Style: the Travel Jacket – more function than fashion

Don’t think I’m going off on a tangent here just because I’ve been posting lately about glamping.  Mind you there is something freeing about not having to second guess your outfits while spending time in the great outdoors.traveljacketThe main thing about getting ready for a trip (be it by air or road) is the packing and deciding what to bring and a big part of that is your go-to jacket because you don’t want to carry so much bulk. You need something to cover up in that will keep you warm, be comfortable and at the same time go with pretty much everything except your dressy wear. Something you can throw in the washing machine and not worry about it falling apart too.

My gore-tex jacket is something I never leave home (for any length of time) without.  It’s light and folds up easily to fit in a suitcase or under the seat of the camper, it’s totally wind and water proof so will keep me dry when need be and if it’s super cold outside then I can always wear a fleece underneath (which zips right in).  It has a hidden hood & pockets. I don’t know how many times that jacket has saved me from the elements.  I even skied in it once.

We all know that air travel can be miserable depending on your seating arrangement. Aside from all the hassles of getting on the plane, once you’re in your cramped little economy seat it becomes difficult to do anything but sit upright, elbows tucked and wait for the journey to be over.

But it seems that long-distance love has paid off for the designers of a travel jacket that has now attracted a record $9m from would-be buyers on crowdfunding site Kickstarter.

Last summer, Chicago-based startup BauBax launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for its new self-titled travel jacket.

The BauBax Travel Jacket is equipped with 15 features that makes it perfect for those traveling. The jacket’s retail price starts at $160 (plus taxes/shipping). It comes in four different styles—sweatshirt, windbreaker, bomber, and blazer—and boasts 15 features targeting the varied torments of air travel, though they’re useful for any kind of travel really. Among them are earphone holders, an iPad pocket, a drink pocket that fits a can of soda, gloves that extend from the sleeves, a telescoping pen built into the front zipper that doubles as a stylus, a passport pocket, and a hood that includes an inflatable neck pillow and sleep mask.

I think it’s a pretty damn good all around solution. Genius right?

http://baubax.com/

 

Travel: On the Road Again – Part Two

Remember the post where I declared my love for the Vintage Airstream Trailer? vintage-airstream That was 10 days ago although it seems like months now. airstream_-_matt_4_500 - Copy

I found out that many travel companies are getting on board the vintage trailer bandwagon: In November, rental company Airstream 2 Go partnered with Texas boot-maker Lucchese (love them too – bought a pair in Nashville) on a custom itinerary through the Lone Star State, which includes a trip to the factory and a pair of custom boots.

mathewairstream - CopyAirstream says it’s selling five times as many trailers as it did in 2009, spent $6 million on a new office space, and recently hired 130 new employees. Sounds like the making of a major comeback story.

CHECK THIS OUT:

If you’re not the road trip type but want to experience the Airstream lifestyle for a night or two, here are five firmly planted and beautifully decorated hotels for your next vacation.

El Cosmico, Marfa, Texas

 El Cosmico Photo: Courtesy of El Cosmico
El Cosmico
Photo: Courtesy of El Cosmico

There is probably no place more appropriate to situate a trailer than Marfa, the art-centric, holistic desert oasis of the Southwest. El Cosmico offers tepees, yurts, and, most important, several models of trailers that are sparsely decorated but seriously cozy. There’s a minibar in each but, intentionally, no Wi-Fi.

AutoCamp, Santa Barbara, California

 Autocamp Photo: Courtesy of Autocamp
Autocamp
Photo: Courtesy of Autocamp

This tiny Airstream-based hotel is made up of five vintage trailers, some of which come equipped with flat-screen TVs, large bathtubs, and Malin + Goetz products. Each trailer also comes with two beach cruiser bikes for getting around the camp.

Hotel Daniel, Vienna, Austria

 Hotel Daniel Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Daniel
Hotel Daniel
Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Daniel

Nestled in the garden just outside the boutique hotel, one silver Airstream trailer is available as a room option for guests. The 172-square-foot space was created by interior designers specializing in yachts and has a sleek, minimal feel. It nods to the experience of being out on the open road, but is in the middle of a busy urban center.

