If there’s one thing you should ever know about me, it’s that I love office supplies. Not just l-o-v-e, but, truly, madly, deeply, LOVE. Really, there are few other things that make my heart flutter and my eyeballs twitch the way that a new notebook or package of post-it notes can! I understand it’s completely random, but, you see, my junior year of high school, I remember my dad coming home one day and telling me that a new Staples was opening up not too far from our house. He encouraged me to apply for a job there, and that’s really when this all started. I worked there for 6 years, for the remainder of high school, all of college and a few months after graduation, and I must admit, I was legitimately crazy about the company and adored not only how they started but how they treated us as employees. There are times I STILL slip and accidentally refer to my current job(s) as Staples. That’s how much of an impact that company had on me! I worked in the Copy and Print Center, which as a graphic design major in college, totally came in handy, but that’s another story for another day.
Many, many years later, I still have a surplus of pens and other office products that I accumulated over my time working at Staples. But that doesn’t mean I don’t continue to buy more 
If I stop and really try to understand just WHY I have a borderline obsession with office supplies, I think it’s because whenever I buy them, it typically marks a new beginning. The first day of school, start of a new job, the decision to stop being a hoarder and attempt to organize my life, new calendars for the New Year, etc.
This all being said, you can only imagine how excited I was when I heard that Martha Stewart was partnering with Avery to produce a line of products to be sold exclusively at Staples! I mean, I know this is a food blog and all, but I about wet my pants when I heard this. You would have thought I won the lottery. I may or may not have screamed and or done a victory dance of sorts. I did.
A couple of weeks ago we were approached by the lovely people at Avery who asked if we’d be interested in trying out some of the products from Martha’s dated line. IS THE SKY BLUE?! Of course we’d like to test drive these bad boys! [Insert additional victory dances here]. Not too long after, a package arrived on my doorstep filled with four dated calendars from the line, sold exclusively at Staples. Should I mention again that they’re only sold at Staples
I’m actually oddly looking forward to 2013 so I can start writing in these. I’m all about my Google Calendar and keeping a running calendar on my iPhone, but there’s still something about pen to paper that I’m not ready to let go of. Not entirely sure if I’ll ever be able to. Being able to actually write down a to-do list and excitedly cross items off or highlight as you complete each task is really the only purpose of life, in my humble opinion.
One of my favorite parts about these planners is how they are just so Martha. She maps out the year and adds in little notes each month. On December 10th: “create music playlists for holiday parties”. On January 4: “check the expiration dates on your driver’s license, passport, car registration, and insurance policies”. March 29: “in season: asparagus”. June 11: “Prepare for impromptu guests: stock up on wine and easy snacks”. August 30: “schedule an end-of-summer dermatologist appointment”. These are just plain practical things to know and often things that you completely forget about during the year, especially things like checking expiration dates for licenses and policies in the new year!
There are also tips at the beginning of each month. The beginning of January starts off with how to protect your skin from the harsh winter weather.
There are several versions of the planners. There’s a soft-covered monthly pocket planner that can easily be tossed in a purse, a hard-covered pocket planner, a wire-bound version in the pretty black brocade print, and then the large hard-covered blue one that would be great to keep on a desk or in an office.
The blocks in the wire versions are great and spacious, which makes it the perfect solution for organizing a family. Plus, there are monthly tabs which is always helpful for quick reference.
I adore the large hardcover Perfect-bound Desktop calendar, shown below!
The ribbon page holder is key and this is the perfect option for an at-home planner. Although I’ll probably still try to shove it in my purse because that’s just how I roll.
In the front of the calendars there’s a simple “How to use this book” spread, that shows you the breakdown of the book and how to organize yourself while using it, which is so helpful. Oftentimes I look at planners and I’m just like “huhhh?”, so I love that there’s a sample sheet already filled out!
Also in the front of the books you’ll find the usual Personal Information pages where you can add in your contact, medical, car, and bank information.
The back of the book has an “Essentials” pull-out booklet that houses address pages, quick reference monthly page views, and an additional section for notes.
There’s a slight chance I will attempt to use ALL four of these planners at the same time in 2013. Watch me!
And now for the fun part. As if everything before this was NOT fun!? Giveaway time! Our lovely friends at Avery (anyone who sends us Martha-related goodies is an automatic friend, duh!) want to give one lucky We are not Martha reader a fancy schmancy Wire-bound Planning Calendar in the Black Brocade. The planner measures 7″x9″ and features the monthly tabs as well as boatloads of other necessities to keep you organized throughout 2013.
To enter the giveaway just leave a comment on this post telling me a little about your favorite way to stay organized in the New Year by Tuesday, October, 23 at 11:59PM EST. For extra entries follow us on Twitter or “like” us on Facebook, just don’t forget to leave an additional comment on this post to let me know that you did so!
And one more time: As I mentioned earlier in the post, all of the Martha Stewart Home Office products with Avery are sold exclusively at Staples, so if you don’t win this giveaway, check your local Staples for the rest of the line! You’ll probably see me there
Cheers to an organized 2013!
