Feeling a Bit Under the Weather?

How is everyone feeling these days? Has anyone caught the flu bug that is rampant across America right now? I swore up and down I wouldn't let myself get sick, usually my motto is if I just keep moving along busily, I don't get sick! Truly, that has worked for years with me! Until this week. . .

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. I'm a corporate trainer in my work life and this week I reached a new height in my career. For the first time, in years as a facilitator and manager, I've lost my voice completely.
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I'm out in beautiful Tucson, Arizona facilitating with another trainer, who is also a friend, and literally its gone!I'm sipping hot tea non-stop, I'm filling up on anything with Vitamin C, taking Tylenol Cold and consistently sucking on throat lozenges. I'm staying in a hotel so I'm doing pretty much everything I can do, but literally, I'd love any remedies you might have to bring it back - and bring it back quickly! Literally a trainer is no good without a voice. . .Say a little prayer, I'd love for it to come back pronto!
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Daily Inspiration: Delightful Breakfast Strata

This weekend I hosted a brunch at our house! We started a new little idea, called Brunch Bunch. We are hoping to gather with some of our friends once a month or every six weeks and do a low-key rotating brunch. We told everyone to come as you are, whether that be in your pj's or coming from church, we read the papers, lounged on the floor, played with the puppy, dined on delicious treats and drank delightful mimosas and coffee!

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I'll post more pictures of the brunch later - but for today - I've gotten a couple requests to post about the breakfast strata that I made for the brunch, so here goes . . .

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Breakfast Strata
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Ingredients:

-White or Wheat Bread, sliced (I used white, I know bad, but I got a free loaf at the store!)

-8 eggs

-1 cup of skim milk (It really called for 2 cups of half and half, but I refused - so I used skim, it was perfect!)

-1 cup of half and half

-18 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese

-12 ounces of cooked, diced ham

-salt to taste

-pepper to taste

-garlic powder

-herbs de provence (or whatever kind of dried herbs you have!)

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Directions: Spray a large 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Butter both sides of your bread, line baking dish with buttered bread, until it is fully covered. Cover bread with shredded cheese. Layer bread and cheese with diced ham. Add another layer of buttered bread, then cheese. Mix eggs, milk, half and half, garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste and herbs de provence. Pour egg mixture over bread, cheese and ham layers. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Uncover and bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes, or until top is browned and eggs are cooked. Serve and enjoy. . .

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Don't Forget - Last Day for Giveaway! TODAY!!

Hi Friends! Thank.Goodness.Its.Friday!

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Today is your LAST CHANCE to leave your comments on the bracelet giveaway!

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Don't forget to leave your comment or email for the Vivireborn Giveaway! The bracelet is TO.DIE.FOR. and I've absolutely LOVED reading your Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Repurpose (thanks, Mary!) ideas. . . I'm so totally stealing all of them!!
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Good luck and Please, have a lovely weekend!

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A Fun Night Out . . .Symphony & Some Wine!

This past weekend a bunch of us attended the Indianapolis Symphony for a fun night out on the town. It was a lovely night out and a nice way to deviate from our usual weekend routine.

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The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is unique because it is one of the few remaining 52 week performing orchestras. It is housed in a beautiful Symphony Hall downtown Indianapolis, located on beautiful Monument Circle.

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I hosted a short cocktail hour at my house prior to the show, I made a homemade shrimp and cheese fondue that I served with various fall vegetables and crusty white bread. A friend made some delightful fall cupcakes and we had a few glasses of delicious wine.

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Following the show we checked out a new wine tasting bar called Tastings. This new little place is located downtown Indianapolis inside the Conrad hotel. Its a new wine bar where you can taste various wine from these neat wine dispensing machines. This concept is based off of a wine tasting bar that the owners of the original location stumbled up on in Italy. They serve various wines and delightful small plate appetizers. You can choose to have a 2 ounce taste, a half of glass, a full glass or a bottle. All of the wines were at various price points and all originated from various parts of the world. The concept of this new little place, is fantastic. I will surely be visiting Tastings again soon.

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If you are looking for a nice night out on the town. . . Check out the symphony and make sure to swing by Tastings, in the near future.

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Favorite Recipes: Aunt Kitty's Seasoned Oyster Crackers

I've grown up eating these delicious little crackers at my Great Aunt Kitty & Great Uncle Ed's house! My great aunt and uncle were a lovely couple and they entertained quite a bit! One of her little treats that I've always loved were her famous baked oyster crackers!

