It has officially been 7 months since COVID hit. For me, this means 7 months since I started working from home full-time. I feel extremely fortunate to not only have a career I love, but also the ability to work virtually, allowing me and my coworkers to stay safe during this crazy time.
While each person has certainly faced unique challenges during the pandemic, I thought it might be helpful to share 5 things that have made my work-from-home life a little easier (and more fun). 🙂
1. The Best Leggings Ever Made
I literally cannot remember the last time I wasn’t in leggings for at least part of the day. Let’s just say it has been more than 7 months. I have tried sooo many different pairs of leggings, but there are truly none better than the Lululemon Aligns. This isn’t a secret by any means as they have a cult following, and I couldn’t possibly create this list without including them. Yes, they are expensive. They are 1000% worth it.
I wear them to work in, lounge in, run errands in, work out in, sleep in, you name it. They are super soft, extremely flattering, last forever, are not see-through, and go with everything. I prefer the 25″ which hits right above the ankle, but they also make a crop style, a full length legging, shorts, and more. I probably have about 8 pairs of these. I wear a size 6 for reference, and I would say they fit pretty true to size. They’re the absolute best.
2. My Automatic Espresso + Coffee Maker
Fun fact: a couple of months after transitioning to work from home, both our Keurig and Espresso maker decided to stop working. At the same time. :/
I started researching models online, and honestly got a little overwhelmed with all of the different options – coffee vs. espresso, manual vs. automatic, pod vs. bean, it was just a lot. This was a purchase where I actually just got a little lucky because I didn’t do as extensive of research as I typically would (clearly, a decision needed to be made quickly). After a quick consult with the husband, I decided we were the type of coffee drinkers who wanted (a) great coffee and (b) great coffee fast. We are not the type who want to spend 10 minutes creating a concoction in the morning; we just want good, strong coffee served up quickly. As a result, I opted for an automatic machine, where a drink is made at the push of a button. I found a new model, the DeLonghi Dinamica, on Williams Sonoma’s website that is fully automated, makes both espresso and coffee drinks, and has a new technology that allows it to also make iced coffee. It has great reviews and the icing on the cake for me is that it comes in this stunning white color that I think will look amazing in our new kitchen.
The result: I LOVE the machine, and so does Chris! I can make a cappuccino in about 2 minutes (including cleanup), or a coffee or espresso in about 15 seconds. The coffee is fantastic quality, and the machine looks stunning on our countertop! I am excited to get up in the morning to make my coffee first thing. Highly recommend!
3. Dry Shampoo
Every hair stylist tells you not to wash your hair every day. I have never been able to listen to that advice because I just can’t stand the feel of dirty hair! I know that it is so much better for your hair not to shampoo it daily so that you aren’t stripping the natural oils, and my hair does tend to be on the dry side. I decided to use this time at home to experiment with different dry shampoos and have gradually trained my hair to not need everyday washing. I don’t think I’ll ever be the girl who can go a full week between shampoos, but I am working my way up to a couple! My hair really has adapted and doesn’t feel greasy at all now on day 2 or 3. I found a dry shampoo made by Living Proof that has worked well for me, and that I would highly recommend! I do go through it somewhat quickly, so I buy the jumbo size.
4. A Yummy Candle
I have never burned so many candles in my life since working from home. I have always liked having a candle burning when I’m around the house. The smell, the ambiance – it just makes a room so much more inviting and cozy to be in. Since I’m now at home essentially all the time, I am flying through candles, so I have been purchasing longer-burning candles – typically soy or beeswax. I have separately been trying to gradually shift towards cleaner products in my home and beauty routine, and soy and beeswax based candles are also considered safer to inhale. One of my all-time favorite soy-based candles is Capri Blue’s Volcano candle. This candle is super popular and for good reason – it smells like heaven. The jar is beautiful and large, containing 19 ounces of wax, and comes in a bunch of different colors. I’m currently loving the white!
5. A Dog
Okay, the last item on the list is not an item! I love dogs so much, and that is not new because of Coronavirus. However, we are all spending so much more time at home with our immediate families, including pets, and less time with other family, friends, and coworkers. My dog, Roman, hangs out next to me while I’m working, and is truly my buddy all day and night! Since working from home, I’ve gotten in the habit of taking him for a long walk most days, which is also a great way to get out of the house and get some exercise. If you are feeling lonely or isolated during the pandemic, consider getting a dog!
There are so many dogs (and cats) who need homes, especially in the state of Texas. If you are in the Dallas area, I volunteer at and highly recommend Operation Kindness, the largest no-kill shelter in Texas. They are an incredible organization and take amazing care of the animals at the shelter. Each animal stays there until they find their furever home, no matter how long that takes, and the facilities are very nice. New dogs arrive every day, and their website is always up-to-date so you can check out the available animals before you arrive.
There you have it! I hope these ideas bring some extra joy to your work from home days!
-Amanda
