Quotes from Kate Spade

The best thing about being a business owner is that you get to run your own schedule.

No one realizes how hard parenthood is. I am not saying going into the office is easy. It's not. But parenthood, as fun as it is, is not for the fainthearted.

Everyone loves to get a letter. I love sending them. I love getting them.

In order to lead a fascinating life, one brimming with art, music, intrigue, and romance, you must surround yourself with precisely those things.

I collect books - a lot of books.

Starting at 11, I was a movie-theater popcorn girl, a babysitter, a sales clerk - in the Midwest, they start them early!

I remember someone once said there is a practical aspect to my designs, and I remember thinking, 'That doesn't sound so creative,' but that is actually the truth. There is a practicality to it. I don't design just to design. There is a reason and, hopefully, an interesting reason behind it - that is where my creativity comes in.

I didn't grow up thinking, 'Oh, I'm going to be a designer.'

I work from home a lot. I think I get as much work done at the office as at home, and I'm used to working with people who don't work in the office. I don't really care where they are, even if they're on a banana leaf somewhere. If they deliver their work, I am completely fine. I don't need someone sitting at their desk to produce.

People have this impression that I'm a little kooky, but I'm actually very OCD. I love order and organization. I'm a big list maker. But if I cross off too many tasks, and it's hard to see the remaining ones, I have to start a new list. Now that's OCD.

Students were pulled aside to spend more time in art class, and I wasn't one of them.

I love Comme des Garcons. I think everything she touches is almost like gold. And she does it so quietly. No branding.

'Frances' is a longtime family name on my dad's side. My grandfather, father, brother, and my daughter's name is Frances.

Before I came to New York, I only had a few pictures of the city in my mind. And you know 'That Girl?' Marlo Thomas jumping with her hat? I always loved that, and I wondered what that double street she crosses is. And it's Park Avenue! And that's what I can see out my window.

Sometimes I shoot out of bed like it's a relay race, and I'm on the phone, leaving voice mails.

I really wish I worried less.

I hope that people remember me not just as a good businesswoman but as a great friend - and a heck of a lot of fun.

I loved fashion, I really did, but I was not obsessed with it. I wanted to be behind the scenes, like in that movie 'Broadcast News.' Holly Hunter - her I wanted to be.

I love lamps. I can't stand overhead lighting. I have to have everything on a dimmer.

I love order and organization.

I'm one of six children. I'd love to sound educated and say I dive into a good book when I'm there, but in truth, I spend time with the kids playing cards, ping-pong, and board games.

I buy so much fake jewelry, it's funny. It's not real. I don't wear real diamonds or anything.

If I run, I'm much healthier - I run on a treadmill.

I like my stationery to be funnier, like, 'Here's my note, and it's an elephant with a lady smoking a cigarette on top.'