Swanky Back to School Gear!
by FireMom ~ August 8th, 2008. Filed under: Product Review.Like what you're reading? Subscribe to our feed.
When I was offered a chance to review some Eye Candy and Simply Chic paper and organization products, well, I was giddy. You see, I loved the back-to-school time frame as a child, teen and college student. I love the smell of new paper. I love buying new pens. Backpacks. Organizers. I was in heaven. But my schooling days have long passed. And while BigBrother is heading to preschool this autumn, he doesn’t need any supplies.
And that’s why I jumped at the chance to review these products. So I could get that same feeling.
And I did! Let me tell you, if I was a teen or still in college, I’d be buying these folders, pens, notebooks and so on. Even as a Work At Home Mom, I’m thrilled to have added some of these things to my organizational library! For example, the magnets are already in use on my fridge. (In fact, one is holding the corner of the calendar I made for BigBrother to count down the days until his first day of school!) The colors are bright, funky and eye-catching. What better way to trick your child or yourself into thinking that the whole back-to-school time is a great, wonderful and fun thing! (And if they already think that, like I used to, then what better way to add to the ambiance!)
A few notes: the pens write fine. I’m picky about pens. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to open the pens as I have a particular pen that I prefer to write just about anything, including something as measily as my grocery list. But these ones passed my test so they should be fine for you. The folders are strong enough to be chewed on, briefly, by a little dude with five-and-a-half teeth. (Totally accidental but passing on the info.) The monthly calendar has the entire year of 2008 and the entire year of 2009 instead of, like most, just the “school year” months.
Now, for my favorites: The portable hanging file, which is a seven pocket expandable accordian file that includes colorful blank tabs for the pockets was so right up my alley. Let me tell you, I love to be organized. Or, I love the illusion of being organized and, as such, I love things that, in theory, should make me more organized. And this? Was BRIGHT PINK with POLKA DOTS. Favorite indeed. I also loved the package of stick on notes and flags. Maybe because more polka dots were involved. Maybe because I like things that stick. All the same, I’ve been using these on everything.
Best part about all of this stuff? It’s available exclusively at Walmart. That means nearby and affordable. Hit up the Carolina Pad and Paper site to see more examples. I’m sure you’ll want to pick up a few for your teen. Or yourself. Mmmpaper!
As an added bonus, I’m giving away a few things! (Brand new!) For you, your back-to-school child/niece/neighbor/etc. I’m giving away a binder journal in the Simply Chic houndstooth print accented with green, a 2008/2009 calendar in the Eye Candy multi-colored polka dots and a box of notes in the Eye Candy multi-colored polka dots as well. One lucky winner will get all three. Simply leave a comment on this post about your love or hatred for back-to-school time as a child. The contest will run through August 16th at 1:00pm EDT. I will close comments at that point.
(Also? If your office looks like mine but you love the idea of one that is organized, go enter their contest for a chance to get a Glam-ed Office. Mmm.)
Contest Closed! Our winner received her gear for her teen daughter and apparently it was a big hit! Thanks for entering!
August 8th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
[...] Also Said: New Review & Giveaway: I’ve just reviewed some back-to-school products and have a small giveaway going on over at the review blog. Check it [...]
August 8th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
oOoOOooh, I LOVE me some school supplies. I’m an addict. Even though I am not in school, nor have any children in school. BOTH Tim and I have an obsession with the stationary aisles at stores and the office supply stores. It’s a sickness, I tell ya.
I’d looooove it!
August 8th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
I have to keep myself away from the back to school aisles because I could stand there for quite awhile admiring all of the different papers/pens/pencils/file holders/etc. Since I work in a school, I do at least get to use that as my excuse a few times a year-I just tell myself that “it’s for the students!”
August 8th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I love shopping for school supplies!! Nothing beats a nice, fresh, new notebook
Thank you for the giveaway!
August 8th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
I used to love the first day of school. It was an exciting time to be a student. I loved meeting new teachers and learning new things and seeing my friends again. And of course, back to school shopping was always a BLAST.
