backpacks + accessories

school backpacks + accessories

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school supplies + planners

THERE ARE few things I used to get more giddy about than the end-of-summer aisles and aisles of brand new colorful school supplies. I LOVED them. The colors and patterns and newness and things in miniature and the potential for super dialed [nerdy] organization all just lit me up. If I’m honest, I still feel a little stomach flip when they start to surface and have to use alllll of my powers to resist stockpiling them. And I have to keep this little hit of joy to myself since they now pop up WAY before my boys are even remotely ready to think about going back to school.

INSTEAD I decided to live vicariously through all of the sweet kiddos who share my passion and I’ve concentrated all of that secret joy into putting together this BIG list of FUN, pretty, cool and very functional stuff that might make the school year just a bit easier and for sure prettier [which totally counts for something]. So whether you scroll for nostalgia or to help prepare your students for success, enjoy this little pop of joy. And for LOTS more ideas, check out the Gift Guide to Art Supplies, Gift Guide to Self Care for Tweens + Teens, Lunchtime Essentials and Backpacks + Accessories to be super dialed and ready for the year ahead. You’ve totally got this. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo

Fun School Supplies + Academic Planners

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lunchtime essentials

ONE OF my very favorite days of the year when I was little was the day my sis and I got to go to Target to pick out our shiny new school supplies and lunchboxes. While my sister leaned toward Donny and Marie or Shaun Cassidy, my hands-down favorite of all time was a Dukes of Hazzard lunchbox with a matching plastic thermos [which I’ve just learned could be mine again for just $385]. Man I LOVED that thing [and Bo Duke] despite the fact that the thermos absolutely always leaked, leaving a soupy mess of my lunch. We jammed that lunchbox with bologna sandwiches wrapped in tin foil and probably wasted 10,000 plastic bags for whatever else we packed inside.

IT’S A LITTLE sad for today’s kiddos that those clunky metal lunchboxes are a thing of the past, but they’ve been replaced with sooo many clever, eco-friendly, super stylish options instead that can be customized a thousand ways to keep everyone’s lunch tidy and just to their liking. No leaking or waste necessary. I’ve rounded up a bunch of awesome options for kids, teens and adults for every component from the lunchbox itself to lunchbox jokes that may garner a giggle or an eye roll. We own and have tested many of the containers that I’ve included [the W&P Seal Tight Glass Bowl is an everyday favorite for salad, soup and leftovers and has truly never leaked], so reach out if you have any questions about them or want to share others you love. Have fun putting together the perfect kit for the new school year, office, travel or work, it’s an easy way to express a little of your own style with something you need anyway. And check out the post on Backpacks + Accessories for something cute to carry your lunch in. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo

Lunchtime Essentials

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water bottles

I’VE SEEN a lot of memes about how when we were growing up in the 80s we never drank water [or wore helmets or seatbelts or sunscreen]. And it’s true that I definitely don’t remember there being any sort of real focus on hydration. If I was thirsty, I’d probably have grabbed an icy Diet Coke and called it good. But I think it’s awesome how conscious kids + teens are now of their water intake [and of their health and wellness in general] in a way that I wasn’t aware of until I was like 35. Now I don’t leave the house without at least 2-3 bottles at a pass for water, tea, electrolytes and a back-up bottle to refill my first water bottle when it’s empty. They’ve really become ‘essential’ to our daily routines.

AS A RESULT, there is an entire giant industry built around hydrating us in the prettiest, coldest, coolest, most functional and trendiest way. Water bottles are an important accessory and real form of self expression and there are A TON of cool ones to choose from. We own and love a number of the ones I’ve included [we have accumulated a LOT for school, adventures, sports, workouts and one that’s just right for sneaking into the movie theater…] and each one is perfect in its own way depending on how you use it and whether you care most about volume, temperature, size, etc. If you have questions about any of them, feel free to reach out, I’d be happy to give you my two cents. But chances are, your teen will choose largely based on how pretty it is and what it ‘says’ about them and that’s totally ok, too. Now go take a couple sips so you can keep your hydration on track. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo

Awesome water bottles

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warm-weather adventure gear i love

