What's On My Desk (And well, around it) Vol. 2

I'm going to be honest with you. It's hard to sit or stand at my desk for too long because it faces a wall. For this reason, I'm floored by inspiration boards, mood collages, and gallery walls, and until I have more than four walls to work with (read: I rent a room, as in one room), I'm happy with my humble collection of mementos that hang above my desk and the stories they tell.

When I hung these small frames up, I tapped the first nail once and the things on the other side of the wall, in my roommate's bedroom, went crashing to the floor--luckily nothing was broken.

Obsessed with Guardians of the Galaxy!

I prefer the term sentimental collector to hoarder, and movie stubs are one piece of paper that I can't bear to throw away. Typically, they pile up and I stuff them in pockets of purses, backpacks, and trinket boxes so they're scattered everywhere and often get lost. Finally, I had the brilliant idea to take an entire stack, put two of my favorites on top so they're visible, and display them in a tiny 2.5x3in frame. Hi-yah! 

I picked up this tiny watercolor from a side-street painter in Paris. I know, I told you, sentimental and hopelessly romantic, but I do love the way this floating frame picks up the teal in the painting. 

Kind of hard to tell, but this poster is a map of every roadway in the United States and none of the states' boundaries: the epitome of the term "open road" and that's how I like it.

I realize this isn't on my wall or on my desk, but these things are under my desk, on the trestle legs that support the drafter's tabletop. Atop the stack of books (some of my favorites) is a small wooden sign with the name of the town that I'm from: Oakville, Connecticut! Beside the books, are a year's backlog of The Writer's Chronicle, and a small collection of moleskines, full of notes from every class I took during my MFA. I think it's easy to discard under-the-desk space as merely storage, but I didn't realize how nice it was to store this stuff and display it. 

Hey, what're you up to?

Of course, Kinley Kitty had to get in on the action. This is a typical perch post. 

If you missed Volume 1 of "What's On My Desk," mosey on over for the first installment, and if you like some of the things featured in my photographs, check out Ellipsis pinterest account for more workspace inspiration and envy. I leave in just a few hours for a road trip from Colorado to New Mexico to visit a friend and I can't wait to share this big adventure. 

Rose Colored Glasses: Crankenstein, An Ode

Apart from coffee shops, bars are the next best bet for a good atmosphere, a private corner, just-the-right-amount of people-watching, and a bit of down if the coffee took you too high. It's with bittersweetness that I write this first post of the Rose Colored Glasses Series for Crankenstein, one of my favorite spots in Old Town, Fort Collins because it has celebrated it's last business day--hopefully, it's only a temporary hiatus!

The community really came out for the last night of this bike shop/coffee roaster/bar. It was so nice to see all the support, and so many people that I've come to know. 

Everyone loved Crankenstein because it combined three of Fort Collins' most sacred things: Bikes, food, beer and coffee. You could ride your bike to Crank, get it tuned up, park it inside, meet some friends for a beer or grab a cup of coffee to go. 

Crankenstein's space was incredible: High, lofted ceilings, a garage front entrance, and those warm, reclaimed wood walls. 

I liked to visit for the large couches and armchairs--it was like working from home.

This is Dylan, a strong climber and a good friend.

My friends and I once spent an evening on the couches at Crank eating Oreos and drinking coffee porters for dinner. On the last night, Crank emptied all its taps for a "good to the last drop" hoorah. 

Do you ever go to a bar to do work? Where are your creative spaces? I'd love to hear about them in the comments!