Italy Airstream, Venice, Italy

Italy Airstream Park Photo: Courtesy of Italy Airstream Park
Italy Airstream Park
Photo: Courtesy of Italy Airstream Park

The website touts this as “the first Airstream park in Italy,” and it’s certainly the first of its kind on the Adriatic Coast. Recently opened in April, the six Airstreams each sleep up to four people, with a shaded canopy bed outside. It’s 30 minutes to Venice by car, or you can take a longer two-hour ride to reach the Dolomites. There’s also a beach just outside the park.

Caravan Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

Caravan Tokyo Photo: Courtesy of Caravan Tokyo
Caravan Tokyo
Photo: Courtesy of Caravan Tokyo

For those looking to skip the Ritz or the Park Hyatt for something a little more low-key, Caravan is the place to stay in Tokyo. It’s a single trailer that sleeps two, parked near the bustling Harajuku neighborhood in a mixed-use office complex. It’s a fantastic example of innovative, smart Japanese design, with a gray exterior, modern pendant lamps and paper stools inside, and a wooden outer deck and lounge area.

I know this is not the same thing but….

It's what I have for now
It’s what I have for now and it’s more easily transportable.  I’ve made many meals in this rig including once in Texas a fully-cooked Christmas dinner.  It’s true! Coffee anyone?

Source: Vogue Magazine Article (by Brooke Bobb) 5 Airstream Rentals That Trump Traditional Hotel Rooms

Modern Furnishings
Sleek, Modern, Comfortable Style

 

Food – back to basics

40 days and 40 nightsthat’s how much time I spent eating in restaurants while away over the holidays and beyond.

Maple Dijon Pork Chops seved over rice with side of crispy oven-baked kale. Photo: d. king
Maple Dijon Pork Chops served over rice with a side of crispy oven-baked kale.  Photo: d. king

That’s a lot of eating out, and more than I’m used to because I normally prefer to cook at home and eat out only on occasion.

A relatively small fridge in a hotel room can only hold so much.  It’s great for juice, coffee cream, breakfast stuff like yogurt and snacky items but since there was nothing to cook on I got to try out all sorts of restaurants.  So if anyone is going to Palm Springs or Las Vegas I have a whack load of recommendations.

What’s funny about all of this is that when I told my friends, I found out that most of them thought it was great.  Turns out they’d  prefer to eat out in restaurants rather than have to cook.  At first it was fun but then it felt a bit strange not having to do anything.  No shopping, no preparation, no cleanup, no nothing.  I started to miss it.   I ended up going to grocery stores, buying what I could that would be easy to assemble in a hotel room which was mostly salad items.   And picking up ready made stuff for picnics – which is another way of eating outside.

It was a good test.  I got to try a lot of good restaurants and miraculously ended up gaining only a few pounds which could have been a lot worse but I’m reversing the damage – I’m just about back to where I was.  Luckily I did a lot of walking, swimming and some running while away.

So when I got home 3 weeks ago I decided to cook all meals at home (except for when a friend took me out for a belated birthday celebration and vice versa).  I decided to stick with simple, wholesome feel-good, healthy (mostly) comfort meals.  A lot of steamed or oven roasted vegetables, fish, chicken, lasagna, soup and I brought my slow-cooker (crock-pot) out of hiding.  I’ve been making a whole lot of stuff in that.

Here’s a recipe which is easy to make, rich in flavour and simply delicious.

Slow Cooked Maple Dijon Pork Chops

Serves 2-4

Ingredients:

4  bone-in (preferably) pork chops

1 large yellow onion, chopped

6 tbsp pure maple syrup

4 tbsp dijon mustard

1/2 cup cider vinegar

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

2 tbsp vegetable oil

Directions:

Heat up the oil in a large skillet over high heat. When hot, add the pork chops and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Sear both sides of chops over high heat (about 2 minutes per side) then transfer to your Crock Pot.

Lower the heat to medium low and add the onions. Cook until onions are just starting to soften then add the cider vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, salt and pepper. Cook for 2 more minutes and then pour sauce over chops in the slow cooker.

