GONE CAMPING: TO BRING OR NOT TO BRING

Ever looked in the closet when you're about to embark on an outdoor adventure and wondered to your adventure-having self, "What should I wear?!" Admit it. We're girls. And girls like to look cute. And when we're doing awesome things and shredding outside and getting dirty, we still have a part of us that wants to look good while doing it...

That's where our outdoor style guide comes in!

1. Think LAYERS.

That's the thing about the outdoors... the weather is changeable. You need to be prepared for peeling or adding layers as the day goes on. I usually start with a light puffy in the morning and end up shedding layers throughout the day. It's nice to have an extra pair of socks on hand as well to keep your toes warm at night.

We love rain jackets for their ability to cut wind and shed rain, and act as a super light layering piece

We are all about fun socks with hiking boots!

Socks and sandals. Rock it.

2. Go light.

Overpacking in the wild is never a good idea. I like to think of it this way, "what's in your pack is on your back." If you don't want to carry it, don't bring it.

Whether for a day trip or a multi-night backcountry trip, it's always great to have a day bag

Essentials only! If you're on the water, dry bags are a must.

3. It's all about the function.

Prioritize what you need. Don't bring stuff that you will only use once. Bring the gear that counts - like your pocket rocket backpacking stove, propane/butane, headlamp, Camelback, water filter and things that'll keep you moving once you're on the go. Depending on the type of trip you're taking, make sure you have your essentials with you.

Clothes/shoes wise, there's still lots of ways to be cute while also functional and all kinds of outdoors brands are making that easier and easier for us to do. You don't have to sacrifice good looks to do what you love :) We are always sure to bring a few good hats as well to keep our crazy hair covered!

We like to pack using tupperware to keep things a bit more tidy at basecamp

Headlamp c/o Princeton Tec

Camping Stove (similar)

Wild Brim Hat 

Brixton Tiller Hat

4. Just have fun!
Packing can be very overwhelming and stressful. If you're anything like our Meggie, she can sit in a pile of clothes and gear and just lose her marbles not knowing where to start. Hopefully these quick steps will help you get beyond the stress and to the fun part - adventuring! We will be sharing more tips on specific types of trips and how to pack here shortly, so keep your eyes peeled!

JOSHUA TREE

Camping in Joshua Tree is so dreamy. There is something about the desert that is very ethereal and I like it. Chase and I came here to celebrate my (well…our) birthday. If you are into rock climbing and bouldering this would seriously be your heaven. For us, we just enjoy the camping experience and fun exploring and hiking it offers.

The best time to camp at Joshua Tree is in the winter and spring. Once June and July hit it gets super hot up there so probably isn't as comfortable. We went in May and the days were in the mid 70s with a slight breeze while the nights were cold enough for a heavy coat and beanies. We slept comfortably in our awesome Kelty tent and were grateful it had a rain fly to protect us from the wind.

One of my favorite parts of this weekend was waking up to delicious pancakes! We used two scoops of  plant based protein powder from Designer Protein to give us the energy we needed to get through the day. Feel free to find the recipe here. They truly were delicious. Happy camping!

SUMMER GO TO SANDAL & HIKING DESTINATION

Destination: Vasquez Rocks / Activity: Hiking / Footwear: Teva sandals / Jacket: c/o WithoutWalls

You’ve probably already seen this spot just north of Los Angeles, since it's been in TV shows like Star Trek, Friends, and Power Rangers. Formed by erosion 25 million years ago and more recent activity along the San Andreas Fault, Vasquez Rocks is made up of strange and other-worldly rock formations. 

These days, Vasquez Rocks not only plays an interesting role in entertainment, but makes for a great desert getaway just 45 minutes away from the city. There are several trails to get in good hiking time and always free parking. If you're really into earthquakes and geology, you should definitely plan a trip to Vasquez Rocks to hit up the Geology Trail. Starting on the Pacific Crest Trail, you'll eventually veer off and hike along tilted slabs of rock and prominent boulders for scrambling.

This summer our favorite go-to sandal is Tevas! We've been sporting Tevas since we were little girls, and would fight over which colors to get and who got what. I've been hiking in mine, and although I wouldn't say they're built for trails or traversing rocks they do the job on lighter hikes and your everyday adventure. Plus, they're so cute and they come in so many colors! What's not to love?!

WHAT TO WEAR: LET'S HIKE!

Women's Hiking Boot: Columbia Shastalavista Mid Omni-Tech Boot (similar here)

Let's talk about shoes. I'm the girl you want to talk to about shoes, because when you ask Lisa or Megan the first thing they'll say is "Kylie's obsessed with shoes." Lisa and Megan on the other hand are obsessed with swimsuits #nowyouknow

Hiking boots! I always love a good excuse to buy new shoes. But I also have this thing where I like to hold on to pairs for a long time too - it's kinda like my shoes are growing old with me :) As seen on our FAQ page #4 & 5, you'll see we like to get a good deal when shopping for outdoor gear and we also have some recommendations on what gear to bring along on your next outdoor adventure. 

I always recommend looking for a comfortable boot. You want to have the support you need, so make sure if you have a narrow foot you buy a boot that hugs the foot properly. Keep in mind you're going to want ankle support as well, so a mid-high boot will do you some good. Soles with traction are key as well, because you don't want to be slipping off any rocky mountains into a gully or off any cliffs now do you? :) I prefer my lace-ups to have eyelets at the top to really secure the ankle area. I also like my hiking boots to be cute and not look like my dad's or the guy next to me on the trail, so I like to look for something with a little pop of color to give it a more girlie flair.

You can also take Megan's advice and spice up your boots by adding a pop of colored laces like the way she does with hers here in red! That adds a nice classic look that the movie Wild is making everyone want now-a-days.

Tell us what boots you're sporting, and why you love them in the comments below!

TRAVELING IN FASHION - NORTH FACE SALE!

it's a miracle.

north face went on sale!

and not only north face, but popular outdoor brands 

including marmot, orage and columbia among others!

where you ask?

sports authority. if you have one in your area you better go check it out. we don't know if the sale is still going for sure, but we were getting huge discounts. better hurry or there will be slim pickings! worth a shot don't ya think?

we were able to get winter coats (this lovely yellow marmot number), fleece pull overs (north face), fleece zip ups (north face), sweat pants (north face), hiking shorts (columbia), outdoor durable pants ideal for dirty work (north face)... you get the idea. we had a happy hay day and walked away spending less than $100 with quality merchandise in our hands.

if you don't have a sports authority near you, check out rei, back country, and sierra trading post for a good deal. 

the green orage coat came from rei and 

i am stoked to wear it next ski season!

summer adventures are just around the corner, friends.