Winter Storm Ion

This Winter Storm Ion has swept the US by force. It seems like you can’t go anywhere without hearing about it. Understandably so, these plunging temperatures are the coldest that most places have experienced in the past 20 years.

I don’t look to anyone else besides Carhartt to keep me warm during the winter. You have to take a look at the new Carhartt Women’s Quick Duck Woodward Jacket. It’s 30% lighter than the traditional sandstone material, but just as durable and warm. It’s coated with Rain Defender™ durable water repellent technology to keep you dry, has tons of pockets, and even has a media port so you have easy access to your phone or ipod. I wore some of my favorite Carhartt snow storm accessories as I took a very chilly walk to capture a few images of the frozen city of Chicago. My camera quit working half-way through because of the negative temperatures.

Take a look at some of my trusted winter gear: Carhartt Women’s Quick Duck Woodward Jacket, Women’s Bayfield Trapper Hat, Carhartt Women’s Socks, & Carhartt Women’s Acrylic Headband 

The Women of Canine to Five

Dog’s are not just a man’s best friend. They can be a woman’s too. They generally don’t talk back or interrupt. They love a good cuddle. And they lift up the day say the women at  Canine to Five who take care of other people’s dogs during the day and go home to spend time with their own canines during their off hours.  Is this a sign of pet obsession gone too far? No way. They just love dogs and hanging out with your furry friends or their own, keeps them contented and healthy. These girls like to share everything with dogs,and they are not afraid of showing real affection for any four-legged friends under their care. They are not alone. According to a 2007 study, about two-thirds of households in the US  have at least one pet,  and 45 per cent of those families have more than one animal. With humor, soul and a deep knowledge of what it takes to lead, women have long been a part of a dog’s life and training, just like their menfolk.

check out their work gear: Clarksburg Quarter-Zip Sweatshirt, Bergland T-Shirt, & Jasper Jean and Carhartt Women’s Stockbridge Sweatshirt, Women’s Force Performance T-Shirt, & Straight-Fit Jean

DIY: Pumpkin Seed Trail Mix

If you saved your seeds from making pumpkin bowls yesterday, you’re ahead of the game. If not, grab a pumpkin and get started. This fall trail mix is great to have around the house for friends and family that are visiting. The perfect mix of sweet and salty is key in a snack. The mix of cranberries, garlic toast, Reese’s Pieces, and pumpkin seeds is so good! Give it a try. Get creative and add in some of your own ingredients.

grab this outfit for yourself: Carhartt Women’s Norfolk Henley, Carhartt Sweatshirt, Straight Fit Jeans, & Wellington Boots 

DIY: Pumpkin Bowls

Are you looking for fall decorating ideas? Pumpkin bowls are quick and simple. They’re great for serving snacks on Thanksgiving Day before the big meal. They also make inexpensive but elegant centerpieces. Native Americans once used dried pumpkin shells to store grain, beans, and seeds. It’s always cool to pull something historical into your celebrations.

Take a look at my crafting outfit: Carhartt Women’s Rowlesburg Sweatshirt, Clarkston Cami, Slim-Fit Jeans, & Wellington Boots. The Rowlesburg Sweatshirt is one of my favorites. It’s cozy with a thermal lining you can wear around the house or for indoor work. The material is made with Rain Defender™ technology that’s both durable and water repellant, so it transitions to your outdoor jobs as well.

(Save the pumpkin seeds for a trail mix I’ll be posting the recipe for tomorrow!)

“but I don’t think I would be near as happy working 9-5 in a suit”

Meet Josey Butler. She grew up on a rural Missouri cattle farm and now lives and works in Texas, training horses and competing in rodeos. Josey is a fireball if I’ve ever met one. So much skill and determination flow from her as she steps into the arena. She’s confident and bold. Her horses knows who’s boss. She’s authoritative and filled with compassion and understanding at the same time. The relationship with a horse and his master is so complex and unlike anything else. When I asked Josey to explain that connection to me, I was blown away by her response.

“Being the weird horse girl growing up has taken me places nationally a lot of people will never see. It’s extremely hard work, people think you just ride horses all day, and there is so much more too it than that. You have to be a part time vet and part time therapist to a 1200 lb animal who can’t just tell you what’s wrong. You have to be a carpenter, plumber, electrician, and mechanic because things don’t always malfunction during business hours, and running a horse training facility relies on all those things daily. You’re also an accountant and secretary because the government still wants taxes, and there is an amazing amount of paperwork involved in both billing and accounts payable when your entering events and such. On the other hand when you’re recieving checks, or an award for a job well done for a client, or even just sitting on a great horse at the end of the day, watching the sunset– it’s unbelievably satisfying. Most people who train in the horse industry never end up on the cover of Forbes but I don’t think I would be near as happy working 9-5 in a suit.”

A life and career driven by passion and a solid work ethic is worth the sweat. Find what drives you and make it happen. Be grateful for the little things you do day-to-day that remind you why you’ve chosen the path you’re on. Find joy in the sunsets.

see Josey’s work gear here: Carhartt Women’s Norfolk Henley, Marlinton Vest, & Carhartt Women’s Jasper Jeans

DIY: Embroidery

The perfect pair of blue jeans are hard to find. Well, Carhartt’s all women design team came up with a few new styles that are sure to fit your needs. Check out the Jasper Jean, pictured above. They have just the right amount of stretch from the Work-Flex® Technology that lets you move around while you work. The mid-rise cut and contoured waistband prevent gapping so no matter what your job calls for, we’ve got you covered.

