Double the Denim

Spring is all about DENIM! You can never go wrong with denim or have enough of it, and it only gets better with time. I love mixing denim with more serious, practical pieces. My favorite rain jacket for this time of year is the Cascade because it is a little heavier. It also has some great hidden details, like storm cuffs with thumb holes to really keep the cold air and water out. And what is better than perfectly hidden pockets to keep all the things you can’t live without?! The Milam Chambray shirt is new for Spring and it is my favorite piece in the line. It is the perfect weight- not too heavy, not too light. What I love about a Chambray shirt is that you can wear it with ANYTHING and it can be dressed up or down. My go to outfit is usually a chambray shirt and a pair of black jeans but I’m also obsessed with denim on denim.

Another new piece of denim for Spring, is the Brewster Denim Jacket. There are so many great details about this jacket than make it so much more than just another jean jacket. It has zippered pockets so that you can make sure nothing falls out. My favorite detail is the railroad stripe interior pockets. They are a great nod to the history of Carhartt and nice and big for all the things you might need during the day. Lastly, the jacket has a drop tail hem to give you a little bit of extra coverage in the back. I love to layer with a denim jacket so I paired this with our super comfy Hayward Hoodie and a Force Tee.

xoxo,
Lauren

DIY Tool Box Planter

The slow-coming spring gave me plenty of opportunities to devise several new plant fixtures around my apartment. This tool box inspired planter is one of my favorites. It’s skinny enough to fit along a window sill and has a handle for easy lifting. Just like the plaster planters from last week, this would be a great gift for Mom this coming Sunday.
For this project you’ll need the pieces to build your box (or you could even find a vintage one to up-cycle), a hammer, screws, dirt, rocks, plenty of succulents, and the right gardening clothes. I wore my Minot Shirt and a pair of Series 1889 Slim Double Front Dungarees. Now there is more than one way to piece together your tool box. Here’s how I went about it. I also used a little bit of wood glue to secure the seals and prevent leakage once the plants were in place. Now it’s time to pour in dirt, insert the succulents, and add a layer of rocks to keep everything in place. Water and enjoy! If tools are for girls, then so are tool boxes!

Build Flowers That Last All Year

With temperatures on the rise, it’s time to get outside and start a few new projects. I looked around in my junk drawer and recycling bin for some up-cycled inspiration. In keeping with the season, I came up with a few simple metal flower tutorials that are easy and fun.

Large Loop Flower
what you need: large gauge wire and wire cutters
Step 1: Cut a large section of wire, depending on the size of flower you want to make. I used about 4 feet of wire for each flower.
Step 2: Make a 90 degree bend about one inch in from the end of your wire. You will use this section to secure the petals loops.
Step 3: Make a 2 inch petal-like loop and wrap it just beneath the 90 degree bend towards the shorter end. Pull the wire tight and make sure it’s securely looped. Repeat 4 or 5 times until you have a full bloom.
Step 4: Flatten the 90 degree bend so that it is flush with the bottom of the flower. This will lock your petals into place and create a clean look.
Step 5: Trim the stem to fit the vase you’re using for display.



Faucet Flower
what you need: a water hose valve, small gauge wire, washers, and wire cutters
Step 1: Cut 2 feet of wire and bend it in half.
Step 2: Secure a small washer at the bend in the wire. Make sure the washer is bigger than the center hole on the hose valve.
Step 3: Insert the unbent ends of the wire stem into the center hole of the hose valve.
Step 4: Now add another washer at the unbent ends of the wire stem and push it all the way up till it hits the bottom of the valve.
Step 5: Secure the bottom washer in place by tying or wrapping the wire around it. This will permanently attach the valve to the wire stem.
Step 6: Twist the two ends of wire together to complete the flower stem.


Washer Flower
what you need: several different size washers, small gauge wire, and wire cutters
Step 1: Cut around 2.5 feet of wire and bend it in half.
Step 2: Secure the washer at the bend of the wire.
Step 3: Make a 2 inch loop through the center of the washer and twist is closed. Repeat until the washer has a full bloom of loops around its edge.
Step 4: Twist the remainder of the wire ends around each other to create the stem.
Step 5: Trim the stem to fit the vase you’re using to display the your flowers.


Mini Loop Flower
what you need: small gauge wire and wire cutters
Step 1: Cut about 8 inches of wire.
Step 2: Make a small petal shaped loop in the middle of the wire.
Step 3: Double that loop.
Step 4: Twist wire around the double loops so that it forms one sturdy loop.
Step 5: Repeat steps 2 through 4 until you’ve created 5 or 6 petals. If you need more wire, simply cut a few more inches and wrap it onto the petals you’ve already created. You’ll most likely need to do this for each new petal.
Step 6: Depending on the vase you’ll use to display your flowers, make your stem accordingly.


Mini Metal Flower
what you need: a flower punch, recycled papers or soda cans, a nail, a hammer, small gauge wire, and wire cutters
Step 1: Pick out what supplies you want to use to your flower punch on to create the petals of your flower. I used some recycled card stock and a few thin sheets of metal. Then punch out a few shapes.
Step 2: With your hammer and nail, make a tiny hole in the middle of the flower cut outs.
Step 3: Cut about 2 feet of wire and bend the wire in half. Twist it around a few times at the bend to make a loop that’s larger than the nail hole in your flower cut outs.
Step 4: Insert the unbent ends of your wire stem through the nail holes of 2 of the flower cut outs until they hit the loop you made at the opposite end.
Step 5: Wrap the loose wire ends together so that the flower cut outs are secure at the top of the wire stem.



