via @Cupcakes and Cashmere

Oh my gosh, I’m loving this Office with a View! Wouldn’t that sparkly Confetti System Tassel Garland make you more inspired and productive? :) I  totally *need* this and love how it makes a simple space perfectly fancy!

I work in the social media world. This Social Media Citation Notepad from Knock Knock makes me laugh. A lot.  What crimes have you committed here? While I’m actually fairly vague with personal updates, I’m definitely guilty of what might seem as Liking Stupid Things, Lurking and Overposting (for work :) ). Lately we’ve had quite a few Twitter Parties and I just *know* many of my non- blogging followers must hate me. Sorry people! :) Ha.

Face it, you’ve committed some social media violations too. :) Spill it!

Raar! I’m loving this Zebra Chic Office With a View- The perfect blend of statement and simplicity. And that Zebra Print rug is from Walmart- love it! See how Suzie pulled the room together on DecorPad.

Is your Office With a View dog-friendly? At my office, a furry friend is present nearly every other day. From a playful Cocker Spaniel, to an adorable, willful English Bulldog, there’s plenty of dog to go around. :) While it’s not without challenges (occasional barking, accidents, etc.), I really do think the dogs help relieve stress by just being there. My Goldendoodle doesn’t come to the office much (he’s slightly rambunctious), but it’s also nice to know I can bring him if needed.

That said, did you know that June 24,2011 is Take Your Dog to Work Day? What a fun day to consider bringing your Furry Friend, or to learn about how to create a Fido-Friendly work environment.

Here are the top 5 reasons TYDTWD says you and your Furry Friend should join in on the fun:

“5. Take Your Dog To Work Day (TYDTWDay) offers a positive, unique opportunity to increase community involvement and establish new community ties. Businesses can partner with a local animal shelter, rescue group or humane organization to host a TYDTWDay event.

4. Studies have shown that dogs in the workplace increases productivity and creativity, decreases absenteeism and improves co-worker relationships.

3. Participation in TYDTWDay is a fun, low-cost “pet perk” to offer employees at a time when some businesses are forced to cut jobs and decrease benefits.

2. TYDTWDay is for a good cause—to promote pet adoption. This fun day of celebrating the great companion your dog makes could encourage coworkers to adopt a new best friend of their own.

…And the #1 reason to work with a dog on Take Your Dog To Work Day? Let’s face it…pet lovers love to show  off their dogs! Do you really need a better reason to take  take your dog to work on Friday, June 24.”

 My iPhone is my lifeline. Your phone is too, right? It’s perfectly normal? :) My iPhone is with me nearly every moment of the day. I check it from the moment I wake up to tap the snooze button, to the last obsessive E-mail check of the night. So not only does my beloved phone need to be safe from scratches and the elements… it absolutely must be both pretty and protective. :) I currently have a pink case for my phone, and I do love it, but I’m thinking about switching things up. How cute are these iPhone cases from Kate Spade? I’m leaning toward the zebra case, or the multi-colored one. For my first cell phone, I totally nail-polish painted the case in multi-colored stripes. :) Ah, nostalgia.

So lately I am the world’s biggest blog slacker. I love reading blogs- hearing about other peoples lives, likes, experiences. Yet, even though my 9-5 involves working with a truly wonderful community of bloggers, I don’t spend nearly enough time soaking in what they are sharing, and I certainly haven’t been sharing myself.

Big. Blue. Fail Whale.

P.S. Isn’t that the *cutest* ever fail whale (tissue box)?! Oh how I digress. :)

So this weekend when I attended the Arkansas Women Bloggers Unplugged Conference with several coworkers and friends, I knew I was in for inspiration. Not only did I meet truly fabulous people, I thought about my poor dilapidated blog, and the status of my favorite blogs I haven’t read in forever. Which got me thinking. I miss getting lost in “next page’s” and categorized posts of my favorite bloggers. I miss sharing some of the fun little things and experiences I encounter at my Office With a View. So, I’m going to try to get my act together. Do you ever just need a little kick to get back on track with things? Easier said than done, but doable. I’m going to try to find more bandwidth and avoid me present blog “Fail Whale.”

Thanks to the fab bloggers and organizers of #AWBU for the inspiration! :) Can’t wait to catch up on the beautiful blogosphere! What is inspiring *you* this week/month/year?

Selgas Cano: Madrid clearly takes the statement “Office With a View” very literally. Wouldn’t it be incredible to work in an office space like this? I’m so excited that my office is moving in the next couple weeks to a new (old) space in a historic part of town. Granted, it’s going to be *nothing* like the Selgas Cano space. But nonetheless, here’s to creative spaces and a very productive day, wherever your Office With a View may be!

{Photos by Iwan Baan. }

Oh, Office Gifting. Whether it’s your coworker’s birthday or you just need a little something to say “Thanks for being awesome,” it can be tough finding the right little gift. Since most humans need java to jump-start the day, here’s a simple gift that won’t break your budget- a coffee mug like these Alphabet Mugs from West Elm. I. Want. One. :)

Oh my! I picked up four new pairs of shoes last night. I justified the shopping spree because it was a rough week at my Office With a View… and well, you wear shoes every day right? It didn’t hurt that the shoes were all insanely on sale, too! So if you are needing/wanting some new stilettos, flats or boots, head over to Dillard’s right now! Clearance items are an additional 40% off, but I don’t know how much longer the sale will last. It looks like the online sale ends today, so good luck and happy shopping! :) My favorites: : Vince Camuto “Stine” Flats : : Giani Bini Regal Pumps : : Vince Camuto “Wendolyn” Pumps : : Calvin Klein “Maxee” Flats : :

Ah vacation, such a beautiful word. :) I am nervous about leaving my Office With a View for several days, but it will be wonderful to unplug and take some time off with my BFF. When was your last vacay?

