{diy} typographic gift wrap.



How stinkin' cute is this?! How come I haven't thought of this already??
I am totally doing this the next time I need to wrap a gift!

LOVE!!


If you can't figure out how to do it, and want instructions,
click here.


(image found
here)

{swoon} the vamoose



The Vamoose is a one-woman operation based in the UK. Designed and handmade by the very talented Kathryn Blackmore, her jewelry line is both stunning and unique, and it's a gorgeous mix between vintage, elegant and fun!

OK, I'll take one of everything!!
And this may or may not be one of my new favorite jewelry shops... ; )

(images from the vamoose)

{inspired} paris










Good Morning, dear friends! As I type this, the sun is trying to peak through the clouds and it's a brisk 24 degrees out... so these lovely images are helping me create a mini escape to the City of Lights!! : )

Have any of you been to Paris? I've never been, but would LOVE to visit sometime.... it's definitely on my bucket list!


Passez une bonne journée!!

Have a beautiful day!!
(according to Google, so please correct me if I'm wrong...)



(images found here and here)

happy friday!



Hello Loves!! Can you believe it's Friday?! Where has the week gone? I'm not really sure if I'm excited for the weekend... is that bad? I think the fact that I have about 10 loads of laundry waiting for me... and more wintry weather is on the way, really isn't helping with the excitement.

So, how about a few links for your weekend:

+ Rifle Paper Co. spring collection has me smiling!

+ A free Andy Warhol papertoy! I'm printing mine now...

+ I can't resist these adorable cork coasters shaped like toast...

+ These pretty DIY painted glass vases are perfect for spring!

+ Super cute hair tutorials via Michaela Noelle... here, here, and here.


I would love to hear what your plans for the weekend are! Hopefully you all live more exciting
lives than I do... : )

(image from samantha hahn)

i heart where i live!


Hello ladies! Today I'm linking up with
Michelle to share a little bit about my place on the map, my hometown, Buffalo, New York.

a {lavender} wedding



The calendar says Spring, but in these parts it's more like Winter! We've had a nice taste of Spring the past few days, but mother nature has other plans for us.... like 4-8 inches of snow! :-/


Spring will get here eventually, and as I start to crave brighter, happier colors, and think what color really screams Spring to me... It's got to be


LAVENDER.


It's so sweet and feminine.


... and romantic!


You can even include lavender in so many aspects of the wedding, like the bouquet, and the favors... even the menu (hello lavender infused champagne!)!!
For a Spring/Summer wedding, I think lavender is an absolutely perfect choice!


images found here:

invite,
style me pretty // seating cards, martha stewart // champagne, martha stewart // favor boxes, martha stewart // table numbers, style me pretty // lavender, style me pretty // macaroons, une-deux senses // hanging lanterns, style me pretty


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::

I was shocked when I logged into blogger this morning... I hit 100 followers!!! This has totally made my day! A BIG thank you and a giant bear hug to all my lovely blog friends!! I think this calls for a giveaway in the near future!! :-)


And another BIG thank you goes to all the ladies that joined the I Heart Accessories swap!! I'm gathering all the address and finalizing everything and will email you this weekend with details!!

spring stripes







I'm a sucker for stripes.

Some people may say I'm obsessed.


There's just something about stripes....

maybe it's because they're so classic and versatile?!


Whatever it is, I can't get enough!!!


These are a few pieces I'm loving right now:


{inspired} michelle armas


Hello my dears! How was everyone's weekend? Mine was fantastic... We had a nice visit with my beautiful grandma, a fun dinner date with my cousin, and Spring has FINALLY sprung!!

Today's inspiration comes from the very talented Michelle Armas. She's been featured on numerous blogs and I just LOVE her work! I can't wait for the flowers to start blooming in all sorts of colorful shades, just like her paintings!!


(images from michelle armas)

happy saturday!

The hubs and I are off to visit my grandma for the day, but first I wanted to share a few goodies I found (and bought!) recently on etsy:

I scored this super cute, eyelet necklace from Anna at In Honor of Design. This is my favorite necklace at the moment!! LOVE IT!





Secondly, I picked up this cute, geometric wristlet from Katie at Made By Hank. The workmanship
is fantastic, and the little details are so special!!




I love supporting such talented and sweet ladies!!


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Side Notes:

+ I've finally jumped on the twitter and facebook train... I really don't know what I'm doing yet, but would LOVE for you to follow/like me!! (I don't even have a personal FB page, so it's going to be a learning process...)





Facebook:
click here
Twitter: @creative_index


+ There's still time to sign up for the I Heart Accessories swap! Click here for more details!!

