Looking for a little inspiration to brighten up your midweek? From a brightly colored interior door and centuries old architecture to impulsive hair-color decisions and vintage typewriters, where do you draw your inspiration? 

I love putting together mood boards whenever I'm lacking ideas. They are typically the product of staring at a blank blogpost longer than 20 minutes once the panic sets in that I will no longer be able to form coherent sentences or  write anything of any meaning ever again. Truth be told, last week's Lifestyle Blogging Guide was a similar product born out of the empty time waiting for New Girl and Mindy Project to come on.

When the weather is seasonally terrible and more of your time is spent indoors than outdoors, how do keep the creative juices flowing? Because I'm sort of at a loss and there may be more and more sarcastic ramblings. But maybe that's ok.

Also, if anyone else is as type-obsessed as I am, how perfect is this ampersand? I could care less about the rest of the typeface, but this is perfection.

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In my quest to reach desktop zero, I have also been in search of the best desktop backgrounds to serve as my motivation. When I was on student publications and the office was my second home and the 21 inch iMac pretty much served as my main computer, I was all about having a new, beautiful background every week. It was my thing. Sadly, people always asked if I had designed them myself and I faced this moment of conflicting emotions: one that they think I have enough graphic design sense to do this and two a sense to give credit where credit is due.

I say all of this to say that I like pretty things. And just as a clean desk top (the physical desk) with a few trinkets on it can spark creativity, I believe that a beautiful desktop background can have the same effect. Kudos if it is also functional and helps you organize your files or has a built in calendar. 

Most of these came from DESIGNLOVEFEST and Jenny Highsmith. They never fail to provide desktop downloads on a regular basis. 

Which one is your favorite? Which designer/blogger do you turn to to dress you tech?

I tried, but I can't keep it a secret any longer. Stamp in My Passport is in the process of undergoing a facelift. As we speak, Amanda is working her design and coding magic and is going to make this blog of mine look better than a Real Housewife who has just returned from a botox party. 

After a year and a half it is time for the pink to be retired. That was one of my requirements, no pink. I say this after just purchasing neon pink shorts, but that is neither here nor there. 

Clean, crisp, simple, modern were the words to describe my design style. And I can't wait for you to see the finished product soon. As for color, it's dark and dramatic greys, navys and greens on a blank white slate. 

I probably stare at my blog more than any other person and there's nothing better than a new look for inspiration. It's like when you were in school, and every August you had the opportunity to reinvent your look. 

But have no fear, the content will most definitely remain the same. My musings on life, travel and the pursuit of coffee aren't going anywhere. If that's ok with you, of course. 

And now that I have rambled on long enough, enjoy your weekend!

Photo credit (clockwise): 

 http://theneotraditionalist.com | http://www.parishotelboutique.blogspot.com/ 

 http://katherine-mcbride.com/ | http://hawaiiancoconut.tumblr.com/

Over the past several weeks, I've been toying with the idea of pursuing freelance work until I find something more permanent and then also to help fund the trips I know I will be taking. If I want to seriously work on my own, I need an office space that reflects that. A laptop and time spent laying in bed or on the couch does not a home office make. Mine will have fresh flowers, natural light, an inspiration/gallery wall and open shelving above. 

For those of you who are self-employed or who work from home, what are your must haves to keep you focused, inspired and creative in your space? Does the dining room table transform to a conference table from 9-5?