I’m So Excited About My RV Makeover!

rv makeover title

Good morning! I’m so excited about this post today! If you are on Pinterest at all, you have probably seen a RV makeover. So many of them are amazing! I have always wanted to do one, but have a couple of reasons for holding back.

  1. The only time I really have the time to do all the work in a full RV makeover is summer. Our summer has averaged between 95-108 degrees. Too hot to be out in a trailer!!
  2. I don’t have a good place to work on the trailer. My trailer is parked in my driveway, right next to my neighbors yard. I wouldn’t have been able to pull stuff out of the trailer without constantly being in their yard. I don’t think they would appreciate it and I wouldn’t do that to them.
  3. Did I mention it’s hot?!

Anyways, I had kind of put it out of my mind. Sort of. But then I realized, I could do a partial makeover. Duh! I could make some changes, but not go all out. My trailer is a 1999 Rockwood, 21 feet long, with the beds folding out of the ends.  I knew I wanted to change out the fabric on the cushions and the curtains, which were very 1990’s. Of course, then my mind just kept spinning and I came up with more changes. Anyways, here are some of the before pictures.

Dining area and bed, table also makes into a bed

rv makeover table beforerv makeovere table and benches

Kitchen

rv makeover kitchen before

Refrigerator

rv makeover fridge before

Storage area and another bed in the back, bathroom on the right

rv makeover before cupboards

That’s it in all it’s glory. In my makeover, I didn’t do any painting or major changes. The linoleum flooring really needs changing, but that will have to wait for another time. I am not much of a seamstress, but I managed to get the cushions covered with a slight short cut. I will show you a little here, but I will do another post next week to show you what I did. Here it is! I love it!!

The door is just on the other side of the refrigerator and you walk straight into the kitchen area. In the front is the seating area and then one of the beds that pulls down. You saw the table in the before pictures,  but it is so big, it’s hard to get in and out of the seats, so we only use it when we actually have to use it for a bed.

rv makeover full view

I found the olive/grey striped fabric on clearance at Hobby Lobby for only $4.00 a yard. That was how I decided what colors to use! Lauren and I also found the cute trailer and camper fabric that I had to have! It makes the cutest pillows. The last fabric was the curtains, and these had the perfect colors so they all coordinated together.

Grey and White Fabric  *  Camper Fabric  *  Floral Fabric

rv makeover new curtains, cushions, pillows

I also used the fabric to make curtain tiebacks. I wasn’t going to make curtains to separate the beds from the rest of the trailer, but after making the the other new curtains, I couldn’t leave the old ones up! They looked terrible! All the curtains were faded, dirty and torn. I used some old curtains I already had on hand and put them up on curtain rods.

rv makeover striped cushions, trailer pillowrv makeover striped cushions and bedrv makeover bed

Instead of the large table, I used this little folding table in the middle. It looks so much cuter! I just found this towel and a coordinating one at the lake this past weekend. It is the perfect match to the colors I had used. And of course, hot cocoa is a must when camping!

Camping Life Towels  *   Tin Cup   *    Mocha Table   *   White Table

rv makeover hot cocoa with marshmallowsrv makeover small table with hot cocoa and marshmallows

I also added a valance above the kitchen sink and the stove. There hadn’t been one at all before. This made it look much softer and ties in with everything else.

rv makeover kitchen

And this new pet bed! Isn’t it adorable! The bowls even match! We always take our dogs camping when we go, so I just had to have this! Of course, the turquoise is perfect! They came from Lakeside Collection, but I found similar ones on Amazon.

Camping Pet Dishes   *   Camping Pet Bed

rv makeover trailer dog bedrv makeover trailer dog dishes

I also painted the front of the refrigerator with chalkboard paint. The faux wood piece in the front just slid out so I was able to paint it outside the trailer. Now I can write down the menu for the weekend.

Bristro Chalk Marker   *  Chalkboard Spray Paint

rv makeover chalkboard refrigerator

 

Haley had given my these lights awhile ago, and I thought they would look cute in here. I hung them above the refrigerator along with the divided basket. I used some white foam tape on the bottom of the basket so it doesn’t move and fall off when we travel. This is the perfect place for a box of Kleenex and holding items such as keys, change and sunglasses.

