Showing posts with label loving lately. Show all posts
Showing posts with label loving lately. 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,

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Loving Lately // Catalina Crossing

This weekend is probably one of my favorite weekends of the year. This weekend is the Catalina Crossing. am ready to paddle my ass off to get to Catalina Island from Newport Beach, CA. It is about a 27 mile race, with 9 girls in a 200lb. canoe. We were flying on Wednesday night at our last practice of the season, so I can't wait to see how we do. This will be my 12th crossing and we have a rockin crew, with great coaches and what looks to be like WARM weather. That maybe the best part of the deal. Jumping in and out cold water is sooo much better when the sun is out and it is hot.

This season has been a different one, new coach, new teammates, I decided to start my own business and I am planning my wedding. Lots going on and a lot of adjustment. The great thing about paddling 6 man is the coming together and pushing through, getting through a race or a practice with a bunch of girls that might have a lot differences, or have completely different things going in their lives, or girls you might not have that much in common with. But, you have paddling in common, a love for the water and a want to do better, be better whether it is faster, a cleaner stroke or a better blend...there is always a goal to achieve, and there is something to be said about doing it together as one that makes it awesome! These girls are my friends for life...no matter where we end up, we experience things together that no one gets to do every day. Whales, dolphins, fun waves, big waves, windy days and some of the most gorgeous summer nights...what is not to love about any of that. We also get to experience the tough times together - the hard workouts, the not so easy lineups, the last minute changes, people dropping out and the days where you are just fighting the water rather then riding it...these days happen, but the girls that stick around through all of it I know have my back.

"Disappointment is inevitable. But to become discouraged, there's a choice I make." - Charles Stanley

Every girl in my boat tomorrow I know will bring her toughest game face, her best dance moves and an awesome attitude. They made their choice to fight on with their team, to get out there and race the race that means the most. For me, most of us, this is the race we train all year for...this is the journey we seek to find. I think most would agree, there is nothing like finishing this race.

Here are some photos from my past Catalina crossings over the years and here is to an awesome weekend on the water and messin' around with boats. Can't wait!
 
Catalina 2012 c/o C. Silvester

Catalina 2012
Catalina 2010

Catalina 2009
Catalina 2009
Catalina 2008 (Love this photo!)

I will follow up with some photos and an update from this year in the next few weeks, but if you would like to follow along over the weekend, check out my Instagram and Twitter @maddiedierkes.


xo,

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Loving Lately // Happy Friday + Giveaway!

Happy Friday friends!

What do you have planned for the weekend? I know I am going to fully enjoy mine!

Summer is flying by, but then it always does...is it becasue it is my favorite time of year???

Late sunsets, warm nights, sunny days, getting outside (more), enjoying nature, the beach and my favorite - the ocean. I would take the ocean over the beach any day. Being in the water, or on the water surrounded by big blue...that is where I want to be when I can.
I'll be there tomorrow morning.

I have not been there as much I would like to be this summer, and I am okay with that. I have been inspired by it, and all nature, so I have been in the shop creating and making. I love being there just as much...my hands are saying what my words never could and I am getting them dirty. July was focused on my Summer line: Wild Hearts (which I am in love with, by the way), but August is going to be focused on enjoying the rest of my summer (Hawaii, people, Hawaii) and getting on the water, paddling and some surfing (I miss Blackies, SanO too).



I have so much to be thankful for and I am loving all the awesome support my friends and family have given me over the past few months starting this, what I hope to be, epic journey. So I think it needs to be celebrated...

Last week I reached over 100 likes on Facebook, along with a few other milestones, and I have just released my Summer line. So, I am giving away a pair of my copper earrings to celebrate!


Native drop earrings with puka shell in copper.




The only mandatory entry for this giveaway is to like us on Facebook, which is simple enough. All the other entries are for bonus points. :)

Good luck!

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Mad Style // The Engagement Photos

If you want to know more about our story read: Our Love Story.

Part 3: The Engagement.

