So, today I am 100% better. No vertigo at all. Let’s hope I’ve seen the backside of that FOREVER!

I’m ready to get back to normal, back to work and back to my lovely home office. I do believe that I *need* some of these lovely paper/office themed goodies that I cam crushing on. sigh.

happy tape dispenser

Crazy talk, you here me? CRAZY talk! I need at lead 10,000 of these letterpress cards from Creativity.

A girl needs a tote to cart her papers and such around…from Anthro.

I love to stamp things….it makes me feel important. From Norajane.

And, I always need new notebooks and could be better than a fairy tale themed notebook? Not much, I tell you. From Hide N Seek.

I love cute stuff—as if you couldn’t tell from reading this blog—and I know you love cute stuff too—you are reading this blog after all—so here’s some of the cutest back to school goodies I could find.

1. Pencil pouch from Julie Meyer 2. Eco-friendly pencils from Write With Moie

3. Apple magnets from Honey Pie Tree 4. Lunch bag from The Pattypan Shop

5. Bunting pillowcases from Katherine J. Lee 6. Headbands from Looking 4 Lily

7. Bookplates from Whimsy Whimsical 8. Doily notebook from Twiggs’ Designs

9. Embroidered re-usable lunch bag from Blue Roo 10. Fabric pushpins from Yum Yum Buttons

11. Pencil pouch from Toyko Inspired 12. Library card notebooks from Crab Apple

Well, I’m glad that’s over—Hurricane Irene, that is. I hope every one of you made it through the storm okay…yourselves, your families and your property. The Indie Fixx family is totally fine, if just still a little sleep deprived. I never want to have to go through a direct hit of a hurricane, and certainly not anything stronger than a Category 1, after going through that mere glancing we got. Ugh.

This week, there’s a different kind of event going on….it’s time for my annual Back to School Guide. Every year, I put together a Guide of all kinds of back to school goodies for students from preschoolers to college-aged  as well as those among us who still love buying back to school supplies even though we’ve been out of school for a long time.

Today’s edition is the Varsity Edition and features fun stuff for college kids, both to outfit themselves and their dorms.

1.clipboard bandolier from  Clever Hands 2. leather journal from Moon Bindery

3. Lousiana state pillow from Love Cali 4. e-reader cover from Moliop

5. e-reader case from Roque Theory 6. drawstring  backpack from Packs and Totes

7. i-phone cozy from Yummy Pocket 8. linocut print from Monster Gallery

9. peace sign decor from Sweet Zoe Love 10.”I’m on a Boat” pillowcases from Royal Kane

11. it’s not that far really postcard set from Rar Rar Press 12. magnetic chalkboard from Redefound

Hi! I’m Danny Brito, an Illustrator living in Miami, Florida. I’m going to be doing a regular guest blog post over here on Indie Fixx for a while. I’m going to be bringing you some of my favorite finds whether they are from other artists or just great thrifted items that I’ve found. No theme, just going with it! Hope you enjoy what I’m currently crushing on.

I’ve been really into Industrial vintage pieces lately, I just began redesigning my craft fair table set up to be more industrial than the kitschy nature of my current set up. I tend to get carried away when looking for items so these are my dream items I’d love to have.

First up are these metal stencil letters, they would look so sweet hung up on the wall or even just used as what they’re made for, stenciling letters.

I have been drooling over this metal flat file drawer unit, it would be perfect for an artist to keep originals or prints safe and sound.

Industrial vintage doesn’t have to be metal, this a fabulous wooden 8 drawer card catalog from the early 1900s, it’s in lovely condition. I would probably keep art supplies like pencils, brushes, and markers. It’s perfect because the drawers could be pulled out and popped onto the desk so I could have easy access to the supplies inside.

I totally love that this filing cabinet has different types of drawers and compartments, perfect for people who make different types of things and need lots of storage, I would probably keep small spray paint cans in the little door compartment.

