organizing essentials

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1. FILE UNDER FUN Each day of the week gets its own folder and color. Coordinating stickies add another layer of order. Folders, $9 for six; sticky notes, $12 for six pads; seejanework.com

2. WE’VE GOT YOU PEGGED It’s a phone dock! A pin-up board! A note station! This customizable catchall keeps small items exactly where you want them. $20; warehouse.thefederal.co

3. JUST IN CASE With pockets galore, the Lihit Lab Teffa Bag is a mobile office. $21.50 each; jetpens.com

4. MEET CUTE Keep track of important school year dates and to-dos with these colorful academic planners. $20 each; sarahpinto.com

5. AMP’D UP Ampersand bookends contain volumes. $12.95 for two, Jonathan Adler for Barnes and Noble; barnesandnoble.com

6. SHOW YOUR STRIPES Take notes in style with these Kate Spade pencils. $19.95 for 10; papersource.com

best in classThese clever and cute homeroom-to-homework finds

will have kids counting down the days until that first bell rings. by louise gore

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GREEN SCENEThese pretty planners are eco-friendly, too.

WIREDCord and charger pockets mean juice is always at hand.

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1. PENCIL IT IN These 100-percent-lead colored E+M pencils truly give their all. $10 for six; jetpens.com

2. SMART ART Made from fruits and vegetables, every shade of these watercolors is green. $24 for four; globiton.com

3. HOLD ON A staple-less stapler? You bet. Eco Staple Free Stapler, $9.99 each; calendars.com

4. SNIPPING PRETTY These 7-inch scissors come in six patterns. $3 each; Target stores

5. DEEP SEE DIVE This ocean-theme drawing game challenges visual perception. $27.99; amazon.com

6. IT’S A SNAP A handy clamshell case stores all your art supplies and doubles as a hard surface for drawing. $14.99; store.dexas.com

7. BEND IT LIKE … an eraser? A flexible twist on corrections from Yoobi. $1.99 for four; Target stores

8. WRITE ON The supersize ink tank will keep these pens writing for up to seven years. $7.95 each; seltzergoods.com

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artsy notions

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REMIX MASTERA powder base lets you control how much pigment you use.

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1. STATS, STAT A colorful band hides a QR code that links to an online profile, so first responders can give appropriate care. $19.95 each; endevr.com

2. WHAT THE SMELL? Antimicrobial inserts keep shoes dry and odor-free. $14.95 for pair; store.stuffitts.com

3. GET A GRIP The innovative design makes this sturdy Nerf Sports Bash Ball perfect for passing. $12.99; hasbrotoyshop.com

4. WATCH OUT Available in lots of cool colors, this retro-style timekeeper signals you’ve got game. $20 each; sportchalet.com

5. H2O TO GO Keep water handy with the sporty, collapsible SoftFlask. $19.99; hydrapak.com

6. KEEP GLOWING Don’t let the sun go down on your game. It’s a glow-in-the dark basketball. $12.99; kmart.com

7. NIGHT LIGHTS Eye-catching PowerSpurz slip right over sneaker heels to make after-dark exercise safe (and fun). $19.95 for pair; 4id.com

8. THINK AHEAD Protect little noggins with these fun and functional helmets. $60; nutcasehelmets.com

JUST FOR KICKSSet the weatherproof LED to pulse or continuous light.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWERYour child’s medical information is a click away.

sports savvy

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STROKE OF GENIUSSynthetic bristles make it feel like using a real paintbrush.

CLOUD CONTROLThe Archos ArcBook comes with the full suite of Google applications.

1. ABOUT TIME Wake up to a charging dock for iPhones that does double duty as an alarm clock. $34.99; distilunion.com

2. POWER BLOCK This backup battery holds enough juice to charge your phone—twice. $59 each; tegopower.com

3. SEAL THE DEAL Colorful, water-repellent cases close tightly to protect your tablet. $70 each; shop.moleskine.com

4. SHARP SOUND I can’t hear you; I’ve got a pencil in my ear! $30 each; mollaspace.com

5. HOMEWORK HELPER This uber-affordable Android netbook has a 10.1-inch touchscreen and a full-size keyboard and comes loaded with OfficeSuite Pro 6. $170; archos.com

6. WEATHER OR NOT Keep your laptop safe from the elements with a water-resistant cover. From $24.99 each; shopstudioc.com

7. BRUSH ON Pair a stylus with an app like Brushes (free on iTunes), and turn any touchscreen into a canvas. $49.95; hammacher.com

8. IT’S A SNAP A tiny remote for your iPhone camera shutter ensures you’re always in the picture. $24.99 each; hisypix.com

9. MAKING FACES Liven up your iPod case with a variety of facial components. $24.99; griffintechnology.com

tech smart

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fashion forward1. HAPPY SACK A handle and back straps let you wear this on your back or carry it as a tote. Candies for Kohls, $60 each; kohls.com

2. HEAD GEAR These all-cotton headbands have the right amount of stretch with none of the ouch. $11 each or $29.50 for three; houseofmia.com

3. EASY FEET Stylish looks with slip-on comfort. Arizona houndstooth slip-on sneakers, $29.99; jcpenney.com

4. COLD COMFORT A soft sherpa lining gives these hoodies extra warmth. $33–$39 each; landsend.com

5. ANIMAL INSTINCT An insulated interior keeps food fresh; a water-resistant exterior is easy to clean. $12.95; childrensplace.com

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TOTES!Stylish patterns make it cool to BYO lunch.

RIGHTSIZE ITAdjustable straps let you carry the pack strain-free.

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6. THEY’RE THE BOMB Kids will live in these super-soft quilted bomber jackets. Cherokee for Target, $22.99 each; target.com

7. QUICK CHANGE Mix-and-match straps on these lightweight sneaks swap out to complement any outfit. Shoes, $54.95; additional straps, $4.95; goplae.com

8. CAP IT OFF Pink plaid gives this topper a flap-tastic feminine twist. $30; sandiegohat.com

9. GOT YOU COVERED The ultimate multitasker, the Jordan fleece hooded backpack is cool and comfy. $75; eastbay.com

10. SHOE-IN Your little guy will fit right in with these camo kicks. $25; oldnavy.com

11. SLAP HAPPY Brightly hued and water-resistant, these watches go on with the flick of a wrist. $40 each; winkydesigns.com n

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SWITCH IT UPThe clock face pops out and into new straps ($10 each) in a rainbow of colors.

PADDED SELLFlorals and dots soften a rugged classic.