Friday Favorites: Back to School

Can't believe it is time to get ready for back to school!  I have one more week with my little ones all to myself and I'm going to soak it all up and capture every moment with this! 

I like to stock up on easy little dresses like this to throw on for carpool - easy enough to throw on with a pair of flats and polished enough to walk m little one into class.   It is probably time to order a new pair of my favorite flats too! 

My son wears a uniform and, after a great deal of trying, we finally found a short and shirt style that he loves!  There was a whole lot of "this is too ..... " (fill in the blank with scratchy, loose, tight, short, etc!) So relieved to finally find some that he loves!  These almost feel like athletic clothes with the look that fits the uniform code!

My sister swears by this lunch box for her toddler so I ordered one for Millie too!   I ordered some of these to embellish lunch with too!  

All of these sparkly things are on Millie's wish list: boots - tennis - headband -  patch for her backpack - tee-shirt -  leggings!  Gracious!

Backpack - Napsack - Whatever you want to call it, this is the one my son likes and I'm happy that it is easy to monogram! 

Friday Favorites

I can't wait to share more images from our trip to Ireland with you next week but I couldn't wait to get this up!  We were greeted at Ballyfin with a rainbow -an amazing start to an amazing weekend!

Love these darling note cards with sweet sentimental sayings.

Have you gotten a head start on your Fall wardrobe with the amazing Nordstrom Anniversary Sale yet?  

They have super cute back-to-school things too!

Love these monogrammed towels on sale too! Sale! Sale! Sale!

Obsessed with this color - this pillow - this price!

This is crazy:  Looks exactly like Oscar de la Renta's pastel gingham but less than $60!!!! 

I was embarrassed on the plane home because I couldn't stop laughing out loud at this!

Obsessed with this entire line of cover ups but especially this one with fringe.

Friday Favorites

Love this kitchen....Neutral but not boing!  Click here to see more. 

Adore this super-cool backpack for your wise little back-to-schooler!

Ordering these for my son as a back to school treat.  Talk about up-cycling!

Love this Winter White look for Fall.  Love! Love! Love!

Wondering how high to hang your chandelier?  I love this guide!

My very favorite kitchen chair - durable, kid friendly and super stylish.

Get Creative!

I love this list from www.peekofperfection.com

Back to School Checklist

I love Mom Adgenda Products.  I have spoken about them before on the Gene & Julie Show but I always follow their new items and keep an eye out for things that might be helpful.  They often offer free downloadable checklists and worksheets and they are fantastic!  The latest free help sheet they have created is a fantastic Back To School Checklist.  I also love their Goal Sheets and helpful Holiday Lists.

I also love their School Years Portfolios.  They are fantastic journals to keep photographs, write down memories, and record your childs height, weight and other details.  There is a space to store a report card, a few art or project samples and some writing samples.  It is the perfect book to hold everything you need to keep for an entire school career!  It comes in Aqua, Sage and Rose.  The owner and founder of MomAdgenda says that if her house ever catches on fire, the School Years Portfolios are the first thing she will grab!

Back to School Style

Upwardly Mobile Satchel in Oxford University

I love back to school time!  Tune in to 103.7 Lite FM next week to hear some of my favorite back to school tips!  In the meantime, I had to give you a link to the fantastic back-to-school bag!  It is perfect for a student or a car-pooling mom like me!

Plum Life

If you are one of those people who leads a hectic lifestyle that includes needing to manage a family full of schedules, you are probably feeling the heat right about now!  School has started.  Homework is hectic.  Soccer Games, Ballet Class and Back to School Parties are all being juggled.    It is crazy hard to keep it all straight!  
Well....you are in luck because Dallasite Regen Fearon has developed a software that might just make you sane again!  No more placing your mobile phone down in the fridge while you reach in a rush for a juice box before school and not finding it again until dinner time (yes....I actually did that).  No more miscommunications with the hubby about who was scheduled to pick up your children from school.  This is the perfect calendar software for anyone on the go who needs to grab on to their last shred of sanity!
They have a wonderful video on their website, www.plumlife.com that explains many of the benefits of the software and they are giving free six-month subscriptions to our listeners and readers if you sign up for one month at $9.99. Simply use the code KIM06.  That is so nice!  
Want to hear something even nicer?  Founder, Regen Fearon, is personally willing to chat with any one of you who wants to know more about the software and how it can help you! She is happy to talk/email with any of you to help you set up PlumLife so it best fits your particular situation.  You can reach her by using the Give Feedback or Contact Us buttons on the site.

