My desk is my home inside my home. I spend a lot of my time sitting at my desk writing mostly, and I have to be 100% comfortable. It’s actually the smallest nook that actually has some sort of use. I kind of love that little nook. It’s safe and cozy and I get my best work done there.
Now… as much as I love my own desk, I’m actually fascinated with other people’s. But, to be frank, I’m not interested in overly stylized, non-functional desks that you see in catalogs and magazines (and, well, Pinterest). I want to see where people actually work.
I asked four of my friends (Inslee, Alison, Katie, and Fred) in completely different industries to share their desks. I think there’s something really personal about each desk, and for that, I’m so thankful they were open enough to give us all a peek!
1. Plan a time to answer email and stick to it. Don’t let email control your day by replying every time something comes in our you’ll be tied to your inbox until midnight without doing any real work.
2. Clean up at the end of every day so you can start each new day with a clear head and a clear workspace.
3. Know when to quit. Trying to cram too many things into one day is the fastest way I get disorganized so I always plan a time to stop each day and try to stick to it (baring an illustration emergency, believe it or not, they exist).
Why it’s my favorite motivational quote: There are a few things that I repeatedly tell myself to calm down and stay focused. My favorite of which is “this too shall pass” which I learned in a yoga class at a moment when half the class was giving up and collapsing onto their mats. The teacher shouted that out to us and it totally saved me. I say this to myself all the time and it sets everything in perspective… Dealing with a tough client – this too shall pass…. Feeling like I can’t get my whole to do list accomplished – this too shall pass… Getting an amazing new client or opportunity – savor this moment carefully because, yep, this too shall pass!
1. Though I also have a MacBook Pro, I do much of my design and planning on this desktop. I love to listen to music while I work, but my only requirement is that I know the lyrics. (If I don’t, I will be paying more attention to learning those than on my work!) Gus and Mr. Pinky, our cats, are my steadfast office companions! 2. I am an office supply nut and long-time lover of Black n’ Red notebooks. I could spend hours in Staples or a stationery store. I write exclusively in black ink (I hate blue ink–I don’t know why!). I prefer to use pencils in my planner, so I don’t have to cross something out. (I would much rather erase!) I believe in function over fad, meaning I don’t always rush out for the latest and greatest supplies. I stick to what works for me–even if that is simply printer paper on a clipboard.
Story behind my desk: I purchased this desk from Target four weeks after I graduated from Georgetown in 2007. It was my first “big girl” furniture purchase–made completely on my own without help from my folks. Truth be told, it worked beautifully in my shiny and new DC apartment, but it doesn’t quite fit the aesthetic of our loft in Providence. Since we’ll be building our first home soon, my husband and I have held off buying any new furniture so that we can outfit it to the nines. I have bold plans for what that desk will look like, but for now, this beauty works just fine.
1. Invest in a calendar and agenda. Keep them as organized and as up to date as possible!
2. Quote books can help you remain motivated. It’s how I de-stress and remember sayings and quotes I like. I write in it only with specific markers to keep it looking similar and flip through it depending on my mood!
Story behind my desk: I bought my desk from Walmart actually, which most people would never believe! I moved into my house and was forced to buy a few major pieces of furniture since our house was only partially furnished. Realizing quickly I would not be able to survive a summer, let along a school year, without a desk I started hunting. About a week later a big, bevy box arrived on my doorstep. Putting together a piece of furniture on your own is hard. Not only were the directions unclear, but my desk is different than most–it’s a corner desk so everything is shaped funny and oriented differently. I ended up putting it together wrong at times but forged through to finally see the project happily end. With only minor damages when all was said and done, it’s proudly finished and well equipped in my room. It’s study and blogging HQ and also serves as a place to hold clothes (sorry Mom!). Decked out in pink and green, I don’t think I would have it any other way!
1. Drop the OCD routine and cut yourself some slack
2. Give everything a “place”
3. Don’t procrastinate in putting said object back in that “place”
My favorite motivational quotation in its entirety:
“I think everything in life is art. What you do. How you dress, how you love someone, and how you talk. Your smile and your personality. What you believe in, and all your dreams. The way you drink your tea. How you decorate your home. Or party. Your grocery list. The food you make. How your writing looks. And the way you feel. Life is art.” —Anonymous
I want to see your desks too! You can tweet/Instagram a picture (tag me so I can see– @collegeprepster). Or, even better, do a blog post with pictures, your favorite motivational quotations, what’s on your desk, and your best tips for staying organized– then leave a link back in a comment!
Not really in the mood to be in photos right now, but I keep telling myself I’ll want to look back on these moments and remember them. (Right?!) when I look at these photos in 10, 20, 30 years…
I hope I remember Jack “rescuing” Rory from a windy tent, not how I stood in front of my closet with tears in my eyes.
I hope I remember watching Jack roll down hills and play hop scotch and scoot down the sidewalk with his besties, not that I caught a glimpse of my reflection and didn’t recognize myself.
