Blogging is a legit job these days and many set up their own business right from home. So what are the pros and cons of working from home versus going in to an office?

What started out as a way for individuals and businesses to share their story has turned into big business. And I do mean B-I-G. Some high profile fashion bloggers are said to be making around $1M per year doing this gig. That is some real money.

Not all of us can claim a seven digit salary by blogging, but it is a way to make money doing what you love. One of the main benefits of blogging is the opportunity to work from home. This can be a boon or bust to your blogging career, depending on your home and, well, you.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of working from home versus heading off-site:

1  Flex Time // Possibly the main pro of working from home is flexibility. You can work while doing the laundry, setting up orthodontist appointments, paying bills, and whatever other household chores need to be done. And you can do it all with bed head. The con of this little side benny? It is very easy to get distracted and then *poof* it’s time to pick up the kids from school and your work time has vanished. There are many tools bloggers can enlist to help stay on track and get the most done.

So working at home can be distracting, especially if the family is home. But you can actually catch up on that work you sidelined during daytime hours by doing them at night. Or the weekend. Or whenever fits into your schedule.

2  Communication Skills // You will need to communicate with those you are collaborating or networking with, or writing for. This is most often done by email. How convenient. The downside? Sometimes the message does get lost in translation. Still, once you get your system down between those you work with, communication doesn’t have to suffer. And there are options other than email, like Skype meetings, Facebook chats or Google+ Hangouts, or good old fashioned phone calls.

3   Solo v Group Setting // The internet-only relationship is obviously less distracting than working in a busy office and people tend to get more done when they are alone. Research suggest that for those who are self motivated, privacy and not getting interrupted means greater creativity and productivity. But it can get lonely for the extrorvert. If you love to bounce ideas off of others or are more creative around people, a face-to-face office setting may be better for you. Yahoo Chief Executive, Marissa Mayer, feels working side by side with other employees works better for everyone. Mayer took some major heat over her decision to bring employees who’d been working from home back to the office, citing group communication and collaboration as the reason behind the move.

4  Dress Up or Down // Back to that working with bed head thing. Sounds pretty great, right? It is true, you can wear pajamas, stay in your sweaty workout gear, go make up free…when you work from home. A couple of years ago I was included in a story in a local newspaper about wearing pajamas in public and working in them from home. While I don’t make a practice of going out in public in my PJs (aside from the occasional early morning school drop off), I don’t mind working in them at all. Actually, I consider it a perk of the job. The only real con to this? Unless you are prone to unexpected visitors or take lots of video chat meetings, can’t think of one.

5  Cash Flow // Last but not least, you’ll save some cash working from home. Rent free and you can write off a portion of your home expenses. Talk to your accountant for details.

Whichever you choose, home office or off-site, the state of your desk is key to productivity. Keeping your desk free from clutter and office under control will help to make the most of your time. Happy blogging!

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Image by Craig Garner via Unsplash.com

The post 5 Pros and Cons of Working From Home in the Blogging Age appeared first on EcoSalon.

Read on for clever tricks and ideas you can incorporate to add more organization and style to your home office. 

Whether you have a dedicated home office you use for work, or a space for taking care bills and other household business, it’s probably a given that your office is the one area in your home you aren’t so proud to show off. If you are like most folks, your office is filled with rejected furniture items, stacks in need of filing and an overflowing paper recycling bin. It’s not pretty, but you view it as a utilitarian space, so you don’t sweat it.

But it doesn’t need to be that way. With a little inspiration, planning and effort it is possible to transform your home office into a space that you actually enjoy. You might even keep the door open when guests come over.

These home office hacks will help you get more organized and do so in a way that adds a bit of style as well.

7 Clever Home Office Hacks to Transform Your Space

1. Art Deco Desk – Add style to a boring old desk with this hack that turns an Ikea desk into a chic art deco workstation.
2. Clip-on Desk Organizers – In need of more storage space on your desk to keep everything at hand? Make your own clip-on organizers from grip clips and old coffee or soup cans.
3. Color-Blocked Bulletin Board – Add some style to your display/reminder board by adding some color. We all need a space to keep reminder notes, but it doesn’t have to be a drab bulletin board.
4. Bookshelf Work Station – Don’t have the luxury of a room for your office, consider converting a bookshelf into a home office work station.
5. Chalkboard Wall – Forget post-it notes! Instead paint a wall with chalkboard paint to keep track of when bills or due or when that project is due.
6. Hanging Storage – Create more organizational space with this project that uses magazine files and a wall shelf to create additional space to organize your paper.
7. Fabric Corkboard – Add fabric covered cork board squares above your desk to add functionality and color and pattern.

Related on EcoSalon

9 Functional Home Office Ideas for Small Spaces

5 Ideas to Declutter Your Home and Maximize Space

7 Clever Space Saving Ideas: Big Dreams, Small Spaces

Top Image: iamronna

The post 7 Home Office Hacks To Add Order and Style to Your Workplace appeared first on EcoSalon.

The home office is too often an afterthought and those working from home find themselves working on the kitchen table, the coffee table or wherever there’s space to put a laptop. Obviously, this is less than ideal. Not having a dedicated space keeps you from being as productive as possible and you need some home office ideas.

In this new economy, many of us have us found ourselves working from home. The reasons vary, but whether your company allows you to telecommute or you are freelancing, the need for a dedicated home office is there. But what if you don’t have a spare room that can be turned into an office? Even if you live in a small apartment, it is possible to carve out some space for your home office, just follow these home office ideas.

1. Get in the Closet –  Convert a closet into a built in office. Leave the doors on to hide it away when not in use or take them off to create even more space.
2. Go High –  Using vertical space will allow you to have a smaller footprint. Tuck a desk into the corner and add shelves all the way to the ceiling for the printer, filing, office supply storage and more. (Just make sure to adequately secure your shelves to studs to make them sturdy.)
3. Divide and Conquer – Add a room divider to cordon off a space for yourself in the dining room, den, kitchen or whichever room is large enough. The divider will allow you to have a messy desk without anyone seeing!
4. Coming in for a Landing – Sometimes, the only usable space left in a home is the stair landing. If you have an underutilized landing that only seems to be a junk collection spot, consider turning it into a space for your desk.
5. Under the Stairs –  Landing might not work, but what about the space under the stairway? It is often under-utilized. Add a desk and shelves to make it yours.
6. Corner It – Creating a home office in a corner can maximize your usable space. Keep things simple, as to not jumble the room up too much though.
7.  Old-Fashioned Secretary – No, we are suggesting your  hire a secretary, but utilize a secretary desk.  They are a practical way to have a desk without adding the clutter of the desk to your main living space.
8.  Double Duty – DIY yourself a double desk and get more bang for your buck. Two office spaces for the price of one!
9. New Meaning to Mobile – Add wheels to desk and you can roll it around the house to move it out of the way when the need arises.

Related on Ecosalon

Mad Men Your Workspace: Vintage Office Supplies

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How to Declutter Your Office In 5 Easy Steps

 Image: Kelly Sue

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There are plenty of arguments for the genius that accompanies a messy desk, but I have to disagree. When my mind is scattered and stressed, my purses, closet and office reflect the same all-over-the-place mentality. Consequently, once organization falls apart, it takes twice as long to get a task done. Taking the time to organize, discard and prioritize office items opens up a pathway towards clearer work and tasks. Here are 5 easy steps to declutter your office. 

1. Let it all hang out

Take everything out, one drawer, pencil case, or file cabinet at a time. Empty everything onto the desk and floor. Yes, no doubt this step will look a lot worse to start with, (maybe even resemble something of a bomb), but go forth with deep cleaning strength—it’s the only way to truly tackle the task.

2. Let go: Discard and Separate

Grab an empty tote bag or grocery bag, and as you sort through each item (yes, let no item be overlooked) really think about what you don’t need. How many pens are necessary? Do you really need to keep those files from your last job? Remember DaVinci’s words, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

3. Organize 

Although everyone’s workspace or desk size is different, along with the requirements of your office, this step is universal.

Files

Set up labeled files organize by Immediate, Upcoming and Finished. Color coordinate these three labels, and the finished colors can hold items like Car Papers, Tax Papers, i.e., everything that has been taken care of but must be to filed away.

Office Supplies

Keep a drawer or basket that neatly holds your essential office supplies like printing paper, stapler, post-it notes, anything you like, or need, to have around when you are working.

4. Images of Tranquility

One check-off in LEED certified office spaces is having images of nature around your immediate work area. Put up a few beautiful images of natural places or inspirational quotes that will add touches of tranquility to your work space.

5. Calendar Everything

Keep a physical calender. I like to have a planner to write down everything I need. If keeping this information on a computer calendar is better for you, go with what works for you. But make it a habit to dedicate a space (virtual or real) to keeping track of due dates and appointments.  Now not only your physical office is decluttered, but you can declutter your mind because every upcoming task is in one place.

Now every item has a neat place, and your desktop is clear. Time to do some productive work in your clean office space!

See Also:

5 Green Office Products We Love

Multitasking Must Haves: A Green Guide To The Most Versatile Fashion, Foods, Tools and More  

5 Desks To Feel Good About Using

image: CHRISSPdotCOM

The post How to Declutter Your Office In 5 Easy Steps appeared first on EcoSalon.

 Maybe it’s the TV show Mad Men, which wrapped up season 6 this summer, or maybe it’s because it’s back-to-school time again, but it seems like we are seeing vintage office supplies everywhere. From typewriters to Moleskine notebooks, paper and office supply geeks know that vintage office supplies are in. That means whether you are looking to trick out your  home office with a little vintage panache or you just want to add a little bit of retro pizazz to your cubicle at work, we’ve got some ideas and inspiration for you.

Bring a little bit of retro into your everyday with vintage office supplies.

Vintage Office Supplies

Poking around Etsy revealed a smorgasbord of vintage-inspired and genuinely vintage office supplies. Stuff like real ink pens, rotating rubber stamp holders, crank pencil sharpeners and wire In and Out boxes. Here are just some of the fun highlights from out search.

Typewriter

Image: Thread and Brush Studio

Love this teal Olivetti Studio 44 Portable Manual Typewriter with its original case and in working condition. Whether for show or to channel your inner Hemingway, this is a stylish piece. Using one of these bad boys for a bit would really make one appreciate word processors and laptops as well.

Office Supplies and Stationery Tin Box

Image: Inklinks

What a clever find this kit is. It’s filled with vintage office supplies and stationery from 1950s-1980s ready for your next letter writing (gasp, snail mail?) session. It’s filled  with all kinds of usable ephemera like a marble-covered notebook, Staedtler erasers, floppy disk labels, old tags, and Owl paper clips, among other goodies.

Fountain Pen

Image: zandbroz

While you might think they are messy, fountain pens are actually a much more sustainable choice over disposable pens. And this restored 1946 Parker Vacumatic Jet Black Fountain Pen is more than better for the planet, it’s also super cool. Leave the iPad back in the office and show up with this for notetaking at your next meeting.

Rubber Stamp

Image: unqueDuJour

Hand stamp your own letters and memos or even create your own stationery using this vintage “Important Message” rubber stamp. Even though we live in the digital age, it’s possible to have some retro fun when sending your paper-based communications.

Rolodex

Image: collectiblesatoz

Even though some of us have phones that “bump” to exchange info and others have business card apps on our iPhones, we still always end up with business cards and addresses written on scraps of paper. That’s why the Rolodex will never go out of style. This one is from the 1980s.

Labels

Image: juliecollings

Instead of reaching for those generic Avery labels from the big box store for your next labeling project, consider using these vintage Dennison labels instead. Form and function together in one.

Carbon Paper

Image: TheInspiredTrader

And for a bit of nostalgic fun, how about some carbon paper? Carbon paper was the original copy and paste! This package of Solvent Carbon Paper by Burroughs Corporation dates from the 1960s.

Pencils

Image: pastoria

And for the back-to-school crowd, how about these vintage Cascade C120 Soft. No.2 pencils—they still use pencils in school, don’t they? These are from the 1980s.

Top Image: Matteo Paciotti | Photography

Related on Ecosalon:

10 Stunning Statement Chandeliers to Inspire: From Modern to Gorgeous Vintage

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The post Mad Men Your Workspace: Vintage Office Supplies appeared first on EcoSalon.

Because most of these words are dumb so we should have fun with them.

1. Can you assist me with this insertion order?
2. I make small cubicles fun.
3. I would be happy to be your human resource.
4. You won’t be needing an expense report tonight.
5. I would like to put your consulting expertise to good use.
6. Are you interested in managing my account?
7. I’d like to make you my feature PowerPoint presentation.
8. Can you help me figure out my operating system?
9. Where else can you employ that analytical ability?
10. Hard cover briefcases are so much better.
11. Your eyes are as intriguing as a good biz dev strategy.
12. My account is totally receivable.
13. Let’s get out from under this fluorescent lighting and find somewhere more comfortable.
14. I can tell you’re a team player.
15. If we went on a date, what do you think our profit and loss would be?
16. I don’t believe in automation, I am all hands on.
17. Your customer interface is impressive.
18. I would wager that two self-starters like ourselves would have a good time together.
19. Is that low-hanging fruit or are you just happy to see me?
20. You don’t need a high level of core competency to know that you’re a catch.
21. Let’s give you a skills analysis.
22. Any chance you’d be interested in drilling down with me?
23. I don’t think you and I will need any troubleshooting.
24. You’ve been running through my invoices all night.
25. I was thinking about you during that entire conference call.
26. I’m not into cold-call sales, but I’d love to have your number.
27. Can I see the inside of your cubicle?
28. Who needs a financial analysis when I know exactly where to put my money.
29. Forecasting is for people who can’t live in the moment.
30. Instead of all these policies and procedures, let’s visit the idea of free will.
31. Enterprise this.
32. Want to play a little document distribution strip poker?
33. All this corporate giving is getting me hot under the collar-you?
34. There’s nothing like a little file maintenance to keep you on your toes.
35. All this problem solving has me wanting to create problems.
36. Let’s do this, but in real time.
37. Your methodology is so smooth and deliberate.
38. Realizing we’re working on a timeline, how much time do we have to get to know each other?
39. The best part of this acquisition is you.
40. In all the power meetings I’ve ever been to, this room is one of the hottest…for real, it’s hot.
41. Don’t feel like you have to go this alone, we can tag team.
42. Should we debrief?
43. Performance evaluations are my favorite day of the year.
44. I am feeling this burn rate in many places.
45. Sometimes you just have to ask yourself, “Am I a profit or a loss?” Now which one are you?
46. Now, when you say “team building retreats,” what does that mean to you?
47. Risk management just sounds like something so clandestine!
48. You say accelerated growth, I just say hot.
49. You say there is little margin for errors but I disagree.
50. The first time I saw you, there was only word that came to mind-benchmark.

Image: mark sebastian

Conversion Rate Optimization Glossary

The post 50 Pick Up Lines for the Corporate World appeared first on EcoSalon.

Say it with me, “Oh, la la.” This is the Buenos Aires studio and office of Lula Aldunate, founder of Lulaland. Last week’s vision of salt soaked pine still has me (literally) pining for a studio; somewhere to create, imagine, escape, and hang a manifesto. Yes, a manifesto – like the gorgeous and glamorous gold-framed wonder above (if I ever take those Spanish classes, I promise to translate this magical string of words for you). Mr. Webster defines a manifesto as, “a written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, or views of its issuer.” It seems fitting that any art studio should boast a manifesto lingering vertically on a wall.

The walls of this warehouse can barely contain the color and character brimming inside. The personality of this space draws from the creativity of its designer and the charisma of vintage pieces.

This charming interior bursting of found objects and antiques was discovered among the treasures at Harmoni og Kontrast (another lovely find by Laila Kaldestad). For more blissful images, click through the original article (nestled in the archives of Design*Sponge).

You can bring home a little piece of Lula Aldunate with one of her lovely pillows – embellished with a handmade appliqué and infused with a touch of manifesto.

The post The Essential Manifesto appeared first on EcoSalon.

Since I work from home, I have about a million and one little pieces of paper tacked to my bulletin board: inspirational quotes, photos of friends, birthday cards, ticket stubs, and reminders about my New Year’s resolutions. When I saw this patterned Cedar Record Frame Magnet Board ($7.50) on Etsy, I knew it would breathe new life into my office space.

