Cool hat, yo.

This is me in September of the year I headed to ninth grade, in my de rigeur pleated jeans and Swatch watch. (And is that a pink scrunchie on my wrist? I do believe it is.) The above shot is a pretty good encapsulation of what I wore to every single first day of school for the entirety of my life (minus the hat, which I think I was wearing because it was 1994): some variation on the white shirt/blue jeans combo, because for whatever reason that pairing has always made me feel like I look like myself. And when you’re all jittery about the prospect of meeting new people and walking new hallways and learning new things, it can help to feel comfortable in your own skin (or in your own clothing, as it were).

Which brings me to this: after many years of barely even noticing when September rolled around, I have returned to the Back To School era of my life. I had a back-to-school parent conference the other day, because our son started preschool last week (well, it’s technically the same place he went to camp all summer, but apparently the curriculum changes once fall starts so it’s a whole new thing. A parent-teacher conference-requiring thing.) Do you know how extremely ancient and responsible going to parent-teacher conferences makes me feel? Very.

In stores now: a new collaboration between Ellen Degeneres' new lifestyle brand, ED, and GapKids, an apparel collection with limited-edition pieces for both boys and girls (including the sweatshirt, t-shirt and pants Indy's wearing). The collection is centered around the images of a lightning bolt, which symbolizes empowerment, and speech bubble you see on this sweatshirt, which symbolizes #GapKidsxED's dedication to encouraging girls everywhere to express themselves, no matter who they are or what they love to talk about and think about and do. (The line is focused on empowering girls, but includes pieces for boys and adults as well.) Included in the GapKidsxED collection: everything from shoes to backpacks to denim jackets (and, in keeping with the focus on individuality, many of the pieces can be personalized with iron-on patches, fabric markers and chalk).

My personal favorite piece: the DIY T-Shirt Set pictured above, which comes in a box with a set of washable markers and functions as wearable art (and self-expression), and makes a great gift that celebrates personal style in a fun – and literal – way.

See that?

That is the HAPPIEST BABY IN THE WORLD.

I mean, our daughter's always a bit of a grinner, but last night both she and Indy had what might have been the time of their lives. We met our friends and their friends (who are now our friends) - all of whom have multiple kids, so we had a pack of about eight of them - for live music at a place called Jack Rose (technically a bar, but the most family-friendly one ever), and it was the BEST. For all involved.

 Exaggerating zero when I say that this chandelier (which is HUUUUUGE and RIDICULOUSLY cool-looking) has completely made our living room. If you have a space that needs a style kick and are looking to invest a little $ (but actually a very reasonable amount for a light fixture, because those things can get crazy-pricey), highly recommend this one.

 Joey Fatone's Letter To One Direction: 'Everything Is About To Be Terrible' (via Above Average) is HYSTERICAL. (Also it's not real. It was more fun when I thought it was, but that's okay: still hysterical.)

 To all my friends with whom I tried to schedule drinks pre-New York departure (and all my friends generally): I am Vermont’s heroin epidemic multiplied by Bill Cosby. (Let's Get Drinks, via The New Yorker.)

Meet my new favorite fragrance.

For years and years I wore Bond No. 9's Nuits de Noho exclusively - it was my "thing" - and then I went all rogue and started playing with rose perfumes and scents I found at Renaissance Faires and such. I love the idea of having a "signature" fragrance, but since I don't know how to track down Robin Hood to make him sell me more Gemini oil, I've been looking for something really different and special. Something I love.

Found it.