Okay. I’m not kidding. There’s a desk named Jordana over at Joss & Main. Jordana! Can you believe it?
Jordana Desk, $216.95, Joss & Main
I need it. I want it. I have to have it. There aren’t even keychains/magnets/bracelets/pens/USB drives/lanyards/etc. with my name on it, but a desk? A desk! I mean – me and desks go together like peanut butter and jelly. It’s just too perfect.
Thanks, Corie, for sending me news of the Jordana desk.
So, is that it? Summer is officially over now that Labor Day has come and gone? Say it ain’t so!
How’d you spend the long weekend? Do tell. I slept, cleaned, worked, hopped around the city, brunched, hammocked*, read, BBQed, socialized, and finally turned on my air conditioning (finally). I also spent a decent amount of time browsing the web and Instagram. On one of my Instagram travels, I came across this card that made me smile:
Moneyless, $4.50
Like any good blogger, I followed the link back to its owner, Skoope Home. Oh, jeez, the extended card collection has some real gems. Here are some of my favourites:
Sisterly Love, $4.50
Missed It, $4.50
I Texted You, $4.50
I love it when conversations are taken offline and put into snail mail.
*Â lounging in the hammock for an extended period of time
I have spent more time in school than out of school, so please believe me when I tell you that these are some of the most essential back-to-school items. Pretty much any age group would make good use of these items, I’d say.
1. Water bottle. I have a few reusable water bottles that I bring to school/work every day. A lot of university campuses now have good drinking fountains and water-filling stations, so there’s no excuse not to drink water all day long to stay hydrated.
2. Reusable lunch box/bag. I always pack a lunch because I get bored of university cafeterias and the quick grab-and-go meals at Starbucks or elsewhere are too expensive and high in calories.
3. A pencil case. I carry my pens and pencils in a small case so that they’re easy to find and won’t make a mess in my purse/tote/backpack.
4. Backpack. Speaking of backpacks, I don’t actually have one yet. I’m still looking for one that is lightweight and comfortable. I’m going to start this school year with my lightweight and washable HBC striped tote.
5. Pens and pencils. Although I love my computer, I take a lot of my notes by hand. Pens and pencils are a must. I always have a Sharpie or two nearby as well. Highlighters, on the other hand, I rarely use. Last year, I was given some Palomino pencils and I still make good use of them, They look so darn good!
6. Notebooks. Did you notice the plural? Yes, I stay organized by using a variety of notebooks. Each notebook has a job – work, home renos, school, etc. Most of my notebooks are Jordi Labanda or Moleskine, but I’m open to using basically anything that is cute and has nice paper (they are often black or white, but not always). I prefer lined notebooks, but I think unlined notebooks are great for people who want to really spread out over the pages. My writing is nowhere near neat, so I need the lines to help keep me steady.
7. An apple. Okay, the CB2 apple above is just for decor. But, still. It’s traditional. Eat one. Draw one. Take an Instagram picture of one. Bring one to a teacher.
8. Laptop and protective sleeve. I think I would be lost without my laptop. I keep mine protected in a basic MEC sleeve, but I really have my eye on this one from Ban.do.
These are the basic back-to-school necessities. A computer, phone, coffee mug, earplugs, library card, file folders, binders, etc. are additional items that come in handy and help me stay organized and focused.
Who is ready to learn something new this school year?
Details of items available at Polyvore.
Well, I was only half-certain that my PhD was going to be my last degree. I was right! Earlier this week, I learned that I have been accepted into an MBA program! It’s part-time so I’ll continue on with life as “normal”, and my studies will take up “just a bit” of my free time. Ha!
Anyhoo – I’m pumped! I’m excited to learn and to push myself in a new direction. I’m also excited to buy school supplies (let’s get real, right?!). At the top of the list is some sort of backpack. I’ve been using a one-shoulder tote forever, and it’s just not cutting it anymore.
via Stylight
via LA Cool & Chic
via LoLoBu
Here are five backpacks that look to be super sleek and fashionable (any just may even hold a textbook or two!).
via Kokosina
via Amazon
I must got check out some affordable options in person one day soon!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Will you be back to school shopping?
I “met” Deborah of Green Light District on Twitter many months ago and we instantly bonded over fiddle leaf fig trees. She gave me suggestions about how to take care of my tree, and our online conversations continue to revolve around design, plants, and food. Recently, I made a trip out to #Roncy (i.e., Roncesvalles area in Toronto) to have dinner with friends (at the Westerly, on the recommendation of Deborah). Since I was in the neighbourhood, and Toronto traffic cooperated, I had the chance to make a quick stop in to Green Light District to say hi to Deborah in person.
Owners Deborah and David Peets took my friend and I around the shop sharing news of the furniture and designers that fill up their store. I quickly picked out a few favourite pieces: the acapulco chair in the courtyard, the large wood dining tables, and the beautifully designed chairs. Oh, and the ceramics, the tree stump side tables/stools, the benches, and the mini bar also caught my eye.
Here are a few photos I quickly snapped during my visit:
hand stitched leather and oak bench
acrylic and kirel trees console
soho chair
hand stitched leather and oak bench + hand made pottery
wonki ware + botanical print
handmade pottery
wonki ware
handmade pottery + stitched leather and oak bench
hand hooked rug + saddle leather chairs
Jordana and Deborah (thanks for the photo, David)
The Peets source furnishings from around the world; Canada, South Africa, and Argentina were mentioned several times as I touched almost every item in the store.
Emma Reddington and Kim Johnson have always had good things to say about Green Light District, and the shop and furnishings have previously been featured in Chatelaine, Style at Home, Toronto Life, The Toronto Star, and BlogTO. I can totally understand why. The furniture is beautiful, and Deborah and David are such warm and welcoming owners.
If you’re in the area, be sure to stop in and say hello to Deborah and David, and when you do, be sure to tell them that you know me…you’ll likely get a chuckle out of them*.
*Apparently some of my friends from other Canadian cities (Hi Nora!) have gone around Toronto (well, not the whole city, but I have to exaggerate the story so it’s more amusing) asking people if they know me. “Hey, do you know Jordana?” Ha. I love my friends!