Apr 142015
 

Airstream Movie Night via J5MM.com

Not too long ago, Hubby and I had some rare alone time together.  We relaxed in the Airstream watching the James Bond film, “GoldenEye,” while sipping on our favorite cocktails.  We both fancy martinis, mine being the Gibson while he prefers his extra dry with a twist.

While cuddling up to hubby and enjoying our time together, I couldn’t help but let my eyes wander about my silver girl’s interior admiring our surroundings.  I focused on our wet bar and thought about how well it has served us over the last couple of years.  I also thought it would be nice to share with you, what I have done to transform that little space under our sink.

Our 2012 Airstream International came with a built-in rubbish bin.  It lived under the sink on the lower shelf and I couldn’t help but think that every time I needed to toss something out, I would have to open the door to do so.  Not that opening a door is such an issue but what about when I am cooking?  Messy hands?  To constantly open the door would be a pain and also probably cause early wear and tear on the hinges.   Door hinges in the Airstream kind of bug me, they seem to always be unloosening and I struggle with how to refasten them. Anyways — that is a post for another day.  Additionally — there was a lot of real estate under there that was solely dedicated to the rubbish bin.  I knew that space could be better utilized, so bye-bye went the bin and in its place fit six glass bottles perfectly (vodka, limoncello, gin, dark rum, vermouth and Pellegrino).  Under the bottles I placed a single layer of non-slip shelf liner to help keep them from sliding around while under tow.  Before towing, I would stuff tea towels in between the bottles to keep them safe and sound from knocking into each other resulting in possible breakage.  That worked fine and dandy, but it was just another thing to remember to do before hitting the road.

Then one day as I was perusing my local Asian market, I discovered Japanese apple pears.  I know, really off topic here, but just hang on — these deliciously sweet and juicy crisp pears come individually wrapped in styrofoam netting that repurposes SO well as protective sleeves for our glass bottles in the wet bar.  They keep the bottles safe and really snug in our little spot under the sink.  Perfect!

Airstream Cocktail Lounge via J5MM.com // RV Lifestyle #Airstream Style

Then one day during my lunch break in corporate America, I happened to walk past a Mexican restaurant that had a beautifully lit up display of colorful liquor bottles in the window.  I took a step closer to see exactly how the bottles were lit up and discovered they sat upon a clear acrylic shelf that had string lights underneath.  “Very nice,” I thought.

Sooner than later I found myself driving to my local Michael’s craft store to pick up some battery operated fairy string lights to replicate the beautifully lit bottle display in that Mexican restaurant.  I could hardly wait to get back to my silver girl to see how the lights would work out.  Here is the result . . .

Airstream Cocktail Lounge via J5MM.com // RV Lifestyle #Airstream Style

A mobile wet bar wouldn’t be complete without cocktail accoutrements that are conveniently stored in a utensil caddy.   Here I have a cocktail recipe book, a selection of aromatic bitters, whimsical cocktail decorations from plastic colorful mermaids to paper umbrellas, straws, tongs, mini whisk, hot sauce and more.  Basically whatever tickles your cocktail fancy would be right at home in this caddy.

Utensil Caddy for Cocktail Accoutrements via J5MM.com // RV Lifestyle #Airstream Style

What’ll You Have? 

Airstream Cocktail Lounge via J5MM.com // RV Lifestyle #Airstream Style

I hope this post brought you some inspiration.

From the very bottom of my heart,

Thank you for being here,

XOXO
Monica Bennett via J5MM.com

My Sleepy Silver Girl Under the Moon & Stars via J5MM.com // RV Lifestyle #Airstream StyleOh and here is where I keep the rubbish bin now – right there in the kitchen next to the pantry:

Rubbish Bin Location On The Airstream via J5MM.com // RV Lifestyle #Airstream Style

Apr 072015
 

Fabulous Finds for your RV via J5MM.com // RV LIfestyle #Airstream Style

#1) Home Sweet Home Pillows —  be it to your home on wheels or your brick and mortar, these pillows are sure to brighten up any room.

#2) Did someone say “Ouch?” What a cute box for first aid supplies.  If I didn’t already have my little tackle box first aid kit, this box would certainly be on board the Airstream.

