Category: Home Office

Back To School Gift Guide 2020
We’ve put together a list of cute, fun items to make going back to school this year just a little brighter! Check out our Back to School Gift Guide for 2020.

Note: Affiliate links below. If you click on and purchase any item from this list, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you. We thank you for supporting us and keeping our website running!

Refillable Hand Sanitizer Key Chains for their backpack
Super cute characters for elementary aged kids (or anyone with a fun outlook on life) – Buy on Amazon
Fun patterns for tween aged kids – Buy on Amazon
Scalloped edges for teenagers – Buy on Amazon
For baseball lovers – Buy on Amazon
Fun face masks

Kids’ 2pk Cloth Face Masks – Cat & Jack™ – Buy at Target

Kids’ 2pk Cloth Face Masks – Cat & Jack™ – Buy at Target
Tie Dye DIY – Get a pack of plain white masks and a tie-dye kit. What a fun back to school activity and the kids will have one-of-a-kind masks to show off! We bought these masks, they are big on my 6 year old, but fit older kids well.

Port Authority Reusable Face Cover – Buy on Amazon

We just did this with our own kids an they had a blast. Check out their home made tie-dye masks below!

Tulip X-Large Block Party Tie Dye Kit 16oz – Buy on Amazon

Our homemade tie-dye face masks – my kids LOVED this activity!

Fun Lunch Bags

Donut lunchbox – Buy on Perpetual Kid
Shark Lunchbox- Buy at Target
Nasa Retro Lunchbox- Buy at Target
Igloo Marble Lunchbox- Buy at Target

Other School Essentials

JBuddies Studio Wired Kids Headphones – Buy at Target
We bought these for our kids at the end of last school year and I was impressed with them. Both of my kids went through 2 pairs each, but these are much more durable with a braided nylon cord and folding design. They also come in 4 colors so I could get different colors for my two kids.
Mead Trapper Keeper 3 Ring Binder – Buy on Amazon

Snack Smart Subscription Box – Buy on Snack Nation

Remote Learners – Back to School Gift Guide

Blue Light blocking glasses for kids watching screens during remote learning – Buy on Amazon

Trapper Keeper Game – Buy on Amazon

Desktop organizer with charging ports. – Buy on Amazon
Desktop organization was a huge issue for us during the last few months of remote learning. I love the idea of an organizer that also can charge my kids school issued devices!

Rotating Supply Organizer – Buy on Amazon

Learning Resources Create-a-Space Storage Center – Buy on Amazon

Chair Back Organizer – Buy on Amazon

Sunrise Alarm Clock by LBell – Buy on Amazon

Kids Art Easel Double Sided, Whiteboard & Chalkboard – Buy on Amazon

Other Gift Ideas for Kids
July 24, 2020
Today I need a… Father’s Day Gift
Father’s Day will be here before you know it, so get your gift now! We’ve assembled some of our favorite Father’s Day gift ideas below to help make it easier on a mom who already has a million and two things on her to-do list. Let’s check this one off your list today!
1. For Dad’s who love beer – Brumate Hopsulator – A doubled-walled stainless steel can cooler to keep Dad’s beer icy cold all summer long. Comes in a variety of colors including a wood-grain pattern. Pair it with a new beer to try! Some of my husband’s recommendations: Double Grid by Hop Butcher For the World, Son of Juice by Maplewood Brewery and/or Gummypocalypse by Noon Whistle Brewing.
2. For Dad’s who love technology (and have an iphone) – Apple Watch Series 4 – Although the most expensive item on our list, this watch can do so much including take calls, text, track workouts and more.
3. For Dad’s who love technology (and have an Android phone) – Samsung Galaxy Watch – With a charge that can last for days, this is a watch that will be his personal assistant. Like the Apple Watch, he can take calls, text, track health, workouts and more.
4. For the sentimental Dad – Snapfish Woodblock Desk Calendar, on sale through 6/4 for 60% off with code 60M2019 making this calendar just under $10! This calendar is the perfect addition to any Dad’s office or desk, especially when personalized with priceless family pictures.
5. For Dad’s who love their team – Custom MLB T-Shirt – Give them a shirt you know they’ll love with their own name on the back!
6. For Dad’s who love to joke – Dad Jokes: Good, Clean Fun for All Ages! Book – I’ve never met a Dad that didn’t love a good Dad Joke! Give the dad in your life a head start.
7. For the Dad who loves his morning coffee – Whiskey & Rum Barrel Aged Coffee Whole Bean Box Set – A special dad deserves special coffee. This gift box has three different samples of coffee you won’t find in your everyday grocery store.
8. For the Dad who loves being outdoors – Landmann 28347 Big Sky Fire Pit – We’ve reviewed this fire pit before on this blog, I got it for my husband a few years ago for Father’s Day and it was a big hit. Make sure to coat with high-temp rustoleum and it’ll last for years of s’mores and campfire memories.
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June 1, 2019
Today I need a… standing desk

