7 ways to create a simple, beautiful and inspiring workspace!

Your workspace is one of the most important spaces in your life. It is likely that you spend most of your available time sitting at your work desk but you have done very little to make it the most enjoyable and inspiring place.

Luckily for you, there are easy and simple tricks you can do to make your workspace a beautiful area where you actually want to be! Here are 7 simple things you can do to learn to love your workspace.

1. Desk. Getting a desk of the right size with the right extensions is critical. Simplicity is always best and consider the size of the space. A large desk in a small space will feel heavy and cluttered.

2. Writing Equipment. You ideas, notes and dreams should be kept somewhere that does them justice! Find a beautiful notebook or day planner to stylishly keep you organised.

3. Candle. Find a scented cande that is either calming or invigorating to heighten your senses and draw out your creativity. Beautiful scents are an instant mood lifter!

4. Flowers. Real or fake it doesn’t matter! Beautiful, colourful flowers will brighten your space and make it a beautiful place to be.

5. Printed Quote. Everyone has that one phrase that speaks to them and helps them to be their best. Have yours printed onto a canvas and mounted on your wall for your daily dose of motivation.

6. Lighting. Good lighting is essential. There is nothing worse than stark, artificial lighting. Having your workspace in an airy environment near a window is best, but if not, a beautiful lamp with a natural glow will do perfectly.

7. iPhone Dock. It is much easier to have a cradle or dock for your iPhone. You can gently play music, you always know where the iPhone is and best of all, no messy cords for charging!

Make your workspace a place you want to be and then your work will become that little bit more enjoyable!

“Chipped Nails do not equate to Shabby Chic” and other rules for achieving perfect workplace nails.

There are some things in the business world that people can’t ignore; Men who drink too much coffee and stain their teeth, women who try to squeeze a size 14 lower half into a size 10 pencil skirt, and my pet hate, both men and women who don’t have well groomed nails.

In the workplace, it is simply not acceptable to have poorly kept nails. You shake hands, you point to screens, you gesture in presentations and what this all has in common is that your nails are on display.

For men, keeping nails appropriate is easy. Keep them trimmed, filed and clean. Simple! The brain boggles at how this may be too difficult for some to understand, however it says a lot about male competency in general… I promise I won’t delve any further into that argument!

For women, appropriate nails are a little more difficult to gauge and therefore there are some rules that should be adhered to for workplace standards.

1. Length

Nails should not be so long they have the ability to make someone fear you. A few millimeters of white tip is appropriate, anything longer and people will think you are boycotting the hole puncher.

2. Shape

A classic square or round shape is workplace appropriate. The interesting and somewhat crazy nail shapes such as those filed to a sharp point or like half a hexagon are N.S.F.W. (Not Safe for Work) No one wants to scare off that new client by brandishing a weapon at your next meeting.

3. Nail Art/Nail Deco

Under no circumstances is nail art or decoration appropriate for the workplace. That hello kitty sticker or jeweled tip is not going to impress your CEO and may actually encourage them to question your maturity. Steer very clear of anything “kitsch”.

4. Colour

There is a range of colours suitable for the workplace. The main colouring rule is to stick clear of the glitter or fluro polish and opt for something demure and classy. It is OK to experiment with a little colour but keep the brights to toes only.

Below are my top 5 work appropriate nail polish colours. Remember: If you’re going to wear colours, make sure you maintain them regularly. Chipped nails DO NOT equate to shabby chic!

1. Dior, Dior Vernis “Charnelle”. The perfect nude!

2. Dior, Dior Vernis “Perfecto”. Dark and conservative.

3. OPI, “Makes Men Blush”. A subtle beige.

4. Chanel, Le Vernis “565 Beige”.  A beautiful, subtle, creamy colour.

5. Chanel, Le Vernis “461 Blue Satin”.  A deep navy colour with a hint of shine.