Ambassador – Darkk Horse Travel

Hometown Adventures: Barclay Lake, WA

Published on February 21, 2018April 13, 2018 by Emilee2 Comments

Washington state is one of the most beautiful states in the U.S. and I’m not just saying that because I live here. One of the things that I’m trying to get better about is taking the time to experience my beautiful home state instead of taking for granted all the amazing nature. That being said, this past weekend seemed like the perfect time to start getting out on some of the trails. Or at least that’s what we thought.

Saturday morning @seattlebred and I had an early start, grabbed some Starbucks and drove NE of where I live (Seattle). The drive was pretty quick, and we’d worn warm clothes because we’d heard that there might be snow. In retrospect, we probably should have checked the morning before whether there was snow that had fallen. As we were driving up the mountain road we quickly realized that things went (very quickly) from, “Hey look, some snow!” to, “Holy hell, the bottom of the car is dragging on the snow.”

Needless to say, by the time we reached the top of the mountain we were completely and hopelessly S-T-U-C-K. We also didn’t have cell phone reception. We ALSO couldn’t push the car as it slid on the compacted snow/ice.

I finally got some cell service, after us trying to dig the car out/push it for a couple of hours. So we called 911, and asked them to send Search and Rescue to save our asses. In the meantime we sat in the car for about an hour wrapped in blankets and wishing we had chains and/or a shovel.

@seattlebred getting the blankets out of the car so we don’t freeze to death

In the meantime I also took a couple of pics of my new R.Riveter bag because what else are you going to do whilst waiting for help to come? I had been so excited because this bag came the night before the hike, so just in time for some snowy shots with the bag from their winter collection.

I was a little cold and didn’t notice until afterward that the focus was on the trees in the background…oh well.

Taking product shots while I’m in the car. FUN FACT: Each piece of R.Riveter bags is stamped with the number of the lady who made it!

The crazy part of all of this is that it was so beautiful outside, all around us…but it was a little bit hard to appreciate while trying to imagine how you’re going to not only get the car somehow turned around, but then going to drive DOWN the hill in all of the snow you barely cleared coming up the hill.

When you really have to pee, but the bathroom is locked for the winter.

Luckily, a big ‘ole Toyota Tacoma came up the hill after we’d been sitting in the car for about an hour and they helped to guide not only our car, but the next five cars (which also got stuck) as they turned around and also got pointed in the direction of going back down the hill. These people were complete lifesavers and knew how to kick some serious ass in the snow-driving department. They were from Minnesota.

And yes, I stayed in the car because I have a medical condition where if I get too cold my hands/feet loose circulation and we weren’t trying to call Search and Rescue AND visit the hospital in the same day.

The GOOD news is that I still got some beautiful shots with my bag. I mean, with this kind of beautiful how can you NOT get glamour shots. The moral of the story is to always have chains in your car, and to check the weather before you head up on a trail. We won’t be making that mistake again. Thanks R.Riveter for being the highlight of the day.

Me and The Hobby bag from R. Riveter. Photo cred IG: @seattlebred

2017 #BagsOnAMission Ambassador | R. Riveter

Published on September 6, 2017September 15, 2017 by Emilee1 Comment

(photo credit Laura Vien at rrivter.com)

Hey everyone!

I’m really excited because these past few weeks I’ve been super busy working on a bunch of really awesome projects. One of my newest projects is that I’m now a brand ambassador for R. Riveter, which is an amazing organization on a mission to bring employment, and a global community, to military spouses. Pretty sweet, huh?

While I’m not personally a military spouse, my family has three generations of men who have served, and I do think it’s really important to support U.S. made products.

Q: What is an ambassador?

Glad you asked! To be an ambassador means I am an advocate for brands that I care about. This means these are brands I support because they strongly align with what I value. I’ve talked about my ambassador program with Schwinn, and I’m so glad I now get to stand alongside another amazing brand on a mission.

Being an ambassador means that I get to talk about my experience with the brand, how I use their products and how much I love (because I really, truly do) the community they’ve built around their brand. I could not be more excited!

The first time I ever heard about this brand was when they appeared on Shark Tank, and I instantly fell in love with them. I remember messaging one of my friends immediately after I watched the show, and telling her all about this amazing brand. That was a few years ago, and I’ve loved following along on their journey ever since.

What this doesn’t mean: I get paid to promote their brand and to coerce others to buy it. I don’t receive any money for being an ambassador, or for you making a purchase through the use of my codes.

This DOES means that I get to share special discount codes that get you awesome products at a great price, just ‘cus that’s the way they roll. This also means that I share what’s up with the brand and what’s new with them.

