Jenny Robertson's blog

There are few tasks that I dread worse than moving. The hassle, the disorganization, the chaos of it all is enough to send even the most balanced person into an absolute tizzy. 

I recently completed a major move (my 7th in 12 years, and this one with a two-year-old in tow, no less!) and wanted to stay organized so that the process was as quick and hassle-free as possible. There were two things that I did that helped me keep it all together when our life was in boxes, and I really wanted to share Out of Office readers who may have a move in their future: 

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Summer is officially here! That’s right, today marks the first day of the season. Bring on the barbeques, swimming pools and baseball games.

By now, school has closed for the summer or is just about to, and you’ve likely removed many of the papers and classroom projects that once adorned the refrigerator. Quite often, all those report cards, art projects, certificates and tests you saved throughout the year end up turning yellow or gathering dust in a file folder or box somewhere. Why not collect them in one place and make something that will save room while preserving memories of an A+ book report or fabulous finger painting?

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The summer has arrived in Dallas! Despite our hot temps, it’s one of my favorite seasons and I absolutely love spending time on fun, easy, summer-related projects. 

I know many of you are looking for ways to keep your kids occupied while school’s out, so I thought I’d share some of the great activities I’ve come across in my search for new ideas:

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As another school year comes to a close, I’m beginning to brainstorm ideas for a thank you gift to show my son’s teacher how much I appreciate what she does. And right now, I’m definitely thinking that you can’t go wrong with a delicious baked treat. After all, who doesn’t enjoy homemade chocolate chip cookies? It’s a sweet way to say thanks!

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As a busy working mom, I’m constantly on the go. And it feels like every time I drop my son off to a birthday party or leave him with a babysitter, I scribble down my contact information. I found that I was leaving the same information over and over again – and frankly I’m starting to get a hand cramp just thinking about it! As a result, I finally decided to make cards – social calling cards – with all the info I find myself writing out again and again for folks in my personal life.

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At Out of Office, we like to think we’ve got a lot of great ideas to share with our readers. But truth be told, sometimes we can’t hold a candle to the creativity of some fellow bloggers out there in the world. So when we find those projects that make us stop and say “Why didn’t we think of that!?”, we just have to share!

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Have you ever hosted a baby shower for a friend or relative? I remember how much I enjoyed my own, and I’ve had my fair share of opportunities to help organize these special occasions, too. My favorite part is designing the invitations. I love to personalize the invites and find unique ways to tie the theme of the party to the style of the invitations. It’s easier than you might think!

You can create your own design with programs like Microsoft Publisher or Adobe Photoshop Elements and use colorful borders, patterns and adorable clip art that match the theme of the shower. Shower themes can range from pastel-inspired parties to spa showers or tea parties. Whatever theme you decide on, don’t forget to weave that style into the decorations and invitations to create a consistent look throughout the party. There’s nothing more confusing than getting an elegant, formal event invitation, but you show up and it’s a very casual, informal affair!  ...read more

Very few people actually enjoy interviews. I’ve been on both sides -- as the interviewee and the interviewer – and I know it’s difficult. So, I decided to share some helpful interview tips I’ve picked up over the years, and a few places I’ve found online that may help you get ready for your next interview.

First – be confident. Remind yourself that there’s a reason you’re going to this interview, and it’s because you are the right person for the job (whatever that job may be!). Confidence always shines through and can sometimes be a make or break factor when it comes time to make a selection. If you don’t believe in the product you’re selling – yourself – why will the company? Here are a few other helpful hints from some of the experts online:  ...read more

I have a confession: I am obsessed with children’s birthday parties. I love planning them, I love going to them, and I especially love the creativity that they allow. After doing a few myself and helping friends with others, I have put together a few tips for hosting a great children’s birthday party. ...read more

Another week, another round-up! Now that we’re past Valentine’s Day, I’m already starting to get spring fever - which to me means vacation. Road trips, sunshine, maybe a beach! Trips like that can be a little tough with small kids though, so I thought I’d share a few ideas I’ve come across that keep the little ones busy while on the road or in the air. And who knew there’d be SO MANY ideas – and Web sites – out there to help parents with this challenge! Here are a couple of my faves: ...read more