10 Tips - Dream and Manifest

I'm all for creative Sundays, especially when they involve writing down dreams and plans in a beautiful notebook and creating inspiring images to look at.

Here's an image I created to inspire you and me. It's of Betty Jane, my 1964 Airstream Bambi II, with a quote by Wally Byam, founder of Airstream. 

I hope it will remind you to follow your dreams and make them happen. Dreaming is half the fun and manifesting is magic and action coming together. 

I put together some tips for you that I like to use to make a dream happen.

1. Write down 3 dreams you have.  Each dream will need its own piece of paper for space to grow. If you like working on your computer, do that- just be sure to print out the pages when you're done with this exercise so you can write things down on the spot when ideas come to you.  

2. What is it that you love about each of these dreams? Write it down next to each dream. Try not to self judge, just write freely.

3. How you will you feel when you reach each dream? Scribble it out on the paper- doodles, words and feelings.

4. Which one of these dreams means the most to you right now? Try not to use "should" in this equation, just think of the one that stands out and lights you up when you think about it.

5. What are the next steps you can take toward this particular dream? Maybe it's making a call, sending an email, doing research... Do a brain dump and write down all of the steps you can imagine it will take. Once you have them down, put a number next to each of them to put them in order.

6. When will you take this step? Schedule and exact day and time, put it on your calendar / circle it / create an alert if it's a digital calendar.

7. On the scheduled action step day, keep your promise! You wouldn't blow off an appointment you made with someone else, would you? You deserve to follow through on this. Already took the step? Act on the next one. Or, you really can't keep this appointment? Immediately make a new date and time and follow through when the time arrives.

8. Make time and space in your life to manifest your dream. Often, it takes less time than we think to take one little step. What if you take time off during the week from Facebook, Instagram, TV, texting, shopping (insert your vice here), and spend that time taking action on your dream? Maybe it's one day a week off. Maybe it's the entire month. Where can you find pockets of time? While you're waiting on line...walking your dog...having morning coffee? Spend that time on your dream.

9. Keep brainstorming ideas and ways to get closer to your dream. Think of places where you get your best ideas (driving, in the shower, walking perhaps). Keep your notebook handy and write them down and schedule them. (I have a white board just outside my shower and a notebook in my car and purse for ideas when they pop up). Transfer those ideas to your dream paper to keep them in one place.

10. Form a goal group. Meet regularly with a supportive friend or two to share and brainstorm goals and dreams. Offer and receive encouragement and ideas. Hold each other accountable and follow up regularly to check progress. This is has been a huge help in my life!

Step by step, you will make your dreams happen. Now go grab that paper and a pen or your computer, and start with step #1 above...

Feel free to share here:

1. Your big dream.
2. Your next step and when you will take it.
3. Any tips you have to make dreams come true.

I'd love to hear them and cheer you on!!

Top 12 Towing Tips for Newbies

Our Silver Sisters Caravan. Towing is more fun with friends!

When I first got my Airstream, for some reason I relied on my man G to tow it. He was a love to tow it whenever I needed it for a show or wanted to camp somewhere.  He had experience towing, so it seemed like it only made sense... only it didn't. It was my trailer. I am a good driver. Why would I not be towing it myself? Soon there came a day that G had to work out of town and I had a jewelry show with my Airstream showroom several towns away. I had no choice but to tow the Airstream myself. As I was whining / freaking out about the situation, an older gentleman friend said to me, "You're a big girl, you can do this". He was right. I put my big girl pants on, and with my 1969 GMC pickup, I towed my 24' Airstream Trade Wind through one of the windiest sections of road I know to this day. I told myself, "If I made it through that, everything else will seem like a piece of cake".  Little by little it was.  I can still get worked up in certain situations when around not-so-lovely drivers, and so does anyone who drives. Now I have the philosophy, "If you can drive, you can tow".

My dog Osa and I traveled cross county round trip with that same 24' Airstream in tow on a two month journey. It was magical and I learned a lot along the way.

