The Christmas season has officially begun! This weekend was Black Friday and there were a million and one people out there shopping for gifts for themselves and others. We really do spend a lot of money during the Christmas season, it’s kind of ridiculous! But this year, instead of giving gifts that will just get returned to the store, stuck on a shelf, or forgotten, how about giving a gift that makes a difference? Why not give the gift of life to someone in a developing country!

This post is a day late…whoops!!! I started it a few days ago but I was extremely tired and was falling asleep while writing it!! So here it is now: This week I am thankful for my little family. I have an amazing fiance, who works hard, loves to laugh, is extremely caring and thoughtful, and he is so understanding and easy-going. I have an adorable Jack Russel Terrier named Ozzy, and a super cute Himalayan kitten (well, I guess she’s not a kitten anymore….) named Mila. I love that I get to spend so much time with my little family on a regular basis and just how great they are.

This week, I am thankful for my job! I know right now a lot of you are probably facing the hard reality that great jobs…let alone any jobs….are hard to come by right now. I spent a year after graduating looking for a job. I can honestly say I worked my butt off! I applied to probably on average 5 jobs a day, had 2 interviews a week, and was constantly networking and trying to improve. There was a season, around this time last year actually, where I hit an all-time low of depression. I am such a go-getter person, where I have a goal and I do everything I can to reach it, and when I don’t see the results I am looking for, it’s really disappointing. I think being around the holidays made it hard. Then of course … Read More »

For the month of November, I am going to do a “Thankfulness Thursday” post, to remind myself, and you, what we have to be thankful for. I love thanksgiving and always intend to spend time in reflection of what I have to be thankful for, and to give and/or serve others who are struggling in one way or another. However, with how busy life can be- I can often get swept up in my daily tasks that I forget to take the time to think about it. (Bad, I know!) So this year, I intend to spend time in reflection of what I am grateful for.

This week absolutely FLEW by! It was Monday and then all of a sudden it was Thursday?! Crazy fast!

Some awesome things that went on this past week…..

1. I made mini pumpkin pies from scratch! I’m talking full on, cut the entire pumpkin, roast it, mash it, puree it, make the filling, make the crust kind of homemade pumpkin pies. It took forever, but it was really satisfying to know that I made it completely from scratch. And to be 100% honest, it REALLY DOES taste better not from a can!!! I totally encourage you to try it, but be prepared to have it take an entire day! (Next time, I’m making a whole pie, not minis!)

Thought I would share with you all some of my favorite albums to listen to during the work week as I am plugging away at designing. I sometimes forget that I can put my headphones in and instead accidentally sit in silence. As soon as I remember, I get excited, open up my Pandora and end up tapping my foot away to some awesome tunes. So here are some albums I recommend when you are being creative or just in general!

I decided to ring in fall by creating these two simple autumn backgrounds for your computer!! You can download them by clicking the links below. Each is a collage made with photos I have taken as the leaves change.

DOWNLOAD HERE

DOWNLOAD HERE