Tami's Travel Tips

We have some vacations this Spring.  I have a few traveling tips to share.  

Getting my vacation game on!

Concealer and foundation in a contact case. I mark the top with a C and an F using a sharpie. Less glass, less stuff, makes me happy.

 I always put in a fresh pair of contacts on the morning that we leave.  Even though I have more than one pair of glasses I only take one.

 I leave eye shadow and blush at home and take a Clinique sampler.  One item instead of three, works for me.

 I choose one lipstick, that way I take one lip pencil.  And I usually take a Clinique sample so my good MAC lipstick doesn't melt or get lost.

 How many times do I have to tell you to take Meclizine for motion sickness?  I use it for flights, cars, amusement parks, boats, ferries, buses or swimming in the ocean.  I take one every day I'm on a trip, in the morning.  It does not cause drowsiness. 

 If I am going to be poolside or at the beach I only bring water proof mascara.  I use the white tube for everyday but if I'm on a trip I use up the little samples.

 Nordstrom is great about including samples in my order and I use them on trips.  Because they are tiny.

 I love it when they send me a perfume sample that is a spray.  Happy dance!

My hairdresser, Glenda, who I LOVE, gave me this tip. Use shampoo and conditioner samples on trips.  I don't if I am gone longer than a weekend, I have refillable shampoo and conditioner bottles for those trips.  When camping is where these little samples are brilliant! No more leaving your shampoo in the campground bathroom.  Grab your towel and samples and head to the camp shower.  Brilliant!

No matter where I am going I take two black tee shirts.  I wear them with jeans, shorts, white jeans, and my black skirt.

I have a robe and pjs that I only use for travel.  It's lightweight.

I only pack jewelry that is costume and that can be worn more than once.

I am not a flight attendant but I do wear a uniform when on flight.  I have a black knit skirt.  It's cute, it has little layers and so when I get to my destination I can pair it with a black tee, heels, and some jewelry and it almost equals a little black dress.  Back to my uniform... black skirt, black tee, black leggings and a jean jacket or black cardigan.  When I fly to a warm tropical location I lose the leggings before I leave the airport.  I usually wear flats or sneakers.  I keep flip flops in my purse and put those on before I leave the plane.

Basically I am in something as comfy as pjs yet the black makes it look dressy.  I can go from climate to climate with ease.  If I have a night flight I pack a small blankie or a wrap.  If it's a short flight I sometimes just wear jeans. I need a pair of jeans while I am on the trip but I don't want to take the room in my luggage I wear them.

If we fly Allegiant we check our bags because you have to pay for carry on any way.  I know it's nice to not have to wait for luggage but there is a very cranky Allegiant employee in Bellingham that no matter how hard you try to follow the rules of carry on luggage she will find something and shame you.  "Whose bag is THIS?"  

It's not worth it.  If you are going to battle with her take your tape measure and be ready.

I try to pack light in every way until I have to make decisions about shoes.  If always ends badly.  I aspire to pack as light as Marjean and to look as cute as her.  Mad skills!

Hubby and I are fortunate as his Mom shares her Worldmark timeshare with us. They have a washer and dryer in each unit. I don't like to do laundry on vacation but it's nice to know I have that option.

I buy inexpensive used books to take along, then read'em and leave'em.
If we are flying to Hawaii I put a swimsuit in my carry on bag or purse so if my luggage is lost or delayed I can wait poolside.
An empty water bottle and snack in my purse. Leslie gave me a water bottle that filters the water.  It removes that icky, I'm not at home, hotel water taste.
A clean pair of footie socks for long flights, I am more likely to sleep if my feet are cozy.
This brings up night flights. We have one in April. I wear my comfy uniform, take my blankie, my travel pillow and earplugs. I take a Tylenol PM prior to boarding, magnesium to keep my legs from getting restless and I hydrate.  I brush my teeth, take out my contacts and wash my face prior to boarding.  Just as though I am going to bed.  Because I want to sleep!