Cook on low for 6-7 hours. Serve chops drizzled generously with sauce.

Time:

active time ~ 10 minutes

total time ~ 7 hours

ENJOY!

 

 

 

And the winner is: my Oscar 2016 Predictions

EACH YEAR it’s the same story; I plan on watching ALL of the OSCAR Nominees up for Top Picture (at the very least)…but that only happened once.  Before this year that is.

Tom Hardy - Mad Max
Tom Hardy in Mad Max Fury Road

I can’t believe I watched ALL the contenders in the top five categories.  It’s not that I had nothing else to do in my life okay, I had nothing else to do it’s just that this time I was determined and it became my mission.  I think the academy should make me an honorary member of the board if only because I sat through some movies I otherwise would not have desired to watch and that’s putting it kindly.  Even though they were all amazingly well done.  Have a little sympathy, all this watching is time consuming guys!

It was hard to keep my eyes glued to Mad Max, The Revenant, The Hateful Eight and some scenes in Creed.  It’s not that I didn’t appreciate the astounding special effects of Mad Max and the astonishing scenery surrounding The Revenant and seeing Sylvester Stallone again after all these years, it’s just that I don’t like gratuitous violence, crazy non-stop action with mostly (except for one) raggedly looking ugly men and seeing someone eat a raw liver when I can’t even stomach cooked liver (apparently Leonardo DiCaprio did this).  He deserves the Oscar for this alone.  So yes, they should make me a certified member.

The Martian (semi-comedy)
The Martian – not a comedy but Matt Damon is funny considering his circumstances

This year they were all really remarkable pictures. Mostly human interest, real life stories or stories based on factual incidences.  And they were heavy...the financial housing crash, a spy capture during the cold war, accusations of communism among the entertainment industry, a sex change, a deranged kidnapping, child molestations within the catholic church, an irish immigrant in the 50’s, a lesbian relationship in the 50’s, an inventor & technological wizard, a girl who founds a family dynasty, a secret that unfolds on a 45th wedding anniversary, a trek through cold uncharted wilderness, a mission to Mars gone wrong, *post civil-war bounty hunters and a man claiming to be sheriff  and the collapse of civilization with the craziness surrounding that.  I took a break in between to watch Train Wreck out of lightness & curiosity.

It would put me in a very awkward position to have to make choices for “best” this and that from what I’ve witnessed.  There are not many years where so many movies are this great.  I didn’t say enjoyable, I said great.  And there were a few surprises.  There was a common theme: Compelling, All Absorbing, Angry, Unbelievable and Shockingly Sad.  And beautiful!  Every single actor was just….perfect in their role.  It’s so unfair that only one of them gets to take home the golden statue when they’re all winners.

Here is WHAT picture and WHO I think deserves to win out of the BIG FIVE (and then be able to negotiate more $$$$ for their next picture).

Here Goes:

Best Picture: On all accounts “The Revenant” will probably win an Oscar (they were filming in extreme weather conditions and I hated Tom Hardy’s character so much). Cinematography should go to The Revenant, but my personal choice for best picture (and cast ensemble along with The Big Short) is  “Spotlight” because it’s just unbelievable how a small group of special reporters took chances to take on such a powerful deity as the Catholic Church and not let up.  They were passionate and successful in uncovering a time bomb.  Empowering!

Best Actor in a Leading Role:

Here’s where it gets dicey but Eddie Redmayne did a believably beautiful job in The Danish Girl.  But he’s up against Leonardo DeCaprio who’s always amazing and hasn’t won yet and has deserved to win in the past (can’t they tie for this one?).  Oh but; Eddie it is!  Powerful!

Best Actress in a Leading Role:

OMG please don’t make me choose.  I love them all.  Okay, Brie Larson for Room.  No, no, it’s going to be the Irish Girl Saoirse Ronan for Brooklyn because (light shades of Bridges of Madison County) it really makes you question or consider the decisions you make in your life.  Bittersweet!