#3) Silicone over Porcelain Teapots because these are the real deal with a silicone protective cover.  Perfect for the road :)

#4) Kobenstyle Cookware — I have the smaller red one on board the Airstream and I love it.  The lid doubles as a trivet too, plus it’s red ❤

Hope you are having a wonderful start to the week xoxo

Monica Bennett via J5MM.com

Mar 302015
 

Airstream at home via J5MM.com

We’ve been home for a few weeks now without going on any road trips.  I’ve been really busy at work in corporate America as well as doing some freelance photography work (which I really, really love).  I actually had to take PTO (paid time off) from work to be able to do my photo shoots.  I wish I could do that full time (minus the working in corporate America — sorry boss if you are reading, although I know you would fully 100% support me!).

Anyways.  Speaking of corporate America, I work in downtown Bellevue, Washington.  It’s a very up and coming city and I am lucky (my poor wallet is not) to be surrounded by many great shopping opportunities.  Take for example World Market, which is literally less than five minutes walking distance from my office.

On my last walk there, I spied this super cute cookie jar.  So in honor of Fab Finds Tuesday tomorrow I present this cookie jar to you :)  You can order it online here if you don’t have a WM near you ❤

Trailer Cookie Jar from World Market via J5MM.com

Here it is on my shelf in my office at home (B and I keep our secret stash of goodies in there — shhhh, don’t tell hubby lol):

Trailer Collection via J5MM.com // #Airstream #GoRVing

My recent freelance photography shoot was that of an athletic facility.  Here is the Pilates studio which I just fell in love with.   Have you ever done Pilates?  I recently ordered a Total Gym exercise machine to have at home to hopefully start learning.  Do you exercise everyday?  What is your regime?  I’d love to hear . . .

Seattle Area Pilates Studio via J5MM.com

I’ve been on a fruit salad kick lately.  B really loves Kiwis so I’ve been making a fruit salad medley of Kiwi’s, strawberries, blueberries and oranges.  I stir some honey into the mix and keep it covered in the fridge.  He loves this on top of mogurt (aka, yogurt — because that’s how he pronounced it when he was just a little babe and I like to keep calling it that — because he likes it too ❤)

I also received in the mail these adorable “L O V E” battery powered (and timer timed) marquee letters.  They are simply so cute!  I learned about them from a new friend I made.  She invited B and I over for dinner one night and I was instantly smitten with her.  She has the sweetest little boy and he and B played together so well!  While the boys played together, she and I bonded and she shared with me where to find these sweet marquee letters that she had in her beautiful home.  If you are interested in them, you can find them here.

LOVE marquee sign via J5MM.com

I’ve also been feeling under the weather and have this ridiculous cough I just can’t seem to shake.  I also can’t hear out of my right ear because of the ending of this really bad cold.  Argh.  It’s frustrating.  I’m going to the doc next week for sure if this doesn’t get any better.

For now, I let Oliver be my ears at home because he hears everything !

ollie

Our weather in Seattle has been really different this year.  Winter was super weak (hardly any snow in the mountains) and our Spring came really early.  Some days are so pretty with temps reaching up into the high 60’s (today on my way home from work my car temperate gauge read it was 68 degrees outside!).   Last week I was greeted to this wild sky at home (that’s Seattle you see there in the distance):

Seattle Skyline via J5MM.com Moody Love via J5MM.comI hope you are having a lovely start to the week.

Thank you for being here and I hope this wasn’t too weird of a post in lieu of Fab Finds Tuesday.  I just felt like opening up a little bit more . . .

As far as Airstream trips go, we have many planned such as visiting an RV friendly resort located along a beautiful river in Idaho to kayaking in the San Juan Islands in Washington State to visiting our mountain country property in Roslyn, Washington.  I look forward to seeing how the apple and plum trees are blossoming away this Spring.  Also the annual Vintage Trailer Rally is happening again in the fairgrounds in Roslyn over Father’s Day weekend.  That’s always fun.

Good times ahead!

Thank you for listening xoxo

With shiny love,
Monica

Mar 262015
 

Rainforest Inspiration via J5MM.com

Here’s a charming little nature inspired DIY you can make and keep on your kitchen counter top to admire.  After our trip through the Olympic Peninsula, I was inspired to create this miniature world of green, lush, mossy happiness.  If you’d like to make one too, please visit Go RVing’s blog here to see how it’s done (you’ll have to scroll down through the post to get to it).

