The CC Collection: Tools for a Fresh Start

When and how and what our fresh starts are can be completely created by us, for us.

Perhaps it’s a new job, sometimes just a new hour, or the first lesson of that hobby you have always wanted to learn—taking the time to reset helps us focus on the priorities that matter most to us.

While we all love a clean restart, let’s not discount the courage it takes to change. Being brave and pursuing a job that aligns with your purpose, the anxiety or excitement that can come from a new routine, and a general kindness we all need to carry for ourselves as we still face a global pandemic means we should celebrate ourselves (appropriately)!

For whatever comes, here are a few tools to reinspire (and to show yourself some love in the process):  

VON HOLZHAUSEN, The Large Shopper

The bag that inspired this entire Collection—this bag is simply sophisticated and smart. A way to contain the tools to help you start, or hide the mess that you feel like while you fake it.

This bag is 100% vegan and sustainable Technik-Leather and lined with the softest microfiber (i.e. gentle on your devices while still easy to clean if you spill). It's large enough to hold resume copies and water for an interview, a new computer and quick snack for Day 1 of a new role, or to be a trusty sidekick when you crush your to-do list and it’s only Monday. 

INK+VOLT, Notepads

Sometimes a new notebook can be intimidating—the pressure not to cross-off or make any errors early on can be daunting (or maybe it’s just me…). These notepads provide structure to help keep us organized and calm through a transition, while giving us the freedom to start fresh again the next meeting, day, or whenever we make a cross-out!

There are various formats to decide from for what works best for you—whether it's the Action Pad which gives a framework for daily intentions, the Today Organizer which provides a one-page summary of your agenda, or my personal favorite, the Daily Task Pad which helps mitigate the blackhole that is my inbox so that I can actually achieve my objectives daily! 

ADJOURN TEA HOUSE, Loose leaf tea blends

I haven’t found a day that hasn’t improved with a morning cup of this brand's tea. Their blends are refreshing and make brilliant use of spices to clear the morning fog. They also provide a large quantity, so you don’t have to be shy about getting another cup when that two-hour meeting starts. They're truly a necessity to keep motivated, especially when you're still working remotely! 

A JAR OF PICKLES, Encouragement Cards

As a fan of receiving mail, I always keep a few of these cards with me to share the love whenever I see an opportunity to do so. Encouraging someone else can also be a source of personal inspiration, and these are clever and clean for sharing with anyone you may run into during your work day!

I cannot say enough good things about these cards—they're high quality, cute, and always make me smile! Without having high-fives in the hallway like we used to, this is such an easy way to surprise and empower your squad. 

EMBELLISH BEAUTY, Liquid Lipstick

Somedays, the best way to reset is to put on a little bit of fancy lipstick and watch your entire day turnaround. It’s a quick tool for moments of reset that may be more of an attitude adjustment than anything to do with your capabilities. Use the Virtual Mirror to find your power color while celebrating its long-lasting stay and vegan, gluten, and paraben-free ingredients! 

NATURAL ANNIES ESSENTIALS, Hand Butter

Initially, I imagined this would be highlighted as the perfect First Day of Work hand lotion—a way to soften your hands while you shake hands all day. Now we live in a world where we are all desperately trying to keep our hands hydrated after soaking sanitizer on them all day and cannot imagine shaking hands with strangers! Regardless of the drive for nourished skin, this hand butter is the answer! 

SOZY, The Annotator (Pencil, Eraser + Highlighter in one)

Whether you are buying a planner for 2021 in hopes of a busy (social?) agenda this year, or finally embracing how remote to-do lists still feel rewarding when crossed-off, these Annotators are the perfect sidekick. Whether you're taking notes with the pencil or highlighting to re-motivate yourself to tackle your list, these colors are perfect to bring some energy to that brand new notebook! 

OH-MAZING FOOD, Granola

This wins for best quarantine snack—a healthier alternative to the former snack that left orange dust on my fingers, and every flavor is incredibly delicious and filling. For those of us who struggle with balancing a desire to be healthier and an internal need to snack all day, this was a great way for me to fill up while reducing my guilt for mindlessly snacking throughout the day. 

EBERJEY, Slouchy Pajama Set

If you know the Sunday Scaries, you understand that sometimes the night before the actual fresh start can be the hardest part! Not to fear—Eberjey is the solution. The single softest pajamas that feel like a cozy hug and are made of a magical material that warms you when you are cold and feels cool and light when you are hot. Plus - if you ever have nightmares of Fire Alarms going off while traveling and having to see your coworkers in pjs, these will cure that anxiety! 

INK+VOLT, Gratitude Journal

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of taking a moment each day for yourself to celebrate the good amongst the endless zoom calls. This may not be a tool for your career, but it is certainly a source of joy and reflection. This notebook not only provides you 60 undated entries for you to brag about your highest highs, it also has 10 weekly challenges to inspire different ways to bring positivity during your fresh start. 

PLANT ONE ON ME DESIGNS, Planter/Candles

Wherever you are working, consider this the best deskmate you have ever had. These candles or planters bring color in such a unique way through the geode concrete materials. If quarantine has taught you that your thumb is most certainly not green, then use these holders for pens, mints, chocolates, or your backup headphones! Treat yourself to an easy way to brighten your space. 

PAIRESS, Professional Clothing

The power of a new outfit cannot be understated. Sometimes this can create the largest source of motivation, and having an outfit that is polished, professional, and still comfortable is a true MVP. Pairess designs clothes built to keep up with us hard-working women (even if we are only on-screen these days) from eco-friendly materials that are machine-washable. The benefits of supporting women building brands for women is that they know exactly what we want! 

BLISSFULLY BETTER, Chocolates

Because when we talk about celebrating ourselves, is there really anything that is a better answer than chocolate? As an added reward to this special treat, Blissfully Better uses coconut sugar to have the same incredibly delicious taste while being a healthy alternative and using low glycemic ingredients. So whether your guilty pleasure is toffee, mint, coconut, or sea salt caramel, you’ve earned this!