Monday, you stinker…always popping up on us! I can’t complain too much seeing as how we snuck off to the beach with friends to savor the final days before the kids head back to school. I’m trying to soak up every minute of this laid-back, schedule-free time with them, because I know that even with the best intentions, life will soon get more hectic, and our time together will be diluted.
A few Saturdays ago, I hosted a back-to-school event at my local Container Store…it was a fun afternoon of food, new and old friends, and tips for creating a more organized school year. Hundreds of you showed up, and I was thrilled to not only realize just how many Dallas-area peeps there are, but to meet so many of you in person!
Even Babygirl got involved and was an excellent hostess to the little guests. Nothing makes me more proud, and grateful, than to see her full of kindness and self-confidence. #girlpower
The Container Store served the cutest school-themed food, and cleverly used their Elfa set-up as the buffet.
Many of my friends and family stopped by to surprise and support me, too. You InstaGram friends weighed in on which top to pair with my striped skirt…as you can see, I went with stripes and floral. #nosurprisethere Obviously the love of stripes and monograms is genetic, could my mom be any cuter?! (Find my mom’s bag here.)
I shared lots of tips and inspiration for a smoother back-to-school transition…starting with pre-planning the coming week’s outfits, and organizing them by day with closet rod dividers, a labeled hanging sweater bag, or even a slide-in Elfa drawer system. (That handy foldable garmet rack…currently on sale…came home with me!)
Finding new and appealing lunch ideas is a hurdle in our house, but with the Container Store’s large collection of lunch totes and food containers, I’m feeling motivated to create yummy new combinations for them this year. (See some lunchbox meal options here.)
The return of the school year also signals the return of the paper storm! A command center, no matter how small, is essential to staying on top of it.
It can be as simple as a wall-mount file, or more robust with calendars, dry-erase and pin boards. You don’t need much space to create an organizational hub for your family. (See our old command center here.)
Designing a fun, yet organized, locker is a great way to get your kids excited for the new year, also.
Having a dedicated homework spot, stocked with all the supplies, makes it easier for the kids to focus. We’ve yet to carve out a space for our kids in the new house, but a well-appointed caddy, complete with all the necessary supplies, allows them to set-up wherever they want.
Here are some more of the tips we shared…
