I was scanning Twitter the other day (but really, when am I not?) when someone shared a link to What Does Your Desk Look Like: A Sneak Peek at Your Favorite Bloggers’ Desks. I admit to being a bit of a voyeur, so I dove right in.

I know it’s en vogue to embrace your faults. From bad mom to terrible cook to fashion disaster; everyone seems to have a gimmick related to being a nonconformist. But everyone’s desk was so messy that my OCD started to make me twitch. I mean, most of the time my desk looks like this, so you can clearly see my cause for concern:

Sometimes I do get wild and crazy and sloppy and my desk looks like this for about 15 minutes: (Note the day planner and bottled water if you’re struggling with the differences.)

Is complete disarray a hallmark of the blogging community? I can’t be the only blogger with a tidy workplace, can I? Is compulsive tidiness my gimmicky fault to embrace? What does your desk look like? I’ll resist the urge to tidy. Promise.

PS–My mom is probably so proud of me right now. I mean, she is the female Danny Tanner.

PPS–I just organized a Spring Cleaning day at work. You really do turn into your mother.

Passion. We’re told we need it. To go out and find it. To discover your passion is to discover what will bring you happiness and joy and make it rain puppy dogs and lollipops. Hell, students are now encouraged to take a “gap year” between high school and college to find theirs (I’m sure you can guess that I think this is complete and utter bullshit. Go to school. Get a job.)

But what about when passion isn’t enough? Just because you’re passionate about something doesn’t mean you’re especially good at it. Bravo to those that put their whole selves into drawing or calligraphy or macrame because they believe it’s their calling, I truly believe there’s benefit to enjoying and finding value in whatever you’re doing, but there comes a time when you just have to come to terms with being awful.

Case in point? My photography.

I love taking photography classes; listening to the professor explain concepts, critiquing and being critiqued, discovering great photos and the meaning behind them. I adore fiddling with my camera (Maybe my problem is that I’m more of a techy than a photographer?) and making the connection between this setting and that and how my photos change.

But most the of the time, my photos look like these.

Oh, yeah. Dirt.

Shadows. Or something.

Perspective. And a dirty river.

Oh look, my car. (Is it just me, or are these getting progressively worse?)

A half-dead, blurry tree. Wonder of nature, right there.

I call this one “origami in a dark room with no flash.”

Yeah. I’m bad. And it’s an expensive hobby to be passionate about and bad at. Are you terrible at anything you love to do? Do you fake it until you make it or do you laugh and do it anyway?

• The Manolo Blahnik Patent Leather Mary Janes come in green. GREEN! Which just so happens to be my favorite color.
• I’m not ashamed to admit that I watched all 12 episodes of Downton Abbey this weekend.
• I couldn’t convince myself it was worth putting on a bra for, but I did order a few Jason Wu for Target dresses early Sunday morning. (I’ve already heard rumblings of order cancellations. If Jason Wu suffers the same fate as Missoni, I’ll never purchase another designer collaboration from Target again.)
• I also ordered two pairs of Toms ballet flats. And a pair of Minnetonkas. I’m done shopping now. I swear.
• Except maybe for these Elizabeth and James Fox Stud Earrings.
• I loved the Cary Grant profile on CBS Sunday Morning.
• Food meets fashion. I love the egg and avocado sandwhich/outfit.
• Almond milk. Why didn’t anyone tell me it’s not gross?!
• I’ve been digging around for new blogs to read lately and I’ve come across a few that I’m thoroughly enjoying. As Ink Remains, Miss Moss, and In Spaces Between are now bookmarked. (Yes, bookmarked. I hate feeds.)

I’ve got some serious love for tortoise shell lately. I can’t get enough. I want everything. Now.

1. Tortoise iPhone Case from Incase
2. Tortoise Shell Bow Band from Dorthy Perkins
3. Half Pipe Cuff in Tortoise from ShopTwigs
4. Tortoise Button Earrings from BaubleBar
5. RayBan Wayfarers from ASOS
6. Chonograph Watch from Michael Kors
7. Spot On Graduated Necklace from Kate Spade (I recently bought a similar necklace from the J Crew outlet for $12, so keep your eyes peeled.)
8. Vivienne Sandal from Hollywould
9. Mason Pearson Rake Comb from Nordstrom
10. Tortoise Shell Frame Clutch from ASOS
11. Michael Kors Tortoise Slice Ring from Bloomingdales

I think this Kate Spade “Eat Cake For Breakfast” bag and clutch are totally adorable…for someone who weighs 110 pounds. I don’t think it would be quite as adorable if my two-hundred-and-some-odd-pound-self strutted down the street with the bang in one hand and a cupcake in the other hand.

I actually feel kind of ashamed at the thought.

Is it because I would judge someone doing just what I mentioned? Is it really that shameful to see a rotund woman declaring her love of cake? Do I have some majorly deep rooted weight-related issues?

Does anyone else seriously want a piece of red velvet cake right now?

Thoughts? Analysis?