OUR LITTLE family loves to adventure ALL year-round. We camp and raft and hit the beach in the warmer months and ski in the winter. Our older son was 6 months old when he camped for the first time. Our younger son was 8 weeks. We would set up the little portable crib in the tent or in our pop-up and let the fresh cool mountain air and sounds of nature lull our babies to sleep. It was awesome. And as they’ve gotten older, we’ve been able to get back on the river. We bought a raft a few years ago and have been lucky to have some incredible adventures, paddling our way through stunning country that’s only accessible by boat. The kids [there are usually like 10 of them] are outside all day, paddling their own duckies, chasing frogs, engineering elaborate aqueducts on shore, stargazing and playing games until they snuggle into the tent and pass out hard with the sound of the river creating the best natural white noise. There are no screens. No phones. No plans. No stuff. Nothing to do but whatever they can imagine. And then they wake up the next day and do it all again. It’s 100% pure priceless magic.

OVER THE years I have tested, rejected and curated some adventure gear that I love. This list doesn’t include the super practical stuff like tents and coolers, but the ‘extra’ stuff that just makes everything more comfortable. After all, I don’t want to be distracted from the scenery or the sound of the kids’ laughter because I’m wrestling with subpar gear. If you’re looking for stuff for more ‘refined’ travel, check out my Gift Guide to Travel for favorites. And if you have any questions, reach out, I’m always here for you. xo

some of my favorite warm-weather adventure gear

~~ This Cotopaxi 60L Gear Hauler Tote is one of THE best gifts I’ve ever received and the best pieces of gear I’ve ever owned. I use it constantly to drag food to the mountains when we travel and all the extra loose gear on road trips; you know, shoes, hairdryer, hats… stuff you NEED, but doesn’t fit anywhere else. It’s indestructible, holds SO much stuff, is actually easy to carry and wipes clean. I love it so much that my husband bought me the 30L size, too. If your travels are often by car, near or far, this is your new BFF. ~~ $125

~~ A pair of good sandals is essential for any warm weather adventure and I looked for nearly a decade before I discovered the very best ones for me. I have tried on like 200 pairs of Chacos, Keens, Tevas and every other sandal that people love, but none of them were a good fit for me. My foot would always sit sort of awkwardly sideways in the footbed. And then I discovered Bedrock Cairn Adventure Sandals and the clouds parted and the sunshine came through. Dramatic? That’s how much I love them. They fit perfectly, had almost zero break-in period, are actually cute [they come in 8 colors] and are totally bomber. I wear them camping, in the river and ocean, on hikes, to the grocery store and everywhere else in between and just love them. My son was about to steal mine, so I bought him a pair, too. ~~ $105

~~ Ok forget adventuring, they should just issue a Leatherman Micra to every mom out there. It’s teeny tiny and has actually useful tools in it, like the clipper that I use all the time, even if just to open a Smoked Salmon Strip for my son [why is it sooo hard?]. I keep it in my car or bag during normal times, then stash it in either my hip pack or PFD when adventuring. It’s just a super useful thing to have around. ~~ $54.95

~~ I bought these stainless steel cups a few years ago for juice, drinks, oatmeal or anything else while we’re camping. They’re super durable, haven’t rusted and are easy to clean out [they don’t hold on to grease like plastic]. I love the colored silicone sleeves that keep track of who’s is who’s. They’re simple and just work. ~~ $19.99

~~ My Cotopaxi Daypack fits all the stuff I need for a mid-sized adventure [plus it’s so so cute], including rain jackets, water bottles and snacks for the kids [and for me]. They have lots of style and size choices depending on your preferences. I LOVE their bright Del Dia collection, which empowers the artisan who makes each pack to choose the colors they want to combine from leftover industry fabric. Each one is unique and super fun. For most styles, you can decide to be ‘surprised’ by the color or choose your own from their stash. LOVE their Hip Packs, too. ~~

~~ If I’m leaving the house for more than 2 hours, I’m leaving with at least a few Stasher Bags [or a huge pile if we’re traveling]. They are ENDLESSLY useful, especially when you’re out and about. I use them for everything from snacks to cosmetics to meds to games to stowing trash [like the core from the apple you had in there]. I have every size they make and I use them all for different things. I LOVE them. Really. Buy a bunch, you won’t believe how useful they are. Plus they’re virtually indestructible, leak-proof and can be chucked in the dishwasher when you get back [and find that week-old apple core]. ~~ from $7.99

