A few weeks ago, an article making the Facebook rounds caught my eye. In it, author Laura Vanderkam asks “Are you as busy as you think?” Now. To hear me answer that the way I’d like to, you’d think I was giving the President a run for his money in the overburdened schedules department. I always feel busy, often without respite. And the truth is, I am busy. At least in recent years, I haven’t come face-to-face with a block of time I couldn’t fill, but it’s how we choose to use that time, and how we talk about it that matters. For starters, according to Vanderkam it’s our perception of what we’re busy with that could use some work. Most American sleep more and work less than they believe they do. And, we also fill those remaining hours with tasks that may not be in line with our true priorities. To get a better handle on what really fills our days, she suggest three simple things: keeping a time log to help really understand exactly where the time goes, to be honest about how we want to fill that time and to change the way we speak, reminding ourselves that our priorities should dictate our schedules, and not the other way around. For me, it all comes back to a quote by David Allen, (author of this insightful book on the subject): “You can do anything, but not everything.” We have to choose. It seems simple, but in reality proves difficult to put into practice. Do you agree? Do you feel like your days are packed with no escape? Let’s chat!

I’m not sure why I want it. I have no idea how much it will cost (unannounced). I don’t even know when it will be available (the site only says sometime next year, in beta). Still, I can’t help thinking how much fun it would be to print Onion headlines from my iPhone. Or 1,000 other equally silly but meaningful things. You, too, can get hooked on the little printer. Watch the video, then add your name to the mailing list for launch details — Sarah L.

Occasionally I am lucky enough to spend the day working from home. I hole up in an upstairs office and power through a ton of things on my to-do list that I can’t do in the “regular” office due to meetings, interruptions and such. But how much more fun would working from home be if we had an Archipod in our back yard! Like a futuristic cottage, these round stand-alone huts are both cozy and space age. The dome shape allows natural light to flood in, making the tiny interior seem bigger than it is. Apparently it arrives in parts that be carried through your house into the back garden — so even city dwellers with row-houses could indulge. Circular desk included! Click here for more info and to see plans. — Angela M.

Perhaps we should expect some grainy, provocative pictures of pencils and desk lamps in the near future because American Apparel has just launched an office and stationery line. In all seriousness, the products are pretty cute! From tiny erasers shaped like teeth and fruit to crayon rocks, the new stationery line is quirky with plenty of colorful Sharpies and sturdy notebooks thrown in for practicality’s sake. If your office supply list includes gold lame leggings and post-its, consider American Apparel for your one-stop shopping needs. –- Katie D.

Best part? All this “everyday art” is priced affordably for just about everyone. And if they sound familiar, they designed a hyper-popular line for Target last year that went in a flash. Thankfully for us though, they’re sticking around. — Megan B.

New favorite site alert! An “online homage to offline correspondence”,  Letterheady is a blog that chronicles fantastic stationery from the likes of Nikola Tesla to Harry Houdini and it is marvelous! I’m the type of girl who can spend hours in a stationery store. (Candy colored envelopes! Butterfly-shaped confetti presses! Monogrammed thank you notes!) So, for me, the blog has just as much eye candy as Twihard’s bedroom ceiling. Click to indulge your love for old fashioned lines of communication. –Katie D.

For the most part, my office aesthetic can be described as classic, clean and organized. I’m in the planning stages (just dreaming, really) of an everything-in-its-place, comprehensive desk makeover, but that didn’t stop me from laughing out loud when I spotted this little sticky note in a coworker’s office. Classic and clean? Not really. But I can appreciate a well-designed detail any day. I guess this is where my minimalist style hangs a sharp left into Snarktown, but I just love accessories that coax out a smile. Another favorite is Knock Knock’s self-inking WTF stamp, $10. Surely this won’t get as much legitimate air time as my beloved Dozi paperclip holder, but it definitely provides momentary solace from those manic Monday mornings. Where do you stand, readers? Does snark have a place in your office? –Sarah C.

My biggest goal for 2011 (other than winning the lottery and retiring): to be more productive and organized. It’s a lofty one, I know, but thankfully I’ve got help — in the form of web-based productivity assistant Teux Deux. Instead of my perpetual scrap paper list-making cluttering my desk, pockets and recycle bin; I’ve got a minimally-designed running list on my browser, which is where I’m spending the bulk of my computer time anyway. Even better, I’ve got it synced up with the iphone app, so I can cross off those nagging to-do’s as soon as they are complete! Best of all, the site is free (though the mobile app has a nominal fee) — and did I mention it’s the brainchild of one of our favorite bloggers, Tina Roth Eisenberg, also known as swissmiss? — Megan B.

New year, new stamps! In late December the U.S. Postal Service released its list of 2011 stamp program debuts and with it, some snazzy new options to dress those envelopes. A Pixar film aficionado at heart, I’m loving the Send a Hello collection, featuring some of my favorite animated friends, but the standout for me in this release is the Pioneers of American Industrial Design set, available in July. Each stamp honors one of twelve influential designers with their name, a picture of their object and the year it was created. Skip the lines by ordering online and have them delivered to your mailbox for just $1 shipping and handling. –Sarah C.

image courtesy of simplesong

If you can’t get her to spend less time at work, at least you can help infuse her day with a little fun. — Mary T.

Anthony Burrill print – Okay, I’ll be honest: there’s no way you’ll get this in time for Christmas. So print out a photo from Burrill’s website with an “it’s on it’s way” note, and have it shipped to her office for a near-future day brightener.

Clients from Hell Invoices – Does someone complain about her clients? These Clients from Hell invoices for “day ruiners” might make her feel better.

Old School Stickies Set — Argh! Huh? We all need sticky notes to get us through the workday, and few express our feelings as succinctly as this set.

Graphic Lap Desk — Working in bed? Guilty as charged. Take away the sting with a graphic “desk” from the Container Store.

Magazine Files — Piles of magazines and papers get gussied up fast with simple magazine files. If you can brave IKEA this time of year, you can get a pretty set like these Lingo files, just $2.99 for four. Or check the stationery section at a big box store.

Bento Box — A stackable lunch box can add interest to your day even if you can’t get away from your desk. I love this super-colorful version from PLASTICA. Find more at your local Asian supermarket.