Latine-Made Items to Shop This Back-to-School Season
Back-to-School Checklist: 12 Latine-Made Items Adults Will Want This Fall, Too
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Back-to-school season is here, and shopping from Latine-owned brands for trendy notebooks, pens, planners, notepads, laptop accessories, and other supplies has never been easier. Latine entrepreneurs have created high-quality and affordable office supplies, home goods, and accessories infused with inspirational and fun elements of Latine heritage.
To help you stand out from your peers, we curated a list of 12 Latine-made back-to-school essentials that adults will also want to get their hands on. Our selection includes aesthetic sticky notes, a motivational undated planner to organize your life, a set of dopamine-inducing glitter pens to write your notes in style, a dust-proof laptop keyboard cover, a mouse pad, and so much more. Check out the whole list ahead, starting at just $8.
Zameena Mejia is a Dominican American freelance writer born and raised in New York City. She is passionate about storytelling and uplifting diverse voices in beauty, wellness, and Latinx lifestyle. Zameena holds a BA in journalism and Latin American studies from the State University of New York at New Paltz and an MA in business reporting from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism.
#1 Best Customizable Planner
Hija De Tu Madre Poco a Poco Undated Planner ($20, originally $40)
This planner from Hija De Tu Madre is perfect for anyone who needs a new agenda for the fall. The pink foil embossing on the front reading "Poco a poco" is a great reminder to take things day by day. If you struggle with filling up an entire planner, this undated planner allows you to skip months if needed. Unlike regular planners, this one includes colorful spaces to reflect and share gratitude.
What We Love:
- The spiral binding makes it easy to flip through the notebook without worrying about pages falling out.
- The lined and unlined pages make it easy to jot notes and doodle.
Who It's Best For:
- People who like using their planners for short-term and long-term planning will enjoy the monthly at-a-glance sections along with weekly sections for day-to-day planning.
The Details:
- 13 undated months
- 52 undated weeks
- 50 stickers
#2 Best Keyboard Cover
JZD Latina Power Keyboard Cover ($24)
If you have a Macbook, you can extend your laptop's life as long as possible by protecting the keyboard. JZD's Latina Power Keyboard Cover is a cute and easy way to protect your keyboard from dust, liquids, and wear over time.
What We Love:
- This silicone cover is pragmatic while infusing an inspiring "LATINA POWER" message on the space bar.
Who It's Best For:
- People who are constantly on the go and want to maximize protecting their laptops.
The Details:
- Silk printed to avoid any fading on your keyboard.
- Made for the last seven MacBook models.
#3: Best Mouse Pad
Very That Pink Concha Mouse Pad ($14)
Pan dulce on office supplies has never looked this delicious. This Pink Concha mouse pad from Very That is both nostalgic of sweet breads commonly found at your hometown bakery and quite practical if you use a mouse with your computer setup.
What We Love:
- The high-quality anti-slip rubber on the bottom ensures that this mouse pad will not move while you're using it.
Who It's Best For:
- People who work out of coffee shops and libraries can use this mouse pad to ensure their mouse can more easily and accurately track movements.
The Details:
- Approximately 8"x8".
- Made from anti-slip neoprene rubber with a polyester fabric top.
#4 Best Pen Set
Quiero Prints Buenas Vibras Pen Set ($19)
Whether you are heading to class or to work, take the good vibes wherever you go with these glittery pens from Quiero Prints. The set of three pens have inspiring phrases embossed on them like "Buenas vibras only," "manifest it mija," and "trust the universe."
What We Love:
- These pens look fancy, have a luxurious weight to them, and write in either black or blue ink, making them great for taking into meetings or displaying on the desk.
Who It's Best For:
- People who enjoy using their pens as conversation starters or who want a quick dopamine hit from the multicolor floating glitter.
The Details:
- Three black and gold ballpoint pens.
#5 Best To-Do Notepad
Sofi Arte Studio No Te Olvides Memo Pad ($10)
If you're someone who can never have too many to-do lists, this colorful notepad from Sofi Arte Studio is great. The rainbow gridlines make it easy to write your lists and check off tasks as you complete them. The bright flowers also make it easy to spot this notepad on your desk or in your bag.
What We Love:
- The smooth paper quality makes for a superior writing experience.
Who It's Best For:
- People who like physically writing down their to-do lists on visually interesting stationery. The Details:
- 4"x6" notepad
- 50 sheets
- 70 lb smooth, bright paper
#6 Best Notebook
Bodega Baby Jodona Blue Bundle Notebook ($29)
If you have ever been called a "jodona" as a kid, you're likely straightforward, tough, and outspoken. If that's the vibe you aim to carry throughout your work, this "Jodona" journal designed by Bodega Baby has got you covered. The airbrushed lettering also taps into today's revival of Y2K trends.
