One thing that I love most about running this blog is the awesome companies that come to my attention. Today’s post is about one such company called Useful Things. As the name suggests, they are a company that offers tons of Useful Things on their website! Not just useful things though, also cool things (like solar light jars). I got the chance to try out two such things, the Conceal Bookshelf and the Pizza Cutter.

I had seen these bookshelves before on a lot of home design websites and always thought they looked so cool. I also really wondered how they worked, since you don’t see the bookshelf at all. I got to see the small version, which was perfect for keeping smaller books near my office desk. It’s a very cool way to store books, and very useful too, making good use of vertical space in a house which can sometimes be wasted. Very simple to install, just one screw (provided), and of course add books that are already in your collection and you are ready to go! I won’t give away the secret of how it looks like it’s hovering, that’s something you will have to discover for yourself (and impress your guests with).

The pizza cutter, also called a pizza saw, is quiet unique, with a design that makes slicing very fast. The blade is very sharp, made of a laser etched stainless steel blade, and cuts easily. The first time we tried it we used it on a rising crust pizza, and the toppings got caught on the shield. Luckily the shield can be removed for cleaning, and also cutting (though it is there to protect your fingers, so maybe a thinner crust would be a good idea). It’s still a very cool way to cut, with smooth and easy motion.

Useful Things offers items for the office, home, and even travel. They have tons of great gadgets, and we were impressed with how fast they shipped, and that they do all of the work from their office in Oregon! Shipping charges start as low as $3.99, depending on the package of course, and they ship to most countries as well. Be sure to check out their website if you are looking for unique gift ideas for loved ones or to buy a treat or two for yourself! We found many things to add to our wish list!

Journals Unlimited offers a variety of fun journals for a wide range of topics. Their journals are a fun and easy way to keep track of the events in your life. The pages of the journals have prompts to help you quickly and easily write about your experiences. With many fun options for look and size, there is sure to be a journal for everyone.

We got a chance to try out the Travelers Journal for this review. It came at the perfect time as we were just about to go on an over night trip. Here is a shot of our journal in action at the hotel. I was just getting it filled out, which now I am glad to have a record of things like what the weather was like (it was freezing), and what fun things we did. I can just imagine how great this journal would be on longer trips!

The other thing that we loved, is that they are made in the USA, using soy based ink on acid-free recycled paper. They are super durable, and have a great look. I really loved the travel journal, and have some of their other journals on my wish list; the garden journal, the cooking journal, the gratitude journal, and of course, the pet journal! They have a lot of other fun options too, and they also offer smaller sized journals in addition to the full sized journal.

For more information and to order, visit the Journals Unlimited website.

I am one of those rare few who absolutely LOVE office supplies. Ever since I was young, I could not wait to organize, getting pens and paper was a big treat, and the office supply store was like a candy store to me. So obviously when we got the chance to take a look at the new products from 3M, I was very excited!

The new Post-it Super Sticky labels are great for all kinds of organizing projects. Not only do they stick well (much more sticky than the regular Post-its) but they are also removable. They come in a great variety of sizes and colors. The label pads, which you can get in square or rectangle, are a great size for containers, and other larger items that you want to label. The bright neon colors make them easy to read and spot.

I used some in our pantry. I love being able to look in, and find the container I need really quickly thanks to the bright color. It also really helped that I could remove the label, as I decided to use one of the containers for something new when the other dry good ran out.

The smaller removable labels can be printed on in a laser printer, or you can just write on them. They come in rectangle and round shapes. I love the round dots for use on my calendar, and knowing that I can remove them if I need too is a big plus. The removable labels also come in name badges, full sized sheets, file folder labels, I.D. labels that can go on binders, shelves, etc.

There are new, permanent labels as well. We especially loved the recycled address and return address labels. They are made from 100% post consumer recycled material, but they are white so they will match an envelope! I love to write letters, and being able to create my own, unique labels with the use of my printer and the labels from 3M was a lot of fun. They also offer labels for shipping in packages that have everything you would need (white and clear). In addition to labels for shipping, they have bright colored labels that are larger (2″x4″) that you could use on containers, packages, or anything else you want to stand out.

To see all the colors and sizes, and to find out where to purchase them, be sure to visit the Post-it/3M website. As an office supply junkie, I have to say these new items are very wish list worthy in my book!

Chuck is the first wastebasket of it’s kind. Made from 100% recycled cardboard and printed with low VOC water-based inks, it’s a wastebasket that you can feel good about buying. Why? Because once you are done using it, it can be recycled!

Mine has been perfect for collecting the recyclables in my office. Not only does the Chuck look nice, but it has a handy hole for easy lifting. It was also fun to get, because it came flat packed, we got to put it together. A few folds and tabs later and it was assembled with no tools, glue, or tape.

The Chuck is available in the leaf pattern, which we got to review and just love. They will soon come in a variety of designs, and you can even have your own design made if you like (with a min. order of course, but still very cool for an office or team). They are also affordable, at $11.99 each. Right now you can buy them through their website, Chuck4Life.

Here is a little bit about the company:

It may be hard to believe that the inspiration for a cool waste paper basket originated from something as simple as walking by a pile of cardboard left over from the custom manufacturing of boxes. But it is true. Chuck developed by studioCRANK was born out of necessity.

A very cool product for the eco-conscious person! I am very happy to have my Chuck in my office space.

I have a confession. I’m a totally, and complete, office supply junkie. I love all things paper, and especially stationary! So of course I was really excited to preview these funny, eco-friendly, greeting cards from pences.

They did not disappoint! Usually I am not a huge fan of paper that has the recycled look (mainly because they don’t feel as nice), but these cards are great quality and Earth friendly! The cards feature the phrase “word to your mother” printed beneath an image of mother earth, and are printed on 100% recycled kraft paper and envelopes. There is even a friendly “recycle this” reminder printed on the back of the card.

The cards are blank inside, making them suitable for any occasion. Offered in a set of 8 cards and envelopes at $12.50 per set. A great addition to the green office, or for any Earth loving, stationary obsessed person (like me)! pences also offers a lot of other really great items on their website. From invitations, to stationary, and even apparel, there is something for everyone to wish for on their site!