Currently...

SNACKING...
on Trader Joe's herbs & spices popcorn! The first time I had it, I wasn't sure about it..... but the more I ate it, the more I loved it! Seriously addicting!

INSPIRED...
by Diana Willard! I've been a follower of her blog and instagram for a while and I just love her work! I'll be sharing more about her later this week, but she's really got me inspired and wanting to paint more! 

WANTING...
the iphone6! My 4s is on the fritz and I can't wait to upgrade! Soon!

WEARING...
plaid! If I'm not wearing a plaid/flannel shirt, then I'm wearing a scarf! I've worn some sort of plaid everyday for the past week. Yes, I have a problem... but I'm also home 95% of the time, so it's just a cozy, easy staple this time of year!

WORKING...
on this year's printable Holiday tags! They're almost done and I can't wait to share! I'm aiming for the day after Thanksgiving, so stay tuned!

FEELING...
a little sad. I always get a little sad/nostalgic this time of year. It's really hard to be away from everyone you love during the Holidays. We're really hoping to go back home for Christmas, so keep your fingers crossed for us! ;)


Anything on your "currently" list? I'd love to know!

Week/End

Well, we made it through another week! And to be honest with you, I feel like everyone has forgotten about Thanksgiving!  I LOVE Christmas as much as the next person and I may have started listening to Christmas music here and there (I need to be in a festive zone while designing those Holiday tags!) but come on people... what about Thanksgiving?! I've seen a few bloggers with fully-decorated trees, ornaments and reindeer everywhere, glitter and garland to the max..... why are we rushing it! The days are going by so fast as it is! The whole season is going to be over in a blink of an eye. Can we all just slow down a little and not completely forget about Thanksgiving!

I've rounded up a few Thanksgiving links in case you need a little inspiration. And next week I'll share a recipe round-up for any last minute menu ideas you might need!

+ Use this cute printable to reflect on the things we have to be thankful for.
+ Love this super simple bunting garland!
+ Also love this (plastic) pumpkin centerpiece!
+ Tired of using the same napkin rings? Then make these cute paper leaf ones.
+ Mini pumpkin pies! Yes, please!
+ If you're crazy about mason jars, this project is for you! Think of the possibilities!
+ Decorate your phone/desktop with this cute wallpaper.
+ I love an infographic! This one will help you perfectly prepare your meal!
+ Carve a turkey the right way!


Happy Friday and happy weekend! :)

Notes : 01

Nobody's life is perfect. Life isn't always fair. Things go wrong. Sometimes it just plain sucks.

But then a perfect moment happens.
Lots of moments that at the time might not seem like much, but in reality, they are kind of the best.


Just a little note for your Thursday! Yay for almost being Friday!! :)

Snapshots

A little bit of my life lately…

ONE
So life has been pretty boring since we got back from Charleston. Brandon's been working a lot! And when I say a lot, I mean it. He's been going to trainings and picking up overtime, which is good for the bank account, but it can be difficult at times. It gets lonely when you really don't have any one else around. But when he is home, we're trying to enjoy as much time outside! We've been walking this nature trail that's close to the house and we've also gone up to the beach to walk along the water. It's actually really nice, now that the tourists have left! ;)

TWO
Speaking of work, I've also been keeping busy with the print shop and the 2014 Holiday tags! See that mug up there? It's one of my new faves! The crazy dog lady mug is my other favorite, because I am one! haha! Several new prints/colors have been added, and I'm hoping to add a few more over the coming weeks! So make sure you're following along for shop promos and the release of the Holiday tags!

THREE
My little sidekick. He's getting older, but thank goodness he's still pretty healthy. We've had some minor issues (nothing to serious), but my bloggy friend Jane and her pup Piri got some bad news recently. Piri was recently diagnosed with kidney disease :( My heart just breaks for them. (read more about Piri here) They have good days and bad ones and by folding these little paper cranes, we're hoping to lift their spirits and send them healing vibes! We have a few more to fold and then we're sending them your way! Sidenote: It's really nice to step away from the computer/phone screen and do something creative! We should all try it more!

FOUR
Donuts! Delicious donuts! I'm posting this pic because, one, I really like it. And two, apparently so do all my Instagram followers! (I'm pretty sure it's my most liked photo!) It got me thinking though about how instagram works. Now, I don't post pics for likes. I post a snapshot of a moment... the good, the bad and even the silly. I post pics so I can remember little snippets of life. It's just funny to see which photos other people "like" because I've posted more inspiring/meaning pics and they get half the numbers. I like a "pretty" photo as much as the next person, we just have to remember there's messy homes and chaotic times behind those "perfect" moments.


So tell me, what have you been up to lately?

wanted : random, fall-ish things

For the past week or so, the nights/mornings have been so chilly! We went from Summer to Winter in a week and boy is it a shock to the system! I wish I was wrapped up, all comfy cozy with that blanket, but nope... I've got this years Holiday tags too work on! ;)

So I leave you with a little wish list of things that have been catching my eye lately... just some random, fall-ish things.

+ Flatware // Throw // Sweatshirt
+ Pitcher // Scarf // Candle
+ Basket // Tote // Lamp


What are some things you're eyeing up?


PS: There's a giveaway going on to win some shop goodies! And btw, I'm loving the answers to the Holiday questions.... they are really getting me in the Christmas spirit! Bring on the sugar cookies ;)

GIVEAWAY // WIN SOME GOODIES FROM THE SHOP!

