MAD DREAM DESIGN: 52 lists

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Showing posts with label 52 lists. Show all posts

Loving Lately // Fall

With the first week of fall coming to a close, I thought I would share why I love this time of year. Late summer early fall has been my favorite for a very long time, but I have started to extend that favorite from late summer to early winter over the past few years. There are a few downsides, but the upsides totally out weigh them in the end. Here are my favorites:

Fall in California by Abby Lanes

1. Boots

2. Leaves

3. Colors:

Brown, tan, and orange with a hint of red.

4. Camping trips:

Our spring and summer is mostly spent paddling, so our fall and winter is when we like to camp - yeah it is cold, but everything is green and there are not a ton of people out, so we often find places that we get all to ourselves.

5. Getting cozy:

Whether that means a fire in the fireplace (or fire pit), a fuzzy sweater, or a down comforter and flannel sheets, it is the best time of year start getting comfy.

Photo source

6. The mornings:

Fall mornings in California are simply the best. I love late summer nights the most, but fall mornings run a close second. I always walk a ton in the fall, because it is a bit cooler, the air is crisp and everything in our neighborhood looks so charming (this reminds me - time to start my walking schedule again).

7. Pumpkin

8. The start to a new season of all my favorite TV shows (yes, they are bad...but sooo good).

9. Back to School:

Although I am no longer in school (I kind of wish I was sometimes), I just remember this time of year being so exciting and I love that! The start of a new school year, new things to learn and new school supplies - in art school, new supplies were the best, expensive, but so much fun!

But more importantly for me, this time of year is still all about learning new things. With paddling at a close, I have more time to explore, delve into big projects, create, and learn how to better myself and my business. These are all things I thoroughly enjoy when I have the time. When I don't have the time, they often start to stress me out, which is the exact opposite of what it is all about - so I really like taking this time of year for self reflection. It is a habit I have grown to love dearly over the past three years.

10. Out with the old, in with the new:
I know most people do Spring cleaning, but not me. I am more of a fall/winter cleaner. Along with self reflection and more time indoors (getting cozy), I start to feel the itch of a much needed purge. I go through our closets and reorganize, or get rid of things we no longer use. I rearrange a few things, overhaul in the cleaning department and decorate the house. I love it!

Photo c/o Roxy: Fall 2013 Collection

Downsides?
For me it is the time change in November and the allergies.

The time change bums me out for a few weeks. I could care less about gaining that hour, I just hate loosing those wonderful nights...I am not much of a morning person, so my nights are precious to me. And loosing those summer/fall sunsets is always the worst.

I have horrible allergies when I am not good about taking the proper precautions. Fall is always the worst, with the changing of the season and the pollen in the air. Running (which I do a lot more of in the fall and winter months) doesn't help, and neither do the cats (oh how I love them), but I am not giving those things up because of my allergies. I have a pretty good system down these days (I can't believe I lived with them for so long that way before), but sometimes they still get me and those days are hard, I have to say.

Enough about those downsides though, what do you love about fall? What are you celebrating this week? I know I am not the only one that loves this time of year the most!

xo,

Love that song

Hello Loves!

I know. It has been awhile...I guess I just needed a break. I've been working through a few things. I have some of them figured out, others not so much, but that is okay. My to do list is long and I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed, but I am solving it when I can. Overwhelm = highly under-motivated to do anything = nothing gets done...but that little fit is behind me now and I am moving forward and I hope in big ways.

Moorea Seal is back with her 52 Lists Project and last week was...list your favorite songs!

Um, I didn't have enough paper for this list and not all of them are on there, because half the time it is not till I hear the song that I remember how much I love it. I don't know, but I think those might actually be the best ones! They come up just at the right time...right when you need them. There are also songs on this list that I might be a bit ashamed to love, but to be honest, I don't take this stuff seriously. Music is about fun and how it makes you feel! Right?

So here is my list...I actually downloaded the sheet for this week and wrote it out - I have to admit that it was kinda fun. You should check out Mindflight, she does all of her lists in calligraphy for practice...love it!

Week 21
my favorite songs.
anything from the beatles - "two of us"
anything from the black keys - "gold on the ceiling"
"here comes the sun" - george harrison (acoustic)
"mayonaise" - smashing pumpkins (acoustic)
"always love" - nada surf
"fly me to the moon" - sinatra (our song)
"wish you were here" - pink floyd
*I am a sucker for acoustic versions and tracks

What are your favorites? What did I miss? New music is always good! Hit me with what you got in the comments down below...so I can listen to it on repeat (and annoy the heck out Jimi)! ;)

xo,

Summer Dreamin'

Who is dreaming of summer? I know I am.

