Blog by Kristina Kasparian Veni Etiam Photography

The Venezia Collection: A timeless balance between decay and wonder

28/4/2020

It's no secret to those who know me well, not even to those who know me a little:
Venice is my soul city.

A place that pulls on my heartstrings and just doesn't let go. A place where I prefer to roam alone, so I can focus on Her. A place that feeds me with melancholy and quietude in equal parts.

It's no secret that Venice is my deepest inspiration; even my shop's name is partly dedicated to Her.

And so are several (many) photographs in the collection.

Below are the prints in the Venezia Collection, full of nostalgia and wonder.

Each print has its own unique title and caption (in English and French) and is available in the size and finish of your choice.

Eerie Lagoon

The unique beauty of the city that emerges from the sea, outlasting time and high tides
La beauté unique de la ville qui émerge de la mer, qui survit le temps et les marées

The Winged Lion

Guarding the square, the lagoon, its wishes and secrets
Gardien dela place, le lagon, ses souhaits et ses secrets

Dopo la pioggia

A quiet Venice awakens after a gentle morning rain
Une Venise tranquille se réveilleaprès la douce pluie du matin

Campiello dei Trevisani

A morning in the neighborhood of Cannaregio, Venice
Un beau matin dans le quartier de Cannaregio, Venise

Belonging

Sometimes, I like to imagine that Venice belongs not to people,
but to the elements, to its creatures, statues and relics.
Parfois, j'aime imaginer que Venise n'appartient pas aux gens,
mais aux éléments, à ses créatures, statues et reliques.

Canarégio

In the heart of the oldest sestiere of Venice
Au coeur du plus ancien "sestiere" de Venise

Sunday in Burano

Local life in a quiet 'Campiello'
La vie locale dans un quartier charmant

My Color Palette

Colors that make your heart sing
Des couleurs qui font chanter le coeur

San Marco

The winged lion and the winged pigeon – both rule over St Mark’s square
Le lion et le pigeon -les deux règnentsur la place Saint-Marc

Rio della Misericordia

On the atmospheric fringes of the
Cannaregio quarter in Venice, Italy
La périphérie atmosphérique du quartier
de Cannaregio à Venise, Italie

Soaring Heart

My freest days and happiest days but also my most melancholy days.
This city liberates emotions
Mes jours les plus libres et heureux mais aussi les plus mélancoliques.
Cette ville libère des émotions

Never Tire of You

My lens (and my heart) will never tire of you
Mon objectif (et mon coeur) ne se lassera jamais de toi

Soul City

You are more than a place, and I can never have enough, from any angle
Tu est plus qu'une ville et je n'en ai jamais assez, de n'importe quel angle

Burano Bliss

A splash of color, a dash of life
Une touche de couleur, une dose d’énergie

Painted Blue

The idyllic pastel palette of Burano, Venice
La palette idyllique de couleurs pastel à Burano, Venise

Fondamenta dei Mendicanti

You walk and walk, until you reach the edge of the Lagoon
Marcher sans cesse, jusqu’à ce qu’on atteignele bord de la Lagune

La Bella Rustica

To be alone with you
Pour être seule avec toi

Golden Afternoons

My favorite time of the day, in my favorite place in the world
Mon moment préféré de la journée, à mon endroit préféré au monde

Watching You Find Your Way

"There are no wrong turnings. Only paths we had not known we were meant to walk."
Il n'y a pas de mauvais tournants, seuls des chemins que nous étions destinés à marcher."

Cupole

The breathtaking view of the Lagoon and the five domes of San Marco
Une vue imprenable sur la lagune et les cinq dômes de San Marco

Laguna Mia

A moody reflection of gondolas under a bridge
Reflet mélancolique de gondoles sous un pont

Palazzo Ducale

The Gothic palace where East meets West, where Land meets Lagoon and open Sea
Le palais gothique où l'Est rencontre l'Ouest, où la Terre rencontre la Lagune et la Mer

Il Moro

Traces of the Republic's mercantile past
Traces du passé mercantile de la République

Riflessioni

Her colors always seem more vibrant after the rain
Ses couleurs semblent toujours plus vives après la pluie

