Crosier Mountain

A few weekends ago, Andy and I found ourselves without kids for the day.  We love going on family hikes with the kids, but when we get a chance to hike without the kids, we take full advantage!  To be able to go a little farther and reach some summits is what we truly love to do!  We headed out on a gorgeous Colorado day to the Crosier Mountain Trail Head.  Andy had hiked this before, but I hadn't and it was on my list of hikes I really wanted to do.  It was a really fun and beautiful hike and the view from the summit was amazing!  It felt good to get out, connect with nature, get some exercise, and enjoy Colorado's breathtaking landscape.  If you get a chance I highly recommend checking out this trail.  You can hike to the summit, or just go a couple of miles and still experience a wonderful hike.  Crosier Mountain Trail is located in Glen Haven, CO near Estes Park, CO. It is just over 8 miles with an elevation gain of over 1900 feet.  To learn more about our hike, you can check out Andy's blog post here.

Crosier Mountain

A New Tattoo

Like many, once you have 1 tattoo, there is always that desire to get a second...or a third, fourth, etc.  They are addicting!  I got my first tattoo at 18 and almost 20 years later I finally got my second.  For the past 20 years I have dreamed up ideas for what  my next tattoo would be and where I would place it on my body.  Oh, I have had thousands of ideas...and every year around my birthday I decide, this is the year I am going to get one.  This year was no different...my 37th birthday came and went and I told myself  "this is the year I am getting a tattoo."  I went through all of my ideas and just couldn't decide...so guess what?  I scrapped every idea I had ever had and the answer came to me.  I was going to get a feather on my forearm...boom, there it was. 

I didn't hesitate or have second thoughts, it was decided and I went for it. I wanted a feather for 2 reasons.  First off, I wanted to represent a new found freedom I was experiencing in life and didn't want to take it for granted.  Let's face it, running your own business is hard work, but at the end of the day I make all the decisions and having this creative control is a freedom I truly appreciate. 

The second reason for the feather is to remind me to stay light.  When a heavy decision or a bad day come my way, I can look at my feather and be reminded to smile and deal with situations with a positive attitude...to not worry..to stay 'light'.  I love my new tattoo...now...what will my next tattoo be?  What tattos do you have and love? 

A New Tattoo

Free Bracelet!

Your May Deal is here! FREE Wooden Jippy Bracelet with all orders over $50 for the rest of the month or while supplies last. Must add the bracelet to your cart and use code 'MayDeal' at check out. Not valid with other offers. 

Free Bracelet!

Earth Day 2013

Earth Day 2013 is here and it is time to think about what we are all doing for the planet and what we can do to decrease our waste and live more sustainably. If you've been a fan of the Hip Mountain Mama blog for a while you may remember that we did the One Small Change project a few years ago. As part of this project, we encouraged  literally hundreds of people to make on small change each month. Just something small and easy to go a little more green. The idea was that all of these very small changes add up to make a big difference.

I still strongly believe in this idea. Often times when you talk to someone about going green or living a sustainable lifestyle the conversation quickly goes to hybrid vehicles, solar panels and other really expensive ways to go green. You don't have to spend a lot of money to make a difference. In fact, living green should actually save you some money.

I'm going to give you a list of very easy things you can do to make a difference. There is nothing new or ground breaking about these ideas but they are easy and they will help you live more sustainably. Pick one of these ideas and commit to doing it for at least a month. You'll see it isn't a big deal and then you can choose a second idea to put into place. Remember just make one small change, don't get overwhelmed. Living green is a journey not a destination.

 Small Green Changes

• Don't use paper towels- Cloth napkins and rags aren't that much more work than just throwing away paper towels.
• Hang your laundry- You'll save a ton of energy if you give your dryer a break.
• Unplug unused appliances- Do you really need your coffee maker telling you what time it is? Unplug it when not in use.
• Start a Compost Bin- You can keep a lot of waste out of the landfill and will have some great new soil for your garden.
• Ride your bike- Start with one errand per week and see if you can let your car rest.
• Shorten your shower- Time how long you actually take in the shower. Then try and cut just one minute off that time. Set a timer and you'll save a lot of water. 

