Happy Wednesday, Friends! Today I thought I'd share a little bit about some of the back to school "touches" I have around our house. Summer is awesome and going back to school/work isn't always the most appealing idea :) and so Dave and I hype it up by being super positive, talking about how new and fun it's going to be and building some excitement with a few decorations. It's as much for the kids as it is for me. ;)
Here's what I put together for the table...
It's no secret that I love these bowls from Anthropologie and I paired them with this chalkboard sign, some fresh hydrangeas and a globe from a thrift store. The tray I found at Home Goods.
I've picked up the bowls over the last couple of years, but you can find a set on sale HERE.
On the kitchen counter I have another stack of the bowls and another chalkboard sign (this was in our laundry room, so I just moved it in here). I snapped these pics on Monday and I was making cookies for Dave's birthday :)
And some festive sunflowers by the sink window...
On the console table I added another globe, switched out the Vine and Branches sign and added a jar of pencils. Easy!
And then on the mantle I put up a banner I made for Luke's first year of school as well as a garland.
I added a few little globes, faux apples, pencils and paper airplanes (courtesy of Luke!) to make it a little less Fall and a little more back to school :)
I grabbed the globes at HomeGoods...
... and the faux apples from Hobby Lobby.
In the dining room I filled the apothecary jars with faux apples, pencils and crayons and did another garland.
I've been missing the jars being filled and love having them all festive again :)
The chalkboard sign I found at Target and then I wrote the Mandela quote on there and put the whole thing on a little easel stand.
On the top shelf I switched out the pictures for a couple from the boys first days of school - LOVE!
I know it's hard to say goodbye to summer, but if we HAVE to go back to school we should make the most of it :)
Happy Wednesday, Friends!!!
PS - This post contained affiliate links which means that if you clicked on a link and made a purchase I may receive a commission. THANK YOU!!!
PS - This post contained affiliate links which means that if you clicked on a link and made a purchase I may receive a commission. THANK YOU!!!
What chalk do you use for your chalkboards ?
ReplyDeleteOn these I used a chalk pen.. I think the brand is Bistro .
DeleteLove ALL your back to school decorations!
ReplyDeleteI have started collecting those bowls after reading about them from your blog and they are a FAVORITE, for sure!!
Question?? What pen do you use to write on your chalkboards?? Love your handwriting!
I used a chalk marker from Hobby Lobby and so glad you're loving the bowl!
DeleteAlways love your decorations! I know it's something your kids will remember forever!
ReplyDeleteAllie agalnamedal.blogspot.com
Thank you!!! I hope it creates some special memories for them :)
DeleteI have never thought about decorating for back to school, but love this idea for the future! The globes and jar fillers are so simple, yet so fun!
ReplyDeleteThank you! We have fun with it for sure :)
DeleteWell, you know how I feel about THIS! My heart just exploded. xo
ReplyDeleteYes ma'am!!! :)
DeleteYou do the best job decorating for back to school! I love it!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteIt looks great, Andrea!! The perfect touches for some back to school decor!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Erika! :)
DeleteAwesome job!! I love the little touches!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lizzie!!!
DeleteI love it!! Perfect touches and so festive, girl! Xoxo
ReplyDeleteThanks, Narci!
DeleteThis is one of my favorite posts! I have a feeling because I'm a teacher and this motivates me a little! ;) haha
ReplyDeleteRight!?!?! It kind of gets everyone in the spirit :) hahaha
DeleteHi Andrea! I just LOVE your blog!! You and I would be friends if you lived in Minnesota! :-) Just wondering, what chalk did you use? It looks so controlled and perfect! Thank you!! Happy back to school!!! Love all of your decorating!!
ReplyDeleteMichelle
I used a chalk pen on these boards :) Thanks so much, Michelle!
DeleteI love the jars filled with crayons!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elaine!
DeleteLooks great! Love your attitude as well;) Every time you do a post like this, I get an idea for my own home, thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you got an idea or two ;) Thanks so much for reading!