Rattan String Lights   *   Divided Basket   *   White Foam Tape Squares

rv makeover hanging lights and basket

I love these canisters! My aunt and uncle were getting rid of these and I snatched them up! They are so retro! The lettering was for coffee and tea and I changed it with some scrapbook paper and stickers to coffee and cocoa. When we used to have a cabin at the lake, we had cups like these. Several years ago, I found these at a yard sale. I can’t believe how perfect they go with with all the other decor.

Black Canisters  *  Galvanized Canisters   *   Happy Camper Mug

rv makeover coffee and cocoa stationrv makeover canisters and mugs

Here’s a little sneak peek at how I covered the cushions.

rv makeover cushion covers with velcrorv makeover striped cushion cover with velcro closure

I sewed the curtain tiebacks and added small plastic rings to the ends. Then I screwed a cup hook into the wall and can place the rings on the hook.

Cup Hooks   *   White Plastic Rings   *   Sew-on Velcro   *   Stick-on Velcro

rv makeover curtain tiebacks with hooks

I used the seashell specimen art I made a couple of years ago, to hang on the wall. Another blogger used Scotch Extreme Mounting Tape.  It’s amazing! Even over all the terrible roads, none of the pictures or other items I hung up with this tape have fallen when we traveled.

Scotch Extreme Mounting Tape

rv makeover striped cushion covers and curtainsrv makeover navy pillow camp pillow

I also painted this metal box to use as a shoe holder when we camp. It’s so much easier to have flip flops right by the door, so you can slip them on quickly to go in and out of the trailer. I painted the stripes with spray paint to match the ones on the shower curtain in the bathroom.

Galvanized Bin   *    Rustoleum Spray Paint

rv makeover metal striped box

The hooks are a great place to hang our dogs’ leashes when not in use. Perfect! Isn’t this little lantern the cutest thing! It was an Avon aftershave bottle. I just poured out the aftershave and washed it out really well. 🙂

Command Key Rail   *   Tiny Coleman Lantern

rv makeover coleman lantern and leash

I placed some old books and a candle up above the table. I used the same white foam tape to keep them from sliding around. I made the fabric banner a few years ago and hung it up across the front of the bed. It’s made from fabric squares and twine.

rv makeover books, candle, banner

There was a hole here in the cupboard panel where we removed an old speaker. I painted a small piece of wood white, glued it to the panel and then hung the beach sign on it.

Beach Sign

rv makeover beach sign

The last thing I added was a Camping Rules chalkboard. This was an old sign I had and so I added some of the ‘rules’ and hung it next to the bathroom. It got rubbed against a few times during this weekend. 🙂 I need to get a new white chalk pen!

 

rv makeover camping rules chalkboard

I don’t have a before of the bathroom because I changed this room before I decided to do the rest of the trailer. This wall used to have a medicine cabinet on it. I took it down and added these baskets to store all our personal items in. I added a little picture on the wall below the towel mostly to cover up some holes in the wall. The mirror on the right is the mirror from the medicine cabinet. We removed the mirror from the cabinet and hung it above the window.

Grey Plastic Bins   * Seas the Day Plaque   * Striped Shower Curtain

rv makeover turquoise baskets

I hung up this striped curtain over the shower. It used to have just a plastic curtain, but this is so much cuter!

rv makeover bathroom shower curtain

I bought this towel along with the other one on the little table because ‘This is how we roll!’ I also collect magnets from the different places we visit and place them on the oven door. I love the memories it brings back!

rv makeover kitchen towel

So what do you think? I love it! As I was sitting in the trailer this weekend, I looked around, and just love how it all looks together! I’m so happy I took the time to do this makeover! I would love to hear your comments! Thank you so much for coming by!