Details:
Location: The Orange Circle
Photographer: Ozzie Jack Clarke
Engaged: December 23rd, 2013 
Wedding Date: February 14th, 2014

So far we have been having a blast - getting engaged, being engaged, and planning the wedding. We like the process and we love this time together. I am glad we decided to have a longer engagement and gave ourselves lots of time to enjoy it. By the looks of things, it is right in line with our relationship style...easy, cool and steady.

We like historical, classic, and simple things with a bit of imperfection in them...which is why we love the area we live in, and the fact that we have places like the Artist's Village and The Orange Circle just down the street from us, is a dream come true.

When people hear we live in Santa Ana, I almost immediately get the look, or the reaction of "why would you choose to live there?" In our opinion, why the heck not? We love Santa Ana. We live in the historical area of Santa Ana (people usually love this...duh) that backs up to the historical district of Orange. I get to see history and charm everyday, and I can't get enough! I know, it may not be the first thing you think of when you hear Santa Ana...but it is the first thing we think of.

We definitely wanted to share all of that, plus our love (of course) in these photos. Ozzie did a great job at capturing that, with the classic touch we wanted. He was great to work with and has an artistic eye that I really appreciate.

The past two weeks I have been falling all over these photos.
They are kind of at the heart of me.

Let's take a little trip back in time...






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Guest Post // Ocean Inspired Jewelry

Hi Loves....Happy Friday! 

For this Falling for Friday I have Kel Thompson here to talk about where she finds her favorite ocean inspired jewelry! 

Kel Thompson blogs over at www.kelthompson.wordpress.com and is always writing about paddling, ocean inspired things and her latest adventures. She always has fun ocean inspired jewelry on so asked her to write up on where she finds all of her jewels.

Enjoy!


Kel wearing MCKMetal earrings

I am a HUGE fan of Ocean Inspired Jewelry, well really ocean inspired anything. I try to keep my blog related to the ocean life somehow, because that is my lifestyle. It is a big part of my life, and a big part of what I LOVE to write about! It just so happens that ocean inspired jewelry is one of my favorite things to discover!

One of the easiest ways to find jewelry with elements of the sea and ocean involved is ETSY. Etsy has a HUGE database of handmade good and jewelry that can be easily found by just searching for what you want!

A fun way however is to search INSTAGRAM. I personally post on my instagram (@KelThompson) everything I buy that’s ocean inspired to support the small businesses I buy from! The women (I say women because it usually is) work day in and day out to provide their social media followers with jewelry they think they will enjoy. Now one day, go and search #SeaGlassEarring, #ShellBangle, #TahitianPearl! This is what I found:

Mermaid Jewelry HI bangles and ring
Mermaid Jewelry HI
Name: Senchal
Instagram: @MermaidTreasureHI

Mermaid Jewelry HI ring
I love her rings and shell bangles, I never take them off! The work she does with silver is amazing, and everything is reasonably priced! I buy three a time!!



Photo Credit: MCKMetal.com
MCKMetal
Name: Mckenzie
Instagram: @MCKMetal
Website: MCKMetal.com

Photo Credit: MCKMetal.com
A lot of the times jewelry you like you find at music festivals or even outrigger races. That's how I met McKenzie of MCKMetal! And I absolutely LOVE her earrings! You could easily say I'm obsessed with her earring collection, and I love supporting small businesses!

 

BoMo earrings
BoMo Designs
Name: Bobbie and Morgan Poppler

BoMo necklace
Another way to find great jewelry is to just look towards your friends! Sometimes they'll surprise you! My best friend on Oahu just started making jewelry a couple years ago and I'm her #1 fan! Her jewelry is simple and beautiful! It goes with everything!

BoMo Earrings
I most always wear a piece of BoMo Designs with almost every outting I have to get dressed up for! She's currently working on getting a website up and running for just her jewelry! So stay tuned on Bobbie Poppler!


Bettys Belts
Instagram: @BettysBelts

As a bigger company, Bettys Belts has made quite a name for themselves as one of the larger ocean inspired jewelry business! Don't forget to check them out! She does wonderful work with left over surf resign as well!  



I love ocean inspired ANYTHING! Jewelry is just one of my favorite things! 

