C Wilsin

I love my cats. They are the sweetest little roommates who don't pay rent, routinely scream at 3 a.m., and legally own my soul. They make me incredibly happy, and in a desperate bid to win their fleeting approval, I’ve compiled this list. Here are some quirky items that would actually make your cats smile—assuming they have emotions other than pure, judgment-filled apathy.

By day, I'm a 5th-grade teacher. By paycheck, I'm...well...a 5th-grade teacher. My clothing budget is more "Clearance rack" than "designer capsule wardrobe." I need clothes that look put together for work but can also survive sitting crisscross on the classroom floor, getting up without sounding like a bowl of Rice Krispies, and chasing down a group of 10-year-olds. My feet would also appreciate not feeling like they've run a marathon by dismissal. Fashion has never really been my thing. Comfort is. If I can look like I have my life together while secretly feeling like I'm wearing pajamas, that's the dream. Follow me and check back for more deals!

Back-to-school season is basically teacher boot camp—with fewer push-ups and way more laminating. While I can't make lesson planning disappear or magically answer "Do we have homework?" for the hundredth time, I can make your classroom a place you actually enjoy walking into. This list goes beyond the usual teacher must-haves. You'll find budget-friendly classroom staples mixed with clever, unexpected finds that were never meant for classrooms—but work like a charm. (Don't worry, there are still a few classic teacher favorites in the mix, too.) Your wallet—and your classroom—will thank you.