Back to Campus - Back to School Gifts That Rule

School and College Campus favorites this fall.

August is traditionally the month for gathering together back to school supplies for our scholarly students eager to hit the books. Alright, maybe not exactly eager. Many colleges start up in August. I can remember my dorm days at Rutgers U. and it was a real comfort for my parents to make up a "CARE Package" of my favorite foods and specialty items. While I would steer clear of trying to purchase clothing for older children, (you're likely to fail on size and style), these campus gifts would be welcome by anyone who needs time to study plus take care of themselves. So here are my top, hot picks for students of all ages this coming fall semester: 



PackIt Cold Pack Lunch Bag
This little bag is just the right size for a healthy sized sandwich and maybe a fruit cup. Has a top handle and closes with Velcro. Here's how it works. Pop the whole bag in the freezer and the fluid filled sides freeze up. In the morning, add your sandwich, Pita Pocket, coconut water, salad, hummus...whatever. Fold freeze, pack and go. Keeps food cold for up to 10 hours and is small enough to fit in a back pack. I really like the cloth cover on these bags. The last lunch bag you'll ever need. Available at most retailers or visit Packit.com

PackIt Cold Freeze and Fold Lunch Bag

Portable Nutrition System Sport Mixer & GoStak
Gym Ready-Travel Friendly Blender Bottle
This very sporting duo has a GoStak for protein powders and supplements. Perfect for the campus gym or gym class. Made of durable Eastman Tritan, this material resists stains and odors. The stack fits neatly inside the Blender Bottle so your pupil is ready to roll with a full day's supply of nutrition to go. By BlenderBottle.com

GoStak fits inside the Blender Bottle

Go Smile Sonic Blue Teeth Whitening System
This is touted as "The only sonic toothbrush with blue light proven to whiten your smile in 2 days." Crest White Strips are always in heavy rotation by high school and college students alike. Why not get them a sonic toothbrush that whitens better than strips while cleaning their teeth? I tried it and did notice a marked whitening of my teeth after 4 uses or 2 days of brushing. Easy to use, has a quad pacer and comes with a re-charger. Pick one up at Ulta or online at GoSmile.com

Go Smile Sonic Blue Teeth Whitening System. Perfect for after eating all those M & M's.

Help Them See The Light - NuGreen Energy Efficient LED Desk Lamp
This is perfect for that High Tech student. Has a flexible neck and adds focused, energy efficient pure cool white light for a brighter work space or desk. Touch sensitive on/off: Simply touch the surface under the red light to activate the bright LED light. Our student tester did have a little problem shutting this light off with this touch system. She unplugged it temporarily and hasn't had any further problems. Uses only 3.6 watts total power, the LEDs last up to 45,000 use hours, up to 22 times longer than traditional bulbs. If your favorite student is also an environmentalist, they will appreciate this desk lamp. Check it out at Newertech.com

NuGreen LED Desk Lamp

Sleep Away: Pillows and Sheet Sets by Bedgear
Mist 0.0 Pillow
Every student has their favorite pillow from their bed at home. Well, these "customized" pillows from Bedgear could well become their NEW favorite. Pillows are selected for you based on sleep position and body type. I currently use a Tempur-Pedic Memory Foam Pillow for smaller body types and it is great. The Mist 0.0 is also for petite body types but unlike my memory foam pillow is cool and airy to sleep on. I'm enjoying a more comfortable sleep experience with the Mist. Here are the pillow details from the Bedgear website:

Mist’s flexible pad slides between your body and the mattress and won’t create pressure against the sensitive areas of your face, ear and neck making it the perfect pillow for stomach sleepers and small body types. The Ver-Tex 6.0 Climate Control Fabric instantly deflects heat to keep you cool all night while the React™ Conforming Suspension contours to your body’s natural shape and motion and alleviates pressure points.

Mist 0.0 Pillow for Petite Body Types & Stomach Sleepers

Dri-Tec Performance Sheet Set by Bedgear
Every dorm room bed needs a set of cool sheets...literally! These High Tech Dri-Tec Sheets offer all season comfort and feel very silky to the touch. These are temperature regulating sheets that wick away moisture while creating air flow. I tried them on my Tempur-Pedic Mattress and have been very impressed. I'm used to high thread count Egyptian Cotton so I was a bit skeptical of how I would tolerate "polyester" sheets. Even for a sheet snob like myself, I have to say the Dri-Tec Sheets kept me completely dry and comfortable on warm summer nights. Even with the AC cranked up, I was able to sleep just as well. Easy care machine washable on gentle, these work with all beds.
See all the Bedgear pillows and sheet sets at BedGear.com

Dri-Tec Performance Sheet Set shown here in Bright White

Ruggable Washable Area Rugs

Every dorm room or student's bedroom can use a bit of warming up with a cozy rug. I brought a little area rug for my dorm just to have something cozy to step on when I got out of bed. Ruggable Washable Area Rugs are perfect because the two part system allows the rug to stay put via a Velcro pad. Ruggables come in a variety of sizes and the rug itself lifts off and can be machine washed. Even better, you can easily change your decor by popping on a different rug top. How cool is that?

Ruggable's two part system.

A 9 x 10 Ruggable would be a perfect fit for a college or home bedroom. I really like mine and know this would be a perfect gift for any student wanting to feel at home. See all the available styles and sizes at Ruggable.com

Back to PreSchool
Now we simply can't forget about the very little ones!They may be starting preschool this fall and even baby fashionistas need new shoes and a matching bag. These Moccasins and Bag are handmade in NYC and crafted out of soft, supple leather. Shoes go up to a 4T. "Red Carpet ready to NYC Chic", yes, toddlers need to bring it too.
Shown here is the Sweet Treat Set in Lavender. Lovely little Ice Cream and Popsicle Mocs with Matching Zippered Purse. Too cool for Preschool! See all the sweet children's shoe designs at the LiliCollection.com

The Lili Collection of designer, handcrafted shoes for children.

Toothbrush, Lamp and Sheet Set c/o the respective manufacturers so listed here.