Woohoo! Don't you just love starting of the week with a giveaway?! :D I noticed I've never done a giveaway for the shop (besides a quick flash giveaway on instagram) and that made me sad! I decided it was time to change that! :)

For this giveaway, there will be 3 lucky winners. I've setup different rafflecoptor gadgets with the different prize options! Feel free to enter all 3 if you want.... maybe win something for a friend! The Holidays are right around the corner! ;)

Open to all! Giveaways end on Nov. 7th and winners will be selected and entries verified! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
PS: If you feel like buying something now, there is a pretty big sale going on! Each product (excluding framed prints, stretched canvases and rugs) is $5 off PLUS get FREE worldwide shipping! Deals like this don't come around every day! ;) So don't miss out! Offer ends Nov. 9th!

Week/End

Well, we made it to Friday! Did the week go insanely slow for anyone else? It's definitely starting to feel like Fall around here and I'm excited to bust out my favorite boots and plaid shirt!

How about some links, if you feel like browsing this weekend...

+ New prints hit the shop! Go check them out!! (more coming soon!) :D
+ Hooray! A hair tutorial I think I can actually pull off!
+ A few photos from our weekend in Charleston.
+ Wish I knew how to use a sewing machine! This napkin-pillow DIY looks so easy!
+ Time to pull out the crock-pot.
+ Old-fashioned pumpkin spice donuts... I need to make these!
+ Tired of cooking the same old pumpkin recipes (pie, bread, donuts, etc.)? Here's some new ways to cook pumpkin!
+ I'm not much of a drinker, but this green apple mojito sounds pretty tasty. Plus its been one of those weeks...
+ Kelly wrote a great post about the downside of group giveaways. And I agree 100%!
+ Sending positive & healing vibes towards my blog friends Jane & her pup Piri!



I also wanted to start sharing some of the instagram feeds that help me stay inspired! There are so many amazing feeds out there, I had a hard time narrowing it down! So here's the first installment of insta-faves. I'm excited to share and discover new favorites! Feel free to share feeds you love, so we can check them out!

@HOGGERANDCO // If you're into fashion, lifestyle or travel photography, than you'll adore Smita. She has an amazing talent for capturing the perfect photo... plus she's always traveling so we get to go along for the ride!

@DOMESTIKATEBLOG // Kate is Boston blogger & stylist so you know her photos are good! And I really enjoy all her yummy food shots!

@RENEERICHELLODESIGN // Designing, doodling, decorating. Renee creates amazing styled photos using her beautiful doodles and bits and pieces of everyday life.


Wishing you a great weekend and a Happy Halloween! :)

Long Weekend in Charleston

I’ve been wanting to go to Charleston since the Spring, but we never made it. I was okay with holding off a little longer and maybe going for our 5 year anniversary in August... well that didn’t happen either! (Brandon works a lot and it was really hard for him to get a few days off this Summer) So one Monday night, I was saying how I sad I was that we didn’t get to go for our Anniversary and I just wanted to get away and that I was in desperate need of some exploring, culture, good food, etc. etc. (I was probably being a little dramatic when I was saying this, but I seriously hate where we live and can’t wait to move! haha) By Wednesday afternoon, a hotel was booked and on Thursday afternoon we hit the road! :)












Charleston is absolutely beautiful! Charm everywhere, historic architecture, beautiful weather, delicious food, friendly people...

We spent a lot of time just roaming the streets and taking in the gorgeous scenery. We visited the City Market & Farmers Market, Waterfront Park (and its famous pineapple fountain), The Battery & White Pointe Gardens (hello, gorgeous houses!), Rainbow Row, Sullivan’s Beach, walked the Ravenel Bridge... we did so much walking, my feet hurt!

And the food was amazing too! One of the things I miss most about Buffalo is the food (good food is seriously lacking in this part of NC, just sayin'), so I was so happy to find some great eats! Butcher & Bee, Poe's Tavern, Callie's Holt Little Biscuit, Sugar Bakeshop all highly recommended! And there are so many other places I want to try next time - The Rooftop, Poogan’s Porch, Hominy Grill, Toast... just to name a few!

It was a fast, crazy, jam-pack trip, but I loved every minute of it! Can't wait to go back soon! ;)


If you've ever been to Charleston, what's your favorite restaurant/place to visit? I'm taking notes for our next trip! ;)

Decorate Your Desktop

Friends! Sorry for the crickets in the freebie department lately. I know it’s been a while, so I figured it was the perfect time to whip up a little something. And even though it doesn't feel like fall here in NC (it was in the 90s yesterday!), I can still feel that Fall is around the corner. The mornings have been cooler, leaves are starting to change and fall and I've already had my fair share of pumpkin spice lattes. 

There are 2 different color options and a few different sizes, including iPad and iPhone. Hope you guys enjoy! And remember, if you use any of my freebies, snap a pic on instagram and use hashtag #creativeindex so I can see! Happy (almost) Fall!!





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REMINDER:
Free for PERSONAL USE ONLY. You cannot use for commercial use or edit and redistribute as your own. Feel free to share on your blog or social media, but please give credit and link directly to this post and NOT the downloadable file. If you have any issues/questions, please contact me. Thanks! :)