The Container Store | Listen2Mama

I often wonder where people get inspired and get their blog writing done? Sure, I see these gorgeous home office spaces all over design websites, but I can’t imagine everyone’s space looks this magnificent? Take a look at this beautiful desk area, I’m sure this would make us all very creative…

Photo courtesy of simplyjessicamarie.com

Recently I came across a company called WeWork, a coworking company that offers members access to offices all over the world; and some of these offices are amazingly creative and beautiful. So I thought I would share my creative space with my readers and give you some insight as to how I get inspired.

I’ve always had somewhat of a “work” space, even before I started this blog, because I am a crafter, always have been. I have been making very elaborate scrapbooks for many years, it started with my trips to Europe, and after our daughter was born, I started making them for her too (she’s now 14). As my husband likes to say, our daughter has the most detailed documented life, through her scrapbooks. And in addition to my scrapbooks and blogging, I also still work on photo albums (yes, I’m old school and still print photos) and also dabble a bit in party planning making invitations and favors for my family’s events. So…I definitely need a large workspace, as I sometimes have tons of items spread out.

That’s why I love my Pottery Barn desk. It’s been almost 9 years that I’ve had it and while it’s definitely showing wear and tear, I still love it. It gives me a ton of space to spread out my projects and store all of my craft and office supplies. I don’t really have a need for wall shelves as this room has a good-sized walk in closet in which I had an Elfa system installed, providing ample storage space with plenty of shelving and drawers. (Those Elfa systems are amazing!) I’ve been meaning to give my space a small makeover, but for now, here’s what I have to work with:

My home office…

I love to have a lot of light, and this room definitely offers that. As you can see, I have travel prints hanging on the walls of some of my favorite places, as I LOVE to travel. The large frame is a Thomas McKnight print of Mykonos, and the smaller prints in the yellow frames are hand painted views of Amalfi, which I purchased on one of my visits to Positano. Also inspiring me are a small plaque that my daughter recently bought for me on a class trip…Home Is Where Your Mom Is…a phrase she knows I’ve always loved and a really cute trinket dish with an inspirational quote on it…Make Today Beautiful. Last but not least, a small photo plaque which I customized on Shutterfly, reminding me every day how much I love my little family.

Do you have a designated home office or creative space where you work from home? I’d love to see your photos.

I admit it…I am an office supply addict. My addiction started when I was very young. My dad knew I loved stickers and he started buying them for me at Hallmark (the only place stickers were sold back then) near his job in NYC. My mom would also take me to the Sanrio store and I would go nuts buying little Hello Kitty colored pencils and pads. Fast forward many years later… and now I just love anything that has to do with stickers, craft supplies, desk accessories, and oh boy do I love a nice set of pens! If any store has an office supply or stationery section, you can find me there (and now my daughter too). And I have to say, I have found the most amazing stationery stores in Europe, (papelerias as they are called in Spain). Back to school time offers a great selection of pens, sticky notes, markers, cute paper clips, you name it! Looks at these pencils, how can I resist??

Colorful mechanical pencils, found here.

Are you an office supply addict? Here’s a quick list that will help you determine if you are:

1) You have more pens, pencils and markers than you’ll ever use in one lifetime.

2) You feel the urge to visit Office Depot at least once a month (or Archiver’s if you shop online).

3) You have an entire drawer stuffed full of blank, unopened writing pads and post-it pads, more than necessary for anything you will ever write down in your life.

4) You have a giant collection of adorable erasers…which cannot be used because they are so cute.

5) There’s no such thing as too many blank notecards!

6) You’re more excited to visit the Sanrio store in the mall, full of Hello Kitty stationery, than Nordstrom.

7) You secretly love back to school time, just for the new school supplies you’re buying for your “kids”.

8) You have an immense sticker collection, as a gown adult, and continue to buy more with every visit to Michael’s.

9) You purchase items such as a Sticker Stadium and a Washi Tape Dispenser (don’t judge).

10) You get really upset when someone doesn’t return one of your favorite pens (they’re all your favorites).

11) You’re vacationing in Italy, and suddenly you spot an old handmade paper and stationery store, and you HAVE to go in.

12) You write a blog post about your addiction.

And don’t even get me started on monogrammed notepads and calendars! Here are a few more of my favorite office supplies: