I have a dirty little secret.
And when I say dirty, I mean filthy. Foul. Obscene. Offensive.
I need professional help with my dirty secret.
But I have to tell someone. It cant go on any longer.
The silence must be broken.
This is my office.
It is horrendous. And I cant take it anymore.
This might be hard to read. It basically says JUNK. EVERYWHERE.
So I spent some quality time next to a garbage can today.
Oh, and then I went and cleaned my office.
Look what I found!
Space. Lots and lots of usable space. Happy Birthday to me!
I just might even enjoy sitting at my desk now.
Do you have any spaces that could use a good before/after photo shoot?
I soo need to do this. I just need an office period. Or a desk! I work on a card table. seriously. Love your set up and new-found organization! I may have to "before and after" tomorrow after work! Thanks!
Posted by: jaime | January 31, 2010 at 10:38 PM
Wow! What a transformation!! Your desk looks like its in a magazine :-)
I laughed (a lot and loudly) at all of your comments on the picture. Loved it!
Posted by: Kate | January 31, 2010 at 10:38 PM
Ooo, it's so crisp and beautiful all reorganized! I think it looks like spring--which I am very ready for! Lovely desk make-over! I am inspired! Now where to start?
Posted by: Londa | January 31, 2010 at 11:22 PM
Love your space! I've got a few areas that I really need to attack the paper piles...they accumulate so quickly.
Posted by: Jamie @ Six Bricks High | February 01, 2010 at 12:00 AM
Did I catch it correctly, it's you birthday? Happy Birthday!
my desk looks close and each week I clean it up and a few days later it's a mess. trouble is I don't have enough room to put the things I'm working on and it doesn't help my computer is there and the desk is in my kitchen. Busy-busy spot! I just might take a photo now so you can laugh :)
Posted by: Diane {createdbydiane.blogspot.com} | February 01, 2010 at 12:45 AM
Wow! What a gorgeous space you have! I am jealous!
Posted by: The Lumberjack's Wife | February 01, 2010 at 12:46 AM
Firstly, Happy Birthday!!!! and your office looks wonderful. I love decluttering. LOVE it!
Posted by: Sarah | February 01, 2010 at 01:00 AM
When I had my scrapbook stuff out, that is exactly what it looked like! Since Em was born, all my cubes are in the closet. I can't wait to move in May and be able to have a room for them again!
Your space looks great now!!! Fab job!
Hayley
Posted by: Hayley | February 01, 2010 at 05:15 AM
Well - your before picture looks like many spaces in my home!! I am so impressed at how clean you got it.
Posted by: Jessica | February 01, 2010 at 05:48 AM
Oh, do I? Where do I begin? I have a picture of our basement on my post today...but it's because we are finishing the other side so everything is piled up...but there are other rooms that have no excuse. Your office looks awesome! GREAT job! I would sit there and enjoy it!
Posted by: Carrie @ Martin Manor | February 01, 2010 at 06:11 AM
Ah, I even feel relieved looking at that. Your 'new' space looks spectacular!
I need to clean up my cookie cutter collection... Hundreds of them stored in the laundry/storage room shelves in a mish mash of boxes etc. Thanks for the inspiration and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Posted by: Marian (Sweetopia) | February 01, 2010 at 06:17 AM
Happy Birthday Amanda! Did you make yourself a cake? :) Your desk looks marvelous all sparkly clean, with all that space. Can you come do mine next?
Posted by: Renee | February 01, 2010 at 07:04 AM
Looks like my desk in the before pic. :)
The after picture is just beautiful! Great job!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
Posted by: Casey | February 01, 2010 at 07:18 AM
LOVE the before and after! Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Deanna | February 01, 2010 at 07:42 AM
Woo-Hoo! I'm so excited for you. I dream of the day our home will be big enough to have an office. Until that day, my piles of paper will continue to cover the beautiful limestone desk Doug installed for my computer.
I am very impressed thoguh. Is it easy for you to get rid of stuff? If so, will you let me in on the secret?
Posted by: Bethany | February 01, 2010 at 07:56 AM
Wanna know my secret for getting rid of stuff Bethany? Let it pile up and sit in front of your face and make you crazy for a good year. I finally just couldnt take it anymore!!! Plus I had to make room for homeschooling stuff. We are starting next fall! :)
Posted by: Amanda Rettke | February 01, 2010 at 08:05 AM
Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday dear friend! How tricky of you to sneak that in there! Hope your special day is wonderful. Are you doing anything fun?
PS I love the office makeover, too! I have to do that from time to time. . .
Posted by: Sarah Robbins | February 01, 2010 at 08:11 AM
wow! what a make-over! i believe noticed a little scissor collection going on? truely inspirational! my "office" is a dump. i was sort of using it to study in about 4 months ago but the door remains closed most of the time to keep the puppy from going in there. that means it's an easy place to dump stuff. hence, "my office is a dump". i have 3 more months in nursing school and unfortunately, the living room has become my study space. i don't even want to attempt to clean it up right now. i don't even want to want to. know what i mean?
Posted by: olivia | February 01, 2010 at 08:33 AM
i am so PROUD of you. It always feels so good to do that. I have lots of spaces in my house that need a before and after shot, but I will save that for another time! he he he!
Posted by: gianna | February 01, 2010 at 09:25 AM
Happy birthday!
Our office area is a mess too. I'm in the process of working on it, I have one project at a time. Otherwise it's too overwhelming. So far I've sorted books to keep or get rid of and organized my note cards.
Posted by: bp | February 01, 2010 at 09:42 AM
The After looks so awesome, its motivating me to clean up my messy work space.
Posted by: Erica B. | February 01, 2010 at 10:03 AM
Happy Birthday sweet friend!! What a nice birthday gift to yourself! I hope you enjoy every second of it!
Posted by: Michelle | February 01, 2010 at 10:14 AM
Our basement needs a dramatic before and after shoot. Dramatic.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Posted by: Leah | February 01, 2010 at 10:45 AM
It looks great!
And how do you make your photographs so bright and close up? What kind of lens do you use?
I'm trying to learn all the ins and outs of photography, but the things I photograph still look far away, even when I zoon! (I have a DSLR camera; not sure what you use?)
Posted by: Genny | February 01, 2010 at 10:50 AM
WOW!! What a before and after! I love the feel of a clean house.. maybe that is why I am so OCD about it.
Posted by: mindy | February 01, 2010 at 10:54 AM
Oh girl I have 3 dirty little secrets...my bedroom, emma's, and the boys...and there will be no pictures anytime soon! LOL
Posted by: Christy | February 01, 2010 at 11:20 AM
I am not as brave as you, and wouldn't post a before and after pic of my desk. However, you've inspired me to at least clean mine up a little. lol
I'm seeing "Happy Birtday" in some comments as I scrolled down...is it your birthday today? If so, may it be Happy Happy! (Or did I miss it?)
~M
Posted by: Margaret | February 01, 2010 at 11:44 AM
Oh yes I do...but I hate to take that before picture. What a mess I have. Great job cleaning up your area! Love it.
Posted by: He & Me + 3 | February 01, 2010 at 11:51 AM
That looks eerily familiar...
But the after picture is gorgeous!
Very motivating...
Posted by: Christina | February 01, 2010 at 12:03 PM
It looks great!! I need to figure something out in our office to organize, but haven't got the chance yet...everything has a place but its to cluttered. Happy Birthday - Feb. is a great month!!
Posted by: Tami | February 01, 2010 at 12:33 PM
Happy birthday!
Your space looks GREAT!
I think we have a similar sense of humor. I also posted my own "Dirty Little Secret"...
http://adoptbellagrace.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-dirty-little-secret.
Enjoy your day!! :)
Posted by: Pineapple Princess | February 01, 2010 at 12:43 PM
Your space looks great! That must have felt good! Totally do the same little 'secret' to get rid of stuff....let it sit in front of you. Exactly what I do.
I do have a couple places that could use a little before and after...slowly working on them.
Happy birthday!
Posted by: Amy | February 01, 2010 at 01:07 PM
Whoa!!! Can you come do my house????
Posted by: Brianne | February 01, 2010 at 01:15 PM
Yep, I got those spaces too, but I don't think I'm ready to share them just yet :)
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Ruth | February 01, 2010 at 01:54 PM
I love that space! It is so white and clean and the boxes are an organizing women's dream come true! Not that I would know or anything, wink! What an accomplishment. It feels great doesn't it?
Posted by: Amanda Sikes | February 01, 2010 at 02:34 PM
lovely. just lovely. wanna come over to my place?! ;)
Posted by: Jen | February 01, 2010 at 03:04 PM
Yep!! My office is pretty much a disaster, too. It's a huge disincentive to even come in here to get anything done. Somehow, I manage, but I don't love it!
I LOVE your newly cleaned out space!! It's really nice with all the storage options you've got going on there. Love love!
Posted by: ClassiclyAmber | February 01, 2010 at 05:22 PM
Ok, it's sad that I actually feel BETTER after seeing this post! I got this image of your house being all spotless and gorgeous, like in your baking photos, so seeing that you're just like ME is a relief! lol! Actually, I just cleaned off my computer desk yesterday too - it MUST have been terrible cause even my husband commented on being able to see the desk again ;) I have a bad habit of keeping clutter and papers laying around.
You did a great job (loved the "captions" on the photo ;))
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Posted by: Mandi | February 01, 2010 at 05:54 PM
Sooooo....what time will be at my house to complete this MAJOR task here????
I'll be waiting!
Posted by: Nancy | February 01, 2010 at 08:55 PM
Happy Birthday to YOU! Hey, who bakes YOU a cake??? I would but you would probably have a heart attack if you knew it was from a box! He he he.
Don't you love getting organized! What a fun birthday present. I hope you had a great day :-)
Posted by: Cop Mama | February 01, 2010 at 09:05 PM
so you mean i'm not the only one with a dirty lil secret? good to know...and perhaps i'll get to my two dirty little secrets this week...mind if i borrow this idea?
Gen
Posted by: Gen D'Orleans | February 01, 2010 at 10:33 PM
My office isn't quite *that* bad, but it definitely needs a little bit of help. Your after picture looks great!
Posted by: Cate O'Malley | February 01, 2010 at 10:34 PM
Um, yes, but ... I'm not that brave.
First time reader - love it!
Posted by: Kristen | February 01, 2010 at 10:37 PM
Hello
After cleaning your desk,it looks really very nice.Well I am also similar like you and sometimes can't clean my desk.I clean it in my free time..So it not your that much dirty secret.
Posted by: cheap dsi r4 | February 01, 2010 at 10:53 PM
Ha! That is awesome! I myself have had some really messy rooms, but not anymore (yeah right). No, my bedroom is a perfect get-away (more like a hurricane). And my hallway is not filled with empty diaper boxes. Oh no...I am perfect. :)
Good job!!!!!
Posted by: Amy | February 02, 2010 at 08:31 AM
I JUST read about you on MckMama's post.
How DO you have time to do all of that when you are the mama of 3? I think you NEVER sleep!
oh, and happy birthday!
Posted by: gianna | February 02, 2010 at 09:53 AM
hi! your office looks fantastic. great before and after. i might have 1 or 2 (read:4) of those spaces around my house. :)
just came across your blog - from not sure where - oh yeah, ohdeedoh and your rainbow pancakes. you are very funny and provide much needed solidarity in the world of christian sahmamas. thanks for sharing your life!
Posted by: annalea | February 02, 2010 at 03:56 PM
I need to know how long that took you to do??? You are amazing! It now looks lovely and organized. Although, even the before pictures had an element of loveliness...like a well lived-in space. Kudos, though, for tackling that job.
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | February 02, 2010 at 04:03 PM
Oh I love it! I"ve missed reading your blog so much. I had several of those spaces, but they are currently all packed up in boxes awaiting the day they are unpacked and (maybe) organized in the new house!
Posted by: Jenney | February 02, 2010 at 04:53 PM
Wow - That looks amazing! What a transformation!! Looks like it should be a picture in Pottery Barn or something :) I love before and afters!
Posted by: Sal | February 02, 2010 at 09:22 PM
Crisp & clean! Looks great!
BTW, been meaning to ask... What kind of camera do you use?
Posted by: Cathy | February 02, 2010 at 09:38 PM
I literally had to get my hubby to come to the screen and look at your desk to tell him SEE - I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH A MESSY DESK! :-) Thanks....but then I scrolled down and you just HAD to clean it didn't you?! Ugh. He saw that pic, too.
Great job - I need some of that organization in my desk.
Posted by: Lindsay | February 02, 2010 at 09:54 PM
Wow-eeeeeee...I figured you were going to post the pic and be like, oh, well, that's how it is -- or is that my thinking ;-)
Posted by: carma | February 02, 2010 at 10:06 PM
Oh wow Amanda... that looks amazing! Way to go. I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE a well-organized space. Also... btw, Happy belated Birthday!!!!
Posted by: Ria | February 02, 2010 at 10:07 PM
holy transformation batman!
GREAT job!
I'm working on simplifying my life by doing such things...but I am doing baby steps...
and sort of waiting until rummage sale season...
Posted by: darcie | February 07, 2010 at 07:58 PM
i have so many spaces that could use this before and after...not sure how i missed this post but i'm looking for some new ones...hope you don't feel too discouraged by the crazy irrational bashers from your last post...love to you...
Posted by: denise | February 08, 2010 at 12:55 AM
That looks so good! What a present to yourself, for sure!
Posted by: Molly | February 09, 2010 at 12:27 PM
Please please come help me
I AM SOOOOO BURRRRRIIIIEEEDDD you inspire me
Cheers
Catie
Posted by: Cate | February 10, 2010 at 03:24 PM
those are some fantastic before and after pictures! i love seeing how the office looked before it was cleaned then admiring the fresh new clean office. You've inspired me to start taking before and after pictures! well done you.
Posted by: office cleaning | March 03, 2010 at 08:13 AM