Happy August, friends!
August is a time for phasing summer out and welcoming a new season in! It’s the very early start to fall and the hustle and bustle of back to school (if that applies). I always joke that August is the second new year for moms. Kids are back in their routine, and moms have a minute to get their life back together and enjoy some of those fresh start vibes!!
For this month’s Joyful Journal, I thought it would be fun to do a Joyful U(niversity) approach. Back to school can apply to all. If you’re like me, I love any excuse to freshen (aka : clean) my desk and buy some new ‘school supplies’. I’m 44 and this still is the case, and still brings me joy and pleasure! Good thing I own and run a stationery shop for my job! Ha!
Sweet Babies - Pre-School & Up
Although I’m almost out of this early childhood stage, I still love buying new sweet backpacks and matching lunch boxes and labeling all the things! This company holds my heart for the cutest products, and you know I use these to label everything! I dream of offering JCS personalized name stickers one day too! Fingers crossed for 2025! I just came across this sweet brand for kid basics and cannot wait to stock up for our youngest. Top notch quality, mama-owned and great styles! A new water bottle is always added into the mix, and this year we went with this brand and my son loves it! Lastly, a new notepad for his school work & these pencils that are sure to inspire!
As a mom, I love still being able to spoil our teachers. There aren’t as many as the older grades and they have such an impact on their students' formation! It’s a big role! We’ve designed this mini version of our best seller to help make your gifting elevated, but with ease!
Big (but still so little) - Middle & High School
This is our first year to have one in elementary, one in middle and one in high school! I keep getting the feeling that time is fleeting and keep reminding myself to enjoy the stages and chaos! Our middle schooler actually started this brand this summer with his cousin, and they are loving being new entrepreneurs. Athletic wear is a staple and to have strong values and messaging is a plus! I am so proud of them and we’re loving our merch. He, too, wanted a new basketball backpack, but was most excited for cool new socks and loves this hat (for golf & weekends). He went with this water bottle and I added this notepad to his desk to help keep him organized for the school year! 7th grade is no joke!
Our oldest is headed to high school (I can’t believe we’re already here) and she’s so excited! She’s ready and loving what high school has to offer already! Freedom & Independence! She, too, got the new backpack & water bottle combo! More mature choices for sure, but from brands we love! I held back from labeling all of her things, ha! She is all about big sweatshirts (even though it’s 98 here in Texas), but I was so proud to show her our first ever JCS MERCH! It’s comfy and cozy, and I got one for her and myself to wear all fall! I also got her a fresh new task pad for her desk to keep organized and threw in some cute and colorful pens! The apple doesn’t fall far with this one. She loves her paper products. I also got her stationery and these prayer cards to freshen up her stash, so she gets in the habit of sending notes of thanks and gratitude whenever it applies!
As For Mom, Well...
I’m going to say my prayers for a blessed school year and take a few days to get back in the groove and come down from the crazy (wonderful) of summer and get back to work! Holiday launches for 2024 are not that far away and we have SO MUCH good stuff to share with you all! I’m excited to pivot my role from full time Uber and activities coordinator to CEO, and with the help of our amazing team, get ready to dazzle y’all with dreamy holiday products!
Hope y'all enjoy August, and try to remember once the crazy settles and the to-do lists are checked off for everyone else, please remember to take a minute for YOU. Fill up that cup and make sure you’re taking good care of the one that loves your people oh-so much.
