Office Makeover

I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t celebrate the end of summer. I know I shouldn’t look forward to cooler temperatures. I know I shouldn’t be pulling out the scarves before putting away the shorts.

But I can’t help it. And I’m not really sorry. I love fall.

Ergo, I love September.

I’m not going “Back to School” this year. I don’t have any children going to school. Our daily grind this week looks the same as it did last week: Daycare. Work. Chores. Bed. Rinse. Repeat. But I still get pulled into that Back To School feeling every year when the calendar flips to September. To me, September is the New Year that matters. Although the calendar isn’t resetting, our lives naturally seem to reset and refocus come September. This is the month of new routines and hard work. It is when dreams take off and when brains ignite. And it is also when homes get a little cozier, sweaters get a little warmer, and flavours get a little more savoury.

I wish I were going back to school this September. I’ve always loved the fresh promise of a new year of learning. Still, I won’t let this September slip by unnoticed. This year, I am in the very unique position of finally having a work space to call my own in our new house. For years, my workspace has always been in my bedroom, or in a shared space like the living room or kitchen. Now, however, I am the proud owner of a four bedroom house. One room is the master, one is the boys’ room, and one is a guest room. That leaves one extra room. And until we need it for a growing family, this room is my office.

Sigh.

I love saying that.

Finally, a room in which to escape  when I have words that need to be released. Finally, a space that no longer collects toys and mail and AllThePhotographyStuff. Finally, a place that I can make my own, a place to foster creativity and discipline.

But Also? A place to collects boxes. Apparently. As we are still in a bit of a post-moving frenzy, my office has become the place where all the yet unneeded boxes have come to die. Coincidentally, so too has my inspiration and my motivation.

I was approached by Walmart to participate in their Walmart Frugal Heroes Challenge once again. My challenge was to get my family ready for back to school with only $100. I could choose from a number of different specific challenges, but for me, the choice was clear. Since none of my children are going to school, I realized that the person who needed an upgraded workspace was me. For $100, could I give my workspace a face-life in honour of Back to School and become a little more organized and inspired along the way?

My favourite item in my office is my typewriter. For a while, my husband and I accumulated quite a collection of typewriters. I dreamed about decorating an office with them someday. I wanted to be surrounded with the possibility of words. And while I have big plans for a typewriter-inspired workspace, I know it won’t be fulfilled for a while yet. I hope to eventually accumulate individual pieces until my office is as unique and creative as I hope my work will be. Until then however, I knew I wanted to draw upon the typewriter for inspiration for the first stages of my workspace.

My goal at Walmart was to personalize my office. I wanted some colour, I wanted some organization, and I wanted some inspiration. While I did peruse the art section, nothing really grabbed me as inspiring, but I did find some great pieces to help me focus my thoughts, organize my life, and snuggle into fall.

For organization, I found a banker’s box desk organizer and a desk caddy. The four whiteboards (and cute heart magnets) were purchased with the intent to organize and help focus my thoughts. I grabbed some brand new pens and post-its because some days, the pen fosters the strongest urge to write. When I passed the Mabel’s Labels stand, I knew I needed these in my motherly repertoire, and have no doubt that they will come in handy over the coming year. Finally, I picked up a fleece blanket. I want my office to be a place of comfort and, especially as the temperatures drop, warmth.

Cleaning up and organizing the boxes that were festering in my office was probably the biggest transformation, and yes, there are still a few more to go. Eventually, the entire room will be cleared and I will have a large enough space to practice yoga between sips of tea and blog posts. For now though, with a little extra love and my loot from the #WalmartFrugalHeroes Challenge, I have a new workspace worthy of September.

Oh, and the price? I totally didn’t break the bank. $95.22. Challenge? Accomplished!

Do you love September? Does it make you want to buckle down and do something amazing with your intellect?

Walmart selected me to be one of their #WalmartFrugalHeroes bloggers and as such, I was given a $100 Walmart gift card to participate. Thank you so much Walmart for this opportunity once again!

I am honoured to have been nominated to be on a Skinny Scoop’s Top 25 Canadian Mom Bloggers. In order to make the list, I need your votes. Just hit the like button under my face to vote (I believe that at this point, there are two nominations for me. Scroll down until you see my face and vote). And finally, I am still on my way to running a half marathon in January with Team in Training. I’d love your support! Click here to donate, or sign up to run a Team in Training race yourself!