Posts with tag school

We know that not everyone has a job in which they can carry around a leopard print laptop bag. And, even if they can, it might not always match what they're wearing. But, that doesn't mean they don't want a little animal print (or something equally funky) in their life, right?

That's why we're digging these Jansport Laptop Sleeves, available at Macy's for $35. You can carry your computer in as boring a bag as you like, knowing that there's something way more interesting behind the zipper. Kind of like underwear, but underwear you can show your co-workers. Okay, underwear you can show your co-workers without getting fired.

There are few things that can scar a kid like public school lunches. Yes, we know that they are supposed to be healthy and that they allegedly follow strict nutritional guidelines, but seriously, do you remember those things? We do, and not fondly. It's all a big blur of sloppy joes, cartons of milk, and hairnets.

Luckily kids have a choice. Enter the lunchbox.

We don't recall having to carry a backpack in elementary school, but we do remember having to walk uphill to school, both ways, in the snow. Seems like we would recall a backpack.

Times have changed, and much to the delight of chiropractors everywhere, kids are carrying twice their body weight to school and back, albeit on snow-free, relatively flat surfaces.

This is what they're using:

As if you all need reminding that back to school mania is in full swing, right? Well, most of you know that student living quarters can be pretty cramped, leaving little to no space for a full-fledged desk to do work. Sometimes, a laptop needs a non-lap to sit on. Where should one turn to for a (relatively) cheap and stylish solution?

Ikea, naturally. The store's new 2009 catalog is full of amazing things, but a notable new item is this laptop workstation. It's something you can mount on a wall and fold out to reveal a small tabletop, just big enough to hold your laptop. There are also little cubbies for storing small things and lockable sections for security. This would be the perfect addition to a dorm room where the resident can't even stretch without scraping their knuckles against a wall.

[via Unclutterer]

ThinkGeek.com always has fun gadgets and crazy t-shirts, geek-chic and clever. This year, bring geek-chic to school with these five must-haves:

• Notepads for all levels of procrastination
• Super strong pushpin-style locker magnets
• Pencil sharpening robot - he walks
• Swingline stapler from Office Space
• Eyes and mouths to put on all your other stuff for fun

Very stylish.

Shopping for back to school can be difficult. On one hand, you want outfits that you'll be able to wear throughout much of the year. On the other hand, the tiny little shorts and mini skirts you've been sporting all summer won't pass dress code, and it's way too hot to wear jeans just yet, so what's a fashionista to do?

We've got some sassy, fashionable options for you, so don't sweat. You can stay cool in the high temperatures without sacrificing style or risking detention! Check out the gallery to see some of the pieces we love as well as recommendations on how to wear them!

JCPenny has done one of two things for John Hughes fans, either they've brought back a great memory and provided a chuckle or they've killed a piece of their youth. Results may vary.

The new ad for JCP features a bunch of teens recreating some of the more memorable scenes from Hughes' classic movie The Breakfast Club. We LOVE The Breakfast Club so we feel very strongly that we should hate this commercial, but as embarrassing as it is for us to admit- we don't.

So last Thursday we found ourselves standing in blistering 80ish degree sunshine on the Santa Monica Pier. We had to wait in the corner between the coeds of USC and UCLA while they shouted "spirit" at each other. It was very peppy and just a bit intimidating.

Why were we there with rivals and cheerleaders? For Pinkapalooza, of course! Duh.

The first annual (or whenever) Pinkapalooza was thrown by the good people at Victoria's Secret Pink to introduce their new Pink Collegiate Collection (still no University of Arizona?!) to the masses. Fall Out Boy performed. It was what we in the biz call "a major event."

We know, it's still summer, but before long school will be starting and Victoria's Secret wants you to be ready, hence the Pink Collegiate Collection.

Victoria's Secret describes PINK as "a fully articulated lifestyle collection for young women" and "includes 9 different items, including fleece pants, hoodies, panties, tees, and totes... available in approximately 375 stores, many of which are in close proximity to the universities in the program." Thanks to a partnership with The Collegiate Licensing Company there are 33 schools featured thus far and more (hello, Arizona?) will be added shortly.