This sewing thread display is maybe my favorite piece in this post, the shape is kind of like it came right off an antique airplane, I think it would be perfect for anyone who has lots of sewing thread and want’s an visually appealing display that also functions well.

Now for something a little more decor oriented than function or storage, this is wire cage pendant lamp from a farm house, I would hang it right above my desk for an extra light source while working on drawings.

I love industrial metal chairs, but industrial metal that is painted is even better. I love the color of this drafting chair and the way the wooden stool looks with it. You’d obviously need a drafting table for this one because it’s so tall, but it’s a lovely piece of functioning furniture.

This antique German typewriter is so gorgeous, and it still functions properly! The filigree is so lovely, it’s still very vibrant considering it’s from the 1940s.

This is a pretty cool solution for a desk lamp, it’s not your average light source. It swivels up and down as well, it’d be perfect for a drawing light source.

This  industrial tandem shell chair bench would be a visually pleasing answer to more seating in my studio. I often find I have friends come over to collaborate or just hang out and they end up having to sit on my bed because I really only have a work chair for myself.

I’m an absolute sucker for metal storage boxes, I have a few for old photos and even use one for art prints. This is a set of four industrial metal storage boxes are super reasonably priced, it’s like an instant collection.

Well I hope you guys enjoyed this look into my obsession with industrial vintage, next time you go thirfting, don’t over look the metal baskets or old lamps, they can easily add a touch of industrial and vintage functionality into your work space.

- Danny Brito is  an illustrator living in Miami, Florida. He writes the Currently Crushing column. Read more about him on the contributors’ page.

1. Embroidered Paper Magnetic Bookmark from  is five
2. Library Card Notebooks from the Packagery
3. Paper Covered Pencils from Design*Sponge
4. Dry Erase Board from Paper ‘n Stitch
5. Heart Paperclips from How About Orange
6. Magazine Organizer from Martha Stewart
7. Cute Clips from The Fabric Bar
8. How To School Lunch Bag from the Purl Bee
9. iPhone holder pattern from Flossie Teacakes
10. Matching laptop pattern
11. Printable Mini File Folders and Labels from Vale Design
12. Pink Eraser USB Flash Drive by Fungus Amungus on Instructables

More fun goodies from the Back to School Guide 2010. Today’s collection was created by Molly of Charlotte’s Fancy. Love what she came up with. I think I *need* that iPhone case…but for my Droid.

1. iPhone case in Graphite Wool Felt and Black Leather / $24 / Byrd & Belle
2. Chipmunk Holding an Acorn Black Canvas Belt / $16 / BubbleDog
3. Homework Pencil/Schedule Pocket / $28.50 / Present & Correct
4. Bright Booklet Set / $14, set of 4 / Orange Beautiful
5. Vintage Cotton Song Bird Hoodie in Charcoal / $64 / Anna Joyce
6. Monkey Snack Sacks / $15, set of 10 / Bee Things:

7. Girl Pocket Mirror / $6 / Blanca Gomez/cosas minimas:
8.Cafeteria Tray Print / $14 / Mrs. Loaf
9. Know It All No. 2 Pencil Set / $11 / Paper Pastries
10. 07:00AM Plastic Watch / $39 / May 28^t
11. Organic Lunch Tote With Apple / $15.99 / BebelooshMini:
12. Spaceman Messenger Bag for Little Kids / $35 / Mee a Bee

I love back to school time. Even though I haven’t been in school in more than a few years, I love back to school supplies, decor & fashion. That’s why, every year I put together a back to school guide ( you can see previous guides here). This year was no different and I even had a little help from some of my friends. Every day this week, and into next week, I will be sharing back to school goodies for big & little kids for those who are actually going back to school and those of us who are still stuck back in 2nd grade with our tapper keepers!