We have gotten a taste of it the past few weeks here in California and I am loving it! I wish I could be outside more..that is the hardest part about working in an office...summer time. Along with dreaming of summer, I also have a lot of big goals to cover over the next 3 and half months.

In this week's 52 Lists Project, Moorea has prompted us to list our Summer goals! Ah yes, this is a good one because I need some to get me through the summer, first to make it awesome and second to make it a successful one!

Week 20
list your summer goals.
complete my Summer 2013 line. (Hint: July!!!)
go to hawaii. (August, cant wait!)
paddle. paddle. paddle.
camping. a lazy weekend here or there.
continue building my freelance graphic design business.
get some Vitamin D. lay out by the pool.
more custom orders. (Yes, I want to make you something amazing!)
SanO dayzzz. surf. beach.
engagement photos. save the dates. food tasting.
more wedding planning.
shop and business plan for rest of the year.
start on 2013 holiday line.
celebrate my birthday.
catch up. organize. create.
help build and learn wordpress web design.
revamp my website. (fun updates coming soon!)
go to a wedding. take a day off for my shop.
complete my business license process!
go to bed earlier. wake up earlier.
go on some runs. go to the movies.
find a new tv series on netflix. (Any suggestions?)
hang out at home with my faves.
backyard bbqs. eat s'mores. camp fires.
watch the sunset.

Yeah I love summer. What is on your list for summer? Share below!

xo,

Who Do I Want To Be?

Oh what a question...

The past year has been big for me...it may not seem that way to everyone, but that is not important, because I have been working on myself, for myself. I have failed at times, but I try to catch myself, work through it and get back at it. It has not been easy, and by no means am I even close to being done...this is a life long process, right?

I have also been focusing on this question, because as I started Mad Dream Design and I wanted it to represent me...or the person I am striving to be. I wanted it to be something that grew with me and found its place in the world like I am trying to do. Of course, the goal is the end result, but really it is all about the journey and spreading the good that only you have been given to create.

I have to remind myself of this constantly...seriously, just had to remind myself of that this past weekend! I love a good adventure, so I am definitely all in for life being the best one. Just show me the ways.

Print and Photo by Katie Swanson

This week in the 52 Lists project with Moorea Seal, we are answering just that question. Who do I want to be? Who am I? What do I want to be known for?

Week 19
the things you want to be known for.

a great listener.
a well rounded person.
an expert s'more maker.
passionate. intuitive.
a loving wife (soon).
honest. inspirational.
an ocean lover. different.
a good friend. wise.
creative. my art.
having good taste.
a family girl. a sweet daughter.
a well traveled girl.
an animal activist.
my smile. my style.
not afraid to laugh at myself.
having a sense of humor.
my jewelry. my designs.
a camper. an outdoorsy girl.
a great older sister.
an interest in the well being of others.
getting stuff done.
a good spirit. a brave soul.
an amazing mother (someday).
being true to myself.

What do you do to work on yourself? What do you want to be? What do you want to be known for? I am interested to see the similarities and the differences between our lists! Also, what do you need to work on most for yourself? Share in the comments below!

For me I need to work on not being a perfectionist, and that what I am, or doing, is enough. Perfection means the end...nothing else to discover or know...where is the fun in that? Mistakes are lessons, or an opportunity for something else, and not always a bad thing. Failure still means I was trying, so I can get up and try again, because if I didn't even start then where would I be? I am no master of this, but maybe someday I will be better at it.

xo,

Let's get Jazzed!

Week 18 // 52 Lists Project // The ways I am energized!

So I am back! Last week was hard to blog for some reason and the 52 Lists project for Week 17 was the people I admire. I did this list but decided not to post it because it while in the middle of writing it got really personal. Yes I could explain who everyone was, but I really didn't want to do that here. I enjoyed Week 17's list for the purpose of doing the list. Examining the things you love or admire about a person and in my case it is almost always the people closest to me. I was able to honor them in my list and in my heart last week. It was definitely on my mind.

This week I am feeling a lot more energy, and it just so happens to be a prompt about what makes you feel energized! I thought this list was fun, especially after the seriousness of last week's prompt. Energy is fun, and when I get it I like to use it for every last drop.

I took a Predictive Index Test at work and it showed my energy level to be at 82, so basically I am a marathon runner in training. Let me break it down a bit, for those who have not taken the test. In the test, the number for energy is not how much energy you have, but how you use it. There are people with a low number who need major down time between big projects or pushes. An average number offers that you need to do some, then break, do more, then break and so on. A high number means you just go, go, go from the time you wake up, till the time you go to bed. I am at the high end of average and low end of high...so I have endurance and most days are spent going and going from when I open my eyes in the morning, until I close them at night. Here is the catch...I need a day, usually about once a month where I do absolutely nothing...I mean my energy level is 0 and I literally cannot do anything.

