current happenings

Why hello there! Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I really enjoyed my time away and spending time with my family and the Hubs. It was definitely hard to say goodbye and I'm already counting down the days until I get to see him again (he only has 2 1/2 weeks of academy left!!).... and we'll finally be able to get our lives back on track!

Over at Hello! Monday, Kristen and I are hard at work, designing some festive Holiday FREEBIES! (See that photo above... that's a sneak peek!) We have cards and gift tags in the works, so I'll keep you posted when they're ready! :) We also have some great discounts on design services going on, so make sure you check those out if you need a logo, invitations, website....

And finally, I decided to extend my blog design promo until Dec. 7th. I have a few spots left, so if you're in the market to jazz up your bloggy blog, click here to check out the packages I offer! I won't be able to start the design until the beginning of the year, but for only $25 down, you can lock in the discounted price!

Alrighty, that's it for now! Hope you all have a great day! I can't wait to catch up on all your wonderful blogs... it's been way too long! :)

happy thanksgiving!

I know it's a couple days away still, but I'm signing off early! The Hubs is en route home (so excited!) and I'm so ready to relax, spend time with him and the family.... and eat a whole lot of goodness! :)

Hope you have a great day and a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Are you looking for some unique gift ideas? Then don't miss out on all the fun and festive ideas and discounts I posted a few days back. Let's support the handmade community and help spread the word about these wonderful businesses. Not to mention, the deals are expiring quickly! :)

(image via marykate mcdevitt)

Holiday Linkup Party

Happy Friday friends! Christmas is creepin' up rather quickly and I'm pretty excited to share with you a super fun and festive Linkup party! Some of my favorite ladies have teamed up and are hosting the Christmas Cheer Linkup! They're going to showcase the spirit of Christmas through crafts, decor, and food!

And the best part is, you get to join in on the fun! Link up your holiday projects/inspiration, with these wonderful hosts:

:::: Cassie from Hi Sugarplum! gets the party started on November 29, and you can link up your holiday craft with her!

:::: The party continues on December 1 with Courtney from A Thoughtful Place with holiday vignettes.

:::: On December 6, join Michelle from Ten June to share your Christmas mantle.

:::: Link up your Christmas trees with Megan over at Honey We're Home on December 8.

:::: On December 13, visit Natasha from Schue Love to savor some delicious recipes.

:::: Michaela from Michaela Noelle Designs wraps up the party with holiday decor on December 15.

<a href="http://michaelanoelledesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee462/creativeindex/michaela-noelle/holiday200x200.jpg" border="0" alt="Holiday"></a>

Feel free to grab a button and spread the word! And if you're wondering... yes, I did make that super cute and cheerful graphic! ;) I was so happy to work such nice and talented ladies, so I really hope you’ll join in on all of the holiday fun!

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Don't forget about all the wonderful gift ideas.... and DISCOUNTS!! Check my previous two posts for more info!

holiday roundup + discounts (part 2)

I'm just gonna get straight to the point....

Are you ready for part 2?! Well here ya go:

15% off with discount code CIB15

Valid thru Nov. 27th

K. Slademade has stunning one-of-a kind clutches, totes, handbags & jewelry! I'm a BIG fan of her clutches... It was so hard to for me to pick just one favorite, because she has so many great pieces!

20% off with discount code CREATIVEINDEX20

Valid thru Dec. 2nd

Lulu & Drew features original artwork by Stephanie Jean. I am completely smitten with her work. She creates gorgeous abstract paintings that are simple, modern and fun!

15% off with discount code THANKFUL

Valid thru Dec. 10th

Very Loveleigh has lots of handmade, cozy goodies! Chase those chills away with one of her oversized cowls or super cute bowbands! Doesn't Leigh have some amazing knitting skills?!

10% off with discount code THANKU10

Valid thru Dec. 16th

Lippincott Soap Co. is a small family-owned business that specializes in making old-fashioned, cold process lye soaps. Everything is made in small batches for quality and freshness and they produce beautiful, skin loving products.

10% off with discount code CONILAB01

Valid thru Dec. 15th

Coni Lab is filled with lovely screen-prints, sure to brighten your day. Each print is hand screened on archival paper and non-toxic water based inks. There are so many fun prints... and I've always loved the saying "Do what you love / Love what you do" so that was definitely my pick!

