Lauren Lawliss

In a couple weeks I’ll be making my way south and chasing the warm weather again - to say I’m excited would be an understatement 😆

This time around I’m prioritizing better ventilation to combat the heat with passenger and driver window air vents from @eurocampers_usa 🙌🏻

These vents have a built in wire mesh and exterior louvers so you can enjoy fresh air even when it’s rainy and buggy outside 🦟 ☔️

Head to EuroCampers.com to grab a set of easy to install air vents for your camper van today ‼️

#eurocampers #vanbuild #ventilation #DIYCampervan #nomadlife

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3 4

1 year ago | [YT] | 60

Lauren Lawliss

Starlink has been a great addition to van life, but lately I’ve been dreading the setup and tear down that comes along with it.

So I installed the Trio Flatmount to eliminate those extra steps allowing me to connect to wifi faster.

This mount secures the dish to the roof with magnets and swivel hardware to accommodate the uneven surface ensuring all four magnets are flush to the van providing a strong connection when I drive. Depending on one’s wants and needs, the mount can also be secured with tape, screws or bolts.

I also wired in a 12v adapter with a switch to change the router from 120v for better efficiency with my 12v battery bank.

Now my Starlink is more stealthy on the roof, doesn’t take up storage space in my van and I can have service in motion with a simple flip of a switch.

Also, it adds to my safety on the road. Not only is it less obvious on top of my van, but if I need to leave a place quickly for any reason, I don’t need to worry about tearing it down.

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3 4 5

1 year ago | [YT] | 36

Lauren Lawliss

At the end of 2023, I made the frames for my bunk windows, but I only installed the passenger side because I’d eventually be adding switches to the driver frame.

Well, a year later and that day has come. The driver bunk window is now complete!

The three 12v rocker switches built into the driver bunk window frame controls my floor heat pad, Starlink and electrical box fans. The frame is also removable should I need to access the wires running from my electrical box.

Feels good to finally have that hole filled 😆

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3

1 year ago | [YT] | 32

Lauren Lawliss

The first snowfall of the season gave me the kick in the butt I needed to do a few more van projects before heading south January 1st ❄️

Skip the Carousel

1 2

1 year ago | [YT] | 45

Lauren Lawliss

After a year of shoving a mirror behind the driver seat and breaking two of them - I now have a permanent full length, pull out mirror. The best part - it’s only 2.75” wide and I still have plenty of storage space behind my driver seat.

What do you think!?

Skip the Carousel

1 2

1 year ago | [YT] | 51

Lauren Lawliss

EXCITING NEWS‼️

My website is officially LIVE 🎉

Check it out: LaurenLawliss.com 🤗

✨ Here are some website highlights ✨

1️⃣ My Van Life Story: How I found van life and why I decided to pursue this lifestyle, do the build myself and share it with others.

2️⃣ Product Links: Shop EVERYTHING I used in my van build for EVERY project… plus van life essentials for life on the road.

Note, the product links are Amazon Affiliate links so I receive a small kick back every time someone makes a purchase through my links, at no additional cost to you - thank you for the support!!!

3️⃣ My DIY Van Build Breakdown: I know I am VERY behind on van build videos, so for the time being I’ve made a DETAILED breakdown of my entire van build, with pictures, for you to reference until I get more videos out.

4️⃣ Van Build Gallery: Check out pictures of the entire van build one project at a time. If you scroll to the end you’ll see pictures of the van’s current state.

5️⃣ 1-on-1 Consultations: Perhaps what I’m most excited for is connecting with others who are looking for personalized guidance and support at any stage of their van build or van life journey. Book a time to connect and make your dreams a reality at any stage of your journey.

6️⃣ Connect: Support Lauren and stay up-to-date with her projects and adventures by giving her a follow on social media.

I’m so excited to be sharing phase 1 of my website publicly and want to thank each one of you for being here. I hope you find my website to be a helpful resource 💖

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3 4 5

1 year ago | [YT] | 43

Lauren Lawliss

Fall time is here and I’m all for it 🍂

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3 4 5

1 year ago | [YT] | 35

Lauren Lawliss

Yesterday I started a new project on the van after taking 10 months off from the build to travel.

