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Issue #218: A Complete Tour of My Obsessively-Designed Van

A tiny-space dream, TBH. đŸŽ„

Oct 28, 2025
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đŸŽ„ ‘Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere,’ in theaters: Jeremy Allen White is the spitting image of Springsteen in this biopic about the making of his 1982 album ‘Nebraska,’ and the depression that took hold of him during that time.

📚 Bitter Honey by LolĂĄ ÁkĂ­nmĂĄdĂ© Åkerström: When Nancy moves from Gambia to Sweden in 1978, she falls in love with the scenery and a man—a married professor who masterfully wields the unequal power dynamic while dismantling her career. Years later, their daughter Tina is a rising pop star, struggling with fame, identity, and the complications that come from her own career and relationships. P.S. I’m also eager to read Wreck by Catherine Newman, also out today!

đŸ“ș “Nobody Wants This,” Season 2 on Netflix: I love this semi-believable show (nobody could possibly dress as well as Kristen Bell’s impeccably sartorial character), about a couple trying to make it work, despite their religious and cultural backgrounds. Season 2 builds as their relationship does, leaving the honeymoon phase into a more real relationship—a fun watch!

P.S. Our book club is meeting tonight at 5 PM, PT to discuss All the Way to the River by

Elizabeth Gilbert
. I have thoughts!! See you on Zoom!

I felt completely out of my body filming this van tour. In the years I spent saving for my van, I probably watched hundreds of tours, keeping obsessive track of minute details (and regrets!) van-lifers shared about their homes on wheels. Shower or no shower? How did I want my kitchen laid-out, for daily cooking??

As soon as I found a builder, I began to chat with their team about the possible configurations for my tiny space, and ways in which I could maximize its functionality, without sacrificing design (important!). I’ve only been on the road for three weeks, but so far the obsessing seems to have paid off. There is, amazingly, not one thing I would change. Below, I’m sharing a full, slightly unhinged, video tour of my van as well as plenty of photos, progress pics, and information on the decisions I made, plus the nitty gritty about the systems.

A Video Tour of My Obsessively-Designed Van

A Video Tour of My Obsessively-Designed Van

Leslie Stephens
·
Oct 27
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I packed it full of useful information but, as always, let me know if you have any questions in the comments! Without further ado, meet Birdie! x

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