So what energizes me? Here is the list.

Week 18
list the ways you are energized.

coffee. water. lists.
reading a good book.
writing in the mornings.
walking with ozzie.
drawing. napping.
laughing with jimi.
a peaceful night at home.
getting in the shop.
being in/on the water.
a little lunch break outside.
coming home after a long day.
a hot shower. yoga. music.
warm breezes in the late afternoon.
a good meal. the sun on my skin.
the smell of cinnamon.
crisp, cool morning air.
morning paddles.
getting stuff done.
the sound of waves.
new threads. cleaning.
camping. traveling.
break throughs.

music: nothing like a good song to get you to work or get you home.
being in water: nothing compares to being submerged in water.
the sound of waves: their energy is nothing short of inspiring.
break throughs: nothing like a good idea to get you moving.
traveling: this might be weird, but when traveling I have a ton more energy!
oh and naps...i like those.

When we did the Predictive Index at work, we discussed it as a team and now we understand ourselves and our teammates so much more knowing how they tick, what they need for energy. We found that we actually have a very well rounded, stable team...which being apart of R&D is an important thing. Like Moorea said, as introverts and extroverts we spend our energy and receive energy in such different ways, that is good to understand yourself and where others come from. I know I am introverted in most situations and need time to myself to find energy. Are you Introvert or Extrovert? How do you gain and spend your energy? What are your energy levels like? Can you keep pushing all day, or do you need some healthy breaks? I find this all very interesting, so share in the comments below!

So many books, so little time.

This week in the 52 Lists Project we are listing our favorite books.

I am going to be honest, I do not like reading. But do I love books.

Reading has not always come easy to me, but I love stories and I love listening to them, so when I found Audible...reading books, or listening books, has become something I love to do. In the past year I have read way more than I have since school. It has become a real treat for me, which it should be.

There are a few catagories I am most drawn to when it comes to reading...they are non-fiction, classics, and dystopian young adult fiction. I have a huge affinity for history (the classics) and the the future (dystopian fiction). Thankfully I also like non-fiction to keep me in the present.

Non-fiction for me is more about learning new things, bettering myself, understanding myself and others. I love learning and making connections, so my favorite books in this category really gave me some ah-ha moments. I use their lessons daily and strive to live the life I am supposed to live for myself.

Dystopian fiction is purely an escape for me. This is my guilty pleasure reading. I have to say I was not always into futuristic tales. It was not until I started dating Jimi, and his affinity for Sci-Fi, that I started to notice how much I liked it. Dystopian fiction takes me to a world that is completely unknown. The rules are reinvented and skies the limit as for what can happen. I love learning about these worlds the authors create and the way they portray how it will bring out the best, or the worst in people in the face of fear, danger and survival. There is always love and adventure - literally what more could a girl ask for?? I know this is not the most scholarly of genres to be reading, but I am not afraid to share this, because when I have down time I just want it to be an entertaining, exciting, and easy story to connect with, that I cannot put down.

Classics take me back in time to eras I would have loved to experience for myself. These novels make you think about things. They are still so relative in everyday life, because the lessons and morals they are teaching through ordinary people, still hold value today - they are that timeless. I have read a lot of classics, but there are also so many that I want to read, and intend to change that.

Photo Credit

Week 16
favorite books.

Classics
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Young Adult
Divergent (Series) by Veronica Roth
Under the Never Sky (Series) by Veronica Rossi
Partials (Series) by Dan Wells
Legend (Series) by Marie Lu
Delirium (Series) by Lauren oliver
Sunshine by Robin McKinley

Non-Fiction
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
Quiet by Susan Cain
A Jane Austen Education by William Deresiewicz

Challenge
To read more books from my To Read list and to take the knowledge and the resonance and actually live those things in my everyday life. To live life with the same intensity that I find in dystopian novels, to live with the same thoughtfulness and courage of my favorite characters and to love like life were a fairytale, even when it is not.

Looking through my list I have found my "to read" list is much longer than my favorites. I would have had a much easier time with that list. What is on your favorites list? I need recommendations to add to my Audible Wish List...now that you know what I like. ;) What is on your To Read list?

A few from my To Read List:
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (again)
Death at SeaWorld by David Kirby

Enjoy!

To be, or not to be, that is the question.

