A Work-iversary

This week marks my two-year work anniversary as the digital editor of Colorado Homes & Lifestyles nand Mountain Living magazines! Even before I went to the Denver Publishing Institute, I fantasized about working with this company. Three years after that, I finally made the team.

The time has flown, and working with this group of people has made a great job even more outstanding. Sometimes I get burnt out or I think I need a change, but then I cannot imagine a better job or work environment—unless it involves getting paid a decent salary to eat pizzza on the beach. I’ll still hold out for that one.

Anyway, I wanted to celebrate my sharing glimpses of my office with you!

I love my giant iMac, faux fur throw from IKEA, and random gallery wall I eyeballed on a whim (you might probably be able to tell).

Let’s zoom in on the frames. Each one has a special meaning to me.

I got this Keats print on Etsy at my previous editor job. I loved that set-up too, particularly the people I worked with and the laid-back environment, but I was itching to be working with more creative content. I remember how excited I was to move from a cubicle to my own office there, and I got a few things to make it feel like my own. This is one of them. (Ode to a Nightingale is probably my favorite poem of all time.)

This print is also from Etsy and was a gift from my sister-in-law. It’s one of my favorite lines from Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, Act 1, Scene 5:

O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night
Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope’s ear;
Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!
So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows,
As yonder lady o’er her fellows shows.
The measure done, I’ll watch her place of stand,
And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand.
Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight!
For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.

I had another blog back in the day, and it was called Burn Bright. It was a very thoughtful gift!

Keats, Shakespeare, and Poehler. The three most poetic people, in my opinion! I love this quote and live by it whole-heartedly. I do not take myself too seriously, and I think that’s the absolute best way to relate to others, cultivate empathy, and earn respect.

This mermaid art is an original piece by my good friend Blair who worked with us as a graphic designer (she introduced me to Nick!). She’s gone on to better things, but she’ll always be my work wife!

Ever wondered why it’s The Real Life 921 in my URL? It’s not because there are 920 other The Real Lives. It’s my favorite and lucky number. It’s a long dumb story, but basically as a kid I was a Can’t Hardly Wait-level believer in “fate,” and whenever something great would happen I noticed it was 9:21 on the clock or on a license plate or sign. It’s been my thing ever since I was … 9 years old. This photograph was taken by my best friend Emily when she was visiting me in Colorado a few years ago. It’s the address number of a business on the main street of Manitou Springs. I love that you can see her reflection in the window.

And this is a cute little print that I love, depicting my love for writing, and old-school typewriters (like the antique I have in my work space at home).

And this is a hand-me-down mirror from my mom, who gave it to me for my very first apartment in college! I’ve had held onto it for over 10 years.

I love my little office, the natural light, and particularly the door (heh) when I need to super-focus, interview someone, or block out noise. I remember working in a cubicle in my first associate editor position out of the Institute, and wondering when I’d have a cute office like this. It’s cool to watch how dreams come to fruition over time.

They day-to-day isn’t glamorous, of course. I usually have a massive to-do list and many times I find myself feeling overwhelmed or behind my goals. More often than not, my desk is a disgusting mess of papers, dirty dishes, and post-it notes. But I love my teammates, my autonomy, the creative license and experimentation, the process of making it all come together, the events, and the beautiful homes I get to peer into everyday. Who knows where the road will take me, but for now I’m very much enjoying the view.

What do you love about your workspace?