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Aunt Kitty's Seasoned Oyster Crackers:

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Ingredients:.

-2 pounds of Oyster Crackers (I recently used 2 bags-worked perfectly!)

-1/2 cup Canola Oil

-1 package of Dry Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix
-Lemon Pepper Seasoning

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Directions:

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Mix oil, ranch dressing mix and lemon pepper seasoning (use as much as you like for taste - I like a little kick of lemon, so I use about a tablespoon) in a bowl. Place all of oyster crackers in separate bowl. Slowly mix wet ingredients into oyster crackers, coating all crackers. Spread coated crackers out in baking sheets, evenly. Bake oyster crackers in a 250 degree oven for 1 hour, stirring or shaking ever 15 minutes.

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Serve at a cocktail hour, football game or as an everyday snack! Enjoy. . . Happy Tuesday!

Blah Monday = Giveaway Day!!

Happy Monday! How do you make a Monday better?

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Hosting a great giveaway, is a nice way to start!!
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A few weeks ago I blogged about a great little Atlanta based jewelry business called Vivireborn. The artists from Vivireborn, Rebekah and Shannon, use vintage items to create classic, intricate pieces of jewelry. They jewelry they create are both fabulous and fun! I'm so excited to share a piece from Vivireborn, through a giveaway!

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We will be giving away a beautiful bracelet called "A Little Birdie Told Me" - a $38.00 value! Check out the pictures below, its adorable!

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Simply reply to this post, or send me at email at simplecreativeinspiration@gmail.com, with one way you are working to reduce, reuse and recycle. What are you doing to make a difference and be a bit more green? What are you reusing instead of purchasing new? Are you buying local versus Walmart? Share anything, I'm hoping to gain some insight through all of you! Fill us in! Reply by Friday, October 23, 2009 at 5:00pm!

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Enjoy your Monday!

Daily Inspiration: Cinda B Makes a Difference & Gives You Free Shipping!

Breast Cancer is something that has affected so many of our personal lives. I also recognize that many of us are passionate about affecting change within this great cause! I recently discovered a great website that is linked with the Young Survival Coalition and one of my favorite companies, Cinda B!

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Breast Cancer is something that has affected so many of our personal lives. I also recognize that many of us are passionate about affecting change within this great cause! I recently discovered a great website that is linked with the Young Survival Coalition and one of my favorite companies, Cinda B!

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The Young Survival Coalition (YSC) was created by three young survivors in 1998, when they felt the need for more information, resources and representation of young women in cancer studies. The YSC is dedicated to the critical issues that face women under 40 years old.

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The YSC has an online boutique with tons of great items! Make sure to check it out - there are more than 30 vendors you are familiar with currently!

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During the month of October, Cinda B will be donating 15% of its sales on their "sweetleaf" pattern to the Young Survival Coalition! They also have a special code for Simple Creative Inspiration readers that will also give you "Free Shipping" on any of their items!
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Below is the "Sweetleaf" Pattern. . .
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Check out this adorable flat iron or curling iron cover! If you don't have one of these - you need one! They are a wonderful travel companion!
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Check out this great weekend garment bag!
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So here's the deal. . .

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Step 1. Visit the YSC Boutique by clicking on this link

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Step 2. Check out the Cinda B bags - mainly the 'Sweetleaf' pattern- and anything else you are interested in!
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Step 3. When you check out at Cinda B - type in code 'cbSimple4YSC' and you'll receive Free Shipping!

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Step 4. Know that you are helping to make a difference!

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Step 5. Enjoy your Friday!

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Daily Inspiration: Home Decor + Fashion = Fabulous Art

My sister recently reintroduced me to Melissa Bryant and her fun prints that are inspired by her love of decor, fashion and people!
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Melissa's focus lately has been on chairs and how they represent people. (This one is called Modern Chair with Semi-Circle Fabric.)
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Melissa was told once in college that she dressed like her paintings and she thinks that she still does even today! (This one is called 3 sisters.)

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She begins compiling her prints with simple ink on newsprint, she then uses overlays of her favorite fabrics, then she scans them to create the full effect of the prints. (Modern Chair 1 with Teal Swirl.)