It’s time to clean out the old jeans in your closet so you can stock up on Carhartt’s new denim options for working women. I cleaned out my closet this past weekend and decided to say goodbye to a few outdated pants. With some creativity and a little elbow grease, you can turn what was once considered trash into art.

Getting in the spirit of the season, I stitched a quote that nods to the mindset of Thanksgiving.

“I have decided to be happy because it is good for my health.” -Voltaire

Viewing life with a more thankful attitude can make all the difference. The more grateful you are, the more you can spread the sentiment around to others. Try your hand at stitching for your next DIY project. You can either follow the template provided above, or you can test out some of the other stitching examples shown in the chart. Go on! Have fun with it!

check out this great working gal’s outfit: Women’s Annapolis Long-Sleeve T-Shirt, Weathered Wildwood Jacket, & Carhartt Women’s Jasper Jean 

Meghann of Upland Hills Farm

Upland Hills Farm in Michigan was founded in 1960 by Knight and Dorothy Webster. They hoped to teach an increasingly urban society about the joys and benefits of a rural life. Through day camps and farm visits, the Websters share their beautiful land and the lessons they’ve learned from mother nature. Years ago, Meghann, pictured above, often visited Upland Hills Farm, learning about and enjoying the great outdoors. She now works as a farm hand. Her connection with the farm has come full circle. Meghan once went to learn about how great farm life can be, and now she’s helping spread that enlightenment with others.

Check out Meghan’s great Carhartt work gear here: Rockford Insulated Windbreaker, Force Performance T-Shirt, Straight-Fit Slim Jean, Women’s Wellington Boots, & Copper Harbor Hat 

Pumpkins are the Best Part of Fall

Oh the wonderful days of falling leaves and pumpkin patches! Believe it or not, pumpkins are considered a fruit. They were named after the Greek word for “large melon.” Pumpkins are part of the gourd family, along with cucumbers, honeydew melons, cantaloupe, watermelons and zucchini. Think of all the wonderful things we can do with this glorious fruit. Native Americans used it for food and and even made woven mats out of strips of the dried gourd. Pilgrims were known to combine hops, maple sugar, and pumpkin to brew a tasty colonial beer. Early colonists even used the shell as a template for hair cuts. (That’s why New Englanders are sometimes called pumpkin heads.) What’s your favorite pumpkin product? Is it pumpkin pie? pumpkin spiced latte? or adorable pictures from pumpkin patches?

I took my niece, Lily, to Calie’s Acre so she could enjoy the season in her new snuggly Carhartt outfit. Check out Lily’s look here: Carhartt Girl’s Redwood Jacket, Girl’s “Watercolor Horse” Long-Sleeve Bodyshirt, Brushed Fleece Pants, & Kid’s Acrylic Watch Hat. I was decked out in a fun fall clothes as well. This deep wine colored Marlinton Jacket is one of my favorites. The hue goes so well with everything. It might sound crazy, but I consider deep plum colors to be neutral, especially during fall. See my outfit here: Women’s Marlinton Jacket, Dartford Denim Shirt, & Women’s Series 1889 Slim Double Front Dungarees.

This Halloween Dress As Someone Inspirational

A stunt pilot’s tricks at a state fair first flickered Amelia Earhartt’s interest in flight. The buzz of the plane as it zoomed past spoke to her. Sometimes your passion finds you when you’re least expecting it. Then you have to chase it down, no matter the cost, to satisfy the itch it leaves within you.

The things Amelia Earhart accomplished would have been respectable even if she had been a man. But the obstacles that she conquered to get where she did as a woman are downright impressive! Growing up, Amelia kept a scrapbook of newspaper clippings about notable women who were successful in male dominated fields. Hopefully this blog can be much like that collection for many women out there who are striving for excellence in their work. Take cues from those around you. Learn from them and appreciate the road they’ve bled to pave for those who follow.

In times when flying across the globe happens everyday and GPS is readily available, it may be hard to wrap your mind around how daring and dangerous Amelia’s flights were. She set countless records in her plane, beating men and women pilots alike.

In her final letter to her husband, she wrote these words about her attempt to be the first woman to fly around the world. “Please know I am quite aware of the hazards. I want to do it because I want to do it. Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be but a challenge to others.”

The challenge has been set, ladies. Are you up for it?

This halloween, dressing up as someone aspirational can help get you in the mindset for doing great things. Dig around. Find someone who inspires you. Learn about them and learn from them. After all, imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.

See how you can dress as Amelia here: Women’s Weathered Wildwood Jacket, Women’s Series 1889 Slim Double Front Dungaree, Carhartt Women’s Hats, Boyne Neck Scarf, Women’s Hamilton Flannel Shirt, Women’s Clarkston Cami, & Wellington Boots. (to add another element, I used an old pair of ski goggles to look like her flying gear) 

She Changes Tires Like a Girl

A man pulls up to his local tire shop and sees Jessica hard at work.
“All the women these days are taking the mens’ jobs.” he says.
Comments like that don’t discourage Jessica though.
She’s confident and competent in her job.
That’s pretty cool if you ask me.
And she’ll never have to call her boyfriend for help if she gets a flat.
Curiosity is what drew her to the shop in the first place.
It was something she didn’t know how to do,
so she took courses and learned the ropes.
Now she’s an expert in the garage because of her ambition and perseverance.

check out Jessica’s work wear here: Carhartt Women’s Rowlesburg Sweatshirt, Force Long-sleeve Crewneck, & Original-Fit Canvas Crawford Dungaree