Locker Looks

One of the things I always looked forward to was when summer was ending and school was starting up again was the chance to decorate and organize my locker!  There is something so exciting about dressing up the metal box assigned only to me!  Here are few tips for keeping your locker looking good:

• Stackable shelves are a must.  They are the perfect starting point when trying to figure out how to organize your locker.  Check out the Container Store's wonderful options in fun colors and various sizes. 
• Magnetic cork boards, pencil holders, hooks and memo cups will help make the most of the sides and the doors on your locker!
• This year in home design, wall paper is big trend.  The same is true of locker walls!  You can purchase "locker wallpaper" at the container store or you can select a favorite wrapping paper or drawer liner to place around your locker walls.  If you don't want to paper the entire thing, just cover the inside of the door in a cheery print that will brighten your school day.
• Old shoe boxes covered in pretty paper or fabric are great for storing extra school supplies or snacks.
• If you will be keeping your gym clothes in your locker, think about adding an odor eater or air freshener to your locker to keep it from getting stinky.  

I would love to see pictures of your decorated and organized lockers!  Send a photo to askkim@kimberlyschlegel.com

Back to School Trends for Girls!

This back to school season is all about layers!  Here are three great looks that embrace the layered look and will help you make a great impression while heading back to school:


Jeggings
Jeggings are a combination of Jeans and Leggings and they are a MUST HAVE for every back to school wardrobe this fall.  Add flowing loose layers with a tunic, wrap or belted cardigan and you will be perfectly on trend!

Bohemian Dresses
A loose flowing dress is perfect for back to school in our 100+ degree weather!  You can embrace a new fall trend while still beating the heat!  Wear it now with embellished flats and later with boots.  Belts, funky necklaces, layered bracelets and loose sweaters can add to the look.

Mad for Plaid
Plaid shirts have become a staple in every tween wardrobe and they have not gone away.  This season, layer them over a favorite tee or tank and pair them with a denim skirt.

Schoolfolio

I have to admit that I am running out of room on my refrigerator for my son's artwork masterpieces!  He is only 2 but his work is already starting to take over our home!  A girlfriend told me about this wonderful Schoolfolio that organizes your child's artwork and keeps it safe from fading or gathering dust!  There are single folios ($27.95) is fun colors and designs or the All-In-One ($84.95) which can store your keepsakes, from art to report cards, from Preschool thru 12th grade!  Their pre-printed labels allow to design and organize the folio as you like.  You could dedicate on folio to each child or they could share and you could separate their works with your labels.  I can't wait to get mine and get my fridge back!

Back to School Safety on the Gene and Julie Show

I shared a few tips on returning to school safely on the Gene and Julie Show. Here is a quick re-cap:

Backpacks - Do not monogram your child's name on the backpack and avoid stickers on the back of your car that have your child's name on them. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children have a rolling backpack.

Internet and Computer - Always be in the room when your child is on the computer. Set a time limit for the time they can be on the computer. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that it is no more than 2 hours a day.

Immunizations - North Texas Schools are using new immunization requirements for the upcoming 2009-2010 school year. Check with your pediatrician and review your child's immunization records and make sure they will be vaccinated according to the requirements.

Avoiding Illness and H1N1 - I checked in with my son's wonderful Pediatrician, Dr. Loc Trieu, to see what I could do to help keep him healthy as to goes to school this year. I love his tips!

-Remind your little one to cover their nose and mouth when they cough or sneeze.

-Wash your hands with soap and water and use Alcohol-based cleansers.

-Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

-If you are sick with a flu like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.

-Check with your school nurse to see what the policies for public health are.

-Hydration is key for your children.

