogger and a mommo. Thank goodness i have the blogworld to keep me up to date on mew magazine spreads.

  12. Great idea! I just subscribed for 2yrs to 'Better Homes and Gardens', so this will serve me well once I start piling up all those magazines! 🙂

  13. Love this idea! I am definitely going to head over and check out her blog.

    And, ok how did I not know you were a lawyer Megan? I knew you worked in a law firm but I guess I never saw the reference to being a fellow lawyer! Do you think you will go back to practicing?

  14. I love this idea, Emily. I am a binder girl and never thought to do it with my inspiration photos. Thank you!

  15. emily, such great tips! now i know what to do with those piles of magazines next to my bed!

    megan, this series is awesome! love it!

  16. I've been doing the binder thing for awhile too but my binders aren't cute like these. I think it's time to invest in some new ones! I also use sheet protectors & binders for take out menus.

  17. Great Idea! I wish i could be this organized with my food. I think i might just get a booklet like this just for the recipes i take out of magazines. Thanks for the great idea!

  18. I do the same thing! It makes it so easy and it really is fun to look back at all of the pictures. I just have a plain white binder though…loving those patterns she had for hers…might have to find some!

  19. Love her style! How fun that you live so close to each other. I have gotten as far as ripping out pages but have yet to put them in a binder. Add that to my must-do list for 2011!
    xo,
    abby

  20. ohmygosh emily — you're so anal retentive…and i love it!!! this is a great idea! i keep my kid's artwork in binders like these, but my inspiration photos are shoved all over the place. thanks for this inspiration…andn please post about how you organize the online photos!!!

  21. I am definitely doing this! what a fabulous idea. I tell ya, what on earth would I do without blogs…

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