“Hello, my name is Kim, and I’m addicted to house porn.”
“Hello Kim.”
Well, at least that’s what my husband calls it. Yes, I may have a wee bit of a problem: I really can’t walk away from a shelter magazine. The darn things are everywhere: right there next to the snickers in the check-out line, at the nails salon, in the airport kiosk. But, hey, take the magazine, leave the snickers, and no one gets fat! So, what’s the harm?
One of my favorite columns is featured each month in House Beautiful: “What’s On Your Vanity?” It’s written as a little peek into the life of a glamorous interior designer. A bit voyeuristic, each month offers short descriptions of best kept secrets such as a can’t-live-without face cream or the latest and greatest make-up brushes.
This got me to thinking: would people be surprised by what they would find on my desk? I’m happy to do a little sharing:
Inspiration. There are several items perched on my desk that provide inspiration for me in both general terms and for promoting writing creativity. I have this wonderful picture of my son, his head cocked to the side, seemingly asking me each day “Whatcha up to today Mom?” He still has this same facial expression, twenty years later.
You can’t look at this guy and not tilt your head sideways too … you just tilted, didn’t you?
I also have displayed a rather unusual picture of me with my gal pals from our fiftieth birthday celebration. It always makes me smile and inspires me to write about our funny, often ridiculous adventures.
Writing Materials. Like any writer, I can get stuck, really stuck. Mind-numbingly blocked. However, I have a secret weapon: a profanity generator! I love this little book of creative cursing – any time I get stuck I thumb through this quick fix and somehow it unlocks the left side of my brain. I’ll give you three that just came up: sissy glob, ho face, and meat monster. I kept those G-rated for you – it wasn’t easy.
I’m also a bit old school when it comes to writing. I like to outline a story, my thoughts, ideas, etc. on a good ‘ol yellow notepad. And no fancy-dancy writing instruments either, just a dependable bic pen – ten to a box. I know it’s boring, even a bit uninspiring, but when the mood strikes I just pick up the pen and start to write, doodle, make lists of ideas, and so on.
Stacks of Folders, Papers, and Various “Stuff.” You would think that, being a Virgo, I would have a tidy, organized desk. Hmm, not so much. My desk does have a storied history in that I inherited it from my Father-In-Law who was a General’s aide as well as a Washington D.C. lobbyist. Some mornings George’s adventures slip into my thoughts as I sit there with my morning coffee, scrolling through the onslaught of emails from the night before. Though it looks to be just a regular old messy desk, I think George would approve of how it’s now being used.
Now it’s your turn to share…
What’s on YOUR desk?
Don’t you think House Beautiful will want to see our pictures?
Cheers,
Kimba
Kathi says
May 21, 2014 at 1:10 pmSometimes I find myself wanting a desk, but right now my house is so small and I travel so much that my lap is often my desk, or the kitchen table, or a coffee shop table. Perhaps if I had a desk there wouldn't be stacks of folders and piles of paper ALL OVER my kitchen and livingroom…
Anyway, my inspiration comes from my computer desktop. It's the boat of my dreams and the woman steering it out of the dock looks like me, so I pretend it is me. 🙂
Best of Health,
Kathi
Kim Dalferes says
May 27, 2014 at 11:44 amMathi, I love the visual of the boat of your dreams inspiring your writing – I SO see that!
Jacs Henderson says
May 18, 2014 at 3:47 pmone flat screen computer and keyboard, one laptop, one phone, my mobile phone …one mousemat with my Gingerwolf image, one glass tray for sticky note pads, tub of royal jelly, letter opener + a good fortune momento from my dad.
I like to keep the clutter down, so use drawers underneath and stacks of filing trays to stash my notebooks, papers, pens and work pending
Cool post Kimba 🙂
Kimba says
May 18, 2014 at 7:00 pmSounds like a very productive work space Jac. You're inspiring me to give my space a little spring cleaning love.
Pat says
May 18, 2014 at 11:16 amOh my, which desk? I have 3 at home and 3 at school and all of them are filled with papers, files, notepads, agendas and pens a go go.
Kimba says
May 18, 2014 at 7:05 pmThree desk?! Well, now that I think about it, I do also use my dining room table, and I move the laptop around the house a lot, so….
Shelley Zurek says
May 17, 2014 at 10:42 amMy desk and den look like the mad professors, except I am the mad blogger.
Kimba says
May 18, 2014 at 7:11 pmLOL Shelley, "The Mad Blogger" would make a great book title.
Marquita Herald says
May 16, 2014 at 8:01 pmOkay this is yet another occasion where I find myself on the freak side of a topic … looking at my desk you will not see a single piece of paper, no clutter (even the cute kind) whatsoever. I can't stand to have clutter around me – always been that way. I remember one manager I used to work for – really great guy but a total slob. Everything in his office was piled high with papers and folders and he used to come into my office – close the door – put his feet up on the corner of my desk and tell me it was the only place he was able to think. Of course that distrupted my own peace of mind, but fortunately (for him) I liked him enough to humor his behavior.
Kimba says
May 18, 2014 at 7:12 pmMarty, I would cover the cost of your airline ticket of you would come work some of your de-cluttering magic on my desk!
Diane says
May 16, 2014 at 12:43 pmA stack of assorted notepads, each with scribbled memos from when inspiration made a visit. A computer, printer, and neatly-stacked mound of family photograph albums and memoirs (for inspiration).
And a bag of black licorice. The soft kind. Mmmm.
Kimba says
May 18, 2014 at 7:18 pmSnacks, how could I have forgotten to mention snacks! I'm very partial to Dad's rootbeer candy as well as wasabi soy flavored almonds – but not eaten at the same time!
Sharon Greenthal says
May 16, 2014 at 11:24 amMy desk is always neat and clean, but my office is filled with momentos and things that inspire me!
Kimba says
May 18, 2014 at 7:22 pmSharon I would love to see your momento filled office, I bet you've got some great pictures surrounding you.
Suzie Cheel says
May 16, 2014 at 9:34 ammy desk was tidy this morning! Right now i have 2 printers 2 laptops , my amgels cards, heart shaped potitis, my note book, 2 containers of pens and my phone. plus some space clearing spray- i shloud use.
thanks for the fun read. I no longer buy magazines, read then in the dr, etc
Kimba says
May 18, 2014 at 7:24 pmSpace clearing spray – where can I get me some of that?!
Carol Cassara says
May 16, 2014 at 9:22 amI'm kind of stuck on the "magic fishing panties"…. and HB would send me straight to Hoarders if they saw my desk this morning!
Kimba says
May 18, 2014 at 7:25 pmLOL Carol, love that you notice that! Magic Fishing Panties is the working title of my second book.