Office Furniture

This is just the desk my oldest daughter, Emily, needs for her room - one that gives her plenty of work space without interfering with all the clothes, shoes, purses, make-up, etc. You know, the really important stuff.

In fact, I’d love a Corner Office Computer Desk
for the kitchen as well. It takes up a lot less space than a typical desk, yet gives you plenty of room to do what you gotta do.

From the Website:

Simple, yet spacious and comfortable, this corner computer desk saves space in your office by using that typical unused corner. The computer desk features a printer shelf that sits high above the desk top, allowing room for a large monitor or monitor stand. A handy CPU stands sits off to the side, under the desk, but not in the way of your feet. Perfect for home offices, apartments, small offices and dorm rooms, the corner desk complements any decor with its light cherry colored desktop with black painted supports. Moderate assembly required.This item ships directly from Stacks and Stacks. Product usually arrives in 2-8 business days, depending on destination, including order processing and shipping.

The jury’s still a little out on this one. While I applaud it’s nerve and even respect its attitude - I’m not entirely sure how this "e;Monster"e; Computer Desk
would look in my computer room.

It’s not the desk’s fault, I just don’t decorate in this futuristic style. I can see it perfectly in a dorm room or in an office that screams MODERN. I can also see someone who never misses an episode of American Chopper or MythBusters loving it. (Off the subject, but MythBusters is amazing tv…)

The Facts:

With its highly industrial looking design, this computer workstation dares to make a bold statement! This computer desk from Powell’s “Monster” collection is great for homes with appreciation for modern style. The heavy-gauge, tubular steel frame is complemented by textured chrome-plated drawer fronts and faux charcoal stained wood grain. A laminated top gives the dramatic, rugged construction the ability to withstand years of use! The desk hutch, also made from tubular steel, aids in organization of your workstation. A handy bookshelf, and two mailboxes allow you to keep your desktop tidy and efficient! Assembly required. Comes with a limited one year manufacturer’s warranty.This item ships directly from the manufacturer. Product usually arrives in 6-12 business days, depending on destination, including order processing and shipping. This item/items are delivered by common carrier truck. The service will call to schedule an appointment for
delivery.

The website features other items in this line - and they’re all pretty darned great looking.

I think I”m actually warming up to this desk

Printer paper is one of those office necessities that night gnomes love to hide from people. You can have at least 100 sheets in the printer, itself, on Tuesday - but, come Wednesday, you run out of paper 3 pages into a printing.

So, bumfuzzled, you start looking around for the package of printer paper. It’s where you left it, right? Hell to the no, it isn’t! The night gnomes have put it in some fool place you know for certain you’d never even visit let alone store printer paper in. And Heaven forbid you should find yourself in need of ink cartridges. The gnomes don’t just rearrange them - they eat them.

Score 1 for the humans. The handsomely functional and functionally handsome Clutter-Free Printer Caddy
will catch the night gnomes completely off their game.

The Details:
Capable of holding a printer, paper, ink cartridges, and other print necessities in one convenient place, this stand efficiently organizes cluttered work areas and optimizes desk space. Finished in a dark cherry color, the stand has a black leather inlay top that supports the printer, while cable slots keep cords together and out of the way. Two glass inlay drawers have ample space for supplies, while two open shelves keep paper organized and close at hand. Medium density fiberboard construction. 61/2″ H x 21 1/2″ W x 15 1/4″ L. (23 lbs.)

In all seriousness, when things are organized, our work is made easier and more efficient. Time NOT spent looking around for this or hunting high and low for that can be spent actually accomplishing things that matter and scratching things off of your unforgiving to do list.

This is just one of those deliciously clever office products that can put us back in control of our working lives.

What do you have to say to that, gnomes?

P.S. If for some reason, you like theMooning Gnome - you can find him by clicking the link or the gnome, himself.

What? You like him? I don’t even know you anymore.

“You’re only as good as the equipment you use.”

If I’ve heard my husband (an avid golfer) say the above statement once, I’ve heard him say it a billion times. In fact, I’ve made similar statements in my “course” of the day - like in the kitchen. I love to cook and know that if you aren’t using quality pans, appliances, and utensils, your work is harder and your results aren’t as pleasing.

We both agree that the truth of the statement is even more vital to work than to play.