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Highlights From A Home Improvement Show

Good morning! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! We are so hot over here. I’ve lost track of how many over 100 degree days we have had in a row! But we can’t just stay inside all the time, so Lauren and I headed over to a Home Improvement Show held in our area. There were three buildings full of vendors, everything from solar, fake grass, spas, and home remodeling. But I like the decorating areas the best!

home improvement show title

When we first walked up to this area, I couldn’t figure out why it looked so familiar. Then I figured it out…it was all decorated with furnishings from Magnolia Home! No wonder I liked it all!

home improvement show Magnolia Home Exploare the Collectionhome improvement show plates

Lauren loved these drawers on the side of the table.

home improvement show magnolia table with drawers

This beam is faux, made from knotty pine and stained. It even had straps on it that looked like metal, but were just rubber. It was pretty cool! And I love the lanterns hanging from it!

home improvement show ladder and lanterns Magnolia

Of course, shiplap!

home improvement show Magnolia bedroom

I love how they drew in the fire with chalk!

home improvement show fireplace Magnolia

So many beautiful pieces!

home improvement show shutter dresser Magnoliahome improvement show Magnolia dried flowers and whellbarrow

This display is from a local business. They paint anything and everything with Annie Sloan chalk paint. They even offer classes. I would like to take one someday.

home improvement show annie sloan chalk paint

This is also a local business. They have a goat farm and make all sorts of goodies from the goat milk.

home improvement show basilwood farm soap

i like this little flower cart.

home improvement show fresh flowers

I believe this table came from the Macy’s Home store. The color scheme is perfect for me!

home improvement show turquoise table setting

How about some Rae Dunn! This is such a great display!

home improvement show Rae dunn Farmhouse

The highlight, was this little trailer! Oh my! I would love to do something like this and then just park it in my yard and enjoy!

home improvement show vintage trailer

Isn’t it adorable?

home improvement show vintage trailer inside

Would you like to makeover a trailer too? There would be so many options and ways to decorate it! Thank you so much for stopping by today!

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Fun Summer Ideas To Do With Your Kids

summer fun ideas title

Good morning! Are you enjoying your summer so far? Are you keeping busy, or more importantly, keeping your kids busy? I don’t usually write too much about ideas or activities with kids, but I used this when my kids were young and it was fun and kept them busy.

I started out with some ideas I found from magazines. This was before Pinterest, so you will have a much easier time finding ideas now! I found all different types of kid-friendly ideas, from baking to crafting to playing! I printed out the ideas on individual note cards.

Summer Fun ideas for kids

Some ideas were really simple, like this one and others took a little more time or material. This one would be a great science lesson. The kids can compare the bugs by size, color or shape. If they are older, they can even look up information about the bug.

Summer Fun Ideas Index Cards

I included directions or pictures with the card when there were some. This baking idea actually starts with a pre-baked cake, but you could easily use the baking as part of the idea. I tried to use ideas that had most items I already had in my home. I didn’t want to have to go run out and purchases things just to make it work.

Summer Fun Ideas for kids bake a cake

This is always a fun activity. Any shoe box will do. Kids can take pages from magazines, or photographs, or even stickers to decorate a box. Then they can store all the special memorabilia or crafts they made over the summer.

summer fun ideas crafts

All kids love to play in the sprinkler! I included some fun games they could play while getting wet!

summer fun ideas play games

You can see I had a whole stack of cards. Some days we didn’t need them, but they sure were nice on the days where “I’m bored” was heard. I’m not sure we ever made it through all the ideas, but it was a great way to make some new memories together.

summer fun ideas stack of cards and ideas

I would love to hear from you if you use this idea or try something similar. How do you keep your kids entertained during the summer? Hope you have a great week!

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Top 10 Things to Do in Disneyland and California Adventures

Hello! Happy Friday! We just go back from Disneyland and I thought I would share my top 10 Things we did and enjoyed during our visit.

1. MaxPass

OMG this thing is amazing!  If you have not heard of this, you are missing out.  For $10 you can get Fastpasses on your phone through the Disney App and you can download the photos from the rides and photographers.  How cool is that?  You know what else?  You can get Fastpasses every hour and a half instead of every two hours!  We didn’t use it in California Adventures because we didn’t feel like we would need it.  But it was so useful in Disneyland.  We got on every ride we wanted plus some we hadn’t been on in years.  It was amazing!  So is an picture we got from the photographers and were able to download right onto our phones.

