4 Reasons Back-To-School Is Better Than New Year’s

With summer winding down (insert crying emoji), I’m slowly working my way back to my school year work routine. In addition to limiting myself to two episodes of Angel each day, this routine includes heading to the campus library a few times a week. I went a handful of times during the summer, and the scene was calm and quiet — picturesque, even.

And then, thousands of students descended on my tranquil paradise like flies drawn to a summer picnic. They came back in droves today — the students, not the flies. Now, I don’t begrudge them an education, of course; I applaud furthering your education and am thoroughly pro-knowledge. But between the crowds, scared freshmen and the loud college band across from the library, it was all a lot to take in! Sensory overload, anyone??

Maybe, though, it didn’t have to be that way. The more I thought about it, the more I realized something: The back-to-school season is SO MUCH BETTER than New Year’s. Don’t believe me?? Here are four reasons back-to-school gets an A+ every single time…

It’s a new beginning: It’s so easy to get bogged down by the stresses of life, but this time of year, everything just feels fresh. It’s like you’ve been given a clean slate and you get to start over. Whatever happened in the past? It’s time to put it behind you and LET IT GO!!

It’s a chance to learn something new: What about that hobby you’ve always wanted to pick up? Now’s the perfect time. And I bet it will actually make you feel like a whole new person — an added bonus, for sure!!

It’s all about the nice weather: Hello! Who would choose the cold winter over the warm weather of the late summer? OK, my mom probably would, but she’s probably one of the only ones! I mean, the weather right now is just so inviting — crisp air, leaves starting to change color, warm sunshine! It’s a summer lover’s paradise, I tell you! It’s days like these when I actually don’t dread going outside.

The school supplies are all over: I’m a self-proclaimed supply-aholic. Some people go nuts during Fashion Week; I’m tempted to drain my bank account every August and fill my room with all kinds of pens, pencils and notebooks. I’m still kicking myself for not buying the Wonder Woman notebook I spotted at Target last week!

Do you love “back-to-school” time, friends? What’s your favorite part? Anything you’re hoping to accomplish?!? xoxo

[Photo via We Heart It]

BIC Back-To-School Giveaway!

I’m SO excited to be partnering with BIC on a Back-To-School giveaway today! For the fourth year in a row, I immediately fell in love with everything BIC has to offer (they are the leader in school and office supplies, after all), including pens and pencils, markers, sticky notes and erasers.

BIC is continuing its Fight For Your Right campaign this year, which seeks to educate and energize parents, teachers and students about the importance of lifelong writing. During 2015, you’re invited to visit BIC Fight For Your Write and sign the online petition. For each e-signature collected, BIC will donate pens and pencils to students in need across the country.

“Parents play a key role in a child’s development and can act as ambassadors for their right to write,” said Pam Allyn, Fight for Your Write spokesperson and founder of LitWorld, a global organization that advocates for children’s rights as readers, writers and learners. “BIC’s mission shines a light on the crucial role of writing in our lives, and more importantly, gives parents and schools the tools they need to join our movement.”

This year’s Back-To-School prize pack includes an awesome futuristic highlighter and colorful pencils. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll be adding to your office arsenal if you win…

BIC’s 2015 Back-To-School Line Up…

*BIC Xtra-Fun #2 Pencil: The only #2 pencil with two-toned color barrels. The product features ultra-solid, break resistant lead and is easy to erase with its latex-free erasers.

*BIC Xtra-Craze Mechanical Pencil: The BIC Mechanical Pencil is celebrating its 30th birthday in style with new, fun, custom-designed patterns that are sure to make any student stand out this school year. Whether taking a test with its strong, #2 lead or simply doodling, this pencil is perfect for any type of writing!

*BIC Brite Liner Erasable Highighter: The BIC Brite Liner Erasable Highlighter features a highlighter on one end and an erasing ink tip on the other end for fast and easy edits. The florescent yellow ink makes bold, vivid highlights; perfect for the diligent, note-taking student.

*BIC Cristal Stylus: The BIC Cristal Stylus gives you the best of both worlds! One end features a lightweight stylus that easily glides across tablet and smartphone screens, providing fingerprint-free precision and control. The other end is an iconic BIC Cristal pen!