While I was working, I wore my Carhartt Force Performance Tank and Denim Bib Overall. The lightweight Force material is designed with FastDry® and Stain Breaker® technology to wick away sweat, release stains, and fight odors. And if you ask me, a pair of Carhartt overalls are a must have in the wardrobe of any crafty woman.

Carhartt Force

We can all rejoice. Spring is finally here! Goodbye gray skies, hello colors of the rainbow! After such a long, chilly winter, it’s a great time to celebrate with gardening or a new craft you’ve been putting off. Get outside. Start a few projects. Sweat a little. Carhartt Force Performance Quarter-Zip is the ideal work shirt for times like these. It fights odor, wicks sweat, and has stain breaker technology. For those spring showers, Carhartt Rain Defender is the way to go. The Rockford Windbreaker is lightweight and water repellant. It’s lined, hooded, and a sharp piece to add to your work wardrobe. The Force Equator Hat is not only a Force item, but also water repellant with Rain Defender technology. You’ll stay dry as it repels water, wicks sweat, and prevents stains. Now go ahead and get your color on, folks!

Packing for Portland: The Carhartt Women’s Guide

Packing for Portland means preparing for weather. I spent most of last week there, enjoying spring and the rain that comes with it. Take a look at the essential Carhartt items I took with me. When you have reliable rainwear, you can focus on the beautiful scenery around you. I’ll tell you what, I put the Mountrail Jacket to the test. The Storm Defender® waterproof breathable membrane is designed to keep you dry and not too stuffy.

Building Hugger Amy Nicole Swift

Recycling and reusing building materials is the ideal way to go about repairing old houses and architecture. In a time when so much excess waste proliferates, as strong proponents of green construction arise, they need our support. Amy Nicole Swift is just that. When she’s not teaching at the university, she’s working to restore vacant Detroit properties. It’s a dirty and exhausting job, but crucial to rebuilding this iconic city. She founded Building Hugger, an architectural design-build firm, to give back to the community and breath new life into old spaces.

Check out Amy’s spring time work gear: Carhartt Mountrail Jacket, Force Performance Quarter-Zip Shirt, Sibley Denim Shorts, Soft Hands Gloves, and Wellington Boots. 

 

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.

How Seasons Can Affect Horses

I don’t know about you, but this never-ending winter is getting to me. Have you ever wondered how seasons can affect your animals? I did a little reading on how the year’s changes can bring about certain transformations in horses. Here are some tidbits of what I learned:

Spring expedites the growth of grass. Again, you’ll see spikes in potassium and nitrates. The warmer temperatures and damp conditions are prime for fungus producing myco-toxins. Watch out for Rye Grass staggers. With the increased grass, your horse can gain weight. Too much weight gain can put your horse at risk for type 2 diabetes. If you fear your horse is eating too much, a grazing muzzle may be your solution.

Summer climates allow grass growth to continue. Again, spikes in potassium and nitrates should be on your mind. Horses tend to be more relaxed during dry summers. Always have drinking water readily available. Just like humans, horses need more water on hotter days.

Autumn brings a big change in grass, often with lower sodium content and higher potassium and nitrate levels. Fungus can thrive during this season too, possibly producing myco-toxins. Take head if your horse is ill or starts to stagger. They may need to be moved to a safer spot with better conditions. When the soil is wet for a long period of time, your horse can feel tender footed after rain.

Winter slows the growth of grass, which will help lower levels of potassium and nitrates. In some cases, grass will even become dormant. Horses burn more magnesium during colder months. Make sure you are still providing the vitamins and minerals found in hard feed (especially calcium and magnesium).  Keep your horse warm and dry. Horse safe hay is great for this.

All in all, keep an eye on your horse for any changes in behavior. If you can make them more comfortable, do so. Make sure to seasonally adjust their diets so that they receive the nutrition they may lack at certain times of the year. Here’s to hoping spring comes swiftly, but for now you should bundle up.

Check out Alison‘s work wear here: Carhartt Women’s Sandstone Berkley Jacket, Dartford Denim Shirt, & Jasper Jeans

Spring 2014 Lookbook

Remember Claire from Willowbrooke Farms in Michigan a few weeks back? Her story is featured in the Carhartt Spring 2014 Lookbook. Posted above are a few more behind the scene shots of Claire and Dixie. Make sure to check out the sneak preview of the Spring line here. The Jasper Jeans are available now! With Work-Flex™ durable stretch technology, they are perfect for a work day that’s filled with bending, crawling, and climbing. You may have heard about Carhartt Force already. Its stain resistant and moisture wicking material make it perfect for work. It will soon be available in a polo T-shirt with a great shape and color.

DIY: Painted Planter

Today is such a gorgeous day! Get out there and enjoy it! Gardening is one of the best stress relievers. Bring some spring into your home today with this DIY. This is a perfect opportunity to wear something from the Carhartt Force line. The shirt I’m wearing in the photos above is designed for work. It wicks sweat, fights odors, and has stain release qualities. How cool is that?

shop this look: Women’s Force Performance Quarter-Zip Shirt, Straight Fit Jeans, Soft Hands Gloves, Women’s Carhartt Logo Loop Belt