Remember this?
My little “work room” had become a place to put crap so I decided to reorganize. I took all of the furniture out so I could get a fresh perspective on the space. Then I noticed that I hate the carpet that’s been in there for 10 years. So I tore it out. Then I had crappy plywood floors. Then I figured since the carpet was torn out I might as well paint. Now it looks like this.
My new favorite room.
It was important to keep the desk clear of clutter so I have a place to do projects and wrap gifts, hence the industrial shelving with baskets so I can see that I already have a hundred spools of ribbon before I run out and buy another one.
Necessary components of gift wrapping.
I wanted a place on the wall to pin up inspirations and momentos so I made a pushpin board out of cork squares. I layered some burlap with a sheet of gift wrap that was too beautiful to use on a gift. The “wallflowers” are from Target.com, they’re super easy to put up and come in other shapes and colors.
Waiting to be covered with pinups.
Burlap valance. Yeah, I made this.
I didn’t really need a curtain on the window but I wanted a nice finished look. So I glue gunned sewed this valance out of burlap and used some Simon+Kabuki white patterned cotton fabric for the panels.
My effin’ home office project is finally almost done. I still have one blank wall that needs some loving care but I’m taking a little break to give my addled brain a chance to air out and come up with something supercute. And hopefully easy.
I got back late last night from a speaking engagement in Sioux Falls, SD. I got to hang out with a bunch of kickass women and talk about what we need to do to get a fair shake in our careers and minimize the mommy guilt all at the same time. The explanation for inequality is really very simple, our biology dictates how we operate and since historically there were more men in the workforce, it’s naturally designed to accommodate their biology. Following me?
my brain, my hubby's brain
I’m not saying that boys are dumb. Okay, I say that all the time but only because I live with a bunch of them and I know this to be true. Even the smart ones are ignorant on occasion. But if you look at my scientific illustration of the brain, you can see that it’s not all their fault.
Take a look at this awesome video about men and women’s brains, A Tale of Two Brains.
So my theory is that we need to maximize the biology that works for us and learn to do a few things more like guys do. I don’t mean scratching your crotch and pee standing up. I mean take credit when you do a good job and don’t sacrifice your principles to make a group happy. That kind of thing. Enough philosophy for today, time to fire up my cordless drill and fix some stuff around the house.
It’s pouring rain as I write this post, but I’m already feeling like it’s time for Spring. I think this year is going to be The Year of The Tote for me. I’m going to collect totes the way I collect sunglasses and shoes (okay, maybe not shoes-I don’t think there are enough tote bags available for that) and use them as an accessory.
Juicy Blossoms Fabric makes a perfect spring bag
This sassy bag was made for me by a fabulous seamstress. Karen makes totes for her granddaughters out of super modern fabric collections, I saw one of her creations and I was jealous and whiny so she made me one too. Just goes to show you that acting like a toddler is pretty effective.
But if you’re like me and you do better with power drill than a sewing machine, there are lots of options in every price range.
Totes I covet.
So if you see me at the gym, the beach, the grocery store or the office, check out my tote-ally awesome bag.
I still need to paint the ceiling in my little home office because I can’t possibly live with the current color (cream). I started to paint it last night with a color I picked out solely because it was called “Burlap” and I had fantasies of burlap floor to ceiling curtains in there. In reality the color should have been called “Peachy Puke.” So I went for my 11th trip to the hardware store and picked a different warm grayish color and went to work on destroying my shoulders, neck and back.
I’m almost done with the serious grunt work and I get to do the fun part next. My biggest priority when I design a room (or yard) is how I want to feel when I step into it. I want to feel a little euphoric, ambitious yet relaxed, and like I’m in my own domain when I walk into my little home office. It doesn’t need to impress anyone but me, but I’m a tough customer. Here are some of the ideas I’m perusing (you can click on http://pinterest.com/simonkabuki/home-office-ideas/ to see close ups of these photos).
my inspiration board
In order to avoid buying furniture that doesn’t fit well, or moving stuff around until the floors are scratched and the freshly painted walls are scuffed, I always draw a scaled version of the room with pieces of furniture I’m considering putting in the room. I do this on my computer but it would be just as easy to do it with cutout pieces of paper. Here’s how the desk I want would fit it in the room:
same desk, two different positions
My desk used to be under the window on the back wall but it limited how I could use the flat surface. I like the idea of it in the center of the room so it can be a more like a work table when I need to wrap a gift or glue gun sew a dress.