[Chels]
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I am going to try to stay organized by actually writing down my appointments instead of just trying to remember!
I like you on FB
I’m so glad that you’re doing a giveaway on these!! I was purely excited about the items when you tweeted them!
I try to stay organized by keeping up with my monthly planner and google calendar but writing out multiple lists seem to work the best for me.
Oh I LOVE office supplies as well! I use a calendar like this EVERY SINGLE DAY and I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t get anything done if it wasn’t written down in my calender. So to stay organized in the New Year, I’ll continue using my calender and making my lists
I follow you on twitter!
I love organization! My favorite ways to stay organized are with a weekly planner and the reminders list on my phone.
I’m obsessed with my paper calendar too despite so many ways to stay up to date online. Every January I go through last years and copy all of the birthdays, anniversaries, etc. into the new year’s and it sets me up for the upcoming year!
I LOVE planners! The best way for me to stay organized, is to spend 10 minutes each night before bed, writing down tasks that I need/want to accomplish the next day. It helps my brain to unwind and I can better plan my day.
I need these to begin to be organized! I am better well organized but I think these items would put me over the top!
Thanks,
Courtney
I just bought a notebook in this line. I adore all things stationary. When stuff goes on clearance in Target, I tend to go crazy! I am definitely a list person. I have them everywhere. I think my New Year’s Resolution will be to stick to ONE list. Or at least less.
Best way to stay organized is with a planner! Always your best bet!
I already like you on facebook!
My favorite way to stay organized is a good old fashioned planner,s o this would be perfect!
I am also a lover of office supplies and planners. I use my purse sized planner for work. I’ve tried to put everything on my ipad but I just prefer to write lists and cross them off. I would love this home organizer. It’s exactly what I need to help me get my stuff together at home.
Wow – two great things now combined – Love Martha and LOVE Avery products. One way I stay organized every year is to follow the KISS rule – Keep it Simple especially when it comes to filing!! I find if it’s a complicated system, I won’t use it… Also, I will usually purge (shred / recycle) papers that aren’t needed anymore – and I do that every year!
I am going to backup my electronic calendar with a planner like the Martha Stewart Collection
Facebook fan
I have always been, and will always be, a paper calendar girl. I find that I actually LOOK at a paper calendar more than an electronic one…it’s not helpful to write things down if you forgot to look at your day/week ahead!
Great giveaway!
Facebook fan!!
i’m so dedicated to planners that i don’t even use a google calendar (which is a little ridiculous this day and age). i stay organized with my planner and the other 800 notebooks that always seem to find their way into my purse.
i also follow you a twitter.
I ALWAYS use physical, paper planners. I’ve tried moving to the calendar on my iphone, but I need to be able to see my entire month at a glance, make to-do lists in the margins and clip important notes/invitations to the appropriate pages. I get made fun of all.the.time, but I refuse to switch. I need a new planner for 2013!
I follow you on Twitter!
And Facebook
I stay organized by keeping my pocket calendar with me at all times!! I love the pen and paper feel… no digital calendars for me!
We’ll try to stay organized by keeping track of everything on one calendar!
I follow @mommastacia
I’m a fan on FB. Thanks!
I’m just like you…I LOVE office supplies! I keep organized by writing everything down and throwing stuff away.
I’m also a fan on Facebook!
My favorite way to stay organized in the New Year is to plan out my vacations so I always have something to look forward to!
I put all of my friends’ and family’s birthdays in my calendar every January so that I don’t have to rely on Facebook (or my brain) to remember big days!
My iphone is my organizational savior–everything goes into it, but a planner would be nice!
color coding everything in my planner and on my online (outlook) calendar
I use motivated moms to keep me organized!
I keep a notebook in my purse where I can physically cross things off. There’s nothing like that feeling. Also, I totally get your love of office supplies.
And I follow on twitter!
lists are totally my savior… i’d forget everything if i didn’t write it down
I always start the new year by going through my old planner and writing everyones birthdays into my new one so I don’t miss anyone.
I follow on twitter!
I like you on FB!
i can never stay organized over the holidays, so this would be a fantastic way for me to get my act together!
I haven’t quite figured out a way to organize all of me in one place. I use a calendar app on my phone, which is a good way to stay on top of dates because it’s always with me. But I need to figure out a way to plan my days, with 2 young kids, one school aged, plan the menu & my hobbies & this giveaway is perfect to give me that shot I need. Would love to win one of these. Thanks for thr chance
I stay organized with a planner and a wall calendar. I really can’t do it any other way!
& I most definitely follow you ladies on Twitter.
A paper planner, notebook, and pens that I really love to use and a big winter-cleaning house organization bender both help me to stay organized in the new year.
Reading this post was like reading my own ode to stationary/office supplies. I’m glad i’m not the only one! Best way for me to stay organized is by writing everything down – so this is perfect
I follow you on twitter
Again in the New Year, I will have a calendar in my closet, next to my shower (not kidding), and one in my purse that I track everything! Then I cross check it all with my Blackberry, which also keeps track of work items as well off my Outlook at work. A bit tiring, but maybe Martha could assist?? My motto is ‘Got Calender?’
i typically use my iphone to input all my appts and such (just so that i have the option for it to remind me!) but def love the old school way of righting everything down on a calendar/planner! my highlight at the end of the year is picking out a new calendar to hang on the fridge and input all birthdays/anniversaries/etc onto it!
