image - vicki archer
This was me the other morning... surrounded by all the paraphernalia that drives my day. I think a desk tells you much about a person... and by the way, this is how it was... no styling, no 'hidey holes'...
You would be right in thinking I am a book person... I always have so many by my computer... I flick through the picture books when I am in need of inspiration or if the internet is on the go slow... this happens frequently in the countryside where we are... end of the cable line or some such excuse... The titles tell you what you already know... fashion, houses, interiors, photographs... my true loves...
You might already know that I am a glasses junkie... eyeglasses and sunglasses... I think that came from the French... they love eyewear almost as much as they love fragrance and a well stocked pharmacy....
I'm a connection junkie... I can't live without my iphone, my ipad, my laptop and now my kindle... I won't make excuses... it is what it is... but you will be pleased to know that I have located the 'off' buttons and that I do press them from time to time...
I think you appreciate my passion for letter writing, old postcards and anything that celebrates the cursive style of handwriting. Can you see the pretty postcard I recently found hiding under my glasses? And look at the fabulous handwriting on that envelope in the centre of the shot... One of my lovely readers wrote to me... her magnificent script put mine to shame... Sneaking out from underneath is a present from Millie... a box of the prettiest French postcards...
Bills, under the iphone... something that we all have in common....and an invitation to a sculpture exhibition in Switzerland... I wish I could make that...
And the oversized mug of green tea... my morning staple... I gave up coffee a couple of years ago and not a day goes by that I don't crave a drop or ten of espresso... but some things have to be done and that was one of them...
Is your desk as telling as mine?... I do have a confession... it was messier on the edges... but magically the photograph's crop seemed to vacuum that away... I'd love to know what's on your desk...
What's on my desk...
The Private House... I have read Rose Tarlow's book over and over... such beautiful visuals... her design aesthetic is superb...
Inspired Interiors ... Suzanne Kasler could decorate my home any day... and my 'go to' book for design details...
Lanvin... for the sheer beauty and creative genius... one of those perfect gifts we were talking about earlier in the week...
Tim Walker and Bruce Weber... photography books that should be in every library... They make me want to think way outside the box ...
If you fancy some new frames... and want to follow the French lead... these Oliver Peoples vintage style are the ones I adore...
I am sure you have the computer, phone and camera gear covered... but if you want to know what I use... Have a browse here...
The tole tray you can see underneath my camera bag... is just like the top section of this pretty folding tray... normally I would have a bunch of flowers or a potted plant sitting there... but, as I mentioned... no styling in this shot...
For French postcards... as close to the real thing as possible... try these... And for Millie's pretty French photographic notecards... you can see them here...
Have a wonderful weekend, away from the desk... xv
my daily click HERE
Hi Vicki, my long dining room table doubles as a desk most of the time- we pack up at meal times or push it to one end if need be (its a long table 3mtres to be exact) it often has my children's craft work or inventions as my 5 yr old calls it. My bedroom chest of drawers has piles of books (book cases are now overflowing) You will find several of Carla Coulsons books, many interior decorating books, and my latest addition that I am really loving : "The Artists lunch" really stunning especially if you love art and food. xxCorrina.
ReplyDeleteHi Vicki, thanks for another interesting post! So... what's on my desk? I don't think it's hugely different to yours ... sans thé vert (I need the extra caffeine!) Perhaps though, it's rather more untidy and lacking in a French outlook. Anyhow, I do love to procrastinate whilst pretending not to have writer's block and read through your blog posts. Not the way to be productive but nevertheless an enjoyable interlude! I have piles of books (an odd collection of French related, French cookery, detective, books of scripts and Agatha Christie's autobiography), papers (read as pages and pages & exercise books, plus scraps of paper full of ideas that have yet to magically transform into any real work!), March Paris Vogue, March Writing Magazine, diaries, Migraleve, iphone and a hard drive called Bertie. My moleskine notebooks, a large cup of Earl Grey tea, stamps, a jug of pens & pencils, two candelabras and a large silver rose bowl; a Pure radio and a second laptop. I almost forgot to mention the plethora of post-it notes! Anyhow, time to do some *real* work! Thanks again, A.