I hope I remember sitting outside with my friend happily watching our kids play (while watching the minutes until bedtime tick by), and not that I spent too much time zooming in and examining every new wrinkle on my face.
I hope I remember the pure joy of these early warm days with my little family whom I love so much 🤍
The weather is warming up and I’m feeling slightly more comfortable in my skin every day ☀️ Here’s what I wore last week as a mom of two. I have a two and a half year old toddler and a two month old so I need outfits I feel good in, can chase a little guy around in, AND that I can breastfeed easily while wearing. 🔗 Leave a comment with “OUTFITS” to get links to every outfit I wore!
This room is so very special 🤍 The little cars sprinkled everywhere (watch your step!). A tiny sock, never two, peeled off and tucked somewhere hidden away. Piles of books that grow almost as quickly as the little boy who sleeps here. Outgrown pants and shoes to grow into mingling in the closet. Often messy, and a little cluttered, but a little boy lives here. 🚘☀️🐶📚🧸
(Rory is still in our room, but eventually the boys will share. I can picture their little twin beds already!)
About ten days ago, I noticed that today’s forecast was looking WARM. I told Mike, “We’re walking into town and sitting outside and I’m getting a beer. Put it on your calendar.” It ended up being warmer than forecasted (almost eighty degrees!) and let me tell you, it delivered. Today felt like the beginning of The Season™: dinners al fresco, beers/fries/ice creams, and late bedtimes. Indulging in it all because the kids are only getting older and we’re the grownups (somehow) and we get to make the rules ✌🏻
Dress is @tuckernuck & sweater is @kiltecollection
@pennylinndesigns and I hosted a “learn to needlepoint” class this past weekend and it was everything ✨ Needlepoint has been such a bright spot in my life over the past five years- and it’s gotten me through some difficult times. Because it’s helped me so much, sharing this hobby with others has turned into a mini life mission of mine. To sit in a room (my beautiful office space designed by @clare.sull!) with pro stitchers and needlepoint newbies alike was one of my dreams come true. I loved seeing women chatting, meeting, and bonding over this beautiful craft 🪡 Honestly, the needlepoint world is (sadly) filled with a lot of gatekeeping and competitiveness; this weekend proved that it doesn’t have to- and shouldn’t- be this way! It’s for EVERYONE. Whether you’ve never picked up a canvas in your life or you’re working on heirloom stockings for your family, there’s room for everyone at this table.
📍 Leave a comment saying “needlepoint” and I’ll send you my go-to resources for getting started with needlepoint!
Motherhood is pure JOY to me– nothing makes me happier than being with my boys! I wear my @haverhillcollection personalized jewelry every day as a symbol of my love for them– it’s a constant reminder for me of my greatest purpose. To celebrate my first Mother’s Day with TWO boys, I sent in my Haverhill necklace to add Rory’s birthstone and initial alongside Jack’s! I also got a second bracelet to stack with Jack’s. Love that this personalized jewelry can be altered as our family grows. Haverhill’s jewelry is designed to be lived in (perfect for busy moms!) made from solid 14k gold with high-quality birthstones so I never have to take it off to exercise, shower, or sleep. Use code MOTHERSDAY15 for 15% off!
We got a mama-approved family photo of the four of us 👏🏻 I wasn’t really paying attention to our calendar while in the end of pregnancy/newborn bubble and realized quite late that Jack had some time off from daycare and preschool this week. Mike and I quickly decided to book a last minute trip to Florida to visit my family and enjoy the warm weather ☀️
this round-up = so refreshing 🙂 it makes me so happy! thank you for including me, my dear. xoxo {av}
I wish my work space looked as nice as these! Here's a little write up about my desk: http://collegeforeverever.wordpress.com/2012/12/07/the-best-and-worst-of-the-desk/
http://thefabuleux.blogspot.com/2012/12/desk-post.html
i organized my desk, then reorganized until I got it just right. Its so me and so functional
Great post! I loved all the work tips as well.
ocsummeroflove.blogspot.com
Love Inslee's desk! Mine looks crazy right now due to finals, but its white and from IKEA. I love it!
I love this! Its so interesting to see how people work on the other side of the computer. I wrote one of my blog as well:
http://foxesinflannel.blogspot.ca/2012/12/desk-organization.html
🙂
I love desk posts! You inspired me to take a photo of mine, despite the lack of design on my workspace! http://carletonenglish.com/2012/12/08/absolutely-fabulous-minimalism/
I have been a fan of Inslee's blog for a while, it is so cool you know her!
very cute post, love getting a peek at other people's spaces!
I love getting new ideas for desk organization! I just recently redid my desk space in my dorm room! Here's my post! 🙂
http://collegecrazylife.blogspot.com/2012/12/my-dorm-office.html
Thanks for the inspiration! I decided to do a post about my desk too!
http://sequinsandpearls.blogspot.com/2012/12/my-desk.html