Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Office Space

You know how some people can be totally different at work than they are in their real life? Like, when you see them at work, they’re totally together, sharp even, and have like, responsibilities and stuff? And then when you see them out at like, a bar, they’re drunk off Appletinis, getting in a fight with the bouncer for letting people cut the line and then embarrassingly singing along to every word of “Gangam Style” whilst doing the dance step-for-step demonstrating just how hot a tranny mess they actually are IRL?? This division of personalities is one I’ve never really mastered, so when I dazzle someone with my stunning good looks, quick wit, loud voice (it’s called “projecting”), and winning personality in my “real” life, I do the same thing at work, where most people just label it “intense.”

So naturally, you’d have to assume that I’ve created a working environment conducive to my inability to, ya know, “tone it down.” I think it’s important to make the place you spend 70% of your LIFE feel like you, and so I thought I’d give you a brief iPhone pic tour of my office. That way you can really get a feel for why no one takes me seriously.

For starters, I must have light! I work in an energy efficient building with tons of natural light, which is great and all, but dammit I need more!! Lamps are great since they, um, provide light, but also because you can shed light on your personality!! My lamp is from Target and the black and white damask print says “I’m classy, but I will get shitty if I have to.” And that’s what I’m really about you guys.

I believe it’s critical to have a variety of fun writing options, both for writing with and on. This sentiment has held true for me since the 6th grade, when I first saw Clueless and the furry pens Cher toted along to class. I’ve procured countless furry, colorful, and sequined writing utensils through the years—these are only a mere sampling. They make the act of writing notes to remind yourself of all the work you still haven't done more bearable. Plus, when you go to meetings, you’ll bring a smile to people’s faces (even if they are just laughing at you).

Here are a couple notebooks I use. One is pink glitter, the other is some kind of cartoon owl situation. I’m sure they were both designed for elementary school kids, but so what?


When One King’s Lane had a deal on Milo Paper, I ordered this ginormous notepad and had my monogram added on top. This way, if anyone tries to steal from me, I’ll FIND THEM!!! It also has the damask print, which just really brings the whole office together, says me.


Once upon a time, I thought it’d be awesome to have fresh flowers on my desk. In reality, I let the vase I brought sit on my desk with dirty water from the first bunch of flowers I bought for an embarrassingly long time before I finally just got real with myself and said “Melissa, you’re too lazy for this! Get a damn fake flower.” So here we are. This is my “keep it together” nook, where my high heel tape dispenser (a Christmas gift from my grandma last year) lives, alongside a brightly colored post-it pad, which I basically never use. It’s just there to look good.


Here’s a rundown of the crap I have hanging up on the walls:

Yes, I have two Barbie calendars. You may ask "why," but I ask "why not"? 
Here's the very first picture ever taken of Kyle and me. This was before we were dating. It's a REAL picture and the only copy I have; it’s been through a lot, hence the random scratches on my face and a weak attempt to fill in the scratches in my hair with red pen. What. Ever.
Gotta rep my gurl Hillz!!!!
And here's my whiteboard accessory station: you're not surprised I have a pink dry erase marker are you???

When I used to walk to work, my hair was victim to whatever cruel game the weather was playing that day—it usually ended in humidity-induced waves and frizz. But the jokes on YOU, weather, cus I figured it out and equipped my desk with all the necessary hair appliances, including a hair straightener and curler. I’ve since started driving to work, but just because you never know what Mother Nature’s got up her sleeve, I keep this mini one my mom bought me a few years ago at work. It’s perfect for those unruly flyaways at my hairline. Oh, and it's pink. HI HAVE WE MET!!?!?!


And finally, no office I occupy would be complete without a selection of 4-inch heels to choose from in the morning. When it’s cold, I wear my sparkle Uggs into the office and change into heels at the office. I keep a couple of my favorite “goes with anything” heels in the office for days like that.


I’m guessing my office is more colorful than yours, but it’s not a competition. Your drab, sad gray surroundings are totally fine, if that’s what you’re into.

