Here comes the bride.

But first, here comes all the bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, flower arrangements, reservations, rehearsal dinners … the list goes on. Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, but Absorbent, Ink. has some simple, but special ideas that can add to the magic of your big day.

“Save the Date” items are products given to guests before the wedding to remind them of your upcoming wedding date. Ordering personalized products is similar to personalizing cards, so couples can get creative and go beyond a wedding card. The bride and groom’s photo can be printed on a Magnet Calendar, a popular item given to guests anywhere between three months or a year before the wedding. Similarly, Photo Frame Calendars can also include a photo and are great desk accessories for recipients. Practical “Save the Date” items include Mouse Pads and Candle Tins. Guests will be reminded of the wedding date with every use of the product!

“Save the Memories” gifts, better known as wedding favors can range from lavish gift bags to simple knick-knacks. Here’s a tip to keep the stress level and price tags low: wedding reception items can double as wedding favors. Champaign Flutes personalized with the bride and grooms names are great keepsake items for guests. Most guests won’t expect to keep their drink Coasters, but ceramic, metal and leather coasters make an elegant and practical gift. Mint Tins and Candy Favors are a sweet way for guests to save the memories. Pearl Balloons are a simple décor that complement elegant wedding themes. They’re also a fun item for small children to take home.

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You may claim that St. Patrick’s Day is your favorite holiday, but what do you really know about it?

Here are 5 questions to test your knowledge.

First question:

Leprechauns had nothing to do with St. Patrick’s Day until which American movie producer created a friendly, cheerful leprechaun character?



Answer: Walt Disney. Irish folklore describes leprechauns as cranky souls known for their trickery and protectiveness over their treasure. The friendlier American version of the leprechaun quickly evolved into a St. Patrick’s Day and Irish symbol.

Second question:

Which city is home to a St. Patrick’s Day Parade that is the longest running civilian parade in the world?



Answer: Nope, it’s not Dublin. It’s New York City. The first parade started in 1762 and now draws more than 2 million spectators.

Third question:

In Delaware, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire Irish is the leading ancestral group. How many U.S. residents claim Irish ancestry?



Answer: 34.7 million-nearly 9 times the population of Ireland!

Fourth question:

What river is dyed green every year in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day?



Answer: The Chicago River. The city of Chicago uses 40 pounds of green vegetable dye to turn the river green for several hours.

Fifth question:

St. Patrick is credited for bringing Christianity to Ireland. According to Irish mythology, which reptile did Saint Patrick banish from Ireland?



Answer: If you said snakes then you are correct. However, Ireland was never actually inhabited by snakes. The “banishing of the snakes” is symbolic of Saint Patrick’s eradication of pagan theology from the island.

PS: Please feel free to email this quiz to friends or family!

Headlines on Microsoft’s $44 billion bid to buyout Yahoo almost read like a melodramatic love triangle between Microsoft, Yahoo and Google.
• Microsoft wants to win over Yahoo to compete against Google.
• Google calls Microsoft’s move a mockery of the Internet’s “openness and innovation.”
• Yahoo re-evaluates its worth. Says Microsoft undermines Yahoo’s value and rejects the offer.
• Does Microsoft feel scorned and defeated or is it biding, waiting for the next opportunity?

It’s a good thing marketers can take away several lessons from this tangled Web.
1. Alliances are healthy, but not at the sake of individuality: Companies are merging left and right, leaving great power in the hands of a few. If this trend continues, consumers will fall into the umbrella of one big corporation and individuality will be stifled. Marketers should work to preserve uniqueness and innovation. Consumers need a variety of products, services and experiences to fit their individual lifestyles.
2. Always, always keep your stakeholders informed: Yahoo Chief Executive, Jerry Yang sent a message to employees, assuring them that leaders are trying to avoid a Microsoft acquisition. It’s important to keep employees and stockholders informed of the company’s position on major issues. When internal communication breaks down, the business could very well crumble with it.
3. A little “shock and awe” can up the ante. Microsoft’s bid made big news, and in the wake of the offer Yahoo’s share price rose 1.48 percent. Shaking up the marketplace can have positive or negative effects. Sometimes the market calls for a little (or big) change in order to re-shape the landscape for competitors and consumers. Here’s when it pays to be prepared no matter what side you are on. Always periodically evaluate your internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats. You don’t want to be in for too big of a surprise.

She may hold the title for biggest celebrity meltdown, but that doesn’t keep her from moving forward in the business world. Her new fragrance, Curious Heart, launched a couple of days ago.