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2. Pixar Fest

If you are planning on going to Disneyland in the near future (like before October 2018), you will get to experience Pixar Fest.  This event is super cool because Disney and Pixar are coming together.  So every movie that Disney and Pixar has worked on together is coming to California Adventures.  And rides are changing to be more like Pixar, so California Screamin’ is turning into the Incredicoaster.  Here are some of the pictures from California Adventures where Pixar was everywhere!

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3. Pixar’s Together Forever Event

OK!  This event is so cool!  Disney has out Disneyed themselves with this.  For this awesome event you stand in the middle of Main Street and Disney projects scenes from movies onto the buildings.  I had so much nostalgia during this and I will admit that both Haley and I were in tears from happiness from this night.  So I won’t give too much away, but here are some pictures of what you can expect.

 

4. Pixar Parade

Who doesn’t like parades?  Well Disneyland has a new one!  The new Pixar parade features all of our favorites like Up, Inside Out, Toy Story, and Monsters University.  Can I just say that the Kevin and Russel character from the parade is the cutest?

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5. Guardians of the Galaxy

Before I get into Guardians of the Galaxy, I have to say that I was disappointed that the Tower of Terror was going to be disappearing.  BUT!  I did enjoy the new Guardians of the Galaxy.  There was a lot more going up and down which was great and it was quite enjoyable.  And even though I haven’t seen the Guardian of the Galaxy movies, I was still able to enjoy myself.

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6. Electrical Parade

Okay, I will be the first to say that I love anything shiny.  So watching the electrical parade was a lot of fun.  To see how everything was lit up and bright and shiny.  One of our favorites was seeing Mac from Cars.  His whole trailer was full of lights and lit up in different patterns!  That was really cool.

 

 

 

7. Characters

As Haley and I have gotten older, it hasn’t been as important to see all of the characters at Disneyland.  But it’s obviously something fun for kids of all ages.  During this trip we took pictures with Minnie Mouse and Mary Poppins and Bert.  The cool thing about seeing Minnie Mouse is that she had a photographer with her and we were able to download our picture almost immediately with the MaxPass.  You can also use the Disneyland app to see where different characters are going to be in the park.

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8. Rides

Of course you have to hit the rides!  It doesn’t matter if the ride is Peter Pan or Big Thunder Mountain, all rides are a must.  We rode Peter Pan, Roger Rabbit, and Matterhorn for the first time in years.  And thanks to the MaxPass we were able to get our Fastpasses and get on even faster.  You know what’s even better?  Rides like Splash Mountain and Space Mountain where they take your picture, you are able to download right onto your phone right after the ride.  Have the 8 digit id code and BOOM!  You have all of your screaming faces right in your hand.

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9. Food

Try the Grey Stuff?  It’s delicious!  Don’t believe me ask the dishes!

Yes!  There is an actual treat called The Grey Stuff at Disneyland!  And it’s so good!  It’s at the Red Rose Tavern in Fantasyland.  It’s a little tiny cake with lots and lots of frosting sitting atop a shortbread cookie.  And boy howdy is it good.  The cookie was okay, but the cake and frosting.  MMMMMMMMMM!  We also tried two new restaurants, The French Market and The Hungry Bear.  We really enjoyed The French Market and have already vowed to go back to try the other things on the menu.  We had the chicken ceasar salads, french dip, and the pulled pork sandwich.  They were so good!  The Hungry Bear has your standard burger and fries.  But it was still really good.

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10. Family Time

Obviously the best thing about Disneyland is getting to spend time with your family.  I love being able to experience new things with them and spend quality time with them.  Even though we have been to Disneyland numerous times, I will always enjoy going with them yet again.  I could go on each ride over and over again and I still wouldn’t get tired of visiting the parks.  All in all, the time you spend with your family is priceless and it will always be cherished.

