A Few of Coach Kate's Favorite Things
If Oprah has a favorite’s things list, you know I’ve got to have one. These are items that I use personally and professionally; that bring a smile to my face or make my life easier, better, more comfortable….what are your favorites?
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Around the office and creative studio
Super Sticky notes mean they can hang AND move around for a while.
Post-it Super Sticky Notes - “traditional stick” and “full stick” - they stand up to being moved around and hanging out for a quite a while (though a textured wall will always be an enemy).
PILOT FriXion Erasable Pens and Markers - So colorful, and yet, ERASABLE thanks to their magic ink. My go-to for journaling, workbooks and mind mapping.
Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens - Also a favorite for journaling, writing my goals and to-dos on sticky notes, and just every day documentation. I’ve even been known to color intricate coloring book pages with them. I’ll always have a pack of full color and a box of black in the office.
Dry/Wet Erase Monthly Planning Whiteboard - Mine sits above my desk and gets a full update at least monthly, with additions happening regularly as the weeks go on. It gives myself and my boyfriend an overall sense of my schedule/availability (extra important because we both work from home these days), and helps me keep my big goals and priorities front and center. There is no hiding from it! And at the end of each month I take a photo of the board with notes on how my business did and celebrate. I tend to use wet erase to document headings, dates, big goals, big events, etc so that they don’t accidentally get erased as other things get moved around/added. Items in potential flux - such as client sessions and near-term listed activities are in dry erase so that it’s quick to update the calendar when things change. Because they always do.
A neurographic art meditation I did with Posca paint markers.
Dry/Wet Erase Sticky Note Pads - I first got these in an effort to reduce the number of sticky notes I was going through. I use the HUGE squares the most to make any surface writable - namely there is always one on my desk, and I’ve used them in workshops so everyone had a place to play. They do easily move and re-stick elsewhere, so the smaller ones are nice for a short stack of to-dos reminders around the house.
Knock Knock Notepads - My friend Lauren introduced me to the “All Out Of” groceries list pad which has made keeping up with groceries and meal shopping so much easier for my partner and I. I then of course had to try others - such as “Today’s Plan of Attack” and “Self-Care Rx”. Have fun browsing!
Uni-Posca Paint Markers - I love to paint and do arts and crafts of all kinds, but living in a small apartment means I generally try to do more “clean crafts,” that can always be moved or tucked away for the day. Enter Posca paint markers — all the juicy goodness of painting with acrylic, with none of the mess. They work on many surfaces - so beyond getting creative on canvas, you can also decorate glass, stone, tile, wood, you name in.
Ipad Pro with Apple Pencil, loaded with the art program ProCreate for my digital creating pleasure (can also be quite relaxing!), and the digital note taking app GoodNotes where I have moved both client notes and my personal notebooks and journals as I continue to try to reduce my footprint.
For MY Health & Wellbeing
The Reset Deck is “Pocket-sized peace of mind.” Check it out!
The Reset Deck - 45 ways to make stress suck less. A mental health card game that is simple, fast and fun.
Glow Recipe - Watermelon Collection - I am hooked at how it makes my skin look and feel, such a glow and tighter pores with no make up required. I am someone who has “battled” with my skin most of my life. Turns out loving it - such as with the Watermelon Glow Pre-Tight Toner, Niacinamide Dew Drops, and Pink Juice Moisturizer - and finding the correct hormonal balance makes a big difference.
NATIVE - deodorant and body wash - I got a holiday Candy Cane travel size deodorant and got hooked. I hate the usual deodorant fragrances (or “non-fragranced” - lies), so it’s fun to actually feel energized by a scent I smell…often? I also got the body wash when I purchased my full-size.
Le Tote - a personalized clothing subscription for rented fashion (that you can buy if you desire). I can keep my wardrobe interesting to me and up-to-date with my evolving body and styles, while thinking about reducing fashion waste in support of our environment. They have a variety of plan levels, and you can pause at anytime for any length of time.
Kindle reader - I’m happy with the classic or Paperwhite versions - light-weight, portable, can read anywhere and have any books at my fingertips. I particularly like to end my day by reading something silly in bed to help fall asleep, so like that I enough light to read by, but not enough to annoy my partner when the lights go out.
Cook’n Recipe Software allows you to capture your favorite internet recipes, sync to Pinterest, calculate nutrition, make shopping lists and much more! If you’re really into cooking and collecting family recipes (like my family is) you can even start your own family cookbook.
ODODOS “Women's High Waisted Yoga Leggings with Pockets, Tummy Control Non See Through Workout Athletic Running Yoga Pants” - Need I say more? Get all the colors and styles! Join me in moving your body daily AND living comfortably all day long.
Ryka shoes are “made for women,” but what matters to me is wide options with great arch support. Okay, yes, there are a lot of rad colors and patterns, too…..No dog walk is complete without them.
Vionic shoes, sandals and slippers - I need their superior arch support! And I can walk miles in any pair. Their designs get more stylish every year. I always have a pair of sandals and slippers, and then add a new pair of flats every once in a while.