Five Blondes » advertising

Taking the party down a notch.

Leah — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:01:45 +0000

As I mentioned in our Years in Review post, one of my resolutions was to find cheap/free fun things to do in Calgary. This has many purposes – to help out my bank account a little, to get away from the partying lifestyle that has been the last five years of my life and to have more purely fun experiences that help me to get to know the entirety of my city better, and not just what pubs are good (Joyce on Fourth) and what bar to go Wednesday after work that has the most cute guys (ahem, the Metropolitan Grill on Eighth ave).

Here is what has been brainstormed so far:

Go to/rent movies (this may seem like a giveaway, but honestly I don’t go see many movies or rent many either)
Go for a walk with my best friend twice a week (Calgary has beautiful walking trails downtown along the river)
Tea parties
Glenbow Museum (and if this is enjoyable, others as well)
Go up the Calgary Tower, both during the day and at night
Go to the mountains (Banff – Erica lived there for one winter!, Canmore, etc.)
Go showshoeing or cross country skiing (you can rent equipment in Kananaskis for a low price)
Visit Bragg Creek
Board game nights (Settlers of Catan is hands down my fave, but I need more awesome TWO PLAYER games)
Visit my best friends sister and brother in law for free meals and to fawn over their newborn
Go to real estate open houses (you know, check out our options in case either of us decides we can afford to buy a house, and check out our options)
Volunteer somewhere
Cook/bake together (i.e. I will take any excuse to eat chocolate chip cookie dough)
Have postcard writing nights to help us to be better long distance friends (I think this one is my favourite)
Go to the library (I am a book worm!)
Buy a cheap secondhand guitar and learn how to play it
Use my new Wii Fit twice a week

This is where you come in – I am looking for your suggestions! I am not necessarily looking to take up a new hobby (i.e. Erica – don’t suggest knitting) but what do YOU like to do with your partner and/or best friend that could be included on my list? I appreciate your recommendations! THANK YOU!

Also – One little comment I left awhile ago really paid off! You must check THIS awesomeness out. If you want, skip to the 1:20 mark to see the goodness.

What would you change about your cell phone plan?

Leah — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:13:40 +0000

I have found this really cool website that has been created by a company in Canada that will be starting to provide cell phone plans. The way they have chosen to do their research is interesting – by opening up an online forum called “Wireless Soapbox” as a way for people to get their likes, dislikes and ideas concerning their current cell phone plan, and offer input as to what they would like to see in an ideal cell phone plan.

Think there’s a better way to do wireless?

Welcome to the Wireless Soapbox, a forum for people who believe that cellular can be done better. Have a complaint? Air it. Have an idea? Share it. Ask a question. Start a discussion. Whatever… it’s up to you. Choose a topic and get involved.

Whan an innovative way to do research! Essentially, their only expense was to create this website, it was advertised via ways of media interest, and pay a couple people to monitor it and BOOM – you have loads of free informtation coming at you right from the consumers themselves.

I, currently, have not yet contributed to it as I have not put a lot of thought towards what I like and don’t like about my cell phone plan. A popular topic I have noticed is the “system activation fee” and how people don’t like to see it on their bill every month, they would like to have it dissolved into their other fees. I agree with that one, I am charged $6.75 (or so) every month by my current provider, but that seems like something that should be included with my $25/month plan!

Would you contribute to this website (even if you aren’t Canadian) to get your ideas across? Canadians, this is your way to get the cell phone plan you really want. I am so intrigued to see what ideas and plans do come out of this Wireless Soapbox!

Must…Watch…Soap…

Erica — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:56:03 +0000

I suddenly have an intense desire to watch Guiding Light. Especially after reading some of my favorite blogs. Anyone else? Related posts: Hey Canadian bloggers… Related posts:

Hey Canadian bloggers…

I've Always Wanted To Eat Gemstones For Breakfast

Erica — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 21:23:44 +0000

We are in love with this new cereal.

It’s like regular, square Shreddies – only better!

BONUS RECIPE FOR FIVE BLONDES READERS!

This delicious breakfast recipe is sure to get your day of to a sparkly start.

Ingredients:

Diamond Shreddies
Milk
Sugar (optional)

Directions:

Get a bowl.
Pour Shreddies into bowl – Blondes, be careful not to overfill!
Pour milk over Shreddies. Again, be careful not to pour too much in!
If desired, sprinkle sugar on Shreddies.
Enjoy!

Joined the Wave of Bloggers at Entrecard

Erica — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:42:37 +0000

About a month or so ago I read an article somewhere about Entrecard, a sort-of business card feature for your blog. I also noticed the Entrecard widget on some big name blogs like Problogger and Tyler Cruz (I love his card!). But did I sign up? No…I put it off like the fantastic procrastinator that I am.

Then yesterday Darren interviewed the creator of Entrecard, Graham, giving him more great exposure and Darren’s stamp of approval, so to speak. At that point, it would have been stupid of me not to get FiveBlondes in on Entrecard, especially considering our re-launch at our new domain.

But we need a card…

What to use?

At first I went with a boring black card with our title and tag line. Not very eye-catching or effective. Sadly, I don’t have Photoshop (though I am lusting over it…) and do not have the means to make our own card. Guess how I found help? Through Entrecard! Jason at DatMoney.com is doing our card for the bargain price of $1.

As Elle Woods would say, “Snaps for Jason”!

Jason has the task of downsizing this photo into a 125 X 125 square:

Good luck, Jason! We’ll be thrilled with whatever you come up with.

For our visitors who don’t know what Entrecard is, just visit their site. It’s like a business card for a blog. Also, for reference, a 125 X 125 square is the size of the image in our right hand sidebar (currently a funky monkey doodle – great site, just click!).

Also, to our new visitors who have arrived via Entrecard, thanks for reading. I’m always sure to read a post (or many if I’m liking it!) on blogs I visit through E. We appreciate your comments! Cheers!