Inspired Translation #1

Today I’m excited to introduce a new series! Kyla, from Kyla is Inspired and I are teaming up to share a little bit about how and where we find our inspiration. Inspired Translation will be a bi-weekly series, where we'll be designing a quote around an interesting photo and exploring various design and typography styles. The thing I love about this series, is seeing how the same image inspires us the same.... and differently.



THE INSPIRATION: This super fun and whimsical photo. The confetti wall is so colorful and the chair brings a sleek, modern element to the room. And the ice cream cone planter is just the cutest thing ever!

THE QUOTE: All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. -Ralph Waldo Emerson





MY TRANSLATION: I wanted to keep simple and fun. I kept the background gray (just like the wall) and used the diamond pattern from the ice cream cone planter to bring in some texture. The bright pops of color and mix of fonts keep it modern and fun, just like the photo.


Want to see what Kyla came up with using the same photo as inspiration? Head on over to Kyla is Inspired and check it out. I'm so excited to continue this series and I can't wait to see what we come up with next!


Image: confetti wall

Three

So, this past week was my three year blog anniversary! I honestly can't believe I've been at it for 3 years! I truly appreciate the time you take to read my posts and leave such wonderful comments/emails. Your input means so much and I am so grateful for your continued support over the past three years.

It's been an amazing journey so far and I'm excited to see what the coming year has to bring! :)

Love, Jess


PS: I'm obsessed with Maddie on Things! Seriously, such a cute dog/blog!


Image: Maddie on Things / Theron Humphry

Thursday Thought 04

If you have passion and love for what you do, along with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. There are going to be bumps along the way and discouraging days, but you just have to keep a positive attitude and keep believing in yourself and know that better days are ahead.

Homesick // The 1 year itch

We've been in NC for a little over a year now, and can I tell you something? We HATE IT! There I finally said it. I'm sure the whole state isn't that bad, but we hate the area we live in! There are a lot of reasons why we don't like it (that would just be a long and depressing post) and we can't wait to move back home... or maybe even to Florida.

When I saw this video on my friend Kristen's blog and I just had to share. I've been so homesick and watching this came at a perfect time. Actually watching it made me more sad/homesick, but so happy and proud and I will always call Buffalo my home. I'll always be a Buffalo (NY) girl at heart. If you have a few minutes, check out the video. You can see why I love it so much.

We've tried to make the best of it, but we're ready to hightail it out of here. We just have to get through another year (at least) and then we can move on to our next adventure.


So what about you? Do you live in city that you love?
If you haven't moved but want to, where would go?

Update: Thirteen in 2013

Can you believe we're already a quarter of the way into 2013? I ended up reviewing my "Thirteen in 2013" list over the weekend. I'm not gonna lie, I was a little nervous. I feel like I really haven't accomplished much and the days just keep flying by. Anyone else feel like that?

So, let's reflect a little and see how I'm doing:

1 / Sketch, draw, and paint more.
I have blank canvas ready to go, just need to figure out what to paint!

2 / Workout at least twice a week. (No excuses!)
We joined a gym in February and I'm proud to say that I go three (sometimes 4 times!) a week! I'm super proud of myself for hanging in there and going! I never though I would enjoy it, but it's really not that bad. I've even lost 6lbs! :)

3 / Pay off one credit card.
Happy to say we paid one off, but then had to open another one for my computer (see #7). I guess it doesn't really count now, but we have been very good at not using them. Hopefully by the end of the year, we can have another paid off, or at least paid down a bit! 

4 / Plan a weekend getaway. (I'm thinking Charleston!)
Not sure if Charleston is gonna happen. We both really want to take a trip back home! We're homesick! And we've also been taking about FL. We have family down there, plus we've been toying with the idea of a move there....

5 / Take more photos.
This has been a hard one. Maybe because I don't have a camera, just my phone.

6 / Go jet-skiing or para-sailing.
If the temps ever warm up! Geeze! Still have a few months before this one can get checked off...

7 / Buy a new computer.
My old computer finally died and I was forced to buy a new one. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my nice, new, shiny Mac, but I wish I would've had some money saved before I had to buy it.

