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 

Budget Friendly Gift Ideas for Dad

 

It’s can be hard to think of the right gift for Dad. If you’re looking for a thoughtful and useful present, you’ve come to the right place. Here are a few DIYs to help organize around the garage and the perfect work shirt any guys would love. Let’s walk through these ideas step by step.

1. You can use shower curtain hooks as organizers for nuts and washers on a peg board you hang in your garage. Get creative. You can use the shower curtain hooks to arrange a lot of other things too; like wrenches or paintbrushes with a hole drilled into the handle.
2. Another great idea is a shelf for screwdrivers so that it’s easier to find the right one when you need it. Find a long, skinny piece of scrap lumber you can drill holes into as slots for each tool.
3. Try thinking green. Recycle an old palette and use it as a way to store gardening equipment. Hang it on the outside of the garage. It looks cool and it’s functional.
4. The Carhartt Men’s Workwear Pocket T-Shirt is a great gift for Dad. Right now they are 2 for $25 and big/tall are 2 for $28. That’s a great deal! It’s made of sturdy material and it comes in lots of colors and big/tall sizes.

 

 

DIY: Paper Lantern

Here’s a fun and easy craft– decorated paper lanterns. If you love to draw, whip out your pen and get to doodling! But don’t worry, if you aren’t as artistically gifted, you can trace a design. That’s the wonder of vellum paper, it’s transparent! Then roll it up, stick it over a candle, and you have a personalized light. How cool is that?! It’s perfect for party decorations or creative crafting. Give it a try and see what you can come up with.

shop this look: Grand Forks T-shirt