step inside, won't you? {our tent trailer}

Hooray! Our tent trailer makeover is finally (well, just about) complete. "Trailer Sue" has had some serious work done since we first bought her on Craigslist a few months back. Here's what went down: bamboo flooring, freshly painted cabinets & walls, all new upholstery, new counter tops (Ikea), fancy hardware, new tires, and new ceiling lighting. We're all set for the big road trip down the coast, I just have to stock all the cabinets and plan a menu. It's very cozy inside and folds down (just like a puzzle) into a neat 8'x8' square. It's pretty tiny, so it was hard to get a good angle with the camera, but hopefully you get the idea. Come on in, have a looksie!

This is the lovely trailer before the makeover...
notice the icky fabric and funky cabinets

modern trailer trash {our project has begun!}

Dave and I have always loved camping - the stars, the s'mores, the early morning coffee, it's all so romantic. He surfs, and I love the being anywhere near the ocean, so we've always taken our trips along the coast; Oregon, Washington, Vancouver, Big Sur, Carmel, and all of Southern California right on into Mexico. There are some amazing campgrounds along the SoCal coast - Malibu and Santa Barbara have just about the nicest spots imaginable (palm tree lines beached with cozy camgrounds nestled right on the beach). So, instead of spending mucho dinero on swanky hotels along the way (I still enjoy this, of course), we thought we'd mix it up and buy a tent trailer.

We found ours on Craigslist, and it's so cute, 2 queen beds, a mini fridge, stove and sink, and even a breakfast "nook" with bench seats. We're in the process of a remodel, more of a gutting really. We tore out the cabinets, ripped up the linoleum and have already laid bamboo flooring. Next, we'll either fix up the cabinets (sand & paint them), or buy new ones at IKEA, and then it's on to the textiles (my personal favorite). Also, I'd like to put in all new stainless appliances (even though they are all mini versions, but still).

I will continue to post updates as we go along. And, we'll be booking our campsites along the coast soon! (this image is not actually a tent trailer, but it's so cute I had to post it.)

kitschy 'lil camper

A camping trip in this ultra cool+retro trailer would be all-out good times. Meet Constance, a 1957 trailer available for photo shoots, but not camp life. Love it!

upholstery fabric {for the tent trailer}

I blogged a few months back about the new addition to our family, the tent trailer. Ready for the coastal camping trips planned this summer, all it needs is a bit of sprucing up and we're set. We took it on as a remodel project of sorts (watching HDTV will have that effect), so far tearing out the flooring and laying down new bamboo floors. Next up, reupholstering the cushions & curtains. I'm pretty sold on this fabric titled "surf & sand" that I came across on Etsy. I'll be sure to keep posting pics as we make progress!

tales from the trailer {back to basics}

Camping is a true personality test. Everything just takes more work - no flick of a switch for light, no lovely flushing toilets, no running water within reach. Our biggest lesson so far: camping brings us back to the basics. Days begin with long beach walks collecting shells and rocks, a simple breakfast of eggs and fruit, and then back to the beach for some swimming and sunning. Days end with the sunset, we retreat to the tent trailer for light, a game of cards, popcorn and a good puzzle. There's no talk of TV, not even a mention of toys and no mutterings of the "I'm bored" whine. It's back to basics, we color flowers on rocks and make the alphabet using strips of seaweed. With the exception of Dave feeling under the weather, all is good. On to Malibu today....xo

Trailer Eye-Candy

Dave & I used to go camping all the time before we had Ruby. Then the thought of sleeping on the ground started to lose appeal, and we opted for hotels instead. This cute little trailer may be just the answer! The interiors have blond beech cabinets and cushions upholstered in 1950's patterns. So cool! Read more about them in this month's Sunset magazine.