When it comes to Office Furniture (and Home Office Furniture), equipment, accessories, and Supplies, your brain knows (and responds) when you’re serious enough about what you’re doing to demand that your furniture and tools be just as serious about what they’re doing!

In the history of our home business, I’ve worked on the living room couch, at the dining room table, on the deck, at the patio table, even in the bath tub. However, when I’m stationed at a top quality desk like the Home Office Computer Desk CS170 from Saxen (pictured above) and sitting in a chair my body finds most agreeable, like the Geneva High Back Leather Executive Office Chair with Headrest (pictured below), the creativity flows SO MUCH more freely. It’s as though my brain cells say, “She’s serious about this, let’s give her all we’ve got…”

Since I need….no, let’s make that Since I REALLY need my brain cells to make a call to action more often, I’ve started doing all of my writing and brainstorming at my workcenter.

One of my favorite parts of my workday is when I come across fresh suppliers, online stores, and manufacturers. It’s like finding a new store in the mall you’d never seen before - everythings new and promising. I especially love when my new find is relevant to one of our blogs - then I get to tell others about it. Saxen Business Solutions is one you’ll want to check out. Not only do they have beautiful office furniture and accessories, they have some absolutely gorgeous artifical plants in their Interior Landscaping Department. There’s currently a stand off between a Spiral Rosemary Topiary and a Ficus Exotica Umbrella Spiral - they’re both vying for my attention. Fortunately I have more than one room in my home….

Something else I love about Saxen is the fact that they have a series of articles - and they’re very, very good! After you’ve browsed around the website and found all that your heart desires, knock back for a while in their library. Then?

Shop some more!

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The above is a paid for review - however the words and sentiments have my fingerprints all over them. I’m paid to look at the products and site, but I’m not paid to like them. When I give glowing reviews, such as this one, it’s because what I’ve reviewed is as good as it gets. I wouldn’t turn you on to something I wouldn’t use myself - I have too much respect for you to do that. - Joi

The Sauder Willow Bay Collection is beautiful for any office, anywhere, but seems to be a perfect fit for a home office.

Like other people who work from home, I have a love/hate relationship with our home office.

On the love side, my heart skips a beat when I turn my computer on in the morning. I’m one of those freaks who loves the morning, anyway - everything’s ripe with possibility and promise. So when I turn the computer on, I get a little heady thinking about what lies ahead. I also love the bookshelves filled with books about dreams, mental fitness, health, cats, fashion, education, golf, sales, and every other topic we cover in our Web Publishing business. Then there’s a shelf for Nicholas Sparks, John Grisham, Agatha Christie, Lillian Jackson Braun, William Shakespeare, and the like. We keep the Dean Koontz collection in another room - the rest are, rightly, afraid of him.

I love our printer, our sexy little green lamp, our scanner…. All of it represents our home business and all of the love, time, and work we put into it. While that’s all very good and well, it’s also what leads to the hate end.

It all represents a home business. The first word (home) is the more important of the two, of course. So I confess that sometimes I wish that our home office were a little less business-y looking and a little more home-y looking.

In a nutshell, that’s what I love most about the Sauder Willow Bay Collection. It’s gorgeous and looks like it’s right out of Ethan Allen rather than Staples - which, ironically enough, is actually where I saw the collection.

The pieces in this post are all available at Staples.com and aren’t nearly as costly as you’d expect them to be. Of course, I just read about a cat that costs thousands of dollars, so nothing seems too high to me right now.

Click on any of the links or prettiful pictures to take a closer look and to see the entire collection.

Now, this is what I’m talking about! I can so see me waxing (we’ll pretend) brilliant at this gorgeous Computer Work Center. Beautifully crafted from laminate over particleboard, this computer desk has all the features needed to make one’s workday easier.

This work center is absolutely gorgeous. When it comes to furniture, I’m all about the details - and the curved loveliness on the left of this center had me from Hello.

Features:
The keyboard shelf and drawers all slide out smoothly on metal glides. One drawer is for multi-purpose storage while the bottom is a file drawer. This home office computer desk has a special shelf specifically made for your computer to be up off the floor and out of your way. The hutch provides you with a shelf for your monitor, 54 CD storage slots on one side and shelves throughout for you to store office supplies and to decorate. Comes with a 5-year limited warranty on products and a lifetime warranty on all hardware. Additional warranty information included in packaging. Moderate assembly is required.This item ships directly from the manufacturer. Product usually arrives in 14-21 business days, depending on destination, including order processing and shipping.