Forget about baking a batch of sugar-laden cookies. Your teacher deserves more. These gifts are sure to get you (or your child) an A+ on the next report card.

Really Smart Women Essentials: Show teacher how you really feel. Show her that she is a really smart woman and you appreciate her caring for your children all day long. This kit comes packed in a handled box (just slap a bow on it) and contains Smart Women Sticky Notes, a Smart Women Coffee Mug and a Smart Women Mouse Pad.

Feng Soy Diffusers: Diffusers make great gifts, they smell great and aren't a fire hazard so they are safe for a teacher's desk.

Russel & Hazel "Audrey" File Tote: Grading papers can be drag but when you have a stylish file tote on your side nothing can bring you down.

Coffee for One French Press: Coffee in the teachers lounge is the worst! Let teacher brew her own cup of Joe at the comfort of her desk with this handy Coffee for One French Press.

Cup Couture Cup Sleeve: For teachers who like to drink their coffee on the go what could be better than these? Make your coffee a little more exciting (and personal) with these awesome sleeves.

Chirping Bird Paper Clip Holder: Kids like noisy and colorful things, so this chirping bird magnetic paper clip holder will be the perfect addition to your teacher's desk.

Diamond Ring Paper Weight: Your teacher may deserve a diamond ring but let's face it if you could afford one you would buy it for yourself.

Cris Notti Eye Mask: After a long day of dealing with your kids, give teacher a break with these attractive eye masks. Add in some soothing scented oils to make this the perfect gift.

Built NY Lunch Tote: This will keep your favorite teacher stylish and out of the school cafeteria line.

Glasses Holder Necklace: Say goodbye to those ugly eyeglasses holders that the "nerdy" teachers wear. This eyeglass holder is creative and fashionable, an excellent gift for the visually impaired.

It seems like the policy of most school administrators is to figure out what's trendy with their students, and then forbid them from wearing it to school. At least that's how it was when I was a student -- and I constantly was being griped at for my hair, or my sagging pants (don't judge, it was the 90s), or whatever.

But apparently Australian educators are getting hip -- they're not only encouraging, but mandating that their kids wear sunglasses on the playground.

Granted, the move isn't some nationwide fashion statement, but rather an attempt to protect children's eyes from the blazing Australian sun. However, that doesn't make it any less cool that every single student will running around sportin' their coolest pair of shades.

Do you think you have what it takes to be a celebrity style maker? If you do, join the club because over the last five years, "styling" has exploded into a full-scale professional career track.

Starting in September, Solent University in Southampton, UK will start its very first vocational degree program geared towards fashion styling. Students will focus on catwalk production, costuming for film and advertising imagery. Suzie Norris, who heads the design program says, "a unique feature of the course will be its emphasis on cutting-edge styling for media publications and events plus live and filmed productions. Graduates will not merely follow established trends but will set new ones."

As exciting as this program sounds, I have a sneaking suspicion that the "design school" track will not replace the traditional channels for succeeding as a stylist. In essence, if you want to be a successful stylist you better resign yourself to years of thankless grunt work in the hopes that someone, some day will appreciate your efforts.

I happened to catch a few episodes of VH1's celeb-reality show The Surreal Life at the gym a year or so ago, and I immediately fell in love with the larger-than-life personality of Janice Dickinson. If you aren't old enough to remember Janice from her glory days, everything you need to know about her can be captured in one sentence: Janice Dickinson was the world's first supermodel, and now she is completely crazy.

Should your interested be piqued by this description, I suggest that you check out the season premiere of her hit Oxygen network show "The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency". Glam.com is airing the video for free through December 31, so if you need some comic relief from your family, look no further than Janice.

There comes a time when being a little bit of a nerd becomes a desirable thing. The specific time varies from person to person, but it's a fact that brains are going to get you farther in life than your high school free-throw record will. Embracing your inner nerd on the outside doesn't mean you have to make style sacrifices, though. Take a look at this Ruler Necklace, which makes good use of those standard rulers that were once heavily-relied upon by school kids everywhere. The pieces are strung on a 16" silver chain and priced at $68. Matching earrings are also available.

[via Popgadget]