All of these items are really easy, don't cost any money and may actually save you a few bucks while also reducing waste, conserving energy and make a difference. Imagine if everybody just did the little things to be green. Together we could make a big difference.

Do you have another easy idea for going green? Enter it in the comments below.

Happy Earth Day!

-Andy

Earth Day 2013

Earth Day Special!

Earth Day Special!

Moab in Spring

The girls exploring Arches National Park

The beginning of the hike to Corona Arch

Corona Arch

Hiking around

Exploring the area around our campsite

Petroglyphs

Bow Tie Arch

Campsite

Gymnastics on the way to Delicate Arch

View from campsite

Playing in the Colorado River

Family photo near campsite

Hiking to Corona Arch

As I am writing this, there is a foot of snow outside my door...even though it is mid April!  You never know what you are going to get in Colorado Springtime.  It's hard to imagine that just 2 weeks ago we were wearing shorts and t shirts and enjoying the majestic desert in Moab, Utah.  Moab is a place we have visited several times over the past 20 years.  More recently we have been taking the kids there during Spring Break to explore, camp, and enjoy warmer weather.  The kids love it and have fond memories of the amazing landscape in Moab.  Andy and I love being outdoors, hiking, camping, and exploring, so a camping trip to Moab is always a crowd pleaser for my family.  I hope you enjoy a few photos from our recent trip...we went the first week in April and had perfect weather!

*For more photos and info on our trip, you can check out Andy's blog post here 

Moab in Spring

Feature Friday: Sugar Magnolia Dress

The Sugar Magnolia dress is so much fun!  It's light, feminine, funky, and unique.  It feels like you are wearing your favorite tapestry!  The colors are earthy and the fit is amazing.  I love that you can wear it strapless or with the straps to create the best fit.  The straps can even be tied around your neck for an different look.  The Sugar Magnolia dress will work for all kinds of sizes with the elastic back and adjustable straps.  And with the name Sugar Magnolia, you can't help but smile when wearing this beauty! 

"She's got everything delightful, she's got everything I need, A breeze in the pines and the sun and bright moonlight, lazing in the sunshine yes indeed...."

Feature Friday: Sugar Magnolia Dress

1/2 off Tees for 24 Hours

 

1/2 off Hip Mountain Mama Tees for 24 hours only!  Sale ends April 10th at 8:00 am MST.  Get yours while you can!  Pass it on....

1/2 off Tees for 24 Hours

Hip Mountain Mama Photo Shoot

I had a few friends over this weekend to do a quick photo shoot of some of the new Spring items in my shop.  As a small family business I don't always have the resources that larger companies do...but what I do have is great friends always willing to help!  Not only did we get some great photos, but we had a ton of fun! 

Hip Mountain Mama Photo Shoot

Feature Friday: Medicine Wheel Tank

The Medicine Wheel Tank is an absolutely beautiful bohemian tank top~I LOVE THIS! The perfect top for the warm Summer months, the open back allows for maximum comfort and will keep you nice and cool on those Sunny Summer Days! The fabric is made of a lovely and soft cream cotton that closely resembles linen, very comfortable and Earthy looking:) One of my favorite features on this adorable tank is the embroidered feathers and medicine wheel on the front~all done in beautiful earth tones such as terra cotta, golden yellow, and tree brown. The medicine wheel also kind of resembles a dream catcher and I loooove dream catchers so I dig it even more!

The next best thing has to be the adjustable corduroy straps~there are button holes along them that allow you to choose the perfect fit for your size~definite selling point! There is lovely lacing stitched just under the bodice and a cute lil' corduroy trim along the hemline too~this tank is full of great little details! You are sure to get compliments when wearing the Medicine Wheel Tannk around:) ~Raegan


*Raegan  is a part of our Hip Sister Review Team.  She is not paid for this review and all the opinions are her own.   To read more Sister Reviews please go here

Feature Friday: Medicine Wheel Tank