~~ You guys already know how much I love my Aloha Hip Packs, which I bring on every adventure big + small. But I also adore their Pouches. When I travel, I bring two Small or Mid Pouches, one filled with clean undies and one empty that I use to keep track of the dirty ones. It works brilliantly to separate them and you never have random pairs of skivvies flailing around. ~~ $32

~~ You also need a good baseball hat, I almost never leave home without one, especially in the summer. I love this Happy Rays Trucker [I have it in black], it really is just so sweet and smily. Check out my collection of cute Sun Hats for lots more ideas. ~~ $38

~~ I love my Nomadix Original Towel so much that everyone in my family now has one. They’re awesome for travel [we brought ours to Hawaii], camping, rafting or the neighborhood pool. These quick-dry beauties are made from recycled bottles, resist odor, sand + pet hair AND pack down super small and light. There are a ton of really cool prints to choose from and they come in an Ultralight version if space is really an issue. I also have a Mini that I keep in my car for post-sweaty runs and hikes. They’re awesome and a fantastic gift if you’re looking. ~~ from $27.95

~~ My husband and I both love our Stio Hylas Hooded Pullover. It’s UPF 50, super lightweight, not too tight and the hood keeps sun off your face either for protection or when you’re just feeling super crispy. ~~ $89

~~ I grabbed a Pelican Micro Case on a whim a few years ago when heading out for a big river trip and I love it. We have a big family box for all the major stuff, but I felt like mama ‘needed’ my own so I could easily access my phone and charger without having to disrupt the carefully-packed boat ecosystem. It’s super petite, so that’s mostly all that fits in there along with an extra pair of sunnies, chapstick, and my slender card case. It has a little carabiner to clip to a lash or wherever you need it and, most importantly, it works and is totally bomber. The fact that it’s kind of adorable is just a bonus. It’s perfect for any scenario where you need to keep your treasures dry and from getting crushed. ~~ $29.95

~~ I know everyone has a favorite water bottle or two [or 10], but this Hydro Flask 32oz Wide Mouth is my go-to for adventures for one super specific [maybe super dorky] reason… the mouth of the bottle where you put your sweet lips is covered by the lid so that no dirt or sand or river water gets on there while it’s knocking around. You get a clean drinking surface every time. So there. Plus, it’s a Hydro Flask, so you know it’s indestructible and will keep your water cold for as long as possible. That’s worth the price to me. ~~ $44.95

~~ I’m a ‘just in case’ kind of gal and I like to feel prepared, especially out in the woods where there is very little else you can control. So I jam this Patagonia 6L Black Hole Cube with ALL the meds and drag it on our adventures. We have a legit first aid kit for serious emergencies, but this is the thing that’s going to keep everyone as comfortable as possible. Whether you have poison ivy,diarrhea or a sunburn, I have a thing for that and I stash it all in this awesome bag. It’s weatherproof, incredibly durable and has a big mesh pocket on either side of the zipper that opens wide to keep things organized, accessible and visible. I love it. ~~ $45

~~ Ok, lean in, I’m going to tell you a secret… these Eagle Creek Packing Cubes are the single greatest travel item we own. They look a bit dorky I know, but they are EVERYTHING for keeping it all together, especially when you’re living out of a tent, camper or boat [or a different hotel room every night for weeks]. Each family member gets a Cube or two for their clothes and then we chuck all the cubes into a duffle or dry bag for transport. When we get all set up at camp, the Cubes act as a neat little ‘drawer’ for each person and all the crazy stuff is contained. It’s MAGIC. ~~

~~ We use this Rumpl Everywhere Mat outside our tent to stow everything that doesn’t fit inside or is too wet or dirty to come in. The bottom is waterproof, it packs up super small and it has little loops in the corners so you can stake it down. It also repels sand and dog hair. Basically it’s awesome. You can also use it as a blanket at kiddo sporting events or picnics. It would make a truly fantastic gift. ~~ $79

~~ Every gal needs a good sun hat and this Outback Woven Sun Hat is [extremely similar to] mine. It’s hand woven in Mexico and has a little cotton band on the inside to protect your skin and to soak up the sweat. And it’s super cute no matter where you’re headed. ~~ $68

MORE IN… travel + adventure