My Back-to-School Guide Is Here
From mom outfits to teacher gifts and first-day decor, here's everything I'm loving this year.
It’s hard to believe we’re already talking about back-to-school season! I feel like summer just started. I will say, as much as I love summer, there’s something so exciting about the fresh start that comes with a new school year. New routines, fresh supplies, cute outfits, and all the little traditions that make the first day feel so special. (Not to mention the fact that it means fall is on the way!)
I thought it would be fun to put everything in one place - from outfit ideas for moms and teacher gift inspiration to first-day decor and some of my favorite back-to-school finds from Amazon and Target. I hope this roundup helps make getting ready for the new school year just a little bit easier!!
Getting Ready for the First Day
To kick off the school year, I let each of the girls pick out a new backpack and then had their names monogrammed on them! Collins chose this one, and Kennedy loved this one. Of course, I couldn’t resist getting them matching water bottles too - this one for Collins and this one for Kennedy. I always think those little personalized touches make back-to-school feel extra special and exciting for kids! I also grabbed these floral bento lunch boxes (and this one!), along with the matching sandwich cutters to make packing lunches a little more fun.
For outfits, I ordered them some monogrammed school clothes from Cecil and Lou for their first week, as well as some Amazon play sets that are cute but not too expensive in case they get dirty on the playground. I also ordered each of them a new raincoat for the year, and these personalized name labels have become one of my favorite mom hacks. We stick them on jackets, lunch boxes, water bottles and sweaters... basically anything that might get left behind at school. They've saved us from losing so many things!
Making the First Day Feel Special
One of my favorite traditions is making the first morning of school feel like a little celebration! This is a picture from our 2025 first day of school set-up for the girls, but it was one of the girls favorite parts of the day! I decorated the counter with these plate and napkin sets, this balloon arch, and these crayon cups for breakfast. Click here to shop all of the decor we used last year.
This year, I couldn't resist browsing Target's back-to-school section, and they have the cutest things! I picked up these adorable first day of school balloons and school bus balloon to decorate with. I also got these notebook paper plates and colored pencil napkins to create another fun breakfast setup. It's nothing over the top, but I love adding a few little touches that make the first day feel extra special!
Books We’re Reading Before School Starts
If your little one is nervous about starting school this year (or even just loves all things school!), these are the books we read leading up to the first day! We just pulled them all back out for their playroom shelf to start reading for this year!
Teacher Gifts
I always love sending the girls to school on the first day with a little something for their teachers. I know those first few weeks are busy (and probably a little overwhelming!), so it’s a fun way to let them know how much we appreciate them!
Last year, I put together these little gift boxes (seen in the image above) with a few practical goodies and some cute school-themed touches, and they turned out so cute! This year, I found the sweetest back-to-school accessories at Target, like these notebook and pencil earrings and this claw clip (these mini ones are adorable). I ordered these mini tote bags and am going to apply these patches to them, and fill with the goodies from Target (along with fun things like a Starbucks gift card and a pack of gum).
What I'm Wearing
Of course, I couldn’t put together a back-to-school roundup without sharing a few outfit ideas! A lot of my NSALE outfits would work great for back-to-school. And whether you’re heading to drop-off, volunteering at school, grabbing coffee afterward, or going straight into work, here are a few looks I’d happily wear on repeat:
hoodie // sweatpants // tank // eye patches // handbag // UGG slippers // coffee mug
linen pants // cardigan // watch // earrings // handbag // leopard flats
earrings // dress // cardigan // handbag // sunglasses // shoes
I hope this gave you a few ideas (and maybe checked a few things off your back-to-school shopping list!). I’ll be sharing some outfit ideas for kids later this week, so make sure to follow along on my LTK and IG!
Here's to a wonderful school year ahead!
xoxo