Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Back To School Decorating

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!!!

64 comments :

  1. What chalk do you use for your chalkboards ?

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    1. On these I used a chalk pen.. I think the brand is Bistro .

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  2. Love ALL your back to school decorations!
    I 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!

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    1. I used a chalk marker from Hobby Lobby and so glad you're loving the bowl!

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  3. Always love your decorations! I know it's something your kids will remember forever!

    Allie agalnamedal.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you!!! I hope it creates some special memories for them :)

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  4. I 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!

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  5. Well, you know how I feel about THIS! My heart just exploded. xo

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  6. You do the best job decorating for back to school! I love it!

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  7. It looks great, Andrea!! The perfect touches for some back to school decor!

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  8. I love it!! Perfect touches and so festive, girl! Xoxo

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  9. This is one of my favorite posts! I have a feeling because I'm a teacher and this motivates me a little! ;) haha

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    1. Right!?!?! It kind of gets everyone in the spirit :) hahaha

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  10. Hi 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!!
    Michelle

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    1. I used a chalk pen on these boards :) Thanks so much, Michelle!

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  11. I love the jars filled with crayons!

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  12. Looks 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!

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    1. So glad you got an idea or two ;) Thanks so much for reading!

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  13. Hey 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!

    Thanks!

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    1. I use magic eraser and some serious elbow grease :) Also, sometimes if you rub regular chalk on the board it helps erase.

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  14. What 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?).

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    1. Just 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 ;)

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  15. Adorable!! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  16. I 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!

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    1. It'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 :)

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  17. Same question :) What kind of chalk to use to write so smoothly? Thank you!!

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  19. Super 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!

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  20. Love 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

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  21. It's all super cute!!! Good job, Mama!

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  22. Andrea, 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!

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    1. Oh my goodness! Thank you so much! What a sweet compliment. I appreciate you reading and following along!

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  23. I read everyday and never comment! You girls have inspired me to start my own blog, so I guess I'll start commenting now ;)

    I really love how you decorate for everything!

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  24. You 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?

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    1. I 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.

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  25. Absolutely inspirational! I love how you mix something as simple as a jar of crayons with chalkboard and a powerful quote. Your creativity is infectious!

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  26. But 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.

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  27. Did u get the target chalkboard with ruler frame this year?

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  28. Where did you get your fruit basket?

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  29. This 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!
    How long do you leave your back to school decor up, before taking it down and having just Fall Decor up.

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  30. Wow your house is beautiful and what a fun idea to decorate for back to school!

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