ReplyDeleteOh Vicki! I love this photo. What a story it tells of your passions and habits. Fabulous - loving this insight! J x
ReplyDeleteLoving this! Is that a black and gold paper mache' tray I see??? I collect these and I absolutley love them. I am in the middle of a closet redo right at this moment and my desk has become my temporary jewelry cabinet. I can't wait to claim my space back. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeletexo
Shauna
Love this post, Vicki. p.s. can't believe you were able to cut coffee out of your life?!! (well, green tea is very good for you...)
ReplyDeleteI need to spend a little time at my desk this weekend, writing about food and restaurants so it's not all bad. As such, I have the menu of the amazing new restaurant Acme before me... an oversized mug of coffee... the Netflix sleeve for disk 2 of "Friday Night Lights," Season 2... my iPhone, and a copy of my own book, Paris, My Sweet (I need to find a good passage for a public reading...)
ReplyDeleteBon samedi, Vicki!
WEll my rather small black parson's desk doesn't hold much more than my iMac, calendar and a mug of pens and another of reading glasses. The books.......oh the books are stacked library style on the dining room table and on the shelf under my coffee table. I'm reading People Pictures by Chris Orwig, recommended by our dear Carla, right now and dropping in on Stuff Parisian's Like for fun. I'm making a note of the two photography books you mentioned although I SWORE that I was not buying more. Silly me!
ReplyDeleteBon weekend dear V,
V
Vicki I only wish my desk was as half as tidy as yours is...there are papers everywhere, cables for Iphones, cameras and such, 2 pair of reading glasses (in case I misplace one under paper) a stubby holder full of pens and pencils, folders full of useless papers, bills, travel logs, a cold tea cup (no caffeine for me either) and the odd emery board. The only thing missing is a book,( a French inspired one of course,) so my mission this month is take a leave out of your book and tidy this mess and replace it with a few good books..French ones of course.. Au reviour, Helen
ReplyDeleteAh the desk of a creative soul
ReplyDeleteI love your desk, it's got a lived in, love life feel to it! I just cleared my desk since I was beginning for feel things had gotten away from me and I couldn't find anything! I love Rose Tarlow, I may need to check out her book.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
Karen
Ooh, this is a post that I will have to come back and read all of the responses. It is like pre-approved snooping. And yes, bravo for your green tea. My Mom and I were just talking about when I quit coffee. "Cruella Deville" was the term used--my friends were begging me to go back on caffeine!
ReplyDeleteI have to keep my desk clear in order to be able to think. I have a large shell that is filled with red, blue and white coral that I brought back from Tanna Island in Vanuatu. We did a story there about a month after a big hurricane and the beaches were covered with millions of pieces from the bottom of the sea. I have an insanely large rose bloom lolling in a pink 30s glass vase. "The wit and wisdom of Gelek Rimpoche"--a wonderful quote a day book from the wonderful Rimpoche of the Jewel Heart Buddhist Center. A gold embossed notebook sent to me from my friend Elizabeth and a beaded coaster that is perfect for my coffee/wine glass depending on the time of day. :)
Wishing you an excellent rest of your weekend!
Hi Vicki, I love your desk......needless to say mine has some of the same elements........but also a ton of stuff that I need to organize. And usually a cat or two some where on the desk and Mr Jones at my feet (surrounded by love). Have a wonderful almost spring week-end.xoxo Mary
ReplyDeleteYour desk looks exactly like it should. A computer, books on top of books, your tea. Everything a lady need to function as faras I am concerned. This calligraphy thingy is going slow for me, but it is going. I know that you can type it, but I love learning the technique.
ReplyDeleteHave anise weekend, Vicki.
Teresa
xoxo
Thanks for the peek. Or, do you say "peep" as it was expressed in the book I was reading to my grandchildren a few days ago?