Calle della Chiesa

There is so much beauty in Venice, one must remember to look up and in every direction
Il y a tellement de beauté à Venise, il faut se rappeler de regarder dans toutes les directions

Corte della Comare

A blissful afternoon in colorful Burano, Italy
Un après-midi merveilleux dans la ville colorée de Burano, Italie

Clearing Skies

The beauty in the simple sight of a clearing sky reflected in rain puddles
La simple beauté d’un ciel dégagé, reflété dans les flaques de pluie

Burano Boot

Sometimes, it's the simplest and most unexpected sights that capture your attention
Parfois, ce sont les choses les plus simples et les plus inattendues qui attirent votre attention

Egidio

Burano’s deeply rich colors and one happy little bird
Les couleurs riches de Burano et unpetit oiseau heureux

Verso la Fondamenta

Ochre yellow and deep lilac
Ocre et lilas profond

Burano Colors

For a lover of colors, there is no more perfect place
Pour un amateur de couleurs, il n'y a aucun meilleur endroit

Laundry Day

Picturesque everyday scenes of Burano
Les scènes quotidiennes pittoresques à Burano

Pretty Thoughts

A Sunday stroll through Burano’s streets, without worry of rain
Notre promenade du dimanche dans les rues de Burano, sans souci de pluie

Return Again

My favorite view of Venice, different upon each return
Ma vue préférée de Venise, différente à chaque retour

So there you have it, Venice through my lens.
Got a favorite? Let me know in a comment!

From my heart to yours,
Kristina

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The Greece Collection: Mediterranean home decor

28/4/2020

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Ever felt so inspired and peaceful on a trip that you just wanted to bring that beautiful feeling home with you?

That's what the Greece Collection represents for me (and, based on your feedback, for many of YOU!)

Staring at images of blue seas, whitewashed architecture and flowers in effortless bloom has the power to transport us.

Below are the prints in the dreamy Greece Collection, ready to warm up your walls and to make your home office a happier place.

Each print has its own unique title and caption (in English and French) and is available in the size and finish of your choice.

All My Wishes

After a steep climb to the monastery, I cast all my wishes into the deep eternal sea
Après une montée raide vers le monastère, je lance mes souhaits dans la mer profonde et éternelle

Agios Stefanos

A taste of heaven on the northwestern edge of Corfu
Un air de paradis sur le côte nord-ouest de Corfou

Cape Drastis

The dramatic cape, inaccessible and undisturbed
Le cap spectaculaire, inaccessible et tranquille

Afionas

A colorful village on the clifftops of Corfu
Un village coloré sur les falaises de Corfou

Beauty on the Horizon

It is a blessing when there is so much beauty to appreciate
before the distant, serene horizon
Quelle bénédiction de pouvoir apprécier tant de beauté
devant un horizon paisible

No One Knows

What lies beyond? No one knows
Qu'est-ce qui se trouve de l’autre côté? Personne ne le sait

Morning Air

All was quiet as the old town slept
Tout était calme pendant que la vieille ville dormait

Blue and White

The traditional Greek colors and its stunning sea
Les couleurs traditionnelles grecques et sa mer magnifique

Understated Beauty

The luring charm of old palaces
Le charme attirant de vieux palais

The Perfect Sea

The sea, the sea, the perfect sea!
La mer, la mer, la mer parfaite!

Seafront

Faded from sunshine and salty air
Délavée par le soleil et l’air salé

Garden Village on the Clifftops

Idyllic Afionas perched above the sea
Joli Afionas perché au-dessus de la mer

Kerkyra

Old Corfu Town, with all its rustic charm
La vielle ville de Corfou, avec tout son charme rustique

Palazzina

Could I buy a summer house here and watch the sunset over the sea?
Puis-je passer mes étés ici à regarder le coucher du soleil sur la mer?

So there you have it. On grey days, we can all daydream of breathtaking Greek landscapes!

Got a favorite in the Greece Collection? Leave a comment and let me know!

From my heart to yours,
Kristina

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Terronia: Discovering the wines of Italy's lesser-known regions

26/4/2020

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What if I told you that the Italian wines you know and love barely even scratch the surface of Italian wine culture?

