InkSpot Workshop Must Haves
things (and people) who make my life GREAT!
in no particular order

Happy Friday everyone! In lieu of my standard iCANDY feature here on the blog each week,  I thought I’d share something more personal with you. I often get emails from other small business owners and moms wanting to know what tools and equipment I use to run my small business. I thought it would be fun today if I compiled a list of my very favorite things (and peeps) just for you! I hope you find some new favorites to add to your list and please feel free to share your own favorites with us :)

1. Starbucks Textured Coffee Mug – There is something about the shape of this mug that makes it my favorite for almost three years now. I will cry when it breaks so luckily I found a replacement on Amazon.com and sometimes even eBay.

2. Peet’s Coffee – Major Dickonson’s – No better way to start my day at 5:00 am than with a freshly ground cup of Peet’s.  For strong coffee lovers, this keeps me going all day and thinking clearly,  just one cup please:)

3. Dior Iconic Mascara - No other mascara makes my lashes as long and lush, while conditioning them too! Great for when I emerge from my workshop/cave to see the public and need to have a little bit of a face on. While in NYC over the weekend I dragged Vana into Sephora and now she is the proud owner of a tube! Seeing is believing.

4. Mom Agenda Desktop Planner – In hot pink (of course). Perfect way to organize my home business and personal life. Even has a special place where I can keep track of my 5 year old son’s schedule!

5. Carrie Davis – OK, so she’s not really a “gadget” but she single handily makes my life so much easier! Not only is she a trusty assistant, she’s much more calmer than I am, that means she can harness my ADD and bring me back on track:) She also has the cutest kids you’ve ever seen. Everyone needs a Carrie!

6. Mechanical Pencils from Dollar Tree stores. I first discovered these when my son brought home a birthday party goodie bag. OMG! I don’t know what I like better, the way they write, how cheap they are (5 for a buck) or the fact they come in all sorts of pretty designs. Next time you are at the Dollar Tree store, pick some up and tell me if I’m wrong.

7. CARL Industrial Paper Trimmer – Put away your guillotine styled paper cutter or the little scrap book cutter if you are serious about running your own business that involves cutting paper. This is a HEAVY duty cutter and sharpens itself! You really do get what you pay for in this case.

8. Epson Stylus 1400 Photo Printer – It’s why all InkSpot Workshop and Fire Hydrant Press paper goodies look so GREAT!

9. Dell Vostro  Laptop Computer – I’m a PC girl and when I started my business I needed something reliable, affordable, transportable and with a LARGE screen (so I could see what I was designing) I’ve always been a Dell fan and for the past 3 years this computer has never let me down.

10. Canon Rebel Xsi Camera – Helps me shoot photos of my products and family like a pro. I also adore my Canon 50mm Macro Lens because it helps me get super sharp closeups of all my Inkspot Workshop Birthday Party Invitation Sets. I also took a Click Camera Workshop to help me figure out how to drive this bad boy:)

I hope you’ve picked up a few handy pointers that help make your life easier. Got one to share? Please leave a post.