The only thing it’s lacking is a bottomless coffee machine. Just as well, I count the frequent treks to the kitchen as part of my daily exercise. I figure I need about 1,800 trips to and from my Tassimo to meet my daily exercise requirements. Guess that means I’d better knock off a few trips - no need in overdoing it.

I’m normally a very, very chillaxed person. Generally, my nerves and blood pressure are in very good humor. However, one day last week it was one of those “damned days” - they kind where it feels like some evil witch doctor MUST be torturing a miniature you. I was convinced one had a mini me sticking needles in her, throwing her up against the wall, taunting her, and finishing her off by boiling her in a pot of…well, whatever witch doctors use for such occasions.

I literally was looking around for something relaxing! I normally either listen to music or the Food Network when I work, but on that day, even Nickelback and Paula Deen didn’t have any power over the damness of the day. I finally turned on the Weather Channel and drank some Chammomile tea. It worked a little too well, I wound up on my exercise mat with my cats and we weren’t exactly exercising. Either chammomile is potent stuff or the witch doctor shot mini Joi with a tranquilizer dart.

It made me think - having something of a soothing nature on, or near, my desk would have been helpful. I started looking around at fountains, aromatherapy mist machines, candles, etc. One of the things I liked the best was this beauty from The Discovery Channel Store. It’s a Moving Waterfall Picture
and it promises to take me to my own personal oasis. Okay by me.

There aren’t many things that are as relaxing as the sound of moving water. And, I suppose this is the next best thing to lying on the beach or next to a waterfall.

Features:

• Handsome, subtly animated picture simulates the sights and sounds of a secluded cascade for a relaxing experience.
• Built-in backlight illuminates stunning, HD-quality visuals, creating a realistic, beautiful scene.
• Remarkably realistic motion and gentle, running water sounds.
• Volume and light controls allow you to create the escape that best fits your environment and mood.
• Mirror-style frame highlights the picture’s vivid color.
• Power cord with on/off switch included (no batteries required).
• No assembly required.

Click the link below to take a closer look. Maybe it’s because it’s late, but the image above is working its mojo on me.

Moving Waterfall Picture

Have you ever had an aquariam in your home or office? If you have, you know why they’re so highly recommended for reducing stress and anxiety. The presence of an aquariam full of exotic fish not only looks very stylish and high-brow, it also serves as an instant stress reducer. So much so that it’s a wonder every dentist office in the world doesn’t have at least one. It should be an unwritten law or something. My apologies to all of those in the noble profession of dentistry, buy you people stress me right out. You always look so innocent, clean and friendly - then you arm yourself with those little tools of torture and transform into the spawn of all nightmares.

Maybe fish would help. Unlike those little pokey things, they couldn’t hurt.

LiveAquaria.com has absolutely everything you could ever need or want to get a great aquarium up and running. They have LIVE Corals, LIVE Aquarium Plants, Saltwater Aquarium Fish, Pond Fish, supplies, sand, rock, snails, and aquariums like you’ve never seen. These things are absolute masterpieces! There are an amazing number of styles and colors, and the Aquarium stands come in a variety of finishes.

Desktop Aquariums:

Aquariums with Stands:

Their website features some great articles that are prepared to answer all of your questions before you even ask them. Below are just a few of the titles I found:

Which is Right for Me?

Stocking your Small Aquarium?

Top 10 Tips for Small Aquarium Success

4 Easy Set Up Ideas

Aquarium Kits

See LiveAquaria.com for these articles and a lot more. Trust me, there’s more to the website than you could even imagine. I think you’ll fall hard for all of the gorgeous fish as well as the aquariums. I wasn’t there even 10 minutes before my mind started roaming around our house looking for the perfect spot for a beautiful aquatic display. It was a successful journey - it returned with all sorts of possibilities.

Friday and Saturday were so gorgeous that I HAD to find a billion and one things to do outside. Walking at the park, picking up sticks, cleaning yard furniture (granted, some things were funner than others)….

By the time Sunday afternoon rolled around, my back (which has never been the same after a wreck years ago) wasn’t very happy, and it was letting its displeasure known. Fiercely.