Although it sounds like her marketing gurus have it under control with Curious Heart (in addition to traditional marketing they launched an online-viral marketing campaign) her public relations team is at the end of its rope.

Here are a few ideas to help turn the tables, and re-brand Britney into a life lesson.

• Follow the steps of your mama: Write a book. How about the title “Toxic: How Not to Live Life - The Britney Spears Story.”

• To support the book, go on Oprah and cry. Cry the entire show and beg for forgiveness. Then hand out Round Bounce Back Stress balls to the audience and discuss everything you learned in therapy about how to handle stress.

• Tour the country and hold lectures giving an inside-look on being a celebrity.

• Last but not least, stay out of the bars.

Obviously, she needs some serious help right now, but if she can get her act together she may be able to save face.

We went all out this year to celebrate the holidays! Each department came up with a way to decorate their section, and had a blast doing so. We’ve created a short video for our customers and friends to see how we got in on the fun this year!

So, I guess Justin Long is dating Drew Barrymore?

Actress Lindsay Lohan’s father, Michael Lohan, says that he wishes to patch things up with his estranged daughter. Mr. Lohan, a born-again Christian, says that he is seeking “reconcilitation and redemption…” and for his family to “get right with God.” I guess he blames himself for his daughter’s misdeeds.

We wish Michael the best of luck and have some ideas to help him break the ice with his daughter.

A brief case would come in handy to organize all of her legal and rehab documents.

A gift basket or food gift might encourage the pencil-thin starlet to gain a few pounds.

A health and beauty gift basket will help Lindsay relax and get back to her routine after her most recent stint in rehab.

A ceramic coffee mug might turn her drinking habit to a new, better for her beverage.

We hope that Michael and Lindsay are able to set their differences aside and develop a better relationship. Hopefully, he’ll consider a few of these gift ideas to help ease into the relationship.

Oh, the cubicle–a staple element of corporate America. For many, it may be difficult to “think outside the box” when you’re stuck in one. That wasn’t the case for cartoon man Scott Adams, creator of the well-known Dilbert comic character. Flooded with e-mails from discontented cubicle denizens, Adams saw the ‘ultimate’ product opportunity. He teamed up with IDEO, a design firm headquartered in San Francisco to create Dilbert’s Ultimate Cubicle.

‘Ultimate’ just might be an understatement. The fundamental elements of the Ultimate Cubicle are these square pieces called modules. The design and functionality of these modules can be customized by the cubicle dweller. The personalization goes beyond choosing a favorite color. Modules snap right into the walls or floor and the various features seem limit-less. A live fish tank module can be installed into the cubicle, and if you need an extra seat for a guest, pull out a chair–right from the wall. If you’re known for having a cluttered desk, floor storage modules that allow you to store stuff, stuff and more stuff pull open from the ground and push right back down to a smooth walking surface. Maybe it’s food that you’re trying to hide from your co-workers. A pop-up cooler will do just the trick.

No word yet on whether the Ultimate Cubicle will go into production, but it’s a bright idea that’s likely to wow any office worker. Until the opportunity arises to pitch to your employees or ask your boss about adorning the office with Ultimate Cubicles, consider these corporate gifts and desk accessories to fill the void inside your cubicles.

Personalized Digital Photo Frames

Mouse Pads

Technology Pens

Paris Hilton has announced that she wants to clean up her image. We wish her the best of luck and in order to honor this momentous event, we have some ideas to help everyone celebrate.

Toothbrushes and dental floss: in order to clean up her mouth and perhaps rid her of the phrase “That’s hot.”

Health and beauty gift sets: in order for her to clean up her act, she’s going to have to learn to take it easy and find new ways to relax other than bar hopping.

Wine Gifts: in order for her to host a more sophisticated group of friends. She’s going to need a more sophisticated drink than her former friends were into.

Hilton says that in addition to cleaning up her act, she will use her celebrity status for good. She plans to go to Rwanda in order to raise awareness of the struggles in the African country. We have products that will help her while she’s there as well.

First aid kits: in order to treats those scratches she’s bound to get from wearing those short skirts in nature.

Hand Sanitizer: in order to keep her hands clean without running water.

Back packs: in order for her to keep her dog with her at all times, and protect him from the elements.

We wish Miss Hilton all the luck in the world cleaning up her image. We can’t wait to see what she does next. See you on “Access Hollywood” Paris, best wishes!