Airstream Dream

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I really like Airstream trailers…

I really, really do.

Specifically the 16 and 19 foot trailers. Small, mobile, get-out-of-town-quick trailers.

Photo From Glamping Hub

A new Airstream Bambi could cost around $50,000. So my Airstream Dream will continue to be just that…a dream…unless something more affordable comes my way! 🙂 Until then, I couldn’t help but decorate my Airstream Dream to share here.

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Bambis can be pretty tight living spaces, so adding lots of color and fun in addition to some simple, neutral basics can help open the space!

And since Airstreams are most conventionally used for vacationing, I think the details should be fun!

The tiny, tiny wet bath doesn’t really have space for much, but I used texture and a burst of color to keep the small space from feeling dull.

The Bambi bed is literally just that: a bed. I don’t think the lamp would actually fit, the floor-lamp-side-table combo saves space in multiple ways. The over the door mirror comes complete with hooks and shelves and could be modified to hang in the “closet”.

Who doesn’t love an outdoor kitchen? Add a rug (if possible) near the trailer’s entrance, some placemats and a string of lights to make the outside feel more like an extension of the interior living space.

Darn you, Airstream. Steal my heart and empty my wallet. For now, I’ll do my best with my tent camping 🙂

Decor sources include:

Pottery Barn

World Market

Target

Urban Outfitters

Ikea

Mendocino, Part One

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Lately, I’ve had lots of questions about Mendocino.
Possibly my favorite place.
And it seems to be gaining in popularity.
I’ve stayed at many different places in Mendocino. Mostly in beach homes available for rent between the village and Fort Bragg. jBoat and I also honeymooned in Mendo at the JD House Inn, a beautiful B&B near the high school. We then celebrated our first year anniversary at the McCullium House Inn Suites, situated at the highest point in the village (unfortunately close to the cemetery). I hope to camp near Mendo next. Maybe at Russian Gulch State Park…
Mostly all of the village is a historic district, meaning the buildings must maintain their original appearance and structure. Many have been meticulously cared for or restored over the years. Every inn in the village has a history to it and many are appointed to reflect that. The coastline situated within the village is also protected – Mendocino Headlands State Park is a beautiful area. No overnight camping is allowed and there are many trails and isolated beaches accessible in the park. Don’t miss the Ford House Visitor Center, which is packed with local history and art. I wish I could really describe the amazingness of Big River Beach. The trailhead is located behind a beautiful old church, where I seriously considered having my wedding. It’s an easy walk down a few flights of stairs to this sandy beach. It looks a little different every time we’re there – Big River meets the Pacific at Mendocino Bay and the tides of the ocean and the speed of the river mold the beach accordingly. You can see river otters, seals and many different types of birds here. I recommend kayaking the river and bay if you can!
Once, Mendocino was a bustling lumber processing and shipment yard. Now, the village is quiet, isolated and beautifully preserved. And the redwoods are making a come back. Navarro River Redwoods State Park isn’t far! Ya, the locals are sometimes friendly, sometimes cranky, but very dedicated to a healthy, sustainable lifestyle. Ok, honestly, lots of the people we encounter around the village at bed and breakfasts, restaurants, shops, etc who have a chilly disposition. But I can’t help but admire they’re desire for excellence in all aspects of their lives. I also can’t help but wonder why they’re not happier since they live in such a lovely place 🙂
When’s the best time to visit?There’s not really a science to when you should visit. Any time would probably be beautiful. But if I had to be specific, I’d say spring or early fall. We’ve never seen heavy rain around that time, though the weather in July can be rather gloomy. One year, while visiting in June, we did have really warm, sunny weather for a whole week. Typical coastal inconsistencies 🙂 If you are planning a trip, base your packing on the Fort Bragg forecast. Google and Yahoo are total inaccurate. An innkeeper told us these companies base their predictions on a spot further inland, so the forecast for Mendocino is almost always 20 degrees too high!
Some of our favorite restaurants in the village – Mendocino Cafe, Cafe Beaujolais and the MacCallum House Inn and Restaurant. But of all the places to go, please do not miss Frankie’s Ice Cream and Pizza! The ice cream is amazing and worth passing up a dessert at a sit down restaurant for. Go once for yourself and a second time for me! Note that everything in the village runs on Mendo time and closes early or earlier than posted, so call ahead to be sure a restaurant didn’t shut down early just because!
(I’m sorry for the lack of pictures again. I don’t know what happened to most of mine 🙁 Darn you, iPhoto. I’ll see what I can rustle up for another post and a print!)

