It’s back-to-school time. For many parents that means a welcome break. For Bostonians that means the college students are back to fill up the city. For almost all of us, it’s a time that reminds us to get back to work after a summer respite.

It’s also a time to take stock of things you need, regardless of your relationship to school. Rejuvenate your wardrobes, organize your closet, reorganize your desks, and fill up on supplies to just get things done for a new season. It’s a great excuse to buy the items you actually like — that are as style-wise as they are practical. Think: cute pens, notebooks, and sassy backpacks.

Here are a few suggestions to kick your incredible fall season of productivity off right.

Taking Notes: Who needs a standard solid-color spiral when there are so many glorious, colorful, and patterned options out there? I’m talking about the Stitched Notebook Set ($18 for 3 on riflepaperco.com), a set of differently patterned, full-color books with stitched binding, gold foil accents, and 64 ruled pages each. Patterns range from beautiful garden creatures and fantastical florals to ethereal hydrangeas and enchanted forests.

Just as inspiring is the Tropical Escape Hardcover Notebook ($28 on papier.com), with its absolutely gorgeous cover — a deep turquoise background, covered in bright yellow pineapples, toucans, bananas, ginger plants, and nautilus shells. You can personalize and change the title on the front cover and make the journal’s purpose into whatever you like.

Not quite a notebook but rather a notepad, is the super adorable Mid Century Modern Eames Atomic Starbursts Custom Notepad ($10.88 on zazzle.com). The happy design of starburst, by Wise Owl Whimsies, will have you taking down numbers, making shopping lists, and passing messages to family and co-workers with a smile.

Pens: Let the ink — and the thoughtful writing — flow with the flower-festooned Gel Pen Set ($18 on riflepaperco.com). The set of 4 retractable gel pens, called “Garden Party,” is not just beautiful, but makes note-taking a whole lot brighter.

Lovers of pets and all things cute will want to stock up on the Japanese Cartoon Cat Gel Pens ($3.99 on kawaiipenshop.com). The adorable cat-centric designs will elicit a smile every time you pick one up.

If colorblocking is a big thing in your wardrobe, then keep the theme going with the Livework Point Pen ($3.99 on shop.mochithings.com). It’s a 0.5mm black-ink pen with a comfortable grip for writing. But above all, it’s incredibly fun to look at, what with its mixed colors like Prussian blue, apple green, saffron pink, and vermillion.

For some projects, when underlining your notes and projects just won’t cut it, you just need a highlighter. But that doesn’t mean it needs to be the same old, same old. A key example: Bright Ideas Mini Highlighters ($14 for 4 on papier.com). In bright hues ranging from sunny yellow to lime green.

Backpacks: For the grown-up version, numbers like Tumi’s Just In Case Backpack ($150 on tumi.com) come to mind. It’s a lightweight but very structured design that also folds flat, to become completely packable.

Also very packable but also style-elevated is design house Longchamp’s Le Pliage Nylon Canvas Backpack ($145 on nordstrom.com). Made of sleek nylon and trimmed in leather, it’s equal parts backpack and cute day bag. It’s water-resistant lining means you can put your most important papers (and most precious makeup) in it without fear.

And how about a sassy-but-practical briefcases to throw into that mix? The Sombre Vintage Briefcase ($56 on ecosusi.com) is a perfect mix of refinement and elegance and fun. Another masterclass in colorblocking, its contrasting colors and vegan materials feature gold-tone hardware. It fits all kinds of file folders, makeup bags, and has detachable and adjustable shoulder straps that can be converted from a shoulder bag to a handbag — or yes, a backpack.

Thank you cards: After a long and beautiful summer, there’s surely a lot to be thankful for. Make sure you express yours with panache. I’ve got a current favorite with a stunning design: the Hummingbird Garden Thank You Card Set ($25.50 on papersource.com). I love that it’s ornate yet so lovely and simple at the same time — and is reminiscent of a spectacular summer.

Japanese Cartoon Cat Gel Pens ( Photo kawaiipenshop.com)
The Tropical Escape Hardcover Notebook (Photo papier.com)
The Hummingbird Garden Thank You Card Set. (Photo papersource.com)