'Sweet Magnolias' Star JoAnna Garcia Swisher Shares Her Family's Back-to-School Essentials

One of the sweet things JoAnna loves to do for her daughters is to write them notes in their lunchboxes. So, it makes sense why she loves using these during the school year.

"We use Super Sticky Notes everywhere," she says. "From my lunchbox love notes to my girls to making sure everything that's in my head [gets written down]. There's nothing more satisfying than that."

Post-it's 100% Recycled Paper Super Sticky Notes were also featured in the Good Housekeeping Institute's 2024 Sustainable Innovation Awards.

The actress prefers to be "low key on the makeup" when it comes to her day-to-day routine, but she uses this drugstore pick when she's on-the-go.

"A little swipe of mascara to make me look like I'm in the land of the living is great," she jokes. "I mean, this actually is winning all of my makeup awards right now."

This particular product was one of 96 waterproof mascaras tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute, and was chosen as the best volumizing waterproof mascara in 2024.

JoAnna's daughters love to drink from their Owala water bottles while they go on family walks, but it's also a must-have on their back-to-school lists. The actress notes that there's a lot more to it than just holding water.

"A very big deal as part of our back to school is what the water bottles are going to look like," she laughs. "She has to match to the backpack and the things that cover the straw are a very big deal!"

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Another essential item for JoAnna's daughters? These on-the-go hand sanitizer sprays, which are perfect for all their school activities.

"I love that it's always tucked into the backpack," she says. "It's definitely something they're very into and we cut down on the germs as much as we can."

Touchland is featured on the GH Institute's list of the best hand sanitizers, where Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann notes that she especially loves the unique packaging design.

While JoAnna admits she "runs a little cold" while working on set, she's found the perfect solution by keeping this beside her in between takes.

"It's like my lovey, even if it's hot outside," she says about her favorite robe. "I bring it just to make my chair a little bit more comfortable."

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JoAnna admits "life can get pretty busy" for her family, adding that "we're really big into smoothies and making sure we're starting the day off right." Her daughters love the mixed berry flavor of this probiotic powder, which she adds to smoothies for them to get "added nutrition."

"This is not just a part of my mom life. I always have one of these a day just to make sure I'm getting all the good stuff," JoAnna explains.

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JoAnna's robe isn't the only thing she keeps with her on set. She also loves to have this self-heating mug on hand, declaring, "it's one of my favorite things."

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JoAnna says her kids are obsessed with using Scotch Magic Tape in school, especially for labeling. "I love that they can put in on their textbooks, make little notes, annotations — all of those types of things," she says. "I'm surprised I haven't been labeled at some point and drawn on."