You can check out my blog:
www.kelthompson.wordpress.com
Instagram: @KelThompson
Twitter: @KelThomp
as I move forward in my adventures to find the newest ocean inspired gems!

But for now, check out the people I mentioned above because they won't disappoint you! These were all brief descriptions as I could go on for hours on each individual business! Just explore your social medias, Etsy stores and local events to find the hidden treasures you may have passed over before!

 - Kel Thompson


xo,

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Mad Style // Beach Style

Paddling season is up and running with the third race of the season happening tomorrow. One thing the paddling season brings are those at the beach all day kind of days.

Summer is upon us and in California we have been having some great weather, but we also get a huge marine layer in the am, June gloom and eventually wonderful warm nights. So what should a girl pack for a whole day at the beach? I am talking waking up at 3am and not getting home till 6pm kinda beach day. I know, not your average day at the beach, but they are the best!

These are my favorite essentials for spending a day at the beach with my paddling ohana and getting a work out in while I am at it!

Inspiration:
(once the sun comes out)


I love this...hat, chambray cover up and a comfy pair of shorts = perfect.

The faves:


*At 3am I have got my leggings and big jacket on. I usually stuff my feet into my comfy uggs, grab my beach bag and go. There is no time for hair, so I almost always have a hat on.

Jacket: Patagonia Down Sweater Full-Zip Hoodie
Leggings: Lululemon Wunder Under
Bag: Roxy Start Stop Bag
Hat: Rip Curl Island Fever Trucker Hat

*We race in the mornings, so it is still cooler with the marine layer, but I always make sure to have sunscreen on, along with my favorite bathing suit top. We are all about cross and racer backs when it comes to tops.

Bathing Suit: Patagonia Print Kupala Top
Towel: Land's End Dot Beach Towel
Sunscreen: Neutrogena Suncare

NAC surfing in Santa Barbra, CA:
Photo Credit: C. Silvester

*After our race it is all about showering off and getting some food before the guys get back. The sun is usually out by now and it is warming up so I love an outfit like my inspiration above or a good sundress. Fun sunglasses are a must.

Sandals: Rainbows - Expresso Leather
Chambray Shirt: J. Crew Selvedge Chambray
Sunglasses: Sabre
T-Shirt: Rip Curl X Heather Brown Tee Into the Sea
 + my fave pair of denim shorts!

Photo Credit

Now after completing this Friday's favorites for the beach, all I can think about is August! On my birthday, I will be off to Hawaii for a full 10 days...GET ME THERE!

Happy Friday!!!

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Mad Style // Giveway for FFF

Happy Friday!

Okay guys, this is a fun week, because Mad Dream Design is in, not one, but two giveaways!!! 

Mad Dream Design on Feast.Fashion.Faves

My good friend Amanda stopped by my shop a few weeks ago to check out what I was up to and to do a fun interview! I am very excited that this weekend she is featuring my interview and designs on her blog Feast.Fashion.Faves! Check it out here!

Her photos are gorgeous, fun and natural. She hand picked my Arrow Drop earrings in copper to giveaway, because they are my most original design and for what they represent. To find out more about this design check them out in my shop!

Arrow Drop Earrings
This design was inspired by a the waves and ripples of the ocean's surface and the dash marks made by an arrow across a surface. Plus, 5% of the purchase price goes to BlueVoice.org, an ocean conservation organization founded in 2000 by Hardy Jones and Ted Danson. Its mission is to protect dolphins, whales, and other marine mammals and to raise popular awareness about the plight of the oceans. Find out more at www.bluevoice.org.

FFF for FFF
feast.fashion.faves for falling for friday

Not only do we love Friday, but we also love a great fashion blog!
Here is one with some Mad Style!

Feast.Fashion.Faves

If you have not been over to her blog yet...you should because it is a great resource for food, fashion and stylish favorites with a Southern California flavor. She has some of the best style to boot! FFF is celebrating its two year anniversary! Congrats Amanda, keep it coming!


Now head on over to Amanda's blog to enter for a chance to win my Arrow earrings!

There is also another chance to win a pair of my Bolt Drop earrings at Westover Manor!

Good Luck Friends and have a wonderful long weekend!

xo,


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