THE MOMS Back To School Picks

From decorating a dorm room to shopping for the hottest fall fashions, THE MOMS co-founder Melissa Gerstein has some awesome finds that get your kids excited to start the school year, plus some tips that'll help save you time and money

From the LifeMinute Team

July 31, 2015

Whether they're kicking off junior high or headed off to college, getting ready for the new school year is an exciting time for both students and parents. Picking up a few key fashion pieces and creating a dorm that's cute and comfortable are always at the top of the list. Here, mom-pert Melissa Gerstein, co-founder of the THE MOMS shares some amazing fashion, dcor and beauty finds.

1. H&M Back To School Collection

"From top trends to sustainable separates and transitional staples, H&M has it all. For girls it's all about faux leather and suede jackets, chunky knitwear and denim. For boys, the cool downtown feel with playful pops of color--plaid button-downs, graphic tees and sweatshirts paired with padded bomber jackets and, of course, high top sneakers," she says. Money-saving tip: Donate any old or unwanted clothing to any H&M store and get 15% off your entire purchase.

2. Bed, Bath & Beyond Dorm Room Essentials

To stock up on college bedding, shelving and other home-away-from-home necessities, Gerstein heads to Bed, Bath & Beyond. "Of course, the bed is the most important part of the dorm room. First, build a better bed with a layer of support like a mattress topper. Then use a mattress pad. Next, add a personal touch with a bedding dorm kit that has everything needed to make the bed, packed into a laundry bag. And college dorm rooms are notorious for being small, so bring extra shelving. Reversible cube grids and bins are an easy solution to organize belongings, plus, they add a splash of great color," she says. Timesaving tip: Use the store's Pack & Hold service. "Students can shop for all of their dorm room items at a store near home, and then have everything ready to pick up at a store near their campus," she says.

3. Limited-Edition Bior Deep Cleansing Pore Strips

Oil-slicked skin, blackheads and breakouts are a teen's worst nightmare. To make sure your kids face the new school year blemish-free, stock up on Boir Deep Cleansing Pore Strips. "These strips contain bonding agents that work like a magnet, locking on to and lifting out deep down grime, oil and blackheads from your pores. In just ten minutes, they'll minimize the appearance of your pores, revealing a healthier, younger-looking complexion," says Gerstein. For a limited time, they come in a fun and playful graphic prints, perfect for piquing a young adult's interest in taking better care of her skin.

4. Keurig 2.0 K250 Brewing System

This convenient coffee maker is the perfect dorm room addition because it's designed for smaller spaces. "The brewer comes in a wide range of unique colors that add a pop of color to any dorm room, including Orange Zest, Sandy Pearl, Violet, and Turquoise. It has more than 500 beverages from 75 brands that college students know and love--Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts and Snapple," says Gerstein. Timesaving tip: Get one for yourself too. "It also helps cut down your morning routine since it's the first Keurig to not only make a single cup of coffee, but also a four cup carafe with the touch of a button," she says.

Sponsored