As always, thank you for being here (and there!)

~ Monica XOXO

Mar 242015
 

Fabulous Finds for your RV via J5MM.com // RV LIfestyle #Airstream Style

#One // This would make a lovely gift for the new RVer (or you) — a personalized platter.  Super Cute!  Find it here

#Two // Let these steak thermometers help you relax during your next cookout.  They’ll tell you when that expensive cut is at the perfect temp.  I know I’ll be buying these because I have overcooked one too many $$ steaks.  Hopefully this will be my grilling savior.  Find them here

#Three // Another great gift idea for the new RVer is this 10 piece kitchen gadget essential roll up kit.  Plus, it’s red :)  Find it here

#Four // I have a soft spot for stars and polka dots — these two tea towels are the perfect pair.  Love love love them.  Find them here

Hope you are having a lovely start to S P R I N G !!

Thank you for being here,
~ Monica xox

Oliver wishes you a fab week! 

Canine Wanderlust Strong #CanineWanderlust via J5MM.com // RV Lifestyle #Airstream Style

Mar 182015
 

basemap

Come travel with me to the breathtaking Olympic Peninsula as we embark on a seven day journey visiting three idyllic campsites.  We begin the first leg of our trip with a visit to The Waterfront at Potlatch RV Park along the Hood Canal.  We spend our first day in the cool misty mountains that are just a hop skip and a jump away from camp adventuring in the rainforest.  After we return to camp along the waterfront where we dig for clams that will soon become our delicious dinner.  B makes new friends, I make a refreshing oyster appetizer with Oliver by my side and hubby relaxes.  We experience pastel sunsets unparalleled anywhere else all while in the loving company of each other and our sweet silver girl.  I hope you can join me at my new writing venue with GoRVing // The Scenic Route.

Shall we go?

“The Magic and Beauty of the Olympic Peninsula”

xoxo
Monica

PS  I hope you enjoy the trip :)

 

Mar 172015
 

Fabulous Finds for your RV via J5MM.com // RV Lifestyle #Airstream Style

#1) I like the idea of these silicone chip bowl dip hangers because you can vary the types of dip served to accompany a single bowl of chips :)  Find it here

#2) In my silver girl the sides/arms of the sofa are soft — this tray, I think, would be beneficial to add some stability :)  Find it here

#3) I have a soft spot for napkins like these — find these Irish Linen Napkins here

#4) A campfire tripod adds fun to your outdoor culinary adventures :)  I have had one now for a few years and I absolutely love it.  I’d love to find a “grill grate” to hang from it from those times when campsite fire rings come without one.  Find this tripod here

I hope that you are having a nice week so far :)  Only four more days until Friday!

Thank you for being here and I hope you have a lovely St. Patricks Day :)
Monica xoxo

Campfire Cooking Tripod via J5MM.com Campfire Cooking Tripod via J5MM.com

Mar 152015
 

Washi Tape Door Accent via J5MM.com // RV Lifestyle #Airstream Style

Washi tape is a thin, papery tape that comes from Japan.  It comes in hundreds of different prints and widths and has so many uses.  It also removes easily without leaving a residue behind which is perfect for home decorating.

I was quite pleased with my little door experiment — the magenta pop of color made my heart sing.

I also use Washi tape to hang sentimental items, like these napkin roses B made me ❤

Washi Tape Door Accent via J5MM.com // RV Lifestyle #Airstream Style

. . . and his Valentine’s day card to me ❤

Washi Tape RV Decor via J5MM.com // RV Lifestyle #Airstream Style

It also adds some interest to the white shades.

Washi Tape Shade Accent via J5MM.com // RV Lifestyle #Airstream StyleWashi Tape Outlet Cover via J5MM.com // RV Lifestyle #Airstream Style

After having fun decorating the little details in my silver girl, it was time for a snack.

Did I mention my obsession with radishes?  I eat them almost everyday.  A sweet friend of mine shared his favorite way to eat radishes — he puts them sliced onto an “everything” bagel and then sprinkles a few drops of Yuzu Ponzu over the top. Have you ever tried Yuzu Ponzu?  It’s incredibly delicious!  I thank my sweet friend for introducing me to it when he sent me a package in the mail.  Just look at the goodies he sent me :)

In addition to his delicious bagel, another favorite way I enjoy eating radishes is placing them sliced on toasted rustic bread with cream cheese.  A pinch of Maldon sea salt and black sesame seeds finishes it off.   That’s what I enjoyed this weekend with Easter Egg Radishes (which happen to be my favorite).