A Summer (Like) Day

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We had a great day in Santa Cruz!
First of all. The weather. Oh man, I was starting to think I’d never see the likes of 68 degrees again.
And not a cloud in the sky.
We didn’t make it to Cafe Brazil in time for lunch. We were too late and too hungry by the time we hit Santa Clara. So we stopped at a little hole in the wall Mexican place. The quesadillas were so delicious. Sorry, I scarfed it before I got a picture 🙂
We made it to Santa Cruz by 1:30. Ya, real late. We spent 45 minutes trying to find the entrance to the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, but eventually it seemed impossible, so out to Capitola we went.
Note for future SP visits: visit the California Parks site for addresses. Google and Apple Maps have no idea where the parks are.
Capitola didn’t disappoint. Especially alongside a cup of Verve and these two 🙂

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JBoat loves the Bowl of Soul. I ordered a latte. I really wanted this sweatshirt, too 🙂

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It was Coach’s first time at the beach and I think he hates the ocean. He ran full speed away from the waves any time we got too close. He would back his way up the sides of Capitola’s cliffs in order to stay away from the salt water.

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He and Justin enjoyed the view…and iPhone.

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We headed over to Natural Bridges State Beach, hoping to see the Monarch butterflies that rest in the eucalyptus trees there during their migration south. But there weren’t any to be seen. We couldn’t figure out why – and there was no ranger available to answer our questions, so I took Coach back down to the beach for another try with the waves. He still didn’t like them.
But it was pretty.

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Sunset was coming, so we drove out to Wilder Ranch State Park for a better view among the old artichoke fields.

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We’ll have to come back soon to explore this old ranch further. There’s lots of trails and historic buildings to see.
With only 4ish hours of sunlight, we did what we could. It was a really quick trip, but any day away is great. Traffic on the way home was terrible, bringing our travel time to nearly 10 hours. But, I still think it was worth it 🙂

Santa Cruz

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Today, we’re headed to Santa Cruz. Not only if it 10 degrees warmer there today, but it’s simply beautiful.

The plan is:

– Cafe Brazil for lunch

– Verve Coffee for…coffee

– Dog friendly beach for Coach (who’s never seen the ocean!)

– Redwood hike for me

I will be back with a full report. And pictures.

Because really, who wants to read a blog with no pictures?

Identity Crisis

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I’ve been thinking some important thoughts, if I may say so myself, about our society today. Something I realize is not only sad and limiting, but potentially draining and harmful. We go to school to get into a good college. We study in college to get a good job. We get a good job to make money. We keep working until we can hopefully retire. This pattern has us living in a world where people often identify themselves according to there career. And only in this way.

“Hi, I’m Joe Smoe and I’m a salesman.”

Not a father. Not a husband. Or a chess-enthusiast, dog-lover or book-reader. But a worker. “What do you do?” is a far more common question than, “Who are you?” or “What makes you unique?”
And when I really consider the question, “What do you do?”, I realize its a very loaded one. A question of money, stature, influence. It gives me the creeps. I don’t think we should put so much stock and identity into what we do. I think we should be identified by what we value and believe in.
When you tell someone you work at a church, there is sometimes a following awkwardness that is unsettling. People can be very suspicious of the church. They wonder how you can afford your nice jeans or shop at Whole Foods. And do you drink? Does that mean you only work on Sundays?
I don’t just work at a church. I am a Christian. I believe in things both seen and unseen. I believe in a love I am not sure I can ever understand completely. I think our world is sacred and should be cared for. I am still figuring out what is important to me and why, but my morals are clear to me. I care for and about people. I don’t know what I’ll do with the rest of my life, but I hope to someday be remembered as a mentor, supporter, wife, mother, protector and believer. Not as an administrator or a manager or planner who made oh-so-much an hour.
We all need to learn more about ourselves. We should understand that we are more than a job title or a paycheck. We have dreams, passions and aspirations. Reconsider how you identify yourself. Make time to rest. Don’t chase too hard after position. Discover who you are and escape the modern identity crisis.

Home is in the Details

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My friend Renee gave me this beautiful tasseled garland as a graduation gift last summer. And it finally has a home!
This is a wide landing a step away from our loft of a master bedroom. It was titled with gross pink tile and pink grout (I’m not kidding). So JBoat painted it all white. It’s held up really well without a coat of polyurethane I’m grateful to say. The railing was black, but I rub-n-buffed it to match the stainless steel fixtures in our room.
The light fixture is so so. But the one before was really bad, so it’ll do for now. Just a plain white sconce from Bed, Bath and Beyond.
I love the colors against the sunset.
This will hopefully be my sewing nook at some point. Once I learn to use that lovely, ancient machine 🙂
Thank you, Renee, for the beautiful detail 🙂

Back With a Bang

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I’m tired. Super tired. My head hurts. I want to go on a road trip.

