Livin' the American Dream in Retro Trailers

There is no more beautiful piece of Americana. As you travel down the road you can hear Roger Miller crooning King of the Road.That shiny silver, that retro style, what is a more glorious form of freedom than an trailer. You are the King of the Road.



VINTAGE TRAILER RENTALS

If you are itching to catch some nature in style, there are places where you can rent trailers and take them to Yosemite, Big Sur, Joshua Tree, Coachella or what-have-you. People are using them as both wedding props and honeymoon destinations. They are the perfect way to see the U.S.A. while being perfectly self-sufficient and incidentally quite camper-chic.

The great deal that I found in the Southwest is located in Arizona, where you could travel to the Grand Canyon in mid-century glory.
http://www.airstreams4rent.com/affordable.htm

Here are a few places to rent trailers in So Cal and have the vacation of your retro dreams.


Restoration DestinationsRestoration Destinations puts the pricing starting at $150 per night. http://www.restorationdestinations.com/index.html



SilvertrailerFor higher end rentals, Silvertrailer are these very chic Airstreams that can be rented for events and travel. http://www.silvertrailer.com/

Hicksville

For a more stationary experience, if you don't want to be negotiating driving the trailer around yourself, you can spend some cool desert nights at this hip trailer park/hotel, complete with dipping pool and astroturf.
http://www.hicksville.com/

The best part about this spot is that it comes complete with a recording studio with wood paneling and rustic chandelier. Who knows what lovely songs may come from starry desert nights.

BUYING AND DECORATING YOUR OWN TRAILER

What cold be more fun than actually owning your own little clubhouse that you can take with you anywhere? It does seem rather luxurious, since the starting prices for an Airstream is around $35,000. Of course, if you invested in some of the other vintage trailer models you could surely get them for less.

If you are lucky enough to be able to buy one, chances are they might require some restoration. Perhaps the photos below can be inspiration, these are as tempting as cotton candy at a Sunday fair.

image from http://www.flickr.com/photos/28057482@N05/7606702682/

Let's go!

MOD BABES OF YESTERDAY - L.A. Vintage spots

THE MOD BABES OF YESTERDAY

L.A. VINTAGE SPOTS TO FIND YOUR OWN MOD DEALS

Of course there are tons of places to find vintage clothes in Los Angeles, but these are my top three favorites.

1. MELROSE TRADING POST Hands down, this is my favorite spot for vintage everything. They sell clothes, vintage hifi's, mid-century couches, deco dressing tables and pink velvet chaises. The last time we went we found original animation cells from the cartoon Fat Albert (which is now framed on my boyfriend's desk.) I perused three bins of 1930's and 40's photographs of soldiers, L.A ladies and children. I bought three of these photos since I was working on a film that was set in the 40's and needed them as props, but I like the people in the photos so much that I still have them, even though they are someone else's relatives.

This spot is well worth your time because there is just so much to see. I have found many good deals here and every price is negotiable. I hate negotiating and even I talked a guy down 25 bucks. You are expected to haggle at a flea market, so if you aren't haggling over the price then you aren't doing it right!

Some interesting stuff at MTP:

2. POLKADOTS AND MOONBEAMS
This is a super chic spot that is truly is one of my favorites for selection and price. It is located in Mid-City West which is a kind of vague, in-between area near the Beverly Center. It is comfortable and spacious, and the best part is that the staff is helpful and honest about whether something suits you. My friend was getting ready for the Oscars (she is a journalist and she needed to get dolled up for the event), and the sales person helped her find just the right dress, earrings and purse, all the while she very down-to-earth and making jokes and picked the more modestly priced things rather that the big ticket items.

The other reason I love this store is because if you don't find what you are looking for in the vintage store, there is another part of the store next door that sells new clothes, many of which look vintage. This side is pricier but not bad if you want something nice. A lot of times I prefer the stuff that just looks vintage since the fit is usually better. This place is nearly impossible to leave empty-handed.
http://www.polkadotsandmoonbeams.com/

3. LEMON FROG
This is a cozy little well-curated spot in Echo Park. I found a great pair of boots like the ones Audrey is wearing in this pic. And they even fit my big 'ol size 9 feet (huge by vintage standards. And pretty big now too, I guess. Don't judge me!)

It has a good vibe and a nice selection. This is what a vintage shop should look like.

http://www.lemonfrogshop.com/

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COOLEST SPOTS IN THE MALIBU AREA

THE COOLEST SPOTS IN THE MALIBU AREA

“Happiness consists in realizing it is all a great strange dream.” ― Jack Kerouac

The Los Angeles area has lots of beaches, like Santa Monica and Venice Beach. I, personally, am not really a fan of either. Santa Monica is too sterile and Venice is too dirty, but there is dreamy and glorious nature to the north in Malibu. It takes a little longer to get here from L.A. proper, but the beauty here will knock you out. The following are some of the coolest places to let your hair down.

EL MATADOR BEACH
For Drama and seclusion there is no better place. You must walk long staircases that cling to the cliffs down to the beach. The rock formations and coves are romantic and rugged. Have a picnic and sit back and dream about pirates and mermaids. It is remote, so there will be no one to distract you.

I have seen them riding seaward on the waves,
Combing the white hair of the waves blown back,
When the wind blows the water white and black.

We have lingered in the chambers of the sea,
By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown,
Till human voices wake us, and we drown.

Excerpt from T.S. Eliot


FOR YOUR PICNIC
It is not legal to drink on the beach, but that has never stopped me and my friends, and a picnic is always better with wine. I'm not advocating breaking the law (hey, I'm a lover not a fighter) but if you choose to add vino to your picnic (maybe near the beach rather than on the beach) there are these pretty cool wines that are sold by the glass in grocery and convenience stores, which I think are a convenient idea.
------ Copa Divino wine by the glass--- https://www.copadivino.com/

THE MALIBU INN
This is a kitchy place with old western saloon doors straight out of a spaghetti western. You can sit in the woodpaneled vintage interior or on the outdoor patio showcasing an old VW bug. This place radiates the sun-addled surfer/hippie vibe and does not take itself seriously. I highly recommend the "Highway to Hell" burger, which features jalepenos and chipotle. Some of the prices are a little high for a divey spot but there are $2 Taco Tuesdays if you are on a budget. It's a fun little spot with a pool table, and it is also a venue for bands with a Beach Boys bent. It's a fun little spot just across the street from the ocean.

http://www.themalibuinn.com/

THE CORNELL TASTING ROOM
An amazing little known spot is a gorgeous old western style tasting room in Malibu/Agoura Hills high country. If you do a tasting you can sit a long grand table under a chandelier surrounded by photographs and art by local artists. A great little place. Then head next door to The Old Place for a bite. http://www.cornellwinery.com/

THE OLD PLACE CORNELL
After you get a nice little buzz going, mosey on over to the old west style saloon with gourmet grub. A moonshiner shack with a piano in the corner, this is a warm and fun hangout especially when bands play.

http://www.oldplacecornell.com/