Friday Fete: Chic Back to School

I miss 'back to school' season. Sure, it's only been a few years since college and I never want to study organic Chemistry again....but it's safe to say I miss the excitement and organization and planning that happen in late August. And I realized this standing in the aisles of Target.

Per usual, I entered my local Target in search of one specific thing (tissue paper) and found myself in the clothing department, technology department and eventually the office supply area (Damn you Target! Every time!). The office supply aisles are filled with color coordinated items, metallic push pins, Kate Spade-esque planners. None of which I need, all of which I lovingly admired.  

The bottom line is I love the feeling of a fresh start and mid-year reset. So for all of us no longer in school, here's how you can fake that back to school feeling this September. 

How to Fake Feeling "Back to School" Excitement

• Add fresh pens and pencils with gold lettering to your desk. It's lame, but I am more drawn to write and record when I have a fun writing utensil. Imoi has adorable office wares including bamboo pencils, but I just love the WWBWD. 
• Pick up a new color of nail polish. Let's do some math. It costs roughly $35 for a regular manicure. You can get one bottle of Essie for $8..... Having a fresh color that makes you happy will last the whole season.  I'm currently loving white nails, but for fall I love Essie's 2013 'vested interest'. 
• Shameless plug. Eating better helps you feel and look better. Download the HEA beauty foods cheat sheet and 3 day menu! 
• Invest in an office bag. Whenever I go see clients outside of my office, I carry my 'mobile office'. She's a red Kate Spade leather bag and she is perfect (here's a what's in my bag from a year ago). Make sure your bag has adequate compartments and can fit your laptop.  The mint number above is from Mod Cloth. 
• Have a DIY spa night. Do a sugar scrub, moisturize your locks with coconut oil. Just some cheap thrills maintenance work while you catch up on your Breaking Bad. I'm currently in the midst of a dry brushing routine and for a natural fibers bamboo brush? It's worth it.
• Lunches you make at home and bring to the office are usually healthier and less expensive that what you buy 'out'. I love tiffins and bento boxes which separate the food into small compartments. It makes lunch fun and a good way to portion out treats. Pastel bento? Done.
• Set goals and make them SMART and pretty. I'm a total task list-aholic. I use Wunderlist on my iPhone but for other longer term business goals I use a pink Moleskine notebook. If you're visual, create a re-usable grid system to post over your desk and fill with post it notes.
• Not taking geography classes any more? Show your state pride with this 'location monogram' from Etsy. 
• Always carry your business cards on you. I'm not kidding. If you need to get better about getting in the habit, I love these different honeycomb business card holders. They're slim and easy to keep in your bag. And can we talk about the colors? 
• Read more. Buy bookends like these mineral ones. I am a massive reading nerd. For all of my nutrition and health books I keep on hand, I like them close by for references and...pretty. I use a big agate slice bookend that I bought at an antique store probably over a decade ago for $3. But now that agates and minerals are kind of back, you may have a harder time. 
• Want a new piece to add to your wardrobe? Do the math. Here's how to find the economic viability and practicality of those new shoes.  
• DIY of the fall: Add elbow patches to your sweater.  
• Dress better. J. Crew shows you how to roll your sleeves.  
• And learn to be better for yourself. " Saying yes to happiness means learning to say no to people that stress you out." 

Do you miss the back to school rush? 

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