It’s back to school week! Even though it’s been four years since I left education, I always see the first week of September as the start of a new term, and I don’t think I’m alone. It’s a time for buying stationery, tidying my desk, and making pledges to myself about being more organised this academic year.

Interestingly, I’ve learned a new concept listening to Radio 1 this morning. It’s called ‘Gossip Day’, where lots of schools make today (Friday 5 September) the first day back, and barely even attempt an assembly or lessons. It’s just a day to catch up after the summer holidays, before the real school term resumes on Monday. Oh, how I wish this could be transferred into corporate life. Imagine if offices throughout Britain shut down on 5 September, just so that we could catch up with friends, and have a good gossip about everything that’s happened over the summer.

Sadly, school really is well and truly behind me now, and that just ain’t going to happen. It’s still not going to stop me from popping out to buy some scented gel pens, because there’s nothing like my writing smelling of strawberries to gee me up for a new school year.

Clockwise from top left

Signo scented gel pens, available on Amazon, £9.99 for a set of ten
Leather avocado backpack, Avery Studio, $290
Origami notepaper set, Lollipop Designs, £9.50 for a set of ten
Moleskin passions recipe journal, Moleskin Shop, £17.99
Hokke mackerel split fish pencil case, Japan Trend Shop, $55
‘Mothers Secret Recipes’ double-sided business cards, Moo.com, £10.99 for 50