Van Camping, Part One

I've caught the van camping bug (again)! There are so many great websites on van conversions that I've been inspired by, as well as friends who are living the van lifestyle. I've been towing with Chestnut, my 1969 GMC, but lately she just has been wanting to take a break. G and I have been sharing the GMC Van until he recently bought a pick up truck for work. This is my chance for a van takeover makeover!!

I went to Malibu this week for an Airstream rental with my Luxe Lounge, and it was my opportunity to dial in the van again for van camping. Even though I regularly have an Airstream in tow, I often leave it with the client for a couple of days, have long stretches of driving to do, or I have this Airstream with me, which is set up like a lounge. It's nice to have the option of pulling over and to take a snooze in the van, find some shade from the heat while on set, make a cup of coffee, or catch up on emails in the van 'lounge'. I feel very at home in there.

So, back to styling out the van... This time I went with a coastal theme. Here are pics for you, including one from my campsite at the edge of the sand. This is super "dry camping", but it worked for me and I love the simplicity of it. As for traveling for extended periods of time in more extreme temperatures, I'd definitely need more amenities. Yet for this type of trip, it was everything I needed.

I'm all about van camping. I like thinking about every item that goes into the van to try and keep it as minimal, comfortable, and nice to look at as possible. If you're interested in researching van camping, YouTube has some great videos of what fellow travelers have done to make their van just right for their travels. Happy van camping!

Betty Jane & the Neon Museum

Betty Jane, 1964 Airstream Bambi II ready to head to the Neon Museum

Betty Jane and I are giddy with excitement about her big debut in Vegas. 

She's been hired for a music video at the Neon Museum!!

A vintage Airstream + vintage neon signs? Oh wow, someone pinch me- this is a dream come true!

Happy 4th, friends!

Silver Trailer featured on HGTV

We were featured on HGTV's show, Retro Roadhomes, RV's Gone Crazy!

 It's a dream come true for me to have my Airstreams and jewelry featured on HGTV. 

We had a lot of fun that day and I am so grateful to HGTV for including me in the show.

It just goes to show, if you stick with your passion, eventually it will happen!

(Here's the YouTube version as well. )

Sactown magazine 6 page article

The August / September issue of Sactown magazine is on newsstands now! That's us on the cover!

I am so thrilled with the six page article written by Tim Swanson about my Airstreaming history. The online version won't be available until October; I like paper version-it just feels so good in the hands. Thank you, Sactown, you made my summer!

sactown magazine cover, aug/ sept. issue

Welcoming Design: Airstream Design by Silver Trailer

Thank you to Welcoming Design for this wonderful write up. Click on the link below to read the full article:

Welcoming Design: Airstream Design by Silver Trailer: 
"Airstreams are iconic and truly American. ...California designer Kristiana Spaulding has taken her childhood love for Airstream trailers and turned it into a specialty by acquiring and redesigning the interiors of Airstream trailers. Kristiana's Airstream inventory is even available for rent for weddings, TV, film, and photo shoots. In the market for Airstream jewelry? Kristiana can serve that up for you too with her collection of handmade Airstream inspired jewelry. Check out her site and we think you'll agree when we say her taste and design aesthetic are impeccable."

Bedrock City, baby!

When I was a kid watching the Flintstones on t.v., I was always mesmerized by the houses that that Fred & Wilma and the gang lived in. I was like a kid again this summer when Osa and I were on our way to the Grand Canyon (with my Airstream in tow) and we came across THE Bedrock! Bedrock City!It was the coolest thing ever. I always imagined myself in the rooms on t.v. and these houses were created to live out that  fantasy. Not to mention they have a driftwood truck towing a Bedrock travel trailer out front! It was honestly one of my favorite stops of the 10k miles we covered that trip. If you're into the Flintstones, or even just funky architecture, add this stop to your list.    You'll feel like a kid again!

miss february

Yes, Osa doggie is also a calendar centerfold. She's the featured photo for February 2010 on the up coming Tin Can Tourists calendar. Not only is she my faithful co-pilot, she's my calendar girl. The calendar is loaded with beautiful vintage trailers and tow rigs. You can buy it here.

lovestream for sale

autoweek photo
Actress, Pamela Anderson is selling her "Lovestream" Airstream trailer, a gift from Hugh Hefner. If you haven't heard, the trailer comes with a disco ball and stripper pole. The 37th annual Kruse collector car auction happened yesterday, sorry folks. Hey, I've already got the disco ball in my trailer, don't think I'll be installing a pole anytime soon though! I wonder who the lucky winner is...?
autoweek article

s.f. chronicle

Thank you, Mary Eisenhart, (of San Francisco Chronicle), for featuring my rings and the artists of Hunters Point Shipyard - online & in the newspaper: Last chance: Hunters Point Shipyard Artists
We really and truly appreciate the shout out.

airstream in my cereal

Don't you love when you're in the middle of watching a movie and up pops an image or story about an Airstream? I love it. It's like seeing someone you know in a film. We were watching Flakes on DVD and got an Airstream surprise. It's a cute movie about a restaurant that serves only cereal. Starring Aaron Stanford & Zooey Deschanel.
Flakes on Netflix

on a lighter note...check out my rims!

Yes, it's the little things in life. Rims. I never understood the whole "rim thing" and why people got so excited about something so silly...until the guys at Les Schwab put the rim catalog in my hands. Oooooohhhhhhh, wowwwwwww. Long story short, I melted at the aluminum rims with rivets for my '69 GMC. I smile each time I see them. Save gas too (much lighter). Now I get it!

she wears it well

Happy Birthday Andrea Hamilton!

I love this detail photo of Andrea, silver on silver, wearing her Mod Trailer necklace. I'm a fan of Andrea's, she's got a fantastic blog on all things shiny and silver, particularly Airstreams.
Check out my silver sister's blog: http://andreahamilton.typepad.com

Dogs & Silver

My doggie Osa wears her Trailer Dream pendant with pride!
On our first "official" Airstream rally down by Joshua Tree,
she busted out of my locked Caravel, while I was at the potluck.
Luckily a fellow Airstreamer, Paul, saw her pendant & knew she
was part of the rally. I am eternally grateful to you, Paul.
An old school tracking device, and cute too.
I'd love to see photos of your pups with a Trailer pendant on!