Not your run-of-the-mill office supplies

A few weeks ago, I shared some fun business card cases, many from etsy.com. By far, I find etsy to be the best resource for non-traditional finds. Whether it's handmade or vintage, it will most likely be one of a kind (or at least very few of the same kind).

Here are some of my office supply picks from etsy.com


Some other great resources for office supplies that aren't run-of-the-mill:

• See Jane Work
• The Office Stylist's Sorting With Style
• Paper Source
• Kate's Paperie
• Muji
• Iomoi
• ProfessionGal's new shop, when it opens (I'm sure it will be on this list!)

Where do you go for office supplies?

Work Staples: Business card cases

You're rockin' it at a networking event when you meet someone important – a rep from your dream company, a potential BFF or a like-minded entrepreneur – and they hand you a business card.

What do you do?

(a) Stutter, "Oh, I don't have any cards with me now, but I'll email you."
(b) Rummage around the bottom of your bag and pull out a dirty wrinkled card.
(c) Pull out your snazzy business card holder and hand them a crisp clean card with your contact info.

I wish I could say it was always (c), but for me, the answer is usually (a) or (b). I have a few cards (for work, freelancing, my volunteer work and the blog), so it's hard to keep them all straight or in stock in my purse. I use a Coach coin purse that was a gift back in grad school to tote some around, but I have to admit I usually forget to switch it when I switch purses. For that reason, I usually keep 1 or 2 cards in my wallet, too.

Card cases keep your cards handy, clean and crisp. They're also a fun accessory, so let your personality come through!  Check out these sweet options.

Clockwise from top left: Aluminum card holder ($5.50), Moo MiniCard holder (from $4.99), MotherofPearlShop card holder ($28), Coach legacy leather card case ($58), DFauberWoodsmith padauk wood business card holder ($42),  CreationsbyAngel fabric business card holder ($15)

How many cards do you have, and what do you use to hold them? 

BYOL (Bring Your Own Lunch)

Last fall, I took on a challenge, tracked on The Daily Muse. I brought my lunch for the entire month of October. Along the way, I learned a few things.

1. My brought-from-home lunches averaged approximately $4.00 per meal. This gives me a good baseline when I go out to dinner, too: if I stick to an $8-10 dinner and save half for lunch, it's almost the same price as a homemade lunch.
2. Large dinners (more than 4 servings) had the lowest per-serving cost. Making a box of pasta with meat and veggies was still around $4 a serving, but a large home-made lasagna (some passed out to friends and eaten over a few days) was closer to $2.50.
3. Having the right equipment made planning – and packing – lunch a breeze.

The equipment in this case falls into three categories:

Storage: Glass containers are great for food that needs to be reheated in the microwave – it doesn't stain or warp as easily as plastic. If you don't need to heat things up, any ol' container will do.

Transport: Depending on the length of your commute, an insulated lunchbag can make sure your food doesn't get into the "danger zone." If your work doesn't have a communal refrigerator, this is even more imperative. Since my work fridge fills up fast, I usually transport my lunch in a small cooler with one ice pack, and then take the container out and put just that in the fridge.

Liquids: Make sure you don't confuse thirst for hunger by staying hydrated during the day. I like a screw-top water bottle for water, but if you prefer ice tea or sugary drinks, try a double-walled travel cup with straw (much easier to clean).

Clockwise from top left: Pyrex 18-piece storage set, snack sacks, Klip-it sandwich box, Built NY BYO Rambler lunch bag, Nalgene Tritan wide-mouth water bottle, double-wall water bottle, Packit personal cooler lunch bag


Are you a lunch toter or do you prefer to eat out? What do you use to bring your lunch?