You may already have a lot of your back-to-school gear purchased, but if not, we’ll show you some new things for school this year.
•For keeping those pencils, erasers and markers organized at home and in the classroom, a pencil case is a big help. If you want something cute that won’t fall apart, Pottery Barn Kids has pencil cases ($9.50) that match its backpacks. But if you have a lot of supplies, you will need something larger. American Studio’s Tech Gear line offers a big pencil pouch for a little price ($2.97). The case has a main pocket that expands if you undo a zipper along the bottom. It has two other zippered sections and comes in four colors, including a bright pink and royal blue. It’s made to fit in for a three-ring binder, which makes this good for middle schoolers too.
At www.potterybarnkids.com (free shipping). Tech Gear case at Wal-Mart stores through August.
•Some kids hate sitting at a desk to do homework. A lap desk can make things easier. Vera Bradley’s new one ($28), which comes in three flowery patterns, is lightweight, comfortable and colorful. It’s big enough to hold a laptop computer. Its bottom features a pillow and its top wipes clean.
At Vera Bradley stores and www.verabradley.com.
•Your locker is your room away from home, so why not decorate it while you organize it? Magnetic message boards ($19.50) are nothing new, but PB Teen has a colorful one with a pocket for markers. (Try Crayola’s new washable, low-odor dry-erase markers – $8.49 – and crayons – $4.99.) The back is magnetic, so it won’t come off. Everyone could use the class schedule magnet ($15.50) so you have no doubts about where you need to be.
If you can’t find something in your locker, maybe it’s because that metal box is so dark. Light it up with the Container Store’s sticky-backed Drawer/Locker Light ($9.99 for two). Future decorators might go for Staples’ Locker Chandelier ($16.99). The battery-powered magnetic light – which comes in pink, purple, white, blue and black – has six LED lights that flash in a rainbow of colors.
•And just for fun, how about a rug? Staples’ Diva Locker Rug ($5.99) comes in a variety of colors. It fits a standard locker and has a no-skid bottom. You might score points with your parents by offering to use allowance to pay for them.
•Dry-erase board and class schedule magnet at www.pbteen.com (free shipping). Crayola markers and crayons available at most area retailers. Drawer/Locker Light available at Container Store locations and at www.containerstore.com. Locker Chandelier and Diva Locker Rug at Staples stores.
•Part of the fun of bringing your lunch to school is the packaging.
If you’re all about colors and patterns, Vera Bradley’s new Va Va Bloom and Indigo Pop patterns are fun choices for a square Lunch Break or rounded Lunch Bunch bags ($34).
Vera Bradley Lunch Break and Lunch Bunch bags available at Vera Bradley stores and at www.verabradley.com.
