Summer is practically gone and the fall promises to be full of new opportunities. We’re always challenging ourselves to learn new things, and to do so we like to keep an organized office. And of course, we like it to look stylish, don’t you? Here are our favorite organizing ideas for back to school, work, or plain old life after vacation.

1. Quo Vadis weekly planner in raspberry, $25: This sturdy, leatherette planner has traveled with me for a decade. My dear friend, Lucinda, turned me on to this anti-Filofax several years ago when we shared an office at Martha Stewart Living television. We had so much to keep organized, between work, family, and fun, but we kept it together with our favorite planner. Refills are available annually, from www.quovadisusa.com, love that! 2. Ballard Designs cumberland sea grass organizer set, ON SALE for $24.99: We love the look of sea grass in any environment, but in an office, it just adds an element of comfort. 3. Russell+Hazel collator, $30: We’ve long been fans of Minnesota based Russel+Hazel. Their composition books are the chicest, always bound in fantastic colors that make us smile. This collator is so practical and cool looking! 4. Kate Spade Jane Street Becca pencil case, $75: Everybody needs a special holder for their pens and pencils–otherwise you get ink and lead all over the inside (and sometimes outside) of your purse–does double-duty as a makeup bag too. 5. Pottery Barn magnetic whiteboard calendar, $44: Not sure how your household works, but when there are many moving parts and individuals, it really pays to have one easy access board that lets everyone know what’s happening!

Isn’t it about time you graced your workspace with a touch of elegance? We love the desk accessories by Dransfield & Ross–especially the colored mouse pads! We can never seem to find anything but ugly mouse pads, but these are made out of the same faux-shagreen as the clock above, and look great on just about any surface. – S & L