Best Actor in a Supporting Role:

Just by the fact that I could have killed Tom Hardy’s character myself in The Revenant, it should go to him. But I feel Sylvester Stallone for Creed deserves it for sentimental reasons and the fact that even though watching guys beating up on other guys is not on my high list, his boxing movies are sheer entertainment. This one was more enjoyable than I imagined and well Rocky Balboa; he’s just a likeable guy.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role:

This one is easy (even among the other talented nominees) –  Alicia Vikander for The Danish GirlSheer Raw depth and Emotion –  Loved her!

We’ll see how I make out with the predictions on Sunday, April 28.

*I have a question for Quentin Tarantino re The Hateful Eight.  How come the stagecoach road in a movie set in the 1800’s was constantly plowed?  How was it plowed? This is important. Did anyone else notice?
oscar1

I want to start a category for best dressed at the OSCARS and also one for sheer entertainment (not acting, not directing, just an all around FUN movie).  What do you think?

Any thoughts?  I can’t wait to watch something stupid.  SISTERS & Zoolander next!

An Out of this World Experience – afternoon at FlyOver Canada

If you live in VANCOUVER or are just visiting you must experience the HOTTEST NEW ATTRACTION over at Canada Place.

Photo: d. king
Photo: d. king

 I went with three others yesterday and absolutely loved it.  It was so thrilling and you really feel like you’re flying and can even feel sensation of the elements.  I loved it so much that I wished it lasted longer.flyovercanada2

It’s the ULTIMATE VIRTUAL FLIGHT over Canada’s most spectacular sights along with a limited time same admission price, Flight of the Dragon ride over iconic Chinese sites.  flyovercanada1

You will fly above the electrifying city of Shanghai, the snow-peaked Himalayas, and the majestic Great Wall before immediately lifting off again for an absolutely amazing flight over Canada (including Niagara Falls and the Rockies), as part of this limited-engagement event.  I can’t say it enough….it was extremely exhilarating.

Photo: d. king
Photo: d. king – this is where you ENTER to Experience the Thrill

See Flight of the Dragon (for a limited time only) and FlyOver Canada back-to-back!

January 14th – March 6, 2016
Daily from 10AM until 9PM

What to Expect

Giant Raindrop Sculpture Photo: d. king
Raindrop Sculpture Photo: d. king

Start your experience off in our pre-show room, where you will see beautiful festive theming and still images of Chinese New Year celebrations.  Then, buckle up your seatbelt and get prepared for the virtual flight ride. First, follow a mythical dragon as you soar over some of China’s most spectacular landscapes and scenery during Flight of the Dragon, a unique 6 minute flight ride experience. Then, stay seated and take off again to experience, the Ultimate Flying Ride, FlyOver Canada, a thrilling virtual flight ride that takes you across Canada from east-to-west. Both rides incorporate state of the art special effects including wind, scents and mist.

The complete experience will last between 20 – 25 minutes.

Entrance/Show Times

Entrance times are every 20 minutes

Please note that the queuing area is partially exposed to the elements. Please dress accordingly for the weather particularly on weekends when it’s possible there may be wait times. To purchase tickets now, click here!

 

 

 

 

Beauty: this is how I roll

With a really cool skincare product….

Don’t roll your eyesbecause this roller from Garnier will instantly help to cool and refresh them.  That’s what I’m talking about.cooling eye roller

I keep this soothing green roller in the fridge standing among the many hot sauces and just grab it when I need a little pick me up. It has caffeine as one of the ingredients (to wake up your eyes) which is supposed to reduce puffiness and under-eye bags to brighten up the eye area.

I can’t vouch for that completely because I don’t have big dark circles (except for when I don’t sleep) but for convenience sake, and for those times when you don’t have a cucumber handy or you’re feeling too lazy to even slice one up, it works like a charm.

This gel formula with Antioxidant Vitamin C, Mint, and Caffeine has a micro-stimulating roll-on applicator to help de-puff and reduce the look of under-eye bags. Fake a more rested look!

You can purchase this product in almost any drugstore – USD $12.99 (price may vary).

Have you tried it?