Now that I’m done whining.

I finished the next two installments of my California prints. All of the images are mine, btws 🙂 Here they are

Mt. Tamalpais – a beautiful spot in Marin overlooking Dillion’s Beach and the bay. Not far from Muir Woods. Like, I think they boarder one another. Lots of redwoods and trails and primitive camping. I love camping. But I also like showers. So…we usually don’t stay here. But it’s an incredible place to visit if you’re near Mill Valley. And there’s a waterfall somewhere. We haven’t found it yet, but I look forward to exploring for it in the future 🙂

Tomales Point – Have you ever been to Point Reyes Station? This is so close to Point Reyes that you can’t not visit here, too. And while you’re at it, don’t miss Hog Island Oysters, Tomales Bay State Park (amazing views and some tiny jelly fish washed up on the sand) and the Tomales Point Elk Reserve, where a large herd of Tule Elk are protected. To get there, you’ll have to take the trail from Point Reyes National Seashore. The drive is beautiful and winds through century-old creameries and pastures. There’s a historic creamery to tour-ish (not really a tour but more like a walk-though of the still standing buildings), and then the trail. Beautiful with ocean views on both sides!

I love California. Northern California.

Staying Creative

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Staying creative

As a designing, artsy, emotional kinda gal, inspiration and creativity are touchy subjects. I find I run dry more often than I’d like. I don’t often have the time many designers consider essential to their work to research and browse for new trends and techniques. So, I’ve found a few things that help me get into the mood if you will.

That was a majorly uncomfortable sentence. But it was the only way I could figure to communicate my meaning 😉

1. Favim.com

Check. This. Out! Great images from across the world wide web. I can’t guarantee that they’re all appropriate, but you can view images under certain keywords, which should eliminate any nasties.

2. Losttype.com

Awesome. With quality fonts. And a donation-based payment system. Crazy generous.

3. The ‘Design’ Category of Pinterest

It had to make an appearance. Pinterest isn’t hip anymore, but it is handy. Great stuff to browse and fun info graphics, too!

4. Other Bloggers

It’s true. People like you (and me) are seriously inspiring. Here are a few of the blogs I follow:

Young House Love (Who doesn’t read this one?)

Amber Interiors

7th House on the Left

Yes. They are all interior design blogs. But the use of color, texture and pattern kinda crosses the bounds of physical media if you ask me!

5. Land of Nod

Is not just for children. I love their clever wording, colorful photos and the hand-traced fonts that perfectly compliment them. So. Awesome.

I’ve also learned some tips and tricks to keep the creative juices flowing.

(Another uncomfortable sentence. Look out world, 2013 is the year of awkward around here!)

1. Try New Things

Watch a tutorial. Use a new color. Browse a new website. Try something different.

2. Stay Organized

Put the clutter in the trash, man! Or at least out of sight 😉 A clean space helps you focus and makes any office look better.

3. Get Out

Of doors. Get outside! Go on a long walk or a hike. Ride a bike, plant a garden. Do something outside! Or, if you’re a real naturephob, work from a coffee shop. The relaxed environment, muted chatter and tasty cap really make a difference in my work!

Just another thing to do in 2013: stay creative.

Happy New Year

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Hey there, 2013.

You’re lookin’ mighty fresh.

If I compliment you enough, will you be good to me?

Pretty please?

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Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?

Besides the usual get fit, eat healthy, be happy…?

Anything you hope to wrestle out of 2013?

I personally want to design for fun more. Like, if a quote inspires me, I want to design something based around it. Or if I’m offered a freelancing job, I want to take it.

And if I want to go somewhere. I’m going, dang it.

I don’t mean I’ll hop on a plane and fly to sunny Hawaii for the winter. I mean, if I want to go to Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park for a day, I’m going.

I tried to get up there 3 times this fall and never made it. Fail. No more of that.

I’m going to start taking myself less seriously.

For example, I put off posting here because I wanted the site to be perfect before I started writing.

This site will probably never be perfect.

No offense, Garrett and Justin 😉

There will always be something that needs to change. I can’t use that as an excuse.

I spent too much of 2012 second guessing myself. Here’s to taking chances and taking charge.

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 So, one of my goals of 2013 is to design a series of prints representing my favorite places in California. With my own pictures. Here are the first 3. I told you I was taking charge! 🙂
What are you driven to accomplish this year?