Magnets

I love simple, homemade gifts that are unique, serve a purpose and look like they took a lot longer to make than they actually do! To that end, I found a great idea on Keep It Simple for DIY bubble magnets. After I saw this project, I just had to recreate it for my desk. See below for my take and how to replicate it! ...read more

Happy 2011! As the Out of Office team starts a new year, I’ve heard a lot of talk about resolutions and getting back on track after the indulgence of the holidays. I think it’s fair to say that most people are pretty good at coming up with resolutions. It’s keeping them that becomes challenging, and I’m no exception.

This year, I’ve pledged to do better at working exercise into my daily routine. I won’t bore you with the details, but suffice it to say that there are many things I’d rather do than go to the gym. Like eat. Or catch up on my favorite TV shows while eating. But I digress. The point is that it’s not going to be easy and I know I’ll need some encouragement along the way.

The new school year is upon us, and I know for many parents that means relying on a carpool to make their kids’ packed agendas possible. It takes a close network of friends to help get kids to school on time, picked up once classes and after-school activities end, and returned home safely. It can be a tough job getting a group of rambunctious grade-schoolers around – so we’ve got some tips to help things go smoothly and safely from day one. ...read more

Guest Blogger Amanda Emmert is in her senior year at a university in Dallas and plans to pursue a career in marketing. This busy volleyball player is also planning a June wedding and made some terrific save the dates that we wanted to share.  

Let’s face it…planning a wedding is not always as fun as you imagine it to be. There are so many small details that can turn an excited bride-to-be into a big stressball. There’s coordinating specifics, paying unrealistically large sums of money, and trying to please your mother. 

On a lighter note, there are some fun highlights amidst the consultations and the bills. I have, luckily, booked all my major vendors and taken care of décor/dresses for my June wedding; throughout this process, one of my favorite things that I’ve done thus far was designing my “Save the Dates.” ...read more

One of my favorite movies of all time is The Wedding Planner starring Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey. In the movie, Jennifer has this one line that goes… “You know the expression, ‘Those who don't do teach? Well those who don't wed plan!’” Oh yes, that line just speaks volumes about my life. I’m one of the few gals among my group of friends that hasn’t married or had kids yet. So when it comes to these monumental life-changing moments, I’m the one on the sidelines just observing and taking it all in.

All that mental note-taking has prepared me for my family’s most joyous occasion this year — my sister’s wedding in June! Now I can share my wealth of knowledge with my sister, Denit – who by the way is nothing like me. I am super-organized, somewhat tech-savvy, and all about the details whereas she is NOT! On top of that, we have differing opinions on the perfect wedding ceremony. ...read more

Riddle me this, small business owners: What stays in one place but moves all over? A promotional vehicle magnet, of course! With this mobile advertisement, you can keep your company name top of mind and get exposure as you drive each day. This type of signage can serve you in ways that static advertising can’t, so consider adding them to your marketing strategy to pique the interest of potential customers. 

The best part is that the magnets are removable, so you can change them out and replace as often as you like! Or, if your personal car doubles as your company car, you can remove them when you’re off the clock. Depending on your business, you could even do something seasonally or offer special discounts to customers who mention seeing the promotional magnet. ...read more

My refrigerator is littered with sticky fingerprints, photos, sporting tickets that I don’t want to lose, emergency numbers, and yes, magnets. Every time the appliance repair company pays us a visit, they leave with us a magnet with their number. They’re quite handy and I’m sure they are a great business builder – we see them every time we reach for the ice cream. 

Businesses of all sizes can keep their name and number visible with these magnets. You can even pick a shape that fits your business – our realtor has a house-shaped magnet, and our emergency vet has a magnet that is shaped like a heart, but that’s a number I hope I don’t have to call! 

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