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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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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