I must confess: I usually work with the TV on. Game shows are my favorite background noise, the cheering audience, the silly questions, the winners, the losers. It keeps me feeling motivated and inspired.

But, I have a friend who was recently horrified when she visited me at the office and discovered that I leave the boob tube on all day. “How can you work with the TV on like that?” she demanded. “You’d be so much more productive if you turned that dreck off!”

Okay, so I added that last part–she’d never have called it dreck–but her tone was one of absolute abhorrence. Which got me thinking: I know I’m not the only gal out there who likes to work with the TV on and if you’re in the same boat, I’d love to hear what you watch while you work.

Old movies? Talk shows? TV shows on Hulu.com or DVD? Game shows like me?

I figure one of the biggest benefits to having a home office is getting to choose your own music or background noise. So, tell me, what’s your poison?

Sure, there’s the great TV. And the accents. And London. Which is reason enough to move all on its own.

But, now I have one more reason to envy our readers in the UK. Michael, the garden office specialist. Sure, I could hire a handyman to build a garden office for me. But it simply wouldn’t be the same. I mean, look at Michael’s Site full of delectable tiny workspaces with all the details carefully attended to.

And he’s so right–who wouldn’t be tempted by the idea that they can simply walk to the end of their garden and get to work. I can’t imagine a lovelier commute than that.

Though I love my home office, should I need to give it up (it’s technically the family room), I’ll definitely be exploring the option of having a garden office built. So, do check out Michael’s website. And if you have a garden office of your own, I’d love to see photos!

What do you think of the idea of a home office that’s secluded in the garden?

Ensconced in Jello™. Office Space obsession. Few office tools have aspired to such fame in pop culture as the stapler.

On the one hand, it’s such a strictly functional device–driving metal bits into paper to hold them together. On the other, even in traditional flavors, it’s design is rather adorable, and it comes in so many non-traditional shapes and sizes.

When you work in an office, having a standout stapler makes it easy to know when someone’s taken yours. When you work from home, unless you have home office Borrowers, your supplies are safer, but that’s no excuse to forgo the fun version.

Vintage Elephant Stapler

Like this vintage elephant stapler in mini from Etsy seller dragonflyonbrady. It has a cartoon-style charm that might look oh-so-whimsical on your desk. Plus, there’s something so sweet and dainty about mini staplers adorning a stack of papers.

Darling Red Swingline

Or, perhaps the classic red Swingline stapler is more your style. With Swingline’s reputation for making great staplers, and that retro red finish (and the nod to Office Space), this one will brighten up your desk if you decide not to keep it in a drawer.

What’s more, the Swingline has a nice, satisfying crunch as you staple those papers together.

Sparkly Crystal Stapler

If you really want some bling on your desk, this stapler fits the bill. For that price, this is definitely a stapler to display, not hide in a desk drawer!

It seems like this one might begin to feel a bit weird against the palm of your hand if you were stapling many piles together, but for the occassional paper-joining, it’d be great fun to use.

Utilitarian Electric Stapler

Not the most attractive of our roundup, what this one lacks in style, it makes up for in utility because it’selectric and can staple up to 70 sheets at once.

Though I don’t have this version (mine doesn’t accept as much paper), I’ve adored my electric for many years. It gets a regular work out when I file away all my tax documents–nothing makes tax time *enjoyable*, but it definitely makes stapling all those papers together fun.


And, just in case you want to put that stapler in jello, you can find instructions here.

***A quick note about endorsements, recommendations, and the like. Yes, when we link to Amazon, that’s usually an affiliate link and GirlyPC makes a (very) tiny amount if you buy one of our recommendations.***

Now, it’s your turn–which of these staplers would you want to find on your desk?