Thursday, September 22, 2011

47 Late Night Confessions of a Blogaholic

I was up late working on Etsy orders and got struck with a bout of A.D.D.  Yep, although I am home full time, I still have my little Parker home with me until noon, so I am still trying to figure out my time management schedule a bit.

I looked over and saw one of my new favorite desk accessories and thought, "Wow, I should blog about that!"  Haha, you know your a blogaholic when a pencil cup makes you want to blog.

But in the spirit of "keepin' it real", I thought it would be fun to share what my desk looks like at 11:00 p.m. when I am working away.


Maybe I thought I would be an over-sharer because I am always interested in taking a glimpse into the behind the scenes of another.  So there is my desk.  At this very moment.  Any surprises?

The pencil cup that inspired this whole post is actually a cute "fabulous find" white vase I picked up at Ikea for $1.99.  It's just perfect!


And the little letter holder was even less at $0.99, only this time from Goodwill.  It was an ugly scuffed up silver piece that I just coated with teal spray paint!


On the opposite side of the desk is my saving grace, my IPad.  I keep it propped up on an acrylic plate stand, and use it for watching movies on Netflix, catching up on TV with Hulu or listening to some tunes on Pandora while I work. Right now I am actually watching last night's episode of Glee.  Oh how I have missed that show!


And the binder, is my new blog bff.  It is filled with printables to help me maintain post ideas, manage sponsorships and as you can see, the one I used earlier tonight was to line up some marvelous giveaways for you fine friends {which I am so excited about!}


That's the extent of the excitement around here!  Real time blogging my friends!

More of these on the spot posts?  None of these?  Anyone have any Netflix "Watch it Now" suggestions for me?


Publishing at 12:34, make a wish! 

47 comments:

  1. LOL I'm glad I'm not the only one still up trying to organize my mind!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Glad I'm not the only one who 'sees' 12:34 as a special 'time'.

    I love the letter holder- so, so, so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  3. i seem to get most of my work done while everyone else in my house is sleeping. drives my husband crazy sometimes when he rolls over at 2 am and I'm downstairs working on a project!
    my husband and i recently watched Hesher on netflix, which we both enjoyed. Natalie Portman is in it, not sure if it's on instant though. have a good night!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm up late too. :) Giving my blog a redesign. Boy will I be hurting in the morning!

    scraplifters.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I for one love these kind of updates! Although, wow, your desk is tidy. Mine currently has three different piles of paper (don't stack them all on top of one another for heaven's sake, I've sorted those!!), two coffee mugs (neither currently in use), a calculator (I needed it earlier and didn't put it away), my watch (which was annoying me, so I took it off, and tomorrow I won't be able to find it), and a button. Yep, I found a shiny button on the floor a few days ago, didn't want to throw it out, but can't for the life of me work out what it's from. So it will sit there taunting me until either 1) I work it out, halleluja or 2) I throw it out. And then work out exactly what it was for, and how important it was, the very next day, no doubt. Oh, and a battery from my kitchen scales that needs replacing. It's also staring at me accusing me of not caring to replace it. Must put it in my purse so I can match it properly when I'm at the hardwear store. I'll get onto it - I just need another cup of coffee first. And I really should start on those papers...

    No wonder this is my favourite blog - I need you Jen!

    Off to vote for you now - just saw the link at the top of the page. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I find my most productive time is either really late or really early when everyone else is asleep. No interuptions is great!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm a night owl too, and I am reading your blog to get hints and ideas so that my desk might look like yours, right now it's the coffee table and always will be and looks nothing like yours, its a complete mess and the opposite- at work its a different scene though!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love the goodwill find! What brand/color of the teal spray paint did you use? That color is marvelous!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for the little glimpse into your nights! My desk looks like crap when I use it because it just gets covered in papers, books, etc. but I'm working on organizing it!

    I'm loving the way you repurposed things to work for you even though you aren't using them the way they were intended to be used. I love doing that.

    Right now, my hubby and I are making our way through all the seasons of Mad Men on Netflix watch instantly. We don't have cable, so having Netflix helps us still watch some good shows without having a ton of choices available to suck up all of our free time. I watched Glee yesterday too! I missed it so much!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Glee! What a great show and perfect for us former high school choir/ band nerds. Oh how I missed that show this summer. Thank goodness for hulu plus, I was able to re-watch all of season 2 before the DVD came out. Love hulu plus!

    toni

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love those little work space photos.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi there,
    I just found your blog a few days ago and I'm loving it. :)
    This was a great post. I too like to see "behind the scenes" and enjoy "keeping it real" posts. :)

    Keep up the great work!

