Winter Chores in Park City, Utah

Save

It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year For Outdoor Adventures!

Sure it’s fun to cozy up next to the fireplace around Christmas time, but don’t forget about your favorite outdoor adventures. Build an igloo, go snowmobiling, or take a spin on the ice rink. Happy Holidays!

Samantha Banks Schefman

Winter storm Jonas has been one heck of a doozy. Like most acts of nature, Jonas doesn’t care if you’re prepared or not. What does that mean for you? It’s time to stock up on wood, get that shovel ready, and salt your driveway and sidewalks.

This is Samantha Banks Schefman. She’s a curator, jewelry designer, co-founder and deputy director of Playground Detroit. Samantha is an incredibly talented jewelry designer with a great eye for fashion. That means she’s gonna look cute even when she’s shoveling snow. Her top pick from the Carhartt winter essentials is the Camo Active Jac. She paired it with the ever so popular Watch Hat, the figure flattering 1889 Slim Fit Double Fronts, and the cozy Quilts Glove.

Come Snow or High Water

The winter of 2015 has been a fierce one to be sure. Regions unfamiliar with snow have been pelted with it, and those already accustomed to snow have put up with it to an even greater degree. I’ve been reading The Farmer’s Almanac, learning about today in weather history.

This day in 1918, a car crossed frozen Penobscot Bay, Maine.
In 1952, an ocean storm hit Cape Cod and Nantucket, with winds of 61 mph.
In 1980, Norfolk, Virginia received 13.7 inches of snow.
In 1989, the temperature in Jacksonville, Florida plummeted to 24°F.
In 2008, San Antonio,Texas temperatures reached 92°F.
And in 2011, the temperature rose to 103°F in Laredo, Texas.

It’s easy to forget the times in our past when the weather has caught us off guard. The best thing is to always be prepared, come snow or high water. That’s why I like my Quick Duck® Jefferson Jacket. It’s water repellent and constructed with 3M Thinsulate material. Whether it’s snowing or pouring rain, you’ll stay dry and warm.

Carhartt Women’s Outerwear

And so the groundhog declares: a long winter it shall be. As dreary as that sounds in February, it doesn’t mean that you have to stay indoors. Get out there and explore. The afternoon after a good snowstorm is the perfect time to enjoy the amazing power of nature.

Take a look at Carhartt Women’s Outerwear. That way you can stay comfy and cozy inside or out.

How to Protect Your Bike During Rough Weather

It’s springtime, although it might not quite look like it yet. This strange mixture of rain, snow, and salt can take a toll on your bike. Here are a few tips for care and maintenance.

Keep it clean! After riding through the elements, clear all debris off your cycle– the sooner, the better. It will help prevent rust and ware. A bucket of soapy water and a sponge will do just fine.
Keep all moving elements lubed. This is important. Don’t be cheap with this step. In the long run, lube will cost less than having to replace expensive bike parts. Be mindful not to over-lube. Keep track of the areas you’ve already tended to so you don’t do it twice.
When roads are wet, let a bit of air out of your tires. Lower tire pressure increases contact area between the street and your bike. This will give you a bit more grip on slick roads.
Mudguards are a great purchase this time of year. Not only does it keep the rider clean, it prevents too much gunk from getting on other parts of your bike. It will also mean less clean up time for you after a muddy ride.
Regularly maintain your cycle. Harsh weather conditions lead to expedited disrepair of your bike. Keep an eye on brake pads, gear and brake cables, and bolt tightness.
Store your bicycle inside as often as you can. If you know it will be outside for an extended period. Be even more careful with the upkeep.

Carhartt Women’s Chore Coat is perfect for bike maintenance. The durable fabric, endless pockets, and adjustable cuffs are one your side when you have a dirty job in front of you. If you want to learn more about bike care check out what Tori Bortman, owner of Gracie’s Wrench in Portland, has to say.

Meet Kelly Pepper and Kelly McDermott of Habitat for Humanity

Meet Kelly Pepper and Kelly McDermott. Both girls are originally from Texas, so we had common ground right at the start. Working in Minneapolis can be a bit chillier than what we’re used to, but that’s alright when you’re bundled up in the right clothes. Pictured above is the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Women’s Build Team. That’s where women from across the world help build homes for others in need. Pretty cool if you ask me. These two girls blew me away with how much they knew about construction. It’s all about working from the ground up. You might feel overwhelmed in the beginning, but it’s a learning process every day.
Kelly Pepper is a Construction Volunteer Facilitator and has lived all over the world. She stumbled across the job, and figured she’d give it a go since she’d never been to Minnesota. Kelly loves working with her hands, community development, and helping others, so the job has been a great fit. Kelly McDermott is a ABWK Volunteer Facilitator. It’s a lot of hard labor, tedious, and tiring tasks that add up to such great fulfillment to a huge need. Kelly mentioned that she hoped to merge the work experience she’s gained from construction with her degree in the arts into something that can inspire, empower, and support others. If you ask me, she’s doing it already. The team pours so much of their soul and time into these homes. The craftsmanship of construction is such a beautiful art form, especially when it is mixed with the goodness of a giving heart. See how you can get involved in a Women’s Build. Let’s strive to be a community of women that seek to strengthen one another instead of competing or pulling each other down.

Kelly Pepper’s outfit: Carhartt Women’s Quick Duck Woodward Jacket, Women’s Force Performance Quarter-Zip Shirt, Women’s Series 1889 Slim Double Front Dungaree, & Acrylic Watch Hat / Kelly McDermott’s outfit: Carhartt Women’s Sandstone Berkley Vest, Women’s Force Performance Quarter-Zip Shirt, Women’s Series 1889 Slim Double Front Dungaree, & Women’s Quincy Hat 

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 

Carhartt in Minneapolis

If you’re in Minneapolis, the odds are you know how important it is to bundle up when it’s this cold out. You’re probably also extremely aware of Mall of America. Put those two together, and you’re ready for winter! Pictured above is the MOA Carhartt store. The staff is so helpful and friendly. The next time you’re in the area, stop by and check it out. Carhartt will keep you warm in the most frigid of temperatures.

Carissa and Claire of Franconia Sculpture Park

Franconia Sculpture Park in Minnesota is 25 acres of large scale installations and machinery. I visited last week and it was like a winter wonderland of creativity and fun. Carissa and Claire live and work at this unique community arts organization. Each year, new artists apply to Franconia for fellowships. Artists work, create, eat, and live together. It’s not often that you can find an open and innovative environment that provides work, residence, and exhibition space to emerging and established artists. The girls showed me around their workspaces and the scenic art that covers the land. The pink forklift, affectionately referred  to as mother, helps get the job done. Who said forklifts are a man’s tool?!

Check out the girls’ outfits: Carhartt Women’s Sandstone Berkley Jacket, Women’s Hamilton Flannel Shirt II, Women’s Series 1889 Slim Double Front Dungaree, & Quincy Hat / IFD Women’s Detroit Jacket, Women’s Clermont Sweater, Annapolis Long-Sleeve Shirt, Carhartt Pants, & Maysville Hat