and...we're off! {road trip}

The bags are packed, boards are strapped down, the trailer is stocked and we're making our way down the Southern California coast for the next 10 days. I'll be posting "tales from the trailer" along the way with my trusty laptop, so stay tuned. Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

tales from the trailer {Malibu}

Malibu is everything beautiful & pristine - and then some. Our campsite is huge, shaded with an umbrella-like tree that also blocks out the winds. Tiny squirrels, chipmunks, and bunnies run freely through, some even sit at the picnic table with us in the morning. We walked to the beach this morning for some great shell collecting and a bit of yoga, all as the morning sun warmed us up. The strep throat is slowly fading, we're trying to use the mind-over-matter trick to make it disappear. Ruby loves camping more than anything; upon arriving at each site, she locates the water spigot and the bathroom, then introduces herself to the neighbors. Oh, and she doesn't want this to end, she wants to keep on going. She's such a free-spirit, like a little wandering gypsy. I'm headed to Starbucks for some type of smoothie and hopefully some star spotting. Next stop -Del Mar! xo

summer road trip {booked!}

Our summer road trip down the Southern California coast is booked for September, the camp sites are all reserved, plus a few nights at the magical Les Artistes in Del Mar and a tent cabin in El Capitan. We are so excited to pack up the tent trailer and take it on it's maiden journey! We've booked a few nights at each of these at the end of September:
Refugio - Santa Barbara
Leo Carillo - Malibu
El Capitan Canyon - outside of Santa Barbara (was just on the cover of Sunset mag & here in Cookie)
Les Artistes Inn- Del Mar, San Diego (our favorite spot for the last 12 years!)
I would totally recommend any of these places, they are all beautiful, serene and just a few steps to the sand...

camp food {road trip prep!}

We're about 2 weeks away from our annual road trip down the beautiful California coast, though this time we'll be livin' large in our newly (almost finished) tent trailer (fresh images to come). The last time we really camped it was just the 2 of us, and food was not exactly top priority;canned soup, pasta, and maybe s'mores if we really put our minds to it. But this year, we've started planning the menu way ahead, and let's be honest, the food from the past really should just stay there - we want gourmet camping! I just ordered Campfire Cuisine which promises that I can whip up a batch of skillet scones, lemony couscous salad or zucchini steak tacos like it's no one's business. If you have a favorite camp recipe, please let me know!

tales from the trailer {Strep!}

We've hit a slight glitch on our road trip, Dave & I both have strep throat! Luckily, Ruby has been spared, and we're now fully into the first couple days of anti-biotics, so things are lookin' up. After spending an entire day in a Santa Barbara ER, Dave hooked up to an IV for hours on end, we opted out of the campground for a night and got a pretty Spanish-style hotel room with an ultra comfy bed. Camping and strep throat do not mix. Actually, nothing mixes with strept throat, my throat is covered in tiny white barnacle-looking things and I sound like I have a mouth full of marbles. Food? Not so much. Sleep? Most definitely not. Keeping a smiley can-do attitude? I'm really trying....but I swear it's hard.

road trip!

And...we're off! Camping for a week (in our tent trailer) along the central CA coast, gazing at the open road, the endless night sky and not one plan on the agenda. I'll keep you posted if I can get service! xo images via laporterouge

the tail end of the trip

The trip has finally come to a close, a 10 day adventure in our tent trailer (and the ER...) with the family, hopefully the first of many! Thanks for all your kind words, we're all doing great, no more nasty strep. We're so happy to be home and spent the first day nestled in our comfy bed watching TV, ahhh life's little pleasures. image: just as the sun set in Malibu

tales from the trailer {del mar}

Ahhh....Del Mar, the most beautiful of beach towns. Miles of rugged sand bluffs line an endless stretch green grass, all leading into the white sand and impossibly warm indigo water. The mornings here are misty, a cool line of coastal fog that clears before noon. A quaint main street anchors the (insane) beach homes and the (view-errific) hilltop homes, all landscaped with the lushest tropical palms and blooming hibiscus. Pink and orange sunsets bring a day of surfing, shopping, and playing to a close. More to come...this town deserves more than one post.