For nearly 20 years, Silvestro Silvestori has been teaching international visitors about food and wine at his culinary school in Puglia, a fascinating region on Italy's heel.

Silvestro has welcomed students from 59 countries to The Awaiting Table, and I was one of them. What makes his approach unique, both from an international and local perspective, is Silvestro's passionate commitment to inspiring a different kind of tourism.

Silvestro offers a new way of thinking about Italian food and wine, connecting schools of thought that are often disconnected.

"I love teaching the relationships between disciplines, because in wine you can understand everything here in southern Europe." Silvestro explains how wine allows us to understand history, geography, cuisine, cultural identity, even economics. "I wish someone would have taught like this when I was growing up."

Silvestro's different classes immerse visitors into authentic experiences, such as shopping for fresh ingredients and local wine at small grocers, making regional dishes from scratch, picking olives and learning about olive oil, making and bottling homemade tomato sauce. But underlying each of these experiences is Silvestro's main goal: to highlight what makes lesser-known places in southern Italy special, while reinforcing tourism in an authentic way that allows regional industries to thrive long-term.

Silvestro never stops learning and researching. In his downtime every year, he spends two months travelling the south by bicycle to research southern Italian wine and to learn directly from local producers. It was on those bicycle trips that Silvestro realized that so much of what he wants to teach cannot possibly be summarized on a chalkboard in a class. Instead, he felt inspired to create a television series to bring the intricacies of southern Italy to us, straight into our homes.

Silvestro's passion for video is not a secret. For years, I've been a fan of his short educational films on different facets of the region. Through Silvestro's creativity and compelling storytelling, I've learned about topics like rosè, baroque architecture, wine tasting, how to read an Italian wine label, how to choose a knife, how to make orecchiette, and how geology influences wine.

I can't wait to see where his Terronia episodes will take us, how they will enchant us and make us yearn to discover these unique regions in a meaningful, sustainable way.

Silvestro has launched an IndieGoGo campaign to fund part of his ambitious project. I invite you to watch his trailer and read all about his project on his campaign page. If you're passionate about authentic travel and Italian culture, you can back his project and select a "perk" based on the grape that inspires you!

I have no doubt that Silvestro's creativity and multidisciplinary teaching style will leave a lasting impression on anyone who watches his Terronia series.
Silvestro: I wish you the best in this passionate endeavor!

From my heart to yours,
Kristina

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Ecofriendly prints, sustainable packaging and a recycling program

24/4/2020

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Having a wall art shop where printing, packaging and shipping internationally is part of my everyday routine, it is important to me to reduce my impact on the environment and limit waste.

In this post, I share some of the ways in which my shop strives to be eco-friendly.

1. Paper

Choosing my paper thoughtfully ensures that my photographs are high-quality products with crisp details, accurate colors and fade-resistant inks. But I am also proud to offer you paper prints that are officially identified as adhering to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards. When paper is FSC-certified, it has its roots in responsibly-managed forests.

I offer two kinds of paper prints in my shop, and both options are made with FSC-certified, acid-free, eco-friendly paper and non-toxic inks: a fine-art textured paper (308 gsm giclee print) and a smooth satin paper (250 gsm giclee print).

2. Sustainable packaging

When packaging and shipping your orders, I strive to find a balance between making you happy (like you're opening a gift) and making the Earth happy.

Recently, I designed and ordered eco-friendly packaging so that I don't have to hurt the environment while sharing my shop's personality with you. The issue paper is FSC-certified, recycled and recyclable. The stickers are also FSC-certified and compostable.

Even better, the company that printed my tissue and stickers plants a tree in an endangered forest for every order they receive!

I use bubble wrap only when necessary (when shipping fragile glass frames or delicate wall art that can scratch or shatter).

3. Reusing and recycling everything

Since the beginning of my shop in 2015, I have recycled and reused every kind of packaging (tubes, mailers, cardboard, cellophane, foam, frame corners and bubble) to minimize waste and to reduce my impact on the environment.

I have a recycling program where clients can return clean and undamaged cardboard, bags, bubble wrapping, boxes, mailers and tubes (by appointment or at a show). After 6 returns of any kind of reusable material, they get a free 8x8 print of their choice!

