Well, guys, it’s been almost four years since I said adios to my decade-long career in public sector communications and decided to start a consulting company (as well as this blog) while being a full-time stay at home Mum!
How does that work? Well, honestly – some days it doesn’t LOL – but there’s lots to do and I always get ’er done!
I do the majority of my work in the evenings or when Aaron’s around to wrangle the babes and over the years, one fact has remained true: when it comes to having a good, productive work day, I always find that I’m most successful when I feel good in a productive space.
With fall around the corner, and the opportunity to start fresh for a new season, I thought I’d partner with my friends over at Kingsway Mall to show how you can easily put together some classy ‘n cozy work-from-home outfits, as well as create a positive, productive home office space.
And speaking of positive, kudos to Kingsway Mall for making the health and safety of their guests their top priority. I had SO much fun shopping there this week… and felt very comfortable doing so, thanks to extensive cleaning protocols, hand sanitizer stations and limited capacity.
Tips for Working from Home: Feeling Good
1. Get ready
Please tell me I’m not the only person who’s been in this scenario: the doorbell rings. It’s a delivery man. You see him peering through the window. You peer down at your faded sweatpants… and then duck out of sight, hoping he thinks that nobody’s home because you’re in too much of a state to answer the door.
No, just me? Well, not anymore!
When it comes to working from home, I can’t stress enough how much better I feel after getting ready in the morning.
Is it full hair and makeup? No, generally not. But, just like I would during my days heading into the office, I shower, follow my skincare routine and dab on some undereye concealer, mascara and a bit of blush. Voila! No hiding from the delivery guy anymore.
2. Pick a good outfit
I think my favourite part of working from home is that I’ve banished uncomfortable dress pants! Instead, I opt for leggings, dressy joggers or wider-legged jeans.
Typically, I know in advance when I’m going to have a Zoom call and my go-to is a classic, neutral-toned sweater or blouse that’s professional enough for work calls, but cute enough to wear on my own time. Kingsway Mall had some great options this week:
A lot of the time, though, my work is self-directed so on those days, I opt for an outfit that’s cozier but still cute enough to run out and do some errands. Here are some fun options I saw at Kingsway Mall during my last trip. Love that The Makers Keep carries this Love Plus Design / Northern Style Exposure sweatshirt! :
Tips for Working from Home: Creating a Productive Space
Not all of us have the luxury of having our own home office but it’s still important to put some thought into where we’ll be working from home.
1. Find a space that makes you feel energized
Though my husband has a home office, it’s located in our basement which is quite dark and makes me feel sleepy. Therefore, I prefer to set up my work station at our kitchen table where we get plenty of natural light. What kind of environment helps you feel energized?
2. Clear out any distractions
Netflix playing in the background? Kids toys scattered around and stressing you out? Before sitting down to start your work, clearing out any distractions can help you stay focused on the task at hand.
3. Have the equipment and supplies you need on-hand
You’ll save yourself a lot of time by properly stocking your work station with the equipment and supplies you’ll need. Check in with your work to see what they’re able to provide – from electronics to a chair that’s ergonomically sound.
And if you’re in need of some supplies that are functional and easy on the eyes – you can’t go wrong with a trip to HomeSense or Marshalls at Kingsway!
I hope you find some of these tips for working from home helpful! If so, be sure to Pin this blog to save it for later!
Plus, a big thank you to Kingsway Mall for sponsoring this post. As always, all thoughts are my own.
Xo Holly Hunka (@chandeliers.and.champagne)