My truck and Airstream on a 2 month road trip with TLC

Here are some tips from me and other helpful trailer friends who shared on my Facebook page. 


Top 12 Tips for Towing a Trailer

1. Check your set up. Do a final walk around inside and around your trailer before you head out. Make sure items are stowed away inside, off counters and vents are closed and cabinets are latched. Walk around the exterior of the trailer and look underneath it to make sure you're in the clear. Most importantly, check the hitch set up and make sure everything is connected properly and in good working order. Check that your lights and signal flashers are working properly. A checklist is helpful for all of these items and more.

2. Be calm and focused. To this day, I make sure when I get in the truck to tow, I feel calm and focused. I like to sit for a couple of minutes and take a couple of deep breaths and clear my mind, while I have some sips of coffee. It's a big part of towing- to get your mind in the game, get excited for the trip, and to feel centered and calm. Breathe. This mindset with keep you cool and clear when you need to be. Once I'm on the road and on my way, I put on music and enjoy the ride, while staying focused.

3. Take your time. It's important that you don't feel rushed or pressure to go faster thank you're comfortable. The people behind you have a beautiful view!  Go the appropriate and safe speed limit. People will pass you when they can. On some smaller roads, when you're able to safely pull over let others pass if there's a stack of cars beginning to form behind you. Be considerate.

4. Think ahead.  Just as motorcyclists have to think and look ahead, so do you. Look far ahead down road in front of you and be aware of your fellow drivers around you. When towing, your lane changes and stopping are slower, so you need to think ahead for lane shifts, and slow down sooner. This will eventually come naturally. Sometimes I'll see truckers all merging into the next lane and I'll know that it is an exit only lane ahead or a short merge for entering traffic.

5. Fill up your gas at truck stops. This obviously depends on where you are traveling, but it you're on a route with truck stops, this will make entering and exiting the gas station much easier. Plus, they have some cool trucker stuff in some of the stores. If you don't have truck stops available, look for gas stations with plenty of space to pull in and out of.

6. Bring along a happy co-pilot. You'll likely be nervous behind the wheel the first few times. Bring along that someone who is encouraging and supportive (and perhaps brave) to be your navigator and cheerleader. If this is your dog, that that works too!

7. Have good tow mirrors on your vehicle so you have the best visibility possible.

8. Check your tire pressure on your tow vehicle and trailer before you head out. Inflate as necessary.

9. Take your turns wider. The trailer tracks tighter on turns, so check your mirrors and swing the turn(s) wider than you would if you didn't have a trailer in tow. Again, check your mirrors through the turn.

10. Put your hand on the base of the steering wheel when backing up the trailer. The direction you move your hand on the wheel is the direction the back of the trailer will move. It's easy to over think it. Do this, it works.

11. Ask for help if you need it. There's no shame in asking someone to help spot you when backing up, you may even make a friend. Ask them to use hand gestures you can see in your side view mirror. Have them tell you what the direction the back of the trailer should go (not which way to cut the wheel- that only gets confusing). Fellow Airstreamer, Neil Holman posted on my Facebook page: "Please do ask for assistance, especially when backing up. RV folks love to help...they were beginners once".

12. Enjoy the Ride! That's the whole point, isn't it? Thank the ones who are joining you, take in the sights (while keeping your eyes on the road), and be darn proud of yourself for rising up to the challenge of towing- facing your fear and doing it anyway. This new skill will lead you (and your trailer) to many beautiful places and experiences.

And there you have it. You've got this! Practice in a big wide empty parking lot to start. Drive around your neighborhood when you're comfortable (depending where you live!), soon you'll be ready to get on the road- we'll be cheering you on all the way!

(For you experienced trailer friends reading this, if there are any tips you'd like to add for a newbie reading this, please do. This is a growing list and we can all learn from each other's experiences).