Wee Waldorf is sweet shop full of fun and natural gifts and toys. I love the muted colors... they're still so bright and cheerful. Who knew wood toys could be so cute!

Fuzzy Mug is the perfect shop for those of you who love animals. Their prints and designs will surely put a smile on anyone's face.

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I was so thrilled to share my Holiday roundup with you guys. I wanted to help promote some of my favorite handmade shops and I hope you join me in supporting their work. Feel free to share these links with family and friends... let's help spread the word about these wonderful handmade businesses.

Did you miss part 1? Check the previous post, or just click here.
I will also post all the discounts on my sidebar!

Do you have a favorite shop? Will you be supporting the handmade community?

holiday roundup + some discounts!

Tis the season to shop so I thought I'd put together a little compilation of my favorite Etsy shops and gift ideas for everyone on your list! Most of the shop owners have even been so generous to offer up discount codes for my lovely readers, so be sure to check out their shops. Some of the codes don't last long, and if you see something you like, snatch it up before it expires!

Are you ready?! Time to get your shop on!! :)

25% off with discount code ELHOLIDAY

Valid thru Nov. 23rd

Edie's Lab is a small workshop which focuses on crafting nontoxic, sustainable and responsible products. Their products are made with reclaimed and recycled materials and they use paints with low VOC! I love anything related to typography, so this shop has been a favorite of my for awhile now!

10% off with discount code SMITTEN10

Valid thru Dec. 16th

Pretty Smitten specializes in personalized stationary, home accessories and gift items. Each item is created just for you. With so many color and pattern options, I just love how you can customize it to match your style.

The Vault Jewels is chock full of beauties! Everything is handmade with a lot of care, attention to detail and quality materials. It was so hard to for me to pick a fave, because there are so many fun pieces!

10% off with discount code CREATIVE1

Valid thru Dec. 10th

Peg and Awl has lots of unique treasures for the home, garden and body built from reclaimed materials. Their work is so distinctive and I love that they love to find old things and turn them into wonderful new creations.

10% off with discount code CreativeIndex10

Valid thru Nov. 23rd

Jessalin Beutler cre­ates hand-painted fab­ric items that fea­ture geo­met­ric prints for men, women and chil­dren. I was immediately smitten with the abstract lines and bright colors.

Beautiful Skin creates beautiful handmade leather accessories for all our favorite gadgets and more! Don't you just love all the patterns? These are truly one of a kind pieces anyone would love to get!

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So there ya have it! Part 1 of my round-up!
Yes, you read right... that was only part 1!

Part 2 will be coming at cha tomorrow!!
Feel free to spread the word! Sharing is caring! :)

thanksgiving tablescapes

I definitely have Christmas on the brain (I'm finishing up my Holiday round-up!, so be sure to check back tomorrow), but I don't want to forget about Thanksgiving. So I have gathered some tablescape inspiration to get your gears turning for your holiday table! Can you believe that Thanksgiving is a little more than a week away?

Do you go casual or get fancy with your table for the turkey? Do Tell.


(images via 1 // 2 // 3 // 4)

a brand new week...

Hello friends! Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend! I'm getting more and more excited as each day passes and we inch closer to Christmas. Has any put there tree up yet? Started on their shopping?? I've done neither. The tree usually goes up a day or two after Thanksgiving. And as for shopping, I really want to start on that A-SAP!

We also have a winner in the My Memories giveaway! Congratulations to #3, Jess from The In-Between... I'll email you shortly!

Ok, I'm off to tackle my to-do list! It's never ending!

PS: Later in the week... I'm doing a little Holiday round-up of my favorite items/shops. You'll definitely want to check that out! There might even be a few discounts! ;)


(image via anthro)

style files: casual chic

I'm just gonna get to the point.... I want both of these outfits. Dressing in a casual chic style is all about mixing a comfy, relaxed look with sophisticated touches. I love feeling pretty and stylish while still enjoying the comfort of my favorite pair of jeans or leggings. :)

Which look is your favorite? What are some of your wardrobe staples for Fall?

PS: I was over at The Vault Files yesterday sharing what's in my make-up bag. Head on over and see the products I'm currently using and the ones I'm coveting.... :)

(images via here and here)

design software giveaway!