So this week's prompt for the 52 Lists Project is to list your favorite quotes. My first thought was well I just have so many...I couldn't possibly list them all. Honestly though, who can? We all have favorite quotes that literally mean the world to us. They hold a dear place in our hearts for all time, a few days, depending on the day or the time in your life, but they all find a little spot to resonate.

Words of wisdom, words passed down through generations, words of love, passages, poems, lyrics, and verses - they are all quotes and words we find comfort in. They are used to inspire, captivate, calm, express, and motivate to do something that is so much bigger than us - live life. Naturally, depending on how you wish to pursue life, you will find solace in different quotes than others, but you will also find like people, that find those same words special. Who knows, it could be a completely different reason as to why, but there is still a connection. Words set us apart, but they also bring us together.

Week 15
favorite quotes.

Life and Dreams

Mermaid by Biljana Kroll, via Behance

"I must be a mermaid. I have no fear of depths and a great fear of shallow living."
- Anais Nin

This defines me so well and how I feel about life...I am not afraid to feel, and I so want for that depth, but I am afraid of never fulling achieving my own personal depth (we all have one), or living a shallow life. This quote helps me keep the focus of what I will always want out of life. I truly love this illustration by Biljana Kroll. She has some really artistic, typographic designs that are fresh and full of color. The line work and compositions are well thought out and the colors are like a dream. Her work resonates with me much like this quote she has picked for this particular illustration. You can see her portfolio here.

"Be thirsty heart, seek forever without a rest. Let this soundless longing hidden deep inside you be the source of every word you say."
- Rumi

"Be the heroine of your life, not the victim."
- Nora Ephron

"The cure for anything is salt water...sweat, tears and the sea."
- Isak Dinesen

“When you've seen beyond yourself, then you may find, peace of mind is waiting there.”
- George Harrison

Love

"Dream without fear, love without limits."
- Glamour Kills

"If there ever comes a day we can't be together, keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever."
- Winnie the Pooh

"In a sea of people, my eyes will always search for you."
- Unknown

"Where there is love, there is life"
- Gandhi

Art

Photo Credit

"I'm going to make everything around me beautiful - that will be my life."
- Elsie de Wolfe

Yes, is this not the life of a creative? Is this not what we all strive for in life, in general? To make beautiful things, beautiful people, beautiful words. I am not talking just about outer beauty...I am talking about things that are purely beautiful, inner beauty and outer beauty for the things they wonderfully have to offer the world.

"Everything you imagine is real."
- Pablo Picasso

"Art is the only way to runaway without leaving home."
- Twyla Tharp

That and reading, I say.

Adventure

Photo Credit

"Traveling - it leaves you speechless, and then turns you into a storyteller."
- Ibn Battuta

"The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man."
- Unknown

I love this one, because for me it is so true. I get an itch, an angst, a thirst to get outside, get on the ocean, go camping or travel somewhere new, because I need these places to set my spirit free...even if for a few days, a few hours, a few minutes. A road trip is the most freeing thing in this world to me...nothing has compared...yet.

via Instagram @maddiedierkes

I have a few other quote posts that have some other favorites here and here. You can also see a whole lot of fun quotes I have pinned on My Famous Last Words board.

What are some of your favorite quotes? I would love to hear them.

xo,

Dream Jobs and The Artist's Way

52 Lists // Week 14 // Dream Jobs

I have been a bit lax with my posts this week, but here is a bit on why:

I am moving away from what I have been recently calling "fluff posts" and have set my heart on more in depth, informative, inspiring and creative content. My background is in art and art history. I am a designer second to be an artist and I want my blog to reflect that. No more design for design's sake, but rather inspired design, history, cutting edge, and unique art and people...that is what I really love. The stuff behind the work, that is why I love art history. With that said, I still want to have fun...I enjoy lists and this project can be as in depth as I want it to be, so I am going to continue, but I will be mixing in some art, art history, inspired design, and some reflection when I can! :)

This prompt goes quite well with what I am currently reading, The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. I am on Week 8 (my weeks often turn into two weeks) which is about loss. Each chapter is full of amazing anecdotes and concepts for artists, students who went to art school, or are just a creative person that is finding themselves blocked.

I didn't think I was a blocked artist until I started reading The Artist's Way, but oh wow, was I dead wrong.
There are some chapters where I am just in awe of how at one point in the not so distant past that was soooo me. It is a bit scary, a bit eye opening, and a bit of relief that I am out of some of those relationships and mind sets today. It makes me thankful for my gifts and talents, as every artist should be. I am moving through the chapters slowly really absorbing what she has to say and taking in what resonates with me. It is powerful stuff.

