2013 ~ MAD DREAM DESIGN

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Wanderlust Wednesday // Angeles National Forest

It was officially our last "dating" anniversary on September 21st. It was number 8 and kind of something to celebrate because we wont be celebrating it anymore after this year. So we decided to use our Adventure Pass and hit up another forest before it expired.

This trip was so fun because we did so much exploring while driving. The roads going through this National Forest can't be beat. We got to do some off road trails, some long and windy mountain roads, and some small "into the wild" paths that lead to nowhere in particular.

Our goal was to find a campground with not very many people in it...preferably no one. As the afternoon came to, we got a little scared becasue we were about 2/3rds of the way through the park and had not found quite what we were looking for...but we were determined. So after a little offroading we came to a little site tucked into a valley with large trees and plenty of fall leaves. And better yet, no one was there. Jackpot!

We set up, went for a little hike to explore the place and then started on some dinner. We had a fun night around the campfire...just the three of us, celebrating, acting silly and were truly in our happy place.

Our Thanksgiving!

I was so excited for this year's Thanksgiving for a number of reasons. One, it is one of my favorite holidays - a 4 day weekend, family, food and best of all - thankfulness. Two, we were having it our...for the first time. Third, it was my Dad's birthday...which makes it an even more special day.

I was so happy the weather turned out to be gorgeous here in Southern California for the day so we could eat outside. It was also perfect for BBQing the turkey. Jimi totally owned this task, and brined the turkey for 24 hours and grilled it to perfection.

We did a potluck style meal, because there are just some things we just love that our mom's are excellent at. We were all able to concentrate on one or two dishes, rather than everything all at once...it was so successful and a lot less stressful for all.

The Menu
The Main Course
BBQ Turkey - Jack Daniels Brine, charcoal grill, and hickory wood chips.
*The drawback to a BBQed Turkey - It can not be stuffed and you don't get drippings for the gravy.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes - I used this recipe!
Sweet Potatoes - drowning in a brown sugar butter, sauce these babies are my favorite!
*My mom does a killer job on this family recipe.
Stuffing - Jimi's Mom, Cathy, worked her magic making stuffing without the turkey.
Green Bean Salad - Mom knows how to make green beans delicious

The Extras
Cranberry Sauce - two different directions in cute mason jars, my mom had a traditional sauce and the a relish of sorts, both were amazing!
Gravy - With no drippings, I had to get creative, so I used this recipe. I turned out much better then I expected! Plus, it was so easy!

Drinks
Wine and Martinelli's Sparkling Cider are a Thanksgiving must, but I also made this lime-rosemary water for the table. Yum!

Wanderlust Wednesday // Hawaii: That's a wrap!

Recapping my trip to Oahu has been so much fun! For the last post in this Hawaii series (for now, anyway) I thought I would name a few of my favorite spots and highlight a few things. Enjoy!

From Kailua to Honolulu there is a ton to see on this island, even a few things that might make you forget you are only miles away from the city center:

Na'uanu Pali Hwy
This is probably the prettiest commute in the states. With gorgeous views and tree lined roads, it is never a dull drive. You may have heard of the Na'uanu Pali Lookout, which, in Hawaiian history, is where one of the most important and bloodiest battles took place.

Maunawili Falls Hike
This is a great beginners trail...if you know where you are going. The first time I did this hike we went with a few locals who knew the trail, but this time around we did it by memory and we got a little lost. The trail is clearly marked up to a certain point, but toward the end you are pretty much walk up the river to a nice swimming hole and waterfalls at the end.

It is refreshing and rewarding after about a 1 to 1 1/2 hour hike. The views when coming out into a few clearings are amazing and great places to take a break, get some water and snap a photo. The one downside to this hike? The mosquitoes. Wear repellant, even if you usually don't get bitten, because you are in the think of a rain forest environment.

If, like us, food is your thing, then here are two spots that happen to be only a few blocks away from each other in town:

Leonard's Bakery
Malasadas. Need I say more? Probably some of the best ones you can find throughout all the islands are found at Leonard's. Just up the road from Waikiki near the H1, if you are heading that direction this is a great place to stop on your way (or on your way out).

Bogart's Cafe
Arguably the best breakfast in town. Right around the corner from the Honolulu Zoo, this place is easy enough to walk to if you are staying in Waikiki and well worth the drive if you are not.

Loving Lately // Gifts that give back!

Happy Friday Friends!!

Who has their Christmas shopping done, yet? I have to say I am getting close, sort of...there is light at the end of the tunnel. Anyway, if you are looking for ideas, here are a few places to find fun, fresh, and charitable gifts for the ladies in your life.

Leith x Warby Parker
Have you seen the latest collection Warby Parker has been working on?

