Outdoors Gear Reviews of products that I have tested and used. Disclosure: These are my own honest opinions and photos. I was not compensated in any way to give any of these reviews. However, some products may have been provided to me, at no cost, for my own personal use or use by my family, but as always the opinions are authentically my own. ~ Kimberly "Upnorth KCarisma"

Proof That A New Pair Of (Snow) Shoes Can Change Your Life

If you have ever struggled with what to get someone for a gift, wanting it to mean so much more, why not a new pair of snowshoes?! It could change their whole life, and yours as well.

Cleaning and Maintaining your iSUP

How to Clean and Maintain your iSUP Cleaning and properly maintaining your inflatable SUP board is key to its longevity and performance. Fortunately, basic SUP care is not time consuming and is easy enough that you can even do it yourself. After enjoying time out on your SUP be sure to clean off and pat dry your […]

Outdoor Research Women’s Sonata Hooded Down Jacket #ORInsightLab

Winter in Northern Michigan was a far cry from typical this year.  The abundance of snowpack that Michigan has always been known for was no where to be found, at least in our neck of the woods. Instead we found ourselves on a wild roller coaster ride, up and down, back and forth between the […]

BABY it’s COLD outside! #AventuraLife

Baby It’s Cold Outside! BABY it’s COLD outside and we couldn’t be more thrilled!  The Gales of November blew in right on schedule and brought in with it colder temperatures and the arrival of our first snowfall in Northern Michigan.  Yes, It is officially sweater weather in Northern Michigan! The perfect time to break out […]

Fall Color Touring in Michigan with Aventura Clothing 2016

Fall Color Touring Fall is in full swing and in it’s “Peak” season which means it’s Fall Color touring time in Northern Michigan. As a four seasons, outdoors family we have learned to love and embrace each and every season for it’s unique beauty and the changing of our outdoors activities. For us, fall color […]

Review: Life is Better Outside! EnerPlex Generatr™ 1200 and Commandr 20™ #AlwaysInCharge

Our Lifestyle Being self employed and a small family business owner has fantastic perks as you can imagine, such as being able to create our own flexible schedule and being blessed with the ability to work from home. Nevertheless, these great benefits bring along with it the great responsibility of taking care of the business […]

Gear Review: Outdoor Research Women’s Playa Sun Hoody #ORInsightLab

I am sure that I don’t have to tell most of you this, but it has been one long HOT Summer! Not only were the temps well above normal here in Northern Michigan, but my husband and I decided to take a long past due summer road trip traveling through the sunny, hot states of […]

Gear Review: Outdoor Research Trailbreaker Pants #ORInsightLab

I am sure that I am not alone when I say that it can be a somewhat daunting task to find durable, quality ski/snow pants that not only meets my high expectations including list of “must have features”. Let alone be ready to face the unpredictable, rapidly changing winter weather we typically experience here in […]

Gear Review: Outdoor Research Women’s Linchpin Hooded Jacket #ORInsightLab

Winter is finally here, and with more snow on the way for the upcoming weekend, I couldn’t be more excited. As a life long Northern Michigan native, I know all too well how unpredictable Michigan’s weather can be and just how quickly having the wrong gear can cut your favorite outdoors adventures short. So when […]

Falling in love (all over again) with Aventura Clothing #AventuraLife

Wow! I guess it’s true what they say “Time flies when you are having FUN!” Hard to believe that the year has flown by so fast, and fall is already upon us, arriving officially in Northern Michigan this week! This past year has brought so many memorable adventures and new connections my way, that I […]