My shop will continue to evolve towards more eco-responsible practices as new options become available in the coming months and years. I am excited to be able to share my passion with you and help you create an inspiring sanctuary, all the while protecting our environment as best as I can.

Tell me: How much do you consider how ecofriendly a shop or product is? Leave me a comment - I would love to know.

From my heart to yours,
Kristina

See you on Instagram!

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Alone with the seagulls: A lonely stroll in Old Montreal

13/4/2020

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It always astonishes me how much good a short stroll does.

This spring is by far the strangest spring we've ever experienced - living in confinement until the threat of this virus subsides, we have no choice but to adapt to a new reality and cherish the simple joys hidden in each day.

To stretch my legs and clear my mind, I took a short stroll in Old Montreal. It was a little surreal - the streets and squares that are usually packed with locals and tourists, no matter the season, were like movie sets eerily devoid of their players.

My lens kept me company as I alternated between feeling inspired and feeling lonely. Luckily, there were seagulls to break the silence that hung from the clouds.

And although I had had a string of days where optimism floundered, I could not help but find a bit of peace and hope in the clearing skies and budding trees, no matter how anxious Time (and the loss of it) always makes me feel.

I hope that you're able to go for a short stroll to fill your lungs with air (and seagulls), and that you're able to hold onto the glimmer of hope and optimism hidden in each day.

From my heart to yours,
Kristina

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Des messages d'espoir cachés dans mes photos

10/4/2020

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An English version of this post is also available

Quand une scène m'inspire et que je la prends en photo, j'espère toujours que cette observation ou cette émotion vous inspirera aussi. Parfois, je glisse des messages dans les titres ou les descriptions de mes photographies (que j'inclus sur une fiche personnalisée avec chaque affiche que vous commandez en petits et moyens formats). Ces descriptions me rappellent ce que je pensais au moment où j'ai pris la photo, mais, souvent, j'aime les créer pour vous inspirer.

Lors d'un de mes marchés l'année passée, un visiteur m'a demandé si ces descriptions sont visibles sur ma boutique en ligne, car elles pourraient influencer les choix de clients qui cherchent des idées cadeau. À l'époque, seuls les titres étaient en ligne, mais je suis heureuse d'annoncer que j'ai travaillé fort pour ajouter chacune des descriptions uniques à mes fiches produits!

Pendant cette période de confinement et d'émotions fluctuantes, au seuil de ce printemps étrange et surréaliste, j'aimerais partager des photos qui ont un titre ou une description sentimentale et optimiste.

Certaines d'entre elles datent de 2015, mais elles résonnent avec notre état d'esprit actuel.

Si vous cherchez un cadeau pour un de vos proches ou si vous voulez vous offrir un petit plaisir pour vous évader, j'espère que vous serez inspirés par ces mots et ces images.

Les titres et les descriptions sont tous bilingues (français et anglais). Pour en savoir plus, cliquez simplement sur l'image ou écrivez-moi pour me poser une question.

Bloom Where Unlikely / Fleurir là où c'est improbable

Un rappel qu’une fleur peut s’épanouir facilement,
même dans des circonstances irrégulières
A reminder that it doesn’t take much for a flower to bloom,
even in the roughest circumstances

The Impossible Spring / Le printemps impossible

Un rappel que le temps défavorable finit par changer et que même les printemps les plus lents finissent par arriver
A reminder that unfavorable weather eventually changes, and even the slowest springs eventually come

Trust the Path / Fais confiance au chemin

Chaque pas est nécessaire pour ce qui va suivre, même si cela ne parait pas tout de suite
Every step is a prerequisite for what comes next, even if it doesn’t seem so at the time

Stand Tall / Tiens-toi debout

Tu es une personne spéciale
You're special

What Goes Down Must Go Up Again
Ce qui descend finit toujours par remonter

Ce qui compte, c’est la lumière, pas les ténèbres
What matters is what is light, not what is dark

Chance

Quand une fenêtre se ferme, une autre s’ouvre
When one window closes, another one opens

Patience

Ouvre ton coeur et tes yeux, et les fenêtres s'ouvriront aussi
Open your heart and your eyes, and windows will open too

Strength & Hope / Force & Espoir

Le ciel et la mer dans une conversation fervente
The sky and the waves, in fervent conversation

Dream Big / Rêve grand

Laissez vos rêves prendre leur envol
Let your dreams take flight

Unlocked / Déverrouillée

Une merveilleuse surprise vous attend.
Something truly delightful awaits you.

