Back to School

Apparently I have been living under a rock lately as it took running into active school zones this morning to remind me that the kids in the hood are headed back to school... poor dears! This, of course, triggered my nostalgia and the positive memories of heading back to school. What I remember the most clearly is the excitement of getting to buy new stuff because what I used the year before was so... last year! After a quick regression to my younger years, I went on a search for stuff that I would have fun taking back to school.

The key element of any school kid's gear is the backpack. It holds all of their books and supplies while also making a key statement about their personality and style. Dare to arrive with a pack decorated in an unpopular icon and you may find yourself checking out the inside of your locker at least a few times during the school year. The key, of course, is to have the same thing everyone else has, but still a little unique. How does one meet this challenge? Perhaps these suggestions can help...

For the Little Peeps

There is, of course, an overwhelming selection of backpacks on the market for your little one. My tastes tend to stray from the mainstream which landed me at these adorable options. The graphics are colorful and stylish, but still playful enough to appeal to children. A wide selection of animals and characters ensures you can find just the right fit for your little peep to take to school.

For the Larger Peeps

As kids get older, the selection of cute characters for such important gear diminishes leaving your shopping options limited. Unless they are satisifed with the average black backpack that overpopulates most schools, you may struggle to find an acceptable option. Try these! A selection of colors and simple customization keep the overall design sleek and understated while also setting it apart from the sea of generic black packs.

Pack Accents

If your selected backpack does not offer a clue about its owner's identity and you want to be sure to avoid mix up's at the bus stop these customized zipper pulls could be a great option. Double sided so you can add owner information along with a style statement they easily attach for added style and loss prevention.

Second only to the backpack is the lunch box. Although it must be practical enough to keep food chilled and squish free, it must also coordinate to make a statement locking in a seat at the table with the cool kids!

Eco-Friendly Graphic Lunch Tote

The photo shows the Red Scooter graphic, but several other graphic options and colors are also available to ensure that you get exactly the right lunch gear. It's the perfect blend of simple and style.

Customizable Lunch Box

If you fear that your young one will NEED a new lunch box half way through the school year because the original selection no longer coordinates with their new style, this might be a good option to consider. A wide array of face plate options are available for selection allowing an easy and cost effective way to re-style the same lunch box to satisfy their style needs and your budget!

Personalized Lunch Box

Whether your little one is so distracted by their thoughts that they forget which lunch box is theirs or they just like to stake claim to their property, these adorable lunch boxes offer a selection of graphics and colors along with personalization options.

Now that we have the essentials covered, let's discuss the school gear - notebooks, pencils, etc. Less necessary as a statement item it is usually acceptable to hit the general shopping stores for the mass market options. If, however, you prefer to extend the trend setting of your child's school style there are some fun options for customized gear.

Customized Pencils

Meeting the needs of the standard #2 requirements, these pencils kick style into high gear with fun graphics in place of the usual school bus yellow.

Scented Pens

I have fond memories of the scented markers used in school... particularly the brown one that smelled of Root Beer! When I stumbled across these new pens I was immediately envious of the school kids who get to use these in class... perhaps I will have to splurge for my own set!

Customized Binders

Way cooler than the mass produced options with favorite cartoons or tween idols, these binders offer a wide selection of starter ideas that can be customized for the supreme school gear personalization. For the super creative types, you can create your own graphics and upload them for use. In addition to binders, there are a number of items such as stickers, tee-shirts and water bottles that can also be customized for your little scholar.

Sigh... I wish that these options had been around when I was a kid!

Travel Adventures

A friend of mine recently posted on her Facebook requesting ideas to assist in a lengthy car drive with kids in tow. At the time I had little to offer in the "words of wisdom" category, but was inspired by my lack of advice to chase down some ideas for the next person needing ideas. There are, of course, loads of digital options with DVD's and games for kids to play, but feeling a bit more traditional I went with a few options falling into the categories of unique, efficient and old school fun.

For those traveling with wee ones (baby types) here are a few items to consider.

Diaper Cream Travel Pack...

Almost everyone has had an experience with a tube of something exploding in their travel bag as it was squished into a tight corner of the storage compartment. Whether you are traveling by car or plane, this travel pack can contribute to your sanity in a number of ways. First, each application is neatly packaged in its own container. Apply to baby's bum and toss. As you continue through your travels you have less to lug around and it could make airport security a much less stressful experience! Second, the maker of this handy little product works with organic formulas making this a wise (and slightly trendy) option.

GoCrib...

Although I do not currently have crib sized kids in my life, I can still appreciate the efficient nature of this product. When not in use, this travel crib packs into a pack that you can sling on your back and go. While in use it inflates to a traditional travel crib allowing baby a safe place to sleep and play in just about any location. The fantastic packable design of this product makes it a killer option for people who always wish they could take baby to the beach or the park without needing a wagon to drag all the necessary gear along for the outing.

Out and about with older munchkins in tow? How about some of these items to keep them engaged along the way?

Travel with Kids Books...

A variety of book options are available to lend ideas for kid friendly activities in the car, on the plane or checking out various cities across the world. Written with the kids in mind these easy to tote books could provide the sanity saving entertainment option needed to keep the ants out of their pants while you get to your destination.

Super Sleek Scribble Kit...

Whether your kid in tow is a trend following kind or just the average child, this scribble kit could hold the key to on the run entertainment. Available in a variety of fabric designs these bags are made of coated cotton canvas with nylon lining. The original kit comes ready for scribbles with 4 crayons and a scribble pad, but I suspect there is room to add the little Mister or Misses favorite coloring book and a few more crayon options.

