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!

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.

Rain Rain, You Can Stay

One of my favorite things about Carhartt as a brand is their realness. I don’t mean that in the fluffy sense of the word. If we know anything, it’s that this gear is rugged. It’ll take a beating and last a lifetime. It’s not meant to be worn lightly. It’s the kind of clothing you never tire of wearing. You’re not tossing it out the next season because of flippant fashion trends. You hold onto it for years because it’s reliable.

That brings me to the point. Maybe you’ve seen the most recent Rain Defender® commercial. If not, check it out. The photos above are behind the scenes from the making of that spot. None of those people are actors. They aren’t pretending to get dirty. That’s what a normal day is like for them. Carhartt is a brand of the people. Carhartt is dedicated to the folks who get their hands dirty and those who outwork them all.

DIY Rain Chain

Growing up with a creative mom is a great gift. Projects and DIYs have been a big part of our relationship over the years. You can bounce ideas off of each other and get to learn more about one another: from picking out materials to communicating and problem solving. I owe so much of my artistic inclinations to my mom. As a young girl I remember watching her, wide-eyed and enthralled by her abilities. This Rain Chain DIY is a great example of a simple craft that’s fun to do in pairs.
Take a look at my mom’s work wear: Carhartt Women’s Amoret Jacket, Clarksburg Zip-Front Sweatshirt, & Carhartt Women’s Austel Hat.

Take a look at my work wear: Carhartt Women’s Amoret Vest (which is reversible), Dunlow Sweatshirt, & Acrylic Headband.

What you need: copper wire, recycled glass chunks or medium sized rocks, and wire cutters. I chose to use the glass because it allows light to pass through so beautifully, but if you have rocks or another item similar in size go ahead and get creative!

Carefully wrap each chunk of glass or rock in copper wire. It helps to hold the glass steady with one hand as your dominant hand forms the copper wire around the object. Make sure to wrap it up enough times that the glass can’t fall out.


Create a loop several layers thick at the top of the chain that can attach to a hook made of copper wire. This hook will eventually grab onto a tree limb so the rain chain can dangle in the air. Then hang the chain and watch as the rain trickles down.

Good rain gear can only help in a project like this. The Amoret Jacket and the Amoret Vest have the Rain Defender® durable water-repellent finish. See how the water beads up so easily on the garment surface? You can wash your gear 20 times and it will maintain 70% of its strength.

Your Rain Jacket Dream Come True

On my trip to Montana, it rained quite a bit. I practically lived in the new Carhartt Women’s Cascade Jacket. It’s much easier to enjoy the sweeping views and wide open skies when you know your rainwear will keep you dry. This Storm Defender® waterproof breathable jacket comes with articulated elbows so you can easily move around, a left-chest map pocket that’s certain to keep its contents drip-free, interior cuffs with thumbholes for those extra inches of protection, and an adjustable hem with drawcord and barrel lock adjusters. It’s basically your rain jacket dream come true.

Free Fall DIY-ing

There is so much to appreciate about fall: crisp air and crunchy footsteps, soft earthy tones and speckled foliage. It marks the start of bonfire season and cuddle-up in-warm-blankets season. I’m a big proponent of surrounding oneself with the great outdoors. That being said, it feels natural to pluck up a few flowers from the yard and put them in a vase, but what about leaves? They can be just as lovely, with free flowing branches and freshly turned hues. Why not give it a try? It’s a free way to decorate for the season and it challenges you to see the beauty in what most consider mundane.

what I wore: Carhartt Women’s Belton Shirt & Carhartt Women’s Series 1889 Sim-Fit Double Front Denim Dungaree 

 

 

 

Force Equator Jacket

There are some days work has to be done, come rain or come shine. Carhartt Women’s Force Equator Jacket’s got you covered. The lightweight material makes it easy for you to move around and get the job done. A Storm Defender™ waterproof breathable membrane keeps you cool and dry. Normally, you’d be working up a sweat, but the FastDry™ technology wicks away moisture and even fights odors. The waterproof seams, three piece hood, zippered pockets, and adjustable cuffs keep the weather at bay so you can focus on the task at hand. There’s even a media port so your phone or ipod can stay safe and dry. This jacket has it all and then some.

Pashon Murray from Detroit Dirt is wearing the Force Equator Jacket as she works at her compost site. Pashon is a powerhouse and a visionary. She was on Newsweek’s list of disruptive women in 2014. In other words, she’s a female entrepreneur making an impact in her community. Pashon collects compost that would normally be thrown away around the city. She then uses it to make soil that can be used as a fertile base in community gardens and the urban farming movement. Pashon’s work is bringing Detroit one step closer to rebuilding the area into an environmentally conscious and proud, self-sustaining city.

take a look at Pashon’s workwear: Carhartt Women’s Force Equator Jacket, Sibley Denim Cropped Pant, Women’s Wellington Boot, & Carhartt Women’s Soft Hands Gloves

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.

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