Quick access Desktop in Finder
In any file dialog box of the OS X you have all your favourites in left pane. They are really useful to quick access favourite places on your computer.
The current things I am working on, are organized on my desktop. So inside a file dialog box, I just click the sidebar and click on desktop to go to there.
But, mostly I am using the keyboard, especially when I am working on the MacBook and using the trackpad. Also, keyboard strokes are still quicker for a fast typer than pushing the mouse around.
Just hit Command+D when a file dialog box is open and the desktop folder will become the active directory.