In fact, I’d actually want to leave a little empty space for a change, and show off the vibrant purple pattern. This magnetic board also comes with five color-coordinated magnets in a handy little tin. (Bonus: you don’t have to poke holes in favorite snapshots or cards and it works with magnetic poetry!)

When I was finished writing this, I noticed that this playful piece of recycled art had sold out (bummer!) But I decided to blog about it anyway, because it seems like the kind of DIY project that even I could tackle in an afternoon. A scrap of fabric, galvanized metal, an old frame, plus a few magnets and an old tin. Who knows? Maybe Polarity (the Etsy seller) will make a few more! She also makes jewelry out of recycled auto parts.

The post Green Crush: Recycled Frame Magnet Board appeared first on EcoSalon.

You’ve dug a compost pit, replaced all your light bulbs with the energy-efficient kind, and given up bottled water for good. What about your home office? These five cool office supplies are guaranteed to help keep you productive and planet-friendly all at once.

Sticky Notes – Good things come in small packages, like this pack of 100 percent recycled sticky-notepads. If you use notes all over the place like I do (which is to say, every exposed surface in my home office), then it’s great to be able to feed your craving for stickies without wandering far afield of your desire to be good to the planet.

Handmade Journals – Lots of us use journals to track ideas, plan projects, and collect notes throughout the work day. These beautiful handmade journals are made from 100 percent recycled paper and feature plantable paper covers pre-seeded with poppies, snap dragons, bird’s eye, etc. So when you’ve filled the notebook, just rip the cover off and drop it in your garden or a pot of soil. The annuals and perennials will give you something to look at when you’re on your next boring conference call.

Biodegradable Ballpoint Pens – I’m crazy about these! I have a metric ton of plastic-barreled pens all over my office that seem to materialize from nowhere and never write well. I need to have pens around but I’m not crazy about bringing yet more plastic junk into my house. Paper Mate comes to the rescue with a biodegradable pen that will disintegrate in your backyard compost bin when it outlives its usefulness. Brilliant!

Looseleaf Binders – Whether you use them for work, school, home, or office organization, looseleaf three-ring binders are super handy to have around. The downside is all the cardboard and vinyl components used to assemble them. Earth Binder makes standard and custom looseleaf binders made almost completely from post-consumer material. You can buy ready-made binders direct from the company, or ask them to help you design a custom project at no charge.

Colored Folders – You can’t manage an effective workspace without an efficient filing system. These colored hanging folders from Earthwise are made from 50 percent post-consumer materials and are perfect for getting a mountain of paperwork under control quickly.

Image: Risager

The post 5 Green Home Office Supplies We Love appeared first on EcoSalon.

Working from home definitely has its perks. Aside from the lack of soul-destroying cubicles and toxic office politics, it’s also environmentally healthy because it means no commute, no prepackaged snacks from a vending machine or a convenience store, and no giant conference room that sucks up energy and sits unused half the time.

Whether you’re a telecommuter, a freelancer, or a work-at-home entrepreneur, we’ve assembled a list of five products that will help you green your home office. Stylishly, of course.

1. Modella Bamboo Desk No office is complete without a desk and this one is made of sturdy, sustainable bamboo. Its rich, warm finish comes from a non-toxic kiln process. With its ample shelves and surface area for computers, printers, and other essentials, we can’t help but give it a seal of approval.
2. Knú Bookcase
   These bookcases are made from FSC-certified wood when possible and come in six different finishes. We love the clean, simple lines, and the extra deep shelves.
3. MOBOS Modular Storage Bins As Jennae at Green Your Décor points out, these cute, colorful storage units are available in a rainbow of colors and shapes. Plus, they’re made of recycled metal with non-toxic coatings.
4. Bamboo Desk Memo Station With Ballpoint Pen This bamboo memo station features a groove for the included pen. And for each desk memo station purchased, the company will make a donation to the Arbor Day Foundation, which encourages people to plant trees and protect the rainforests.
5. Pulp Bulletin Board We have a serious crush on this clever little bulletin board. It’s made of recycled magazine pages, so you can attach reminders by sticking them between the tightly packed pages or using thumb tacks. The varied colors of the pages create a cool accent, too.

Image: Knú

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