Stay tuned for part three: I Finished My Effin’ Office, Now I Want to Host a Party In It
Life is a series of decisions not a series of events.
Last Thursday, I attended the event Real Women. Real Conversations. It was put on by our local chapter of NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners). What a great resource to have available. It has been a while since we had attended this type of event. Sometimes you get busy with life and forget to nurture other parts of your life, but it was well worth the time. It was an extremely inspiring, insightful and fun afternoon. The speaker was Suzy Welch and she was there to talk about her method for making decisions called 10, 10, 10 (10 minutes, 10 months, 10 years). I had first read about the method in Oprah several years ago. I am currently reading her book, it is any easy read and makes total sense. As Suzy says, “All it takes to begin are three simple questions: When faced with a complex dilemma, stop and ask, “What will the consequences of my options be in 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years?” The part that I like is that there is no sugar coating going on. Some decisions that you make may not make you happy but in the long run it is what you need to do.
There were three thought provoking questions she had us think about:
1. What would make you cry on your 70th birthday either from sadness or regret?
2. What do you want people to say about you when you are not in the room?
3. What did you love about your childhood and what did you hate about your childhood?
I think the 10, 10, 10 method is a logical way to look at decision making. And sometimes, when decisions are particularly difficult it is good to have a method or “list” to follow and a way to validate the decisions you’ve made. It was nice to see that everyone has to go through sometimes difficult decision making but if you make the decision not let the decision make itself you do have some control.
This was my favorite, it was like it was on fire!
What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. – William Shakespeare
This weekend my husband and I had a rare hour to kill until my son’s soccer game started. We decided to visit the San Jose Rose Garden. Sometimes you forget that your city has rare gems just waiting to be visited. When we plan our vacations we are always on the lookout for hot spots in other towns but often forget what we have in our own hometown. The San Jose Rose Garden is 5.5 acres with nearly 4,000 roses. It was selected as America’s Best Rose Garden, who knew! It is a beautiful oasis in the middle of San Jose. There are many weddings and graduations held in the garden each year. What a beautiful backdrop – fountains, grass and thousands of roses, can’t be beat!
We spent our time wandering through the rows and smelling the various roses. Some have no smell and some have wonderful smells. The upkeep of the garden is done by volunteers and I want to thank them for giving their time for every one to enjoy. I encourage you to grab a blanket and picnic lunch and enjoy the garden on a beautiful sunny day, you will not regret it! It was nice to take a break from our busy lives in such a quiet and aromatic spot. We will definitely be back! What treasures do you have in your hometown?
USA Women's World Cup Team
Now that I have your full attention! I wanted to congratulate all of the hard working women on the US Women’s World Cup Team. I know we didn’t win but they played their butts off. When a game is decided by penalty kicks it’s basically a toss up anyway. As my daughter’s coach says – sometimes you outplay your opponent and lose and sometimes they outplay you and you win. The US team dominated the entire game, taking shot after shot. Unfortunately lady luck was not on their side yesterday.
But maybe that is okay. As Hope Solo so eloquently put it “We lost to a great team, we really did. Japan is a team that I’ve always had a lot of respect for, and I truly believe that something bigger was pulling for this team. As much as I’ve always wanted this, if there was any other team I could give this to it would have to be Japan. I’m happy for them and they do deserve it.”
Now moving on – if Hope Solo is available my son would love a date or at least a signed picture 
and my daughter’s would love some training, Abby can we pencil you in?
The "Runway" at Surtex
We expected to see some seriously high fashion while in NY but what a great surprise to find a runway right in the middle of the National Stationery Show and Surtex. These fabulous dresses are made from – are you ready for this? – PAPER! Various designers and students submitted the over-the-top-drop-dead-gorgeous handmade creations. While we were admiring each fabulous frock, we had the pleasure of meeting Pam Quigley, the creative director at DCWV and the designer behind the decidedly provocative crimson and black floor length gown (see below). Pretty sassy for a nice girl from Utah 
Paper Couture
I love the typography skirt and newsprint doggie (best pet ever) on the vintage ensemble. This display inspired me big time. I’m trying to figure out what I can do with all of the rolls of toilet paper that we keep accumulating from Costco, maybe a bridal gown? Or maybe I will paper maché my dog… ooh! how about a g-string made from Post-Its?! Write to us if you have other equally creative suggestions, maybe we’ll create our own Fashionably Inappropriate Runway at the studio.
