Curated by Mel
Turn Over a New Leaf to Discover Wellness and Wonder
Every year, as the leaves begin to morph into a breathtaking display, I get the urge to try new things. It happens so consistently from year-to-year, I assume it’s the result of Mother’s Nature’s inspiration to turn over a new leaf and lean into imagination. Likewise, if something’s been holding you back from enjoying the great outdoors, I hope you’ll indulge now that summer’s heat is starting to dissipate. Sometimes you just need the right gear, a creative nudge, or an easy entry point. This month’s collection is devoted to the feel-good benefits of two of my favorite pastimes: the great outdoors and dabbling in new hobbies. As a bonus, discovering a new hobby now is a good way to keep the winter blahs at bay, once the day’s get shorter.
ADVENTURE BABY BAGS
From football games and apple picking to the trails, Morrison Outdoors empowers parents to share the world with their little ones. Their uber-cute sleeping bags have sleeves, so kids don’t feel too bunged up and an inner toe box to keep those little piggies nice and cozy. Depending on the fill choice (synthetic or RDS-certified down), expect warmth up to 40°F and 20°F, respectively. If you’re looking for the ultimate family holiday card photo, splurge on matching adult sleeping bags. Info: morrisonoutdoors.com
TRAVELS WITH EEs
If you bought an e-bike with the idea of taking it on vacation, it might not fit on a traditional rack. These bikes are heavier, but the Yakima OnRamp LX is up to the task. It can accommodate two e-bikes (up to 70 pounds each), and boasts an easy roll on-off ramp, which is an absolute must for these behemoths. Though marketed as an e-bike hitch rack, it easily accommodates bikes with fenders as well as mountain, road, hybrid, women’s specific, BMX, and kids’ bikes. Info: yakima.com
THE ONE
A few times in your life, you’re blessed to have a shirt so cozy that you must guard it against would be thieves (a.k.a. friends and partners). I’m going on record that this lightweight Backcountry fleece isn’t just one of those, it’s the one. The 100% recycled polyester is the fiber equivalent of whipping eggs until they become meringue—impossibly airy and oh-so soft. The Highliner PrimaLoft Air-Perm Fleece Hoodie is designed for chilly mountain activities, but it’s equally perfect for lounging.
Info: backcountry.com
MOSQUITOES? I’LL PASS
Royal Robins was a gnarly, amazing climber. He and his equally bad-ass wife dreamed up a business while sitting atop of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park in 1968. Today the brand, Royal Robins, still crafts some of the best active clothing on the market, and these Wilder zip-off pants are top-notch. They’re lightweight, stretchy, breathable, and boast chemical free mosquito repelling MPT™ technology. So, don’t let the bugs dictate your weekend plans. Info: royalrobbins.com
STAND OUT & STAY DRY
It’s tempting to buy black gear, like raincoats. Black is so versatile. But as a seasoned adventure travel writer with three-plus decades under my belt, I recommend having at least one bright raincoat, like Coalatree’s Barrage Technical Shell. It helps the people hiking or adventuring with you find you amongst the trees or fog. This one’s got a vegetable based, fluorine-free DWR rain protection coating, six pockets, and four-way stretch. Oh, and it’s made from made recycled plastic and coffee grounds. Info: coalatree.com
CUSHION CULTURE
HOKA has made a new for itself with its unrelenting drive toward supportive comfort and performance—from athletes to nurses alike. My Challenger 7s got me through multiple Belizean jungle hikes, and the lower soles cleaned up like a dream. This I was still able to wear them with sporty looks even after the chaos of the jungle trails. The ample cushioning—one of HOKA’s signature features—saved my feet from fatigue, whether hiking or on 20-hour travel days. Info: hoka.com
WELL, THAT’S NUTS