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Sparkle

Great Grandma’s Vintage Trunk with Havenly

A few weeks ago I was inspired with an idea from Havenly, an online site with interior designers and decorators to serve you.  It’s a convenient, personal and affordable way to redecorate your home room by room. You can collaborate with professional interior designers on an online platform and they will work with you to decorate your home. I checked it out and it looks really cool! You can read a profile on each designer and pick one that fits your style and needs the best. If you are looking for someone to help you with your home, this is the perfect place to go.

I was asked to write a post about a piece of family history that I have and how I use it in my home. I showed you this vintage trunk before and now I thought I would tell you the story behind it. Here goes a little history lesson.

finds-and-fashions-quilt-and-trunk

Mary Amelia Thomas Goodrich traveled with her family from Wisconsin to Leadville, Co., where she met her husband Elliot Goodrich. From Leadville, they traveled to Aspen, Co., where they crossed Independence Pass. They eventually moved to an area of Aspen called Oklahoma Flats. I received this map of Aspen, Co. from my mom for my birthday. It was given to her by Aunt Hazel, the same aunt who had the trunk. The map is dated 1893. The arrow on the second picture points to where we believe Oklahoma Flats was located.

great grandma wooden trunk aspen mapgreat grandma wooden trunk aspen, co oklahoma flats

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Elliot was a miner, who would go up into the mountains and work. Mary Amelia, washed clothing for the Chinese railroad workers that worked in the area. There are stories about her crossing the river on the railroad trestle to deliver clothing, once even crossing while a train was barreling down the tracks!  They also lived on a dairy, but we aren’t sure if that meant 4 cows, or many cows, or if they even owned the dairy. They had 5 children, the oldest was Anna. She married Peter Kelsey in 1901 and my grandmother, Amelia was born here in 1903.

great grandma old travel trunk

When Amelia was just a year old, the family moved to Grand Valley, Co., which is now called Parachute. My great-grandparents would take any kind of job to earn money for their little family. While living here, a second daughter, Velma, was born, in 1905.

great grandma trunk with pillows

The family moved again, looking for a better life and headed further west. The stopped in Yarington, NV., where a third daughter, Hazel, was born in 1910. Less than a year later, in 1911, they traveled on, crossing over Donner Pass in their horse and open wagon. I can’t even imagine traveling with three small children, including an infant. While traveling through this area, a silver spoon was found. It reads Reno, NV. and Scenes of the Truckee is printed on the cup of the spoon.

great grandma trunk truckee spoon

 

Another story passed on by grandma-it was pouring down rain and her father stopped at a cabin to ask if they had a place where they could stay and get out of the rain. The man who answered the door was an Indian! He told them they could sleep right inside the cabin. My grandma remembered small chunks of mud falling down on them from the roof because the rain was coming down so hard. I wonder if her parents slept with one eye open that night!

great grandma wooden trunk blue peony dishes

They stopped again in Placerville where they worked until they could get enough money to move on. Anna worked at a motel and Velma remembered there were dishes of candy all around the motel for the guests. Velma did this in her own home later because of her memories of this time. Finally, the family traveled through Sacramento and ended up here in the Central Valley, near Grangeville. They camped in an apricot orchard and worked there too.

great grandma trunk wooden green sugar and creamer

They eventually moved to a place called The Island and lived in a small shack. My great-grandfather was trying to get a job as a ditch-tender, but had heard nothing. He finally told my great-grandmother that when he returned home that day from his work, they would get ready to leave and move on. When he came home from work, there was a note on the table, saying he got the job as the ditch-tender! The family was able to move into a nicer house right near the river. My great-grandfather would go to each weir, where water is controlled, and he would change the levers depending on how much water is let out and which way it should go.

great grandma trunk with blue dishes

My Aunt Hazel, the youngest, ended up with the trunk and then gave it to my mom. She finally passed it on to me. I now have my wedding dishes stored in it. I keep it in my living room. I love having a piece of history in my home and sharing the story with the visitors to my home. It’s fun to imagine what kind of things were carried in here and how far the trunk traveled. I’m sure there were some special family mementos, plus clothing and other household items. It’s an honor to have such a piece. Thank you Havenly for giving me the opportunity to write about my family history!

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