spice up your desktop with monthly wallpaper calendars

The Muses very good friend Michael is an aaaamazing web-designer and a generally creative brain who has mastered all things aesthetic. In a recent tweet, Michael pointed us to some fab desktop wallpaper calendars from Smashing Magazine. These are the perfect way to add a little punch to your desktop at work. Unique designers create the wall papers each month so you will surely find something that suits your fancy. AND you get to change your mind and get something new every month.

A Lady Needs a Flask

As the Muses have mentioned before, we are two creative, right-brain girls that have both somehow landed among scientists for our 9-5.

Generally this is a good thing. When our beloved nerd co-workers spend their days at the bench pipetting or doing data analysis they lose touch with the real world. So the Muses love to bring some real world to their lives. A splash of leopard print here, taste testing chocolates and cupcakes, encouragement to think outside the box. We do what we do well.

BUT occasionally the paper work, the grants, the meeting planning, the abstract collecting erodes a creative girl’s mind/soul. Is that over dramatic? Mmm? No I don’t think so...grants, are soul sucking.

And the best thing to do when life starts to wear on you...is drink. So here is a collection of in vogue flasks that are great for all sorts of events - outdoor concerts, the ballet, lunch dates with that super high stress friend, and of course, your desk drawer.

Light Pink Faux Alligator Skin Flask

Leopard Print Glitter Flask

Love Birds Chicks Peacocks Flask

Golly! Liquor is Quicker! by Anne Taintor

Muse Help: Office Redecorating

One FM reader writes:

Alright my favorite muses, I have a query for you. These are tough economic times, so instead of holiday bonuses, the CEO of my company is giving everyone $250 to spend on our office environment. We can buy anything we want that will make us happier in our workplace: misc computer software, a rug, a new chair, a new lamp, oversized map of California, whatevs. I know: perfect muse project, right?

I am much more practical than aesthetically minded, hence why I wouldn't mind some inspiration!

On the one hand, awesome that you get to redecorate your office! On the other hand, we would probably prefer $250 in cash...but whatev.The Muses definitely believe in being practical (except when it comes to high heels) but you can easily be practical and fill your office with beauty.

We would suggest:

• lighting
• art
• organizing items

One of the Muses' Lovers is of the firm belief that overhead industrial lighting makes people anxious (the Muses don't need any help there!). He thinks that soft lighting around a room makes a world of a difference. We agree! That said - we suggest either a tall lamp to stand beside your desk or a lamp to sit on the desk. Pottery Barn has a great tutorial on picking workspace lighting.

You could go modern with something from IKEA

Ljusås Salbo

Kulla

or go vintage and grab an amaaaazing Edison lamp (so hot right now!)

Instead of just hanging a giant map of California, try honoring your home state with some cool art.

Copper Bay Area Map

Dark City No. 7

Lastly, get organized! Check out some Muse suggestion about great filing options. BUT if you have some extra bucks to spend, buy a Franklin Covey planning systems. Oh. My. Goodness. One little Muse would just die without its amazing ability to organize the 10,003 tasks that need to be done. This is not a calendar. Say it with me, "Franklin Covey is not a calendar." It is an organizing system. See basic how-tos here.

A Girl's Gotta Stay Organized

Let's talk about the office. Seriously, can we do away with those black plastic-y or fake woodgrain in-out boxes? ::cringe:: But the real issue is file folders. Manilla folders are great for huge filing projects that are stored away, hidden for no eyes to see. But the bland folders (or worse yet, those primary color folders that remind us of a kindergarten classroom) just will not do for desktop filing.

So here is the Muse Round-Up of Cute, Stylish File Folders.

Simple

Mod Chic (one little Muse just bought these...thank you, purchasing card)

Classic Black and White

Frouffy

Check out these great finds from Etsy. Visit Tabitha's shop and use the code "muse" to get $1 off anything in her gorgeous collection!

Because everyone loves birds right now

Yummy