Today, my blog friends, I splurged :}? Inspired-style.

Normally I’m not much of the splurging type.? It takes a lot for me to spend more than $20 on myself without feeling overly guilty.? But this was refreshing, in an organized sort of way.

Last week I treated myself to a Wish Kit from Inspired Home Office (.com)? A? little booklet designed to inspire you to create your perfect office space — or studio, in my case — out of the mess you currently have.? Kind of like a cookbook that helps you create a succulent dinner from what you have in your refrigerator at that moment.? And it works (no, really!)*.? And it’s not even as flaky as it sounds!? (I know, raving endorsement, right?? But I have an aversion to flakiness, and I’ll admit to hesitating more than a little before pushing the PURCHASE button.)

No, this was goood.? In a dark chocolate, scented-candle, splurgey kind of way.? Which is exactly what else I used to turn my studio (a.k.a. the only place in the house where I’m allowed to clutter all horizontal surfaces and not catch flack) into a studio (i.e. metal artist version of a man-cave complete with beer stocked- refrigerated- remote controlled- recliner).

So in working through the booklet, I realized, epiphany-style, that my studio was essentially constantly nagging me.? I have large homosote boards where I would hang project details, inventory lists for various galleries, to do lists, and calendars.? So while everything was very organized and accessible, no matter where I looked in the room, I was constantly reminded of everything I needed to do.? (Ironically, being incessantly reminded of anything stresses me out.)? I had designed it that way to keep things at my fingertips, but? the busier things got, the crappier I felt.? And since my studio is used for everything from making artwork to office tasks to teaching prep to downtime, the crappiness was seeping into many areas of my life.

Enter the splurge.? I was motivated to rediscover my inner zen, but wasn’t about go get knee-deep into a massive reorganization without some sort of preemptive treat.? (If there’s anything I’ve learned as a teacher, it’s that if you’re going to do something difficult, at least don’t make it suck.**)? So I went to Target and

bought myself a bunch of pretty wicker baskets in all shapes and sizes :} ***

I decided that I still needed to have easy access to everything, but I didn’t need to see it.? Now I’m not trying to make this sound easy, because it took the better part of two weeks (well, three, but? I’ve managed to repress one) and quite a bit of hauling and dumping and a little sitting on the floor at 1:00 am slowly pulling my hair out.? But it is mostly finished, and I’ll show you my “Before” and “After” photos if you promise not to look at the “Before” one for too long…

Now mind you, this is of course a work in progress (hint: don’t notice that last shelf).? But it is officially progressing, and you’ll note the Divine Ray of Approval, top left (doesn’t it feel like you should be hearing Handel’s Messiah sung triumphantly?)??? Cause yeah, Zen is something like that.

:}

* the Wish Kit, that is.? There is no magic cookbook that can turn condiments into dinner, sorry.? Not that my daughter wouldn’t be perfectly happy with a barbecue sauce sandwich if I let her : PPPP

** 2nd year grad school.? I’m pretty sure the prof. said something like this…

*** um, three Targets.? I’m not saying I bought out the first two, just that maybe they should plan a little better in the future : P? I’m also not admitting to getting lost twice on the freeway driving there.