Do you decorate your office? How? Do you also keep a stash of heels and hair appliances in your desk drawers?? What do you do to make going into work more fun?

22 comments:

Unknown said...

Love it! And, I recognize a lot of those items, especially the lamp and the fuzzy pens! :) Hope all is going well with you!!

Jenna | The Eighty Twenty said...

This kills me. I have an empty vase, a print from Paris, a photo of James and me that looks vintage and a lantern. It's very me, if I do say so myself. Of course, it'd be better if there were more turquoise accents and quotes that said "I JUST HAVE A LOT OF FEELINGS" but you know, I try to leave that at home. CAN WE TALK ABOUT GRANDMA buying you that tape dispenser #lololol and also that I too have a mini straightener that is pink from Marshalls. I should bring it to work.

The Egg said...

the tape is the best, by far.

xo the egg out west.

eelsay said...

Love it! So chic!

xo,
eelsay

www.theluxuryrehab.com

when we wander said...

Hahaha omg I laughed throughout this. In Italy, they'd say, "che personaggio", like what a character. Totally fitting for you. Can we work together please?!
www.whenwewander.blogspot.com

Blue Dog Belle said...

I love this. I need to make my office cooler.

Becca G said...

First time commenting and I must say we may be office twins. I have loads of pink, pictures up, fake flowers, a feather owl and since it is season appropriate, my Chrismukkah tree (thank you Seth Cohen for giving it a proper name).

And I too keep a variety of shoes to chose from :)

Laura Humphrey said...

My office is fairly decorated. I share it with another chica who is amazing. She doesnt mind the plethora of pictures I have of myself, husband, family, and friends (Did I mention I also have that same photoslide of us from Aj's wedding on my corkboard?!) I have a BIG framed picture of Boston behind me thats always an icebreaker for when people first walk into my office. I have a snack drawer which can be useful and also a hindrance because I LOVE FOOD, but if I dont have time to make a lunch I have soups and stuff readily available. Your office though makes mine not look as cool. I need some fluffy pens and Barbie calendars.

Unknown said...

Love your office space! I’m partial to Sparkly colorful pens myself and of course Hillary. Maybe that’s why my dog’s named Hillary and is forced to wear sparkly pink clothes.. Ha!
Besides no one will steal your office supplies if they're all "girlie".

Gayla said...

Hahahaha! Love it! Just a more grown-up version of you back in college! I, too, laughed all the way through this entry!

christin said...

Like WAY more colorful than mine! My favorite part was "i ask why not?".

Megan | Freckled Italian said...

“I’m classy, but I will get shitty if I have to." AMEN!

Alisa Marie said...

I too decorate my office, I have that exact tape dispenser and that lamp in pink :) looks like we totally have the same office style! My friend even made me this amazing office chair cover with an A on it and a pink dash on the back!! I figure I spend more time at the office than at home, so you really have to make it your own!!!

modernmindoldsoul said...

Love it! Thanks for the blog post. I'm feeling inspired to add a little color to my cube for the new year.

tinacastro78 said...

Love it! I have the same lamp on my desk! Need to find that high heel tape dispenser,

tinacastro78 said...

Love it! I have the same lamp on my desk. I need to find that high heel tape dispenser!

Mo (New on U) said...

I kind of what to make Justin come find your desk because this is pretty awesome.

Unknown said...

Love your office! The shoe with the Sellotape is awesome!

Lauren
Fashionswirls.blogspot.com

Julie said...

Any space with a Hillary button and two Barbie calendars is striking the perfect feminine balance. I'm just saying.

thenerdykatie said...

I love that your office looks just like my gay bff's from when I worked. Down to the heels and hair products.

Office Space Solutions said...

That fake flower and that beautiful heel tape dispenser completed the look of your office. Happy working!

Office Space Provider said...

Cannot get enough of that high heel tape dispenser! It's amazing how you applied style in your office space. :)

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...