Easter Egg Radishes via J5MM.com

Easter Egg Radish Tartine via J5MM.com

If you are a fan of radishes, I’d love to hear how you enjoy them.

I hope you are having a lovely weekend :) Spring is in the air, can you feel it?

With Love,
Monica xox

Mar 122015
 

Under Bed Storage Organization on the Airstream  via J5MM.com // RV Lifestyle #Airstream Style

Hello big storage space under my Airstream bed. How I loved you so when the salesman proudly lifted the bed up and exposed all of your precious real estate to me.

“Wow…” was all I could say as I stood there staring at *all that space*

“Yep! You’ve got lots of room under here Monica. Plenty of storage for anything you could possibly think of.” he went on.

Oh boy, did I ever utilize all that space under there and not very efficiently I might add.  I just threw things into big plastic containers and eventually, over time, things co-mingled with one another and it became a big mess.  An organization FAIL.  It was an “out of sight, out of mind” type of place and it ranked low on my “things to organize” list.  I mean, really, really low.

It ranked low on my list until my friend Holly from HGTV.com emailed me asking if I had any “hidden” storage photos I could share with her for an upcoming piece she was doing.  My mind immediately went to that black hole under my bed.

I guess it was time to finally get things organized.  Thanks Holly for the push!  And can I just say — I should have done this a long time ago . . .

Under Bed Storage Organization on the Airstream  via J5MM.com // RV Lifestyle #Airstream Style

I started by removing everything (and I mean everything) from under there.  I took a picture of the space and took a trip to the Container Store.  I picked up some plastic baskets and colorful round rubber bins.  I picked up a wicker container that had smaller containers within it as well as some mini drawers and got busy.

#1) A wicker container with smaller compartments within holds our napkins (contained in a ziplock), holding tank deodorizer, trash bags, sponges, scrubs, laundry and fabric softener (small packets), mason jar lids and Brita filters.  This sits atop a red acrylic tray which sits atop a set of miniature drawers that hold batteries, sticky notes, pens, Airstream parts (fuses, door latches, etc.) and other miscellaneous objects.  Since the side of the bed is open, the drawers are easily accessed through the opening.

#2) The red plastic hand basket holds two glass drinking bottles (for outdoor entertaining) and kitchen tea towels and more napkins.

#3) TP

#4) Beach Towels

#5) Vacuum Storage — we have the Dyson Animal.  It’s such a great little workhorse.

#6) Outdoor essentials — picnic table cloth, lantern, woolen blanket, paper plates & cutlery

#7) This remains the same — Oliver’s hideaway.  He loves it.  I used to store wine here in a wine crate but that is now located in our *bar* area — that post coming soon

#8) Over-sized platters for outdoor entertaining both enamelware and acrylic.  The big bowls are also awesome for washing dishes outdoors and store in here perfectly.

So that’s it.  I’m finally organized under here and it feels great.

If you have any under the bed storage tips for me, I’d love to hear!

Thank you for being here,
~ Monica xoxo

Mar 102015
 

Fabulous Finds for your RV via J5MM.com // RVing Lifestyle #Airstream Style

1) I ❤ Kristiana Spaulding and if you haven’t seen her glorious Airstream inspired jewelry collection, I encourage you to have a look.  She also makes darling little charms for your fur babies too.  Have a peek here

2) Another way to clean your cast iron skillets.  It really looks super duty (yet it says you can also wash glassware? They must be right with all the positive feedback).  Find it here.

3) I bought this.  I have used it.  I love it.  From whipping cream to blending smoothies and crepe batter, I couldn’t live without it.  Find it here.

4) I have hand washed laundry before on the Airstream and when I do, I feel like I am wasting so much water in addition to not getting our clothes clean enough.  I have a feeling the Laundry Pod may solve that dilemma.  Find it here

Thank you for being here — I hope you find some of these items useful!

Oliver wishes you a happy rest of the week *woof* !

xoxo
Monica

Oliver wearing his Lucky Little Trailer Pendant from Kristiana Spaulding of SilverTrailer.com // #Airstream