A few weeks ago I got an email from My Memories about their award-winning software which they asked me to test out. I'm not going to lie, I was a little hesitant at first. I'm always skeptical of other programs.... Photoshop and the entire Adobe Creative Suite have been my go-to programs for years. Well, let me just say, this software changed my mind, and I'm pretty impressed.

My Memories has so many fun features. It's super efficient and has a range of tools that make designing a breeze! There are a ton of different templates to help jump-start your creativity or you can start fresh with a blank canvas to which you can add different elements, shapes, photos, text, etc. etc. It's an easy solution to put together digital scrapbooks or to make fun graphics for your blog! :)

{screen shot of the user friendly dashboard}

A few other things I'm impressed with:
- Super user friendly.
- Available for both MAC and PC.
- Huge selection of backgrounds/textures/embellishments.
- Preview edits before committing.
- Easy editing with a right-click menu.
- Recover unsaved changes the next time you open.
- Export layouts/pages as .jpgs (great for blogs!)
- Endless amounts of fun!

{both graphics were designed with My Memories}

So you wanna win your own copy of the My Memories Suite software (a $40 value),
here's what you have to do:

MANDATORY (1 entry):
Make sure you are a Creative Index follower either through GFC or Bloglovin'
THEN visit MyMemories and tell me your favorite scrapbook kit.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:
(separate comments for each that you do!)

+ Follow me on twitter.
+ Follow me on facebook.
+ Follow my memories on twitter.
+ Follow my memories on facebook.
+ Tweet about the giveaway.
(Just entered to win design software from @mymemoriessuite on @creative_index! http://tinyurl.com/7meajyn)

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Winner announced on Monday, November 14th. Open to everyone! Good Luck!

I was given a copy of the My Memories software, but the review is 100% my own.

swirls cupcakery

How delicious does that cupcake look?? Well, let me tell you... it was mighty delicious!

Seriously. Probably the best cupcakes I've ever had! :)

Michael, the cupcake master, is a recent high school graduate (how cool is that!?) and is ready to bring the cupcake craze to the Buffalo area with Swirls Cupcakery. The grand opening was this weekend and Kristen and I were so excited to check it out. We went a little later in the day, after all the craziness and they were SOLD OUT of everything. Lucky for us, we know the owner (he just so happens to be Kristen's cousin! ) and he saved us a few tasty treats!

How cool does the logo look on the windows and behind the counter? hehe

Want to see more photos? Head on over to the Hello Monday Blog.

hello monday + a discount!

Hello there! Hope everyone one is having a great Saturday so far! I just wanted to pop in for a quick hello, and also let you all know that my dear friend Kristen and I have finally launched our Hello! Monday site! (see my last post) And in honor of the launch, I've slashed my blog design prices by about 15%!

So, If you're interested in a little blog makeover, email me for more info! Prices won't last forever, and spacing is limited! (click here for details)

Oh, and feel free to follow Hello! Monday on Facebook and Twitter! We love having new friends!! :)

friday favorites

Happy Friday! Boy, have I had a busy, but exciting day. This print pretty much sums up what I'm feeling! Some of you may or may not know that my friend Kristen and I were in the process of opening our own design studio. Well it's official.... The Hello! Monday site is finally up and running and we couldn't be more excited! So if you have a chance, stop by and take a look... We'd love to know what you think! :)

As always, enjoy this random collection of things I happen to be loving....

1/ The guide of all Holiday guides!
2/ How awesome are these scarves?
3/ Amazing works of chalk art!
4/ Perhaps my next nail color should be 'Galion' from Nars.
5/ Words cannot express how much I love animals in costumes.
6/ Typographic lollipops.
7/ I just LOVE this wedding! This couple totally rocks!


Have a wonderful weekend! Got any exciting plans?? :)

(image via heartfish press)

it's november!

How was your Halloween? I can't believe it's November already! The year is almost over!

I saw this great post idea over on the lovely Miss Candice's blog. She made a list of a few things/goals she wants to accomplish during the month, so I though I'd do the same. At the begining of each month I'm going to share a few things I hope to achieve that month... whether they're silly or serious, I hope to feel more accomplished when I start checking things off!

Here's just a few of mine...

1/ Take more photos.
2/ Get back into morning workouts.
3/ Drink more water.
4/ Read a book. (Any suggestions?)
5/ Get a new sketchbook.

Do you have any goals for the month?