Back-to-school season is upon us and there is one thing a majority of parents believe (85%) – their child can express their unique style through their school supplies. Actress, producer, and lifestyle brand creator, JoAnna Garcia Swisher joined us to share her best tips and tricks for kicking off the new school year, inclusive of the latest and greatest from the two most iconic supply brands – Post-it and Scotch.

JoAnna Garcia Swisher knows her daughters hit the jackpot when it comes to their dad.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE about her partnership with Post-it® Brand and Scotch™ Brand for the launch of its ultimate all-in-one Back-to-School Countdown Kit, the mom of two, 44, opened up about watching her husband Nick Swisher parent their daughters Emerson Jay, 11, and Sailor Stevie, 8.

“It’s really sweet. That is something that I could get really emotional about. I was very, very, very close to my dad. He was the ultimate girl dad,” she says, appearing to choke up at the mention of her father, Jay Garcia, who died in 2019.

“So I know how important that role is in a young girl’s life.”

The Sweet Magnolias star calls Nick her daughters’ “number one fan” and “biggest hype man,” adding that he spends intentional time with them to get to know them as people, which is “such a gift.”

“I feel so grateful that I’m doing this with him and I feel grateful for my daughters,” JoAnna adds.

The Reba alum’s love for her own father was evident in an Instagram tribute she wrote to him after his death in 2019.

“There is no speech or Instagram tribute that could ever express the love I have for my father and the devastation I feel after losing him,” she wrote in the caption of a photo of her dad walking her down the aisle at her wedding to Nick in 2010. “But he deserves all the words, all the tributes, all the tears, and all the celebration.”

As for her secret to successfully parenting with Nick while staying connected in their nearly 14-year marriage, JoAnna tells PEOPLE that the key for them has been staying involved in each others’ careers.

“We prioritize each other’s dreams and just [try] to be kind to each other and give each other grace and know that it’s not always going to be perfect and easy and effortless,” she shares. “Life happens,and just being each other’s teammate is really important.”

Source: People

JoAnna Garcia Swisher can’t spill too many secrets about the upcoming season of Sweet Magnolias — but she wants you to get your margarita mix ready, because it’s going to be quite the journey.

“I believe, and I actually said it this morning about [season 4] — something happens in every episode and this season is really the greatest yet!” Garcia Swisher, 44, exclusively told Us Weekly while promoting her partnership with Post-it® Brand and Scotch™ Brand’s ultimate all-in-one Back-to-School Countdown Kit. “I feel like this season is really for the fans.”

Garcia Swisher portrays Maddie Townsend on the Netflix series, which premiered in 2020. The show follows Maddie and her lifelong BFFs, Dana Sue (Brooke Elliott) and Helen (Heather Headley), in the fictional South Carolina town of Serenity. Season 3 of the series, which hit Netflix in July 2023, saw the trio end on a happy note after facing some major conflicts in their friendship.

Season 4, which is expected to premiere sometime in 2025, will also feature Garcia Swisher stepping behind the camera for her directorial debut. The actress told Us it’s an “exciting” new chapter after decades in the industry — especially since she believes this will be the show’s best season yet, filled with all types of emotion.

“There are so many amazing fun moments that fans will love, but also a lot of tears, because its Sweet Magnolias there have to be tears,” she teased. “I’m so excited for the fans to see the next season, it’s very much a wild ride for everyone.”

Exactly how long fans will have to wait before finding out what elicits those strong emotions is unclear, but production on season 4 officially wrapped last month, leaving Garcia Swisher “a little emo” having to say a “bittersweet goodbye” to her cast and crew.

“There is a huge sense of accomplishment for all the hard work, crazy hours, and time spent bringing this story to life,” she wrote via Instagram alongside a photo with Elliot and Headley after her final day on set. “There is also an overwhelming sense of gratitude. The majority of our crew has been with us since the beginning. We have lived, loved, and laughed through a lot of life together. Even the newest members of our family have felt like we have known each other forever and they were that missing piece to making things just right.”

The Sweet Magnolias official Instagram page also confirmed the end of filming with a post of its own, sharing that the new batch of episodes will be “filled with love, laughter, tears, thrills, and many, many margaritas.”

For now, Garcia Swisher has plenty of other projects to focus on. She’s also the host of The Ultimatum: Queer Love, which premiered on Netflix in 2023. She’ll return for season 2 later this year, which will take place in Miami and feature both women and non binary people.