STYLE and INSPIRATION

Out with the old, IN with the old recreatedvalentine3I often wonder how fashion designers get it together to keep coming up with new ideas for something original and inspiring for every season (including “resort wear” which is considered another season in fashiondom which makes five) and all those nerve wracking make-or-break shows.  Something that will make people excited to want to go out and buy that new shirt right away.  To be “that girl.” Because you know the easiest way to transform yourself is through clothes – if you dress for your mood (not necessarily the occasion).  Sometimes you see something totally wild.  You can admire it (on someone else) but never consider it for yourself and sometimes it’s like….I like it but it’s been done before…again and again (maybe they’ve just added some more buttons, zippers or pockets but otherwise it’s the same).  In any event you must be very creative to keep plugging away at it and try to outdo your last performance.  Just as much pressure as a musician has to come up with a new hit, but not wanting to be totally typecast…….as a

The New World Order - Vintage Alaia Shearling Bomber Jacket
The New World Order – Vintage Alaia Shearling Bomber Jacket (website below)

Designer, Musician, Artist (one who paints + draws), Actor, Photographer, Chef, Writer……(blogger?) and even Politicians (The best reality TV drama going is Trump vs Cruz vs Clinton vs Sanders). I’ve been watching the U.S. debates like any other interested Canadian.

By being typecast I mean restricted to one style (a recognizable signature style such as a Picasso painting), that are the kinds of things that people  “expect” of you .  But even with Picasso, the style may be recognizable but it’s not “always” the same.  You know what I mean.  Maybe you eat the same cereal all the time but one day you put blueberries over top and another day strawberries.  There must be an element of surprise.

In the mad crazy world of invention,  everything seems to be intermixed lately.  Fashion and Art, Art and Food, Beauty and Culture. A designer visits an art gallery and gets ideas for his next collection.  Actors are models, models are actors and regular people are starring in their own version-of-reality TV series.  It’s interesting.

For myself in general, I draw inspiration from everywhere.  People, the media (like everyone else, is a big contributor) through TV, magazines, newspapers, online with other peoples blogs, music, books, stores, movies (amazing ones this season), art, travel, restaurants, nature and on the street. I’m usually more inspired when I’m travelling and things look different and fresh and I’m living more in the moment (which we say we should do but mostly do not).  It’s not only for trying to come up with new ideas for the blog so it doesn’t get stale (I hope) but also in day to day life, in areas like cooking and finding a new recipe for fish or maybe trying out a new running route to keep from getting bored.

As for restaurants, why do you think Cauliflower is having a moment of fame right now trying to outshine Kale in many restaurants? The chefs have come up with some pretty incredible ways of serving it. It’s still the same vegetable but now it tastes so much better.  We never thought of baking it with chilli and lemon before? Hell; I was just taken out to a popular restaurant and they had a delicacy of chocolate covered crispy chicken skin on the menu. When I asked the waiter what happened (like did the chicken fall into the pot of melted chocolate by mistake) I can’t remember but I think it actually did.  In any event, it was a mistake.  But one most people like because it’s new (if you didn’t know that it was chicken, it could be walnuts). And if it wasn’t served cold, it would be more greasy.  Yuck! Not like the intentional chocolate covered bacon many chefs are now serving.  At a party someone brought orange chocolate covered bacon.  Really??  I went off again…but really…

I’m wondering how important any of this is to any of you?  I believe inspiration is a big deal.  At least something else to keep us going, a curiosity towards finding a different way, idea, recipe, whatever…

Isn’t that what life is about?

Some Inspiration when it comes to STYLE:

Portraits by Willy Vanderperre
YOKO ONO – Portrait by Willy Vanderperre

An online magazine featuring interesting women:

http://thegentlewoman.co.uk/library

The passage of time has been miraculously beneficial for Yoko Ono. While previous generations held grudges and questioned her motives, in the 21st century Ono is cherished for her provocations and wisdom. As a musician and multimedia artist since before the term was coined, Ono holds the rare position of courting a global audience without ever having to compromise her work, which is often wilfully impenetrable.

