Work it!

Since I spend more waking hours at my desk than I do at home, I thought I would do a post on how I've been "decorating" my little cubicle. For some reason that wasn't intentional, I have gone with an Asian theme, but I like it and I'm going to run with it. Maybe it will help calm me when I get frazzled.

Let me start by saying that the building where I work is awesome. The whole ceiling is a skylight, there is a water fixture with a waterfall in the lobby, and it has a very open-air layout.

So here is my desk area. Keep in mind, it is a work in progress, but I like what I have so far. One of my favorite things is the name tag I made for my cubicle. Everyone gets to make their own. Recognize the flower?

I think my next task for making my desk more beautiful will be changing my bulletin board. It's still decorated from freshman year of college when my dorm room theme was black and white Paris. I want to get some pretty Asian-print fabric to cover it with. I would also like to get something to cover the walls of the cubicle with. That blue is not a great color.

So there it is! Hopefully my lucky bamboo and little resin Buddha will bring me luck in my new job. By the way, I took all these pictures on my Crackberry. Not a bad little camera on there!

UPDATE: On Saturday, I went to a fabric store and picked out some cloth to cover my bulletin board with. But I can't decide between the green and the brown! I'll bring my bulletin board home on Monday and see which looks better.

Reed It and Weep

If you live in an old apartment building or house like me, you might not be able to use candles. I love candles, not only for decoration but also for--of course--the scent. Unfortunately, they aren’t allowed. But there is an alternative that functions both as decoration and aroma: reed diffusers. They are great because unlike candles which have to be lit, they release scent constantly and last for months. I have compiled a review of a few different kinds of reed diffusers and my personal favorite:

Best decoration: Pier 1 Imports

This one gets my vote for best design. The tear drop shaped glass vase with a long, slender neck is the perfect compliment to the striking twisted reeds that reach a height of 17 inches. It comes in most of the classic Pier 1 scents like Asian Spice, Buttercream Vanilla, and Island Orchard. While the design is beautiful, these reed diffusers are better suited to smaller rooms because the scent isn’t as strong as other brands. At $23, they are a little more expensive than others, but the unique curled reeds make it worth the price.

Best scent: Beauty Bureau Stick Scents

For only $12, this diffuser puts out a powerful aroma. Scents like Morning Dew, Sea Petals, Orange Blossom, and Fresh Air are light, but definitely noticeable. And at only 11 inches tall, it is small enough to fit on some bookshelves. But given the cheap price you don’t get as much oil, only four ounces, so it will probably only last a couple months.

Best overall: Henri Bendel Fragranced Reeds

These diffusers make the grade on both design and scent. The shallow, frosted vase is a contrast to the clear, tall cylinders that are used for most reed diffusers. Scents like Firewood and Lemon Verbena offer complex aroma combinations that are lovely. You get the least oil for your money, $28 for 3.5 ounces, but the unique fragrances and beautiful, understated vases set these diffusers apart.

To check out these diffusers and others visit these sites:
http://www.pier1.com/
http://www.target.com/
http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/