Who do you like to follow? Personally, I love the following accounts and blogs; in no particular order
@Kensington Royal *For an accurate and legitimate look into the lives and work of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge.
@bored_teachers *This is great for a laugh; and let me tell you…each and every meme, quote and video they feature is true. #teacherlife
@thepioneerwoman *My ultimate woman crush. Ree Drummond is a rancher’s wife, mother of four, entrepreneur and kitchen maven. You’ll follow for the food pictures/recipes and stay for Pioneer Woman’s endearing personality and lifestyle.
@evashockey *The true Canadian huntress, Eva is a trailblazer in the hunting/fishing/outdoor industry. Her adventures will leave you envious.
@amandakloots *This woman is an incredible inspiration. During her husband’s fight with Covid-19 she was the ultimate champion, after his death she selflessly shares her journey with grief to help others.
@kathbum *As die hard Katherine Ryan fans this is a MUST follow. You’ll laugh till it hurts courtesy of her Insta-Stories and adorable photos of her trusty four-legged companions. She also interacts FREQUENTLY with her fanbase.
@padmalakshmi *Not only is she the host of Top Chef and Taste of the Nation she also uses her platform to raise awareness for important issues.
@carly *Formerly, The College Prepster; my bestie and I have watched the newly minted Mrs. Riordan go from university student to successful blogger, all while coveting the amazing fashions and dreaming about her featured locales. Safe to say this is the ultimate lifestyle blog and instafeed for millenials.
Every hunter or outdoor enthusiast needs good gear; otherwise enjoying your beloved hobby or pastime can become a miserable experience due to weather and the elements. I have turned to Sitka gear; although it can be pricey it is worth every penny. The company has been working on increasing the gear options for women; which is a huge relief because I don’t know about other women hunters but I struggle to find gear. Anyways, since I just put in another order I thought I would share with you my Sitka stockpile…
Jetstream Beanie My go to beanie for hiking and hunting in the fall. The “lofted micro-grid fleece backer delivers warmth, while the WINDSTOPPER® membrane blocks frosty drafts. A ponytail port keeps things streamlined and a four-way stretch, air permeable band warms the back of your neck and ears without impeding hearing.”Colour: Optifade Subalpine.
Fanatic Beanie The perfect winter headwear. Just like the Fanatic Jacket it is made of Berber fleece. Designed with women in mind, this beanie has a ponytail port. It keeps your head, neck and ears warm and you can still hear the deer moving through the trees. Colour: Elevated II
Ascent Glove Also known as my “bow hunting gloves!” I say this because the gloves, “provide essential protection and ultimate precision. This lightweight technical shooting glove features an Ax Suede™ synthetic palm for maximum stealth and conductive technology in the index finger and thumb for one-handed operation of a touch screen GPS or phone. Cordura/Nylon back is breathable and durable.” Colour: Optifade Subalpine
Traverse Glove I haven’t had a chance to test these out; I got them from my husband because of a sizing issue. However, I do know that these gloves can be worn on their own or with other gloves. Just like the Ascent gloves; the index finger and thumb have conductive technology. Colour: Optifade Subalpine
Mountain Jacket I must confess that this item hasn’t made it into my hunting tote yet. I have been wearing it when I am out and about; mainly because it fits me really well and is surprisingly flattering…which I wasn’t actually expecting from hunting gear. The jacket offers protection from the wind and light rain. It comes with zippered chest pocket, and two zippered hand pockets. The Sitka site claims that it won’t bunch up when wearing a backpack with a waist belt. Colour: Optifade Subalpine
Fanatic Jacket Perfect for those November days here in Alberta when the temperature drops to -40 with the windchill. Since it is made of Berber fleece it doesn’t make annoying swishing sounds when walking to the hunting stand or blind. The Primaloft Silver Insulation technology traps body heat; keeping you warm but not overheated. A unique feature is the diagonal zipper design which keeps the wind out. I have to say my favourite part of this item is the front muff… it is so freaking soft! It also comes with a removable hood, a pocket with magnetic closure, safety harness pass through port and internal gasketed cuffs. Colour: Elevated II
Fanatic Hoody I wore this heavyweight fleece piece when my husband and I journeyed to southern Alberta in May for a turkey hunt and it did all that Sitka promised; it was comfortable, allowed me to hike and scale the steep hills without feeling constricted, I didn’t overheat or sweat excessively. The face mask stayed in place allowing me to stay concealed (did you know that turkeys have really good eyesight?!?). The flip-over hand mitts (with thumb holes) came in handy as well! I know I am mixing two different types of camo but I have worn it under the Mountain Jacket; it is a piece that works great for layering. Colour: Elevated II
Core Lightweight Hoody Originally this belonged to my husband but he ordered the wrong size so I inherited it. The long sleeves end with thumb loops; I LOVE sweaters and shirts with thumb loops. I don’t know why but I do. Often times I wear it in the bush when I’m helping put up tree stands or ripping off the beaten track on the quad to put up trail cameras before hunting season starts. The hood is form fitting which is greatly appreciated because it actually stays up and doesn’t flap around. I really like the built in face mask as well.The front zipper allows for ventilation; it also has a small chest pocket. Colour: Optifade Subalpine
Grinder Pants (mens) My husband raved about these pants! He literally lives in them for the months of September and October. So I had to order a pair. I haven’t had great luck with women’s camo pants from other brands so I went with the men’s because I knew how they were cut and how they would fit based on trying on my husband’s. These pants “feature a 4-Way stretch nylon outer fabric that improves durability while remaining lightweight. Articulated patterning optimizes mobility, and an offset waist button reduces bulk and bunching when worn with additional layers or a belt. Doubling as a comfortable insulation layer under waders and bibs.” Colour: Waterfowl Marsh
Equinox Pants (mens) These are my deer hunting pants. They are comfortable to wear while sitting in the stand or blind and comfortable to trek through the bush in because the fabric breathes but keeps you warm. They also don’t get hung up on trees and brush. Colour: Elevated II
Five Feathers Tee SS Literally THE MOST COMFORTABLE T-SHIRT I have ever owned. I loved the material so much I am ordering the four other women’s shirts they have available. The Drirelease technology wicks away sweat and moisture and dries 4 times faster than traditional cotton tees. Colour: Lead Heather
Your entryway is the first impression your guests get and I believe it should be a memorable one. After moving into our forever home, five years ago, we left pretty much everything as it was from the last owners. I diverted a little money from the travel fund to spruce up a few areas of our home.
Colour Palette: Rosamilia Green 592 Why: Green is synonymous with nature or the environment and therefore connotes growth, vitality and renewal. It fits nicely in a country home.This colour is great for a feature wall. Source: Benjamin Moore
Bench: Seo Solid Wood Flip Top Storage Bench Why: The dark brown stands up nice to the green paint. It’s a sturdy piece and functional, as built in storage reduces clutter in your entryway. Plus it’s nice to sit down and put your shoes on. Source: Wayfair
Coatrack: Monarch Contemporary Coat Rack Why: Inspired by nature without being cliche. It holds lots of coats; and trust me we need a heavy duty rack. It comes in both black and white; either would work in the space. Source: Lowes
Mirror: Aycock Country Distressed Wall Mirror Why: This beautiful mirror is feminine and has a vintage feel; the white stands up against the dark bench. The details add some interest to the room. Source: Wayfair
Decoration: Butter Yellow Throw Pillows Why: These pillows placed on either end of the bench are perfect accents. With the detail on the mirror a solid coloured pillow is better than a patterned one to avoid a ‘busy’ feeling. Source: Zazzle
