Hi all-
Well, it’s safe to say a lot has changed since we last spoke! Hope you are all doing well, and staying healthy and optimistic during this time. While COVID-19 is certainly causing a lot of challenges and discomfort, I know that (at least for me) it is also bringing the opportunity to think about what is important and to practice gratitude. I hope the same is true for many of you.
In the coming weeks, I will be carrying on with my planned partnerships because I think it is important to find bright spots during this time and to continue to support sustainable and ethical businesses. But I’ll also be dropping by even more informally here to say hello (versus just on Instagram). And let’s face it, I certainly have a lot of time on my hands to blog these days!
I am currently working from home, and am grateful to have the ability to do so. Working from home is actually not all that unusual for me – I do it pretty often, as the majority of the team that I work with is based in Norway – virtual meetings are a necessity for us!
Today I wanted to share with you some of my social distancing outfits (and why these formulas are great for working from home!) and some of my tips for staying productive when working remotely.
Please also note, if you shop my affiliate links during the next two weeks, I will donate any commissions earned + a match from me to The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, which is helping to serve people in my community struggling with food insecurity in light of COVID-19.
Today I’m wearing this oversized Cabin Sweater from Jenni Kayne (out of stock, similar here) and Beyond Yoga long spacedye leggings. Of course – any oversized sweater and leggings will do! My watch is Nordgreen (for 15% off, use code KELLIE15!) and my jewelry is Mejuri.
I love this outfit for working from home. Sweaters are cozy but still look professional in case someone on the call says “Hey! Let’s turn on our video!” (Haha! And that’s why you always do your hair and makeup – if you choose to wear makeup), and the leggings keep you comfortable throughout the day. These Beyond Yoga leggings are my favorite because they are high-waisted (which I find most comfortable), and they are designed to cover your heel. Usually I buy the longer style because the ankle and heel coverage is good for Bar Method, but they sure do feel cozy to wear around the house!
Both of these pieces are ethically-made. Jenni Kayne makes clothing in inviting neutrals with quality construction and fair manufacturing practices. Beyond Yoga makes their apparel in Los Angeles with responsibly-sourced fabrics, and all of their global manufacturing partners are WRAP certified, an independent team of global social compliance experts promoting safe, lawful, humane, and ethical manufacturing. They also pride themselves on size inclusivity.
Next! If you absolutely must run an essential errand, or you have a day where you need to feel especially alert and kickass, you have to put on real pants. I think seeing people out and about dressed in normal, non-quarantine clothes (this means no pajamas) helps our collective optimism, and wearing “real” clothes can help you feel more awake and in-tune with your regular schedule. It’s a good time to take advantage of wearing ripped jeans that you might not normally wear to the office, and I like to pair them with a cotton cardigan, like this one from Everlane, since it’s still chilly here.
Okay, so leggings and jeans are pretty basic. Want to feel comfortable and put together? Try an airy blouse with linen pants.
A combination like this is perfect for both comfort and feeling productive. This is the Madewell Rhyme top (sold out in this colorway) but I also like their classic Central Shirt. The pants are VETTA.
Now, enough about the outfits. Let’s talk a little more about staying productive when working from home!
A few of my tips:
- Wake up at your usual time and go through your morning routine – hair, makeup, breakfast, etc. It can be tempting to sleep in since you don’t have to commute, but you can now use that time to get a jump start on work or to journal, read, etc. It’s also important to get ready, even if you get dressed in more casual clothes, because like I said above – you never know when someone will suggest turning on the camera on one of your calls!
- Have a tidy workspace. This makes it easier to focus. Sit at a desk or the kitchen table, and clear away anything that isn’t essential to getting your work done.
- Separate work time and home time. It can be easy to let household tasks creep into your day. You may think – oh, I’ll just take ten minutes to unload the dishwasher…and before you know it, you’ve done three loads of laundry and taken everything out of your kitchen cabinets to organize. Remember that your work day is still your work day, and if you want to get extra tasks done at home, use your lunch break or the extra time you’ve gained by not needing to commute.
- But make sure to take breaks. Don’t sit at the kitchen table the entire day. Make a cup of coffee, go for a short walk in your neighborhood or call a friend or colleague to stay motivated and upbeat.
- Set a timer for tasks. I like the Pomodoro technique, where you set a timer for 25 minutes and focus specifically on one task. You then get a short break. This helps me manage my time so I don’t end up in a #3 situation.
In other news, I have been using my commuting time to enjoy some hobbies – working on my spring capsule wardrobe and continuing my goal of reading books on climate and climate policy.
All for now. Would love to hear what you all are up to, and your work-from-home tips! Feel free to drop me a comment, let’s all stay connected!
Leave a Reply