A visual packing list: 10 days in Europe / 10 essentials

Okay, I have a secret. I'm a chronic packer and re-packer. Packing is such a science, and I want to get it just right every time. What can I say? I'm into small space efficiency, it's my thing- so when my husband walks into the garage sees me at the vice taking a hacksaw to my toothbrush to make it smaller, he doesn't bat an eye. (Those dinky travel toothbrushes just don't cut it, am I right?).
Ladies and gentlemen... I got it right this time after 20 years of international packing!
I'm at the end of my 10 day trip in Europe (and almost 2 weeks in NY before that). I made a visual reference guide to refer to next time I'm in a packing crisis. This is more or less what I packed for 10 days in Denmark in August- 70 degree days on average. I have a carry on suitcase that I still have room in to bring home a tablecloth, soap dispenser and some other gifts. (Not shown are ballet flats for the plane). I'd also like if I had packed my Modaspia summer dress for the beach and mayyyybe my ipad. I really only missed it for these blog posts.  If you're a guy reading this, hopefully you can get the basics from this list, like swap our the skirts for dress shorts or pants.
My messenger bag was great for biking around Copenhagen and my overnight trip to the beach. Other times I would grab my clutch and a collapsible shopping bag.

Here are the top 10 essentials I was glad to have with me:

1. Ortlieb messenger bag

2. Fossil wristlet

3. Sketchbook, pen, small scissors, and washi tape. You can bring small scissors on the plane if you put them in plain sight with your toiletries through airport security.

4. Passport and ticket holder (also holds foreign currency, itinerary, tickets, memo pad, pen)

5. Targus travel adapter / iphone / ipad charger

6. Pouch to hold electronics including headphones for the plane

7. Muji toiletries bag with Muji pump bottles

8. Zip pouch to hold bras & underwear

9. Zip pouch to hold rolled up tank tops, shirts and scarves

10. Sneaker flats

Hope that helps anyone else in the "pack and repack" club! Happy travels.

5 of My Favorite Things About Open Studios

There are so many things I love about participating in Open Studios with my Airstream studio, but here are five of them:

1. People

It’s such a treat to meet new friends and catch up with old friends, many of whom I’ve met at this event years ago. This is Christine and her sister. They have become like sisters to me and always make me smile to hear the sister banter in my Airstream. One of my new friends this year is Ed. He came to our Friday reception with the coolest flexible wine glass. I told him how great it would be for Airstream travel, and the next day he showed up with two of them and handmade cupcakes! Thank you, Ed, you made my weekend.

2. Tips and resources

There is so much great information swirling around. I often hear, “Have you heard about…?” Have you been to?” Sometimes I have, and many times I haven’t. Now I keep a list of tips going from people who share their insights.

 3. Major mojo boost

Wow. What can I say? I love to hear the oooohs and ahhhhs from people who come into my trailer.  Who doesn't love a compliment?! I get such validation to hear the positive comments on my display, jewelry, Airstream , photographs, cards, even my wig. I’m floating on cloud nine at the end of the weekend! It gives my the motivation to continue on my path and push myself further. It reminds me how important it is to pay a compliment.

4. Collaborative design

Another thing I hear is, “You know what I’d love? If you took this ring and made it into a necklace.” Or, “this style bracelet you made, as a necklace would be really cool. Can you make cufflinks in this  same style? It gets me to thing outside of my design box, yet in my same aesthetic.

5. Fuzzy friends

A lot of times I leave Osa Pony girl at home with a sitter  because she’ll be happier there & I’ll be able to focus on being here. That’s why I’m dog friendly in the Airstream and like to photograph all of the visiting fuzzy friends. This is a photo of Bear, a customer’s dog. What  a good girl.

Thank you everyone who came out to the Shipyard to see all of the artists. We all appreciate your support more than you know. 

kerouac

On one of my random wandering sessions on the endless internet, I came across 30 Tips from Jack Kerouac on writingclasses.com website . He called them, “Belief and Technique for Modern Prose.” Here are my favorites:
1. Scribbled secret notebooks, and wild typewritten pages, for your own joy
2. Be in love with your life
3. Something that you feel will find its own form
4. The jewel center of interest is the eye within the eye


To read the rest of the list, check out the link below, man.
Kerouac's 30 tips