Daydreaming about an RV!

Longer posts are in the works here at VC, but I thought I would post really quickly today.  This is totally random and a perfect example of how I get easily sidetracked.  I was searching Canton Craigslist for a queen headboard [for my sis-in-law] and this came up in the search:

A 1994 Holiday Rambler with only 35K miles.  Like I said, totally random.  They are asking $12k.  Thats good right?  It seems a small price to pay for basically a house on wheels. When I was growing up we traveled in a van.  Five kids hello?  Of course we had a van!  My parents were adventurous and did some big roads trips. I would love to create these kind of memories for my kids.  I could totally imagine my little family going across country in one of these.  Or how about out of the country?  I would love love love to drive to South America one day!  What an adventure that would be!  No deadlines to get to abuela's house in San Diego.  I'd probably add a trailer for all the Craigslist scores I would find along the way.  Stop where ever we want for how long we want?
(Are you down mi amor?You better say yes!)

The other thing that gets me excited when thinking about this is re-vamping the inside.  Its like a new house to decorate.  I would totally pimp this out (in a tasteful way)!  It would be so fun!  Let's take a look and imagine, shall we?

This little kitchen could easily be updated.  Paint and new hardware would be a huge improvement, or heck, just buy some new cabinets all together.  

 Its such a small area, it wouldn't cost much.  While I was at it, I would get a remnant piece of marble or quartz for the counter top.  Might as well tile the backsplash too, that wall looks nasty. 

I would have the front seats reupholstered and recover the back chairs in a fun/durable fabric. 

 It comes with this pullout couch/bed, which would be fine, recovered, but who wants just fine? I could /would easily get a cuter couch.  Ditto that for the curtains you see in the corner here.
Yeah, any existing fabric carpet would be replaced.  I want this thing to look new and make me happy when I get inside.  Add some cute wall paper and and awesome rug in front of the couch and you have a beautiful home on wheels.  And notice the brass shower fixture.  I think it was meant to be!

So what do you think?  Can you see my vision?  Would you guys be into taking a long trip in an RV?
Or maybe you have already done it and have some tips.  I don't want to hear anything negative right now though, Im all starry eyed about this idea for for today.

ps.  This Crusie Master is pretty awesome too.

Inspiration Overload: Stripes on Pinterest

My obsession with stripes on walls probably started a year ago when I found out I was pregnant and started looking for nursery inspiration.  This was one of my first pins on my Pinterest. 

I have since painted stripes in my son's nursery (albeit in a different style) and it looks so cool that I don't want to stop there.   I have inspiration overload with stripes on walls and MUST do another area of my house.  I am 99% decided that it will be the hallway.  It definitely needs something, right?

This black and white hallway is stunning.

Here are a few others that get my inspiration flowing:

*all images via pinterest. Click on photo to follow the link.

 I'm Partying at the Pinterest Pinfest over at DIY Showoff

Campaign Dresser Love & Craigslist Find!

If you frequent any design blogs, I am sure you are familiar with the current craze of campaign furniture.   

Campaign furniture, as implied by its name, is portable furniture that was designed for use in military campaigns. Designed to be easily transported during military operations,  Often, it was built in separate parts so as to be more mobile, and the pieces were made of durable woods like mahogany and teak. ~ Apartment Therapy

It all started with this one that I saw in Lonny

{via Lonny}

Search "campaign dresser" in Google images and a colorful array of DIY dressers pop up. I'm talkin' serious inspiration!

{via}

{via Apartment Therapy}

{via}

{via}

{via}

I added this furniture to my Craigs [stalking] list and low and behold, a few weeks later this dresser popped up for a mere $15!  

 

The dimensions were perfect for our bedroom.  We need drawers, and a place for our TV opposite the bed.  Done!  Problem was that the seller was an hour drive from Atlanta! UGH!  I aksed them to meet me half way for $20 and convinced my dad [who was in town visiting] to drive south with me!  Yes, yes, my mind was spinning, what color will I paint it?  I can't believe I found such a deal! 