On my last flight two teen age guys sat next to me, They got on with smoothies and coffees from Starbucks.  The guy next to me took the lid off his coffee and the lid went skidding across my lap, foam side down.  He was mortified and I was glad I wore black. I carry wipes in my bag and I was happy I had them. Just a little pack in your purse for spills and boys.

Hubby likes the window seat, I like the aisle.  If it's two seats in the rows we are happy.  If not, we sit across the aisle from each other.  I'm not a fan of bathrooms on planes but it's good to stand up and stretch.  You may ask Karen, I attract crazy on airplanes like a moth to a flame. So, I need to be able to get up, if only for a few minutes.

We had to replace our luggage a few years ago because it was too heavy.  Our wheels go both ways and that is great.  One of those things that you don't realize you need until you have it.

Please share your tips. Flying isn't fun any more but at the end of the day it's vacation and poolside or the beach for me.  I know you will have some good tips for me.

If you would say a lil prayer for me, Hubby and I are sharing a suitcase and he is going to see how many pairs of shoes I am taking to Las Vegas...

Bon Voyage!

IKEA Camping Hacks

I woke up to snow again this morning, just a skiff but still, snow. I love snow and have enjoyed winter this year; however, I am starting to look forward to camping and trailer rally season. The Modernism Week Vintage Trailer Show in Palm Springs was inspiring and got me thinking about things I'd like to do to prep for the season.

Sheryl and I visited with the owner of the pictured chairs and storage table, she had a nice outdoor sitting area in front of her motor home.  She found her blanket storage/table at IKEA.

 I'd like to add something like this to Huaka'i Annie.  Beach towel storage, blanket storage or even shoe storage.  IKEA has a lot of options.  Something I can store outdoors. I am leaning toward the same one I saw at the show.  Shoe storage would not be as pretty as her blankets but shoes make me crazy in the trailer.  It reminds me of when our guys were boys and there were size 12 shoes everywhere. Only it's my 16 pairs of flip flops.

I love the colors of the stacking table but it wouldn't provide the storage I need.

I have a great cart for outside of Annie.  It works as a bar cart, holds a basket of games and at rallies I set up information on it.  I found it at Farm Chicks.  It folds down. 

I saw this little shopping cart at the show.  I have  similar carts.  I use one as a Christmas wrapping cart and have lined with fabric and sold them as such.  I like the wood lashed liner in this cart.  I may have to try that for shoes or for toting all my junk to the beach.

IKEA sells carts like this roller.  These are great but they do not fold down.

IKEA sells great laundry bags for camping and I need to pick up this one next time I visit.

 And maybe a new rug for the season.  My rugs get trashed in the trailer and IKEA has fun colors and low prices on rugs.

I definitely need a trip to IKEA before camping season.  Who wants to go?  Do you have any IKEA camping hacks I should know about before I go?  Do share.

No IKEA this week for me.  I am going to Las Vegas for a nephews wedding.  Yep, more sunshine and fun for me.  And another resort with a lazy river. Haters gonna hate.

It's Not Just Any Hardware Store

A few years ago I saw a photo on face book that stuck with me. It was a trailer at the Modernism Week Vintage Trailer Show.  The trailer was gorgeous but what caught my eye was the sun umbrella in front of the trailer.  It's shape!  It's color!  Oh my!  I had to know where that beauty came from and how.  In the comments someone said that it was from the Palm Spring True Value Hardware store. True Value? Yes.  I tried to find one at the local store but they are privately owned and carry different inventory. I resolved to visit the Palm Springs True Value.

*photo from fb show ad

I spot the umbrella at the Modernism Week Vintage Trailer Show this week and it floods back just how much I love that umbrella.

Sheryl and I visit with the guys from Kaplan Real Estate and they give us the Palm Springs True Value Hardware store scoop.