What We Love:
- This lined journal has a sturdy cover and is perfect for taking notes or writing while on the go.
Who It's Best For:
- Chatty go-getters who relate with being called a "jodona" can now boldly reclaim this title.
The Details:
- Notebooks are bound with black wire-o binding.
- 5.5" x 8.5".
- Features a 120 lb cover with soft-touch lamination, and 60 lb lined inside pages.
#7 Best Desk Trinket Tray
Bella Doña Give It All You Got - Trinket Tray ($40)
Instead of letting your paper clips, push pins, or jewelry lay strewn about on your desk, keep everything tidy in style with this Bella Doña trinket tray.
What We Love:
- It's also beautiful enough to be displayed on its own, with the encouraging message "Give It All You Got, Mija" written in Blackletter font as an ode to Los Angeles Chicano culture.
Who It's Best For:
- People who need a quick and easy place to store small items on their desks.
The Details:
- Measures 5" x 5.5".
- Made from handmade ceramic.
#8 Best Pencil Pouch
Artelexia In My Señora Era Zipper Pouch ($8)
Store your pens, pencils, highlighters, and other supplies in this canvas zipper pouch while proudly announcing to the world that you are in your "señora era."
What We Love:
- The compact size of this pouch makes it ideal for slipping into your bag or purse between classes or meetings.
Who It's Best For:
- People who want to keep all their writing tools in one place instead of throwing them into their bags.
The Details:
- 7" x 4"
- Material: Canvas
#9 Best Office Blanket
Valfré's Lily Woven Blanket ($78)
This woven tapestry blanket will help you survive summer's freezing-cold office temperatures and fall and winter's cooler temperatures. When you no longer use it, drape it on your bed or hang it from your wall to display it as art.
What We Love:
- This soft blanket is practical and whimsical.
Who It's Best For:
- People who run cold year-round and need to have a blanket within arms' reach at all times.
The Details:
- 68" x 48"
- Handcrafted with a cotton /polyester blend.
#10 Best Desk Candle
Bonita Fierce Abuelita's Bakery Candle ($34)
Fragrance has a powerful connection to memory, so if you feel homesick, grab Bonita Fierce's Abuelita's Bakery candle. With notes of saffron, caramelized sugar, sandalwood, and smoke, this candle will remind you of having pan dulce con cafecito with your family.
What We Love:
- If you're not allowed to light candles in your space, Bonita Fierce candles have a pleasant cold throw, which means they have a noticeable fragrance even while not lit.
Who It's Best For:
- People who enjoy having a fragrance near their desk for the scent and/or ambiance.
The Details:
- 8.5 oz. in a 13 oz. reusable glass vessel with a 50-60 hour burn time.
- Made with coconut soy wax.
- Paraben-free and phthalate-free with an FSC-certified wooden wick.
#11 Best Sticky Notes
JZD Un Día A La Vez Sticky Note Set ($14, originally $20)
It will feel like spring year-round with this pastel earth-toned sticky note set from JZD. Whether you're marking up documents, reading a book, or working on a list, this set covers all your needs.
What We Love:
- This set includes different-sized multicolored sticky notes all attached to one small board, making it easier to carry than a bunch of different individual sets of sticky notes.
Who It's Best For:
- Those who want to consolidate their sticky notes stash and have them easily accessible on their desk or on the go.
The Details:
- Includes 60 pages of each
- One lined notepad, 2.3" x 5.25"
- Four sets of sticky note tabs, 2.3' x 0.6"
- Three sets of sticky notes, 2.3" x 2.6"
- Full product dimensions: 6.1" x 7"
#12 Best Backpack
Cuyana's Leather Backpack 13-inch ($478)
This sleek leather backpack from Cuyana is surprisingly spacious and designed for people on the go. It has a built-in laptop sleeve and several pockets to organize charging cables, your phone, wallet, pens, and other supplies. The bag can be worn as a backpack or shoulder bag, making it easy to pair with any outfit.
What We Love:
- The versatility and high-quality leather makes this a bag that can last for years.
Who It's Best For:
- The busybody with a full day's worth of events who wants a sleek working bag that can match their day plans and evening plans.
The Details:
- H 13.3" x W 9.6" x D 7.2"
- Strap adjusts from 16.6" to 23.5 "
- External pockets: H 7.75 in. x W 8 in.
- Laptop sleeve H 12" x W 9.5" x D 0.75"
- Interior slip pocket: 9.5" x W 7.75"
