Office Tools I Use Daily

i very rarely work in quiet, so i love having this speaker to play my music or podcasts. plus, it’s portable, so i can take it from my bedroom, to my office, to the kitchen without being interrupted!

this printer has changed my life. well, that’s a little dramatic, but it has been a lifesaver. wait…that’s still dramatic.

i used to use a regular old printer with shipping labels, which was costly and a time sucker. i decided to fork over some money for the thermal printer and haven’t looked back. since it’s thermal, i never have to buy ink again. the only thing i need to purchase is the roll of labels, which comes with 220 labels. it prints labels in a matter of seconds and takes up a fraction of the amount of space on my desk. win win win win win.

i wouldn’t consider myself a pen snob, but i definitely have preferences when it comes to them. these seem to do the trick with thickness, smooth writing, and all the colors that i like. i use the different colors for different things in my planner to keep organized, so i like that i can see all the different things that i have to do that week and mentally-compartmentalize them.

there’s just something about a burning candle. it fills the room up with a nice scent and adds a calming element to my sometimes stressful workspace.

i’m constantly filing receipts, tax forms, purchase orders, and all other kinds of paperwork, so it’s helpful to have a set of file folders where i can categorize them and keep them safe.

i ordered this camera with the intent of it being my “travel” camera. i have a bulky Nikon, too, but it was heavy and inconvenient to take with me, so i thought i’d give this one a shot. turns out, i love it! it connects to WiFi, so i can directly upload photos to Instagram (which is great for my business), it’s sleek and lightweight, and i love that it’s a touchscreen/doesn’t have a viewfinder.

i use this bad boy on a daily basis and would highly recommend it, if you’re in the market! 

also, this lens is my jam. it’s great for up-close product shots and for outfit photos with “the blur” in the background. if i could, i would see the world with bokeh (the blur). i like the stock lens that came with the camera, too, but this one has been great!

i’m constantly writing things down that i need to do, need to remember, want to get accomplished, etc. so it’s important for me to always have about 14 notepads around πŸ˜‰ i like this one because it has the boxes next to the tasks, so i can check it off as soon as i’m done!

i’m a serial planner-shopper. it’s like there’s some type of radar that goes off when i enter a store that points me right to them. i picked this guy up several months ago and haven’t looked back. it’s pretty, organized, simple, and helps me keep track of everything that’s going on! 

Hi there!

Lauren Bown Lifestyle Blog is an online destination where I share my personal style, beauty finds, and bits of life in hopes to inspire other women to feel good in their skin and find the beauty in the ordinary.

browse the archives

shop my instagram

Leave a Comment

14 Comments

  1. 2.3.16

    Absolutely loving your posts about working from home and working for yourself! I'm a freelancer so I absolutely understand the plight of being your own boss. Thanks for the great content!

    -Shannon

    http://notentirelyordinary.com

  2. 2.3.16

    That Rifle Paper Co. notebook is so cute! I love all of their stationary designs!!

    http://thecourtneydiaries.com

  3. 2.3.16

    Yes, planners!! I thought I was weird but I love to buy planners and new pens.. glad to know I'm not the only one haha

    Kim
    http://trendkeeper.me .. Working from home OOTD!

    • 2.5.16

      Haha you definitely aren't! There's just something about it – I feel instantly organized just by buying one πŸ˜‰

  4. 2.3.16

    What type of software do you use for your Dymo Printer? I have the Twin Turbo, but am looking at getting something where everything is on 1 label.
    Thanks,
    Amber

    • 2.5.16

      The printer came with a disc of software that you download onto your computer, so it's whatever was on that. I don't have to go into a separate app or anything to print, I just select the DYMO from my list of printers and it goes. I highly recommend this one – it saves so much time!

  5. 2.3.16

    I am a pen snob too! The felt tips are so much better! Love the Rifle planner too?

    Annie- All Things Big And Small

  6. 2.4.16

    I love that notepad!

    Her Heartland Soul
    herheartlandsoul.com

  7. 2.4.16

    I love that your back! I'd love to see you write about all of the different apartment buildings/neighborhoods you've lived in since moving to Chicago and which ones were your favorite/least favorite and why! Your first apartment looked to be closer to the bustle of the city, and I saw that you live in the "quiet Ravenswood neighborhood." Do you have a preference? Why?

    • 2.5.16

      Good questions! I'd love to share my experiences – I'll put it on my list of posts πŸ™‚

  8. 2.4.16

    I'm one of the weird people that love office supplies, so this post spoke to me! I love these items, I'm a lavender person-I just got a Burt's Bees lavender candle, can't wait to burn it when I get home.
    Thanks for sharing.

    Allison http://allisons-eye.com/

  9. 2.10.16

    Great ideas!! I love that you added little things like candles and your camera, until now (since I finally got a job that I do from home) I never would have thought of these things- thanks for posting this! XOXO
    Emma
    canvas-of-a-face.blogspot.com