Sitting at my desk chair wasn’t a real treat - I kept thinking how incredibly cool it would be if my chair would give me a massage. But, when I brought up the idea, it was clueless. “Massage? Wha–”

My back and I have a plan, though. We just found the Discovery Shiatsu Massage Cushion with Spot Therapy
in the Discovery Channel Shop, and it was love at first sight.

Product Detail:

Shiatsu massage cushion relaxes muscles and soothes away aches and pains. State-of-the-art moving massage mechanism (travels up and down your spine)Penetrating Shiatsu massage Three massage variations: full back, lower back or upper back massageSeat vibration massager with three levels of intensity: low, medium and highIntegrated strapping system attaches easily to most seats and chairs.Provides soothing relief while using computer, watching TV or readingTouchpad control customizes massage 2 year manufacturer’s warrantyCare Instructions: Use a damp cloth for spot cleaningUnderwriters Laboratories (UL) Approved. UL is the worldwide trusted source for product complianceWhether you want to soothe sore muscles or simply need to relax after a long day, this at-home massager makes it easy.

Okay, sign us (me, my back and our chair) right up. This would have been absolute Heaven Sunday afternoon.

Click the link below, the link above, or the image to learn more.

Discovery Shiatsu Massage Cushion with Spot Therapy

Have a great week!

The following is a Sponsored Review*.

I’ve always had a very strong desire to spend time in England. One of the reasons is that I’m fascinated with just about everything British - from their dry wit to their laid-back approach to life, in general, I’ve just always felt quite fond of them….and then there’s my girl crush on Helen Mirren. I’d, of course, also love to see the palace, Kensington Gardens, the Victoria Memorial, the guards, and the Albert Memorial. It’d be like a fairy tale come to life. Especially if Helen’s there.

So when I got the opportunity to review the website, London Office Space, one of my first thoughts was, “I’ll be there one day!”

The website is all about location. Location, location, location. It takes the guess work, phone work, and leg work out of finding office space in London. They do all of that for you! It’s a really brilliant service, and the first time I’ve ever seen it in action. I’ve heard of services that help you find physicians, rentals, and dentists - but this is the first one I’ve seen that will help you locate the perfect office space.

From London Office Space’s About Page:

London Office Space exists to help you find serviced offices in the capital. Whether you want a one man workstation in Old Street or an entire floor in Heathrow, our experienced consultants are on call to find you the perfect London Office Space.

Each consultant specializes in a specific area of London so they know the city and its surrounding areas well. Simply choose a few offices that you’re interested in and fill out the form for more information or to arrange a viewing. Keep Reading….

I love that they have specialized consultants. You can be 100 percent certain that the person you’re dealing with is on top of his or her game - rather than it being on top of them! If more businesses implemented this much thought into what they were doing, the world would be a lot easier to navigate around in.

There is a great map of london on the website (pictured above) in which you choose the area that interests you - whether it’s East London, Metropolitan, Victoria, Hammersmith, etc. Then can zoom in and get a closer look.

The Key at the bottom provides you with even more information about your potential location: Interchange Stations, Accessible Riverboat Connection, Step Free Access from the platform to the street, and more.

In addition to helping you find the perfect place and perfect space - London Office Space has a very informative collection of articles dealing with Offices and Office life. I’ve read each of the articles and guarantee you that each are worth reading. I’m so sure you’ll enjoy them that I’ll link to them directly below! Find the one that interests you - then after you’ve read that one, choose another from the website’s sidebar. Just leap from one to the next until you’ve learned all there is to know about Office Life, and you’re so full of knowledge that you can’t stand yourself.

Business Etiquette

Health and Safety at Work

Setting Up a Business

Setting Up and Office

Your First Office

The Comfortable Office

The Ethical Office

Team Building

Don’t Forget the Client

Gifts at Work

Worklife and Childcare

Employee Rights

Stress Management

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*So, what’s a Sponsored Review? Basically, it means that someone has asked me to form an opinon, and then to share that opinion, with our readers. They will graciously pay me for this review - which is what makes it a Sponsored Review. I want to make it perfectly clear, however, that they have never requested a “positive” review - just a review.

Fortunately for all concerned, the review could only be a positive one because they’re website is nothing short of brilliant!