Can you guess what project? That’s right, my final floor, which consists of a 12v heat pad and luxury vinyl planks!

The heat pad is from Expedition Upfitters, a German company, and is going to keep my feet nice and cozy during the colder months in the van.

I will say, it feels strange to be working on the van again after living in it’s current state for so long, but I’m also excited to be learning new things, working with my hands and problem solving again.

Although I am going to miss seeing the subfloor which was covered in paint, measurements and notes from every step of the van build - going back to the very start over two years ago - I am excited to continue bringing my vision to life.

I managed to get halfway done yesterday and hope to finish this project by the end of the week. Then I’ll be working on a step up behind the driver and passenger seat, as well as, a pull out full length mirror/closet!

Also, shoutout to mom for a yummy dinner and miss Paisley for supervising.

What do you think!?

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3 4 5

1 year ago | [YT] | 46

Lauren Lawliss

My cozy home on wheels 🫶🏻

1 year ago | [YT] | 60

Lauren Lawliss

HELLO EVERYONE!!!

I know it has been a LONG time since I’ve given an update and many of you have messaged me to check in (thank you 🫶🏻) so here’s a glimpse of life so far this year.

As you may know, since I bought the van, I have been living, traveling and converting it simultaneously. However, over the last 8 months I have been solely focused on traveling in the van and taking much needed time to myself to live the life I’ve been working so hard to build.

At the start of the year, I headed south to Florida making stops along the way throughout various states. I spent 4 months visiting the entire state of Florida from the east coast, down to Key West, then up the west coast to the pan handle.

During my time in Florida, I went to two van life gatherings and met so many of you and made so many new friends who I’ve since travelled with. This community is truly the BEST.

I crossed off the 3 Florida National Parks, visited family and friends and enjoyed the sunny weather.

Unfortunately, during my time in Florida, I also experienced the passing of my grandfather. Thankfully, I got to visit with him before his health started to decline and I was there with him all the way to the end.

Come May the humidity and heat became too much for me to handle in the van without an AC. So I said my farewell to Florida and made stops in Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois and Michigan for the next couple months, before getting an impulse to drive 14 hours through the night back to my hometown to surprise my family and friends before I left the country for a trip abroad.

My friend and I spent 10 days exploring the beauty of Ireland starting in Dublin, going a little south, then west to the Cliffs and north to Northern Ireland. This trip really gave me some clarity on the future and already has me planning more trips abroad.

When I returned to the states, I decided to stay in my hometown with the van for a couple summer months. I’ve made myself at home in my parents backyard with the van. I planted my very first garden - 25 foot by 12 foot - which has been flourishing and giving me a plentiful harvest that I’ve been able to share with family and friends.

I’ve been spending every evening with friends and family; playing in a volleyball league, golfing, playing cards with grandma, paddle boarding/kayaking, weekend farmers markets, morning walks and the list goes on.

It feels good to be back in the countryside, away from cities, being in an area I know like the back of my hand and an area of so much beauty with mountains, lakes and rivers.

Being back in my hometown has allowed me to slow down, given me stability in my life and has surrounded me with a sense of community, which has my heart so full.

I am excited to wake up every morning and am overwhelmed with gratitude and joy everyday. I spend all my days outside, barefoot, in the sun, fresh air of the countryside with a smile on my face. I haven’t laughed this much in so long and truly couldn’t ask for more.

So, what’s next?

I plan on staying in my hometown until September. During that time, I am going to start working on the van build again - and hopefully finish it 🤞🏼There are A LOT of “little” projects left, but the bigger projects include finishing my plumbing, the floor and my kitchen backsplash.

I will also be editing videos again. It’s hard to believe it has been 10 months since my last build video - I am sooooo sorry to leave y’all hanging. But don’t worry, I still recorded every step of the build.

Come September, I plan to visit Canada with the van and make my way back to my hometown for Christmas, before my trek to Baja, Mexico with the van and friends.

I also have some exciting projects I’ve been working on for YOU!! More to come soon as launch dates get closer. (I’m so excited!!!)

Overall, my life is AMAZING and I’m so unbelievably grateful for ALL OF YOU! Thank you for sticking around, thank you for your love and support and thank you for being you 💖

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3 4 5

1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 75