“I’m so involved and invested in these love stories,” she gushed to Us, teasing that the cast of the upcoming season are an “incredible” bunch. “I’m always blown away by the emotional intelligence and willingness to be there for the experience and understanding of the experience. I’ve really become part of every decision they make and the next cast really has some amazing people on it.”

The Reba alum joked that she was even told to “get it together” from production during season 1 after finding it hard to not get “emotionally invested” on camera. Although she said she thinks she’s “figured out” how to have a bit more of a stiff upper lip this year, fans will be even “more invested’ than ever before.

Balancing multiple jobs and thriving in her career is something Garcia Swisher doesn’t just do for herself, but for her two daughters, Emerson Jay, 9, and Sailor Stevie, 6, whom she shares with husband Nick Swisher.

“I feel that when I have to leave for work, it’s showing [my daughters] that their mom is a hard worker and passionate about her job,” she told Us, noting that she tries to “balance the guilt” of being a busy working mom “with teaching them to be passionate about their jobs.”

Helping Garcia Swisher balance all the craziness — especially with the kids going back to school in the next couple of months — is Post-it and Scotch Brand, which just announced its ultimate all-in-one Back-to-School Countdown Kit complete with tips and products to ease back into a routine, take upcoming school projects to new places, and conquer the year ahead.

From a pocket organizer to a “cool little calendar,” Garcia Swisher says the kit has every product parents need to build excitement as count down to a new school year.

“I’ve taken a new approach to back-to-school preparation this year. We’re starting early, getting organized, and having fun as we ease into the season,” she explained of her back to school tactics. “Just like all parents, I want to ensure the best for my family and be ready for whatever comes our way throughout the year. The Post-it and Scotch Brand Back-to-School Countdown Kit helps us achieve just that! It’s keeping us energized and focused – we’re making our lists, preserving our favorite summer memories, and setting new goals for the upcoming year.”

The mom of two added that she loves “anything” that can help a person “organize,” sharing that the Back-to-School Countdown Kit reminds her of her own days as a kid.

“I remember getting all the supplies and getting everything together and being excited and it’s great my girls can too,” she told Us. “My girls are both very organized humans and they love the planning and organization and getting ready for the school year. This kit has a countdown which is a tool we all really love.”

The Back-to-School Countdown Kit Giveaway kicks off Thursday, July 11, at 8 a.m. ET and closes Friday, July 19, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Source: Us Weekly

Sweet Magnolias recently wrapped production on its upcoming fourth season. And while fans wait in anticipation for its Netflix arrival, especially as it still hasn’t received an official premiere date, star JoAnna Garcia Swisher can assure it will be well worth the wait.

In fact, the Reba alum opens up to PEOPLE exclusively about why the upcoming installment is her favorite yet.

“I think that it’s a function of a lot of things,” says Garcia Swisher, 44, who is currently teaming up with Post-it® Brand and Scotch™ Brand for the launch of its ultimate all-in-one Back-to-School Countdown Kit. “First and foremost, a lot happens in season 4 — like, jaw-dropping moments. I also think that we know our characters so well. We’re so involved and in love with these stories, and I think that the fans also have that same sense of connection and being on this journey with us.”

Teasing what’s to come, Garcia Swisher notes that “this season isn’t without its inevitable swooping romance and beautiful moments and really tough, heartbreaking moments.”

“It’s got all of the Sweet Magnolias things, but it’s just in a package of pedal to the metal,” she continues. “There’s not just one or two things that happen this season. And literally, the first half of the season.”

Because of all the jam-packed action ahead, Garcia Swisher was admittedly caught by surprise. “I was trying to catch my breath when I was reading the scripts because at the end of every episode I was like, ‘What?'” she recalls.

“I feel like I was ready for that, in general, just having read the scripts,” she admits. “And then, when it all kind of came to pass and we actually made the show, I was like, ‘This is going to be insane.'”

Garcia Swisher confirmed in May that the cast had officially finished filming the Netflix hit’s fourth season. Though she will have to hold onto the secret plot points for a little while longer, the actress is keeping her mind preoccupied with her latest collaboration with Post-it® Brand and Scotch™ Brand.

Together, the actress and the legendary brands are striving to prove that working parents can conquer it all by using its all-in-one Back-to-School Countdown Kit, which is filled with 21 interactive projects and tips on how to ease back into a routine. It also includes products to help elevate school projects, allowing students to be fully prepared for the school year ahead.

