Four Favorites: Loungewear

If you're anything like me, you haven't worn pants with buttons in about two months. I am not the kind of person to lounge around in a pair of jeans-- no matter how comfortable-- but I have worn dresses a few days just to shake up the endless cycle of sweatpants. 

I recently decided to upgrade my little selection of athleisure so that I wasn't constantly borrowing Shelley's (vastly superior) collection. I'm sharing my four favorites to wear into the spring. 

1) If you have legs, these Aerie leggings are the best pants I've ever owned, period. I've worn them to bed, under a dress, to do yoga-- they're comfortable and flattering and basically blow all other leggings out of the water.

Image from Aerie

2) This hoodie from Old Navy comes in so many colors-- I ordered the charcoal and the yellow (which I have worn pretty much since I got it). It's super soft and lightweight, so it would be perfect as a swim coverup or nights on the beach (ah, remember when...). The best part is it's on sale and Old Navy always has pretty great coupons too. 

Image from Old Navy

 

3)  These pants from Amazon. They're supposed to be joggers, but they're a little more fitted than I am used to, though this could just be because usually I wear men's sweatpant joggers. They are like $12 and butter-soft. These also come in some fun colors and have a pretty deep pocket. I have such an issue with how girl pants have pockets barely big enough to fit a Chapstick in, so that made me pretty happy. 

4) This star hoodie from Dottie Couture. I used to shop at Dottie all the time before I worked from home, but this hoodie had the cute stars and my favorite color, so I couldn't pass it up. I've been rotating this one out with the sunny yellow Old Navy one. This hoodie comes in pink too, but I prefer the blue. 

Image from Dottie Couture 

One day, we'll all be able to participate in society and wear real people clothes again, but for now, I'm not mad about being able to wear things that are soft, freeing, and comfortable. I like these options because they still look cute in spite of being comfortable, and that confidence is one of the biggest forms of self-care.  

Creating a Cozy Home Office Space

I've been lucky enough to work from home for a little over a year now. It has taken me nearly that long to get my space into somewhere that is clear and cozy, and while it's still not perfect, it is-- like everything-- a work in progress.

Plants, candles, and tiny treasures 

My "office" is also my "studio" which houses my guitars and my bass, my canvases and paints, my books, my yoga mat, my cameras, and my elliptical. It's a bit of a hodge podge in there, but everything has its own place, and when working with only so much room, it is what it is.

I figured that not everyone has the luxury of a "studio" space and even though that is true and you may be working from the breakfast nook or you have a chair pulled up to your ironing board, you can still make your space somewhere zen and give yourself coziness and a moment of reprieve between calls or classes or crunching numbers.

Salt lamps & crystals

One of the biggest things for me is lighting. I do NOT remotely miss the glaring, headache-inducing fluorescent lights of office space. I have an IKEA lamp Shelley bought me when I first decided to work from home, a salt lamp (which apparently has many benefits), and I strung up fairy lights to give it a nice glow. Every once in a while I'll light a candle, which adds to the ambiance and also obviously smells good (I burn candles all the time because it relaxes me).

During my free periods, I like to listen to music in the background because I feel like it makes me more efficient. I added a few photos, a crystal hanging, and some quotes on post-its as well.

I'm a recent convert to plants and all the mood-boosting benefits that come along with those, so I usually have one sitting on my desk during my shift and then I'll move it downstairs to water it later.

I wanted a little rug to put out under my desk to sort of designate that space from the rest of what's happening in there, so I found one here that arrived quickly and was even prettier in person. It's a nice pop of color (even though I put it over an existing carpet...alas). 

Create Your Own Standing Desk! :D

One other thing that I recommend is a standing option of some sort. I have created something that isn't exactly aesthetically pleasing compared to the rest of my setup, but it works (and it was free). Obviously you could buy a standing desk, but I stacked some boxes and have the option of standing while I work or sitting if I just arrange some things. I have been doing this since I got home, so I can say it is effective (albeit unsightly).

I know some of you are working with what you have. You're sharing a space with kids, you have pets to deal with, your spouse is home, you live alone and haven't left the house in 30 days... A lot of the ideas I shared here can either be ordered online or could be something you already have lying around. You'd be surprised what a difference a candle and a string of twinkle lights can have on your mood and productivity.

If you try any of these ideas (including my high class standing desk) let me know if they help, or feel free to leave me a suggestion in the comments!