Our Shored Up Digital Holiday Gift Guide for 2020
What does it take to run a successful digital marketing business from the comfort of your own home? We’re still trying to figure out the secret recipe, but in the meantime we know that there’s some things that help… (email us if you have the golden ticket)
We’ve put together a list of the essentials products and things that allow us to power through our long days in front of a screen, sharing and creating as much local content as we can muster. Here’s what you need if you’re sitting pretty at home, trying to be as productive as we are.
MARNELY:
“I’ve kept a daily planner since 1996, so no matter how digital our worlds become, I will always have a planner to write into daily. I’ve had this specific brand for the last three years and I love it because it’s super simple. Each day is divided into two sides: one of hours in the day to schedule meetings and the likes, and the other side is a running to do list. The button is empty space for notes. That’s it and that’s all I need!”
Alpaca Slippers by Island Alpaca
Angela gifted me these slippers recently, right before I was about to go into surgery at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. She knew I needed something extra cozy and comforting, and she nailed it.. She also knew that I generally don’t wear slippers, as the hard bottom nature of many styles is too much “outdoor shoe” for this indoor bird to take. But alas she found the perfect pair from Island Alpaca and I am totally addicted. Not only did I bring them with me to the hospital, I have barely taken them off since, seriously. Get yourself a pair asap!
On my desk always, is a jar of this Egyptian Magic. It’s made from only Olive oil, beeswax, honey, pollen, royal jelly and propolis extract, all which are magically healing for your skin and so hydrating. I have it on my desk because after I wash my face in the morning and have my coffee, it’s what I reach for as my AM skincare routine. I’m that simple!
Immune health is obviously more important than ever now, and another thing that is always on my desk is my pill box with my supplements that I take daily. Immune Health is one of those, because whether we were meeting new clients daily pre-COVID times or just staying home trying to be as healthy as possible, helping my immune system stay strong is essential to my mental wellbeing, because like everyone else, I hate being sick! Their exclusive blend of 7 organic mushrooms for immune support and SuperPure® extracts of beta 1,3-glucan, astragalus IV & fucoidan, provides year-round, 24/7 health defense & support, all which supports a strong, responsive immune system. I can’t recommend this enough.
Once I wash my face, drink my coffee, and slather on skincare, I walk over to my diffuser in the living room (where my desk is) and fill it up with fresh water and an essential oil of choice. Peppermint is my go to for early morning diffusing, as it is known for improving mental function and reducing stress, among other things. It’s so vibrant and bright, and smells so good. And a space that smells good naturally makes me want to work!
ANGELA:
Rae Dunn Planner: Marnely has always been the girl committed to the paper planner. To the point things actually don’t exist for that social media maven until they are written down in ink, no matter home many Google calendars we keep, funny huh?
Meanwhile I was the girl buying the physical calendars and barely using them, a cute idea but it was a practice that never became habitual or effective. Then I found this Rae Dunne planner that I am fully obsessed with. For me I need space! A place to write every day, where I can keep meeting notes and to-do lists as well as that month-at-a-glance look we all love to fill in… even when the entries in COVID times are far less exciting. We still need space for Zooms, and client consults!
The Perfect Slippers from Island Alpaca: Up until now I’ve toggled between Old Navy’s house moccasins and open toe slippers I found on Amazon, for the summer months, when my feet sweat too much to be contained by a closed option. Sorry, I’m just being honest, the struggle is real!
This year I am trying my best to shop local (it’s how we’re able to operate a business after all, and even more important in 2020!) and once I heard Marnely raving about the Island Alpaca slippers I bought her I knew I had to have them. Honestly, I had been eyeing them for myself for years and never pulled the trigger. Once I gifted them to her I ran out to buy myself a pair, plus a pair for two other friends. Literally everyone can benefit from these beloved house shoes. I mean really how do you expect to get anything done with cold feet?
That Double Screen Life: I honestly cannot imagine a job as a social media manager / content creator / website designer without having double screens. If my 425 sq. foot home allowed it I would have eight, no joke. If you are doing similar work and always have multiple browser tabs open, constantly referencing other sites, other stories, news, social media, email etc, do yourself a favor and get yourself a second screen. Seriously. Once you commit to that double screen your productivity will soar and you will never look back, trust me!
*And this is just a general PSA, I’m not tied to a particular brand of screen. The one I’m using now was our old flatscreen TV before we upgraded. Reduce, reuse, recycle!
LapGear Adjustable Ergo Lap Desk: At my desk I connect my monitor to my MacBook Pro, which I ALWAYS have positioned on top of this lapdesk for extra height, and improved ergonomics. I used to swear by a lapdesk back in college (my roommates were always making fun of it because the one I had back then was some hideous print!) but the value and utility of it is timeless! I went years without one and rediscovered the lapdesk last year and again, there’s no going back. As soon as I received it my husband went into our Amazon account and reordered one for himself. I’m sitting on the couch right now using it, and it makes working wherever you are more comfortable.
Yeti 20oz. Rambler Tumbler: One of my best friends got married a couple years back and gifted the bridal party YETI tumblers. Previous to this my husband was buying YETI products left and right (“ for work”) and I was having a very hard time reconciling the costs associated with his brand loyalty, then I got this tumbler and everything changed.
Leave the house: Here’s another general PSA but something I had to slip in here. If you’re working from home all day you MUST make time to get up, go outside and stretch your legs! When you are working from home it’s easy to get fully consumed by your work and your space. It’s so, so, important to get up and take a breather, for the sake of your mind and body. Empower yourself to not let work compromise your health. My best ideas and inspirations come from my alone time outside when I’m not connected!
Stay safe, stay healthy and stay productive!