Incomplete Without You / Incomplète sans toi

Dédié à une âme douce et généreuse sans qui la vie ne serait pas pareille.
An ode to a gentle and selfless soul without whom life just wouldn’t be the same.

Je t'aime

Des pensées de toi qui m’envahissent au coin d’une rue.
When thoughts of you arise at random street corners.

After the Rain / Après la pluie

Parfois la vie devient encore plus belle après avoir connu la pluie
Sometimes life becomes even more beautiful when it has been graced with raindrops

You Have Time / Tu as le temps

Prends ton temps, reste et reviens
Don't rush, stay awhile and be sure to return

Abundance / Abondance

Plus nous nous concentrons sur les richesses de la vie, plus les richesses se multiplient
The more we focus on life’s riches, the more riches arise

The Way / Le chemin

Suivez vos rêves, où qu'ils vous mènent
Follow your dreams, wherever they may lead

Fede (Foi)

Gardez votre foi: Elle veille sur vous
Have faith: She is watching over you

Up!

Ce sera une saison de paix et d’équilibre
It will be a season of peace and balance

Minimaliste / brutaliste / optimiste

Comme une ombre, comme une lumière
Like a shadow, like a light

Navy Blue (Me & You) / Bleu marin (toi & moi)

Chaque pensée de toi commence et se termine avec l'océan
Every thought of you begins and ends with the ocean

Look Up / Lève les yeux

L'optimisme réside dans la surprise d'une seule fenêtre ouverte
Optimism lies in the surprise of a single open window

On Angels' Wings / Sur les ailes d'un ange

Parfois, il faut de la patience et de la foi pour voler
Sometimes, it takes patience and faith to fly

One Step at a Time / Un pas à la fois

Ce n’est pas la vitesse de la montée qui compte. Il faut juste continuer de monter.
It's not about how fast you climb - it's just about climbing.

Simplicity / Simplicité

Quand les moments les plus évocateurs sont les plus simples
When the most evocative moments are the simplest ones

J'espère que cette sélection vous inspire. Les formats livrés à plat dans une enveloppe rigide (8x8, 12x12, 8x10, 8x12 pouces) sont emballés avec une fiche descriptive. Si vous commandez un format plus grand mais que vous souhaitez que la fiche descriptive soit incluse, laissez-moi simplement une note lors de votre transaction. N'oubliez pas que vous avez toujours l'option d'ajouter une note personnalisée si votre commande est un cadeau!

Prenez soin de vous et restez inspiré!

De mon coeur au vôtre,
Kristina

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Hidden messages: Hopeful captions behind my prints

10/4/2020

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Une version en français est disponible

When something inspires me to reach for my lens, I always hope that this observation or emotion will, in turn, inspire you. Sometimes, I sneak messages in the titles or captions of my photographs (which I include on a customized insert with every small or medium-sized print you order). Those descriptions serve as an extra reminder for me of what I thought at the time I snapped the photo, but, often, I enjoy putting them there in case they might inspire you.

At one of my shows last year, a visitor asked me whether these captions appear in my online shop, because they would help him find something representative to offer as a gift. At the time, only the titles were online, but I'm happy to announce that, since then, I've worked hard to add each of the unique descriptions to the listings in my shop!

During this emotional time in our lives, at the brink of this strange and surreal spring, I wanted to share some of the photographs that have a hopeful title or caption.

Some of them are from 2015, but they still resonate with our current state of mind.

If you're looking for a gift to cheer up a loved-one, or want to treat yourself to something uplifting, I hope you'll find inspiration in these words and images.

The titles and captions are all bilingual (English and French). To learn more about each one, simply click on the image, or write to me to ask a question.

