Back 2 School
The above photo was taken at Boris &Horton when Kelly of The Pupper Cup decided to celebrate the back to school vibes by turning her wagon into a school bus. Maury was all too happy to participate in the photo op. Will work for food, especially when that food is dog friendly ice cream.
Back when I was kid, the Tuesday after Labor Day was always the first day of school. I don’t remember dreading it, I guess partially because I liked getting new stuff and also because it meant the excruciating summer heat was almost over. In elementary school it was always about the new lunchbox, my metal Muppet Babies and red plastic Pound Puppies lunchboxes stand out as favorites. As I got older it became more about the clothes and shoes, and bargaining with my bargain hunter mom for whatever the cool brand was at the time, I won’t date myself by listing them. The constant through all these years was getting new denim, new shoes, and new school supplies. Even though I’m long removed from the classroom, there’s something about this time of year that still gives me urge to freshen up those must haves of my youth.
Here are my picks for all the back to school vibes:
Time and Tru Women's Boyfriend Cardigan Sweater
I’m going to start this post where many parents go to start their back to school shopping - Walmart. I have mixed emotions about Walmart because as a kid I really thought Walmart was the perfect store to get trapped in overnight, they have everything! Now as an adult I am aware of the problematic issues with the company, low wages and driving out mom&pop stores being the most cited. The reality is that it’s a store that helps a lot of families stretch their dollars, and we’re all just out here trying to do our best. We don't have a Walmart in New York City so I’ve only found out about what cute stuff they have via influencers like Shelby of @itsallchictome who posted this super cute cardigan sweater that’s perfect for transitioning to fall.
Unique Bargains Women's A-line High Waist Button Front Denim Short Skirt
While on the Walmart website for the above sweater I started to poke around and found this skirt. Back to school means dark denim to me always. I’m not a pants/jeans girl really, I refer to them as leg jail because I don’t like my thighs to feel like encased sausages. I also struggle to find A-line denim skirts, why do designers make denim skirts for SpongeBob Squarepants and not women with a waist to hip ratio over half an inch? So to me this skirt is a winner, long enough to wear as grown up, fun button up details that will pair nicely with sweaters and sweatshirts, and loafers and sneakers alike.
Reina Dress
On the opposite end of the price point spectrum, I’m swooning over this Tanya Taylor denim dress. It can be worn on its own if the temperatures aren't quite crisp yet and layered over a just about any top you can think of - turtlenecks, button-downs, body suits, thin sweaters or long-sleeved crewnecks. More than I would usually spend on a dress, but a total staple piece that I can see working for years to come. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for a more affordable dupe.
Gola Daytona Quadrant Sneakers
I wouldn't call myself a sneaker head, I’m not standing in long lines to get the latest drop, I rarely ever know what the latest drop even is! However living in New York has made me really expand my sneaker collection because I’m not trying to kill my feet. It takes me forever to commit to a color for sneakers but I feel like these are the perfect fall combo, and you get a little dash of metallic that’s become so trendy. I also love that you’ll stand out in a sea of the suddenly ubiquitous Adidas samba revival going on. Not that there’s anything wrong with them if that’s your jam.
Paula Babies
Speaking of trendy, ballet flats and Mary janes are everywhere! When I was a kid, patent Mary janes with ruffle socks were the go to look for dress days. I don’t care how in style they are, flat flat shoes aren't for me. I’m 5’4 and if a shoe doesn’t have at least a normal loafer height heel I just feel like it makes me look like I have cankles. Might be all in my head but can’t get past it. When I saw these shoes on Joanna Goddard’s Cup of Jo site, I swooned! They are the perfect autumn shoe that mixes the best of both trends and feel like a call back to the dress shoes of my youth. They come in so many great color options, torn between the four options above.
Rowing Blazers x Target Women's Plaid Pleated Skirt
“Who is she, and where has she been?” This skirt is giving all the Serena Van Der Woodson vibes. Obviously no back to school fall roundup would be complete without a little plaid. I love this skirt because the mix of plaids lets you know it’s not from leftover from private school. Definitely my favorite piece from the Rowing Blazers Target collaboration, but if you love preppy pieces like I do, make sure to peruse the whole collection.
Pilot 12pk G2 Limited Edition Harmony Collection Gel Pens
Now to the school supplies. I love a juicy pen, and I hate just boring black and blue ink pens. I need a little more personality for journaling and cards. I even change the color of my fonts when I type up my seasonal to-do lists. I’ve been a fan of the pilot pens since high school, and recently discovered the retractable gel pens are as good as my old favorites that needed caps.
Oh! What A Week Planning Notepad
I love the idea of a paper planner, that feeling of “yes, I will now have my life so together and live at the pinnacle of organization.” Then a few weeks/month in I realize, my life isn’t really that regimented and I don’t use it that much. Basically it just sets me up to fail, so I quit buying them. But a weekly to do list notepad, hits my sweet spot of having structure in a low pressure kind of way. It doesn’t have dates, just days of the week, so you can use for busier weeks, or when you’re on a meal planning or cleaning schedule kick, and not use it when there’s not a lot going on. I scored a really cute Snoopy one at Marshalls, but I can’t find it anywhere online, which is how it usually goes with Marshalls scores. Here’s one that’s not too pricey but still pretty cute.
Streamline Imagined Otter Tape Dispenser
A lot of times, I’ll go without buying things that I need because I need to know I’ve bought the cutest possible version of the item. I’m convinced every object from staplers to spatulas has a super cute non-basic version. This tape dispenser is a prime example of cutening up something prosaic. Also otters might be my second favorite non-domestic animal, after giraffes. Otterly adorable!
Essie Gel Couture in Bubbles Only
Like everyone else I know, I was sucked into HBO’s The White Lotus. Aside from the plot, the show was such eye candy. There was the gorgeous Italian coastal scenery, the attractive cast, and Jennifer Coolidge cementing her icon status. But the one thing that stuck with me was the perfection that was Aubrey Plaza’s nail color. The perfect brick red that’s still a classic red and not maroon, basically the color of a Red Delicious apple you’d give to a teacher. After much googling to no avail and some polish trial and error, I finally nailed it. (Pun intended, always). Bonus it’s part of the Essie gel line so it’s got a bit more staying power than regular polish. I find writing, whether typing on my laptop or with one of a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils, is a little more inspired with a fresh manicure to admire.
What are your back to school must-haves? Or what’s on your autumn wishlist? Let me know in the comments or shoot me a DM.
