What’s earning its desk space
What I’m actually using
Shamelessly inspired by Wes Bos
Editor & Terminal
- VS Code
- Cobalt2 theme by the excellent Wes Bos. Hasn't changed in years and I'm fine with that.
- iTerm2
- ZSH setup. Does exactly what I need without getting in the way.
Design & Tokens
- Figma
- Where the design happens. The Variables API is bloody brilliant.
- Style Dictionary
- Token transforms, multi-platform output.
Development
- Eleventy
- A static site generator that leaves the HTML to me.
Hardware
- MacBook Pro M3 16"
- Work machine. Quick, quiet, no complaints.
- Mac Mini M1
- Home machine. Does everything I need it to.
- LG 27"
- Nothing fancy. Just enough screen to get by.
Desk Setup
- IKEA Malm with pull-out panel
- Still hunting for the perfect desk. This holds the line.
- Senator Evolve High Back
- The MARKUS finally gave up the ghost. This is holding the fort for now.
- IKEA POÄNG
- The reading/gaming/thinking chair. Iconic for a reason.
Apps
- Upnote
- Replaced Evernote and Notion. Quieter.
- Apple Music
- Switched from Spotify. No regrets.
- DuckDuckGo
- Browser and search. Moved away from Chrome.
- Figma
- Replaced Miro. Work pulled me in.
- iCloud
- Slowly migrating from Dropbox. Nearly there.
Photography
- Fuji X-T1
- Traded in a Canon 40D for this and never looked back.
- 18mm f2
- Street and travel.
- 35mm f2
- The everyday lens.
- 18-55mm f2.8-4
- When I need the range.
Coffee
- AeroPress
- The method I keep coming back to.
- Porlex hand grinder
- Small enough to travel with. Grinds evenly.
- Yeti Hotshot
- Replaced the Chilly's. Keeps things hot for an unreasonable amount of time.
- ManCoCo / Atkinsons / Carvetti
- Current beans of choice. All local, all excellent.
Stationery
- Leuchtturm 1917
- Switched from Moleskine. Fainter lines, better paper.
- Field Notes
- Memo books for capturing things on the go. Always one in a pocket.
- Nock Brasstown
- The pencil case that always gets noticed. Worth the import duty.
- Pilot G-tec C4 / Muji gel pens
- Day-to-day writers. The Mont Blanc remains aspirational.
Bags
- Home of Millican - Smith roll pack 25l
- The main bag. Slate. Endlessly useful.
- Bellroy Venture Sling
- For days out that don't need a full pack.
- Evergoods Civic Access Pouch 2l
- EDC sorted. Everything in its place.
- Osprey
- The grab bag for most occasions.
Everyday Carry
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Cosmic orange. Yes, really.
- AirPods Pro 2
- For when I need to focus or just block everything out.
- Sony WH-1000XM3
- Creaking ominously but refusing to die. Replaced when it gives up, not before.
- Anker MagSafe battery
- Because the Pro Max still somehow needs it.