Hope you all have a great Saturday and weekend!! : )

crave: chicken parmesan

Now I know it's St. Paddy's Day, and this dish isn't very Irish, but I love Chicken Parmesan.
Capital L-O-V-E LOVE!


It's one of my favorite things to make for dinner.




And since my cousin and her fiancé are coming over for dinner on Saturday,
that is what I shall make...


with a nice Caesar salad,


and maybe some Italian bread.



Yep, I'm already starting to drool...




Ingredients
4 boneless chicken breasts

1 egg

2 tablespoons milk

Italian or seasoned bread crumbs

All-purpose flour, for dredging

2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil

4 slices mozzarella cheese, or more

1 jar spaghetti sauce

Parmesan cheese


Directions

Put chicken breast between pieces of plastic wrap and pound them out to about 1/2-inch
thickness.

Place the flour in a large plate or bowl and in another bowl, whisk the egg and milk together. Dredge the chicken breast in the flour and shake off excess, then dip it into the egg mixture and finally dredge in the Italian breadcrumbs. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken in the hot oil on both sides until golden, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side.


Cover the bottom of the baking dish with about 1/2 cup of sauce and arrange the chicken over the sauce. Cover chicken with the remaining sauce and sprinkle with parmesan and mozzarella
cheese and bake at 350 for about 20-30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. YUM!

Most recipes for Chicken Parm are pretty similar, but if you feel the need to check, you can go here, here or here.


What's one of your favorite dishes to make or eat???

(image found here)

kiss me, i'm irish!




May you always have
a sunbeam to warm you,
Good luck to charm you,
And a sheltering angel
So nothing can harm you,
Laughter to cheer you,
Faithful friends near you,
And whenever you pray,
Heaven to hear you.

Go mbeannai Dia duit
(May God Bless You)


Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!


:::::::::::::::::::::::


Sign up for the I Heart Accessories swap here!!

(images found here: 1 // 2 // 3)


i heart accessories swap


The I Heart Accessories swap is a fun way to add some new accessories to your collection.
So let's add some sparkle to our wardrobes, and maybe make some new friends along the way!!




To Sign Up:

1. You must have an active blog.

2. Leave a comment below with the following information:


+ Briefly describe your style.

+ What's your go to accessory?
+ Top 3 places to shop?
+ Are you a gold or silver kind of gal?
+ Blog address & email address


Also, if you need something in a specific size, make sure to note that (example: rings, size 7).

Sign-ups will stay open until Tuesday, March 22.
By Monday, March 28th, I will send you all an email with your secret swap info and address.



Please put together an accessories package of $15 - $20 (excluding shipping).
Your package can include 1 great piece or a few smaller ones. Everything from necklaces, rings, bracelets, bangles, earrings, headbands, hair clips, scarves, nail polish, belts, and more...
You can make or buy, just please make sure you are within the price limit!! And make sure you visit their blog to get more of an idea of their style!

Wrap them up super cute, include a little note or card and make sure you get your package in the
mail by April 11th.


Important:
The swap is only open to US and Canada.
Sorry! The few emails I got last week didn't want to do outside shipping. BUT if you live in another country and want to get involved, still comment/email me, and if I get others that are also interested, I will hook you guys up...



Let's spread the love and make this a success! Grab a button and post it on your blog!!!


i heart accessories swap



Oh, and when you have your gift ready to send, take some pics and blog about it! But remember not to mention who the lucky recipient is! We want to keep it a surprise!! : )


Happy Swapping!! Who's excited?! : )



(This is the first swap I'm hosting, so if you think I left out anything, let me know.... thanks!)


images found here:
1 // 2 // 3
// 4

{inspired} sun-kissed




Good Monday morning, Lovelies! The sun has decided to peek out today! Yippee!! The last couple of days have been chilly with rain and snow, and although I won't be in shorts or at the beach anytime soon, I know Spring is around the corner, with brighter (and warmer!) days ahead!! Hope you all have a wonderful day! xo

P to the S: "I Heart Accessories" swap details to come tomorrow!! : )

Images found here: 1 // 2 // 3

re-structuring

Hello there! How was everyone's weekend? Did you do anything fabulous?? The highlight of my weekend: grocery shopping!! : ) I'm lame, I know!!

Anywho, I've been getting details together for the accessories swap (see the cool graphic to the right), so look for that in the next day or so.... AND I've been thinking about how hap-hazard my posts have been lately. I like a little more consistency in my life, so I'm going to try structure my posts around certain daily topics.


