desk accessories Archives

Design Diary: Desk Refresh for Zooming

Are you still Zoom-ing? Did you re-adjust your workspace to make it easier?I know you spruced up your backgrounds (I hope so anyway), but what about the nuts and bolts of the computer and iPhone situations?

When StyleCarrot partner (and Boston-based company) Wayfair suggested we collaborate on a sponsored office envy post for a desk refresh this fall, I realized it was time to ditch my yoga blocks and other precarious props for more stable desk accessories

I found a couple of desk accessories on Wayfair that allow me to work remotely with ease (and beauty). As you’ll see from the images, I did not need a desk or desk chair, but I discovered some tech accoutrements in the school furniture and business furniture sections. And I certainly took up the opportunity to prettify the decor.

Here’s the setup in my workspace. When I’m recording a webinar, which I prefer to do in my dining room, I can easily bring my new laptop lift and collapsible phone stand downstairs. (And, I use it by my bedstand at night.) The faceted vase makes the trip too, looking gorgeous in my art and floral-filled background.

Desk Setup For Zoom Meetings

Collapsible Iphone Stand

Desk Setup With Iphone Stand For Zoom Meetings

Desk Setup For Zoom Meetings

Photos by Marni Elyse Katz/StyleCarrot, LLC

I’ve done two webinars for Boston Globe Magazine—one with Boston designer Holly Gagne detailing how to create a calm space in your chaotic home and the other with New England designers Jodi Schwartz, Tyler Karu, and Heather Alton on kitchen redesign tip. These would have come in handy. Well, I’m prepared for the next one.

Desk Tech Accessories From Wayfair

1 Origami-Inspired Ceramic Vase
2 Multipurpose Monitor Stand
3 Foldable Universal Phone Holder

Get the Look: My Back to School Supplies

Post sponsored by Wayfair. They came up with the back-to-school concept, but the content is all me.

I always considered back-to-school the best time of year, even when I was a kid, and later a teenager. Even in high school I’d itch for homework, buying standardized test books to keep me busy. I realize that sounds incredibly nerdy, but I had a job, and a boyfriend, and friends, I swear. I still get excited when continuing ed catalogs come in the mail, but alas, my school days are over.

I don’t really need to buy school supplies for the kids, since their schools provide pretty much everything they need, but that doesn’t stop me. When retailers break out the crayon and glue stick displays in August I get giddy. I’ve always had a well-stocked desk and still do. (And a back up supply closet.) I keep a designated bin of stuff for the boys, but that doesn’t stop them from raiding my shelves. My husband thinks I’m a little whacky with my inexplicable possessiveness over scissors; it’s one of my quirks.

Although I have a firm no paper rule (everything gets photographed and filed electronically, I still keep a paper calendar. I use the monthly At-A-Glance calendars which I fill in and color-code by activity. (Green for work deadlines, red for birthdays, turquoise for my appointments, purple for the kids, yellow for days off, etc.);I have a silly attachment to see through fluorescent highlighters and can’t pass up a good set of markers. I even use White-Out.

Last fall I started a consistent exercise program, Skyping with my frriend Sarah (search Sarah John Fitness on FB) for personal core training twice per week, and her friend Kristy another two times weekly for yoga. I’m currently on hiatus (we’re all moms, hip hopping around for the summer), but am eager to get back into a routine. It’s time to upgrade to an extra thick yoga mat (I have knobby knees). I love the tall glass water bottles with wooden lids too, even though my husband finds them annoyingly tippy in the fridge.

Finally, extra iPhone chargers. Although I try to keep mine put at my desk, it sometimes disappears after smaller people in the house “borrow” it, having bent their own into oblivion. You can suffer through back-to-school season at big box stores or you can order everything online fromfrom StyleCarrot partner Wayfair. Here are my 15 must-have for me back-to-school supplies.

Modern Desk Accessories And School Supplies

S H O P P I N G

1 Acrylic Tape Dispenser

2 Pentel Fine Point Color Pens

3 Fiskars Recycled Titanium Softgrip Scissors

4 Liquid Highlighters

5 At-A-Glance Monthly Planner

6 Hand Stop Bookend

7 Plank Table Lamp

8 Retro Stripes Laptop Sleeve

9 Charger for iPhone 5

10 Areaware Alarm Docking Station for iPhone 5

11 GoFit Printed Yoga Mat

12 Polka Dot Glass Water Bottle with Wood Lid

13 Super Strong Cube Magnets

14 David Weeks Ursa the Bear Figurine

15 Cork Yoga Blocks

Mother’s Day Gift Guide, Part II

After a morning (ok, and an afternoon) cavorting along Newbury Street and enjoying a lovely lunch al fresco, I’ve gathered ten more pretty items perfect for Mother’s Day. Here’s the StyleCarrot Mother’s Day Gift Guide, Part Deux.

S H O P P I N G

1. Stella & Dot x May Designs Patterned Notebbooks

2. Mar Y Sol Crocheted Clutch

3. Lucite Tape Dispenser

4. Woven Striped Rope Bracelet

5. Half-Dipped Mugs

6. Pomegranate Bud Vase

7. Stephanie Sherman Grand Waves Photo Print

8. Hand Carved African Bowl

9. Jennifer Meyer Diamond & Gold Circle Ring

10. Baggu Boat Tote

* * *

Shop Mother’s Day gifts at Biscuit Home >

Crafty: Rustic Pencil Holder

I was scrolling through my Crafty Pinterest board today when this rustic wood pencil holder caught my eye. It’s a project from arts & crafts blog Strawberry Chic. Blogger Andrea’s husband made it for her out of a piece of wood that his friend found by a river bank. Her husband just added a few holes and sanded down the edges. Think you can do it? In addition to a slice of wood, you’ll need a sandpaper, hand saw, drill, and a 7/16″ drill bit.

If I were so inclined (which I’m not), I have access to pretty much every small sized tool. In my condo! Although we live in the city, my husband insists on keeping fully stocked tool boxes in our storage closet. (Thank goodness we even have a storage closet.) He has explained his four basic kits to me. Ready?

The drill kit has electric drill (not cordless because we don’t actually ever use it; wouldn’t want the batteries to run out in between), a variety of drill bits—wood bits, concrete bits, metal bits, along with a separate tap and die set. The socket/wrench kit contains hundreds of pieces, which was a favorite plaything when the boys were younger. The third is the catchall tool box. It’s got hammers, saws, levels, screwdrivers, clamps, stud finder, razor knife, mallets, and any other tool one needs to fix something around the house. The fourth is the electrical tool box, which contains a volt meter, circuit testers, lineman’s pliers, wire strippers, wire nuts, wire, and a soldering iron. (Seriously. He actually used it to fix our dishwasher.)

I think when he retires he should become a landlord, right? Certainly this is waaay over and above any apartment dwellers’ tool stash. Obviously he could never complain that my shoe collection takes up too much space. You could probably get an all-in-one tool kit and have everything you need, and more.

For the full tutorial click over to Strawberry Chic.

* * *

Shop desk accessories + decor at A+R >

Gift Guide: 12 Gifts for Her Under $50

Raising the bar a few dollars. . . Last Wednesday it was Gifts for Her Under $25. Do I see see $50? Splurge a little on your sister or your BFF. These presents under $50 are all seriously cute. I’d love the earrings. The tape holder is tres chic, but not sure my desk is glam enough. The note blocks are cool though. And if you’re not totally into camo fashion, but want a taste of the trend, the cosmetic pouch is perfect.