8 / Re-design Creative Index.
Yep, as you can see, the blog got a little makeover. I'm really happy with the new look. For now! ;)

9 / Develop a more consistent blogging schedule.
This is a work in progress.... It's tough coming up with fresh and inspiring posts!

10 / Make a book of my Instagram photos.
First I have to take more photos, both with real camera and for IG. My IG feed can be pretty slow and uninspiring at times. I don't even think I would have enough photos for a book at this point..

11 / Organize and declutter. (I have a hard time getting rid of things...)
This is a work in progress too! I plan on going through my closet/bins and getting rid of the clothes I haven't worn in months (or years)!

12 / Create an office space that is more inspiring.
This one's gonna be a hard one. Right now my "office" is one corner of our spare bedroom (that also houses all our extra junk). We have VERY limited storage space in this tiny house, so it has become the catch-all room for all our boxes/bins/junk that would normally go in a basement or attic. Guess I need to work on #11. 

13 / Open up an Etsy shop! :)
Hopefully by the end of Summer!


4 out of 13 checked off. Not great, but not horrible. Hey, I still have 8 months! ;)


Do you have a list you’re working on? I’d love to hear how you're doing and what you've achieved so far this year.

Winter Blues

Hello there! Remember me?! ;)

So, it's been a while since I last posted! At first it was intentional, mainly because my computer died, but then it turned into a funk. It took a bit longer to get a new computer and honestly, I wasn't feeling that inspired or motivated to blog. Ever feel like that?

I can't say that I'm completely out of said funk, but I'm getting there. I'm trying to stay positive and push through these Winter blues. (Seriously, what is up with this weather? It snowed the other day. NC is not supposed to get snow!) As you can see, I gave the blog a little Spring makeover. It still needs a few tweaks, but I so super happy with the new look.  I've also been working on a few other blog designs and I can't wait to share those in the coming weeks! :)

How have you guys been? Anything new and exciting going on? Are you looking forward to the warming temps as much as I am? Spring needs to get here ASAP!

Decorate your Desktop

A simple (but powerful) reminder....

Download & Enjoy! .. 2560 x 1440 // 1680 x 1050 // 1440 x 900 // 1280 x 800 // ipad // iphone

Thirteen in 2013

2013 is here! Can you believe it?! For me, 2012 was a bit of a roller coaster and I'm kind of glad it's over. The whole year was just sorta blah. I don't know if it was the move or what, but I found myself being depressed and uninspired... a lot. I will not be looking back and I love the idea of starting fresh and I can't wait to see where 2013 takes me. I have a few things on my to-do list (both big and small), and these are just a few goals I'm hoping to accomplish this year:

1 / Sketch, draw, and paint more.
2 / Workout at least twice a week. (No excuses!)
3 / Pay off one credit card.
4 / Plan a weekend getaway. (I'm thinking Charleston!)
5 / Take more photos.
6 / Go jet-skiing or para-sailing.
7 / Buy a new computer.
8 / Re-design Creative Index.
9 / Develop a more consistent blogging schedule.
10 / Make a book of my Instagram photos.
11 / Organize and declutter. (I have a hard time getting rid of things...)
12 / Create an office space that is more inspiring.
13 / Open up an Etsy shop! :)

Have you made any goals for the new year? I’d love to hear what you’d like to achieve this year.

thursday thought

I love this quote for so many reasons.

Lately, I've been feeling like I'm not reaching high enough. I've been worrying too much about what other people might think (plus I've been comparing myself to other more "successful" bloggers/designers) and it's messing with my head... and creative potential.

I need to raise the bar and be more confident in my style/work/brand. It's time to stop comparing and start doing. I need to follow my ideas and dreams and see where they take me....

Never stepping out of my comfort zone or trying something new, is and will be a HUGE failure.


Image via Jeroen van Eerden

thursday thought

thursday thought

remember

This was a tweet from someone I follow:

"probably staying off FB and twitter tomrrow since everyone and their mother will tweet about 9/11... is there anything else we can talk abt?"

When I read that, I was a left speechless and sad.

Yes, life goes one. People have happy things going on today (birthdays/anniversaries/etc). We should celebrate and be thankful for those special moments, but 9/11 is day that forever changed us. Today, take a moment and remember the innocent lives that were taken and those who have and continue to courageously fight for our freedom.

I remember like it was yesterday. My heart aches just as much today as it did that horrible day.