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Melissa is currently spending most of her time creating prints of chairs that represent human characteristics. She also specializes in a few animal prints that are inspired by her love of children's books. (This one is called Group Therapy - I love it!)
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These were just a few of my personal favorites. . . I love love love this one - called Club Chair with pink houndstooth!
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Make sure to stop by and visit this Indiana artists local page on Etsy at Melissa's Etsy store soon! These could make fantastic Christmas gifts or wall art for your own home!

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Please Vote: Nominated for Indiana's Favorite Blog

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Today I found out that I was nominated for an Indiana's Favorite Blog Contest through an organization called 'Linking Indiana.' My sweet sister sent me an email telling me I'd been nominated and that she was going to spread the word! I was hoping a few of you could help me by visiting the site and voting for my lovely blog, if you felt so inclined!
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You'll simply need to visit this link and fill out the below information. . . Thank you in advance!

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Name: Simple Creative Inspiration

Website: http://www.simplecreativeinspiration.blogspot.com/

Author of Blog: Abby Barnes Nicol

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Thanks kiddos! Have a great night!

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Winner Announced: ReFind Originals Clutch!

We received a total of 37 entries for the adorable black clutch that was kindly donated by Anita, from ReFind Originals. We found your entries to be so touching and telling of our readership, thank you for sharing your inspirations with us! Out of those entries we narrowed it down to 7 top contestants and then Anita chose her top entry.
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And the winner is. . . Kate Galliett!

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Congratulations, to Kate Galliett, a fellow blogger of Fit For Real Life! Make sure to check out her blog as it provides daily inspiration, as well!
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Make sure to check out ReFind Originals for all of your early Holiday Shopping needs! I can think of a few of my friends and family who would love a great, green, recycled, stylish handbag for Christmas!
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Thank you to all who entered, continue to check back for future contests!
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Busy as a Bee and Back!

So I've been on a whirlwind trip around the country over the last few weeks and therefore, I have simply been MIA! The good news is that I've stumbled upon a lot of creative inspirations on my trips!
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I traveled to Scottsdale, Arizona a weekend ago for a wonderful memorial service that proved to be a celebration of life and a sharing of support for all who lost this loved one.

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I then flew back to Indy for one night and then headed out to train a class for my company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Monday - Friday.

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On Friday evening I hopped on a plane to San Diego, California for a board meeting for my husband.

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We had a lovely visit with some great mentors and friends and then spent one last night on beautiful Coronado Island, California!
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Whew. . . I'm back this week, working from home, and I picked up a number of great inspirations over the last few weeks that I'm ready to share. . .

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So here's to a nice 'non-travel' filled week! Enjoy your day. . .

Daily Inspiration: Happy Birthday, Hubby!

Today is my darling husbands birthday and I am so sad to say that I am not home to celebrate with him. Boo!

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I hope he has the most splendid day and that he is able to spend time doing the things that he loves today!

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Happy Birthday Darling, I love you and am so glad that I am blessed with you by my side! I can't wait to celebrate your 29th year together!!

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Don't Forget - Contest is Ending!

Don't forget!

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You simply have to leave a comment or

send me an email telling me who inspires you! Check out the post!

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Leave your comment by 5:00pm EST, Friday!

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Good Luck. . .
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Daily Inspiration: Decorating Your Space for the Fall

I am a summer girl at heart, I have always been a big fan of the water, the clothes, the cooking, the heat and most importantly the sun! However, when I lived in California after college, I greatly appreciated the weather, but really did find myself missing the seasons we have in the Midwest! Since that point, I've tried to cherish the Fall and the beauty, and break from the heat, it truly provides.

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In an effort to jump into fall - I'll be working to decorate my house, to spruce it up for the Fall Season!

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Check out a few of these ideas. . .I'm eyeing many of them for a few upcoming events we'll be hosting in our home!

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Want to come to my house for a Fun Fall Dinner Party?!? If only I had a free night - we'd have it on the books, trust me!

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How about just decorating your space with the use of seasonal plates. . . Love these!

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This is a subtle example of decorations that can last for more than one season - the only real thing here is the black bowl decorative bowl with the orange pumpkins. . .otherwise, this could easily last for more than one season!

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This table display looks like something anyone could do. . .I'll be hunting for gourds, squash and pumpkins next weekend when I'm back in town!
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I'm obsessed with this decorative sidebar and side shelves! The table decor is great and ideal for a party - the use of apothecary jars is something many of us could do. . .with the jars we used for a candy buffet in our weddings! Check it out. . .
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Happy Fall. . .and happy decorating!

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