end-of-summer entertaining

While the weather this week is certainly fall-like, I'm in denial that it's back-to-school time! Classes at the University of Iowa—my alma mater—kicked off yesterday, which makes me reminisce. It honestly feels like another life that I walked along College Street, through the ped mall and past Panchero's to EPB and Adler for lectures. Where did the summer (and five years) go?!

If you're hitting the books this semester, The Container Store is the holy grail for all things dorm, storage, bath, lockers & lunches. That's a no-brainer. But for my fellow young professionals for whom academia is a fading memory, this time of year is about last-blast bashes before summer sputters out, and, of course, sprucing up the apartment for the guests. These endeavors may not require the classic plastic bins that are the face of TCS, but still, a certain degree of organization that the tidy retailer recognizes—and nails.

Below, shop a handful of products I plan to pick up in preparation for some end-of-season celebrating. If you're also in the mood to party, use code TCSLOVE now through Saturday, 8/29, to take 15% off your next online or in-store purchase! Shop all here.

1| Fridge Binz Wine Holder 2 | Herringbone Bamboo Trays 3 | Chalkboard Place Card Holder Stands

4 | Glass Refrigerator Pitchers 5 | Microfiber Filament Duster 6 | Lotus Acrylic Bowls 

7 | Weekly Glass Magnetic Dry Erase Board—plan grocery and errand runs before the event
8 | Converge POP Charging Station—juice everyone's phones before going out later!

9 | Marble Artisan Journal—list-making doesn't get more elegant 10 | Giara Water Bottle—filled with water or flowers, these are a pretty way to decorate the table—I'd use one color for a consistent look. 11 | Fridge Binz Soda Can Organizer 12 | Glass Slant Jar—pour Swedish Fish and M&Ms into a few of these for an easy dessert bar 13 | Stackable Square Glass Containers—fill with pistachios or cashews for pre-dinner snacking