*BIC Atlantis Ultra Comfort Pen: New to the popular BIC Atlantis pen franchise for 2015 is the BIC Atlantis Ultra Comfort Pen, which features BIC’s exclusive ink system for even smoother ink compared to BIC’s classic ink system. Students will find their ideas flowing freely with this pen, which also includes an extra soft silicone grip that conforms to your hand for the ultimate writing experience.

For your chance to win, simply visit BIC, and leave a comment below telling us your all-time favorite back-to-school memory. For additional entries, you can (please leave a separate comment for each entry)…

*Fan BIC on Facebook
*Follow BIC on Twitter
*Fan So About What I Said on Facebook
*Follow So About What I Said on Twitter
*Follow So About What I Said on Pinterest
*Follow So About What I Said on Instagram
*Follow So About What I Said via GFC

You can also Tweet about the giveaway — just make sure to mention @melissablake + #BICBackToSchool in your Tweet!

A winner will be chosen at random on Tuesday, September 15th, so you’ve got two weeks to enter. Have fun, friends! xoxo

**Please note: The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

(Thanks again to BIC for sending me an awesome Back-To-School package and thank you for continuing to support So About What I Said’s wonderful sponsors! Have a great year, friends!)


Update: Congrats to winner Erin! Thanks so much! 🙂

Style Guide: Too Cool for School

Yesterday, it was all about the brain — all the tools you need to help you stay organized and succeed — and today, it’s all about the best looks for back-to-school. There are so many fun styles to choose from, but I’ve always been a fan of the crisp, simple look. Maybe that’s why I love polo shirts so much? Here are my seven favorite fashion and beauty finds…

1. Short sleeve pink polo, $19.99.
2. Orange leather watch, $69.99.
3. Ice disc studs, $24.
4. Classic red lipstick, $4.97.
5. Sunglasses, $8.39.
6. Printed culottes, $68.60.
7. Initial necklace, $28.

Your turn, friends: What’s your favorite back-to-school look? Understated? Bright and flashy? Lots of accessories? Share your favorites in the comments, and here’s to a fashionable new you! xoxo

[Top photo via We Heart It]

10 Fun Back-To-School Supplies

Growing up, my favorite part of August (aside from my birthday, of course!) was always back-to-school shopping. Armed with a dream and list, I literally rolled up and down every single school supply aisle, occasionally running my hands over a glittery notebook or a colorful pack of pens.

The possibilities seemed endless, which, when you’re full of all that youthful innocence, is just about the best gift in the world. Truth be told, I still love to shop the back-to-school section; school supplies are my version of a Louis Vuitton designer bag. Check out 10 of my favorite picks, from pencils to pencil cases…

1. A classic tote big enough to carry all those textbooks, $17.97.

2. This weekly/monthly planner so you don’t miss any of the good stuff — or any tests or papers — $8.99.

3. Fun pencils to remind you to take care of yourself, $12.

4. These inspirational pens to keep you on track, $20.

5. This gold dots pencil case so you never lose the above pencils, $30.

6. File folders to match your gold pencil case, $16.

7. These notebooks for a daily dose of encouragement, $6.

8. A confetti iPhone case to put a little party in your phone convos, $18.

9. Flash drives with a fun pop of color to make you smile, $36.

10. …and a pack of band-aids in the event of a broken heart or run-ins with mean girls, $4.25.

What’s your favorite part of shopping for school supplies, friends? Do you organize everything days in advance or just throw it in your backpack on the first day? C’mon, it’s time to fess up!! xoxo

[Top photo via We Heart It]

Vintage Photos from Oberlin College in 1970

As the old saying goes, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”

I’d say these photos from Oberlin College definitely fit the bill. Aside from the obvious fashion differences (Bell-bottoms! Paisley shirts!), the students of yore could pass for today’s youth. The only other major difference? There was a revolution going on: co-ed dorms were becoming the norm! Apparently, though, not much else has changed, which is sort of comforting when you think about it.

What was your college experience like, friends? Are you in college now? If so, what are you studying? If you could go back and change one thing about those pivotal years, what would you change and why? xoxo

[Via TIME]