At the age of 77, Ono continues to think of the long-term, with two forthcoming exhibitions and a recent album, as well as progressing her ongoing project around the world, asking the masses to imagine peace. It is a message from which she will never waver.

Text by Liz Hoggard, Styling by Olivier Rizzo

Shopping Online:

The New World Order NYChttp://thenewworldordernyc.com/

Vestiaire Collective Website:http://www.vestiairecollective.com/

Shop the closets of fashion lovers from Paris, Berlin, Milan, New York City, and more.  Mix ‘n match high street, luxury vintage and new pieces with Vestiaire Collective.

 St. Laurent Leather Biker Jacket
Vestiaire Collective – St. Laurent Leather Biker Jacket 

WHERE DO YOU DRAW INSPIRATION?

 

Food: CHEFS’ Table – CURRY CUP challenge

FOR CURRY LOVERS ONLY.  Here’s something that may pique your interest if you live in Vancouver.  currycup1For those not able to attend,  I’ve posted one of my Indian curry recipes below.

CHEFS Confirmed for 3rd Annual Curry Cup

[Vancouver, BC] On March 7, 2016, the *Chefs’ Table Society of BC’s third annual Curry Cup returns to Heritage Hall, 3102 Main St., Vancouver from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

Each ticket includes samples of curry from all the teams (listed below); wine from Evolve Cellars, beer from R&B Brewing, alcoholic & non-alcoholic drink samples created by Lauren Mote, and an entertaining evening.

For many chefs and their brigades, curry is the ultimate family-style meal, the proud product of a cook’s cultural heritage.

Photo: d. king
Photo: d. king (my recipe below)

This year’s COMPETING CHEFS will present their version of a Curry dish:

Last year’s winner, Rob Ratcliffe, Hawksworth Restaurant, will be back this year but this time as a judge, along with Sonia Beeksma, Global BC, Meeru Dhalwala, Vij’sMy ShantiRangoli, Barbara- Jo McIntosh, Barbara -Jo’s Books to Cooks, and Mijune Pak, Follow Me Foodie.

Emcee for the evening is once again Vancouver’s “Man About Town” Fred Lee.

Proceeds from the event go to support Growing Chefs, an organization that teaches children how to grow and cook their own food.

Tickets, $60 (+ taxes & fees), are now on sale and moving quickly. Get yours here.  The first 80 tickets purchased will also receive a Chefs’ Table Society of BC organic cotton tote bag (to be picked up at the Curry Cup).

About the Chefs’ Table Society:

*The Chefs’ Table Society of British Columbia is a non-profit society comprised of BC’s leading chefs and culinary professionals. It is a chef-administered, province-wide collaborative dedicated to creating a foundation for the exchange of information between culinary professionals. The Society supports innovative and sustainable programs that will inspire, educate and nurture BC chefs, producers and the local food industry. The Chefs’ Table Society secures apprenticeships for and bestows bursaries to emerging local chefs and also finances culinary education programs in BC schools. For more information or to become a member visit chefstablesociety.com.

Not to worry, we all love curry especially those on the jury.
Not to worry, we all love curry especially those on the jury who are in no hurry (because they want to keep sampling….just to make sure).

Oh; I’m also a poet, but I bet you already know it (or a rapper – ha, ha goofing around)

What I’m not is an official judge of this CC, however my consolation prize is to be a judge of an upcoming new annual Barn Burner BBQ (yeah; bring it on!) event.  I’ll tell you about that later.  In the meantime….

My “crazy for curry” Indian recipe

https://girlwhowouldbeking.com/2015/04/20/cooking-crazy-for-curry/

Travel: On the Road  – The Glamping Life in Style

There is a certain style to GLAMPING and it means No Tent Required.

Photo: Mikael Jansson, Vogue
Photo: Mikael Jansson, Vogue    (OF COURSE, YOU MUST DRESS THE PART)

Nothing wrong with those adventurous, real outdoorsy, down to earth types who lug around a backpack and set up their tent and make a fire to cook their food.  It’s just not for me at this stage (and it never was).  But I love the outdoors, breathing in fresh air and sleeping partially outside.