Bloom Where Unlikely

A reminder that it doesn’t take much for a flower to bloom,
even in the roughest circumstances
Un rappel qu’une fleur peut s’épanouir facilement,
même dans des circonstances irrégulières

The Impossible Spring

A reminder that unfavorable weather eventually changes, and even the slowest springs eventually come
Un rappel que le temps défavorable finit par changer et que même les printemps les plus lents finissent par arriver

Trust the Path

Every step is a prerequisite for what comes next, even if it doesn’t seem so at the time
Chaque pas est necessaire pour ce qui va suivre, même si cela ne parait pas tout de suite

Stand Tall

You're special
Tu es une personne spéciale

What Goes Down Must Go Up Again

What matters is what is light, not what is dark
Ce qui compte, c’est la lumière, pas les ténèbres

Chance

When one window closes, another one opens
Quand une fenêtre se ferme, une autre s’ouvre

Patience

Open your heart and your eyes, and windows will open too
Ouvre ton coeur et tes yeux, et les fenêtres s'ouvriront aussi

Strength & Hope

The sky and the waves, in fervent conversation
Le ciel et la mer dans une conversation fervente

Dream Big

Let your dreams take flight
Laissez vos rêves prendre leur envol

Unlocked

Something truly delightful awaits you.
Une merveilleuse surprise vous attend.

Incomplete Without You

An ode to a gentle and selfless soul without whom life just wouldn’t be the same.
Dédié à une âme douce et généreuse sans qui la vie ne serait pas pareille.

Je t'aime

When thoughts of you arise at random street corners.
Des pensées de toi qui m’envahissent au coin d’une rue.

After the Rain

Sometimes life becomes even more beautiful when it has been graced with raindrops
Parfois la vie devient encore plus belle après avoir connu la pluie

You Have Time

Don't rush, stay awhile and be sure to return
Prends ton temps, reste et reviens

Abundance

The more we focus on life’s riches, the more riches arise
Plus nous nous concentrons sur les richesses de la vie, plus les richesses se multiplient

The Way

Follow your dreams, wherever they may lead
Suivez vos rêves, où qu'ils vous mènent

Fede (Faith)

Have faith: She is watching over you
Gardez votre foi: Elle veille sur vous

Up!

It will be a season of peace and balance
Ce sera une saison de paix et d’équilibre

Minimalist, brutalist, optimist

Like a shadow, like a light
Comme une ombre, comme une lumière

Navy Blue (Me & You)

Every thought of you begins and ends with the ocean
Chaque pensée de toi commence et se termine avec l'océan

Look Up

Optimism lies in the surprise of a single open window
L'optimisme réside dans la surprised'une seule fenêtre ouverte

On Angels' Wings

Sometimes, it takes patience and faith to fly
Parfois, il faut de la patience et de la foi pour voler

One Step At a Time

It's not about how fast you climb - it's just about climbing.
Ce n’est pas la vitesse de la montée qui compte. Il faut juste continuer de monter.

Simplicity

When the most evocative moments are the simplest ones
Quand les moments les plus évocateurs sont les plus simples

I hope this selection inspired you. Prints that ship flat (8x8, 12x12, 8x10, 8x12 inches) are packaged with their title and caption. If you order a larger print and wish for the insert to be included, just leave a note at checkout. Lastly, you always have the option of adding a personalized note if your order is a gift.

Stay safe and stay inspired!

From my heart to yours,
Kristina

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Tips for working from home

3/4/2020

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I have always enjoyed working from home.

Throughout my studies and PhD research, I thrived when studying or working independently from home, following my own rhythm or routine. I created this possibility whenever I could, and ultimately chose a line of work where this could be part of my lifestyle. It takes tremendous self-discipline and one needs to develop strong time-management skills, and it may have some drawbacks as well, but overall I find that working from home is a wonderful opportunity.

In this COVID era where millions worldwide have been forced to adapt to a new reality of teleworking, I am sensitive to the fact that the lifestyle I have long cherished is actually quite challenging for others.

I thought I would share some of my strategies and guiding principles for working efficiently from home, with the hope that they might help you turn this challenge into opportunity.

1. Know your rhythm

Do you concentrate best in the morning or afternoon?
What are the signs that you need a break?
Which tasks do you dread the most?
What distracts you?