This weeks Today I need a… post focuses on Standing Desks. When I started working from home I ran into some issues related to staying active while not really leaving the house. I take my kids to school in the morning, but unless I have errands to run I am at home on my computer working, mostly sitting. One of the first decisions I made to help me feel like I was doing something healthier was to buy a standing desk. Below I outline my criteria and research process for how I made my decision on the desk I ultimately bought.

1. I knew I wanted something that would fit on top of my desk and not a new desk altogether. This is because I am extremely lucky to have a large desk that fits two chairs and spans the wall of my home office thanks to my extra handy father-in-law. I love my desk. I especially love having so much desktop space to work with and didn’t want to add more large furniture to my house. This helped me narrow down my search to desktop versions of what I was looking for.

2. I also wanted something that was a flat surface. I use a laptop, mouse and sometimes an extra monitor for most of my work. This meant that I didn’t want a desk with a separate, sometimes lower, keyboard section. I wanted it to be large enough to fit my laptop while also having room for me to draw/write in my notebook for taking notes and sketching ideas.

3. Finally, I wanted something adjustable that I could use either for sitting or standing. Let’s face it, I don’t want to stand all day long. While wanting to be healthy I also know that there are some days I am just plain tired. I looked for something that was easy to adjust at a moments notice.

After looking at a number of stores the desk I eventually chose I found on Amazon. Called Innovadesk Adjust Standing Desk Converter, I can say I love this desk. It moves smoothly up and down and gives me enough space to hold my items necessary for work. Obviously, the weight of raising and lowering will change depending on how much you have on the desk. It was definitely heavier when I had a monitor on it compared to just my laptop, but not enough that I couldn’t use it.

You can find this desk here on Amazon.

This is the desk in the raised position. Very easy to raise and lower.

*Please ignore my super plain office, it is on my list to get a makeover and will be part of a later post!

This is the handle you squeeze to raise and lower the desk. There is a small cutout on the desktop surface to make room for this handle, but it doesn’t bother me.

Additional notes: Because this desk will not be the same height as your regular desk be aware that you may have to raise your desk chair or add a cushion in order to raise yourself when seated to the best ergonomic height for seating comfort.

If you are looking into doing your own research you may need to look under different names such as desktop converter, adjustable desk, desk riser, and/or standing desk.

If you are looking for a new desk altogether there are a number of desks where the entire desktop raises and lowers. With this option you will see a higher price for a larger piece of furniture.

This is where I’m going to chime in! While I don’t have a standing desk at home I’ve been working for an office furniture company for over 10 years and have experience using many different models. There are numerous places to buy a standing desk but I will use examples from Office Designs first since I’m familiar with their product line. Their curated selection of height adjustable options can be seen here: https://officedesigns.com/our-products/shop-by-category/height-adjustable

My top recommendation from these items would be Herman Miller’s Renew Sit-to-Stand. The price for a 48” x 24” desk with laminate top begins at $1545 which may seem a little pricey but it includes Herman Miller’s 12-year, three-shift manufacturers’ warranty. When purchasing a desk with moving part you want to be certain you won’t be stuck with a “plain” desk after the motor dies in 5 years. Herman Miller builds gorgeous high-quality products that last a lifetime. This desk is no exception it has style and works flawlessly.

If you are not ready to invest and need a full height adjustable option there are some available on Amazon. When browsing online for a cheaper model I wouldn’t discount hand cranked options, you may find they will last longer than one that relies on a motor such as this one.

A mid-range option would be an entry level model from Uplift Desk. You can design your own model here or shop their pre-configured models here. The have a 60″ x 30″ black laminate option for, it comes with free shipping and a 7-year warranty. This company specializes in Height Adjustable Desks and would be a good place to start your journey.

*affiliate links

March 25, 2019