    ((Hugs))
    Laura

    ReplyDelete
  13. Adore that pencil cup! I'm totally with you
    though, the most random things inspire me to blog. Just recently it was the letters that spell out my daughters name that we have displayed on her wall above her crib! As for Netflix suggestions, if you haven't watched Friday Night Lights yet, you definitely should. My boyfriend and I are obsessed!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love the Insider's Scoop. Thanks for the glimpse! :) Have you seen Psych? Fake Psychic- Real Detective. Adorable. Hilarious. Just the right amount of silly. You can watch the first 4 seasons streaming, then rent season 5 on disc, and Season 6 starts in October.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love these types of updates :-) I'm in the midst of trying to set up a functioning home office, so it's great to see that you can keep it in order and cute!

    ReplyDelete
  16. that letter holder - my mom had one of those things... she probably still does, as she never throws anything away. How much nicer it looks all spray painted! I really need to make friends with spray paint. Any tips for a newbie? Also, where do you do your spray painting? I don't have a garage to do mine and can't really do it in my back yard because of my dog. One time I was at (I think it was) home depot looking at the spray paint but I got intimidated by the fact it was behind bars. how am I supposed to look closer at what color is which, if I have to call an employee over to open the display case so I can see in it?? I couldn't even see the price.

    ReplyDelete
  17. For sure I would love to see more on the spot posts. I love how organized your desk is even at 11pm while you are doing work. Darn you are organized girl!!! Wish my desk looked like that. I need to get in there and clean up so badly. Thanks for the inspiration to move my butt. :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. I envy your organization! If only my home could look like that. I definitely need a better system!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Do you still use a "Life Planner"? I just got my first one (I wanted one last year, but was off on mat. leave and couldn't justify the $50 + shipping). I think I like it, although it is much bigger than I thought.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love how you put the teal stool next to your desk. I only saw it in the first picture, but I know it's just the perfect pop of color!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Netflix "watch it now" has a TON of good documentaries!!! So no matter what youre in to you can probably find a few that you'll like! I love instant view. I have been re-watching the first few seasons of Heroes on my instant watch haah

    ReplyDelete
  22. 12:34 is my favorite time!!! I also watch shows (usually Y&R) while doing work on the computer or working on a project. I just adore your printables :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Love this post! I also love Netflix watch instantly and if you have not seen Army Wives or Brothers and Sisters I would recommend them. They each have about 60 episodes so lots and lots to look forward to.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Jen, I love your spray-painted ex-napkin holder. One of the things I hope to keep in mind for the next time I go to the thrift shop. I'm sure they have those things there.
    I also stay up late at nights (most of the times to 1 am, sometimes to 4 am) because I cannot sleep, then I work in my study or I go downstairs and watch some TV. Some nights I don't get any sleep at all. :( I have to get up at 7 am most mornings now, and after those nights I usually take a nap the next afternoon.
    Bye,
    Jule

    ReplyDelete
  25. I personally love these little snapshots into other's days. Great little thrift store makeover too! Love it.

    ReplyDelete
  26. How smart to have your iPad right there for that purpose. I need to do that. :o)

    On Netflix, we have enjoyed Doc Martin and the new Doctor Who (especially Doctor Who). Both are British shows and really are quite entertaining. Bones is always good...and the food shows (Man vs. Food, Bizarre Foods, etc. are a hit with the kiddos...not necessarily while working at a desk, I realize. lol).

    You are amazing. Honestly. I have gotten so many great ideas from you that has made life much easier for my whole family.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I really love these kind of posts, more please! :) And I absolutely LOVE my ipad for that same reason, hulu and netflix while folding laundry, cleaning, etc. It's the best!

    ReplyDelete
  28. ....I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your website. I'm currently going to School to become a professional organizer. I'm a organizaholic already....and one day would like to start my own business.

    Organizing is my therapy. I love it! Your site is AWESOME! I stumbled upon it 9ish months ago and I visit daily.

    I just wanted to say that I purchased THE-EXACT-SAME napkin holder from a local thrift store....mine is a nice, well taken care-of version. I plant to use it on my desk, to hold a few pieces of stationary. Great taste!

    Happy organizing!

    Melissa.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hooray for late-nights when you can work without interruptions from kids! Thanks for all the great ideas on how to organize my home. We just bought our first house and I can't wait to move in next month and start organizing!

    I love older shows on Netflix like "The Cosby Show" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show". The hubs is addicted to "24" right now (I can't watch it, it gives me nightmares...). I also really liked "Army Wives" and there are a ton of documentaries. "The Rape of Europa" is especially interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Your work space is so colorful & fun! I wish I had a place in our house like that, with fun girly colors. I'm sure it's very inspiring to work down there!

    ReplyDelete
  31. That is your confession. I thought it would be crazier and less organized.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hi Jen,

    What is the name of the home organization book on your stool? Do you like the book?

    Thanks,
    Marisa

    ReplyDelete
  33. I do like posts like this too.

    I think I need to do a little more late night blogging and then maybe I would be able to post more often!