Consider all of these details when you plan and structure your day, to give yourself the BEST chance of staying focused, especially during tasks that are not your strong suit.

2. Start the day right

How you start the day can have an enormous impact on your mood and mindset.

Let light and fresh air into your working space. Tidy a little. Start the day with something that makes you feel good - coffee, tea, music, gratitude, stretching, journaling gardening, yoga - anything that will fill your body and mind with energy to tackle your day with ease.

Look forward to working; it's a game-changer!

3. Set rules

If you are not alone at home but are worried about being distracted or interrupted, set rules so others know when not to disturb. Wear noise-cancelling headphones, choose a separate space to work from that's away from "the action", put a sign on the door, silence your phone and notifications, communicate to those who try to reach you that you will be working without interruptions until a certain time.

This is by far the biggest challenge for me, especially when friends or family are on a different rhythm (and are sometimes disappointed that I am difficult to reach during the day), but it's the only way I can stay in the zone, especially for demanding tasks like writing, translation or brainstorming. I even leave my phone in another room (I used to call it "putting my phone in quarantine" but then this pandemic broke out and that word stopped being funny to me).

4. Stay organized

Create a desk area (even if it's your kitchen table!) where you have everything you'll need at your fingertips.

Avoid having a "dumping pile". Make sure everything has somewhere to go, physically or on your computer.

Use folders, different colors, to-do lists, post-its, storage bins, dividers, an agenda and apps (like Asana) to stay organized.

Start and end each workday with a few minutes of tidying.

The clearer your space, the clearer your mind!

Featured: "Landmark" from the Canadian collection

5. Track your time

Plan your day in advance (in the morning or the evening before).

Make sure you know what your 1-3 main priorities are for the day - what is urgent and/or will bring you closer to your goals?

Break your tasks down into a list in manageable chunks that you can assign a time interval to. If the task is so huge that you can't estimate how long it will take you, it needs to be further broken down into smaller pieces.

If you don't want to set a time for every task, another strategy is to break your day into 3 parts (e.g. morning, early afternoon, late afternoon) and stay on track with the tasks within those blocks of time. Remember to leave room in your schedule for breaks!

Once you estimate how long something should take you, track your time to stay on task! This will further motivate you to eliminate distractions and silence your notifications. Lots of apps exist to help you track your time if a simple clock doesn't do the trick for you!

6. Schedule breaks

No matter how you structure your to-do list, be sure to plan for breaks AND TAKE THEM!

Whether it's a short walk, exercise, lunch, bath, a phone call, a YouTube video, gardening, meditation or laundry - write it down and make it happen.

I literally put "self-care" on my to-do lists because it makes it important - just as important as all the other items that measure my productivity - and it eliminates any ounce of guilt I have a tendency to feel if I am not working towards my goals. I tell myself that feeling well (physically, mentally and emotionally) is also a priority.

Taking a step back from our work helps us refuel the body and mind, which helps us work faster and with more clarity once we get back to it.

Writing down what you want to do on your breaks keeps you accountable. Work life balance is important, and so is your mental health!

7. Prepare healthy snacks in advance

Sometimes (often...) we reach into the fridge or pantry for inspiration, as if the answer to our problem can be found in a pint of ice cream or a jar of cookies...

To avoid binge eating unhealthy foods, it helps to have healthy snacks already prepared so you can grab them easily: yogurts, pre-cut fruits and veggies, healthier types of chips, cheese, nuts, dates, bars, etc.

When you do your grocery run, try to think of what you might enjoy snacking on while working or a lunch that doesn't take long to prepare. Making healthier items easy to grab will lessen the urge to reach for quick, junky foods.

8. Nurture your space

Your workspace, no matter its size or location, should motivate you. It should feel like a little haven that accompanies you and picks you up when your creativity starts to slump. It doesn't have to be a designated closed space - work with what you've got, even if it's the dining room.

Choose accessories, furniture and decor that inspires and uplifts you. You should feel comfortable and happy in your space, so that you enjoy being there for hours on end.

Don't be afraid to make changes to your space. Your needs evolve, so your space should too!

