And the moon rose over an open field

Ever since I was a kid, I've been a little bit obsessed with RVs (and to a degree houseboats). My first love was an intense one-sided affair with the shiny silver Airstream that was permanently parked in a driveway down the block. I was so enthralled that when I was 20, I got a book about the history of Airstreams as a Christmas present and considered it the great gift of the year. (you can get it here)

And before I could even drive, there were many years I would beg--and then drag--my parents to the boat, sport and travel show so I could scamper around all of the campers and double wides and fantasize about living in one someday. There's just something about everything being so small and efficient...and moveable. It's like the ultimate Alley-Sheedy-in-The-Breakfast-Club purse turned into a home. After all, you never know when you may have to jam!

Now that I'm writing about it, I can think of so many things I loved as a child and how they tie back to my love of transportation abodes.

Remember the Gypsy caravan Danny and his father call home in Danny the Champion of the World? (more on that here)

What about the motorhome Juliette Lewis lives in in What's Eating Gilbert Grape?

Or who can forget Dylan McKay's dad's houseboat on 90210 (RIP Jack McKay)?

Oh, and Maude's sweet-ass railcar apartment in Harold and Maude totally counts.

If you're still with me at this ramble down my weird-kid memory lane, you have to read Travels with Charley: In Search of America, one of my all-time favorite books. It's John Steinbeck's account of exploring the country in a camper with his standard poodle Charley.

A quintessential indoor kid (my parents used to punish me for reading too much by making me call friends to come over and do legitimate, real-people activities with me), I was a Steinbeck nut, PLUS we had a standard poodle (RIP Mr. T), so this book really resonated with me. I think it's what made me decide my dream job would be to drive around the country and have a syndicated newspaper column where I interviewed different people for a kind of "slice of life" feature, and it's probably at least partially responsible for my journalism degree.

Ahh, and here I am today: A mobile home non-owner (I don't think we can count the Caravan, as tempting as that is), and the only writing I do is on this-here blog, which is becoming more infrequent. Crap, I don't even have a toy poodle, let alone a Standard.

All of this is a big preface to a few things that have popped up (like a camper--hahahaha...groan) lately to remind me of my all-American (in theory) wanderlust.

- Season 6 of Weeds, in which the characters are on the lam (no spoilers here--motor homes aren't aerodynamic anyway....somebody stop me) and travel from Montana to Michigan in a huge Jesusmobile RV.

- This incredible (and gorgeous!) blog, Double Decker Days, in which author Crystal Thomas details her renovation of a 1970s double decker bus with the intention of turning it into a vacation getaway. I love it, love it, love it!

So in summation, this is all what had been rolling around in my head when I told Marc I thought we should rent a motor home and take a few weeks to explore the country at the end of this summer (I want the cats to come with us because I'm totally insane, not just a little bit crazy).

See, we haven't taken our honeymoon yet, and our original plan was to go to Europe and tourist around, which also sounds lovely. But I can't shake this idea that it would be a lot of fun to, in the words of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, walk off to look for America.

Who knows what will happen. Thoughts? Pros 'n cons?

(image from Double Decker Days)

I found you!

While our weekend trip to Southwest Michigan was wonderful, I found the shopping to be a bit lacking. Shit was crayspensive! On the hunting and gathering scale, I definitely lean toward the thrifting end of things, and this scene was most definitely full-on antiquing.


So, after settling comfortably into window-shopping mode, I really did enjoy myself. And if I had to part with any of my sweaty, crumpled wad of cash, it definitely would have been at Marco Polo. The pretty would just not stop.

More than that, the owners have serious vision, plucking things out of obscurity that I would have definitely passed over a million times. It gave me a whole new focus for re-stocking the shop (which will happen soon). They also happen to be incredibly nice and friendly.


It also made me realize we need to repaint our place. Badly. You can't go buying a beat-up old pie safe and position it on your nicked and scuffed old wall and expect it to look chic. Our house needs paint and it needs it NOW.


