As a designer, I spend many hours at my desk. Over the years, I've discovered the essentials that make my workflow easier and elegant. Many of these tools are items I use regularly and were collected over time, others are still on my wish list! 

1970s MERA POLTIK Alarm Clock

Miles Desk Lamp from Schoolhouse Electric

Dachshund Letter Holder -- no longer available from Anthropologie, but is my favorite desk buddy. :)

Brass Pencil Sharpener

Lamy Safari Fountain Pen

Brass Midori Pen

Cedar Pointe Pencil Set (with good eraser!)

Iconic Pencase - perfect for pen and ink supplies

The Classic Pica Pole

Midori Polar Bear A5 Spiral Notebook

Brass Ruled Letter Opener for all of your snail mail

On the rare occasions that I use stapler (I'm more of a paperclip gal), I'd love to have an Ace!

Please click on each image for source information.

With a growing number of pen pals, I find myself seeking out letter writing sets these days. While cards come in handy for birthdays and other occasions, I prefer a letter sheet and envelope for my longer-winded correspondence. Sometimes the page count reaches seven!

Here are the styles that I use and love: 

Made by Three Potato Four

Life has discontinued the full size notepad I use, but this is my go-to for classic stationery.

Handmade in Tokyo by Haibara

French style by Ilfant Press

Letter Writing Kit by Paper & Type and Paper Pastries (I use the floral edition).

I'm always on the lookout for new sets, please share your favorites! (Click on each image for a source link.)

I can't deny the complete joy I feel when the flowers end their hibernation and decide to bloom. It's magical. Leaving California for Portland summer, I thought I would miss out on a beautiful Spring but the flowers here in Portland are very dramatic. I'm loving every minute. And once my bouquets start to fade, I press the petals and file them into a box full of glassine envelopes to enjoy after the season has passed. 

A few of my own photos of flowers in and around Portland.

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Please click on each image for source information.

I've created a handful of identities for great businesses over the years and I never tire of getting to know the best way to represent my clients through design. I'm also inspired by the beautiful identities other designers create for their clients, so I pulled together these favorites to share!  

Identity design is my favorite part of my job so I recently updated my website to include pricing for identity design, please take a look.  

Please click on each image for more information.

The holidays are right around the corner! I've hung an evergreen garland, unpacked the beeswax candles, and strung the twinkle lights. While I'm way behind on Christmas shopping, I am thrilled about these beautiful wrapping inspirations.  

(Click on each image for source information.)