So this is what I'm thinking so far:


{Monday}
Inspired

A collection of photos to get you inspired for the new week. Anything from nature to interiors, nothings off limits.


{Tuesday}
Swoon

What I'm obsessing over in the fashion/beauty world.


{Wednesday}
Wedding

Fun finds, color combos and all things wedding!


{Thursday}
Tasty

Recipes/restaurants that have me drooling...


{Friday}
Favorites

A roundup of my favorite esty/web links to get you through the weekend.


I'm still going to throw in personal/random posts here and there, to keep things interesting... so let's see how it goes the next few weeks. If you hate this new format, well, too bad, it's my blog!!


hehe, I joke. I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions!! : )


Now, that we've got that all out of the way, let the new daily postings begin...

happy friday! {and some etsy faves}



Hello lovelies and Happy Friday to you!! How was everyone's week? Are you glad it's the weekend?! Because I sure am...

Thanks for stopping by this week and brightening my day with your lovely comments.


Here are a few of my favorite etsy finds to take you into the weekend:


+
8 Days a Week in Blue by TskTsk

+ Cobalt Blue Leather Cord Bangles With Silver Tubes by Maribelle Campa

+ Blue Eyed Beauty Natural Mineral Eyeshadow by Noella Beauty Works

+ Roundy-Bottom Ruffles Zipper Purse by Made by Hank

Hope you have a fabulous weekend!! : )

rainy days





I can only handle so much gloomy weather. Its been such a roller coaster ride the past few days, from snow to crazy wind to down pouring rain... with no sun chance of sun for the next few days! BOO! :-/

I'm hoping these photos can inspire me to get through this dreary day!


What's the weather like in your neck of the woods? Hopefully better then it is here... : )


PS: There seems to be some interest in the accessories swap, so be sure to look for details next week!!

: )


images found here: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4

pretty polish



Two posts in one day! Crazy, right! I couldn't help it though... I had to share this pretty polish I spotted over at Anthropologie.

This is quite possibly the loveliest bottle of nail polish... EVER!

goodbye, sweets!


Today is Ash Wednesday, which means the beginning of Lent.
I, being the good Catholic girl that I am ; ) try to follow suit and sacrifice something from now
until Easter.


This year I've decided to give up junk food and sweets.

PAINFUL, I KNOW!!
(since I have a huge sweet tooth!!)

So wish me luck my friends, as this is definitely going to be a challenge!! : )


Do any of you honor Lent?? If so, what are you giving up?

(images from here and here)

accessories, please! {& maybe a swap?!}

Hello, I'm Jessica and I'm addicted to statement jewelry.




Especially when they're fun, unique, and eye-catching! These are just a few fun pieces I'm gravitating towards lately...

1.
Mineral Cascade Necklace // 2. Aztec Bangle // 3. Multi Chain Necklace // 4. Silk Cord Earrings //
5.
Owl Ring // 6. Tangerine Aura Ring // 7. White Enamel Ring

:::::::::::::::::

Sooooo.... this leads me to my next thought. I was thinking of organizing an accessories swap!

I've seen a lot of different swaps on blogs lately, (I even did a Valentine's one last month, which btw, was a lot of fun!) and
I wanted to ask all of you lovely ladies if this is something you would be interested in....

If you are, let me know, and I will get all the details ready and make a sign up post in the coming weeks! If you think it's totally lame, let me know! You won't hurt my feelings! Just thought this could be something fun to do for Spring!! : )

hello there

Yep. I fell off the blogging wagon last week. Dang.



Needless to say my week consisted of an upper respiratory infection, taking medicine like it was going out of style, catching up on
all my DVR'd shows, and dreaming that it was Spring (since we decided to get another 5 inches of snow)!!

Since I've accomplished nothing the past few days, I must dive right into work. I'm so behind it's not even funny! AND I need to catch up on your fabulous blogs!! I feel so out of the loop....


So I leave you with some photos of my furry love child. I was inspired by Michaela's adorable post and wanted to do the same for my little guy!
He's 9 today!! I can't believe it, he's all grown up!!


Happy Birthday Bosco! You have brought so much happiness into my life. I wish we could go for a walk and play ball today, but I fear I might lose you in the snow! So I guess this new bone and box of treats will have to do!!

Happy Birthday! Love You!! (And yes he can read, can't your pooch?!)

: )

retail therapy

Clearly Urban Outfitters Inc. is not concerned about my savings account... how am I supposed to
save, when you have so many cute things?!







With warmer weather on the way I’ve got the urge to add some of these fun and feminine pieces to my wardrobe... I hope my future children will understand and take care of me, due to my lack of financial responsibility in my younger years!! : )


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