Company Memo: Back-to-School Mantra, Book Lists, and Late Night Laughs

With all mom minds on back-to-school checklists, Lorae brings us the Company Memo with worthwhile reads, easy meal inspiration, and late night laughs for everyone needing a little respite this weekend.

 

 

Read: Wonder by R.J. Palacio

If you’ve been a mom for any length of time, your child has likely participated in a summer reading program. This week, Business Insider published a list of classic children’s book recommendations that are perfect for getting those reading logs fulfilled before school starts. I have begun reading alongside my rising fourth grader so I can understand the content of some of the current books, like Wonder by R.J. Palacio. I highly recommend this empathic story sure to open up some very valuable conversations. It has now been adapted into a movie starring Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson to be released in November.

Want: Starfish Project

Starfish Project is another one of my stumbled upon finds. The company provides care programs for women escaping human trafficking and exploitation, and offers them a vested stake in vocational training, healthcare, education grants, shelter and counseling. The Aubrey necklace first attracted me to their jewelry line, but there is so much more to love. How you choose between Avery or Kyle? The item description explains what each purchase means for women carving out new lives for themselves. Invest in a piece and know that you are not only brightening your world, but someone else’s too.

Need: IKEA Poster Meals

Now that I’m living the city life again, I have renewed my love for IKEA, but this takes ease and creativity for weeknight meals to the next level. IKEA is rolling out a test of what they call poster meals—parchment papers with fill-in-the-blank food measurements written with food safe ink. Once measured, twist the parchment paper into a tight bundle and place in the oven for baking. IKEA is doing what they do best: bringing minimalism and simplicity into every area of life.

Watch: Camp Winnipesaukee

As the school year draws near, I’ve been trying to roll back our collective bedtimes, but this week’s clip from The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon kept me up too late. Jimmy and Justin’s longstanding bromance has entertained us for years, but when you add in Keegan-Michael Key and Billy Crystal, you are in for a real laugh. After watching, I’m thinking I may need a whistle!

Inspiration: Back-to-School Mantra

My two daughters and I have been talking a lot about going into the school year with an open Mindset. There is much to be learned from this perspective. Here’s hoping we all start the school year on the right foot!

Our back-to-school mantra:

If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don’t;
If you think you’d like to win, but you can’t;
It’s almost a “cinch” you won’t;
if you think you’ll lose, you’ve lost;
For out in the world you’ll find
Success begins with a fellow’s will-
It’s all a state of mind.
Full many a race is lost
Ere even a race is run.
And many a coward fails
Ere even his work’s begun.
Think big and your deeds will grow,
Think small and you will fall behind.
Think that you can and you will;
It’s all a state of mind.
If YOU think you are outclassed, you are;
You’ve got to think high to rise;
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
you can even win a prize.
Life’s battle doesn’t always go
To the strongest or the fastest man;
But sooner or later the man who wins,
Is the fellow who thinks he can.
-Author Unkown