DeleteHey Andrea, I've been having trouble with my chalk markers not erasing all the way - do you have this problem? Would love to know what brand you use and any tips you have!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I use magic eraser and some serious elbow grease :) Also, sometimes if you rub regular chalk on the board it helps erase.
DeleteWhat fun! I've never even thought to decorate for back to school. :) Question for you -- do you use a special chalk pen on your chalkboards? Also, did you take a lettering workshop or are you just that talented? LOL! My daughter and I would love to learn creative lettering (maybe you could do a post on it?).
ReplyDeleteJust a normal chalk pen - I usually buy them from Hobby Lobby. And I've never taken a class or workshop... I just doodled a LOT in school ;)
DeleteThank you!
DeleteAdorable!! Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteYou're so welcome! Thanks for reading!
DeleteI am interested to hear your answers to the chalk questions as well. They always looks so beautiful. However, your handwriting is also lovely so I think I may never achieve the look!
ReplyDeleteIt's just a chalk pen from Hobby Lobby and I think the more you practice your writing the better it will get. Maybe find a few examples you like and try to copy the "look" and see how it goes :)
DeleteSame question :) What kind of chalk to use to write so smoothly? Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteA chalk pen from Hobby Lobby :)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSuper cute!! I love the little change-outs that made a huge difference, & you can't go wrong adding sunflowers at the end of summer. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Britt!!! Love sunflowers!
DeleteLove your back to school decorations! Liquid chalk markers are a favorite of mine too! You can get them on Amazon, my go to are by DynoCrafts. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Dynocrafts
ReplyDeletePerfect! :) Thanks!
DeleteIt's all super cute!!! Good job, Mama!
ReplyDeleteQueen of holiday decorating!
ReplyDeleteHardly - but thank you :)
DeleteAndrea, you know, the last 4 months I have found myself reading all of the "Mckinney Mommy" blogs! :-) And while I love them all for different reasons, I really admire the warmth in your home and your intentional parenting (on top of also working full time). Your fashion, decorating and mommy posts are an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! Thank you so much! What a sweet compliment. I appreciate you reading and following along!
DeleteI read everyday and never comment! You girls have inspired me to start my own blog, so I guess I'll start commenting now ;)
ReplyDeleteI really love how you decorate for everything!
Congrats on your blog!!! How fun! :)
DeleteYou are the queen of decorating! You showed us your new storage closet the other day, but how do you store/organize these seasonal decorations? Do you keep them in labeled bins by category? I'm having a hard time keeping things organized after I put them away and can't find things next time I want to use them :( some things are hard to fit easily in totes or are fragile, etc. Any tips?
ReplyDeleteI have them in labeled storage containers in our attic above our garage. It's super easy because it's off of Mason's room and there's no pull down (we have a pull down, but don't have anything up there). Things that don't fit in the containers I have in the same "season section", normally just on top of the totes.
DeleteAbsolutely inspirational! I love how you mix something as simple as a jar of crayons with chalkboard and a powerful quote. Your creativity is infectious!
ReplyDeleteThank you! So sweet!!! :)
DeleteCookie recipe?
ReplyDeleteIt's up on the blog today :)
DeleteBut seriously, can I be you when I grow up? You have the cutest decorating and such nice touches for your kids. Such a great mama.
ReplyDeleteHahaha - thank you! :)
DeleteI'm so inspired. BRB
ReplyDeleteYAY!
DeleteDid u get the target chalkboard with ruler frame this year?
ReplyDeleteWhere did you get your fruit basket?
ReplyDeleteThis is so adorable. I'm getting a lot of inspiration for back to school decorating, I think I'm going to start this as a tradition when my oldest goes to Kinder next year!
ReplyDeleteHow long do you leave your back to school decor up, before taking it down and having just Fall Decor up.
Wow your house is beautiful and what a fun idea to decorate for back to school!
ReplyDeletegrt
ReplyDelete