Aaron and I share the office, actually, and while his desk is big and black, and his monitor super-sized (he's an illustrator, so his gear is extra fancy), my space is largely neutral, with soft lighting, a few bolts of color or contrast, and a laptop that closes shut. 

I started with the desk, of course (remember this vintage score?); I love it now as much as ever. It's perfect for writing, but has a few big drawers that can handle files (or clutter, in a pinch), and fits well against our wall. Although there's a window several feet to my right when I'm working, I like facing the wall in this way; it provides a certain sense of enclosure and focus that's really helpful in the midst of multiple professional and environmental distractions. (Facebook-al distractions, however, can't be helped).

I wanted a small lamp that wouldn't overwhelm my desktop, which isn't very deep and which I often need to spread out on (computer open, notebook open, beverage nearby). I also wanted something eye-catching; I found just the thing at World Market. The lamp's classic lines and bright, modern colors (long live turquoise and brown!) make me happy. And it does its job damn well. Namely, lighting my desk.

I've been a little reluctant to add desktop items, but I think I need a stackable inbox-outbox situation. I frequently have papers/forms/contracts that need filling out, signing and sending off, and they can get a little confusing just piling up ad-hoc. Office supplies in general remind me of cubicles and lifeless corporate spaces, but I'm coming to realize there are reasons behind staplers and magnetic paperclip containters. When I do cave in, I'll just get the boring versions because anything too creative runs the risk of looking cutesy, and nothing screams soul-sucking cubicle life like cutesy paper clip holders, you know? It's a slippery slope from there to tan stockings worn with running shoes, and I'm not risking it.

Because I'm a mom, I've reserved one of my drawers for important Kaspar-related documents, insurance cards, and the like. I can take care of all the personal business I like while working, so I made life easy for myself and put it all within reach. 

That there above is a (somewhat blurry) picture of the Hindu goddess Kali. I picked it up at our local Indian market for, like, two dollars, and it's rad. Also, sparkly. Kali is a total badass. Look her up.

To the right? Another wine crate! It's installed above the bulletin board and houses books I'm currently thumbing through, a Maurice Sendak card, some peacock feathers... The truth is I'm afraid to use it like the shelf that it is and stack it with weighty things lest it come crashing down and kill me while I toil on the interwebs. That's just not the way I want to go.