Must Haves for Back to School

Some may already be back to school BUT for those in NJ, they still have some time to soak up the sun.  I honestly don’t know many who think back-to-school shopping is an exciting time of the year except those who graduated from crayons and glue sticks to a college campus!   I am sure many wish colleges and universities sent out a handy school supply shopping list like they did during the first 12 years of school.  This way we could put together the must-haves for those first time college students….

School in style

Good grades are important, but who said studying can’t be stylish, too? Whether you’re hitting the library, meeting a project group at a local coffee shop or running to class, there’s a Thirty-One bag for every student.

Are you a nothing-but-the-essentials kind of person? The Call Me Crossbody is the perfect size for your smartphone and a few cards when you’re on-the-go. If you need to pack a little more but still love the convenience of a hands-free bag, a Boutique Backpack can hold a few books, a water bottle, keys and more while also adding a chic pop to a casual outfit. And if you need to pack for a day’s worth of classes or need a work bag for your internship, the Around Town^® Tote is perfect for books, folders and your laptop.

Dorm organization hacks

Space is limited in a college dorm room, so maximize every inch by investing in utility products which are durable, functional and come in the cutest prints.

Stow a Large Utility Tote  (LUT) under your bed to hold shoes or seasonal clothes that could take up space in your closet. With tons of prints available, from staple neutrals to whimsical cacti, you can match your LUT to your bedding or wall art. A Stand Tall Bin is the perfect size for a hamper or laundry basket, plus it comes in handy during move-in and collapses for easy storage. Guess what?  The Stand Tall Bin is on SALE this month.  Get TWO with a $35 purchase!  Finally, organize your desk or study space with a  Fold N’ File^TM, Double Duty^® Caddy or Littles Carry-All^TM Caddy to hold documents, pens and office supplies.

Lunch break

You may not be packing PB&Js for the cafeteria anymore, but every busy college student needs to eat – and chances are you’ll be doing it on the go. Make snacking between classes a breeze with a lunch thermal that matches your personality. Choose a Thermal Tote in a bold, bright print or go for the Lunch Break Thermal Ltd. in elevated fabrics and finishes. With so many options, there’s a great lunch bag for every student.

Not your average backpack

You don’t have to leave your trusty backpack behind in grade school. In fact, when your classes and meetings are on opposite sides of campus, there’s no better way to stay organized and prepared than with a backpack for every occasion.

Heading over to the rec center for a quick workout? Grab a Cinch Sac or Sling-Back Bag to carry your water, headphones, deodorant and a change of clothes. Looking for something a little roomier for class? Go with the Adventures Backpack, complete with a thermal pocket for drinks and snacks, or the Crossbody Organizing Tote for organization on the go.

Weekend reset

After you’ve worked hard all week, it’s nice to have the weekend to relax, have fun and take some time for yourself. Whether it means staying on campus to hang out with your roommates or heading home to see your family for a few days, these stylish, versatile solutions will have you covered. Opt for an All About the Benjamins^® wallet for a lunch date with friends, or choose a Retro Metro^® Bag to bring along to the store or while running errands. If you like to spend your weekends at home, pack up an Away for the Weekender with all your overnight essentials.

What’s on your back to school shopping list? Can’t decide what bag will fit your needs, I’m happy to help you find the perfect solution for your organizing or back to school struggles.

Have a blessed day!

Thirty One Summer Kick Off

June is CRAZY busy….. end of the school year, graduations, Father’s Day, weddings, Christenings, baby showers, and of course birthdays and anniversaries.  Are you ready?  Do you have all of those gifts together?

In direct sales, June is usually one of the dreaded “J” months.  The story is “J” months are traditional bad for business.  Think about it – January is the month after Christmas so everyone is broke.  June is crazy busy who has time to shop.  In July, everyone is on vacation so the last thing they are thinking of is shopping or partying.  Thirty One “debunked” the myth in January AND  now they are planning to do it again in June.   Because Thirty One makes “J – months” AMAZING!