Garcia Swisher, who shares her daughters Emerson Jay and Sailor Stevie with husband Nick Swisher, says it’s been “one of my most favorite partnerships because these are products that I love and use and area huge part of my daily life.”

“So when Post-it and Scotch Brand approached me about the back-to-school countdown kit that they had planned to help parents be prepared for back to school in a way that they were excited about and fun and get kids involved, I was like, yes, I am completely in,” she shares. “I got my Back-to-School Countdown Kit a little early, so I got to tear into it and enjoy it. It has this really great little calendar that literally is a countdown, that talks about different things that you could do to be prepared for back to school. Also, really fun projects using Post-it and Scotch Brand products that are some of our favorites. It’s a really great kit.”

From July 11 through July 19, a limited quantity of events will be available via the Post-it website.

Seasons 1-3 of Sweet Magnolias can be streamed on Netflix.

Source: People

Post-it® and Scotch™ Brand have teamed up with actress, producer, and lifestyle brand creator JoAnna Garcia Swisher to provide the ultimate all-in-one Back-to-School Countdown Kit complete with tips and products to ease back into a routine, take upcoming school projects to new places, and conquer the year ahead.

“I’ve taken a new approach to back-to-school preparation this year. We’re starting early, getting organized, and having fun as we ease into the season,” says Swisher. “Just like all parents, I want to ensure the best for my family and be ready for whatever comes our way throughout the year. The Post-it and Scotch Brand Back-to-School Countdown Kit helps us achieve just that! It’s keeping us energized and focused – we’re making our lists, preserving our favorite summer memories, and setting new goals for the upcoming year.”

The Back-to-School Countdown Kit is a desktop organizer that contains everything you need to gear up for the year ahead. It features 21 projects, activities, and all the Post-it and Scotch Brand products you need to build excitement as you count down to the big day:

• Countdown Calendar: The 21 featured projects can be done daily as outlined in the calendar or as however best supports your back-to-school preparation.
• Post-it Brand Products: An assortment of vibrant Post-it Notes in different, sizes, and colors – Post-it® 100% Recycled Super Sticky Notes, Post-it® Super Sticky Notes (Available in an array of colourful collections), and Post-it® Transparent Notes, Assorted Colors and clear.
• Scotch Brand Products: A pair of Scotch® Brand Scissors and a variety of Scotch Brand Tape: Scotch® Magic™ Tape, Scotch® Super-Hold Tape, Scotch® Double-Sided Tape, and Scotch® Wall-Safe Tape.

“We are thrilled to support parents and students as they set up for a successful back-to-school season,” says Heather Green, president, Consumer Business Portfolio at 3M. “We’re committed to offering ways to reinvent our products and provide solutions that make life a little easier — whether organizing, creating, or planning, it enables us to meet the needs of our consumers in impactful and meaningful ways. The collaboration of Post-it and Scotch Brand is another step in doing that, giving you the perfect duo to support your back-to-school needs and more.”

A limited number of kits will be available today through Friday, July 19. Please visit Post-it.com/BacktoSchoolSweepstakes to learn more and request your Back-to-School Countdown Kit to enjoy with your family. In addition to those who win, a printable version of the projects, activities, and tips are available at Post-it.com/BacktoSchool.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States (D.C), 18 years and older (19 in AL and NE and 21 in MS). Void where prohibited. Begins on July 11, 2024 at 8:01a.m. ET and ends on July 19, 2024 at 11:59p.m. ET. For Official Rules, prize descriptions and odds disclosure, visit Post-it.com/BacktoSchoolSweepstakesRules. Sponsor: 3M Company, 3M Center, St. Paul, MN 55144.

Check out the photo gallery to see 7,255 high-definition screen captures of JoAnna Garcia Swisher from all episodes of the short-lived TV series Better With You! The show aired 1 season with 22 episodes on ABC during the 2010-2011 TV season.

Click on the preview links below to see all the images added to JoAnna Garcia Swisher Fan!

Southern lifestyle expert Joanna Garcia Swisher teamed up with our sponsor OFF to share tips on how to entertain at home.

No one gets to avoid embarrassment, not even celebrities like JoAnna Garcia Swisher.

