Let’s Go Glamping! {Make Your Own Cute Camping Kit}

Yay! It’s June! I am super excited because that means it’s camping season. I’m talking about mellow, chilled-out, easygoing car camping with enough little luxuries to make it fun & comfy. In other words, glamping. To me, there is nothing more relaxing than a sunny summer weekend spent car camping with a few good friends – and anyone who knows me can tell you that I have car camping down to a science. Care to learn how you, too, can keep a well-stocked glamping kit so you’re ready to hit the road at a moment’s notice? Oh, good. First, let’s have a look at a few of my favorite inspirations, because inspiration is where it all begins…

Clockwise from top left: Apron from Dottie Angel, Amy Butler fabric, Cath Kidston tent, Linda Aldredge’s Treehouse, and more Amy Butler designs!

I’m dreaming of colorful prints, straw cowgirl hats, wildflowers in vintage jam jars, the sleek lines of an airstream trailer, big blue skies, and maybe Jenna Woginrich playing the fiddle. What is inspiring you? See, you really don’t need much to elevate plain-old camping to glamping – it’s about creating a mood. And if you want to see glamping taken to it’s highest level, you must check out Sisters on the Fly: these sassy ladies meet up several times each year with their cowgirl caravan of wacky trailers to go fly fishing, horseback riding, and generally have a grand ol’ time. I chose a few pics (below) that exemplify the Sisters on the Fly aesthetic. These all come from The Beehive Cottage, which is the blog of Sister on the Fly Maryjane (who also has an adorable Etsy shop):

What I love about glamping is that it frees you to be a little more kitschy, romantic, or wild than you might usually be in your home: it’s all about having fun. You could go cowgirl, or all faded British florals, whatever floats your boat. Keep an eye out at flea markets and fairs this summer for cute dishware and vintage tablecloths on the cheap – glamping doesn’t need to cost a fortune! And check out that vintage suitcase decoupaged with cowgirl art – wouldn’t that make an awesome case for your glamping supplies?

In the Camp Kit: Tongs, knives, and cutting mats from Sur la table, cooler & BBQ from Summit Camping Gear, hand towels by Leanne Graeff, spice kit from Purpose Design, plate cover from Farmhouse Wares, tealights and lantern by Cath Kidston, doormat & tablecloth from Anthro, french press from Williams Sonoma, dishes from Viva Terra.

So, what goes in a glamping kit? Aside from the standard camping equipment (sleeping bag, tent, etc.), I throw in a pretty tablecloth, a bunch of tealights, cute dishes and hand towels, and a little doormat to put in front of the tent. Take a tip from the Sisters on the Fly and take the time to plan some better-than-average camping meals (grilled asparagus wrapped in prosciutto, anyone?), and keep all of your gear together so it’s easy to grab at the last minute. I keep the soft stuff like sleeping bags and blankets in a big duffel bag, and the camp kitchen gear in a big bin with a lid and handles.

Hopefully I will be taking my first camping trip of the year next weekend, and then I’ll share some pics with you, okay? Happy trails!

{images: linked to sources above}