Whatever happened to Car Bingo?...

It's back! This handmade version (available in rural or urban) sports hand drawn icons on a wooden board along with a bag of bingo tags. Unless you have multiple munchkins with a seriously competitive streak, this game could be fun for the whole family - minus the driver, of course!

A special thanks to the creative minds at Cool Mom Picks for many of the ideas shared above!

Geek Friendly

Ever been stumped on what to get for the slightly nerdy, yet still loveable guy in your life? Me, too! Trying to sort out gift ideas for this hybrid of mankind can sometimes feel like a mental version of stubbing your toe. In need of a solution that would make them happy and still allow me to feel comfortable being seen with them in public, I went on a shopping search and discovered a few things that might do the trick.

For the iPhone fanatic…

If you know an iPhone groupie that also enjoys outdoor activities involving water, this gift might send them straight to cloud nine. No longer will they have to leave their beloved device behind when they play in water – they can now include it in ALL of their activities. (oh joy…) With a water seal compartment for the device, this iPhone protection device straps onto the arm of the user allowing them full range of motion, as well as use of their device. A clear window panel allows easy access to the much loved touch screen and/or click wheel. The only thing it does not include is a set of waterproof ear buds… please be sure to purchase these separately to avoid any unfortunate hearing trauma.

Waterproof iPhone Arm Band

Add to the Techno Geek tool box with these items…

Allow your favorite gadget fanatic to mark their territory in a somewhat stylish way with this unique hanger. Whether they use it for their coat, hat, scarf, towel or robe this handy little piece will keep the dreaded floor pile at bay while also proclaiming their love of all things computer!
8-Bit Hanger

When you last entered a nerd cave and seen cords running every which way to maximize electric outlets and USB ports for gadget recharging and reloading? Take a deep breath… with this USB port you can help cut back the cord jungle! Similar in appearance to the much loved power strip, this 7-port USB Hub allows up to – you guessed it – seven devices to be connected and stored in one location. Even better, each port has a separate switch allowing the user to quickly and easily turn on/off the connection to any given port as they see fit.
7-Port USB with Switches

 

Encourage safe nerd play…

Ever heard the old saying that men don’t grow up, their toys just get bigger and more expensive? In most cases I would agree with this statement, but must also admit that the much loved geeks in my life have often surprised me with their excitement for simple toys reminiscent of their youth. This leads me to the NERF Sniper Rifle which may just make the list for Santa gift options this year!

NERF Sniper Rifle

Practicality in King…

Depending on the situation at hand, I either adore my loving geek’s exceptional practicality or curse it for preventing the purchase of some super cute shoes! Mostly I have a healthy respect for it, which is why this wallet caught my attention. Apparently Desmopan is a thermoplasti polyurethane product – not quite plastic and not quite rubber, but all very high-tech in style. Offering simply organization for plastic cards and cash, this wallet meets the practical standards while also adding a touch of style to the tech loving man in your life!

Dosh Desmopan Wallet

 

Jungle Baby!

A dear friend of mine recently announced a bouncing bundle on the way and while I grilled her about all things baby it was suggested that the nursery may receive a safari theme. Since I had not encountered this theme among previous friends planning for babies, I jumped into research mode to see what kind of gift options might be available for this jungle of love. I was, of course, pleasantly surprised by my findings and now can't wait to contribute to the decor!

As with all themes, you can choose to go over the top or understated. With this particular theme there seem to be quite a few options if you want to go totally crazy with the theme. Knowing my friend - and keeping with modern trends - I wound up gravitating to items that lend a little touch of safari, but can be balanced against some neurtal color pallets allowing the theme decor to easily phase out as the child gets old enough to choose their own style without requiring mom and dad to pay for a massive decor overhaul on the room. Cue the jungle drums... here are my top finds!

For the Walls...

Assuming that the parents know ahead of schedule the gender and name of their bouncing baby, decorative letters are a fun option for some substantial wall decor. Each letter can be painted a little differently, but within the same style to create an artistic collage of sorts when all hung together. Depending on where you purchase these crafty pieces you should be able to request certain color schemes to coordinate with the rest of the nursery decor. The key, of course, is consulting the parents to confirm what colors they have selected! For the crafters out there, these wooden letters are also available at most craft stores if you care to test your painting skills. It could be a fun project and would help to make the gift even more special.

For an option that requires no nails and can be easily removed later, you might consider the increasingly popular wall decals. Usually made of vinyl these pieces simply adhere to the wall like giant stickers adding an instant and impactful decorative accent to the room. Within the jungle theme there are tons of options ranging from stacked safari animals (shown here) to monkeys swinging on tree limbs. Just do a little searching to find the one that will best fit the nursery decor and you are sure to have a hit gift.

If the parents to be prefer actual wall art, you might consider something like these Jungle Safari Animal Prints. This particular option comes in a set of four with each piece featuring a different dafari animal along with its name. Created in a colorful and updated style, these pieces are simple yet stylish. In fact, I think the design is so well done that these pieces could transition with the child through quite a few years even after the other safari theme pieces are phased out.

For the baby....

Again, there are loads of safari theme clothing items for the baby available. This item, however, caught the attention of my cute meter as it combines adorable and handmade - two of my favorite things! Even from the photo, the giraffe looks soft and cuddly which makes me think that the baby wearing it will enjoy the texture, as well.

Although the baby may have to grow into this gift, I could not resist its cleverness! Taking the place of the standard toy bowling set, this jungle theme option offers pins with various safari animals topping the pin. While mastering their motor skills, the child can also learn their animals as they aim for the lions, tigers and bears... Strike!