-Don't hesitate to visit with your physician to get updated info and treatment.

Go Green for Back to School

I have simple easy everyday tips for making a green return to school!

-Shop with your re-usable bags, not just at the grocery market, but at every store you go to. Keep some in your car at all times so that you never need to feel the guilt of throwing away extra sacs.

-By recycled products when you can. There is a lot of recycled paper and pencil options out there.

-Don't buy supplies that you already have. Use your leftovers from last year.

-Avoid disposable products wherever possible. The average American has 1000 lbs of trash a year! Invest in a re-usable lunch box and thermos instead of sending lunches to school in disposable bags.

-Walk or Bike to school if you can.

I love the pencil project featured at babycenter.com. It is such a fun and easy way to make use of your old cereal boxes! Follow the link below for step by step instructions.

Flower Pencil Top Project

Back to School - Clothing Trends!

If you missed my The Gene & Julie show about Back to School Fashion Trends, you can see my tips here! I love some of the chic trends that are hitting the school yard this year! Here are a few of my favorites:

-Varsity Prep -

girls - Try a cute skirt with a navy blazer and saddle shoes.

boys - Harken back to the 50's with a varsity baseball jacket and a worn out baseball cap. Roll up jeans and wear white tennis shoes.

-Biker Punk -

girls - Black leather jacket, tights and doc marten style mixed with this year's hot print: Buffalo check

boys - Skinny jeans and converse are the way to go.

-White House Inspiration -

-girls - Classics with a twist. Pair a lovely floral print with a bright colored caridgan. Don't forget to belt the sweater!

-boys - Look Presidential in khakis and a navy blazer but give them a youthful edge by leaving out the tail of your oxford shirt and rolling up your pants to show your white tennis shoes.

Back to School - Lunch Box Ideas

You won't believe your eyes when you see these amazing Bento Boxes. Isn't the "Devil Wears Prada" one above hilarious! While I don't expect that many of you will send your kids to school with lunch boxes like this, I do love the idea of filling up a Bento Box for them. They not only make lunch a little more interesting but they also encourage kids to eat from a larger variety of food groups!

-Plastica has colorful and wonderful plastic Bento Boxes that are great to send with the kids to school or for after school snacks. They are sturdy but beautiful. They are $38 so they are better for older children who will be responsible enough to bring all of the pieces home!

-Lunchboxes.com features a wonderful Bento Box in primary colors for the kids that comes with a spoon and fork and even a container for dips or dressings.

-If your little one hates crust then you must invest $9.95 in William Sonoma's Sandwich Cutter. It comes with a sandwich box and will shave a few minutes of crust cutting off your morning routine!

-Don't forget to pack a note! You could simply write one yourself or print off these adorable pre-made notes from Activity Village! There are also many tear out books of pre-made notes out there. I like Lot's of Hugs in a Lunchbox by Joy Stevans.

-And if you are worried that they are skipping over their veggie servings at lunch you can sneak them in using tips from Jessica Seinfeld's Deceptively Delicious! A few of her recipes can be found on Oprah.com!

Back to School with Gene and Julie on 103.7 Lite FM

Today was my first day on the Gene and Julie Show on 103.7 Lite FM. It was a blast! Gene and Julie are the best! They are so kind and cheerful...just like they sound every morning on the air.

This week is going to be all about Back to School. I can't believe that it is that time again! Did you know that the average American spends $84 on the no-frills supplies needed for school! When I heard that I knew that there must be a few ways to save a bit this year. Here are a few of my tips....

-If possible, wait for school to start before shopping. You may not have the selection you hoped for but most items will be on sale or deeply discounted.

-This is tax free weekend in Texas! Take advantage of it when buying school supplies! There is more info at www.window.state.tx.us.

-There are items out there for a penny! Really! Office Max has spiral notebooks for a penny and office depot has 12" wooden rulers and pocket folders! There are a lot of great specials like this so make the rounds and take advantage of all of them.

-Don't forget to sign up for the point/perk programs. Many teachers will ask for even more school supplies over the winter break and you will be grateful for your point discounts!

Happy Studies!