Kicking off the Back to School Guide 2010 is Christen from Letter Happy. I love Christen’s fun screenprinted tees, cards, print & more (especially the do what you love what you do print). xoxo – Jen

1. Modular Messenger / $37 / bayanhippo. I’m loving these new Modular Messenger bags from bayanhippo. So roomy, with four oversized pockets to fit all your gadgets!

2. Handmade Pencils / $11.35 / MissIsaau. Who says school supplies have to be boring? Pick up some of these unique, pretty pencils from MissIsa!

3. Personalized Sorority Pendant / $35 / Chipmunk Hollow. Show your sorority pride with these personalized pendants from Chipmunk Hollow. Not a sorority girl? You can also have them personalized with your school’s initials and colors!

4. Eco Friendly Vegan Linen Flat / $38 / extraseed. Walking across campus doesn’t have to give you blisters! Look good and be comfortable in these eco-friendly flats from extraseed. So many colors and patterns to choose from!

5. Squirrel Tee / $24 / flytrap. Now that you’re done with those terrible high school uniforms, express yourself with some cute and comfy tees. I’m especially loving this adorable squirrel design from flytrap.

6. Collage Tshirt Dress / $42 / TheSisCrew. I just discovered the unique collage tshirt dresses from TheSisCrew, and I absolutely love them! A comfortable, yet stylish way to dress up for class.. especially if you’re trying to catch the eye of that cute boy that sits next to you!

7. Three Magical Notebooks / $67 / celestefrittata. Having a hard time staying awake in that boring math class? Scribble your notes in one of celestefrittata’s handbound notebooks and pretend you’re at Hogwarts taking Potions or Care of Magical Creatures instead!

8. Mini Goals Chalkboard / $35 / Mary Kate Mcdevitt. For those days when an ordinary to-do list just won’t do! These supercute chalkboards from Mary Kate McDevitt sure get me in the mood to accomplish my daily goals!

9. Fabric Bunting Banner Decoration / $32 / The Merriweather Council. The Merriweather Council has wonderful fabric buntings available for sale.. perfect for that hard-to-decorate dorm room or apartment!

10. Sweet Potted Fabric Plant / $30 / Jane Joss. Let’s be honest, you probably don’t have the time to go to class, have a social life, and take care of a real potted plant at the same time. This fabric alternative from Jane Joss is the perfect way to add a little pop to a drab corner.

11. Vintage Long Framed Mirror / $26 / tawnillia. Dorm rooms aren’t exactly known for their size.. this repurposed vintage long frame mirror will fit on any small wall.

12. Vintage 1960’s Desk Organizer / $25 / sevenbc. Space is an ever-constant issue in a college dorm room, so this vintage desk organizer from sevenbc is perfect. It has four compartments, but stacks up neatly and won’t take up too much desk area.

I’ve narrowed in down to 15 possibilities and I need your help in deciding.

Take a look at all the choices and choose what you think would look best or offer up a different suggestion. The color on the walls is Behr’s Reflecting Pool. It’s Gray with a purplish tint.

1. Scene in Lavender by Etsuko Furuya at Phat Fabric
2. Turquoise Hive by Patty Young at J Caroline Creative
3. Andrea Pink from Wonderfluff
4. Grassy Plain by Etsuko Furuya at Phat Fabric
5. Ivory Fiona Floral by Anna Griffin at J Caroline Creative
6. Totem by Summersville
7. Field of Dreams in Sky by Lecien at Hawthorne Threads
8. Lace Fans in Robins Egg by Ink & Spindle
9. Woodland Creatures in Blue by Etsuko Furuya at Hawthorne Threads
10. Spring Flowers by Kobayashi at Purl Shoho
11. Anniko Metro by Daisy Janie
12. Colt Circles in Sand by Skinny Laminx
13. Mum Mustard by Swanky Swell
14. Butterfly Jubilee by Mod Green Pod
15. Bye Bye Blackbird by Kokka at Hawthorne Threads

Which one do you like for my office? You can choose more than one fabric.

poll by twiigs.com