The bummer is that we're probably going to paint everything close to the exact same colors the walls are now. It's great that the colors work, but it kind of takes the joy out of such a huge process when there's not going to be any big reveal happening. Then again, maybe it's for the best: We all know how very bad I am at choosing paint colors.


So coming up, mini shopping/restocking road trip with my best pal Shan (who, as a wedding gift, got us a household membership to the Chicago Architecture Foundation. How cool is that?) and paint up to my eyeballs.


Anyone have a killer matte/glossy white wall/trim color combo they're dying to share?

Mom-isms 2: Hans Johansen's revenge

I spent a fun-packed weekend with my mom (Happy birthday!). We had a great time eating angel food cake, wedding dress shopping, catching a movie and finding some great scores at Midland Arts & Antiques Market. I love you, mom. You're so cool!

But it wouldn't be mom time if there weren't some great mom-isms.

1)While watching It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (the fact that my parents enjoy a very crass show about the most selfish, horrible people on earth--no judgment, I do too!--is another topic for another day):

Dee, who is played by Caitlin Olson, comes on screen

Stepdad: I can't believe that's one of the Olsen twins.

Me: No, she's not! Where did you hear that?

Stepdad: Well, that's what your mom told me.

Mom, walking into the room: Can you believe that's Mary-Kate Olsen? She doesn't even look the same!

2) Listening to the 90s station on XM Radio, Ice Ice Baby Comes on. You know how in the beginning, Vanilla Ice goes, "Yo, VIP! Let's Kick it!"? My mom busts out with, "Don't. Be. A. Pig. Let's kiss it!"

3) If you have an iphone, it's likely you're obsessed with Words With Friends. I know I am (look me up, girl. M&A Dept!). My mom is up in there too. But she's decided to abbreviate the name of the game, so she'll be all, "Hey honey? Have you played me back on We're Friends yet?" So adorable.

Mom, if you're reading this, you're the best! Thanks for all of the fun we had this weekend and for all of your wedding-related help and advice. You're the only person who could convince me to read (and annotate) a bridal magazine, and your excitement makes all the planning fun. You also make really delicious eggs and know about all the best hair products. Love you lots!

Caravan

Did you read and love Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl like I did when I was a wee lass?


God, I adored that book. And this caravan is exactly how I pictured Danny and his father's home (minus piles and piles of semi-conscious pheasants, of course). I want to retreat to this cozy little home for a week.

Say cheese!

Gang, I'm making my maiden voyage to Milwaukee tomorrow. I know the art museum is supposed to be off the chain, but are there any other must-dos?

It's a quick trip, but I'm determined to make the most of it.

Cabin fever: A breakdown

Winter makes me want everything to be about 37% percent more charming and rustic than it really is.

Dirty snow and salt-encrusted shoes all over my hardwood floors make real life about 12% less marvelous. Runny noses and chapped lips further tip the scale 25% in the direction of blah.

Today, I'm taking a photo vacation to even things out.










P.S. I came into the office this weekend to clean out my giant drawer of shoes. Things* just got real.

*I am a lady and therefore am not using a swear word two posts in a row. Watchy me as I curtsy and drink my can of Red Bull with my pinky finger extended!

Bits and bobs

I used to have a sheet of paper that listed out everything that popped into my head and could potentially be made into a post. I've lost it (both literally and figuratively), so here are the three thoughts that I'm managing to put down before they go bye-bye just like my to-post list and so many socks in the dryer...

1. I am desperate to get to Ikea (I guess because normal seething holiday shopping crowds in Chicago aren't enough for me. X-TREME SHOPPING, GUYS! We need our own deodorant and Mountain Dew flavor). Here's what I want to eyeball/buy:

Maskros for the bedroom? Maybe?

Dinera plate. Yeah boring. But this is a just a list for me because I can't seem to keep track of paper scraps. We have four of these. 10 would be nicer.