These Sahale nuts are my new secret source of trickery. I love the protein boost when I’m hiking. At home? These decadent morsels are charcuterie board superstars. The Gochujang almond mix has spicy-sweet Korean BBQ flavors with sesame and garlic vibes, while the pomegranate vanilla cashew blend is exactly as it sounds—heavenly. I’m very mindful of sugar, but these mixes are worth buying by the case to have on hand. Making a berry crumble? The pomegranate vanilla cashews are an excellent topping addition. Info: sahalesnacks.com
A BEAVER BOOK
You didn’t know you needed this beaver book. Neither did I, but I tore through it in a flash. It’s the first-hand account of a Vermont wildlife rehabilitator who rescues his first beaver “client.” As it turns out, this is a two-year commitment, so the casual read chronicles the epic effort, heartache, and hilarity of parenting a wild beaver. The perfect quick, lighthearted read for your next long weekend. Want more nature? Check out What the Bears Know too! Info: simonandschuster.com
PLANT SCIENCE
I (really) wish I had a dollar for every indoor plant that has perished on my watch. I know plants promote good health, in a number of ways, so I keep trying. Luckily, Tendril just landed on the scene with its vertical planter system. Different plant-science actions are divided up—things like a self-watering reservoir and an air-pruning fabric liner. Yes, I had to Google “air-pruning,” and it’s a system that encourages the ends of roots to dry out to promote more growth. It’s science. It’s sleek. Just add a plant.
Info: mytendril.com
ROBOT BITS
Pour a glass of wine or make a properly jazzy mocktail and settle in for the night. Officially, this is for kids, but to heck with that. The Sphero littleBits Invention Kit makes engineering design—or robot magic, as I like to call it—a breeze. The bits are color coded and serve different functions (light patterns, start-stop buttons, buzzers, twirling action, etc.). Just click them together—only compatible bits will magnetize, so it’s fun, right out of the box. Skip the episode binging for the night; set your imagination free. Info: sphero.com
FELTED SKY
Felting projects are so tactile and cozy, and Felted Sky kits make for an easy on-ramp to this DIY fun. Mini kits start at $25 and feature three dimensional projects like flowers, sheep, and holiday ornaments. I’m partial to the Painting with Wool series, which provides all the supplies and instructions to create little works of framed art, ranging from majestic owls to wildflower meadows. If you’re looking for a 5-hour autumn-specific project, this squirrel is from the Coloring with Wool kit series.
Info: feltedsky.com
MINI MEDITATIONS
Whether a gift for yourself or a friend, this 7 Days of Mindfulness puzzle kit promises a bit of quietude and beauty. Each of the seven puzzles have 70 pieces, which just might be the perfect way to banish morning doomscrolling. They also offer wildly gorgeous origami paper. Between that and a quick YouTube video, you’ve got another morning coffee wellness moment to look forward to. I think a case can also be made for the 300-piece puzzles. They’re so compact, making them easier to work on for a few days at a time. Info: galison.com
TREASURE CARDS
From Under Armour and UGG to Aston Martin, Tom Brady has dabbled in endorsements and business ventures his whole career. His latest, CardVault by Tom Brady, is especially on-brand for the football star. If you’re looking to reconnect with your childhood hobby of collecting cards—or start from scratch—CardVault offers online and in-store access to buy, sell, trade, or have your cards graded. My husband collects sports cards, and we “rip wax” (open packs) together. It’s almost better than hunting for antiques.
Info: cardvaultbytombrady.com
DIY CHARCUTERIE
How about this for a hobbyist deal? Rockler carries a Hardwood Cutting Board Kit that comes with cherry, maple and African padauk wood—trimmed and ready for assembly. And when I say assembly, I mean glue, which is a skillset we all practiced ad nauseum in grade school. You’re practically an expert already. For under $50, you can create a gorgeous charcuterie or cutting board. The kit comes with the pre-cut wood and finishing oil. You’ll just need to add waterproof wood glue to your purchase, and voilà! If you’ve got some tools, you can shape it, but it’s perfectly lovely as is.
Info: rockler.com