Motivational Quotes Monday: Those Weird Years Known As High School

Happy Monday, friends!! Where did the weekend go?? And why can’t it come back NOW?? I can’t believe that we haven’t done a motivational quotes post in almost two months!! Since we’re in the throes of the wonderful back-to-school season, let’s take it alllllllllll the way back, shall we??? I once thought that Facebook had rendered high school reunions irrelevant, but I just saw photos from my high school’s Class of 1999 reunion and, well, I must say…it brought up ALL the feelings!! And this wasn’t even my graduating class!! Maybe there is something to this whole reunion thing after all. Did you ever go to any of your high school reunions?? I was the Class of 2000, which means that our 20th reunion is NEXT YEAR. Gulp!!! Anyway, here are five super quotes about the wonders, weirdness and wildness of those four pivotal years known as high school…

High School High School High School High School

Motivational Quotes Monday: Teacher Appreciation Week Should Be Every Week

Good Monday morning, friends!!! How are you doing on this lovely spring day? I’m at the library today working on a couple deadlines — and anxiously waiting for a new piece to go live!! So excited about this one!! I was also excited when I discovered that this week is Teacher Appreciation Week, so I thought that would be the perfect topic for today’s motivational quotes!! Teachers are powerful, aren’t they? They shape us and inspire us and make such a difference in our lives. They’re the people we never forget, even years after graduating; I still remember how my high school journalism teacher showed me that, yes, I could actually be a writer! So take some time today — and every day — to thank a teacher!! Here are five quotes in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week…

Teacher Appreciation Week Teacher Appreciation Week Teacher Appreciation Week Teacher Appreciation Week

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]