Update: Hmm, still working even though my vacation has officially begun. How does this thing work again? You’re not supposed to need to work, right? Ha. Oh well. It’s still nice to know I don’t have to go into the office in the morning. Even though I need to. :)

How do you stay inspired and motivated each day at your Office with a View? I know there are days when I come in with an awesome attitude, ready to take on the day. But there are other days when it’s tough to get in the zone. These prints from The Big Harumph could be a great reminder to make it happen every day. Here are a few of my favorites- I’m thinking this one is a winner for my office: Today is the day.

What about you? What inspires you?

How do you feel about working from home? I’m not a big fan… I like to be at my desk and nearby my team. But today the winter weather isn’t cooperating, so it’s a work from home day. I thought about driving into the office or at least to Starbucks (I’m only 5 minutes away from both), but then I went outside and realized it wouldn’t be a good idea- snOMG! :) At least this means I get to work with my favorite Furry Friend today. Have a great day wherever your Office With a View might be!

Confession- I have been known to spend inordinate amounts of time searching for the perfect background: for my computer, for my phone (not during office hours-promise). I don’t know why but having a pretty desktop background just matters to me, and it’s such an easy way to decorate your Office With a View. What about you? What’s your background right now? Here are some fun ones from Marimekko. I loved the Liberty of London backgrounds from Target as well.

I *heart* all things Anthro. And chevron. These storage bags from the Mountain Peaks collection by Lovell are simple but fun. I’d love to stash the random items currently hiding under my desk in that round bag! Lovely.

Oh how I’ve neglected you! It seems my IRL Office With a View has kept me very busy over the last year. I miss my online office, though, and here’s to 2011 and making time to share here. :) What have you been loving lately? What’s new in your Office With a View?

*In the last year I’ve sat at three desks (and we’re about to move to a new space-yay!)

*I finally found a pretty desk calendar and I love it! That Outlook calendar just wasn’t doing it for me.

*I’ve decided that the only thing that’s constant is not knowing what’s next. But that’s OK.  :)

*I’ve realized how lucky I am to have a great office family. We work hard and ocassionally have our moments and fire drills. But we make it work and have fun in a space that is always evolving. Never a dull moment for sure.

What’s been happening at your Office With a View? Hope all is well!

Jonathan Adler’s designs are innately funky and fabulous. Check out these super fun office accessories- or as he calls them: nifty gifties. :) I’m loving the pens, note cubes and file folders decked out in chevron, greek key, diamonds, and other fab. patterns. Which one is your favorite? Wouldn’t these make a perfect grad gift, or a nice new addition to your Office with a View?

With guilt I looked at this blog today. It’s been a couple months since I posted, and while I could give you a thousand excuses for why, that’s boring. In January I took a chance and started at a new Office With a View-  a social media agency. I was excited about following my (professional) passions: marketing, social media, shopper marketing.  I knew it would be challenging. I knew I was leaving a good job with good people in a good city. Yet, I took a risk- something I am not particularly good at. I’m that girl that likes to review options and play it safe. But this time I knew I couldn’t sit back.

And now, several months later, it’s exciting to look back, all the while looking ahead. It’s been a crazy and busy ride thus far, but I wouldn’t trade it. I’m excited about the adventure my “new” Office With a View is taking me on. I get to work with great people, bloggers, brands, retailers… so neat. I’m learning a lot, to say the very least. So I guess this is my verbal commitment to take risks- smart risks. To not sit back and wait for life to happen. Cliche, yes. But boring- no. What risks are you taking, professionally, personally?

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

~Monica

Congratulations! She said, “TDW Custom Stamper CS-3291. That is just one that I LOVE! This is the best giveaway! I am a monogram addict. I’m pretty sure this is a good thing to be addicted to.”

Thanks so much to The Paper Cafe and Three Designing Women for the fabulous giveaway! Also, thanks to everyone who entered in the giveaway. We so wish everyone could win the prize, but now that you know how fabulous these stampers are, here’s a 15% discount you can use to purchase any custom stamper your heart desires! :)  Just head to The Paper Cafe, and enter OWAV15OFF on any custom stamp order (Coupon expires 03/15/10).

Mail makes us happy. Catalogs, cards, packages, well-most mail, maybe not definitely not bills. But there’s just something about receiving unexpected items that brightens the day. So when The Paper Cafe and Three Designing Women invited us to check out this custom stamp, perfect for addressing mail and more, we were beyond thrilled! We were even more excited that they want to give one of our readers their own stamp, colored ink pad and coordinating notepad, too! How fun! Here are just a few of our favorites from the Three Designing Women custom stamps collection:

In addition to making even mundane envelopes and cardstock more fun, the fact that these are self-inking makes them mess-free and super easy to use. So, which stamper will you pick out if you win? There are 100+ (yay!) designs to choose from, and there are also nine ink colors. And the coordinating stationery, oh my! Look at these chic note cards and announcements just waiting to feature your customized monogram:

Needless to say, we can’t wait to see who will win this fab. prize set. Visit The Paper Cafe and find a Three Designing Women custom stamp that you love. Then share your favorite(s) in a comment on this giveaway post. Make sure to get your comment in before midnight on Sunday (03/07). We will post the name of the randomly selected winner on Monday (03/08), and stay tuned for a special discount that will be offered especially for our Office with a View readers… to be announced at the conclusion of the giveaway. *Please note that this contest is open only to United States residents due to shipping costs. Sorry.

We hope *you* win, so head over to The Paper Cafe now, and then leave a comment about your favorite stamp design here! Thanks so much to The Paper Cafe and Three Designing Women for this fun giveaway!