Just a thought: this Kotte wreath. I don't think we'll be doing a tree this year since the living room has already been overtaken by plants. Plus, the cats from hell will take it down within 24 hours of its purchase and loving, painstaking (ok, OCD addled) decoration.

This simple wreath in the wheat color could be nice and low key.

Maybe pick up some fairly cute, non-denominational gift wrap while I'm there.

So ok, four things in all. This should only take about five hours, two helpings of Sweedish meatballs, one drawn-out trip through the rug section and may result in a bickering match in the as-is section and me spending about $2,433.99, plus tax. Let's go! On a weekend! (Which, incidentally, is not going to happen until at least Dec. 12. So maybe scrap the wreath.)

2. Every day on the train to work, I listen to the automated speaker man tell me, "Next stop is Library and Van Buren. Doors open on the right at Library and Van Buren."

He quite clearly pronounces "library" as a three-syllable word: li-bra-ry. BUT, as the train rounds the corner from Adams and Wabash he starts up again: "Transfer to Blue and Red lines at Li-ber-ra-ry and Van Buren." Four syllables. I've been counting them on my fingers for a week now.

Why is this? And who is the man in the speaker? This means he's real and not a robot, right?

3. I finally moved some favorite blogs from my bookmarks to the sidebar over there ------->.
They are:
Designers' Brew
Get to Fixin'
Homebug
I Suwanee
Little Green Notebook
Pony Boy Press
Saffron and Genevieve
The Design Files
and, of course, my friend Leah at Thx thx thx.

Hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

5. Phew, getting all of that off my mind freed up some space, I think! I hope to have some painting projects to share with you soon...

P.S. Pat on the back to me for just spellchecking and not getting anything wrong (except for those damn Ikea names) this time.

UPDATE: Erm, maybe not on the brain clearing. It took me hours to notice that I skipped right from three to five in that little list up there. Crap.

Trick or quinks!

Hey punkins! In honor of Halloween, I'm organizing this week's links based on a strict, candy-based rating system. Best loot to worst:

Toblerone: I'm in San Francisco for a super fun wedding, and I'm going to get to meet up with Jess, The Wife of an Artist herself!

Full-sized Snickers bar: My pal Shan and I started an Etsy shop to sell vintage goods!

Blow Pops: It's decorative gourd season, motherf*%@ers! (via What Possessed Me)

Twizzlers: The Twilight Zone turns 50 this week!

Nerds: Someone is making calendar tea towels. Remember when I asked for this!?!

Junior Mints: Revisiting Brad and Angie's remarkable W magazine shoot.

Laffy Taffy: GOOD Magazine's infographics are now available in poster form.

Smarties: Cute, eco-friendly clothes. (ding for being too expensive for me!)

Mr. Goodbar: These adorable shoes are on super sale! (ding for not having my size)

Bit-O-Honey: Cute wreath how-to. (self-imposed ding for posting something related to Christmas in October!)

Raisins: New York Magazine kinda steals George Louis' Esquire cover designs.

Roadtrip anyone?

The other day, I was leafing through the October issue of Architectural Salvage News (no, I didn't just make it up) when I happened upon an ad for Unearthed, a salvage shop in Madison, WI.

Guys, they have some pretty sweet stuff. At decently reasonable prices.

Like these stacking storage bins for $6.

This wood and steel coffee table made out of a factory cart isn't exactly a steal at $290, but it's a ton cheaper than the wares being peddled at Restoration Hardware. (psst. If you're looking for one of those wheeled carts from RH that everyone has been freaking over, Urban Remains has a few right now. They're not giving them away at $575, but that's a hell of a lot less than Resto's $1,295, right?)

But yeah, I'd say Unearthed is even a bit more reasonable than your average Chicago salvage shop. They do some neat stuff with their findings too.

Why yes, I would love a lamp made from a porcelain sink leg. How did you ever know?

A table made from vintage bowling floor? Definitely if I had a grand burning a hole in my pocket.