 Field trip!  Sheryl drives and I navigate and it works well.  We get in the rig and I pull up my map. Oh nooo, it is 52 minutes from the show.  We had planned a late lunch, a Trina Turk visit and a stop at British Invasion.  This can't be right! Oops, I had my map on walking!  We pretty much had a full blown panic attack.  Five minutes via car and we are there. 

 The color choices include an aqua and orange combination.  Perfect for Huaka'i Annie.

 They even have original flamingos.  Their gift ware department is vast, trendy and varied.

I'm flying on Allegiant Airlines and all y'all know how mean and miserly they are regarding luggage and fun.

The good news is that I know where to get the pagoda umbrella, Sheryl could give it a ride back to Lynden and they carry these umbrellas on a regular basis.  Sheryl and I met the charming owner, I think he was touched by how giddy we were with his inventory. He had a gorgeous selection of outdoor furniture.  I am still laughing about him leaning in and telling me quietly that he sold $300,000 in pillows last year.  You go!

Among other things I purchased a t-shirt for Hubby.  Best hardware tee I've come across, ever.

This concludes the Palm Springs Series.  I have posted a lot about this trip but bear with me, I saw a lot of pretty.  When I am in the trenches restoring a trailer my goal is to get out there between projects and see some pretty! This was a successful trip.

*Reminder: I do not get paid to write this drivel, I've never had a sponsor, because whose blog is it?

That's right.  I am just giving out shopping tips here and you are welcome.

Modernism Week Vintage Trailer Show Part II

Overwhelming! There were so many beautiful trailers in Palm Springs for the Modernism Week Show that it's difficult to write a post in a brief, concise manner.  I shall try.

First of all, this Holiday House. There are no words, it was a crowd favorite and my favorite. Not just because of the trailer though, but because of my conversation with the owner. He has a Curtis Wright also and we were giddy to meet and share what little we know about Curtis Wright trailers.

 The circles on the back splash, on the room divider and on the light fixture showed Sheryl and me that this trailer had a thoughtful designer.  Sheryl pointed out to me the power of three.  It takes three design elements to tie it together and make the others pop.

 The blanket rack is something I want to remember.

We toured a Curtis Wright Model 5 and I had a good visit with its owner too.

 Hubby and I are considering our table options for our CW Model 6 Flagship and I liked the free standing dining set in this CW.

Bob and Jacyn were showing their Airfloat. I think they have the most amazing Modernism Week wardrobes of all. They were again, dressed up and smiling.

 I love the Airfloat and their nod to a nautical theme.  Sheryl did too and you can see she is pointing excitedly at something cute or clever. 

 I was paying attention to bathrooms because we have one in the CW.

 This wood floor is a great idea for a wet bathroom. It's nice to have something besides the metal shower pan.

 I like the tile giving the metal a bit of pow. It's Rene's picture.  Thanks hon!

Built in liquor and a bow tie shadow box, both brilliant.

A drop leaf table is another table option.

 I'd like to put wood valances in the CW and these were pretty.

 Cobalt blue stove, a great design and pop of an unusual color.  Just because stoves weren't produced in that color at that time doesn't mean that a trailer owner shouldn't do it.  It is the owner's trailer and they should do what works and makes them happy.

 The porthole in this bathroom door was gorgeous and a great way to let some light into a small bathroom.

 I took a lot of pictures of light fixtures.  Vintage lights are hard to find during a restoration and were one of my most difficult decisions while restoring Huaka'i Annie.

 

 I love me some orange and this little trailer was orange.  The Paul Kaplan Group had it on display.

 The best part of this trailer was again the people.  The Holiday House, the Curtis Wrigth Model 5, Bob and Jacyn's Airfloat, the guys with the Kaplan Group made the show what it really is and that is creative, friendly people.  I love our trailers but I love all of the wonderful friends we've made in the vintage trailer world even more.

And Sheryl! She's been my people since we met in the church nursery as babies. She was such a trooper following me around, pointing out design wows and getting excited for me.

The trailers were gorgeous and the people were great at Modernism Week.

The sunshine didn't hurt either.

Next up, the post show field trip.