One exercise from The Artist's Way is much like this week's prompt, focusing on your dream jobs, as a kid and as an adult now. I must say my dream jobs as a child are quite a bit different to the ones I have now. And then there are some so far out there, that you may be surprised to see them, if you know me well. I was even surprised to see some of them.

photo credit

Childhood Dream Jobs
lifeguard.
interior designer.
marine biologist.
animal trainer.
photo journalist.
artist.
history teacher.
professional athlete.

via @for_thedreamers instagram

Current Dream Jobs
small business owner.
jewelry designer.
museum curator.
marine biologist.
singer.
explorer.
fine artist.
art/design expert.
art/art history teacher.

The challenge for this list is the number one reason and benefit for doing this list, and same goes for The Artist's Way, incorporating these dreams into your life in some way. I have no want to be a lifeguard anymore, but I recognized the exact reason why I wanted to be at 3 years old. I wanted to be a lifeguard, because I love the ocean and I want to be on the ocean on a regular basis...not just in the summer time. So I paddle outrigger canoe. The best part of that is still apart of my life, in a fun way!

Challenge
How can I integrate one of these dream jobs into my life right now?
Photo journalism - use my blog as a place for photo journalism - share photos, journeys, and knowledge. Do my research, interview experts, and become an expert in the process. It is all about the journey....embrace it.

What are your dream jobs? Do you incorporate the ideas you loved about that dream job into your life somehow? Or are you making one of your dream jobs a reality? I know I am.

xo,

52 Lists // Week 13

Mad Dream Design is linking up with Moorea Seal for the 52 Lists project every Wednesday!

Week 13

List the things you want to make.

jewelry. style.

prints. 2D designs.

cards. lists.

a home. a sanctuary.

fun printables.

paint the walls.

fountains for our yards.

wood chimes for our yards.

fun blogs. web designs.

a composter.

an improved garden. herbs.

a meaningful life.

my wedding. stationary.

healthy dinners.

pottery on a wheel.

heartfelt words.

my business. my brand.

art. inspiration.

beautiful things.

an awesome get away plan.

a family of my own.

the best of this life.

photographs of good memories.

a great wardrobe for myself.

my own motivation.

Challenge

I am going to make my Etsy Shop happen!

What will you be making this weekend?

xo,

52 Lists // Week 12 // Home

This week in the 52 List project we are thinking about what it means to be home.

"Home is where ever I'm with you."
- Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes

“I live in my own little world. But its ok, they know me here.”
- Lauren Myracle

“Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.”
- Gary Snyder

Home is a place of comfort, a safe haven from the world happening around us. It can be a person, a place, may places, and many people. I know I have more then one home. Then there are those wonderful things that feel like home and remind us of home, that are hard to live without, especially when we are away from that place. Here is a list of all the things that are home and feel like home.

Week 12
things that feel like home.

jimi hugs. pets.
my bed. memories.
my sister.
my parents.
NAC. the ocean.
road trips. my car.
a comfy sofa. blankets.
my bed. my pillow.
trees. camping.
antiques. photos.
art. historic paintings.
the sound of cooking.
the smell of cinnamon.
the color white. green.
christmas. artichokes.
the sun on my skin.
a breathe of fresh air.
maple cabinets.
my creations.
flannel. cozy fires.
red. enamelware.
the beach. hot chocolate.
the smell of coffee in the morning.
pride and prejudice.
mammoth in the summer.
the california coast.

The kitchen always ends up being the heart of a home...I know ours is, we spend so much time there. Growing up in my parents house...it was all about the open downstairs living space...all center around the kitchen. So a lot of things that feel like home have to do with these two places...the colors, maple cabinets, antiques, cooking, food, sofas and big blankets to snuggle up to a fire with.

Nature has always felt far more like home then any building, besides my own house, that is where I want to be. Whether I am on the water, in my car with all the windows down and sunroof open, or in the woods exploring...these places feel like home. But really none of these place would be the same without the people I have experienced them all with.

That is when people become home...my parents house will always be home because of the memories and relationships built there with my family. My sister will forever be my soul mate, because miles can never move those feelings of home with family. But then what about the new life we make for ourselves outside of our families...those become home too and eventually another family is created. Place like NAC for the community and escape it offers and then a new house, the one I have made with Jimi. This home took a little bit getting used...possibly about 2 years, but now it is my home, not only because it holds my bed, my pets and my creations, but it also holds my heart. This is not about a place, it is about a person. Jimi...one kiss to forget the world, one hug to send it all away and one look to know that this is what home looks like.

I found this list to be comforting and one that I can see growing over my lifetime as new people, places and things become familiar and eventually home. It is an ever present reminder of what is truly important in this life. So, what feels like home to you? I am looking forward to what everyone comes up with.