This summer’s Seasonal Catalog  is no different….. They have introduced EIGHT new prints for summer fun.  Check out these cute prints:

#1 – Did you know you could make some extra money with just 4 hours a week?  A little bit of work AND using some amazing products? Maybe you could pay off some bills? Or pay for the kids summer activities?  Maybe you just need some girl time?  Maybe you are looking for a career change?  Whatever your reason, I would love to help you reach your dream…For the month of JUNE, Thirty One is offering a $1 no-kit enrollment.  That’s right! You can start your business for less than a cup of coffee.  OR you can order one of the AMAZING enrollment kits.  Your choice.

PLUS with every $1,000 in orders for the first 4 months, you will receive Wishes Rewards you can use for……..business supplies product, VISA gift cards or Disney dollars.  Say what???

PLUS with Thirty One’s NEW Marketplace, you can save 40% off your own purchase of products or use the discount in helping a local team or organization raise funds.

PLUS with just $100 in sales each month, you will be able to buy one select product for 60% off the retail price the following month.

#2 – Maybe having having your own business is not on your bucket list.  So why not host a girls get together? Sip some wine (or your favorite beverage), catch up with friends, shop and have fun.  When was the last time you hung out with the girls without the kids?  You supply the friends and I will do all of the work. No time for a home party…. Why not a Facebook party?  Fun and games while everyone gets to shop from the comfort of their own home.

With a $600 party (the average), you get $100 in FREE products, TWO half price items, and TWO hostess exclusives.  PLUS you can get to pick ANYTHING in the catalog for just 80% off! I grabbed another Studio by Thirty One Classic Bag for just $16!

#3 –  I get it, you don’t need extra money and parties aren’t your thing.  BUT you just LOVE to shop? So here is the AMAZING Thirty One Customer Special for June…

For every multiple of $35, you can pick ONE of these bags at 50% off.  The Sling Back Bag, the Essential Storage Tote or a Cinch Sac are some summer favorites.  BUT if like BIG bags…. you won’t want to miss the half price offer for the City Park Bag or the Casual Cargo.  When you spend $35 and grab one of these two bags – it’s like getting two bags for the price of ONE!

So, to sum things up…there are THREE opportunities with Thirty One this summer:

Which opportunity is for you? Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Tips for a Successful Sports Season

Thank you Barb Webb Of Rural Mom for today’s tips..

Back to School means back to sports for many of parents.  The two often go hand-in-hand, and many times, the sports season begins even before the school year does! While the coach usually provides a list of necessary gear, like helmets, rackets, cleats, etc., they don’t always mention the other important items you’ll want to have on hand for a successful season.  I actually looked forward to the fall – the start of Belinda’s sports seasons (gymnastics, then field hockey then all-star cheerleading).  It was a crazy busy time but so much fun.

Here are a few products you and your sports star will be glad you have:

Water bottles. Being hydrated isn’t something moms just nag about. Kids who play sports expend tons of energy. Each drop of sweat is fluid lost from their body. It’s important they have a good water bottle to help keep them cool in warmer weather. Even in the coldest winter months they’re still running and sweating and need to keep the fluids coming.

Healthy snacks.  Whether or not they play sports, it’s important for growing bodies to receive proper nutrition. Sports kids need even more to fuel their bodies. Some easy snacks are things like fruits, veggies, and protein-packed yogurt and cheese. To keep the snacks fresh, use Thirty One’s Around-The-Clock Thermal.  When practices and games fall within meal times, this thermal will allow you to pack enough to keep everyone fueled up. It holds up to 15 lbs. and is generously sized to fit water bottles, sandwiches, and snacks.

Quality backpacks are also an important thing for sports kids to have. I love the Sling Back Pack. If you’ve got a kid who flings their bag of gear over their shoulder, a sling back pack is a good solution. It’s easy to carry, stylish, and holds everything they need. It’s the perfect pack for in school use, sports games, and for weekend trips as well.

Duffle bags. Our Thirty-One All-Packed duffle bag holds everything from tablets to laptops to knee pads, football helmets and snacks. One of my favorite features of this bag is the separate compartment for shoes, so the rest of the gear doesn’t get dirty. The bag also does double duty if we travel, holding enough clothes for a few days away from home. This is an especially attractive and versatile bag that will really work for anyone.