ReplyDeleteYour desk looks like a true writer's desk. I wish I was a reader but i spend most of my time painting and reading art books. I envy you! Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteJennifer
Hi Vicki
ReplyDeleteI, too, love your desk. It reveals that you have an interesting and exciting life and you have many interests. That sounds like something a fortune teller would say, hee hee.
Seriously, I love your variety of interests.
My best
Helen xx
You must be clairvoyant!
ReplyDeleteI was just cleaning off the messiest desk ever! Your (my) piles, my husband call them. Piles of "important" papers, piles of notes, piles of recipes & piles of books which, finally, do make even me, CRAZY! One day, my granddaughter asked me, G'ma, why do you have so many papers?
Out of the mouths of babes...
Lovely being able to have a little snorkel around your desk....my desk has periods of being tidy and then whoosh!!! back it goes to its true state...but this is really how I like it. I am much more creative when I have all my 'stuff' around me.....love your vintage frames by the way...something we have in common!
ReplyDeleteEspecially enjoyed the links in this post, Vicki Thanks! Jill
ReplyDeleteHi Friend,
ReplyDeleteYour Tim Walker book caught my eye immediately - and then my eye wandered over all the others - Books are such a love for me, and you have some stunners there! Inspiration at the fingertip. I love these glimpses into your world - your desk is like you - beautiful, creative, sophisticated yet accessible!
My desk right now is overrun. LOL. All in good time everything will be set right again.
Happy weekend dear Vicki
xo isa
Such a great picture. I love seeing how / where people work and all of there important things. I'm right there with you...books, gadgets, letters and those glasses so cool!
ReplyDeletexo . trina
Elizabethan Architecture! Beautiful and fascinating. :) And my desk is much like yours. Books, letters, stationery. And more books! I'm a voracious reader to the core. Oh, and my laptop and Nook are there too. And my droid. Sometimes i too remember to click on 'off'!
ReplyDeleteThere is a great book "The Writers Desk" .... it's usually nearby, and "American Writers At Home" ... right now "Vogue, The Covers" ... but it's usually a rotating group of books that make their way to my desk. I have two old silver toast racks that function as stationery/postcard/ephemera holders. I collect ephemera, old postcards, christmas greeting, small French menu 'carte d'jour' cards .... just scattered about.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post .... I love how you nudge the imagination. (P.S. In USA I see you pinning late at night in French-land.)
Best ... Karen in Ct
Oh Vicki, that is my kind of desk! I think you have all of the necessities covered! Thanks for the peek ;)
ReplyDeletexoxo,
- Irina
Vicki, I woke up this morning thinking about your posts, and how they influence my life. You are like a big sister, best friend sharing all of your tips . I still reread yourpost on cosmetics, and love all of your recommendations. XOXO Karen in Al
ReplyDeleteI like what's on your desk. I would love to own every book you mentioned. I always have a couple of books on my desk, usually a fashion book I'm currently reading and a photography book or biography. :)
ReplyDeleteAda
this is lovely ! the usual Vicki, but I love the desk, and of course the accoutrements. I would have answered here yesterday but I was checking out the gardens of the NY Cloisters museum. all the heather is in bloom, the iris are coming up, and there are lots of purple. lavender and white crocuses. Something or other scented the air and I walked around looking for some identification on the plants but couldn't find it.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to more of your desk and living spaces and your gardens.
oxox
Oh, and the Tim Walker book.
ReplyDeleteLove him.
Must get that.
I love peeking at others' desks...it gives such insights into their creative processes and their working style. Yours is indeed inspirational and so rich, Vicki! Makes me want to clean my desk. Too many old receipts and "notes to self" and things to file there to be inspirational at the moment.
ReplyDeleteLoved seeing your desk! I, too, love Rose Tarlow's book- I find it very honest, profound and current even though it is over ten years old. I wish she would write another.
ReplyDeletexojoan
vicki ~ i adore this photo because you are so right, a person's desk tells their story. mine is filled with piles of books, notepads, product samples and to-do lists. one might look at it and think "she must never find what she is looking for", but they would be wrong with this assumption. what lies beneath and within those piles is known, they are my filing system.
ReplyDeleteand...i need those glasses.
bisous,
melissa