My favorite way to stay organized involves 3 Steno pads full of partially completed to-do lists in my purse at any given time, about 50 notes in my iPhone, and tacky notes to self written on the back of my hand. In other words, I need this planner.
I love using a planner to stay organized. I also like the feeling of crossing things off of my schedule or to-do list!
I use post it notes that are scattered everywhere, so this planner would really help!
I too use a paper planner, google calendar and an outlook calendar. There’s something about writing down birthdays in a paper planner at the beginning of the year that helps you remember to send your friends and family birthday notes. I also write down all the tasks I accomplish at work in my paper planner every day. That way if my boss asks me what I accomplished that week, I can refer to my planner.
I keep a work planner, but I would love one for home too. These planners are beautiful! I tried to put all my lists and appointments in my iPad, but I missed the pen and paper experience.
And I follow you on Facebook!
Making pen & paper lists works best for me
… and planners of course!
I love your website and subscribe to you on FB and Twitter! I still have my pocket-size day-planners since college. Now that I have a family – my FAV way to stay organized is to have a calender in the kitchen – every family member activity is in another color pen.
I am going to keep better track of my checkbook.
Like you on FB
I love to get a new planner in December and start filling in dates for the new year before the new year already begins! Love these products — totes cute!
I also like you on Facebook!
i love getting organized by getting a new planner around christmastime and then writing in family/friend birthdays and any other info i already have planned. these are so cute
i like you on facebook.
i follow you on twitter too
I try and clean out my inbox/physical desk at the beginning of the new year. It lasts about a week, but I guess it’s something!
I follow y’all on twitter
and like you on facebook, too!
I keep organized by writing down things in many places! Work plan book (teacher), iphone calendar, small purse calendar!
I keep a detailed planner so I know what needs to happen during the day.
Every year, I try something new and can never really stick to it.
Organization is key with multiple appointments, classes, extra-curriculars, and professional association events to worry about! I love writing down these things in a planner/calendar, as well as doubling up in my iPhone (in the event that I forget one or the other!)
I heart you on Twitter too!
Love paper day planners! I am likely one of only a handful of people in the world (exaggerating just a bit) that does NOT have a cell phone! Still trying to find the perfect day planner so would love to win this. I just bought one of Martha Steward’s notebooks the other day, but must have walked right by the planners…will just have to go back if i don’t win!
I don’t have a choice in the organized department – a small condo and a clutter hater – it just keeps on getting organized.
I follow you on twitter @julieryanphoto
And I like you on Facebook
I have a calendar I write everything on!
I have an unhealthy obsession with planners and making lists to keep track of things. Not only do I have a paper planner that I carry with me, but I also have a desk calendar and I use my iPhone as well.
PS: following you on Twitter (@sarahmilan) and I liked you on Facebook (Sarah Takesian)
Well…I am going to TRY and stay organized with a calender! I would love to win this one, I have already been to Staples and seen some of the Martha stuff….it is ALL so cute!
I try to stay organized by using google calendar, but I find I prefer a paper one. It’s more tangible in my hands. I write everything in it
After years of using my iPhone & google calendar, I want to go back to handwriting my calendar in 2013! There’s nothing as satisfying as crossing off a task or writing down a birthday!
List making and a wedding planner!
OMG I am a Staples fan too! I cannot leave that store for under 100 bucks! i have tried staying organized with various ipad apps. So far, no luck. Too hard to use. Will probably stick with paper another year!
AND… You’ve been “liked”!
I’m a list maker too……I one for everything! I too love a good planner – I make to do lists every day in my current one, and then also keep yellow legal pads going for the lists that don’t fit. Would love to get organized with Martha in 2013!
I stay organized with lists… lots and lots of lists. I would love a new planner for 2013, a great way to keep all my lists in one place!
I have a planner that I use..plus I use my corkboard for pinning recipes,etc
thanks
like u on fb Julie A Scott Laws
I use a day planner as well .
I have been testing out a few list aps on my iphone but I think i’ll be better organized if I consolidate and not have so many different (aka, specialized) lists. Reminders of things when I arrive home has been especially helpful. Thank you iphone!
I color code everything
I use google calendar to have my editorial calendar, and keep to do lists religiously at work 
liked you all on facebook (though I may have already been a fan
)
I’m looking for a family calendar with spots for everyone’s activities, so hopefully everyone will be where they need to be, when they need to be there!
I am so excited about Martha’s products at Staples…I’ve been not-so-secretly stalking my local staples for their stash
In order to stay organized, I live by daily planner and making lists on my iphone, as well as carrying around a mini notebook for additional list-making.
please ignore the fact that I’ve just commented on a TWO MONTH OLD post. my brain is not with me today.