    As for Netflix just let me know what you like and I could probably come up with a decent list. I don't have local or cable TV at home so I watch a lot of Netflix. If you like cooking shows, Take Home Chef is always fun, Anthony Bourdain, Bizarre Foods. Dirty Jobs is on instant. I watch Tangled every other week or so :)

    Haley @thedistractedblogger

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'm not sure if you did this on purpose or if it was an accident, but your "giveaway" title on your sidebar is misspelled. I wasn't going to say anything because I thought maybe it was on purpose, but then I saw your picture of your binder and saw you had giveaways spelled correctly...so I just wanted to let you know. I'm not trying to be finicky or anything, just wanted to let you know in case you weren't aware. (I actually recently made a mistake like that on my blog and a reader has to tell me because I didn't notice!) =]

    And a question... will you ever put your blogging/etsy/business printables in your shop? I'm interested in purchasing to use for my business, but don't see them listed in there currently. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  35. @Tiffany!

    THANK YOU! Funny thing is the file name was even saved with the right spelling, I am such a dork! :) I am really glad you told me, I may have never noticed.

    I am thinking about putting my blog management printables in my shop. I wasn't sure of the interest there would be but I will announce it on the blog when I do. Just giving them a month or two trial before publishing them to the world.

    xoxo!
    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  36. We have Netflix. I was just watching "Tangled" with my daughter but she wanted to switch to "Party Monster". lol We'll finished Tangled another time.

    Mad Men's first year, is on Netflix, and I haven't caught that in real time yet. Last year I caught up with 6 years of Desperate Housewives and now I'm waiting for another year of Drop Dead Diva to be available. I've only seen the first season so far. I could watch this on the computer but I like watching it on the T.V. which is why we have Netflix Streaming and use it through our WII. Having an IPAD would be great cause then I could watch "TV" and blog at the same time.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I see you use the Up & Up binder dividers too! I was just professing my love for them on my blog last night:

    http://alltuckeredout.blogspot.com/2011/09/binder-post-as-promised.html

    I love your studio space so far. I'm hoping I can set up my own similar space when I get a house.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Thanks for the inspiration! While I was at the Container Store picking up some kids huggable hangers (which I <3, btw!), I also picked myself up a acrylic plate holder for my iPad. I was going to buy one of those expensive docks, but those only hold the iPad vertical and it's not very good for watching tv. And you can't beat the $6.99 price tag!

    ReplyDelete
  39. I adore both you and your blog. Reading it is one of the biggest highlights of my day! Although I have never commented, I've be following you for a couple of months now and love all of your projects.

    I was wondering if you had tips for organizing a desk at work or had previously posted on this topic? I am a practicing attorney and my desk piles up not only with large files but also lots of papers with notes for various projects that need to be completed. I typically keep these notes spread out over my desk so that I don't let something slip by by not seeing it as a reminder everyday. Definitely not a good system but what I'm working with.

    Anywho, the other request I had was for ideas on how to decorate one's work office without being over the top. I want my office to be organized, simple an stylish all at the same time - much like the places in your home that you blog about! I basically have a clean slate to work with as we just moved into a new office. Any suggestions? I know you are a busy lil lady and in high demand, but I think that I would work better and be more efficient if my office was a happy place that I hearted even more than I do now!

    Finally, I absolutely LOVE the little white ikea holders you have posted about that hang from the brushed rod. I wanted to buy some online (as I don't live within driving distance of an ikea) and mount on the wall above my desk to use for quick access to pens, pencils, highlighters, etc. Unfortunately, they are not sold online! I wonder why? Or maybe you can order from their catalog or by phone?

    Any tips/suggestions/help you have would be greatly appreciated!!

    Jill

    ReplyDelete
  40. Also, is the lamp on your desk from Target by chance? I've had my eye on one from there that looks very similar.

    Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  41. I'd love to know more about your blog binder! What else is in it?

    ReplyDelete
  42. I'm so jealous whenever I see photos of your spaces. It all just looks so clean and organized! Love the teal letter holder.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Where did you get those lime green pencils? Love those!

    ReplyDelete
  44. @Lindsay,

    The pencils are from See Jane Work: http://www.seejanework.com/productcart/pc/See-Jane-Work-Basics-Pencils-20p1551.htm

    I adore them!

    xoxo,
    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  45. Thanks Jen! I currently have so many mismatched pencils and am planning to get a bunch of the same color like that. It looks so much nicer.

    ReplyDelete
  46. You should start doing youtube videos!!!!!! Why havent you already? It would be so awesome to see your projects step by step through video!! :)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking a moment to join in on the conversation! I read and appreciate each and every comment, however, I will remove any comment that I believe to be inappropriate, malicious, or spam-like. I would love for this comment section to be used as a place to engage in purposeful dialogue, I only ask that everyone remains constructive and considerate.

All comments will be moderated and may take a moment to appear.