The best inventions, in my opinion, are those that when you see them they are so obvious you think, “Why didn’t I think of doing that before?!”. And I found one this week that I am so excited about, I had to share it with you all.
This week I have been in New York City forBlogHer’s annual blogging conference (more on that later), to run an AMAZING suite sponsered by NuSkin (more on that later as well), and to promote the December launch of Where Women Cook.
(Yup. You got it…more on THAT later, too.)
(I know. It’s annoying to write teasing blurbs like that and not expound.)
(Consider it a strategy to keep you all tuned in and guessing.)
(I mean, my lack of desire to expound at the moment has nothing whatsoever to do with the fact that I got up at 4 am to catch a flight home and feel like there are forks being stabbed in my eyes and Mariachi boys playing covers of Metallica full blast in my head right now.)
(For reals.)
ANYWAY.
While I was at the conference, I met a woman named Tauni and because she loves me n’ stuff, she gave me THE BEST INVENTION OF ALL TIME.
Well, it’s the best invention of all time if you work in a business where you have eleventyhundred business cards thrown at you during conferences and social situations that normally end up wadded up in the bottom of your purse or suitcase because you are the most unorganized person ever.
Which is normally what happens to me.
BUT NOT THIS YEAR.
Know WHY?
Because Tauni gave me THIS:
It. Is. FABULOUS.
Besides the fact that I ran around all day in a tutu and tiara and am promoting an amazing magazine, I would say that this little doohicky was the most talked about thing about my conference weekend.
It’s SO SIMPLE but SO USEFUL.
It’s a big circular ring that has a paper punch attached to it, and with laminated dividers that name the conference and have catagories like “Blogs to read” and “Companies to follow up with”. You can attach it to your purse, conference bag or even your belt loop. (She was going to add a Sharpie mini to it but ran out of time.)
IT ROCKED MY WORLD.
I talked and talked and talked and talked about it and even gave a few away.
Tauni is already planning many improvements to this fabulous little thing.
I seriously think it should be in the swag bags next year and make the “things to pack” list, don’t you?
I heart it.
** McDonald’s Happy Time, Family Time give away ends August 10th, so make sure you enter! Leave a comment with a question about McDonald’s, my trip, or just something you love about The Golden Arches! (There will be a second giveaway launching in the next week or so so keep an eye out for it!)
I didn’t make it to BlogHer this year (cause clearly I am a fool) but am already thinking about BlogHer11. This thinky looks fabulous!
Wow, that is amazing!! What a great idea!
Um, I didn’t even go to BlogHer, but I am sad that I don’t have one of those. AWESOME IDEA. Can Tauni please come teach me how to organize toddler toys next??
Tee hee. I don’t know that I would be any good at organizing toddler toys…I’ve never had a toddler :)
My fiance has three boys and the best I do is stick everything in baskets. If you can’t see it, it’s clean and organized, right?
I coveted that ALL weekend. Genius. I want one next time. Tauni, I’m gonna start stalking you.
Oh wow. Please stalk me…and next time track me down. I will give you one too!
Can I say that is truly the next best thing to sliced bread?!!! What a totally cool useful awesome idea!! And a mini-Sharpie to boot? Talk about being in Hog Heaven! I agree – that should be in the swag bag for next year, specially since I plan on going. :)
That is awesomely clever.
I was totally eyeing it when I saw you after your panel discussion yesterday. It was so awesome that I almost forgot that I had just been crying.
I love how the greatest ideas are often the simplest. Absolutely fabulous.
So simple and yet fanfreekingtastic. Will remember that for BH11!
Awesome…going to Blogher Food in October, might need to make me one of them there doohickies.
HOW FREACKIN’ FANTASTIC IS THAT!!!!!!
(Sorry about the I am that excited)
PS I so meant to write CAPS in that last comment
PPS You so ROCKED that TUTU!!!!!!!!
PPPS xoxo
PPS that is all
I’m just so glad I met you. And got to hug you.
Another idea would be one of those really small scanners. Take the cards to your room each night, or during breaks, and scan them into your laptop.
I saw it in person and it such a great idea! I am making a ring for type-A-mom. But for me I think my blogher11 might have to be by location seminar, party, bathroom so I recall everyone I met and where we exchanged cards. Also Polaroids would be nice since sometimes people don’t look like their avatars. That could fit on the ring right?
Awesome Idea and thanks to Tauni for giving it, and you for sharing it.
Okay totally through me for a loop when I saw my name in your blog…not many Tauni’s around…much less Tauni’s that spell it that way!
As for the awesome product – so wish it HAD been me! That is a great idea!!!
Funny, I think the best thing all weekend was YOUR fabulous business cards! ;) And yes, I coveted your thing too. TOO COOL.
Heh. You said you coveted her thing.
That is incredible. I am finding cards in my pockets, my purse, my bra…
Ya know, I was still in awe minutes after I introduced myself to you and saw you used that to attach my card. BRILLIANT!
So nice to finally meet you, although I must apologize for calling you “Lorelei” instead of “Loralee.” Gah!
That gadget was a genius idea!
WOW! I am loving it! I absolutely want one for next July, when I’m going to the national conference for the party business I’m in. Where can I get one made special? I want all my girls to have one!!!
WOW! THe whole punch part could be made smaller but it should DEFINITELY be in that swag bag!
Love your blog, btw. First time commenter– been following since you all did those posts about talking to your kids about death.
I think what’s better is that battery powered business card scanner, put them right into your PDA and take notes. (hey, try high tech once in a while)
That! IS Genius!!
Can’t wait to hear more about BlogHer!
I loved that thing and coveted it and your tiara all weekend! Tauni is a little genius she is! I am so getting me one of those before my next conference as I have cards flying all over the place right now!
It was so gushy good to meet you and Violet loved you too!
xoxo
Loralee, my darling, you have made me feel like a genius, inventor, mad scientist and rock star all rolled into one!!! Thank you so much for your sweet feature.
Umm. P.S. BTW, Still feeling so lucky to have discovered such a wonderful new friend. I appreciate how genuine you are and adore your authenticity.
P.S.S. I don’t think I am going to get to Type A Mom, but I will be posting printable templates for those who want to make a couple of card rings for the event.
That truly is genius.
Like toilet paper, but more acceptable to endorse publicly.
Tauni is a genius right?! I so wished I had something like that this last weekend. It’s perfect!
I am so glad you got to meet the radness that is Tauni. She is seriously an amazing human.
Nobody rocks a hole punch or a badass tutu like you! And hey! That’s my card!!!