Backpacking Hacks

Montana is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I was lucky enough to spend a few days backpacking around the area. It’s filled with geysers, natural hot springs, wildlife, and so much nature to explore. Here are a few tips I researched before I set off on an adventure:

1.) Avoid poison ivy, poison sumac, and poison oak. (pictured above)
2.) When packing a backpack for the trip, pack the heaviest items closest to the middle of your back, lighter items on the front and bottom of the bag, and medium-weight, frequently used items on top.
3.) To gauge how much daylight is left in the day, outstretch your arm and hold your hand just under the sun. Count how many times you line up your hands in the distance between the sun and the horizon. Each finger is equivalent to 15 minutes of sun, therefore each hand is equivalent to about an hour of daylight remaining.
4.) You guys know I’m a picture-a-holic, but don’t get so camera happy that you forget to step back and appreciate the glory around you. Make sure to put down the electronics for a bit to really soak up as much wilderness as possible.

Now get out there and experience the natural beauties the world has to offer!

my adventuring gear: Carhartt Women’s Calumet Long-Sleeve V-Neck, Carhartt El Paso Shorts, Women’s Wellington Boots, Carhartt D89 Backpack, & Carhartt Water Bottle 

Road Trip Hacks

Packing light and right can be a difficult task. Here are a few pointers I’ve discovered in my travels. One thing I’ve found to be true on every trip is that the more uses an item has, the more it comes in handy. Here are a few of my dual purpose road trip hacks.

Key products to bring along on any western road trip: Carhartt Women’s Calumet Long-Sleeve V-Neck, Carhartt Chicago Logo Tee (exclusively available in Chicago stores), Women’s Minot Shirt, Women’s Halley Shirt, Women’s Equestrian Belt, Women’s Cascade Jacket, Women’s Series 1889 Slim-Fit Double-Front Denim Dungaree, Carhartt Water Bottle, Clarkston Cami Tank, Carhartt Women’s El Paso Shorts, & Carhartt Legacy 23″ Gear Bag. All of these items are staples for an outdoor adventure. Make sure to pack clothing that can be layered and re-worn. The weather can be unpredictable. Come prepared.

Use mini storage bins to organize snacks, toiletries, and even jewelry. This helps when packing in a duffle bag where things get messy fast. On a road trip, having a variety of snacks at your fingertips keeps you entertained and satisfied with less food. Avoid salty items if possible. It will keep you from drinking too much water and the need for multiple bathroom breaks.

I always pack a few dryer sheets in my luggage. They keep dirty clothes from stinking up the rest of your things. Also, by rubbing a dryer sheet over a garment, you prevent static. That is an invaluable trick to know, particularly when it’s colder outside.

Save old pill bottles. They come in handy as waterproof containers. You can pack a mini first aid kit, fit a bottle filled with quarters into your car cup holder to facilitate paying road tolls, or even use it for moisturizers or hair care products. The secure lid will set your mind at ease. No one wants shampoo exploding all over their clothes.

Shower caps are a normal enough travel item. Obviously you can use them in the shower, but they’re also perfect for packing dirty boots. Let’s face it, Carhartt girls very rarely have clean boots. Truthfully, I leave shower caps on my Wellington’s even when I store them in my closet at home. If you’re staying a hotel, ask the front desk if they have extra caps available.

Ziplocks are another packing favorite of mine. I use them to optimize my organization. Keep your electronic cords and chargers together. Pack a bag with each day’s outfit, then load up the outfit bags into your duffle. This will save you time later and you won’t have to dig around for socks or a certain shirt later on. I often keep my phone in a ziplock when I know I’ll be outdoors a good bit of the time. Your phone can still sense touch through the plastic and it’s protected from dirt and rain.

Binder clips are a great thing to carry. You can use them for clipping sunglasses to the car visor, managing hair bands, covering shaving razors, clipping together receipts from your trip, etc… The possibilities are endless. Just buy a bag of these things to keep on hand. You’ll be glad you did.

Now get out there and have an adventure!

my travel outfit: Carhartt Women’s Pondera Shirt, Original-Fit Canvas Crawford Dungaree, & Women’s Wellington Boots 

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!)

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.

Carhartt Women’s Annapolis Shirt

Fall and plaid go hand in hand. Check out the new fall line on Carhartt.com and grab some items. The Annapolis Long-Sleeve Shirt is one of my favorite pieces this season. It’s slightly fitted so it has a bit of flex. (perfect for moving around while you’re working) From the adjustable button cuffs to the pockets on the front, you’ll be dressed comfortably and practically for whatever task is at hand.
Check out the whole outfit here: Annapolis Shirt, Straight-Fit Slim Straight Jean, Dearborn Belt, & Wellington Boot. 

Pashon Murray of Detroit Dirt

What may look like a pile of dirt to you looks like the future to Pashon Murray. Pashon started Detroit’s first compost company, Detroit Dirt. You might ask what is compost? and what can it do? Compost is decomposed organic material from plants and animals. Pashon wants to eliminate Detroit’s waste and use every bit of “trash” for the greater good. It turns out that some of the stuff we throw away isn’t trash at all! It makes great soil. And great soil in turn leads to successful urban farming– full circle goodness. Pashon’s vision and work ethic drives one of the many efforts to rebuild Detroit. It goes to show that rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty is therapeutic for the soul and the community.