For instance, right now the brand is teaming up with the Red Cross and donating 100% of proceeds from these awesome key fobs to help with those affected by Hurricane Harvey—awesome, right?! Get yours (they’re only $10!) HERE.
It’s pretty awesome if you think about it—you get the inside scoop via me. And you get to hear stories about women empowering other women to succeed. Everyone wins!

Here’s more about the R. Riveter brand:

These products really are amazing, and I can’t wait to share more about them with all of you. Keep a lookout for special codes if you have your eye on one of their gorgeous bags.

If you use the code ‘RREMILEEM’ you can get 15% off any bags in their signature collection!

Why My Blog Posts Came To A Screeching Stop

Published on July 17, 2017July 26, 2017 by Emilee3 Comments

It’s been a few weeks since I posted anything on my darling blog, and there’s a very practical reason for that. It has to do with a game of Marco Polo and a girl (me) who is entirely too competitive. Whilst playing said game with some kids, a few weeks back, I managed to dislocate my right shoulder. Like a champ (so I’m told) I popped the sucker back in, but my muscles were more than a little bit sore. Like it really flippin hurt, guys.

Needless to say, I’ve been laying around with a sling on, going to physical therapy and visiting the doctor more times than I would like. Have I ever told y’all how much I hate going to the doctor?

Anyway, I’ve only been able to start typing the past few days, and honestly right now my arm is hurting from even just writing this. But I wanted to let you all know that I’m alive. My mind is swirling with ideas for all types of new blog posts, and I can’t wait to get writing again! Not being able to write my mind has been pure torture. BUT here are some things I HAVE been able to do while my right arm has been on sabbatical:

Getting really good at using my left hand for things. I’m naturally left handed/slightly ambidextrous and lemme tell you, it’s never worked more in my favor.
Started watching new shows like Mad Men. I’m obsessed! I can’t believe I’ve never watched this show, before!
Going to the Scottish Highland Games for year #2. It was so much fun! I can’t wait to go back next year.
Daydreaming of cosplay ideas for when I can once again use both of my arms. I have more ideas than I can count!
One of my cosplay ideas for next year’s ECCC 🙂
Reading books and getting caught up on all things literary.
Working with kids while trying not to re-injure my shoulder. It hasn’t been easy. But I must be doing something right because I got employee of the month!
Thrift shopping more selectively. ‘Cause hey, I can only use one arm to hold stuff.
Winning a contest with Schwinn bikes for best “throwback” cosplay with my bike the day after I stopped using my sling. Woot! Here’s a peek of the pic.
Being a little bored, but making it work. I LOVE working, and writing and making things. It’s been really hard to take some downtime. It almost killed me to take sick leave time off from work, and I had it all covered! But now that I’m getting better I’m really excited to get things rolling again.

What have you guys been up to? Anything summer-y and fantastic? Comment below!

Schwinn Ambassador 2017

Published on February 17, 2017March 1, 2017 by Emilee1 Comment

I’ve been keeping this on the DL for a while, but I’m SO excited to announce that I’ve jumped onboard with Schwinn bicycles as one of their brand ambassadors for 2017!

I’ve loved Schwinn bikes for the past 5 years, ever since I found my vintage bike (Elsie) at a second hand store. The minute I saw my little brown bike, it was true love. And the fact that three older gents tried to ‘take it off my hands’ while I was purchasing it, made me even more certain I had found a treasure.

My last Schwinn was my constant companion for almost three years of being a nanny. I rode it 7 miles a day to get to and from work and it held together beautifully. While having zero budget for restoring the bits that needed it, I’m definitely saving up to have that restoration happen in the future.

When I heard about the Schwinn ambassador program I knew that I had to apply, even though I didn’t think I had a shot in hell of getting in. I’ve since learned that there were over 500 applicants so I’m really honored that I was chosen to be one of the representatives for the upcoming year. So crazy.

One of the best perks about my new role, is that I was able to pick out a brand spankin’ new Schwinn. Part of me was a bit hesitant to bring another ‘kid’ home, because I didn’t want Elsie to feel like she was being replaced (yeah I name my bikes, get over it) but I found the perfect addition to the family with the Mifflin-hybrid in gold.

I’m still waiting on a new front fender before I take it out on a full ride, but I’ve definitely taken it for a spin up and down the road, and I’m loving the feel. More pictures and posts are to come, but I thought I would share some pics from the process of putting the bike together.

To be perfectly honest, I didn’t do much in regards to piecing it, but that’s because my boyfriend is an engineer. I’m a strong believer that you’re only as good as your team, so he put most of it together (I helped a little with the peddles and fixing the front brake) and I made a delicious dinner. Trade for trade.

Without further ado, here’s the newest addition. I’m not sure yet what to name it, so I’m open for suggestions (seriously, please help me). I’m thinking something from Mad Max because it’s so shiny and so chrome.