I forgot my gown for this trip but at least I brought my heels - taken 3 years ago.
I forgot my gown for this trip but at least I brought my heels!

The next step up from tent camping is owning a VW Eurovan Camper that comes equipped with a fridge, a 2 burner stovetop, a furnace, 2 fold down beds (you can call it a two-bedroom but it’s a bit of a stretch), storage space, surround sound for music and a pop top so you can actually stand up and move around a bit.  And a shower…out the back (you have to open up the back so it’s better in warm temperatures and it’s not always the best idea to use it completely naked). Just ask me how I know this!

The best thing about a smaller camper is that you get to park it almost anywhere rather than having to stay in an RV park.  Almost…because many places don’t let you camp overnight just anywhere but there are countless beautiful state parks which means you can drive into a spot either right on, or much closer to lakes, rivers and the ocean.  It feels like camping…just much more comfortable.  That, and wearing my cashmere pajamas. Having a dog or two wagging along is a big bonus.  In fact, I wouldn’t want to do it without them.

The added advantage of a smaller camper is we’ve ended up in places and spaces that could not accommodate a large RV, like the middle of the Redwoods, Ca, the Badlands in S. Dakota and on top of Dead Horse Canyon, Utah (where Thelma & Louise drove off that same cliff, we decided to take the slow road down).  It’s an adventure in itself.

glamping with Debbie & a flask helps!
glamping with Debbie… a flask comes in handy!

Having a luxury RV like a Country Coach or Prevost is a way of life for many people and I can relate to the charm of life on the road and stopping here and there for a length of time.  But you should see some of these RV’s…I’m talking luxury homes away from homes.  Million dollar+ homes on wheels that are nicer than many people’s condos.  I have a few friends who live like that.  They have a home base but drive their luxe coaches from place to place and set up anywhere from a few weeks to several months. The true beauty of travelling this way is that you get to see so much more than if you were to hop on a flight to go straight from A to B.  You must also have the luxury of time.

Owning a vehicle/home like a large RV means that you must reside in RV parks that are setup for that size of home away from home.  There are only a few RV parks that I’ve encountered (one is “Outdoor Resorts” in Las Vegas where our friends stayed – it was beautiful with a  huge outdoor living space complete with tiki hut, living area and kitchen) that I can imagine myself staying in, except no VW’s allowed.  Anyway, it’s whatever works for you.  These people end up paying each night to park, more than some hotels charge.

So even though I love the roominess  of some RV’s I’ve come across, what I really want is…. drumroll…..an AIRSTREAM. Only people who really know me will understand this. Yes, since the first time I saw one I’ve wanted one.  There’s just something about the Airstream. It has a caché of its own.

Owning one for camping purposes is the equivalent to owning a Vespa for scooting purposes.

Allright allright allright… it’s the stylishness I confess.  I’ve been eyeing them for a while now.  One guy even caught me taking pictures of a vintage model in Palm Springs a perfect place for one wouldn’t you say?.. and there I was snapping away and it turned out to be his Vintage Airstream.  Then we had a whole conversation on them becoming more mainstream now (aw, I hate when that happens), more pricey and more exclusive and definitely a collectible.  He owns two but has homes elsewhere….blah, blah, blah…(airstream talk). His name was Matthew.

If you don’t believe me just refer to the paragraph below from a recent article in Vogue Magazine.  I mean….it’s Vogue, so let’s talk about style. 

The first Airstream was built in 1929, and almost 90 years later, the iconic aluminum trailer still has quite a following: Matthew McConaughey and Lenny Kravitz are proud owners, and many restaurants, shops, and hotels have invested in Airstreams as new forms of food trucks, showrooms, or guest room options. And let’s not forget the Airstream’s supporting role in Karlie Kloss and Taylor Swift’s BFF road trip for Vogue back in February.

See? I told you so!

I bought this one in the meantime but it's a bit tight
Mini “V” and  Airstream in Los Olivos, Ca. Adorable, and let’s just say – more affordable!
me driving away in my red pickup truck
driving away in my red pickup truck

Stay tuned for Part Two