It just wouldn't be Wisconsin without some industrial-sized cheese grates, now would it?


The sold section is really killing me.

Oh the things I would have done for this vintage map. Sigh.

Seriously. I want a road trip. Madison is such a pretty place to visit anyway.

Would it sweeten the deal if I told you I have access to a large cargo van?

Planning to leave my wallet in San Francisco

In just a few weeks, I'm headed to San Francisco for a very quick visit. I've only been once before, but I fell deeply in love with the city. Don't tell anyone, but I may have even cried a little bit on the plane ride home.

I'm so excited to return and visit some of the fabulous shops that Baz at Atomic Indy outlined in his extremely thorough vintage shop roundup (seriously. you think it's over but it just goes on and on. and on.)

But other than that, I'm open to suggestions. Does anyone else have any suggestions of must-dos?

Happy Mondays

On a dreary day like this...

Sometimes you just need a pink floral Bertoia fainting chair.

What cheers you up on a glum Monday?

Did you miss Miss Malaria?

Hello! Hello! I'm back from vacation, although it feels more like October here in Chicago. Are you guys sure I didn't accidentally miss my plane (and water taxi and other two planes) and come back two months late?

Normally, taking a trip to the sweltering jungle seems like something that makes sense in the depths of the bleak midwinter, but if there was any year to do it in August, I'd say this was the one.

Some snaps:
See that little building in those trees? That's the casita we called home for the bulk of the week. Here's a closer look:

This was the view from our little porch.

We had a great time, but it's also wonderful to be back. I feel in love with far too many island dogs and cats, freaked out over crabs scuttling by moonlight, ate wonderful (and wonderfully cheap) seafood and coconut bread, and met some of the nicest people ever. If you're ok with a rustic (and rusty--damn! salty air does a number on metal) paradise, I would highly recommend a trip to the Corn Islands.

And to tie it in with anything around here: Look!

Casa Iguana's lodge has the same chairs we do (you can see one of them in the crappy illustration I made in the midst of my kitchen freakout).

A few fascinating things that I never expect to experience again:

- Taking a taxi on Big Corn Island (it seems that every motorist on the island is a taxi driver and they navigate the island's one road, which goes in a loop around the entire island. rides are $1 per person, and the driver will pick up as many as three of his friends to ride along). During one such ride, we stopped by the house of one of the passengers. He ran in while we waited outside, only to return with two black and white puppies he wanted to sell to someone. He got back in and we continued on our closed-circuit track.

- The runway at Big Corn is hard-packed dirt surronded by tall grass. While waiting for the prop plane to take us back to Managua, we looked up to see three horses galloping on the runway and through the grasses as a man on a motorcycle tried in vain to corral them.

- Every beer you order (Tona or Victoria Frost) comes uncapped with a paper napkin wadded up in its mouth. It's for wiping away the rust that comes with the cap's decomposition.

- On Little Corn, it was not uncommon to be seated for dinner and have the power go out all over the island. If the restaurant had a generator, all systems go. If not (which was the case for most places), you had to wait for power to resume to receive your food--or see it for that matter.

- The little island was so sparsely populated that a flashlight was absolutely necessary for walking around after sunset (anytime past 6:30, basically).

- Islanders love--and I mean LOVE--country western music. From my airport experience, mainland Nicaraguans love American lite rock. I heard "Afternoon Delight" while waiting for our plane out.

Explosions in the sky

Everybody! Have a fun, safe Independence Day holiday. I'm off on a wee road trip. We'll be listening to stand-up comedy, making several stops to see family and friends, visiting long-lost loved towns and watering holes (both figurative and literal), and staying in hotels without making prior reservations*.

*I have my fingers crossed this ends well. I'm so excited to do this and hoping it makes me feel like I'm an outlaw or having the Great American Travel Experience. Let's not have super high rates and NO VACANCY signs instead, ok America?

See you all on Monday!

(Image via Coco Chanel blog)