As a teacher, I don’t love the start. I wish I could skip the first month completely. Learning new names is hard, the kids test their limits and so much rests on those first few weeks and days. And it’s coming sooo fast this year!
August 8th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
I had to comment because yes, I too drool over this time of year. I love fresh blank notebooks, new pencils, pens. I can’t wait until Widget needs school supplies. I’ll be one of those moms excitedly picking out my daughter’s backpack and folders, not because I’m happy summer’s over and school is starting but because I love school supplies
August 10th, 2008 at 2:31 am
I loved going to school because I could go see my friends. Plus, I’m proud to say I’m quite smart… so classes were pretty fun
August 11th, 2008 at 10:14 am
More fresh in my mind is the first week of a new semester at college. It’s such a blast to watch everyone show up for their new classes in their best duds. Even better is week two, when it’s back to the sweatpants and t-shirts. Too bad that doesn’t fly in the workplace…
August 11th, 2008 at 10:59 am
I loved going shopping for back to school supplies. I would go home and sit with them for the week leading up to school. However, I did not like that I actully had to go back to school.
August 13th, 2008 at 8:59 am
I was always glad when it was back to school time. My family owned a summer oriented business and all of our family worked in it (me included) so we did not have such things as trips to the beach, camp experiences, even lazy days of summer.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:58 am
I love back-to-school: fresh school supplies, new clothes. I work on a college campus, so I get to relive my back-to-school memories every year.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
I loved going back to school. There was such excitement. The first day of school outfit was also very much on my mind. But then I liked school always.
August 13th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
I loved going and buying the school supplies. Now I watch how excited my kids get at buying their backpacks and supplies.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:33 am
I hated back to school time. I didn’t like to shop, I wasn’t very popular, and I didn’t have many friends. I’m glad that now, as an adult, I am more confident and don’t really care what others think. I’m a happily married mother of two and I hope that school is easier and more fun for my kids. Thanks for the great contest!
August 14th, 2008 at 11:38 am
I always hated going back to school! My best friend switched schools the year after I met her, so during the school year we hardly ever saw each other!
August 14th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
I must admit that I hated the idea of returning to school after the summer. I was really shy and it was hard seeing everyone again and starting over. I do love school supplies though. Thank you so much!
August 15th, 2008 at 12:57 am
I love back-to-school time! Even though for the couple of weeks leading up to school I have nightmares about missing classes/going to the wrong class (I’m weird, I know) I still getting excited about writing the very first set of notes on my nice crispy clean new paper with my brand spankin’ new pens (I have to buy new pens every year, regardless of how many I have leftover from previous years). Yea, I’m weird.
August 15th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
I love school supplies too. My niece though surpases me her favorite store is staples. She has an office set up in her playroom.
August 15th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
I love to go shopping for back to school. My little girl is loves to help me pick out the perfect school items and look at all the pretty paper and pencils. She collects rare and unusual pencils and notebooks, think she gets that from me. hehe.
August 15th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
I never liked going back to school. After a few weeks being back I loved it though
August 16th, 2008 at 5:10 am
Oh, Thanks! Really amazing. Greets.
August 16th, 2008 at 5:58 am
i liked going back to school, i liked seeing who my new teachers would be and seeing all my friends again. But i definitely hated not being able to sleep in!
August 16th, 2008 at 6:37 am
Back to school wasn’t a big deal for me. We used to more around and I would have to start a new school in the middle of the year a few times. I liked having that burst of energy to do my homework. I love the chance to get a head and have extra credits.
-Shelly
http://shellydelight.etsy.com
shellydelight@gmail.com
August 16th, 2008 at 7:44 am
i hated going back to school, the people i went to school with were so snotty! but i did like my classes, i was super smart!
August 16th, 2008 at 8:11 am
I always loved back to school time partly because of the chance to get new supplies and start fresh. Fall has always been my favorite time of year because of the crisp weather.