Solutions for entryway

This is what our entryway looks like right now:

We have a closet and hooks, plus the little book shelf. But because 1)we are lazy,
b) we are always in a hurry and
choo-choo train) we have no organizational system
it ends up looking like this:

YIKES! Wow I am super embarrassed... but this is really how it ends up looking. Well, with maybe the exception of the pile of small boxes and junk in the bottom left corner; I had just dumped them out of a bag that I needed to put donated clothes in when I was cleaning out my closet.  However in its place are normally 5-6 or more pairs of shoes that come off as soon as I walk in the house.  

I need some creative and Very Thrifty solutions.  I need somewhere for the hats, scarves and other little wintery accessories to go.  

I need some system for sorting mail: Not a trash can.

Maybe a notepad for reminders or notes for Jason and I.

I'd like it to look nice too if at all possible. I've seen some great ideas from Martha Stewart, and from the Container Store and IKEA but am interested in what you think and what works for keeping you organized.