Thirty-One also offers personalization options, allowing you to customize items with your name, your team’s name, etc. I can’t even begin to tell you how helpful it is to have your child’s name on their bag when there are 30 of them laying on the ground after a game! You can also personalize using icons like soccer balls and cheerleading megaphones. Sports mom lesson #1: Label everything!

Another thing I’ve learned over the years is wipes are necessary long after the child is out of diapers. Whether they’re 5 or 15, they still spill things and/or get them on their clothes. And your car’s seats too! Wipes make short work of little messes. Sports gear gets a little messier, as you can imagine, and for that we use antibacterial wipes. Cleaning the equipment after use helps keep kids healthy. Wiping things down immediately also makes for easier deep cleaning later. Mud comes off a football helmet with less effort before it gets dried on!

How about keeping a plastic bag or laundry bag inside the kids’ bags. It makes it much easier to collect dirty uniforms after events. Most kids can’t seem to find the laundry basket if their life depends on it, so by providing the laundry bag inside their bags, You have a much better chance of washing those socks before they can stand on their own. Grab the bag and throw the stuff in the wash.

It should also be said sports gear isn’t something you should skimp on when it comes to quality. If you purchase a lower quality item at your local discount store, you’ll likely end up doing that two or three times throughout the year. Usually this happens at 9pm when your child says something like “Hey mom, I forgot to tell you there’s a big hole in this thing needed for 6am practice tomorrow.” It just makes more sense financially and from a convenience standpoint to buy the higher quality items the first time.

Sports seasons can get crazy, but it is likely the most fun that you’ll have while your kids are in school. There’s nothing quite as exciting as sitting on the sidelines cheering them on as they play hard and work as a team toward a goal. Being a sports mom is one of the most rewarding experiences ever, and with a little pre-planning and the right gear, you’re in for an awesome season.

Are you a sports mom? Do you have tips to share?

Have a ThirtyOne-deful day!

Diaper Bag and More

I can’t count the number of times I have been asked “Does Thirty One have a diaper bag?”   I think back to when Belinda was little (MANY years ago) and I’m not even sure I had one.  I’m sure I did but it was probably the same bag I sent her to daycare with Monday through Friday.  Even back then I was practical (okay, sometimes).  I wanted a bag I could use for many things, not just one use and then giveaway, sell or toss.

Thankfully, Thirty One has SEVERAL options to meet the different needs of new moms.  From the busy mom on the go to the working (out of the home) mom.

It is all about your style…. We have lots of different totes to meet whatever the demand including ones Dad is willing to carry.  Here are some basic options:

The  Number 1 requested “diaper bag” is the Zip Top Organizing Utility Tote.  It has seven pockets for all your essentials, plus a convenient zipper to keep everything safe and secure!

 

My favorite is the Cindy Tote.  This signature tote can hold almost anything. Named after our Founder, President & CEO, Cindy Monroe, this has been one of our most popular totes for years. It’s roomy enough for all your essentials and stylish enough to carry wherever the day takes you! Easy to transition from Baby to Momma!

For those who would prefer a Backpack, we have you covered with the Going My Way Backpack.  Get ready for school, work or a family outing with this roomy backpack featuring plenty of pockets and adjustable shoulder straps for a comfy fit. The simple design and choice of prints makes it perfect for moms, dads and kids, too! 

Did you notice these can be personalized too? The best part is when you don’t need a diaper bag any more, it is still a GREAT bag to use every day.

Looking for something a little smaller to take on those short trips to the park?  Why not try the Sling-Back Bag?  So easy to grab and go, this bag offers a great hands-free backpack option, and one shoulder strap can easily be converted for right- or left-handed use. Put the pockets to work to house all your essentials, and you’re set for the day.

So, which bag will meet your needs?  Not sure, let’s talk.  Send me a message and I will help you decide which one will best fit your needs.

Whose ready to shop??? Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!