“I embarrassed myself brutally during two starstruck moments,” the Sweet Magnolias star, 44, exclusively tells Us Weekly‘s 25 Things You Don’t Know About Me. “One is when I met Donnie Wahlberg for the first time. I kissed his poster every night back in the day, and he was a good sport about it.”

The blush-worthy moments didn’t stop with her favorite New Kid on the Block. “Then I met Rob Lowe in an elevator and I just spiraled,” Garcia Swisher tells Us. “I didn’t stop talking. It was rough, but he was also very sweet to me.”

Watch Garcia in Season 3 of Sweet Magnolias, which is streaming now on Netflix, and visit US Weekly to learn more fun facts about her!

As a working mom of two, JoAnna Garcia Swisher knows how to throw together dinner in a pinch.

The Sweet Magnolias star, 44, shared her best tips and tricks for making dinnertime less of a chore exclusively with Us Weekly — and the first step requires planning out meals in advance.

For Garcia Swisher, coming up with a weekly dinner menu “makes shopping and prepping easy.” She also takes recipe requests from her husband, Nick Swisher, and their daughters Emerson, 10, and Sailor, 7, “so everyone is excited about dinnertime.”

When it comes to choosing what recipes to make, Garcia Swisher recommends picking dishes that have shared ingredients so the leftover supplies from one meal can be used to prep another. The Reba alum is also a fan of meals that can cook all day long and be ready for mealtime.

Garcia Swisher recently teamed up with McCormick to help busy families spend less time in the kitchen and more time together by hosting a series of “After School Tac’over” events with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

“Nothing brings me more joy than spending time with my family. Taco Tuesday and every other taco night — and there are a few — are cherished traditions for the whole family,” the actress said in an October press release. “It’s not just about the food, but the laughter and memories we create together and share at the dinner table.”

Garcia Swisher celebrated National Taco Day last month by sharing how she uses McCormick’s Original Taco Seasoning Mix to prepare a quick and easy meal. “Family taco night is always a hit in this household 🌮,” she captioned an October 4 Instagram upload. “It’s the perfect way for even the pickiest eater to customize their meal. Tonight’s toppings include lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese, guacamole, sour cream and freshly squeezed lime.”

She continued: “And we can’t forget about the protein! We’re using ground beef perfectly seasoned with @McCormickSpice Original Taco Seasoning Mix, made with simple, clean ingredients and bursting with delicious flavor, no matter which base you choose.”

Garcia Swisher not only enjoys cooking for her kids but also with them. “Some of my favorite moments are in the kitchen w/ the girls. (With @taylorswift blasting in the background!),” she captioned an Instagram video of herself and her daughters baking homemade apple cobbler. “This Easy Cake Mix Apple Cobbler from Practically Homemade was 10/10!”

Whether it’s tacos or apple cobbler, fans can check out more of Garcia Swisher’s favorite recipes on her blog The Happy Place.

Source: US Weekly

Between school, extracurricular activities, homework, and the very popular “yeah, it was fine” response, getting some precious intel about your kid’s day can make a parent feel like an interrogation agent. Thankfully, JoAnna Garcia Swisher hasn’t needed to use any fancy FBI techniques. While the Sweet Magnolias actress admits she’ll take “any chance” she can get to hear about her daughters’ days, she’s found that even a quick dinner together helps her family connect.

“[Dinnertime] is definitely our time,” Garcia Swisher tells Romper. “I do find that I hear a lot about the day in that little zone. Any chance that I can get to get details of my kids’ day, I’ll take it.”

Garcia Swisher’s daughters with husband, former baseball player Nick Swisher, have plenty to report. Her oldest daughter, Emerson, 10, is an equestrian and “can just get lost at the barn” for hours. Her younger daughter, Sailor, 7, is a dancer. “She’s very much the performer in our family, loves to act and dance. She spends most of her day in a cartwheel.” On top of all that, both of her girls are also in the school play. Indeed, there’s a lot to discuss.

“I like all of my little chicks back in the nest by dinnertime so we can sit down and, even if it’s 20 minutes, have a little time to connect,” she says.

The Reba star has always valued family time. It’s something her late parents, Jay and Loraine Garcia, prioritized in her own childhood. Garcia Swisher spoke to Romper about those family values, growing up in a Latin household, her recent partnership with McCormick, and her go-to taco night recipe with the brand’s original taco seasoning mix packets that miraculously keeps everyone in the family happy.

Read full interview at romper.com