Five Fabulous: Paper Clips

Since its debut in the early 1870s, the paper clip has held documents together with grace, style, and smarts. (And these days, it can even hold together your sanity—how many times have you stretched one out to eject a stuck CD or DVD?) Take a look at our picks for its modern-day counterparts.

1. I Am a Paper Paper Clip, $6.99 (set of 50) Made from 100% sustainable wood pulp, these colorfully clever clips offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional metal options. Get it: Pop Deluxe

2. Metal Paper Clips – Medium, set of 8 for $6.50 Bold, glossy, and as sexy as an office staple can probably get, these shiny metal clips can easily show off your best work. Get it: Lincoln Stationers

3. Index Clips from MUJI, $3.50 (set of 25) Separate and organize notes and documents with these simple, streamlined white resin clips. Get it: Momastore.org

4. Lightning Bolt Paper Clips, $7.95 (set of 50) Presenting a big idea? Get the message across in more ways than one with the zig-zagginess of these shaped metal clips. Get it: Lincoln Stationers

5. Talk Bubble Paper Clips, $9.00 (set of 25) Call it out! These attention-getting paper clips leave enough room for you to write a brief message inside the bubble. Get it: Kate’s Paperie

Five Fabulous: Laptop Cases

You spent a good deal of time and money choosing the perfect laptop—so be sure to outfit it with something worthy of your efforts. Start with our picks for cooler-than-you-thought-they-could-be cases and bags.

1. Mandarina Duck Knock Business Expandable Horizontal Tote with 15” PC Case, $205.00 Works as hard as you do (and looks as good, too). The interior of this chic multitasker contains a removable laptop case with ultra-thick padding and easy-to-carry handle. Get it: unicahome.com (Image via unicahome.com)

2. S N A Pdesign 15″ UNI-LAP, $59.95 With its snappy red details and mod design, this durable unisex bag can easily double as a portfolio or everyday carrying case. Get it: supermarkethq.com (Image via supermarkethq.com)

3. Muji Nylon PC Case, $35.25 Smart look, smarter price. This simple nylon case fits most sizes of laptops and includes pockets for storing small accessories. Get it: muji.us (Image via muji.us)

4. Rubi handbag-brief $295.00 Named for a rapidly growing municipality of Barcelona, Rubi is the sexiest workbag around. Carry it using short handles or its detachable strap. Get it: knomobags.com (Image via knomobags.com)

5. The Blackstone by ETCETERA MEDIA, $210.00 Cozy up to this naturally water-resistant wool felt shoulder bag with an interior crafted from 100% post-consumer recycled Knoll fabric—making it almost stain-proof (and easier on the Earth). Get it: supermarkethq.com (Image via supermarkethq.com)

High Design, Low Impact

“Type A” is the polite term people use to describe me. (I’ll leave the less flattering alternatives to your imagination.) I like to think of myself as organized, and so the first piece of furniture I purchased for my new home office is this fantastic file cabinet from Muji. This Japanese company has built its reputation on using earth-friendly, innovative materials. The file cabinet is made from powder-coated steel (a virtually pollution-free process resulting in a super durable product), and gets top marks for simplicity of design. I love that it fits under most desks, including the walnut veneer work table by George Nelson that I have my eye on.

Setting up at Home…

Writer Heather John often finds herself working from the couch – at least until her garage gets converted into an office.

Heather John, who works from her home in California, has the enviable job of writing about wine and spirits for Bon Appetit magazine. She also blogs about food, fashion and design. I asked Heather about her plans to set up a new home office in her garage. Look out for more posts from Heather in the coming weeks as her renovation takes shape.

Give us an idea of the overall design? We’re adding French doors to let in more light, built-in bookshelves for my “library” of fashion, design, food, wine/spirits books as well as an area for wine/spirits tastings. The fantasy is to set up shop with a George Nelson table and an Eames Aluminum Chair (in light blue or tan, a girl can dream!), and mix in some antique rugs I “liberated” from my parents. I’m also OBSESSED with paint, specifically Farrow & Ball. I’d love to paint the walls in Dix Blue and then do something dramatic with the bookcases, either somber with Down Pipe (the color of lead pipes), or outrageous like Incarnadine—a crimson red similar to the paint David Hicks used at Baron Court in the 1970s.

Farrow & Ball Blue ‘Night’ was chosen for the dining room walls – more blue is planned for the workspace.

Keeping a workspace tidy is key. What will you do for storage? I’ve asked my husband to check out what kind of desktop storage is on offer at Muji while he’s in New York this week. I’d also like an industrial looking file cabinet. There are some affordable options at CB2. And some not-so-affordable options at Rehab on Beverly, specifically some vintage steel basket lockers recycled from factories and schools. Guess which ones I’m angling for?

What’s the desktop accessory you can’t do without? X-Acto Electric Pencil sharpener. I hate mechanical pencils, and nothing beats a freshly sharpened No 2!

What has the transition to home been like? I’ve been working in an office for the past 10 years, the first half of which were spent at the Los Angeles Times, and the second half at Bon Appetit Magazine. Transitioning to home has been more challenging than I would have imagined, mainly due to distractions—namely a 17-month-old toddler! Also, psychologically there’s something strange waking up in your work environment. This is ultimately why we decided to convert the garage instead of a spare room inside the home—that way I’m leaving the house and going to a dedicated work space, even if it is a few feet up the driveway from my kitchen door.

Wine tastings will move from the kitchen to the garage once the renovation has taken place.