Cool Design in the Back-to-School Space

From Mead, the school-supply company, come these very stylish notebooks.

The pinky one ($5) is from their Earth 2 Jane line and features a transforming binder that, with its handles deployed, becomes a funky purse.

The other's got big fat elastic straps to put stuff under.

It's called the Lax and costs $2-$4, depending on size.

Both are said to be available at Rite-Aid stores everywhere, according to Holly E. Thomas and Michelle Thomas's "Sunday Shopper" feature in the August 20 Washington Post.

The crack research team couldn't find an online trace of either one, which is why I'm sending you out on a rare foray into the real world.

Sorry about that.