When the seller showed up with the dresser I knew I was in trouble.  Let me put it this way, this piece looks like it had been drug through several wars and campaigns, probably dismantled several times as well.  (gashes, chips and the back corner torn off) My dad thought I was crazy, and honestly, I had serious doubts too, but I bought it anyway.  

When we pulled up to the house with the dresser in the back of the truck, Ernesto immediately said I was banned from Craigslist.  WHY would you buy this POS?  I showed him my inspiration photos and said  " I swear I can make it pretty!"  He said,  "you have 2 weeks or I'm tossing it."

Needless to say, I had better get to work!  Details of the transformation to follow! 

I am thinking orange!  What color would you paint it?

MASHUP TIME: WHAT INSPIRES ME MOST

Let me start by saying how excited I am to be in this blogging mash-up, the brainchild of Victoria over at sfgirlbybay. Over 300 bloggers signed up to participate. Mashup started Feb 10th and it's been fun seeing all the new [to me] blogs!

A special thanks goes out to Mel from Vintage-Girlfriend for passing the torch to me today!

Next I'd like to introduce myself since many of you are new to my blog. My name is Cindy Espinoza I am a "retired" airline employee. (Ok, being just 36 years old, I do need to find another job at some point, but I am milking the "package deal" I received for as long as possible)

I am a jewelry designer, crafter, vivacindy blogger, Mexican food blogger, wanna be photographer and probably what most of my friends and family think of Cindy is avid traveler.

I have been to almost 40 countries and I know I should just settle down and have kids already, but it has a bit difficult to find the time with free travel and all.

You understand.

This brings me to the first mash-up topic:

What inspires me personally?

(This list could go on and on as I am inspired by anything and everything. I will pick 5.)

1. Travel (Duh!)

Traveling has always sparked inspiration. If I am not on a trip, I am planning a trip. I have the bug. That feeling of being immersed in "something different" is addictive and no matter where I go, I come home inspired by the people I met and the culture I learned about.

{inspired by turquoise waters in St. Marteen}

{volunteering for Habitat for Humanity in Costa Rica}

{eating street food in India}

{inspired to tango in Buenos Aires}

2. Bookstores and Blogs

One of my favorite past times flipping through magazines and books at bookstores. I can spend hours upon hours, and I do. I always come home with inspiration for a new art projects, a jewelry piece or a new recipe. Blogs almost go with out saying! but......that is why we are all here right? I have so many blogs in my reader that it is hard to keep up. I love feeling inspired every morning with my coffee and blogs. In my book it is time well spent.

3. My mom: the queen [and my inspiration] of reuse, repurpose and recycle. Plus she taught me everything I know about gardening. I love you mom!

4. Brrrian's artwork: My brother is crazy creative and lately all his paper cut art is inspiring me.

5. Mexico and Mexican artists Frida Kahlo and Lila Downs

I know I mentioned travel above, but I have had a long love affair with Mexico specifically. Ever since I did a study abroad in college I have been obsessed. I have been to almost 30 cities, and picked up something new every one. The people, food, culture, art, landscape, design and way of life of this diverse country always inspires me. Although Frida Kahlo is no longer alive, both of these women touched me on a recent trip to Mexico. I visited Frida's house outside of Mexico City and saw Lila Downs sing live in Guadalajara. Besides the beautiful painting and music, their colorful, ethnic style inspire me to be bold with color in my jewelry designs and in decorating.

{Lila Downs and Frida Kahlo}

{Zafiro Jewelry}

{street in San Miguel de Allende}

{a proud peacock in the Riviera Maya}

{the colorful city of Guanajuato}

{friend Aileen's staircase in Tepotzlan}

Id like to hand off the baton to the next in line for this mashup: Angela Ritchie's Walk Facing Traffic. Of course I hadn't been to Angela's blog before [which is why this mash-up is so cool] and it turns out it is right up my alley. Angela is the creator of Ace Camps.

"Ace Camps are travel and educational adventures." Check it out tomorrow as she will be posting what inspires her most, along with 9 others!

And be sure to check out the other 9 blogs that are posting today along with me:

Living Fresh

Grainline

The Creative Identity

Silence and Noise

Diary of a Smart Chick

Pop + Shorty

Carla Kay White

Noshii

Ann Sage