Back to School Ideas (Pins to Admire and Inspire)

I've always looked at Labor Day as the last day of summer, even though I think it's truly September 22nd. Maybe it's because I was raised with the strict fashion guidelines of "no white shoes after Labor Day." Either way, summer is ending for many of us with kids going back to preschool and big kid school. In honor of Michaela Byrd going to meet her new preschool teachers at Orientation this morning, I thought I'd share some of the fab Back-to-School Ideas I've been Pinning like crazy.

If you're a Pinner, please be sure to click on the link below each photo to Pin from the original source. Each person should get credit for his/her own work!

How cute are these clipboards?

Source: thirtysixthavenue.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Darling lunchbox printables. What a neat way to encourage your kids!

Source: darlingdoodlesdesign.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Get organized with homework stations!

Source: sandandsisal.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Love Amy's first day of school interview idea!

Source: positivelysplendid.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Back to School Book Swap:

Source: bugger-dixonline.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Must read! 22 Things Your Child's Principal Won't Tell You (But Wants You to Know)

Source: huffingtonpost.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Back to School Party:

Source: restlessrisa.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Fun homework crate:

Source: uncommondesignsonline.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Lunchbox Essentials:

Source: yummymummykitchen.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Back to School Party for the mamas:

Source: jacolynmurphy.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Printables galore!

Source: printabledecor.net via Amanda on Pinterest

Pack some fun lunches:

Source: wendolonia.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Educational Apps:

Source: slideshare.net via Amanda on Pinterest

Lunchbox Ideas!

Source: catiescorner2.blogspot.ca via Amanda on Pinterest

You may have already seen my Back to School Crayon Wreath from last year.

Source: serenitynowblog.com via Amanda on Pinterest

And I recently posted this cute Teacher's Survival Kit, which was a huge hit.

Source: serenitynowblog.com via Amanda on Pinterest

So, are you in back to school mode? 

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, please click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. 

Happy Labor Day!

What are your plans for Labor Day?

I don't have muscles like her, but I'll be doing heavy lifting today with some laundry baskets...

Enjoy your day off if you've been blessed with free time today!

More Highlighted Links--Share Your Best Post!

If you're here to link up to Weekend Bloggy Reading, it's open for new links until 10 pm (ET) tonight. Please share your best post of the week with us...crafts, recipes, home decor, book reviews--all kinds of posts are welcome.

I like to Feature bloggers who not only have great projects, but who also take the time to  link back to me within their post(s). I add many of these Features to my Pinterest page as well as Facebook!

Here are a few links from Weekend Bloggy Reading that caught my eye.

~Fall Paper Cone Wreath via Sassy Style

~Entryway/Foyer Decor via Newlywoodwards

~Painted Glass Statement Necklace via The Silly Pearl

Highlighted Weekend Links-- Share Your Best Post!

Happy Saturday! Please pop in to link up YOUR best post of the week at my Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. More Features on the way tomorrow!

All kinds of posts are welcome here: We have recipes, party ideas, room makeovers, crafts, tips and tricks, home decor, fashion advice, and more! The code for the button is near the end of this post, or you can add a text link back to me within your post.

Keep reading to see just a few of the posts that caught my eye so far.

~DIY Linen and Paper Wall Art via Stay at Home-ista

~Vintage Soda Shop Sign via The Concrete Cottage

~4 Easy Pickle Recipes via Small Footprint Family

Stop and Shop: Sponsor Highlights

Are you here for the Weekend Bloggy Reading link party? Stop by to link up your best post of the week! I'll be back later today with some highlights from the party, which is open until 10 pm (ET) on Sunday.

I thought I'd share a few quick shop highlights from my Sponsors, who always have something neat going on. Check out what they have in store for you this month! Here are a few of my favorites:

::Weekend Bloggy Reading:: Link Up!

Welcome to my Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. I hope you'll link up your best post of the week today, and maybe leave me some comment love. Please be sure to read my guidelines before you add a link.

This party is a great place to showcase your very best post of the week (home decor, crafts, party ideas, recipes, DIY, etc.) but please do not link to Etsy shops, businesses, items for sale, etc. (I have a Sponsors section, if you'd like to Advertise with me.)

Here are a few of my faves from this week:

sources listed below

~Picture Hanging Tip via SAS Interiors

~Alice in Wonderland Party via Sweet Boutique

~DIY Farmhouse Bench via Thrifty and Chic

~Porch Reveal via Dixie Delights

~And Me? This week featured:

• Mini Keyring Photo Album
• Fall Fashion Picks for 2012
• The Nice Side of Blogging
• I Need Your Help Choosing Pictures

Time to link up your best post of the week!

I Need Your Help Choosing Photos!

I shared some fun pictures from our week in Myrtle Beach, but I didn't share the photos I snapped on the beach one morning. I want to order 3 16 x 20 canvas prints from Easy Canvas Prints (one of my sponsors!), but I can't decide which photos to choose. Please, please help me!

The prints will be going over my family room couch (soon to be slipcovered) in a new gallery wall:

I am clearly not a professional photographer, but I really wanted a few shots of my girls on the beach. I managed to wake them up early, and hauled them down to the shore around 7 am. They wore pettiskirts and the embellished rosette tank tops I made for them before the trip.

Please tell me which 3 you think would look good above my couch! I'm thinking that vertical prints might be best for the space??

I haven't edited these, except for a bit of cropping and to add my watermark...

1:

2:

3 (Not a "beach" photo, but a good photo of Natalie in the pettiskirt):

4:

5:

6:

7:

8:

9:

10:

I'm leaning towards the first three photos, even though #3 wasn't taken on the beach. The girls weren't particularly thrilled about going down to the beach at 7 am to have their pictures taken, so we didn't stay long.  Obviously not professional quality, but I actually like the idea of displaying photos that I took myself. Sometimes that's the only option you have when professional photography is not an option.

Which 3 do you think I should choose for the canvas order? 

*Get your party hats on! My Weekend Bloggy Reading link party is scheduled as usual for tomorrow morning (8 am ET), so be sure to swing by with your best post of the week.

Here's the button code for the party if you want to get a head start! Recipes, crafts, home decor, party ideas, tips and tricks, you name it. Come prepared to showcase your blog and find some great weekend reads.

<a href=" http://www.serenitynowblog.com/ " target="_blank"><img src="http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae332/Amanda_SerenityNow/Blog%20Party%20Buttons/WeekendBloggyReading.png" border="0" alt="Weekend Bloggy Reading"></a>