Pretty Workspace = Productivity!

I'm a nerd when it comes to office supplies. When I was in school, back-to-school shopping was what I looked forward to most! Once I graduated from college, I had jobs that didn't require office supplies and it really bummed me out.  The good news is that I now work from home (as a wedding photographer) and have clients of my own; therefore, I needed a system to help me stay organized and motivated. 

Pretty, colorful supplies always look fresh and pleasant. Just seeing them on my desk makes me want to work and use them! 

Office Max has a new line of supplies called [IN]PLACE. I love the transluscent binders because it gives a lot of freedom with the color of your inserts. There's a ton of supplies that the line offers. 

My favorites?

• The Super Sticky Post-It Note Tabs {HERE}
• Binder Inserts {HERE}

I also bought filing folders from The Container Store. I punched holes in them and use them as dividers. On each tab, I have the name of my client and inside the folder, I've placed all of their related documents. 

The best part about my set up is that not only is it pretty and simplistic, but when I'm meeting clients, it looks professional to them, and it also gives them a hint to my personality.

What helps you stay motivated and organized at work?

Work, Home, Eat

Welcome to Work, Home, Eat - A blog by three women with three completely different lives, trying to incorporate their creativity through the way they work, care for their home and eat! Read each contributor’s brief description of how she Work, Home, Eats!

Lorraine

• Work:  I am very fortunate to work for one of the best companies in America.   I have been with this company for 18 years and I’m not only proud of the first-rate customer service they provide but feel blessed that they provide a wonderful place to work and care about their employees.

• Home:  I’m a recent empty nester and live with my husband and two Siberian Huskies in Central Florida.   My home is a single family bungalow revival that my husband and I moved into eight years ago.

• Eat:  I’ve always enjoyed cooking, but fell into a rut a few years ago and now I’m looking for new things to try.  I’ve traveled all over the world and would like to explore now from the kitchen.

Nissa

• Work: I’m a graduate student of Public Health in Boston, MA

• Home: I live in a 1 bedroom apartment, built in the 1920s. I live here with my fiance, and we just moved to New England in August. Before this we lived with 4 other friends (all guys) in a 5 bedroom 2 1/2 bath townhouse in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, and decorating was IMPOSSIBLE! This apartment is my first attempt at homemaking. So I guess my “Home status” would be- Newbie!  I’ve been living the student life since 2005, so I’m REALLY good at being poor. :)

• Eat: This is where I have the most experience. I took a year off between my undergraduate and graduate degree, and I worked as a baker’s assistant at the farmers market in our Virginia town. Talk about doing what you love!! Not only am I now well versed in the art of wrangling rogue cookie dough, but I can also do it on the cheap without sacrificing quality!

Christina

• Work: I used to work a 9-5 corporate world job in the insurance agency, but the best part about that position is that it was temporary. Now that my temp assignment is over, I’m unemployed, but happily staying home to take care of my home, husband and dog. In the fall, I’ll be going back to school for photography.
• Home: I live in a tiny, 700-something sq ft apartment. Finally out of the roommate lifestyle that college so wonderfully sunk me in, I have now been let loose to decorate my own space. My husband and I have designated responsibilities around the house.  Mine? To make our house a home. The feature I love most about my apartment is the darling white wood-burning fire place in the living room.
• Eat: I go through phases of passionate cooking and baking. Sometimes, I love to cook and eat what I make. Other times, I love to cook and don’t want anything to do with eating what I make. And then there are the times I hate to cook, but love to eat. It’s really quite a mess. The one challenge I’m always willing to take is cooking meat. Some women fear it, but it’s honestly my favorite thing to cook.