This week Warby Parker launched Leith x Warby Parker, a collection of five feminine frames brought to life in collaboration with Leith Clark of Lula Magazine. You may recognize her singular style from her work with Harper’s Bazaar U.K. and Italian Vogue. Inspired by smart-looking and smart-thinking individualists, each set of frames exudes ultra-ladylike and spirited charm.

Of course, these five frames could not be anymore chic then when modeled on Zoe Kazan and photographed by noted fashion photographer Pamela Hanson. These photos capture that exact 1960's nerdy library girl look that Leith, along with most girls, love.

Photo c/o Warby Parker

Now that you have seen the fab five, all available in optical or sunwear, which is your favorite? My favorite....the Willow Aldabra, what is not to love about petite frames and tortoise shell?

Photo c/o Warby Parker

But I do have to say, hands down my favorite thing about Warby Parker and all their frames is the fact that for every pair of glasses sold, a pair is distributed to someone in need. AND a percentage from each sale will also go to Girl Up, a United Nations Foundation campaign mobilizing American girls to raise awareness and funds for UN programs that provide life-changing opportunities to girls around the world.

As a company that gives back, Mad Dream Design is a huge fan of those who do the same. So, if you have not checked out Leith x Warby Parker, head on over, the frames are available online and at Warby Parker stores and showrooms for $145 each.

A Holiday Gift Guide for the ladies from Eat.Live.Make
This gift guide is chalk full of good stuff and it features a few shops that love to give back.

Check out her full gift guide on her blog!

These shops are giving back with each purchase:

BGlorifiedBoutique - Fun knits, scarves and headwear. 10% of proceeds goes to teen challenge around the world. Super cute stuff!

fashionABLE - amazing scarves and quality leather goods. Your purchase of a fashionABLE scarf creates sustainable business in Africa. I have a special lady on my list receiving one of their scarves.

Mad Dream Design - Jewelry to go with your new knits, scarves and sunglasses, we are dedicated to donating 5% of each purchase to animal and earth friendly non-profits, such as Ocean Preservation Society, BlueVoice, The Marine Mammal Center, Falcon Ridge Equine Rescue, Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary, and Barks of Love!

A little sneak peek at a few new products that will be launching in the shop this weekend:

Photography by Amber Mozo Photography

Enjoy and Happy Shopping!

Wanderlust Wednesday // Hawaii: Pearl Harbor

"A date which will live in infamy..." - President FDR

This Saturday marks a day that we will never forget, December 7, 1941 ...it is a day for remembering and reflection.

Remember Pearl Harbor
Since that fateful day Pearl Harbor has become a memorial for those lost on that day. I was able to finally visit the memorial (after being on Oahu multiple times), where we spent the day enjoying the museums and grounds there.

USS Bowfin
If you have time to stop in to the Submarine museum stationed on site at Pearl Harbor, I highly suggest checking it. It is amazing to see what the crew had to live on for days on end. This honestly makes me claustrophobic just thinking about it, but the technology and design that goes into these vessels is amazing, even the ones as old as the Bowfin.

Happy Thanksgiving and a not so black Black Friday!

Hi Friends!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and and I hope you enjoyed your friends, family and a ton of amazing food! It is one of my favorite holidays, because the spirit of this holiday is one of the best. I hate that is shadowed by Christmas (don't get me wrong...I love Christmas), but the message of Thanksgiving and the food are just simply the best. Being thankful for this life. It is something I try to live every day, even though I am not successful at it every day.

Not so black Black Friday!

I am not a huge fan of Black Friday...as I love to enjoy Thanksgiving in full...with no shopping involved. Not to say I have not done it...but I have tried it, and it is just not for me. So rather than having a sale today, I am just here to keep you posted on what is happening here at Mad Dream Design during the holidays!

Today!
No sale happening (unless you have subscribed to my newsletter...wink, wink). If you would like to get special discounts and be the first to know all the happs, then click subscribe! It is easy and I promise, it is only fun stuff, that comes a few times out of the year.
I will make it worth your while.

SUBSCRIBE!

Small Business Saturday!

Oh how I love this day as it celebrate amazing people and the businesses they have created doing what they love! To celebrate I have some exciting news....

You can now purchase Mad Dream Design jewelry at A Little Known Shop in Anaheim, CA. We are so excited to partner with A Little Know Shop as they promote amazing crafters and makers. They are also apart of the The Community, which if you are an Orange County local, it is a must check out for shopping handmade and local for the holidays!

Here is a little info about A Little Known Shop, stop by and say hello and check out the Mad Dream Design inventory they have in stock!

A Little Known Shop
423 S. Brookhurst St. #M,
Anaheim, California
Tues - Sat: 10am - 7pm
Sun: 11am - 6pm

"A Little Known Shop is a one-of-a-kind retail shop that helps support local artists and crafters. Our shelves are stocked with unique, fun items including soaps, jewelry, scarves, original art prints -- to name just a few. The best thing about the shop is that all of the merchandise is from local makers!"