Featured: "Canopy of Color" from the international collection

9. Move around

If you're working from home, you're not commuting, and you're likely working from one spot all day long.

Be sure to move around while you work (some tasks can be done without your full setup) or during your breaks.

Stand up and stretch. Work while standing sometimes. Pay attention to your posture and how many steps you've done during the day.

If you're the type to lose track of time, set an alarm to get up and get your heart going a little bit, even if it means dancing like no one's watching.

10. Create a boundary

If a task or email comes up and it's not on your radar for today, set it aside until tomorrow.

If 10 new ideas popped into your mind but are not priority, jot them onto a post-it and leave them for another day.

If your "work pile" is causing you anxiety because it's in the middle of your kitchen, put it somewhere else at the end of your day.

If you've noticed that reading emails or checking social media before bedtime causes you stress or insomnia, have a strict no-device policy after supper.

Whenever possible, delineate boundaries between different aspects of your work, or between "work" and "home". Be conscious of how you feel and how you thrive, and set boundaries that protect your mood and mindset.

11. Know when to stop - and stop!

Don't work overtime every single day. Pace yourself even if you think you don't need to. Create work-life balance whether you have a family or live alone.

Know when it's time to stop, and STOP.

Whether it's after 1 more task or at a scheduled time - whatever it is, respect that limit.

Make yourself a note or list so you'll know exactly where to pick up tomorrow.

Featured: "Tour de l'horloge" from the Canadian collection

12. Celebrate

Acknowledge something positive about your day, every day.

Something you learned, a way you stepped out of your comfort zone, a problem you solved, someone you helped, positive feedback you got, a challenge that is behind you, a new opportunity, good news.

Celebrate anything that makes you feel pride, relief or joy.

I hope you found these tips valuable and you feel motivated to try some of them out.

Got a tip to share? Leave a comment below, I would love to know!

From my heart to yours,
Kristina

Eerie Lagoon

The Winged Lion

Dopo la pioggia

Campiello dei Trevisani

Belonging

Canarégio

Sunday in Burano

My Color Palette

San Marco

Rio della Misericordia

Soaring Heart

Never Tire of You

Soul City

Burano Bliss

Painted Blue

Fondamenta dei Mendicanti

La Bella Rustica

Golden Afternoons

Watching You Find Your Way

Cupole

Laguna Mia

Palazzo Ducale

Il Moro

Riflessioni

Calle della Chiesa

Corte della Comare

Clearing Skies

Burano Boot

Egidio

Verso la Fondamenta

Burano Colors

Laundry Day

Pretty Thoughts

Return Again

All My Wishes

Agios Stefanos

Cape Drastis

Afionas

Beauty on the Horizon

No One Knows

Morning Air

Blue and White

Understated Beauty

The Perfect Sea

Seafront

Garden Village on the Clifftops

Kerkyra

Palazzina

1. Paper

2. Sustainable packaging

3. Reusing and recycling everything

Bloom Where Unlikely / Fleurir là où c'est improbable

The Impossible Spring / Le printemps impossible

Trust the Path / Fais confiance au chemin

​Stand Tall / Tiens-toi debout

​What Goes Down Must Go Up Again ​Ce qui descend finit toujours par remonter

Chance

Patience

​Strength & Hope / Force & Espoir

​Dream Big / Rêve grand

Unlocked / Déverrouillée

Incomplete Without You / Incomplète sans toi

Je t'aime

After the Rain / Après la pluie

You Have Time / Tu as le temps

Abundance / Abondance

The Way / Le chemin

Fede (Foi)

Up!

Minimaliste / brutaliste / optimiste

Navy Blue (Me & You) / Bleu marin (toi & moi)

Look Up / Lève les yeux

On Angels' Wings / Sur les ailes d'un ange

One Step at a Time / Un pas à la fois

Simplicity / Simplicité

Bloom Where Unlikely

The Impossible Spring

Trust the Path

Stand Tall

What Goes Down Must Go Up Again

Stand Tall / Tiens-toi debout

What Goes Down Must Go Up Again
Ce qui descend finit toujours par remonter

Strength & Hope / Force & Espoir

Dream Big / Rêve grand

Kristina Kasparian