I will never forget.


source: peter griffin, edited by creative index

life lately...

// Had a little taste of Fall with that delicious ice cream cone. I was in pumpkin-cinnamon heaven!

// Soaking up the sun as much as possible. Summer is winding down and that means my days at the beach are numbered! :-/

// Happy Meals make me happy! Sometimes I just want to be a kid again!

// Lovin' my pup... He always makes me smile, even when he makes a mess of things.

// Trying to get back into blogging and designing... Been in a little funk, but I think things are starting to look up.

// Had some fun at the mini golf course. I even got a hole-in-one!


What exciting things have you been up too?

lately...

Lately...

// We discovered the cutest little frozen yogurt shop. Doesn't it have the cutest entrance?!

// I don't think I've ever met a cupcake I didn't like! ;) These were super tasty and they've even competed on Cupcake Wars!

// My first attempt at an outfit post. It didn't go so well.... I felt so awkward and the Hubby isn't the best photographer. This was the only photo that was somewhat acceptable. :-/

// Brandon's turn.... He thinks he's a model. Such a ham! haha

// Anniversary dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Love that place!!

// The beach... and Bosco.... Two of my favorite things! (and they always make an appearance on my Instagram feed!)

// A quick stop at Trader Joe's to pick up the essentials! ;)


Nothing to exciting this week.... except for celebrating 3 years of marriage!! Woo Hoo! :)

What have you been up too?
Feel free to follow along @creative_index.


Linking up with And Everything Nice today. Hop on over, link up and see the other Instagrams being shared.

three years

Three years ago I said “I Do!” to the love of my life.

Time certainly does fly!

My love for him grows deeper and stronger everyday, and I look forward to the new adventures and memories this coming year will bring. Hard to believe it only gets better. :)

Happy Anniversary Honey.
Love you.

lately

Lately....

// We've been spending lots of time soaking up the sun. Pretty much any day the Hubs has off, we head off to the beach!

// So fresh and so clean.... Bosco got a fresh Summer cut! I love how soft his fur feels after a day at the groomers.

// Blackberries have been a morning staple.

// We had a fun date day at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. I had been wanting to see the Warhol exhibit and the Hubs surprised me with a visit.... and lunch! He's a keeper! ;)

// Some recent finds from H&M, Gap and Kate Spade.

// Donuts that are warm, delicious and made to order! If you ever visit the OBX, you should definitely try them for yourself!

// My Summer uniform.... a maxi dress/skirt and my j.crew bubble necklace!

So that's my life lately.... exciting, huh? Feel free to follow me on instagram @creative_index. Just be warned, I post lots of photos of my dog and the beach!

What have you been up too? Has your Summer been busy or are you keepin' it low-key? 


Linking up with And Everything Nice today. Hop on over to see the other Instagrams being shared and meet some fab new bloggers.

what's good at trader joe's?

I've never been there (they didn't have a location in Buffalo), but since moving to NC, I was excited to learn that there's a Trader Joe's just an hour away! I'm planning on venturing out there one of these days, but I wanted to know if it's worth all the hype?

So I need your help! What do I need to cart home with me? Or should I not waste my time?

(image via here)

hello there

Just wanted to pop in and say hi for the first time in FOREVER!! I totally went MIA this past month, and to be honest, I kind of enjoyed the unexpected break. I unplugged (somewhat) because we moved to NC, have been enjoying the absolutely gorgeous weather and I've been trying to catch up on design work...

I feel like I've missed so much though! How have you all been? What have you been up too? I've got some major catching up to do! :)

monday inspiration: stay positive

Bright. Bold. Powerful.

Yep, I really needed this reminder today. This print really should be plastered everywhere for all to see. :)


(Image via Ira Cummings)

What I'm loving this Valentine's Day

I LOVE DARK CHOCOLATE.
I LOVE LAZY DAYS.
I LOVE ART.
I LOVE MY SWEETHEART.
I LOVE MY POOCH.
I LOVE YUMMY SMELLING CANDLES.
I LOVE HANDWRITTEN NOTES.
I LOVE MY FAITH.
I LOVE THAT I'M FOLLOWING MY DREAMS.

AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON...

What are you LOVING today?

(photo: Karli Bonnie)